"COMICBOOK MAN"
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"Parents, we get dozen's of kid friendly titles in every week. Which ones are
gem's and which ones aren't? That's what the reviews below are for. Every week
our crack review staff picks through that weeks kids releases and reviews the
titles you may be interested."
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VERONICA #205 |
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an ARCHIE COMIC Series |
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
030911 |
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Story:
Dan Parent |
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Art:
Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski, Jack Morelli, Digikore |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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ARCHIE'S
SYNOPSIS:
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Kevin Keller, star of the sold-out Veronica #202, is back! In "The Buddy
System," Veronica and Kevin have become inseparable, but their constant contact
is pushing away the most important person in Veronica's life. Can Kevin and the
gang help Veronica remember one very important date before it ends the world's
greatest friendship? |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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For any one out there who loved the Archie comics growing up, you
will not be disappointed. This book is still great for kids and especially any
girl fan of Archie and his gang of friends.
This week, Veronica has a new pal and his name is Kevin Keller. Kevin is not
just a new character, first seen in issue #202, but it is the first time the
Archie comics have included a gay character. If you have not seen the previous
issue and do not pick up on the hints of Kevin’s sexuality, Archie puts it out
there on page 11, so there is no misunderstanding.
The story line revolves around Betty being upset because Veronica hangs out with
Kevin and forgets dates she is supposed to have with Betty. As Archie points out
to Betty, he loves that Veronica is with Kevin. It means she is not with another
boy, and since Kevin is gay, he is not hitting on her either. This does not make
Betty feel any better. She feels left out, and honestly just a little jealous.
Enter our favorite bumbler, Jughead, who is not so much an airhead as I remember
from my younger reading days. He confronts Veronica and Kevin and helps them to
see how they have hurt Betty’s feelings.
This is a great read, and I am happy to see that Archie Comics has decided to
jump in with a gay high school character. Archie has always tried to keep up
with the high school set, what is relevant, and with the addition of Kevin, they
have done it again.
If you are still a Neanderthal, and think you or your child should not read a
book with a character that happens to be gay, then this issue is not for you.
Otherwise, pick one up. Archie Comics are still one of the most wholesome books
a kid of any age can read and relate to high school life. |
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ARCHIE & FRIENDS #153 |
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an ARCHIE COMIC Series |
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
031611 |
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Story:
Tom DeFalco, J. Torres, Tania del Rio, Ian Flynn |
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Art:
Ron Frenz, Tim Levins, Giselle, Tania Del Rio |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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ARCHIE'S
SYNOPSIS:
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This April Fools Day it's Reggie's Revenge! The King of Pranks will be pranked
when four brand new teams of writers and artists take on Reggie and the gang!
Comic book legends join forces with Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Sonic the
Hedgehog superstar comic writers for foolishly good fun! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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Who doesn’t like April Fool’s Day? Especially our favorite
prankster Reggie! This issue has four separate stories by different writers and
artists revolving around April 1st. Each separate story keeps to this theme, and
they all do a great job of showing the fun of a few innocent pranks at school.
The culmination of these stories is in the last story Reggie finally gets his.
This book is pure Reggie fun, with the whole high school gang, including the
teachers, dreading the day, and wondering where Reggie is lurking. Reggie uses
the same pranks we have all seen before, but some new ones too. Like, cupcakes
iced with toothpaste! I have never seen that one before, but maybe you or your
kids have. Of course, everyone is pranked, and then they are all looking for
Reg. However, pure Reggie style he is hiding in plain sight, the detention room,
which is where he usually is all the time, being the school troublemaker.
Archie comics are always a win/win in my book, wholesome fun and a good read.
However, be careful!! Your child may get some new ideas to prank you on April
Fool’s Day! Besides, you probably should remind them that this would not be a
good idea at school. Teachers in their world probably are not as forgiving as
Reggie’s teachers are. Other than that, pick up a copy for some good nostalgic
laughs, or introduce your child to the wonderful world of Archie and the gang. |
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BART SIMPSON COMICS #58 |
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a BONGO COMIC Series |
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
022311 |
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Story & Art:
Carol Lay |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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BONGO'S
SYNOPSIS:
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Bart attempts his most elaborate practical joke ever and becomes an Internet
sensation with a little help from his friends... about 15 million of them! Then,
Rod and Todd Flanders believe it is their mission to save Homer and Bart's
souls. Plus: Sergio Aragonés "Maggie's Crib." |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This is really great book and is appropriate for any
Simpson’s fan of any age. It's a very well written tale of Bart is up to his old
pranks at school, all of which makes for a very funny story!
