"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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ALL NEW BATMAN THE BRAVE & BOLD #2 |
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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:
122910 |
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Writer:
Sholly Fisch
Artist:
Rick Burchett & Dan Davis |
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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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When the Psycho-Pirate hurls Gotham into an abyss of its darkest emotions, even
Batman is trapped in deepest despair. Only Captain Marvel can help The Dark
Knight save the city. But to do it, Captain Marvel will have to use his own
greatest power - the power of hope! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This probably would have been better coming out before Christmas,
being it is about Christmas, but what do I know about the publishing world?
Anyway, this All-New Batman Brave and the Bold is geared towards
younger readers. Yes, it is still the Caped Crusader, but he a little
watered down, at least for my taste. What I mean to say, he is not the Dark Knight, which
he is not supposed to be, since this is a DC Kids book.
That said the story line is a good one. Again, as we have seen with other kids
books there is a lesson told and a lesson learned. We start out in Gotham City,
with Mr. Tawny (a civilized, upright walking, tiger), and Billy (aka Captain
Marvel) getting off a bus from Fawcett City. Billy and Tawny are there for some
Christmas shopping, but when they get off the bus it seems that everyone is
either scared, angry, sad, or feeling hopeless. Sounds like an ad for depression
medication, it’s not. Anyway, all the sudden Billy's frightened and Mr. Tawny gets mean
(not such a
civilized tiger now) and he chases Billy for lunch, I don’t mean with Billy
either. Billy is on the menu.
Shazam! Captain Marvel to the rescue. He wraps Tawny up for everyone’s
protection and goes looking for the hero of Gotham, Batman. Uh oh! Batman seems
to be very depressed, and doesn’t think saving Gotham’s citizens is worth it
anymore, really, what’s the point? This is the work of the Psycho-Pirate!
Finally, Captain Marvel gets Batman out of his slump, calls on some family
members and they save Gotham and the
Christmas Spirit. Batman ponders what Captain Marvel had that
made Psycho-Pirate’s words fall on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Robin shows up, missing
all the excitement, but wanting to get home for Christmas dinner.
Younger readers will enjoy this book, while older readers probably will find it
simplistic and hokey. Either way, it is a good Christmas tale for the kiddies,
which would have been even better coming out during the Christmas season!
Still, pick it up; it is never too late for kids to learn what the season is
meant to be about.
One more thing, the book also contains a sneak preview of Young Justice
Stopover. A little extra “gift” for us all. |
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ARCHIE #616 |
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a ARCHIE COMICS ongoing series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
122210 |
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Writer:
Alex Simmons
Artist:
Dan Parent & Rich Koslowski |
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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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"Campaign Pain," Part 1. President Barack Obama and former Alaska governor Sarah
Palin get involved as Student Government campaigns spiral out of control at
Riverdale High! The race between Archie and Reggie gets hot as campaign chaos
reaches to the top, forcing an impromptu visit from these big-name politicos,
who get pulled into the fray! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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Finally, the President and Sarah Palin visit Riverdale High but
not for the reasons you may think. It seems once again, Reggie and Archie are
facing off, this time it is for student body president. Since Veronica is
Archie’s campaign manager, she has a brilliant idea: take Archie to visit
President Obama, secretly photograph them together, and then act as if the
President is endorsing Archie! Great, right? What’s the harm? Well, for one,
Reggie decides to do the same, instead using a photo with Sarah Palin, which
only makes matters worse for the pair.
What none of the teenager’s understands is this type of campaigning is wrong.
They are not using truth in campaigning by using “secret photo-ops”, and the
President and Mrs. Palin are not happy with Archie and Reggie at all.
This story is good for kids to read because it brings them politics, but in a
more simplistic way they can understand. Even breaking down, the issue of the
“photo-op,” which I am guessing is going to show President Obama and Sarah Palin
actually agreeing on something! For that we will have to wait and see in the
next issue.
Overall this is a good read and appropriate for all ages. It also lets children
get a small glimpse on current events (I do like when a book teaches something).
Archie and the gang themselves, have not changed much, since I was reading them
on a regular basis. Their wardrobe is hipper, the cars are nicer, but they are
still the teenagers of Riverdale High that we know and love, and the books are
well worth picking up for any Archie fan you know. |
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MOUSE GUARD BLACK AXE #1 (OF 6) |
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a ARCHAIA ENTERTAINMENT mini-series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
121510 |
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Writer/Artist:
David Petersen |
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MSRP:
$3.50
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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ARCHAIA'S SYNOPSIS:
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The Eisner Award-winning Mouse Guard returns with The Black Axe, a third volume
to be told in six bi-monthly issues. Set in 1115, this prequel to Mouse Guard:
Fall 1152 fulfills the promise the wise oldfur Celanawe made to Lieam the day
his paw first touched the Black Axe: to tell the young warrior about the mouse
who first wielded the deadly weapon. The arrival of distant kin takes Celanawe
on an adventure that will carry him across the sea to uncharted waters and
lands, all while unraveling the legend of Farrer, the blacksmith who forged the
mythic Black Axe. |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This Mouse Guard adventure is the first one I have ever sat down
to read. This story is good for children 8 and up; younger children might be a
little frightened by some of the violence that happens in the story.
The story was well put together, but I would really like if the author could lay
off the calligraphy. If you are reading this to a younger child, and have
“older” eyes, you might run into the problem I did..."what is that word?"
Anyway, once I figured out the calligraphy I found the story very entertaining.
The illustrations, remind me of the children’s books I grew up reading, such as
the 100 acres wood and Stuart Little, and I enjoyed the drawings along with the
storyline.
The story begins in the spring of 1115, where our hero, Celenawe (pronounced
Khel-en awe), is preparing for a three day journey back to the citadel of the
Mouse Guard. Simultaneously, and old mouse named Em, goes on a journey to find
her last living relative. Guess Who? Why none other than our hero. Nevertheless,
no sooner does she land, but the terrible Fishers show up. I am pretty sure
these guys are odorous weasels, and they are very nasty. The Fishers (who dress
like pirates, and have the same temperament, it seems), kill any animal in their
path, and this is where I think for the very young child, this could be a little
scary. Celenawe realizes that by land the Fishers will catch and kill him and
the old one, Em, but if they go by Sea, they can get away. This is because the
Fishers do not like deep water. The problem, how to get across the sea? Em, then
tells Celenawe that she has the ability to talk to birds, and calls on a duck to
aid them. Em then informs our hero that the Matriarch has requested he join Em
on her quest for the Black Axe!
Will Em and Celenawe find a vessel to take them across the sea? