Mini Reviews 30/10/2011

While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.

INCREDIBLE HULK #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Marc Silvestri, Michael Broussard et al
Marvel $3.99

Matt C: Jason Aaron seems to be taking a similar approach to the Green Goliath that his predecessor Greg Pak did; in other words, he’s avoiding the well worn man-on-the-run take on the character. There’s an argument that this circumnavigates one of the core elements for a successful Hulk story, but personally I think various writers (Pak and Peter David spring to mind) have proven that Bruce Banner’s alter ego is resilient enough to survive numerous interpretations. Speaking of Banner, the twist here is that the Hulk and Banner have split into separate entities, the Hulk hiding out with the Moloids and Banner… well Banner’s up to something else entirely. It’s an arresting debut with a plotline that definitely has me curious to see what happens next. Silvsetri (with the help of Broussard) is an artist I really connected during his run on Uncanny X-Men back in the ‘80s and while his art is a lot ‘busier’ than it used to be, it’s still very appealing. The $3.99 price tag smarts a bit, but the rough, melancholy vibe mixed with a killer cliffhanger will have me back again next month. 8/10


SPACEMAN #1
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Art: Eduardo Risso, Patricia Mulvihill & Giulia Brusco
DC/Vertigo $1.00

Matt C: For a dollar, there’s no question that this is an essential purchase. The pedigree’s all there so there’s not really a valid excuse to skip Spaceman, because while it may not be a book for everyone, I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised. A future-set tale centring on Orson, a man who’s been genetically engineered for space travel (but appears to be entirely earthbound currently), it’s offers a smart and absorbing read for those willing to come along for the ride. There’s not a lot to it beyond getting us submerged in this strange but familiar world (bar a kidnapping that seems destined to impact on our hero’s life) but that’s more than fine because the world Azzarello and Risso are depicting is rich in detail, from grimy, dilapidated cityscapes to an understandable but distinctly different urban dialect that feels wholly authentic. Looks like another win for Vertigo then. 8/10

James R: A couple of weeks ago Dark Horse released Orchid, a story set in a post-apocalyptic world where the seas have risen and only a select few oligarchs live in luxury. I thought it was pretty so-so, and right on time Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso return to show us how this type of tale should be told. We've already had a prologue to this 9-part tale in Vertigo's Strange Adventures - our protagonist is Orson, one of the genetically bred and altered astronauts designed by NASA to work on Mars, and in this first issue we get a lush introduction to his world; he's haunted by dreams of Mars and is living hand-to-mouth salvaging scrap from the now submerged Earth. That would be good enough for me, but seeing that this is the creative team that brought us the brilliant 100 Bullets, there's also a mysterious and high profile kidnapping that Orson has managed to stumble into the midst of. Azzarello really delivers a lot of bang for your buck - I appreciate that it might not be for everyone (the dialogue is a mixture of urban slang and invented neologisms) but that adds to the reading experience for me. Once gain Eduardo Risso and Patricia Mulvihill show that they can illustrate urban decay like no-one else, but it's also a blast to see them moving (very successfully) towards sci-fi too. This is one space odyssey I'm on board with for the long haul. 8/10


WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Jamie Mendoza & Al Vey
Marvel $4.99

Mike S: This is the first of the spin-offs from Schism and it isn't bad at all. The story is packed with lots of character-based stuff as the various X-characters seek to establish the Jean Grey School For Higher Learning, there’s some cracking art from Bachalo and the impending threats of the new (Junior) Hellfire Club come together with the return of a past menace at the issue's climax. Nice to see someone remembered Husk, Chamber and Karma, even if all didn't appear in this issue. And to top it all off, I really enjoyed the faculty list and school brochure at the end of the issue - I'd sign up for some of those classes! It's not perfect but it is a gripping first instalment with an interesting mix of humour and danger, an old school tone, some good cameos and character vignettes, as well as some great additions to the cast - Broo and Kid Gladiator look like stars in the making to me! 8/10


FLASH #2
Writer: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
DC $2.99

James R: Wowzer! Last week I dished out a bit of criticism towards Captain Atom as I felt that the potential of the story wasn't being pushed far enough. Seven days later, and here is the book that does it absolutely right… and then some! I've always had a soft spot for the Flash, and I'm astounded at the first couple of issues Manapul and Buccellato have put together. I like Manapul's art, but now he's free from Geoff John's scripts he's pushing the boundaries with Barry Allen. This month, the speedster learns that it's not just his physical form that can move at a super-human pace, but also his mind. Manapul goes all out to illustrate Barry 'opening his mind' - and it's an absolute blast to read. At the same time, he continues to dig into the mysterious case of Manuel Lago and uncovers a plot involving clones, regeneration... and pigs! This isn't just superhero comics done right - it's comics, period! It's always satisfying when a quality creative team deliver the goods, but I got an extra geeky fanboy thrill over the way that these two have surpassed my expectations. I'm hoping that this Flash run is going to be a marathon rather than a sprint! 9/10

Matt C: Just like the title character, this book zips along at a furious pace, barely pausing for breath, and it’s utterly fantastic because of it. Well, that and the compelling, well-conceived plot and some simply stunning, inventive artwork. It’s interesting to note that Manapul’s art didn’t feel this alive and packed with frenetic energy when he was working from Geoff Johns’ scripts; the fact that he’s working from his own (and Buccellato’s) story seems to have given him the opportunity to fling as many visual ideas as he can at the page. From the Flash dispatching several goons in a single frame, to Barry Allen’s sudden realisation that his brain has tapped into the Speed Force, to the moment he figures out he can prevent various accidents from happening before the occur, it’s electrifying stuff. If Manapul and Buccellato can keep this up this has the potential to be one of the very best of the New 52 titles. Right now, it’s pretty damn close to the top of the list. Brilliant. 8/10


AQUAMAN #2
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado & Rod Reis
DC $2.99

