Batman and Robin #1
by Peter Tomasi and Pat Gleason
Batman and Robin is absolutley an amazing book. It travels on its own story, doing whatever it can to distance itself from Grant Morrison's run, and making it their own while still making it a fun, clever, and of course, violent read.
Batman and Robin takes a different road from Grant Morrison, Paul Cornell, Judd Winick, and well... even Peter Tomasi's runs on the first volume of the series. Instead of being the light Sherlock Holmes-esque story that was told in Tomasi's original run, the book is bloodier, and messier. That's a good thing. I really like how Tomasi takes his time introducing Damian, and Bruce, while only providing you with hints of plot developments to come. But, like Gail Simone, it's really Tomasi's character work that stands out. He writes Damian as a selfish, yet lovable brat, who could easily be compared to Eric Cartman. Bruce is written as a sort of, learning father, not knowing how to raise Damian, though it's fun to watch him fail at trying.
What really makes this book unique however, is the art. Patrick Gleason's pencils are rougher, and more detailed, putting extra effort in drawing every gunshot, stab wound, and bloody nose. Mick Gray's colors are darker than your average book, making some panels hard to decipher.
STORY: 9/10
ART: 8/10
VERDICT: 7.5/10
Green Lantern #1
by Geoff Johns, and Doug Manhke
Poor Hal Jordan. His life sucks. But this book isn't about him: It's really more, SINESTRO #1.
And that's my problem with the book. If the New 52 is designed to cater to new readers, then at least let them know that the real Green Lantern is Hal Jordan! Seriously! However, I did read War of the Green Lanterns, so I was really not to bothered about this. However, I did think that Johns' could have shed a bit more light on Hal, and the cliffhanger really isn't engaging at all. But Johns' overall plot and character work are both steady, which is just enough to keep me on board for issue 2.
Doug Manhke's art is a very strange beast. He seems to be an expert when it comes to drawing creatures, and anything that's not human, but when it DOES come to drawing actual homo sapiens, he frequently messes up. He gives every guy HUGE dimples or cleff chins, and an ugly face, and the women a very !@#$% face. But thankfully, Manhke's work is very fun to look at, and I'm greatful he isn't Rob Liefeld.
STORY: 7/10
ART: 6/10
VERDITCT: 6.5/10
Grifter #1
by Nathan Edmunson and Cafu
I went into this book, expecting guns blazing. But, covers are decieving.
I had no idea what Grifter was about, or who he was. I just felt like reading a secret agent thriller in the vein of the Bourne Identidy, and this is what the comic shop owner reccomended. But, sadly, we only get 1/6 of even just Cole Cash's origin. The plot is completley off, and the script is hokey. But I did have one moment in the book where I was all, "Aw, that's badass." But other than that, BLEHH.
Ok, Cafu's art is actually very pretty, and makes up for the sucky story. Cafu seems to be able to see the future by adding lots off forboding through the book. Plus, his characters are just gorgeous.
STORY: 4/10
ART: 8/10
VERDICT: 6/10
Suicide Squad #1
by Adam Glass and Fredrichio Dallochio
Suicide Squad is a strange beast to review. It's what I expected, and not what I expected.
Adam Glass's script has its pros and cons. The good thing about the book, is that its as brutal as you want it to be. The characterization is well thought out and fun to read. But the plot is to stretched out, and the flashbacks feel like filler material. But if you're all for extreme torture, this book is for you.
The art is even harder to review. Dallochio draws the torture chamber scenes well thanks to a good inker, but the flashbacks are just too muddled up, as if someone just traced over Dallochio's art with a highlighter. It's almost as if Greg Tochinni and Ed McGuiness had a baby, then drowned it in black ink. Plus, the transition from inker to inker is jarring, and definitley bumps off a potential 6.
STORY: 8/10
ART: 5/10
VERDICT: 6/10
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
COMICS! WEEK 1!
All right, just made a blog, I've got to catch up on my reviews! Okay, so I'm really not reading anyhting MARVEL or indie just yet, because I hopped on becuase of DC's new 52. Okay, let's start!
Swamp Thing #1
by Scott Snyder, and Yannick Paquette
OK, the only reason I got Swamp Thing was because of Scott Snyder. I've really only read classic graphic novels up to this point, and I recently picked up a copy of Batman: The Black Mirror. I was amazed by what Snyder did in those few issues, so for some strange reason, my expectations of Swamp Thing skyrocketed. And I have to say, the book exceded my expectations!
All right, first, the story. Snyder has made the book accesible for new readers, catching readers up in like, 5 pages. After a 3 page opening scene that just completley freaked me out and gave me nightmares, Snyder resorts to his usual tricks using monologue from the main character to compare a part of his childhood or past to his current life/problem. Even in the dark side of the DCU it worked like a charm. Now, my only problem with the book was the appearance of Superman. He just seemed out of place. I mean, he does help move the story forward, but I felt he could've been used by a more horror based character since this is the DARK side of the DCU.
