Friday, September 30, 2011

The New 52 Review: CATWOMAN #1

"Bringing sexy back to the DC Universe"

CATWOMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Judd Winick
ARTIST: Guillem March
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano
32pp, Colors, $2.99

Catwoman is a DC Comics character associated with the Batman franchise. The best known Catwoman is Selina Kyle, who was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Kyle first appeared in Batman #1 (Spring 1940) as The Cat.

The character has been a super-villain, but she has also had a complex love-hate relationship with Batman that is sometimes romantic. Since her appearance in Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli’s Batman: Year One, Catwoman has been something of an anti-hero that skirts the fine line between daring good girl and criminal bad girl. Most of the time, she is a thief and cat burglar.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Catwoman, who has had a few series of her own, gets a new one. As Catwoman #1 (“…and most of the costumes stay on…”) opens, Selina Kyle’s apartment is destroyed, leaving her homeless. Determined to discover who is after her, Selina takes a job in a bar that caters to Russian mobsters, where she gets information that puts her onto her next burglary. Plus, there is a visit from Batman.

I have finally found a Judd Winick-scripted comic book that I enjoyed – Catwoman #1, although this first issue is mainly set-up for a longer storyline. Still, there isn’t much that is imaginative here in terms of ideas: Russian mobsters and a torrid scene between the Bat and the Cat – nice but familiar.

What makes this series look unique is the art by Guillem March, which is covered in luscious colors by Tomeu Morey. By chance, I discovered March because he drew a pin-up that appeared in a hardcover collection I reviewed. I’ve been crazy about his work since then. I look forward to his run on Catwoman enough to take a chance that Winick will entertain me – even if he only rehashes other people’s crime fiction ideas and plots.

By the way, the controversial, tawdry stuff ain’t as scandalous as some are making it out to be. It’s fairly tame considering all the leather, rubber, and vinyl involved.

B+

September 21st
BATMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-1.html
NIGHTWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/nightwing-1.html
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-hood-and-outlaws-1.html
WONDER WOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/wonder-woman-1.html

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The New 52 Review: NIGHTWING #1

NIGHTWING #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Kyle Higgins
PENCILS: Eddy Barrows
INKS: JP Mayer
COLORS: Rod Reis
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Dick Grayson, Batman’s original Robin, first appeared in Detective Comics #38 (April 1940). Grayson would eventually retire as Robin and take on his own superhero identity, Nightwing, a character that first appeared in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (July 1984). Grayson became the new Batman for a year (two years in publishing time), but as part of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line, he is back as Nightwing.

Nightwing #1 (“Welcome to Gotham”) opens with Nightwing swinging over Gotham City. Dick Grayson has decided to live in the rougher section of town in order to be closer to the action, and he gets plenty of action. First, he visits Haly’s Circus, for whom his late parents were acrobats. Next, a vicious new villain is on the prowl to kill.

Nightwing #1 is a straightforward action and fight comic. The character stuff, such as the visit to Haly’s Circus, is empty and devoid of the emotions Kyle Higgins thought he was hitting, but the fights have, shall we say, kick. The art team of Eddy Barrows (pencils) and JP Mayer (inks) is good and features strong composition and solid drawing. I’ve never heard of Barrows, but I want to know more about him now.

I would describe Nightwing as currently being at the top of the middle of the pack, mainly because of the art.

B+

September 21st
BATMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-1.html
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-hood-and-outlaws-1.html
WONDER WOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/wonder-woman-1.html

Hayate the Combat Butler: Quiz Show

I read Hayate the Combat Butler, Vol. 18

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.


The New 52 Review: RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1

"OEL DC"

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Scott Lobdell
ARTIST: Kenneth Rocafort
COLORS: Blond
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

The Red Hood is an alias used by various adversaries of Batman. Before the Joker was the Joker, he was the Red Hood in Detective Comics #168 (February 1951). Jason Todd, the second Robin, became the Red Hood after being resurrected. Todd was in fact killed by the Joker in the famous storyline, Batman: A Death in the Family (Batman #426-429).

As part of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero line, Jason Todd gets his own comic book, Red Hood and the Outlaws, with Todd leading a group of antiheroes. As Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 (“I Fought the Law and Kicked its Butt!”) opens, Red Hood undertakes a mission to rescue Roy Harper AKA Arsenal from a prison in the Middle Eastern country of Qurac.

They later join fellow Outlaw, Koriand’r AKA Starfire, the former Teen Titan, on the island of St. Martinique. While Roy and Kori… frolic, Jason gets a visit and dark news from Essence. What has happened to the All Caste?

Visually, Red Hood and the Outlaws mostly looks like an OEL manga (original English language) from TOKYOPOP (or maybe even Del Rey Manga). When it comes to drawing Starfire, artist Kenneth Rocafort offers pretty much what those Top Cow pin-up comic books did in the mid-1990s Barbie doll mixed with Pamela Anderson proportions and weird hair. The art and coloring is at its worst during the opening sequence, where the inking creates a hodge podge of ugly line work and confusing textures.

As for the story, writer Scott Lobdell spins a yarn that is no better or worse than early Image Comics – an action comic book focusing on babes, boobs, and shootouts. It’s not bad; it’s just nothing special. Too many of “The New 52” are like this, and when a publisher is making a big push like this, there should be as little mediocrity as possible.

C+

September 21st
BATMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-1.html
WONDER WOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/wonder-woman-1.html

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 28 2011

DC COMICS

JUL118179 ACTION COMICS #1 2ND PTG $3.99

JUN110329 ALL NEW BATMAN BRAVE AND THE BOLD TP $12.99

JUL110238 ALL STAR WESTERN #1 $3.99

JUL110282 AMERICAN VAMPIRE #19 (MR) $2.99

JUL110191 AQUAMAN #1 $2.99

JUL118180 BATGIRL #1 2ND PTG $2.99

JUL110210 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1 $2.99

JUN110270 BATMAN THE WIDENING GYRE TP $17.99

JUL110236 BLACKHAWKS #1 $2.99

JUL110274 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #64 $2.99

MAR110342 COVER STORY DC COMICS ART OF BRIAN BOLLAND HC $39.99

JUL110193 FLASH #1 $2.99

JUL110196 FURY OF FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MEN #1 $2.99

MAY110244 GREEN LANTERN CORPS THE WEAPONER HC $22.99

JUL110221 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #1 $2.99

JUL110227 I VAMPIRE #1 $2.99

JUN110276 JLA TP VOL 01 $19.99

JUL118178 JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 COMBO PACK 2ND PTG $4.99

JUL110223 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1 $2.99

JUN110279 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA SUPER TOWN TP $14.99

MAY110248 KAMANDI OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 LAST BOY ON EARTH $49.99