The book is made up of one main story starring Bart and three mini stories
bringing in the rest family. The main story plays out in two parts and really
grabs the attention of the reader showcasing Bart at his prankster best. The
other “skits” are cute too, especially the Rod & Todd Pray-Off. I think “bigger”
kids will really get a kick out of it, I know I did! Like I said at the top:
This book is fun for anyone from 6-60 and is highly recommended. |
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YOUNG JUSTICE #1 |
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a DC COMIC Series |
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
021611 |
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Story:
Art Baltazar & Franco
Art:
Mike Norton |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC'S
SYNOPSIS:
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Based on the highly anticipated, all-new hit animated show from Warner Bros.
debuting in January on Cartoon Network! It's moving-in day for Superboy and Miss
Martian as they choose their rooms at their new headquarters! But the Boy of
Steel is haunted by the Cave's memories and strange visions of his past... |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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In this second installment of Young Justice, titled "Haunted" and
in it we find out that Wally West is Kid Flash. We are also fleetingly
introduced to the Red Tornado, Martian Manhunter and Miss Martian, M’Gann M’orzz.
After that, though the story falls a little flat. Now, it could well be it is a
set-up issue for those to follow, but maybe issue #0 would have been the better
place to do that. Like issue #0, this issue seems a little disjointed, and
starts up in what seems like the midway point in the story line.
Superboy is left alone in the abandoned Justice League Cave, and then starts
hearing and seeing things. Super heroes seem to come and go for no apparent
reason, and do not really lend anything to the story. This story is lacking in
plot and quite frankly, is boring and makes no sense.
I figured that I would give this series a second chance after being disappointed
with issue #0, but instead of the story line getting better, it actually has
gotten worse. It is worth picking up if your reader likes the cartoon network
series, but if not, you should just skip it. |
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If you're in Grade School are you a Good Grades Club member? If not join today
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SPONGEBOB COMICS #1 |
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a BONGO COMICS Series |
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
020911 |
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Story:
Graham Annable
Art:
Gregg Schigiel |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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BONGO'S
SYNOPSIS:
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Are you ready for the comic book premiere of the world's most popular
fry-cooking sponge?! This first issue is a whale of a collection of comics by
talented indy, mainstream, and animation cartoonists - James Kochalka (Johnny
Boo, American Elf), Hilary Barta (Fear Agent), Graham Annable (Grickle), Gregg
Schigiel (X-Babies), Jacob Chabot (Mighty Skullboy Army, X-Babies), and more! In
this issue: SpongeBob has a recurring nightmare about his favorite cereal;
Squidward introduces music to the Krusty Krab; and Mermaid Man is freaked out by
a fan who won't... stop... staring! Also: Patrick and SpongeBob team up for the
most idiotic joke ever; SpongeBob learns to glow; and readers are invited to
draw the absorbing one's new hairdo! All this, plus a page of SpongeFunnies by
James Kochalka and a cover pinup, equals a ship-shape maiden voyage! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This premiere issue is for any young reader who loves Sponge Bob
Squarepants. There are stories, puzzles, and activities throughout. It even has
a pullout poster to hang up in your room in the middle.
This is a great book for kids who are just starting out reading, who also like
other activities to do in between. The stories are cute and engaging, and the
activities are fun for any Sponge Bob lover. This is a great book for mom and
dad to enjoy with their young reader.
Bongo Comics has done a great job with this premier issue for the younger set.
This is a great book to pick up for your little Sponge Bob fan! |
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SUPER HERO SQUAD SPECTACULAR #1 |
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a MARVEL COMICS Special |
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
020211 |
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Story:
Todd Dezago
Art:
Marcelo Di Chiara |
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MSRP:
$3.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S
SYNOPSIS:
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It's a totally radical time-travel trip back to the 80s! The God-like entity
known only as The BEYONDER sets his sights on the Squad...teleporting them to
his own private Prison Planet to do battle with the Villains for his own
amusement! Join the SQUADDIES in their first Epic-Length Event...THE SECRET
WARS! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This by far is the funniest book I have read in awhile. It also
will be extremely hilarious if you grew up during the 80’s, which is the theme
of this story. Even if you are not a child of the eighties, you will appreciate
the humor in this book.