Mike S: For me, this was the stand out title from the first month of the New 52 with its character driven, stunningly presented premier issue. Naturally I had high expectations for issue #2 and Johns and Reis certainly do not disappoint. The tone is a little different - we move from the character heavy storyline of issue #1 into a more action based sequence. However, there are still plenty of nice touches - Mera (don't call her Aquawoman!) and Aquaman looking at photos and the display of her power - but it is the engagement of the enemy that is the most stunning section. The sense of growing menace, before we even meet Arthur and Mera, is beautifully presented by Reis. When they arrive to investigate and then the enemy is engaged the artwork becomes fluid and intense in its action as the pace picks up and kicks into high gear. Another cracking issue then - this is the sleeper of the New 52. Who'd have thought that Aquaman would one day be this cool! 9/10

Matt C: I guess it’s no surprise that the pairing of Johns and Reis would boost Aquaman’s popularity to new heights but I’m sure I wasn’t alone in having doubts that they’d pull it off. I’m still not 100% convinced they have done though – at the moment it’s the art from Reis that’s really deserving of the most praise, as he’s turning this into a handsome, elegant book, his level of detail and staging of action really impressing. This is not to say Johns is slouching in the script department, it just feels like he’s giving us broad strokes characterization rather then getting right into the heads of Arthur and Mera. I guess there’s plenty of time for that but then again it doesn’t help matters that the villains of the piece, while visually impressive, are rather one-dimensional. There a bit of work need to get this book on the right track, but it appears to be headed in the right direction – when it comes down to it, I’m buying an Aquaman book, so I’m chalking this up as a success. 7/10


CAPTAIN SWING AND THE ELECTRICAL PIRATES OF CINDERY ISLAND #4
Writer: Warren Ellis
Art: Raulo Caceres & Digikore
Avatar $3.99

James R: This week sees both the best and the worst of Warren Ellis. In terms of the good, you should definitely check out Secret Avengers (Or: 'Global Frequency: Avengers' as I think of it) as it shows Warren Ellis writing a tight script, choc-full of mad science ideas and all wrapped up in a single issue. Awesome. This on the other hand... ugh. Firstly, we've had an interminable wait for it - my esteemed co-reviewer Matt C has rightfully railed against Ellis' seemingly haphazard release times, and here I can entirely sympathise. I wouldn't mind so much if this was a breathtaking crescendo to the series (in the same way that No Hero had) but this is one-note and as simplistic as it comes. Early on, I was impressed that Ellis seemed to be aiming to tie this steampunk tale to his (you guessed it) long-delayed Doktor Sleepless, but nope, that plot thread is just left hanging. What have instead is a mindlessly violent finale, which (and I hate to say it as a man who can draw no more than stick figures!) is rendered in a shoddy looking style from Caceres. I'm sure he can do better, and I know Ellis can - in a week full of good books, this looked half-arsed. 3/10

Matt C: Before we get into the content, let’s just remind ourselves that the first issue of this miniseries was released in February 2010. So that’s only taken 20 months to put out a four-issue series then! That in itself is an absolutely ridiculous situation, and you wonder why Avatar even solicited the first issue without a guarantee that Warren Ellis and Raulo Caceres had the rest in the can. Ellis is one of the worst culprits in the industry for delayed and abandoned projects but I guess as he’s frequently capable of extreme brilliance people let it slide. It doesn’t help those of us who pick up the floppies though, as remembering what happened last time is often a stretch for books that come out on a monthly basis, let alone ones that have seven months between issues! That helps to explain some of the difficulty I had really connecting with this finale, the other being it felt like a bit of a damp squib of an ending. Initially, Ellis looked like he was aiming a lot higher with this, but bar the usual intelligent trappings it ended up as a more of a throwaway tale than something to revisit again and again. If they put this out in a trade it may have more of an impact, but as it stands I can only sum it up as a ludicrous wait for eventual disappointment. 5/10


JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #2
Writer: Peter Milligan
Art: Mikel Janin & Ulises Arreola
DC $2.99

Mike S: I picked this up on the recommendation of the other Paradox reviewers and, I have to say, I am very pleasantly surprised. The last time I bought a DC Magical team book it was the short-lived Shadowpact and that never seemed to have huge impact. This time, however, there is a lot more going on - a dark, sinister storyline with a real growing sense of menace as the team begins to draw together. Some of the writing doesn't quite work for me - Dawn/Dove is out of character and what's up with Deadman's attitude? - but the real saving grace of this book is the stunning artwork of Mikel Janin which complements the storyline's darkness beautifully. Some really atmospheric, creepy artwork, especially on the Enchantress. Well worth coming back for issue #3. 8/10


JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #630
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art: Richard Elson & Jessica Kholinne
Marvel $2.99

Matt C: A few pages are utilized to wrap up the plotlines from Fear Itself that have been running through the title for the last few months, but once that’s out the way the spotlight shines (and shines brightly) on Volstagg for the remainder of the issue. Yet again, we’re shown how Gillen has acquired complete mastery of Marvel’s Asgardian milieu, from the rhythm of the language, to the incorporation of Norse legends, to the inclusion of strain of humour that elicits proper belly laughs. Volstagg tells his children the tale of the recent battle with the Serpent on Midgard, positioning himself as the central player in the events, and I have to say it’s a vastly more entertaining version of the story than we saw in the whole 7-part Fear Itself mini! Elson collaborated with Gillen when Gillen was writing Thor, and his exuberant, cleanly detailed style is far more suited to the title than Whilce Portacio’s was in the last couple of issues. Still one of Marvel’s premier ‘superhero’ books and I’m very much looking forward to where it goes once it’s free from the shackles of Fear Itself. 8/10

Thought Balloon: All-Winners Squad And The Marvel Miniseries.

By Matt C
I don't often use this blog as a way to provide an opportunity for me to get on my soapbox and start moaning about things that piss me off in the world of comics. Plenty of stuff winds me up, but there are numerous other folks out there who are generally more eloquent than I could attempt to be, and possibly have more clout to kick up the right kind of fuss. Sometimes though, something will come that really gets my back up, enough to think, ‘I’ve got this forum, why not use it?’
The news that has inspired the following rant is the announcement that Marvel’s All-Winners Squad: Band Of Heroes is being cancelled with issue #5 (which was released a couple of weeks back). Okay, so the axe of cancellation falls more often than we may like in comicdom, and there are probably several titles I could list that I wished had been given a reprieve before reaching the chopping block. Those have, by and large, been ongoing series that haven’t garnered a sufficient audience to justify their continuing existence; All-Winners Squad is different in that it was an 8-part mini and so had a definite conclusion. A conclusion it now looks like we’ll never get to see.