JUL110198 SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1 $2.99

JUL110203 SUPERMAN #1 $2.99

JUL110239 TEEN TITANS #1 $2.99

JUN110340 TOM STRONGS TERRIFIC TALES TP BOOK 02 $17.99

JUL110231 VOODOO #1 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 28 2011

MARVEL COMICS

JUL110760 ALPHA FLIGHT CLASSIC TP VOL 02 $29.99

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JUL118173 X-MEN SCHISM #3 (OF 5) 2ND PTG VAR (PP #987) $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for September 28 2011

IDW PUBLISHING

JUL110380 CRAWL TO ME #3 (OF 4) $3.99

JUL110399 DEADWORLD LAST SIESTA GN $14.99

JUL110364 DOCTOR WHO ONGOING VOL 2 #9 $3.99

JUL110355 DUKE NUKEM GLORIOUS BASTARD #3 (OF 4) $3.99

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JUL110332 GI JOE VOL 2 ONGOING #5 $3.99

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JUL110385 SUICIDE GIRLS TP VOL 01 $19.99

JUL110312 TRUE BLOOD FRENCH QUARTER #2 (OF 6) $3.99

JUL110315 TRUE BLOOD HC VOL 02 TAINTED LOVE $24.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 28 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL110023 ABE SAPIEN DEVIL DOES NOT JEST #1 JOHNSON CVR $3.50

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JUL110110 TIM BURTON STAIN BOY T/S LG (O/A) $17.99

JUL110109 TIM BURTON STAIN BOY T/S MED (O/A) $17.99

JUL110111 TIM BURTON STAIN BOY T/S XL (O/A) $17.99

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JUL110103 TIM BURTON TOXIC BOY L/S T/S SM (O/A) $36.00

JUL110106 TIM BURTON TOXIC BOY L/S T/S XL (O/A) $36.00

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 28 2011

IMAGE COMICS

APR110489 ARTIFACTS #10 (OF 13) CVR A SEJIC $3.99

APR110490 ARTIFACTS #10 (OF 13) CVR B CHRISTOPHER $3.99

MAR110517 ARTIFACTS #4 (OF 13) PORTACIO B&W EXC VAR CVR $10.00

FEB110492 ARTIFACTS VOL 01 SIGNED ED TP $19.99

JUL110511 AVENGELYNE #3 CVR A LIEFELD $2.99

JUL110512 AVENGELYNE #3 CVR B GIENI $2.99

MAY110442 BOMB QUEEN GANG BANG TP (MR) $14.99

JUL110514 BREED III #5 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99

JUL110517 DAOMU #7 (MR) $2.99

FEB110498 DARKNESS COMPENDIUM EDITION TP NEW PTG $69.99

JUN110539 ELEPHANTMEN #35 (MR) $3.99

JUL110463 ELEPHANTMEN TP VOL 04 QUESTIONABLE THINGS (MR) $24.99

JUL110522 EPOCH #2 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

JUL110526 HACK SLASH #8 CVR A LEISTER & ROSENBERG (MR) $3.50

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JUL110453 LOVESTRUCK GN (MR) $16.99

JAN110658 MAGDALENA #8 CVR A CHA $3.99

JAN110659 MAGDALENA #8 CVR B BLAKE II $3.99

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JUL110478 SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 12 $14.99

JUL110500 UNDYING LOVE TP (MR) $14.99

JUL110553 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #39 (MR) $2.99

APR110531 WITCHBLADE #148 $3.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for September 28 2011

COMICS

JUL111208 1 800 MICE HC (MR) $22.95

JUL110839 ARCHIE #625 $2.99

JUL110840 ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #9 $3.99

JUL111143 ARISA GN VOL 04 $10.99

JUL110842 BETTY #194 $2.99

JUN111238 BLOOD ALONE GN VOL 04 $10.99

JUN110857 CASPER AND THE SPECTRALS 3 PACK $4.99

JUL111325 CHARMED #14 A CVR SEIDMAN (MR) $3.50

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JUL111144 CODENAME SAILOR V TP VOL 01 $10.99

AUG110850 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #2 (OF 7) CALGARY (MR) $5.99

JUL111059 DAYBREAK HC (MR) $21.95

JUN111366 DC SUPER-PETS YR TP FASTEST PET ON EARTH $4.95

JUN111367 DC SUPER-PETS YR TP HEROES O/T HIGH SEAS $4.95

JUN111368 DC SUPER-PETS YR TP MIDWAY MONKEY MADNESS $4.95

JUN111369 DC SUPER-PETS YR TP POOCHES OF POWER $4.95

JUN111370 DC SUPER-PETS YR TP ROYAL RODENT RESCUE $4.95

JUN111371 DC SUPER-PETS YR TP SUPER HERO SPLASH DOWN $4.95

JUL111145 DELTORA QUEST GN VOL 02 $10.99

APR111019 DF DANGER GIRL AOD #3 EXC BLUE CVR $14.99

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MAY111194 EPIC CHRONICLES HAGAR THE HORRIBLE HC 1976-1977 $19.95

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JUN110830 FEEDING GROUND HC (MR) $24.95

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JUL110924 FUTURAMA COMICS #57 $2.99

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JUL110771 GROWING UP ENCHANTED TP VOL 02 $9.95

JUN111212 HABIBI GN (MR) $35.00

JUL111154 HOLY TERROR HC (MR) $29.99

JUN111291 HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES TP VOL 04 $12.99

JUL110938 INCORRUPTIBLE #22 $3.99

JUL110940 IRREDEEMABLE TP VOL 07 $16.99

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MAGAZINES
MAR111433 007 MAGAZINE ARCHIVE CASINO ROYALE QUANTUM SOLACE $17.00
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JUL111426 STAR TREK MAGAZINE #37 NEWSSTAND ED $6.99
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The New 52 Review: WONDER WOMAN #1

WONDER WOMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Brian Azzarello
ARTIST: Cliff Chiang
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Cliff Chiang
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Created by William Moulton Marston, Wonder Woman is perhaps the best known female superhero. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 (cover date December 1941). Wonder Woman is a Princess of the Amazons (based upon the Amazons of Greek mythology) from Paradise Island, now known as Themyscira. Her powers include flight and super-strength, -speed, -stamina, and -agility, as well as being highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat.

With the exception of most of 1986, Wonder Woman has continuously appeared in her own comic book series for seven decades. As part of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero line, Wonder Woman returns in a new comic book series. Wonder Woman #1 (“The Visitation”) finds a young woman named Zola under assault by creatures from Greek mythology. Hermes sends her to Wonder Woman (she prefers “Diana’) for help, but Zola’s problems are bigger than anyone (on Earth) imagines.

The word here is “efficiency,” which results in one of the best of “The New 52.” As of this writing, I’d put it in the top three. Brian Azzarello’s story is smooth in its intensity with a script that moves the action through different locales as it brings together several characters and subplots into one might conspiracy.

It’s the same with the art by Cliff Chiang. The art captures the intensity of the story and its fast pace, but with solid composition and storytelling that belies the story’s anxious pace. Chiang’s Wonder Woman is a slim, athletic dynamo, and his figure drawing will make you believe that an Amazon is a real thing.

Wonder Woman is a comic book I want to read again.

A

Monday, September 26, 2011

The New 52 Review: BATMAN #1

BATMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORIST: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Greg Capullo
32pp, Color, $2.99

After Batman made his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 (cover date May 1939), he debuted in his own self-titled comic book, Batman (cover date May 1940). The series began as a quarterly and became a monthly sometime around the end of the 1950s. Batman the ongoing series ran for 713 issues.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” we get a new Batman #1 (“Knife Trick”) from prose writer turned comic book scribe, Scott Snyder, and former star-to-be artist, Greg Capullo. The issue begins with bang as Batman quells a riot at Arkham Asylum with help from a surprising partner.

Then, it’s time to play civilian as Bruce Wayne and three of the four Robins: Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne attend a posh soiree. Headlined by Wayne, this gathering is about the future of Gotham City, but crime does not sleep as a mysterious and deadly figure makes his point.

Batman #1 strains to be a great first issue. Writer Scott Snyder seems to be trying too hard to convince readers that his new Batman is going to be a big deal, so his performance as a writer ends up being like an over-anxious young star athlete who won’t relax and “let the game come to him.” Even the riot at Arkham is mostly style and filler, but just misses being killer. The murder sequence at the end of this first issue is just a rehash of various scenes from the film, Se7en. Talent borrows, eh?

It’s much the same for Greg Capullo’s debut as artist. His compositions show the influences of manga, anime, Matt Wagner, Frank Miller, and while some panels and even a few pages are really nice, a lot of it seems like Capullo is trying too hard. Plus, inker Jonathan Glapion just makes it worse; maybe it will take a few issues for Capullo and Glapion to gel as a team.

This book and its primary creators show potential, but I have a feeling that “can they deliver?” is a question that will be asked for quite awhile.

B

VIZ Media to Release "Psyren"

NEW VIZ MEDIA MANGA SERIES PSYREN TAKES READERS TO AN ALTERNATE DIMENSION WHERE YOU’VE GOT TO FIGHT TO GET BACK HOME… OR DIE TRYING

A Teenager And His Friends Embark On A Dangerous Adventure To Alter The Future And Save The World

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the debut of the riveting action manga (graphic novel) series – PSYREN – on October 4th. The new series, by Toshiaki Iwashiro, will be published under the company’s SHONEN JUMP imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. PSYREN is also currently featured in VIZ Media’s monthly SHONEN JUMP magazine.

"Save me!" Those were Sakurako Amamiya's last words to her friend Ageha Yoshina before she mysteriously went missing. Now Ageha's on a quest to find her. He's convinced that the mythical Psyren Secret Society has something to do with the recent rash of disappearances. And now he seems to be caught up as a player in their very deadly game...

“Ageha Yoshina embarks on a dangerous adventure in this action-packed new series where he attempts to alter the future and save the world,” says Joel Enos, Editor. “Readers will be transported to Psyren, a stark wasteland inhabited by insect-like monsters, where Yoshina and his friends must complete missions assigned by the mysterious Nemesis Q if they ever hope to return home. PSYREN is a bestseller in Japan, where it also spawned a pair of popular novels. Don’t miss the new manga release coming in October!”

Manga creator Toshiaki Iwashiro was born in 1977, in Tokyo, and his debut manga series was the popular Mieru Hito (Divine Eye), which ran from 2005 to 2007 in Japan in Weekly Shonen Jump, where PSYREN was also currently serialized.

For more information on PSYREN, or others titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShonenJump.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at http://www.viz.com/

The New 52 Review: RESURRECTION MAN #1

RESURRECTION MAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
ART; Fernando Dagnino
COLORS: Santi Arcas
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Rod Reis

Resurrection Man is a DC Comics superhero created by Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett and Jackson Guice. The character had a comic book series that ran for 27 issues from 1997 to 1999. Resurrection Man is attorney Mitchell “Mitch” Shelley, who became the unwilling test subject in a nanotechnology experiment. The result rendered him immortal in an unusual way. Mitchell could still be killed, but the death would last only a few seconds or a few minutes. Then, Mitchell would be reborn with a superpower influenced by the way he was last killed.

The character returns in Resurrection Man #1, part of DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comics line, “The New 52.” As the story (entitled “Pronounced Dead”) opens, Mitch has just come back to life, tasting everything metal in the morgue. Then, he’s off to Portland, Oregon on a flight where he meets Sue, who is not what she appears to be. Who are the Phantoms of the Afterlife, and why is Mitch’s soul so attractive to every entity from above and from below?

I remember Resurrection Man; I remember ignoring it. Now, the more I read about it the more it sounds like a really interesting concept, so I might go back-issue hunting. Meanwhile, this first issue of the new series is a very nice read. It seems more like a Vertigo title than a mainline DC Comics title, but DC’s superhero line really needs a horror comics side, so this will do.

I’m not familiar with the work of writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, but if first impressions are important, I’m impressed. Of course, artist Fernando Dagnino, whose style does much to make this look like a Vertigo comic book, contributes dark compositions which create the dark fantasy vibe that Resurrection Man #1 does so well.

B+

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
BATWOMAN #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwoman-1.html
DEMON KNIGHTS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/demon-knights-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
LEGION LOST #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/legion-lost-1.html
MISTER TERRIFIC #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/mister-terrific-1.html
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

Sunday, September 25, 2011

The New 52 Review: MISTER TERRIFIC #1

MISTER TERRIFIC #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Eric Wallace
PENCILS: Gianluca Gugliotta
INKS: Wayne Faucher
COLORS: Mike Atiyeh
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: J.G. Jones with Lovern Kindzierski
32pp, Color, $2.99

Mister Terrific was a Golden Age comic book character that first appeared in Sensation Comics #1 (cover date January 1942). Created by Charles Resizenstein and Hal Sharpe, he was a superhero who mastered martial arts, had a photographic memory, and was an Olympic-level athlete, as well as being a self-made millionaire.

In Spectre #54 (Vol. 3, cover dated June 1997), a young African-American male character, Michael Holt, who has a talent for learning, became the new Mister Terrific. Holt has an Olympic gold medal, owns Holt Industries, and is the third smartest man on the planet.