A God like character, Beyonder, who thinks it would be great if he had all the
Super Heroes and villains in cage matches for his personal entertainment,
kidnaps the Super Hero Squad and villains for just that reason. In the
Beyonder’s world is everything a person could think of that was popular in the
1980’s. He wears the clothes; he speaks in song lyrics from the eighties and so
on.
Obviously, Beyonder’s world is all fun for him, but the Super Hero’s need to get
home to fight crime; besides they are tired from fighting battles that no one
can really win. The Super Hero’s even get the villains to help them, because if
both sides don’t agree on the plan Beyonder is not going to go for it.
This book really had some original dialogue and again, the eighties theme was
genius, who doesn’t love Miami Vice, Pat Benatar, and Pac-Man? This is
appropriate for all ages, and well worth picking up for your kids or even just
for yourself, it is a great read! |
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If you're in Grade School are you a Good Grades Club member? If not join today
and get in-store discounts on all your purchases for each of the "A's" & "B's"
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SPIDER-MAN #10 |
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a MARVEL COMICS ongoing series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
012611 |
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Story:
Paul Tobin
Art:
Matteo Lolli
Inks:
Terry Pallot |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S
SYNOPSIS:
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Spider-Man becomes a teacher for super hero-in-training Chili Storm... the Lynx!
But is it all a publicity stunt for her modeling career, and what happens when
the deadly Scorpion crashes class? |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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A new adventure for Peter Parker that is appropriate for all
ages. The reader still finds Spider-Man wanted by the police and believed to be
a bad man, and all Spidey wants to do is help those in need like always. What is
different with this story is that he has a woman in super hero training tagging
along. Her name is Lynx and in all reality, she is a model who wants to help
people, and believes that being a super hero is the way to go. One problem: she
decides her super hero should take a cab to the scene of crimes, which upsets
Peter to know end. When Spider-Man and the Lynx get to a fire where people are
trapped and need help, he finds out the next day that the Lynx is only in it for
publicity and has an adventure strip in a modeling magazine called “Poser.” I
did find the name of the magazine funny with its double meaning. In this
adventure strip though, Spidey looks like a bumbling fool and the Lynx like the
savior, which is not the way the fire rescue actually played out. Remember the
taxi? Well, the driver finds Spidey and his Lynx cohort and tells them that
there is activity going on with another fire and Scorpion. This is what
Spider-Man is waiting for; he has realized Scorpion is using fires to divert
attention from robberies he is pulling off. Spider-Man finds himself the hero
and loved by police in the next installment of “Poser’s” adventure strip, and
realizes that Lynx and the cabbie were helpful to him after all.
I found this to be a good read; it is appropriate for children of any age. I am
not a Spider-Man admirer, but I did enjoy this story line quite a bit. I liked
the added dimension of other characters, and Peter Parker having to learn new
ways to avail himself to the public and that friends can turn up in some
unconventional ways when you need them most. |
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YOUNG JUSTICE #0 |
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a DC COMICS ongoing series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
011911 |
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Story:
Kevin Hopps & Greg Weisman |
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Art:
Mike Norton |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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Based on the upcoming hit animated show from Warner Bros. debuting on Cartoon
Network! Robin, Superboy, Kid Flash and Aqualad star in this explosive issue
kickstarting an all-new ongoing series! They're four young superheroes learning
how to be a team...and maybe doing a bit of growing up along the way - but only
just a little bit! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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Young Justice is seen on the Cartoon Network. I have not seen the
show, so I do not know if this book follows along with the show or is a
stand-alone series on its own. With that in mind and this being the series
beginning, I was a little confused with the storyline. I am not sure who Wally
is supposed to be, he's wearing a Flash type costume so maybe he's Flash Boy.
The book never tells the reader, just hints at him being fast, occasionally
somewhat lazy and slow and how he likes to play hero even when told to stay out
of trouble by Batman himself. On the other hand Superboy is a bit terse and
somewhat rude to adults but that could be because he's a clone, although why he
would be angry is anyone’s guess.
In the story Wally and Superboy go to the mall to get some clothes since Supes
were all torn up in some sort of explosion or fight. This is also not explained
but is assumed that it happened before all of Young Justice got themselves in
hot water with Batman and the Justice League. Anyway, while at the mall a pair
of twins starts causing trouble and to the rescue, wearing bandanas and looking
more like bandits than superheroes, are Wally and Superboy. Unfortunately they
have their hands full, so thankfully when the Flash and Superman show up all is
made right in the world but the boys are reminded of that whole don’t get into
trouble until Batman calls for you speech. The reader must wait until next time
to find out who will be joining the four super tots in their training.