Okay, I understand simple economics come into play and that the series had a readership of under 8,000, making it one of Marvel’s lowest selling books, but with reports that issues #6 and #7 were in the can and the final issue was partway completed you wonder what the rationale behind the decision is. Surely finishing it off and having an opportunity to put it out in trade format would be wiser? I don’t know how the bean counting works at Marvel but I’d imagine the creators would have been paid for their work – why not attempt to make some money from it (even if it’s not profit)? And maybe less than 8,000 people have been reading it, but that’s still 8,000 people Marvel have now managed to piss off.

Incoming... 26/10/2011

New comics are released Wednesday in the States and guess what, in the UK too! Here's a brief look at our expectations for the books we're picking up this week.

Stewart R: Wow! This, ladies and gentlemen is no ordinary Wednesday! This... this is the Wednesday when we, the comic reading public, get our hands upon Chris Bachalo’s new ongoing series!! He and Jason Aaron are teaming up to bring us Wolverine and the X-Men #1, as the six-clawed, Canadian grump sets up his new school on the grounds of the old one in Westchester. While I’m not convinced that Schism was quite the rank splitting event that it could have been, I am looking forward to seeing just where Aaron is going to take his side of the story now that the division has been set up and the various players are in place. Being the huge Bachalo fan that I am, I’m also really looking forward to seeing what he and inker Tim Townsend bring to the table on a monthly basis, and of course just how long the run can go before a substitute penciller is required. According to his own website, Bachalo started work on this title some months ago in order to build up a nice buffer so I’m confident that we should get a run of 6-8 issues before we see any change.

Also hot off the presses is another $1.00 effort from DC/Vertigo in the form of Spaceman #1 by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. The story will focus on a hulking man-ape called Orson - part of a project to create humans hardy enough to survive the harsh conditions of space - who never got his chance to fulfil his purpose but may get an opportunity for some limelight when he finds himself in the midst of a kidnapping plot. I’m always willing to give these bargain debuts a go and Vertigo haven’t done wrong by me in the past with them. For a dollar, what can go wrong?

The bigger gamble for me today is picking up Incredible Hulk #1 by Jason Aaron - a busy man this week! - and Marc Silvestri. I’ve only picked up comics involving the green behemoth a few times in the past and have had a brief flick through some issues when perusing the shelves over the past couple of years and not been convinced to invest my money. With a new creative team, a renumbering and a new world of hell for Banner to live through I’ll definitely give this a look today but it could well be the one and only issue of the series that I buy. It all depends on how interesting the separation of Bruce from the Hulk proves to be.

‘What about the DC New 52 efforts’ you may well ask? Well I’ve already decided that Green Lantern: New Guardians is just not going to be a title that I want to invest my money in after just one issue. I get what Tony Bedard is going to try to do, and to be honest it does interest me a little having read the future solicitations, it’s just that I’m really not into Tyler Kirkham and BATT’s art in the slightest and I find that it distracts from my enjoyment of the read. I certainly hope the series does well as it sounds like a story that needs to be told, I just won’t be reading it now. Batman: The Dark Knight #2 on the other hand remains on the pull-list as I think this will be the Bat-title that delivers that constant ‘punching crime in the face’ action that we like to see alongside the the detective smarts and familial politics found in Batman and Batman And Robin. I would have called you a crazy person if you told me a year ago that I’d be picking up three comics dedicated to the Caped Crusader any time soon!

Time to give Image a little love I think as they have four books down on my list today and it’s been a while since that occurred. One series I’ve stuck with but haven’t been convinced by is Jonathan Hickman’s Red Wing which reaches it’s conclusion with #4 this week. I’ve found the time travel ideas to be interesting but feel that there’s been a slight lack of character and plot to drag the story along - once again it’s a Jonathan Hickman comic that’s been missing ‘something’. A comic with a bit of everything so far however, has been one of the newer titles to gallop out of Image’s stable. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into Vescell #3 as the previous two instalments have been packed with comic goodness, combining science fiction with a fantastical mysticism and a small dollop of sexiness too. I’ve been really impressed with how much content we’ve received each time for just $2.99 and I dare say that Image are rivalling DC in terms of quality and quantity of material per issue, per dollar handed across the counter at the moment.

Screen Time: BATMAN: YEAR ONE

Screen Time: BATMAN: YEAR ONE
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Ben McKenzie, Eliza Dushku, Katee Sackhoff, Jon Polito & Alex Rocco
Directors: Sam Liu & Lauren Montgomery
Runtime: 64mins
Certificate: 12
Release Date: 18 October 2011 (Exclusive to HMV in the UK at time of writing)


Stewart R: I’m usually on top of my game when it comes to knowing about DC and WB’s animated releases but this one very nearly snuck under my nose and made a break for Christmas without me knowing about it! DC and Warner’s are a mile ahead of the game when it comes to animated adaptations of their comic book properties and have quite an array of directorial talent - Lauren Montgomery the definitive standout - under their wing. To see us through the winter months it has been left to Montgomery, in partnership with Sam Liu (Batman/Superman: Public Enemies), to deliver a noir-infused tale of two men tackling Gotham from different angles.

Based faithfully upon Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s much heralded Year One arc from 1987 - which, I must state for the record, I have not yet read (though I did have a sneaky flick through the trade paperback when stood in Waterstones the other day!) - Batman: Year One focuses on a younger Jim Gordon’s arrival in a crime infested Gotham, which coincides with the return of one its famous multimillionaires, a former victim of Gotham’s cruelty who is set on vengeance after years abroad. The Batman origin story has pretty much been done to death in various media formats over the past 20-30 years but here it’s thankfully tempered with Gordon’s story, as the former Internal Affairs man, whose only choice has been to end up working in the ranks of Gotham’s seedy police force, brings his young pregnant wife along for the ride and a new start.