Mister Terrific #1 (“Software Update”) opens to find the titular character in London, England taking on a rival tech CEO and his biomechanical battle armor. After some internal exposition gives us some background on Mr. Terrific, strange things begin to happen. An ordinary guy gains the intelligence of someone extraordinary. Why is this happening and to whom will it happen next?

I see Mister Terrific as a blend of elements from Batman, Blue Beetle, and Iron Man, which all began as comics about rich playboy-types who became costumed adventurers and then superheroes. A more recent comparison is Hardware of Milestone Media, a smart black guy superhero, and I’d say that reading this first issue of Mister Terrific reminds me of reading a Milestone comic book.

Mister Terrific may go the way of Milestone Comics. One of the stores where I occasionally shop still had several copies (although I don’t know what they began with), and this first issue is NOT of such overwhelming high-quality that readers will be demanding that it stick around, as they would for a more high profile title. Mister Terrific is not at all bad; it’s just a little above average, which can be lethal for a comic book in a tight economy. The ending is interesting enough to make me come back, though, and I am curious to see where writer Eric Wallace takes this series.

B

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
BATWOMAN #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwoman-1.html
DEMON KNIGHTS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/demon-knights-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
LEGION LOST #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/legion-lost-1.html
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

Grand Guignol Orchestra: Stigmate

I read Grand Guignol Orchesta, Vol. 4 (Grand Guignol Orchestra)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).


The New 52 Review: DEMON KNIGHTS #1

DEMON KNIGHTS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Paul Cornell
PENCILS: Diogenes Neves
INKS: Oclair Albert
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
COVER: Tony Daniel with Tomeu Morey
32pp, Color, $2.99

The Demon is a DC Comics character created by Jack Kirby, which first saw publication in The Demon #1 (cover date August 1972). This demon from Hell is bound to a human named Jason Blood, and despite his origins, the Demon usually sides with the good guys. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” the Demon stars in a new series, the Dark Ages-set Demon Knights, which is essentially a team book.

As Demon Knights #1 (“Seven Against the Dark”) opens, it is the last night of Camelot. It is also a night of destiny, as Merlin binds Jason of Norwich to the demon Etrigan. Four centuries later – the Dark Ages, the Questing Queen and her horde of beasts march north, heading towards Alba Sarum. First, they must pass through the village of Little Spring. Meanwhile, Jason and Madame Xanadu are in Little Spring just trying to enjoy a pint – peacefully, but they have a date with destiny and are also joined by new companions.

I’ve wondered when I would find a Paul Cornell-written comic book that I would like, having hated his Captain Britain series, and after the re-launched Stormwatch, I thought that it would never happen. But I love me some Demon Knights. It is a slick, rowdy action fantasy dressed up like a pitch for a Hollywood blockbuster, but it is a highly enjoyable read. The art by Diogenes Neves, Oclair Albert (inks), and Marcelo Maiolo (colors) is pretty and best of all, looks just right for the concept and also the tone this series is trying to set.

I think I’ll try Demon Knights again. Fun comic books are sometimes hard to find.

A-

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
BATWOMAN #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwoman-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
LEGION LOST #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/legion-lost-1.html
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

VIZ Media Continues to Dominate New York Times Bestseller List

VIZ MEDIA SWEEPS THE LATEST NEW YORK TIMES MANGA BESTSELLER LIST FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH

Latest NARUTO Edition Takes #1 Spot And Is Complemented By Other Top Manga Properties Including BLEACH, BLACK BIRD, BLUE EXORCIST, ULTIMO, DEATH NOTE And More!

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has swept the latest Top 10 on the New York Times Manga Bestseller list for the week of September 10th. This is the second time the company has dominated the list in less than a month; VIZ Media previously swept all Top 10 spots for the week of August 20th.

The top selling VIZ Media manga (graphic novel) titles included:

NARUTO Vol. 52
BLEACH Vol. 36
BLACK BIRD Vol. 10
DENGEKI DIASY Vol. 6
KIMI NO TODOKE: FROM ME TO YOU Vol. 10
LIBRARY WARS: LOVE & WAR Vol. 6
BLUE EXORCIST Vol. 1
BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS Vol. 8
ULTIMO Vol. 6
DEATH NOTE BLACK EDITION Vol. 5

The New York Times Bestseller lists are an expanded version of those appearing in the September 25th, 2011 print edition of the Book Review, reflecting sales for the week ending September 10th, 2011. Rankings reflect weekly sales for books sold in both print and electronic formats.

“We’re very happy to see such a diverse roster of manga titles dominate the latest New York Times manga bestseller list for the second time in a month,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “The titles range from science fiction to fantasy to romance to suspense, and are a good representation of the breadth of VIZ Media’s catalog. We look forward to continuing to offer fans the most extensive and varied manga catalog of any publisher in the industry!”

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit: http://www.viz.com/.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at http://www.viz.com/.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

The New 52 Review: BATWOMAN #1

BATWOMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
ARTIST: J.H. Williams III
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Todd Klein
32pp, Color, $2.99

Hydrology Part 1: “Leaching”

Batwoman first appeared in Detective Comics #233 (cover July 1956) as the Bat-Woman. Created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff, Batwoman’s alter ego was Kathy Kane, and she was a crime-fighting rival to Batman. With the re-launch of DC Comics superhero line, “The New 52,” Batwoman gets a new comic book series, and while she is still secretly Kathy Kane, today’s Batwoman is different from the original Kane.

Batwoman #1 finds Kate is in the midst of relationship drama – a new girlfriend and the return of her hated father, Col. Jake Kane. She has her hands full with a strange ghostly villain, La Llorona, who is kidnapping children. Meanwhile, Batwoman takes on a partner/plebeian, Bette AKA Flamebird, but she doesn’t even know about the Department of Extranormal Operations and their new Gotham operation.

The last time I read Batwoman it was in Detective Comics #854, written by Greg Rucka and drawn by J.H. Williams III, and for me, it was a dull reading experience. I must commend co-writers W. Haden Blackman and Williams because this first issue of Batwoman is anything but dull. I counted four major subplots and three others that were introduced by hint. Every few pages, the story shifts to another scene, but because all these scenes either have interesting characters or involve intriguing subplots, the story flows quietly beautifully without a hitch.

Obviously, the beauty and “floetry” comes from J.H. Williams’ efficient visual storytelling, which is composed of his exquisite art. There is no doubt for me that Williams and colorist Dave Stewart are a match made in comic book heaven. For scenes involving Batwoman, the police, and the more fantastical elements of the story, Williams presents compositions that shimmer with light and stream across the pages, for which Stewart creates a smoky watercolor effect. Williams presents the character drama pages in a retro style that Stewart’s colors with an Art Deco effect.

Apparently, Williams will not be drawing all the issues of Batwoman, but I will certainly stay with this title as long as he and Stewart are doing this voodoo that they do so well.

A

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
LEGION LOST #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/legion-lost-1.html
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

Friday, September 23, 2011

The New 52 Review: LEGION LOST #1

LEGION LOST #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Fabian Nicieza
ARTIST: Pete Woods
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
32pp, Color, $2.99

Run from Tomorrow Part One: Present Tense

Legion Lost was a 12-issue comic book limited series starring members of the Legion of Super-Heroes (LoSH). Published by DC Comics (of course), the series focused on a group of Legionnaires banished to the far side of the universe.

With the re-launch of the DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Legion Lost returns as a new ongoing comic book series with a new cast: Chameleon Girl, Dawnstar, Gates, Tellus, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, and Wildfire. To stop a terrorist act, they travel from the 30th (or 31st) century back to the 21st Century, but the rules of time traveling are changing in a post-Flashpoint DC Universe.

As Legion Lost #1 opens, seven members of the Legion of Super-Heroes (LoSH) arrive via a Time Bubble in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota – 21st century Earth. Their mission is to stop Alastor, a shape-shifting terrorist from Rimbor, from infecting Earth with a deadly virus. However, adjusting to a new Earth proves to be difficult for some of the Legion Lost, making a dangerous mission all the more perilous.

After one issue, Legion Lost seems as if it could offer an interesting spin on the team comic book. There is a lot of setup here, but writer Fabian Nicieza digs into the lynchpin of the central plotline – the threat of a pathogen, while offering nice character moments (such as Dawnstar’s troubles). I’ve never thought of Nicieza as a great comic book writer, but he’s good at writing fast-paced superhero comics.

The art by Pete Woods is all over the place, and sometimes it seems as if Woods believes he is supposed to churn out impressionistic drawings. Some of the visual storytelling is not clear and some of the character drawing is ugly. Brad Anderson’s coloring manages to save some of Woods’ worst moments, so Legion Lost may be worth a second or maybe even a third look.

B-


September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The New 52 Review: RED LANTERNS #1

RED LANTERNS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Peter Milligan
PENCILS: Ed Benes
INKS: Rob Hunter
COLORS: Nathan Eyring
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
COVER: Ed Benes and Rob Hunter with Rod Reis
32pp, Color, $2.99

Part of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comics line, is the release of comic books starring characters that previously never had their own ongoing comic book series. The Red Lanterns, who are part of Green Lantern lore, are one such group of characters.

Red Lanterns #1 (“With Blood and Rage”) opens as the Red Lanterns lead an assault against marauders in Space Sector 666. However, Atrocitus, the leader and creator of the Red Lanterns, is just not feeling the rage and believes that he is just going through the motions. What is this malaise? Meanwhile, in Small Ockdon, United Kingdom, brothers Ray and John face a tragedy that brings out the rage.

Writer Peter Milligan fashions scenes and set pieces that convincingly convey what seems to be this series dominant theme, rage. There are also odd moments of poignancy in a few scenes, but the story reads cold, lacking the heat of the hotter emotions. The art by Ed Benes (who is from the chicken scratchy school of early Image Comics art) and Rob Hunter does nothing for me. It is flat and the emotions and feelings it suggests (rage, resentment, jealousy) come across as cartoonish and fake. I’m not interested in where this series is going, although I am usually curious about what Milligan is writing.

C

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The New 52 Review: GREEN LANTERN #1

GREEN LANTERN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Doug Mahnke
INKS: Christian Alamy with Tom Nguyen
COLORS: David Baron
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Rod Reis (Variant cover by Greg Capullo)
32pp, Color, $2.99

The best known Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, first appeared in Showcase #22 (September-October 1959). Like other Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern of Sector 2814 (which includes Earth), wields a power ring, one of the most powerful weapons in universe. But times have changed.

There have been other Green Lanterns of 2814, and with the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” there is a new Green Lantern. Now, Hal Jordan’s nemesis, Thaal Sinestro, who first appeared in Green Lantern #7 (July-August 1961), replaces Jordan. Sinestro shares the spotlight with Jordan and apparently takes the lead in the new version of the flagship Green Lantern title.

As Green Lantern #1 opens, Thaal Sinestro faces the Guardians of the Universe on his way to being the new Green Lantern (of Sector 2814). Sinestro’s first stop is his home world, Korugar, which is besieged by Sinestro’s own Yellow Lanterns. Meanwhile, Hal Jordan seems to be having every kind of life crisis he can have but then, help is offered…

Once upon a time, in a rural home far, far away, I was a Green Lantern fan, but the character mostly bores me now. I didn’t read anything in this new Green Lantern to make me become a big fan again, but this is a good comic book, for the most part. The juxtaposition of Sinestro’s ascendance and Hal Jordan’s collapse gives the book some dramatic tension. The Yellow Lanterns and Guardians sequences did not appeal to me, so I see them as problems in an otherwise good comic book.

I must also commend penciller Doug Mahnke and inker Christian Alamy for creating some of the best Brian Bolland-clone art I’ve seen in a long time. I might come back for more that.

B

September 14th

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

The New 52 Review: GREEN ARROW #1

GREEN ARROW #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: J.T. Krul
PENCILS: Dan Jurgens
INKS: George Perez
COLORS: David Baron
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Dave Wilkins
32pp, Color, $2.99

Green Arrow is a superhero appearing in DC Comics publications. His secret identity is billionaire Oliver “Ollie” Queen. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 (cover date November 1941). Green Arrow dresses like Robin Hood, and he was originally an archer who invented trick arrows with various special functions, such as net arrows, explosive arrows, boxing-glove arrows, etc. The various series writers have toned down the trick arrows over the last few decades.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” a younger Green Arrow is back. Green Arrow #1 (entitled “Living a Life of Privilege”) re-introduces billionaire Oliver “Ollie” Queen, who is also the green-garbed archer and superhero, Green Arrow. He tracks celebrity criminals and has targeted three in Paris: Supercharge, Dynamix, and Doppelganger. Back at Queen Industries, the CEO is demanding that Queen spend more time in board meetings, while Green Arrow’s weapons designer, Jax, is having second thoughts about his career.

Thanks to the art by Dan Jurgens and George Perez, Green Arrow looks like a traditional superhero comic book that could have been published in the 1980s. On the opposite side of that, writer J.T. Krul immerses the series in corporate boardroom melodrama and international intrigue, or at least the superhero version of it. Green Arrow is a modern superhero who relies on technology and communication as he does on his paranormal physical and mental skills – traditional and new.

I’m curious to see where this goes, especially because Green Arrow seems to have a fascistic streak or at least a penchant for acting like Big Brother or Dick Cheney. Hopefully, Krul explores the dark side of Green Arrow, while the Jurgens/Perez team keeps churning out neo-soul art.

B+

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
ANIMAL MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/animal-man-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
OMAC #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/omac-1.html
STATIC SHOCK #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/static-shock-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html
SWAMP THING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/swamp-thing-1.html

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 21 2011

DC COMICS

JUL110206 BATMAN #1 $2.99

JUL110216 BIRDS OF PREY #1 $2.99

JUL110242 BLUE BEETLE #1 $2.99

JUL110195 CAPTAIN ATOM #1 $2.99

JUL110215 CATWOMAN #1 $2.99

JUL110200 DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1 $2.99

JUL110289 DMZ #69 (MR) $2.99

JUL110286 FABLES #109 (MR) $2.99

JUL110220 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1 $2.99

NOV100300 GREEN LANTERN VS SINESTRO MINI STATUE $125.00

JUL110287 HELLBLAZER #283 $2.99

JUL118139 JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 2ND PTG $3.99

JUL118177 JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 3RD PTG $3.99

MAY110247 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA OMEGA HC $24.99

JUL110243 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #1 $2.99

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 21 2011

MARVEL COMICS

JUL118035 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #669 AMAZING FANTASY VAR PI

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JUL110759 X-MEN ORIGINS II TP $19.99

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IDW Publishing from Diamon Distributors for September 21 2011

IDW PUBLISHING

JUL118163 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #2 $3.99

MAR110490 ARCHIES JOKE BOOK HC VOL 01 BOB MONTANA $29.99

JUL110372 ART OF METAL GEAR SOLID HC $24.99

JUL110330 COBRA ONGOING #5 $3.99

JUL110392 DONE TO DEATH GN $19.99

JUL110337 GI JOE COBRA CIVIL WAR 100 PG SPECTACULAR $7.99

JUL110340 GI JOE DISAVOWED TP VOL 04 $19.99

JUL110352 GODZILLA KINGDOM OF MONSTERS TP VOL 01 $17.99

JUL110386 LOVE AND CAPES TP VOL 03 WAKE UP WHERE YOU ARE $19.99

JUN110470 MNEMOVORE HC (IDW) $24.99

JUL110390 POUND GN $19.99

JUL110308 STAR TREK ONGOING #1 $3.99

JUL110348 TRANSFORMERS ONGOING #26 $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 21 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN110045 ART OF COMIC BOOK INKING TP VOL 01 NEW PTG $29.99

JUL110025 BPRD HELL ON EARTH RUSSIA #1 $3.50

JUN110064 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS #1 SPIDER-MAN $49.95

JUL110051 CONAN ROAD OF KINGS #8 (OF 8) $3.50

JUN110046 CREEPY ARCHIVES HC VOL 11 $49.99

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MAY110067 DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES CHARACTERS #1 DONALD DUCK $49.95

DEC100078 EVELYN EVELYN HC (RES) $24.99

JUN110014 HELLBOY TP VOL 11 BRIDE OF HELL & OTHERS $19.99

MAY118259 HELLBOY TP VOL 11 BRIDE OF HELL & OTHERS $19.99

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MAY118260 STAR WARS OMNIBUS EPISODES I-VI COMP SAGA TP $24.99

JUL110030 THE GUILD CLARA CHAYKIN CVR (ONE SHOT) $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 21 2011

IMAGE COMICS

JUL110510 ALL NIGHTER #4 (OF 5) $2.99

APR110500 ARTIFACTS #6 (OF 13) C2E2 EXCLUSIVE VAR CVR $10.00

FEB110491 ARTIFACTS TP VOL 02 $14.99

MAY110447 CHEW TP VOL 04 FLAMBE (MR) $12.99

MAR110578 DARKNESS #90 ECCC VAR CVR (MR) $10.00

MAR110577 DARKNESS #93 $2.99

JUL110468 GREEN WAKE TP VOL 01 (MR) $16.99

JUL118081 INFINITE #2 CVR K JAY COMPANY FOIL EXC $2.99

JUN110483 MORNING GLORIES TP VOL 02 $12.99

JUL110537 MYSTERIOUS WAYS #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

JUL110404 NEAR DEATH #1 $2.99

JUL110539 RED WING #3 (OF 4) $3.50

JUL110541 SAMURAIS BLOOD #4 (OF 6) $2.99

JUL110434 TEEN WOLF BITE ME #1 (OF 3) $3.99

JUL110552 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #38 (MR) $2.99

JUN110568 WITCH DOCTOR #3 (OF 4) $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for September 21 2011

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
JUL110011 ARCHIE LAUGH COMIC MINI COMIC PI
JUL110013 BOOM SNARKED HALLOWEEN MINI COMIC PI
JUL110010 CASPER/STRAWBERRY HALLOWEEN MINI COMIC PI
JUL110009 DH SCARY GODMOTHER HALLOWEEN MINI COMIC PI
JUL110015 DONALD DUCK HALLOWEEN MINI COMIC PI
JUL110012 FRAGGLE ROCK HALLOWEEN MINI COMIC PI
JUL110016 MAMESHIBA ON THE LOOSE MINI COMIC PI
JUL110014 NBM SMURFS HALLOWEEN MINI COMIC PI

COMICS
APR111049 A ZOO IN WINTER HC $23.00

JUN111282 ARATA THE LEGEND TP VOL 07 $9.99

JUL110855 ARCHIE CHRISTMAS CLASSICS TP VOL 01 $14.95

JUL110841 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #222 $3.99

APR111038 ARMED GARDEN & OTHER STORIES HC $19.99

JUN110858 ASTONISHING SECRET OF AWESOME MAN YR GN $17.99

JUL111299 BAMBOO BLADE TP VOL 10 $11.99

JUL110923 BART SIMPSON COMICS #63 $2.99

JUL111012 BOYS BUTCHER BAKER CANDLESTICKMAKER #3 (MR) $3.99

JUL111323 BRIMSTONE #5 (MR) $3.25

JUL110865 BROKEN PIECES #1 CVR A KANESHIRO $3.50

JUL110866 BROKEN PIECES #1 CVR B KUBERT $3.50

JUL111300 BUNNY DROP GN VOL 04 $12.99

JUN110803 CAVEWOMAN ALL NATURAL SPEC ED ONE SHOT (MR) PI

JUL111220 DAMAGED #2 (OF 6) (MR) $3.50

JUL110960 DARKWING DUCK #16 $3.99

JUN111290 DETROIT METAL CITY GN VOL 10 (MR) $12.99

APR111020 DF FF & FRIENDS 50TH ANN STARTER SET $49.99

JUN111081 DF KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #1 ROSS VIRGIN EXC $10.00