This is a book for any age, and the story line was still good, even though, the
writers must have believed that any one who reads this is already familiar with
the characters, and where they come from. One assumes that is probably based on
their belief that any one who picks up this book is already a fan of the
television series. Therefore, watching the series probably would be helpful with
the story line of the book, but it is still worth picking up for a new take on
younger members of the Justice League like Robin and Aqualad and their friends.
I hope that the reader will also find out why Superboy is so needy for
Superman’s approval, and why Superman seems to ignore his existence. |
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If you're in Grade School are you a Good Grades Club member? If not join today
and get in-store discounts on all your purchases for each of the "A's" & "B's"
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THOR MIGHTY AVENGER #8 |
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a MARVEL COMICS ongoing series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
011211 |
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Story:
Roger Langridge |
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Art:
Chris Samnee |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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Grab the book that ComicsBulletin.com says "just keeps getting better and
better, and it started out great." Our hot-headed Asgardian has battled his way
through a sea of robots...but he never expected there to be a MAN inside one of
them! It's THOR and IRON MAN together, for the very first time! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This is the final installment of this series of Thor books. With
that said, if you have not picked up the first seven issues, you should. This
last installment has Thor kidnapped and Iron Man must go to the rescue, because
this is the early days of the Marvel Universe and
no one else is available.
In this issue, Thor is trying once again to prove himself to the public, who are
not so sure about his intentions. In the midst of all this, he and his hammer
are kidnapped by Bots controlled by a faceless evil scientist. Iron Man comes to
help him, but Thor thinks he is a machine like the Bots who are holding him
hostage and starts fighting Iron Man but soon realizes he is there to help.
This book has a great story line, and well worth picking up the whole series. If
you have already read issue #1-7 you will be pleased with how this series finishes off.
It's a good read for children of all ages and can easily be enjoyed by young and
old alike. The formula of the lead character's make up hasn’t changed much over
the years, and personally, I like my super heroes to be and do exactly what I
expect. In the Thor tradition, this has a lot of action and with the addition of
Iron Man, there is a lot of the Tony Stark wit.
Again, pick up this issue and pick up the rest of the series if you haven’t
already done so. |
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MEGAMIND:
BAD, BLUE & BRILLIANT #1 of 4
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an APE ENTERTAINMENT mini-series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
010511 |
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Story:
Jason M. Burns, Quinn Johnson, Jesse Leon Mc Cann
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Art:
Fernando Peniche, Tina Francisco |
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MSRP:
$3.95
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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APE'S SYNOPSIS:
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With the prom just around the corner, Megamind hatches a plan to usurp the
imminent prom king, Metro Dude, but when his dastardly deed takes a
self-destructive turn, he's forced to challenge his teenaged nemesis to a dance
off in front of the entire class, ultimately usurping himself. |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This issue of Megamind has three separate stories and all are
aimed at readers both young and old alike. The Megamind character is a very
likable and all three stories are a fun read.
The first story revolves around prom and Megamind in high school with Metro Dude
and of course Minion (an exchange student from Schnitzel). Megamind has a plan
to humiliate Metro Dude (naturally) and make himself the ruler of the school if
not the world. Of course evil plans very seldom work out as planned, and this
one is no exception. The narrative is easy to follow, and is fun for young
readers as well as older ones.
Story number two: Minion’s day off part 1, we will see what happens when Minion
is not there to help Megamind. Unfortunately without Minion, Megamind is
hopeless to even find his razor and shave himself without causing mayhem across
the city. We'll have to wait until next issue to see if Megamind can fix what he
broke (this is the only one of the three stories to be continued in the next
issue). Will Minion save the day? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the third story Megamind needs to get to the DVD rental store or he
is going to have a huge late fee. One problem, he can’t find the car, why,
because it is invisible. So, whom does Megamind need to get help from? Of
course, Minion! Really what kind of Supervillian/Surperhero would he be without
him?
So, to encapsulate this issue: having three stories is great to keep the reader
interested and having one story continue on in the next, will have you waiting
for the next issue to arrive at your local comic book store. This is a definite
must for any one who loved the Megamind movie. |
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"Find out what's shipping for kid's this week, PLUS the Good Grades Club and
more right HERE"
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All Books/Characters pictured herein are © Copyright 2011 by their respective
owners. No rights given or implied by Alternate Reality, Incorporated.
Reviews © 2011 Alternate Reality, Inc.
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