While the plot flits back and forth between Bruce and Jim as their lives progress over the space of a single year, their crime-fighting careers moving in different directions yet following similar motives, it feels like this is more Gordon’s story. In a lot of ways he’s the hero that Bruce isn’t; a family man, a clock puncher, down-to-earth and looking to enforce justice as close to the letter of the law as he can. He has a good heart as well as the weaknesses that can afflict any person. From the opening sequence we’re instantly shown that these two men come from backgrounds that are poles apart, Bruce gazing down upon Gotham from the sky, while Jim rides with the disgruntled masses on the train. While Bruce is forced to use the shadows and theatrics to tackle the criminal element, gaining enemies amongst the higher echelons of the corrupt elite through reputation, Jim stands in plain sight and tackles the same entrenched, unsavouries by playing the politics game.

The two voice actors cast in the lead roles help to further emphasise the contrast with very adept performances. Ben McKenzie (The O.C., Southland) produces a cold, unemotional turn as Bruce Wayne - riffing a little off of Kevin Conroy’s delivery on occasion it seems - which allows the character’s actions to speak more than any personality does. Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Malcolm In The Middle) deserves most of the plaudits however, as he absolutely nails his performance as weary Jim Gordon perfectly. It’s his finely-paced delivery that lends itself so well to the noir-like narration that the lawman’s inner monologue provides throughout, as he struggles to do what’s right for his family and for the city. The rest of the cast do fine job of rounding things out but to be honest it’s only really Jon Polito and Alex Rocco as Commissioner Loeb and Carmine Falcone respectively that get parts to stick their teeth into, so focused is the limelight on the two main protagonists.

The only real failing of the main story is the inclusion of Catwoman. She’s completely superfluous here, and, considering that the film makers are sticking so closely to the source material, I would imagine the same might be said of her appearance in print. Eliza Dushku provides her street-savvy Selina Kyle with a reasonable tough-girl tone but it’s a little surprising that the directors didn’t take one small stroke of creative liberty and remove the five-or-so minutes of screen time she has entirely as her contribution to the plot is close to minimal...

...which is why there’s an additional 15 minute Catwoman short, written by Paul Dini and directed with style by Montgomery, accompanying the main feature! It uses Selina’s character, along with the vague sub-plot involving vice from Year One, and follows the feline anti-heroine clawing after a towering gangland boss called Rough Cut, who may be trading in dodgier goods than unrefined diamonds. It’s a glorious action set-piece that echoes the adult nature of it’s parent feature. It even offers up a pole-dance sequence that isn’t over the top or out of place - there’s no actual nudity as such - but follows an erotic line that Warner Bros Animation haven’t really played with before. As a bonus it’s certainly welcome and it helps to validate the inclusion of Selina in Year One a little.

Being a DC/Warner animation, the visual side of Batman: Year One, from beginning to end, is top notch as expected. The use of 3D techniques is left almost exclusively to vehicular shots - as far as I could tell, and I tend to have a keen eye for these things - and blends seamlessly with the traditional 2D styling. While still having that quintessential Warner Bros feel, there are odd moments where it felt as if I were watching a polished Production IG anime - Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex comes to mind - as colouration, shading and lighting are some of the best that I’ve seen from the studio. The action set-pieces don’t hold back on the punches and are well choreographed - something I usually associate with Lauren Montgomery’s presence on a project but I’ll have to look into that further for 100% confirmation one of these days!

DC seem hellbent on throwing an animated feature involving the Caped Crusader at the viewing public at least once a year, and while that sort of saturation and overuse of a single character would normally get long in the tooth, it’s hard to even question the company’s decision when they continue to produce animated features of this quality. A brilliant insight into Jim Gordan, a brilliant performance by Bryan Cranston and by golly a brilliant hour-long animation. The Catwoman short sweetens the already delicious deal and it’s another animated effort that’s not to be missed. 9/10

Mini Reviews 23/10/2011

While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.


FEAR ITSELF #7
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, Dexter Vines, Laura Martin, Justin Ponsor & Matt Milla
Marvel $4.99

Matt C: Marvel’s main event for 2011 reaches what is supposed to be a conclusion, but as we’ve seen from Previews and elsewhere, the publisher appears to be intent on milking the concept as long as possible, so there’s plenty more to come. I don’t know about you, but for me it’s another reason to push me towards DC’s welcoming arms. An extra dollar and some extra pages doesn’t lift the quality of the series; in fact, the final issue of Fear Itself is the worst yet. The whole things feels absolutely meaningless: the deaths have no resonance, the battle scenes are inert and the characters appear to me just going through the motions. Fraction seems completely out of his depth here, as though he only came up with a half-formed storyline before he had to set it to the page. Everything just washes over you, nothing sticks. The art’s far and away the best thing about this series, but without any emotion to back it up even the most striking images don’t linger long in the memory. If this is where Marvel are now heading I’ll be choosing to stay on the periphery. You want to see a really powerful, riveting battle between Thor and the Midgard Serpent? Seek out the end of Walt Simonson’s seminal run (Thor #380 in particular) – that’s how you do it! This, on the other hand, isn’t. A failure on just about every level. 3/10

Stewart R: Wow, we pay an extra buck and we end up with a weighty issue... that’s filled with little in the way of meaningful content! Well okay, maybe I’m being a little harsh. We get a decent scrap between Thor and the Serpent which Stuart Immonen really excels himself with, and there’s a definite ‘YES’ moment involving Captain America. It also seems that we’re not getting a miraculous reset following all the destruction which is a relief and I look forward to seeing if Paris’ loss is a point that continues to get reference moving on from here. The huge problem with this ending however, is the relative redundancy of the transformed Avengers and the weaponry that Stark has spent so damn long creating. They only act as a simple plot device to suggest that the heroes can go toe-to-toe with the Worthy - who haven’t had nearly enough exposure as this event has progressed - and we get minimal page space given to those clashes which is a definite opportunity missed. There’s also the matter of the huge sales drive that our extra dollar has evidently paid for. Nearly a third of the oversized issue is given up for epilogues that are glorified adverts for spin-off or new series loosely tied to the events of Fear Itself. Marvel would have been better to offer them up as a separate $1 - or how about free?? - preview. As it stands it’s added an extra unwanted pip to the generally sour experience that Marvel’s 2011 tentpole event has been. 4/10