Now, Yannick Paquette's artwork. OH. MY. GOD. It is breathtaking. He is what you would get if the inks and pencil style of Bryan Hitch crossed with the atmospheric art of John Cassaday. The guy can draw. He was born to draw bats dropping dead in the Batcave, and people getting their heads twisted 180 degrees.
I love Swamp Thing. Scott Snyder writes an awesome script as Paquette draws an amazing trio of dead people with their heads twisted.
STORY: 9/10
ART: 9.5/10
VERDICT: 9.5/10
Animal Man #1
by Jeff Lemire, and Travel Foreman
I went into Animal Man with no expectations. I really just had an extra 3 bucks at the comic shop, and was dazzled by the creepy cover, and I'm glad I did.
Jeff Lemire writes a story that is one-third horror, one-third superhero, and one-third family drama. He blends all 3 types of story perfectly, and manages to keep the book feeling fresh. But it's the character work that's the draw. Lemire perfectly writes Maxine as the kind and cute, but bratty 4 year-old, and her brother as the foul-mouthed YouTube teenager seen in every middle school across America. It's all brilliant, and I can't really say anything else about it.
Travel Foreman's art can be described by one word: SCARY. He wasn't really born to draw the superhero part of the book mentioned earlier, as he turns a regular fight scene into a claustrophobic mess. But he does happen to work perfectly in the horror/family drama parts of the book. I really love the big reveal of the Hunter's Three, and the intense cliffhanger at the end mostly because of Foreman. I really hate the big page of Animal Man flying mostly because of Foreman. But that's really not a problem because the superhero part lasts for 4 pages!
STORY: 9.5/10
ART: 8/10
VERDICT: 9/10
Green Arrow #1
by J.T Krul and Dan Jurgens
Go into Green Arrow with high expectations and you'll be sorely dissapointed. It sucks. End of story.
J.T Krul is a heartless !@#$%^& who ruined Green Arrow. He dosen't give a @%$# about the character. He writes Oliver Queen as another heartless !@#$%^& who just happens to run an electronics company. Krul frequently resorts to stereotypical comic plots to keep the story moving. At least, the one good thing Krul can do is write fun, just fun, fight scenes. They're not good. They're just fun.
Dan Jurgens artwork isn't good but it's not bad either. Jurgens' artstyle really makes you feel like you're reading a book from the 90's, like an old issue of the Death of Superman saga, only if you crossed that with the colorful inks of the Dark Knight Strikes Again. Jurgens really can't get facial details well, but at least it ain't Rob Liefeld.
STORY: 3/10
ART: 7.5/10
VERDICT: 5/10
Action Comics #1
by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales
OK, so here's how I picked up Action Comics. As my trip to the comic store ended, I knew I forgot something. I had enough money for 6 comics, but in my head, I'm all, but you need 5 comics. Then I remembered, oh! Grant Morrison! And picked this up.
Grant Morrison reimagines the Man of Steel as a young, learning superhero who is arrogant, but has a good moral fiber. It's this thing about the character that makes me love the book. Superman is vulnerable and can get hurt. However, the book dosen't have a unique charm to it that makes all of Morrison's other titles feel fresh. It feels like Morrison is just trying to write a story, not an amazing, deep, and thoughtful adventure.
Rags Morales' art is a strange beast. He seems to struggle with the facial expressions of most characters, but has a good hold on everything else. His backgrounds like the Metropolis skyline are a real pleasure to look at.
STORY: 8/10
ART: 7/10
VERDICT: 7.5/10
Batgirl #1
by Gail Simone and Adrian Syaf
OK, first: Batgirl is just an OK book. The writitng has a certain charm that makes everything awesome, and makes up for a some less than good art.
First up, Gail Simone's story. I was barely paying attention to the plot because Simone completely lets loose with her character work. The way she writes every character, even characters who only have one line of dialogue seem like they could step out into the real world, retain their personality, and not be out of place. It took me 3 reads to finally get to the plot of the book. The plot is decent, and acceptable for an average comic book, but just seems to be going nowhere.
Adrian Syaf's artwork somewhat reminds me of Andy Kubert. But the colorist and the angles from which Syaf draws them ruin what would be some decent art. The colors are below average and somehow make this book feel less special. The angles give the story a claustrophobic feel, which really dosen't suit a superhero comic.
STORY: 9/10
ART: 6/10
VERDICT: 7.5/10
All right, just made a blog, I've got to catch up on my reviews! Okay, so I'm really not reading anyhting MARVEL or indie just yet, because I hopped on becuase of DC's new 52. Okay, let's start!
Swamp Thing #1
by Scott Snyder, and Yannick Paquette
OK, the only reason I got Swamp Thing was because of Scott Snyder. I've really only read classic graphic novels up to this point, and I recently picked up a copy of Batman: The Black Mirror. I was amazed by what Snyder did in those few issues, so for some strange reason, my expectations of Swamp Thing skyrocketed. And I have to say, the book exceded my expectations!
