comics

Godzilla #1 Review

Worst comic read ever! Not that this was a surprise though, given that one of my rules for deciding if I should buy a new comic title is to see how many/how ‘big’ it’s variant covers are going to be. The more variant covers linked to an issue, the worse the read usually is. And IDW’s Godzilla variant campaign was epically huge!

Batman Incorporated #4 Review

Grant Morrison’s Batman Incorporated explodes in issue #4! One of the two titles featuring the returned Bruce Wayne, I found the previous three issues to be incredibly weak. Thankfully that all changes with issue #4.

Green Lantern #64 Review

Green Lantern - both the character and the series - has reached phenomenal new heights of popularity under the guidance of superstar writer Geoff Johns. For me though, the comic has become a victim of its own success. The title seemed trapped in this never-ceasing loop of mega-events that required buying ever more series to stay involved. So, after Blackest Night, I dropped it from my reading list. Not because it was bad, but just too sprawling in its scope.

Xombi #1 Review

Xombi #1 was a surprise for me. An awesome surprise! My random pick from the comic shelf, the art just grabbed my attention, being almost Baroque in its richness and visual impact. I was, and to a certain extent still am, unfamiliar with the character, but that didn't prevent me from enjoying creator John Rozum’s new take on this formerly languishing DC Comics character.

Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #2 Review

Mark Millar is back in perfect writing form with this latest issue of Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates. Returning to the Marvel Universe he was instrumental in shaping, Millar had the daunting task of trying to salvage the wreck that his once-great masterpiece had become under Jeph Loeb’s direction. And while the first two Ultimate Avenger titles were a good start, the third one left me cold. Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #2 though, is Millar at his best.

Retro Comic Review: Marvel Premiere #10

Last week two DLC characters for Marvel vs Capcom 3 were released. From the Capcom side was Resident Evil’s Jill Valentine, who’s been having trouble with mind-controlling parasites lately. On the Marvel side is Shuma-Gorath, a sassy one-eyed tentacled monster who few people who work at Marvel Comics, let alone read them, have ever heard of. Except for a handful of encounters with Dr. Strange and the Fantastic Four in the 1970s and 80s, he barely exists at all.

Captain America & the First Thirteen Review

With every comic book movie adaptation, there is a flood of new titles that showcase the soon-to-be silver screen hero. Captain America: The First Avenger will be no different, and in addition to the regular on-going series, this week saw the arrival of three different comics with the star-spangled hero headlining.

Sigil #1 Review

I enjoyed Sigil #1, but having never read the original series - published by CrossGen from 2000 to 2003 - I found the comic’s plot a bit thin and somewhat confusing. Still, Leonard Kirk’s attention-grabbing artistic style more than made up this, and has me eagerly awaiting issue #2.

5 Ronin #1 Review

5 Ronin is a new mini-series, being released in weekly succession, which reinvents five of Marvel’s most popular characters in 17th century Japan. This is an out-of-continuity tale, in the same vein as DC's Elseworlds line, or Marvel’s 1602.

Carbon Grey #1 Review

This is the most explosively violent and absolutely drop-dead gorgeous comic I have read since R. Grampa’s Mesmo Delivery, Carbon Grey from Image Comics could easily be the best new book of 2011.

Dethklok #3 Review

Dethklok #3 reads just like an episode of the wildly dark and humorous TV show Metalocalypse, from which it is spawned. The comic takes its name from the heavy metal band that the animated show revolves around. This isn't classic, ground-breaking, soul-searching writing, but not every comic needs to be an epic examination of the worlds of our imagination. Dethklok is just pure awesomeness.

Abyss: Family Values #1 Review

Abyss is the latest comic title from the Canadian publisher Red 5, best known for their Atomic Robo series. Abyss focuses on Eric Hoffman, who has just inherited his father’s mansion, corporate fortune, and super-villain tech. If this sounds slightly familiar, you might be thinking of the starting premise of Wanted by Mark Millar. Abyss is no rip-off though, instead taking a lighthearted look at a young man trying to define himself in the long shadow of his father’s legacy.

Power Girl #21 Review

Style over substance. That is the typical first reaction when someone mentions the Power Girl title. Or, thoughts of cheesecake art that hangs on skeleton thin plotlines. This is not the case though.

Fantastic Four #588 Review

Fantastic Four #588 is emotionally powerful, visually gripping, and a definite must read. Dealing with the aftermath of the Human Torch’s death, this heart wrenching tale is everything the last issue wasn’t for me. With no dialogue until the final page, the story still conveys so much about these characters and their supporting cast. Plus, it has the best Hulk versus The Thing battle ever. You have to read to find out why!

“Justice League” writer Dwayne McDuffie passes away

As Dork Shelf publishes my All-Star Superman review, I’m saddened to say that the film’s writer, Dwayne McDuffie, has passed away. McDuffie wrote a huge amount of the DC Animated Universe’s content, including an unprecedented 69 episodes of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. McDuffie also was responsible for the creation of Milestone Media, an […]