JUSTICE LEAGUE #2
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Jim Lee, Scott Williams & Alex Sinclair
DC $3.99

James R: I have paced around for a few days trying to get a handle on this issue, as it’s a strange beast for me. After the first instalment which, for me, set everything up very well, the second issue seems to be a bit of a retrograde step. When you read comics for a while, one of the tropes that is always mocked/referred to is the notion that when superheroes meet for the first time, they will fight before realising it's all been a crazy mistake and that they have to combine forces to deal with a greater villainy. The reason it gets mocked so much is that it's so hackneyed and it all seems a bit unlikely. As a result, I'm amazed to see a hand as experienced as Geoff Johns making this the central drama in this book. Apart from that, there are some nice moments - I loved the Barry Allen's turmoil over a case that may go cold due to the police's determination to find out the identity of the Flash, and the suggestion that the Flash and Green Lantern are already old friends. It also goes without saying that Jim Lee's art is a joy to behold, and he's the perfect fit for this book. At the moment though, this reads less like the Justice League and more the adventures of a bunch of prats who need to calm down! Will I be back for issue #3? Of course! I'm hoping this was more a glitch than the blueprint for what's to come. 6/10

Matt C: It almost seems too obvious, but if you want creators to tackle the biggest superteam in the DC Universe you hire the biggest names at your disposal. You wonder why it took so long to get a Justice League book with Geoff Johns and Jim Lee at the helm! This is DC at its ‘big budget’ best with the characters you want to see bouncing off each other in situations that wouldn’t carry the same weight or level of excitement if confronted alone. Flash makes his debut as the staple battle between guys who haven’t yet realised they’re on the same team kicks off. Johns’ adept handling of the icons makes the script sing while Lee frequently proves how he’s often in a class of his own. You don’t come to a book like this looking for a deeper insight into these characters but there are plenty of emotional beats that tell you what you need to know in a short space of time, meaning the various scenes have a certain level of believability about them. It’s enormous fun and it’s been too long since I could say that about what’s arguably the premiere superteam in comicdom. 8/10

Stewart R: This is still someway from being the blockbuster title that it should be but it’s clear to see that Johns is trying to kickstart something. The inevitable super-brawl that was hinted at last month unfolds over the first half of the issue and Johns brings Barry Allen into proceedings to flesh out the cast a touch more and highlight that at this early stage he and Hal Jordan already have a working partnership of sorts. A big super-powered fight is the sort of thing that Jim Lee excels at and here he gets to depict the Superman vs Bats/Flash/GL scrap. While it’s decent on the whole there are a few misteps scattered about - he doesn’t quite get the super-speed meeting between Supes and Flash right for me. I’m also not convinced that Cyborg’s origin story is a necessary addition at this stage and I feel that it’s taking something away from the potential eye-popping, awe-inspiring book that this Justice League title could be. It’s showing potential but it’s not hitting the high notes just yet. 7/10


GREEN LANTERN CORPS #2
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna & Gabe Eltaeb
DC $2.99

Stewart R: Well, old Pete and Fernando haven’t wasted a single moment in turning this into one of the most explosive and tense comics of the New 52; this is truly phenomenal high-action and dramatic story telling. With several of their comrades dying at the hands of an unknown enemy, the team assembled by Guy and John begin their investigation, aiming to hunt down those responsible. Tomasi gives every Lantern involved a voice and a key part to play from beginning to end. He employs a no-nonsense camaraderie amongst the seven of them and it’s great to see them working as a team as the danger increases. There’s also an important balance to been seen as the Lanterns are confronted by foes that offer a serious threat, and it’s never quite clear who will gain the upper hand until the moment is upon us. A large part of the credit has to be given to Pasarin, Hanna and Eltaeb whose artistic skills merge together to offer one of the best looking comics of the entire relaunch and the level of kinetic excitement these three gentlemen manage to pack on each page is truly awesome. This is the best of the four Lantern titles available now and no mistaking - to be honest, it’s realistically making a case to be named best of the whole bunch of 52 presently. 9/10


BATMAN #2
Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion & FCO
DC $2.99

Matt C: If any further proof where needed, this issue shows that Scott Snyder understands the Dark Knight implicitly. He gets how Gotham seeps into the skins of its residents, how it affects their destinies for better of worse, throwing up both heroes and psychopaths. He knows how to play both Bruce Wayne and Batman as two different but inseparable parts of the same whole, approaching the challenges of ridding the streets of crime from separate, but complimentary avenues. And, importantly, he sees how this isn’t a one-man show: the Caped Crusader is front and centre, but the supporting cast help shape him, influence him, sometimes in almost imperceptible ways, sometimes more obviously. The character wouldn’t be anywhere near as effective or able to sustain such longevity without the likes of Jim Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth or Dick Grayson popping up, even if only briefly (and that’s without it even touching upon his legendary rouges gallery). Basically, Synder is the right man for this job right now. Capullo’s pretty damn fine too, with a decent mix of accomplished figurework and explosive action resulting in some magnetic imagery. This is exactly the kind of thing I want to read when I pick a book called Batman. 8/10

James R: Well, this should come as no surprise to anyone who’s checked in on this blog on a regular basis - my book of the week is a Scott Snyder title! (And yes, I know if it's not Snyder then it's the equally great Jeff Lemire!) Apart from the brute fact that this is just an outstanding Batman comic and you should be picking it up, this week I decided to try and figure out what it is that Snyder does that's so right, and where some other writers fall short. Flicking through this issue, one thing strikes me and that is that Snyder has an innate skill at pacing his books. So many modern comics can be throwaway affairs (Yes, I'm looking at you, Marvel's Ultimates!) that it is a total pleasure to read a book that strikes the perfect balance between dynamic visuals and content. Beyond that, Snyder also splits the book between the two things which should always be the hallmark of Batman - jaw-dropping action and Holmesian detection. This issue has that in spades; I loved seeing Bruce and Jim Gordon working in tandem to ascertain the background of last issue's unfortunate corpse. As if all this wasn't enough, Snyder also borrows from the best elements of Hollywood. In the same way that American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest read like blockbuster movie, here Snyder uses the flashback to great effect. All in all, it's a pleasure to pick up a comic which - I can say with great confidence - is in the midst of a legendary run. 9/10