JUN111091 DF MARVELOUS SUMMER READING SET $50.00

JUL110877 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT LOTUS #3 (OF 3) CVR A NOME $3.50

APR110814 FATHOM VOL 4 #2 CVR A KONAT $2.99

APR110815 FATHOM VOL 4 #2 CVR B RYAN $2.99

JUL110990 GAME OF THRONES #1 $3.99

JUL111180 GARFIELD & CO HC VOL 03 CATZILLA $7.99

JUN110817 GOBS #2 (OF 4) $3.99

JUN110812 GOLD DIGGER #132 $3.99

MAY111019 GREEN HORNET #18 $3.99

JUN111283 HAYATE COMBAT BUTLER TP VOL 18 $9.99

JUN111197 HELLRAISER PINHEAD DOUG BRADLEY SGN NDC EX ED $39.99

JUL110928 HELLRAISER TP VOL 01 (MR) $9.99

JUN111307 INFERNO GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT $2.99

JUN111308 INFERNO GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT $2.99

JUN111100 IT WAS WAR O/T TRENCHES HC (O/A) $24.99

JUL110994 KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #2 $3.99

JUN111284 KUROZAKURO GN VOL 06 $9.99

JUN110811 LITTLE GREEN MEN GN (O/A) $9.95

APR111035 MAN WHO GREW HIS BEARD GN $19.99

JUN111096 MARK TWAINS AUTOBIOGRAPHY 1910-2010 HC $19.99

SEP100801 MINDFIELD #6 COVER B PHIL NOTO $2.99

JUL111182 MONSTER CHRISTMAS HC $9.99

JUL111301 MY GIRLFRIENDS A GEEK GN VOL 04 $11.99

JUL110947 PLANET OF THE APES #6 $3.99

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JUN110807 RICHIE RICH #4 (OF 4) $3.95

JUL111245 ROBERT JORDAN EYE OF THE WORLD HC VOL 01 $24.99

JUL110925 SIMPSONS TREEHOUSE OF HORROR #17 $4.99

JUL110849 SONIC UNIVERSE #32 $2.99

JUL110870 SOULFIRE VOL 3 #4 CVR A FABOK $3.50

JUL110871 SOULFIRE VOL 3 #4 CVR B ODAGAWA $3.50

JUL111191 SPONTANEOUS #4 (OF 5) $3.99

JUL110949 STAN LEE SOLDIER ZERO #12 $3.99

JUN111242 STUFF OF LEGEND JESTERS TALE #2 (OF 4) $3.99

JUN110982 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE HC VOL 01 SGN 10TH ANN ED (O/A $49.99

JUL111295 UNFORGIVING #1 $3.99

JUN111024 VAMPIRELLA SCARLET LEGION #4 $3.99

JUL111298 WITCH & WIZARD MANGA VOL 01 $12.99

JUL111303 WITH THE LIGHT RAISING AUTISTIC CHILD GN VOL 08 $11.99

APR111150 WIZARD OF ID HC DAILIES & SUNDAYS 1970-1971 (RES) $19.95

JUL111112 ZAHRAS PARADISE GN $19.99

JUL111304 ZOMBIE LOAN TP VOL 12 $11.99

JUL110957 ZOMBIE TALES OMNIBUS OUTBREAK $19.99

JUL111016 ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #3 $3.99

MAGAZINES
JUN111350 BACK ISSUE #51 $7.95
JUN111359 COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1682 OCT 2011 $5.99
JUN111377 DR WHO INSIDER #6 $6.99
JUL111335 JUXTAPOZ #129 $5.99
JUL111234 STAR WARS CLONE WARS MAGAZINE #7 $4.99
JUL111436 STAR WARS INSIDER #128 SPECIAL NEWSSTAND ED $7.99
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JUN111407 VIDEO WATCHDOG #164 (MR) $8.95

The New 52 Review: O.M.A.C. #1

O.M.A.C. #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Keith Giffen and Dan DiDio
PENCILS: Keith Giffen
INKS: Scott Koblish
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
32pp, Color, $2.99

OMAC is a superhero comic book created by Jack Kirby in 1974. The series was set in a near future where OMAC was a corporate nobody named Buddy Blank. An A.I. satellite called “Brother Eye” changed Buddy, via a “computer-hormonal operation done by remote control,” into the super-powered One-Man Army Corps (OMAC).

DC Comics is currently re-launching its superhero comic book line. Produced by Keith Giffen and Dan DiDio, a new O.M.A.C. series is part of that launch. O.M.A.C. #1 opens on a peaceful afternoon at the headquarters of Cadmus Industries, the corporate leader in genetic research and cutting edge medical technologies.

Jody Robbins is fretting over her boyfriend, Kevin Kho, also works at Cadmus, but is missing. Suddenly, O.M.A.C., a powerful behemoth of a creature, assaults the complex and begins tearing his way down through the lower levels. What is he seeking? And where is Kevin?

Over the course of his four-decade career, Keith Giffen has often showed the influence of Jack Kirby on his work. In O.M.A.C., Giffen blends the powerful compositions and graphic design of Kirby with his own sharp line work to create some of the best comic book art to come out of “The New 52.” Giffen captures the raw power of a creature like O.M.A.C. by depicting destruction on massive scale in panels both small and big and especially in a double-page spread that is… awesome. I think this is a book worth a second and third look.

A-

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
ANIMAL MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/animal-man-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
STATIC SHOCK #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/static-shock-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html
SWAMP THING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/swamp-thing-1.html

Monday, September 19, 2011

The New 52 Review: SUPERBOY #1

SUPERBOY #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Scott Lobdell
PENCILS: R.B. Silva
INKS: Rob Lean
COLORS: The Hories
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
COVER: Eric Canete with Guy Major
32pp, Color, $2.99

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superboy first appeared in More Fun Comics #101 (January-February 1945). The character was meant to be Superman as a boy and a teenager. Later, Superboy was reinvented as a clone of Superman and Lex Luthor. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero comics line, “The New 52,” Superboy (the clone) is back.

Superboy #1 opens with Superboy in a glass tank of neonatal amniotic fluid and subjected to various virtual reality programs. Who is Superboy? What is Superboy? Why does the female doctor known as “Red” care for him? Who or what is N.O.W.H.E.R.E.?

What to make of Superboy? It is a mildly enjoyable read. A veteran scribe, Superboy writer Scott Lobdell is a master of dragging out a narrative over several months (or even over a year or two if necessary). That would be just fine and dandy if the characters weren’t so stiff here, although Superboy is interesting.

The art (pencils, inks, and colors) is pretty, but is so stiff and mechanical. If clip art fucked Dilbert, artist R.B. Silva’s style would be the result. Still, I’m curious enough to try at least one more issue.