All right, first, the story. Snyder has made the book accesible for new readers, catching readers up in like, 5 pages. After a 3 page opening scene that just completley freaked me out and gave me nightmares, Snyder resorts to his usual tricks using monologue from the main character to compare a part of his childhood or past to his current life/problem. Even in the dark side of the DCU it worked like a charm. Now, my only problem with the book was the appearance of Superman. He just seemed out of place. I mean, he does help move the story forward, but I felt he could've been used by a more horror based character since this is the DARK side of the DCU.
Now, Yannick Paquette's artwork. OH. MY. GOD. It is breathtaking. He is what you would get if the inks and pencil style of Bryan Hitch crossed with the atmospheric art of John Cassaday. The guy can draw. He was born to draw bats dropping dead in the Batcave, and people getting their heads twisted 180 degrees.
I love Swamp Thing. Scott Snyder writes an awesome script as Paquette draws an amazing trio of dead people with their heads twisted.
STORY: 9/10
ART: 9.5/10
VERDICT: 9.5/10
Animal Man #1
by Jeff Lemire, and Travel Foreman
I went into Animal Man with no expectations. I really just had an extra 3 bucks at the comic shop, and was dazzled by the creepy cover, and I'm glad I did.
Jeff Lemire writes a story that is one-third horror, one-third superhero, and one-third family drama. He blends all 3 types of story perfectly, and manages to keep the book feeling fresh. But it's the character work that's the draw. Lemire perfectly writes Maxine as the kind and cute, but bratty 4 year-old, and her brother as the foul-mouthed YouTube teenager seen in every middle school across America. It's all brilliant, and I can't really say anything else about it.
Travel Foreman's art can be described by one word: SCARY. He wasn't really born to draw the superhero part of the book mentioned earlier, as he turns a regular fight scene into a claustrophobic mess. But he does happen to work perfectly in the horror/family drama parts of the book. I really love the big reveal of the Hunter's Three, and the intense cliffhanger at the end mostly because of Foreman. I really hate the big page of Animal Man flying mostly because of Foreman. But that's really not a problem because the superhero part lasts for 4 pages!
STORY: 9.5/10
ART: 8/10
VERDICT: 9/10
Green Arrow #1
by J.T Krul and Dan Jurgens
Go into Green Arrow with high expectations and you'll be sorely dissapointed. It sucks. End of story.
J.T Krul is a heartless !@#$%^& who ruined Green Arrow. He dosen't give a @%$# about the character. He writes Oliver Queen as another heartless !@#$%^& who just happens to run an electronics company. Krul frequently resorts to stereotypical comic plots to keep the story moving. At least, the one good thing Krul can do is write fun, just fun, fight scenes. They're not good. They're just fun.
Dan Jurgens artwork isn't good but it's not bad either. Jurgens' artstyle really makes you feel like you're reading a book from the 90's, like an old issue of the Death of Superman saga, only if you crossed that with the colorful inks of the Dark Knight Strikes Again. Jurgens really can't get facial details well, but at least it ain't Rob Liefeld.
STORY: 3/10
ART: 7.5/10
VERDICT: 5/10
Action Comics #1
by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales
OK, so here's how I picked up Action Comics. As my trip to the comic store ended, I knew I forgot something. I had enough money for 6 comics, but in my head, I'm all, but you need 5 comics. Then I remembered, oh! Grant Morrison! And picked this up.
Grant Morrison reimagines the Man of Steel as a young, learning superhero who is arrogant, but has a good moral fiber. It's this thing about the character that makes me love the book. Superman is vulnerable and can get hurt. However, the book dosen't have a unique charm to it that makes all of Morrison's other titles feel fresh. It feels like Morrison is just trying to write a story, not an amazing, deep, and thoughtful adventure.
Rags Morales' art is a strange beast. He seems to struggle with the facial expressions of most characters, but has a good hold on everything else. His backgrounds like the Metropolis skyline are a real pleasure to look at.
STORY: 8/10
ART: 7/10
VERDICT: 7.5/10
Batgirl #1
by Gail Simone and Adrian Syaf
OK, first: Batgirl is just an OK book. The writitng has a certain charm that makes everything awesome, and makes up for a some less than good art.
First up, Gail Simone's story. I was barely paying attention to the plot because Simone completely lets loose with her character work. The way she writes every character, even characters who only have one line of dialogue seem like they could step out into the real world, retain their personality, and not be out of place. It took me 3 reads to finally get to the plot of the book. The plot is decent, and acceptable for an average comic book, but just seems to be going nowhere.
Adrian Syaf's artwork somewhat reminds me of Andy Kubert. But the colorist and the angles from which Syaf draws them ruin what would be some decent art. The colors are below average and somehow make this book feel less special. The angles give the story a claustrophobic feel, which really dosen't suit a superhero comic.
STORY: 9/10
ART: 6/10
VERDICT: 7.5/10
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