SUPERIOR #6
Writer: Mark Millar
Art: Leinil Yu, Gerry Alanguilan & Javier Tartaglia
Marvel Icon $2.99

Stewart R: It might well be that the lengthy delay between #4 and #5 of Superior has done us a favour as this latest issue, following on only two weeks after the last, benefits from the story being fresh in the memory. After his high-flying, super strength antics last time, Simon is now confronted with a terrible choice by demon, space-monkey Ormon who reveals himself as the worst type of devilish pusher there could be. Millar thankfully keeps things unpredictable by expanding upon buxom, newshound Maddie’s past and it’s this small diversion that adds an extra level of heart to proceedings that was probably the only thing missing from this series to date. Things escalate to the point that we could all spot coming a good mile off, but are left at a cliffhanger moment and with Mark Millar you can never quite tell what’s going to lay at the bottom of that high drop. 8/10


DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #2
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Art: Bernard Chang & Blond
DC $2.99

Matt C: This made it home mostly because it was a ‘quiet’ week and the first issue had piqued my curiosity if nothing else. I kind of like how Jenkins has plonked us into the midst of Deadman’s existential crisis as he tries to uncover why he does what he does, and for what purpose. I’ve never been overly familiar with Deadman as a character before but it’s fairly interesting watching him attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery even though, in all likelihood, he’ll never find the answer he’s searching for. The key word though is ‘interesting’ because at the moment words like ‘gripping’ or ‘essential’ aren’t really applicable. While Chang’s art is fine (but occasionally too clean for the subject matter) this feels like a book that I could read again if it was put in front of me but one that I wouldn’t have the need to go out of my way to find it if it wasn’t handed to me. The concept makes me want to like the series a lot more than I actually do. Issue #3 is still a possibility, but a relatively slim one I think. 6/10


G.I.JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #171
Writer: Larry Hama
Art: S L Gallant, Gary Erskine & J. Brown
IDW $3.99

Stewart R: What we have here ladies and gentlemen is prime example of what makes Larry Hama the best G.I.Joe writer bar none. The military-fiction maestro combines two plot-threads, one a flashback to Sneak Peek’s reconnaissance mission in Darklon’s territory, the other an infiltration and extraction mission undertaken by Flint, Lady Jaye and Roadblock, relying on the information provided by the previous undercover work. The back and forth between one story and the other is impeccably thought out with Sneak Peek’s side offering up a romance-behind-enemy-lines subplot while the gunfighting and explosions are left to the trio of Joe veterans. With the final two pages offering up two very different cliffhangers it seems that Hama woke up rather inspired the morning he scripted this issue. When S L Gallant started as main artist on this title, I wasn’t convinced that he was the right choice, but he’s proved with months of consistency that he is doing Hama’s scripts full justice. 8/10


CAPTAIN ATOM #2
Writer: J.T. Krul
Art: Freddie Williams II & Jose Villarrubia
DC $2.99

James R: And with that, I find my first dropped title of the New 52! Last month offered a solid enough opener and I was persuaded to stay onboard as J.T. Krul seemed to have some fine ideas for the book. To quote him from the interview at the back of this issue, he says *ahem* "Part of the dilemma for Captain Atom will be how his abilities affect the world around him. It's not always a matter of what can he do, it's what should he do." Sounds interesting, eh? Well, sorry to say, there's zero evidence of such interesting philosophical themes in the book. What do we get? Captain Atom cures a kid with cancer. Sheesh. And why does he do this? Because "It's nice to do something healing for once." I may have a cold heart, but this book has far more potential to tell stories of alienation (we're told that the Justice League don't want to work with Captain Atom) than reading nine (!) pages of what comes across as a Fantastic Voyage riff. Williams and Villarrubia's art is nice to look at, but it's so saccharine you may get diabetes after reading. Sorry DC, that's one less for me. 4/10


UNCANNY X-MEN #544
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art: Greg Land, Jay Leisten & Justin Ponsor
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: With this ‘final’ issue - to be quickly followed by a new Uncanny X-Men #1 in a few weeks *groan* Why do it Marvel? - Gillen looks back at what the X-Men were when Xavier set up his institute for gifted youngsters, using Kirby and Reinman’s classic art from X-Men #1 to neatly display just how different things are these days. The writer also shows that while the cover may suggest that this is an end to things, he’s certainly looking to the future as Mister Sinister makes his reappearance in a brilliant sequence where he is continuously being reconstructed, and then ordered to destroy himself by an overseeing AI until certain personality issues in the process are resolved. The test set by the AI is for Sinister to recall and analyse the events that have unfolded on Utopia and it acts as a great narration. Greg Land also gets to join in on the fun with a brilliant double page spread showing a condensed history of the X-Men and I really, REALLY hope that he gets to tackle Apocalyse at some stage after that effort! The concern moving forward is that there may not be enough personality left in an increasingly cold Cyclops and his retinue on Utopia, but I’m sure Gillen is the writer to prove me wrong there. 8/10

Incoming... 19/10/2011

New comics are released Wednesday in the States and guess what, in the UK too! Here's a brief look at our expectations for the books we're picking up this week.

Stewart R: With Marvel’s big event coming to its conclusion today I’m guessing that’s the signal that the Summer is really over (the weather in the UK seems to agree all of a sudden too!) and that we’re headed towards the new year and the next ‘big thing’. It seems that a fair few comic readers that I know couldn’t really give two hoots about Fear Itself #7 coming out and many of them jumped off a few months back, leaving any tie-in titles behind in the process. To be fair the series didn’t really show any clear direction until well after the midway point, so it’s not surprising that many figured that Marvel were once again missing the mark with their tentpole title of the year. I’ve been enjoying it though and I’m looking forward to seeing just how things pan out now that Iron Man has finished preparing the weapons for the final battle ahead.