C+

September 14th

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html

The New 52 Review: BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Patrick Gleason
INKS: Mick Gray
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
32pp, Color, $2.99

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Remember that Batman and Robin comic book that had the original Robin, Dick (Richard) Grayson, as Batman and Bruce Wayne’s son, Damian Wayne, as the latest Robin? Of course, you do; it was only launched two years ago to great fanfare – as the Batman comic book line was then being revamped… again.

With DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line, “The New 52,” Batman and Robin is also re-launched, with Bruce Wayne back as Batman and Damian back as Robin. The team that produced the “Tree of Blood” storyline in the 2009 Batman and Robin, writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason, is the creative team of The New 52 Batman and Robin.

Batman and Robin #1 (“Born to Kill”) opens in Moscow where one of the Batmen of Batman Incorporated gets Bat-manhandled. Meanwhile, Batman/Bruce Wayne is ready to reconcile and to put a defining moment in his life behind him, so he takes his bratty son to Crime Alley. But the irascible new Boy Wonder is more interested in stomping some bad guy ass than being kind of sentimental.

After reading the first issue of 2009 Batman and Robin by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, I was very impressed. It was a start reminiscent of their opening storyline for New X-Men (“E is for Extinction”). Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s own first Batman and Robin issue is close to being as good as Morrison/Quitely, and I’m equally impressed. I so want to share with you the fun I had reading it, but I’d unleash too many spoilers. What I’ll say is that this is one of “The New 52” you should keep reading past the first issue.

A

The New 52 Review: FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Jeff Lemire
ARTIST: Alberto Ponticelli
COLORS: Jose Villarrubia
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
COVER: J.G. Jones with Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $2.99

War of the Monsters Pt. 1: Monster Town, USA

DC Comics has a version of Frankenstein’s monster that is similar to the Boris Karloff monster in Universal Picture’s 1931 film, Frankenstein (directed by James Whale). The character first appeared in Detective Comics #135 (cover date May 1948) and was created by Edmond Hamilton and Bob Kane, based upon the character in Frankenstein, the novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.

DC’s Frankenstein has been revamped a few times, the most recent being a version writer Grant Morrison made a member of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. As part of DC’s re-launch of its superhero comics line, “The New 52,” the Seven Soldiers version of Frankenstein is the star of a new comic book series, Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.

As Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1 opens, the demonic invasion of Bone Lake, Washington (population 4,500) begins. At S.H.A.D.E. (Super Human Advanced Defense Executive), Agent Frankenstein gets his marching orders… and a field team, although he insists he works alone. Not anymore, big fella! Meet the Creature Commandos: the amphibian/human hybrid, Dr. Nina Mazursky; the werewolf, Warren Griffith; the vampire Vincent Velcoro; and the mummy and medic, Khalis. But can even this uber-motley crew stop an invasion that doesn’t die, it multiplies?

Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. can come across as DC Comics’ version of the B.P.R.D. (Dark Horse Comics), Mike Mignola’s troubleshooters from his Hellboy franchise. Even if S.H.A.D.E. is a riff on B.P.R.D., Jeff Lemire, so far, can’t touch the inventive madness of Mignola and the writers that collaborate with him. If anyone on this S.H.A.D.E. creative team is close to Mignola and company’s lovely madness, it’s artist Alberto Ponticelli. He gives Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. a decidedly Eurocomics vibe, and the scenes in which he draws sci-fi tech, his art recalls legendary artist, Moebius, and that legendary manga, Akira.

Considering what Lemire did with Animal Man, I want to give Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. a chance because this could be a really inventive title. Ponticelli’s art will certainly be a joy to scrutinize.

B+

House of Five Leaves: Ginta

I read House of Five Leaves, Vol. 4

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Review: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: CENTURY #2

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, VOL. III: CENTURY: 1969 (BOOK 2 OF 3)
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS/KNOCKABOUT COMICS

WRITER: Alan Moore
ARTIST: Kevin O’Neill
COLORIST: Ben Dimagmaliw
LETTERER: Todd Klein
ISBN: 978-1-86166-162-6; paperback
80pp, Color, $9.95 U.S., £7.99 GBP

Even in a counter-culture underground of mystical and medicated flower children, there is a sense of loneliness. It is as if expressions of personal freedom and use of drugs to gain a personal high are really about trying to connect with other individuals in a way that is simultaneously superficial and deeply intimate. Even Oliver Haddo’s body hopping is an attempt to stave off that ultimate solo journey – death. Anyway…

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century is the third series starring Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s Victorian superheroes, who are now a new team in a new century. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century #2 “1969” is the second graphic novel in the most recent story arc (which began with Century #1 “1910”). It finds the new League: Mina Murray, the reincarnated Allan Quatermain, and eternal warrior Orlando still trying to stop the creation of an antichrist called the Moonchild.

Chapter 2: Paint It Black takes place in 1969 (about 60 years after the League’s last adventure) and is set in the psychedelic daze of Swinging London during 1969, where Tadukic Acid Diethylamide 26 is the drug of choice. The counter-culture fun pauses for just a moment when rock musician, Basil Thomas, is murdered by men in black robes. Vince Dakin, a mob boss close to Thomas, hires contract killer, Jack Carter, to learn the identity of the person who ordered the murder and to in turn kill that individual.

Meanwhile, the Blazing World sends the League to investigate Thomas’ murder, especially as it may be related to the activities of the occultist, Oliver Haddo, who is trying to create the Moonchild. But isn’t Haddo supposed to be dead? Still adjusting to the 20th century and struggling with the accumulated weight of their endless lives, Mina, Allan, and Orlando navigate the perilous rapids of London's hippy and criminal subculture, while Haddo plots his next incarnation.

While I marvel at the brilliance of his darker works like Watchmen and V for Vendetta, I prefer Alan Moore’s more surreal and slyly humrous comics, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen being one of them. It is obvious that moving LoEG to Top Shelf Productions and Knockabout Comics (in the U.K.) has liberated Moore. Century: 1969 is bawdy and vulgar without being obnoxious. It is madly inventive and highly imaginative without being inaccessible to readers who may not get all the cultural and pop culture references.

The move to a new publisher (from DC Comics, which was never the right publisher for this material) has also done wonders for artist Kevin O’Neill, who is every bit as important to the League as Moore is. O’Neill graphical storytelling and art are pictures as poetry. Dream sequences, flashbacks, alternate universes, swinging London, bizarre manifestations of human flesh, etc.: there isn’t anything O’Neill can’t draw. He visualizes Moore’s trippy story as both a trippy graphic novel and an enthralling, engaging story.

Century #2 is actually an improvement over Century #1, as the former is surreal rather than merely odd, as “1910” was with its bizarre musical sequences. I’m happy to say that Moore and O’Neill are still at the top of their LoEG game.

A

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