That will also mean that Invincible Iron Man #509 should be read before Fear Itself #7 as Tony gathers said weapons and bids a farewell to Svartalfheim as he heads off to confront the Serpent’s Worthy followers. It’s been a little telling that Fraction may have been distracted by writing duties on Fear Itself - and possibly Casanova as well - as Invincible has seen a dip in quality over the past 4 issues or so. That’s a shame considering the heavy personal cost that Tony has had to pay in order to get access to Odin’s forges. Thankfully it seems that things will get back on track from #510 onwards as Stark is forced to face his personal demons as well as some reappearing faces from his past!

...Wait....Wuh, what the....NO! You’re kidding? Mark Millar has actually managed to get two issues of one comic out within a three week period!! Wow. Superior #6 arrives in stores some twenty one days after #5 following a good few months absence for what has been a really entertaining title. Obviously there was some breakdown in the process - possibly from Leinil Yu’s other artistic commitments - but it’s good to see some sort of regularity now. The way things were left last issue, with the pint-sized space monkey (yes, that is a touch crazy) Ormon offering young Simon a heavily loaded deal having already teased him with his temporary superhero powers, this latest instalment could be a real page-turner. I have a few issues with Millar’s projects but one thing he does seem to get is pacing and with Superior he hit the ground running and hasn’t let up since.

I suppose the same could be said for DC’s relaunch so far as the slew of #2 issues that we’ve seen to date have been impressive. This week, 5 of the 13 comics released make my pull-list and I’m pretty confident that all 5 titles will be still there this time next month. Batman #2 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo will no doubt explore that surprising cliffhanger ending that implicated one of the Bat-family in a nasty murder and I really can’t wait to see Snyder get Batman into full detective mode! Then there’s Peter J. Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin’s Green Lantern Corps #2 which may follow a similar detective theme, as Guy Gardner and John Stewart investigate the brutal murders of several Corpsmen. I think these two very different human Lanterns are going to make a really interesting team, almost having directly opposing methods of policing the galaxy, and with the extended cast of familiar faces this certainly adds that little ‘something else’ that Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern seems to be lacking at present.

One other title that I think worthy of a mention this week is Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta’s Vengeance #4 from Marvel. I had no clue who the Teen Brigade were heading into this miniseries but now that we’re this far in I’m really enjoying reading about a team of young superheroes acting well under the radar of any of the other ‘big’ Marvel teams and characters and ultimately influencing much of what transpires in the world with their actions. The villainous covers are possibly a touch misleading as those featured baddies may only sparingly feature in the overall plot but that’s not been detracting from an otherwise damn fine read! Casey will be dragging the youthful prince of mischief into the action today as Loki gets a meeting with the Young Masters so we’ll see what sort of trickery unfolds.

Mini Reviews 16/10/2011

While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.


ORCHID #1
Writer: Tom Morello
Art: Scott Hepburn & Dan Jackson
Dark Horse Comics $1.00

Stewart R: We're in the midst of October and looking back over the year to date it seems that the shelves have been a little light on $1.00 efforts this year compared to last. Dark Horse help our wallets a little with this debut issue of Orchid and we get a good amount of story for our dollar. Morello gives a brief overview of just what has happened to the world to leave it in it's dangerous, jungle wasteland condition and explains about the different 'classes' of the shattered society. It's certainly a rich and vibrant landscape and artist Scott Hepburn does a fine job of capturing the desolation and brutality on the page. The titular protagonist is absent for much of this first issue as Morello establishes the bizarre legend that the Bridge People seek to reignite as well as introducing bespectacled and eccentric Simon, whose escape and evasion story we follow for the majority of the page count and which somewhat predictably intersects with Orchid's rebellion against her brothel owner. There's huge promise here; Morello has certainly impressed me with his first effort and at this price it's definitely worth picking up for a try. 8/10


WHO IS JAKE ELLIS? #5
Writer: Nathan Edmondson
Art: Tonci Zonjic
Image $2.99

Matt C: This fine miniseries reaches its conclusion with certain questions that have arisen since the debut issue answered, while others are purposefully left to the reader’s imagination to decipher. This will no doubt frustrate many folks who’ve followed the book from the beginning as there’s no definitive sense of closure, but I kind of like the way it avoided revealing too much detail. On a basic level, we do discover who Jake Ellis is, but there’s enough mystery left hanging in the air that’s not flattened by some potentially illogical and implausible explanations. So the first major positive here is Edmonson’s refusal to wrap everything up neatly in a bow (and yet still provide a poignant ending); the second is Zonjic’s moody, superbly choreographed artwork, all infused with some excellent, evocative colour choices. Who Is Jake Ellis? may have not have garnered a huge amount of attention from the comic reading masses compared to more publicised, lesser projects, but it’s quality should help it find its way into the homes of more discerning readers eventually. One of the best minis of 2011. 8/10


AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST #5
Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Sean Murphy & Dave Stewart
DC Vertigo $2.99

James R: To be fair, I don't feel that there's much I can add in my review that Stew hasn't done in his excellent Cover to Cover review of a few days ago, but seeing that this is easily my book of the week, I feel I should add some more praise! Now, having read the series in its entirety, it really has been the closest thing to a movie blockbuster on paper I've read in a very long time. Snyder keeps the action dial turned up to 10 for the whole issue, and Sean Murphy excels himself on every page. From his depiction of the colossal conflict between the Vampire tribes and the frantic chase, to moments of incredible emotion (the one page panel following the escape is one of my favourites of the year) Murphy delivers in spades. For good measure, the final scene is both touching and cinematic - a perfect end to a brilliant series, and I hope we haven't seen the last of these characters. 9/10


X-MEN: REGENESIS #1
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art: Billy Tan, & Andres Mossa
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: Schism didn't quite live up to expectations in my opinion, but I am certain that things are going to be very interesting for the X-Men over the coming months as a result of Aaron's event. Uncanny X-Men scribe Gillen gets this opportunity to fill in the huge blank left at the end of Schism where a Blackbird full of mutants awaited Wolverine on the Utopia airstrip, ready to head off to pastures new (or old as it turns out). What Gillen and Tan produce here is an in depth look at the proverbial 'line drawn in the sand' as the huge cast pick a side to follow. A rather cool plot device sees every choice land as a blow in a metaphorical, primal, fire-lit fight between Cyclops and Wolverine, and the back and forth here is neatly balanced, throwing up a few moments of genuine doubt for the reader (despite Marvel's rather stupid campaign of advertised spoilers). There are a few strange portrayals scattered through – Doctor Nemesis' brief appearance almost comes across as a hyper-accentuated caricature of the grumpy genius – but it's clear that these brief moments are necessary, only being limited by the page count and the amount of ground that needs to be covered. Gillen importantly gives a decent amount of insight into the differing perspectives of all involved in one issue, something that readers of the individual X-titles may possibly miss. Realistically this should have been badged as chapter #6 of Schism considering what it represents and where it fits into the very recent continuity. 7/10


DEATHSTROKE #2
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Art: Joe Bennet & Art Thibert
DC $2.99

Matt C: If I were a sensitive, easily-offended sort of fellow I would probably describe this issue as an ‘orgy of violence’ such is the extent of blood-letting and limb-hacking on display in this issue. Well, I’m not sensitive or easily offended, but I’m still going to call this issue an orgy of violence because it’s so over-the-top in it’s glorification of Deathstroke on a murderous rampage that part of me is inclined to think it’s supposed to be a parody! There’s still something appealing about the nihilistic tone of this book but as it teeters towards becoming a ‘90s throwback, that appeal starts to diminish. I liked the first issue a lot but I’m not convinced by this one. It could be just a ‘stepping stone’ chapter as the cliffhanger was intriguing but I can’t say for certain whether it’s intriguing enough for me to continue picking this title up. 6/10


BATGIRL #2
Writer: Gail Simone
Art: Ardian Syaf, Vincent Cifuentes & Ulises Arreola
DC $2.99

James R: This is a review about second chances. After last month's issue, I found Batgirl to be the weak link in my New 52 choices - it was a generic read, and I was far from impressed with the art team. However, due to a stroke of poor luck (for me) with Orchid #1 selling out at Paradox (lucky customers with a copy, Andy H and Dark Horse!), I decided to give Babs Gordon another try. I'm certainly pleased I did, as this issue is a massive improvement on the first. This month, Batgirl digs deeper into the identity of The Mirror, which, I must admit, is a terrible name for a villain - what next, The Lamp? - and Gail Simone also spins out the mystery of just how Barbara has regained the use of her legs. Simone portrays her heroine with a nice mix of smarts and vulnerability - she's far from indestructible or a fighting machine, and the comic is all the better for it. The art of Ardian Syaf looked much better too and I loved the panel that shows Jim Gordon's shock and realisation that his daughter has donned the cowl once more. Still not the most amazing thing you'll ever read, but there's enough here to keep me on board for the rest of this arc. 7/10


GREEN LANTERN #2
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne & David Baron
DC $2.99

Stewart R: 'Underwhelmed' was my feeling having read the first issue of this series and I wasn't optimistic that this follow-up was going to be much better. I'm glad to say that this is actually an improvement and seems to get things close to being back on track. Sinestro outlines the deal that he's prepared to make with Hal in order to gain his help with freeing Korugar from the grip of the Yellow Lantern Corps and the most obvious thing is that Johns seems to be enjoying writing Sinestro's part far more than Jordan's. While it's clear that the Green Lantern Corps' most dangerous foe is currently in turmoil thanks to his recruitment into the ranks of his sworn enemies and his creation running wild, Hal comes across as a one-note addition that's almost surplus to requirements. My guess is that this will eventually change once the arc gets into full swing but it's still a strange move considering that DC's aim with the relaunch would've been to capture new readers and introduce them to the famous human Lantern. One other plus point of note is that DC are managing to keep the number of inkers touching Doug Mahnke's accomplished pencils to a minimum at present. 6/10


SUICIDE SQUAD #2
Writer: Adam Glass
Art: Federico Dallocchio, Andrei Bressan & Val Staples
DC $2.99

Matt C: While not quite as successful as the brilliant, torture-centric debut issue, this sophomore instalment of Suicide Squad does carry over the same bleak tone with every member of this government-sanctioned team of supervillans remaining expendable. You could argue this makes it hard to invest in any characters if they can potentially receive a headshot at any moment, but I like the way the book keeps me on my toes. There are a couple of characters that are more likely to come out the other side unscathed but Glass has my attention because I literally have no idea where the series is headed. There’s still an issue with the art though, as one of the two artists (and not being familiar with their work I can’t tell which is which) has a style much more suited to the rough, darkly comical vibe Glass is going for. It’s an annoyance but not to the extent that it hampers my enjoyment of this unexpectedly good series. 8/10


BATMAN & ROBIN #2
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray & John Kalisz
DC $2.99

James R: First off, I have to say this comic features the worst cover I've seen on a comic in a while - all I can think is that Patrick Gleason must have had either a heavy night or a very bad morning before committing this one to paper. Fortunately, it bears little resemblance to the great issue inside. One of the (very fair) criticisms I've heard about the New 52, is that the Bat-books weren't a re-boot at all - and to new readers, this title (and Batwoman) seemed incomprehensible. Perhaps Tomasi should have shuffled things around as this issue goes a long way to explaining who Damien Wayne is and his relationship to his father. Here, he really focuses on Bruce's ongoing attempt to both be a father and to temper the killer instinct inside his son. Writer and artist deliver a terrific and moody read and, for the first time since this books inception, there is the feeling that perhaps Damien won't be able to accept his father's mantle. There's also the small matter of the League of Shadows who are determined to curtail Batman Incorporated... I can concede that this might not be for everyone, but in concerto with Scott Snyder's outstanding Batman, fans of the Dark Knight are in good hands at the moment. 8/10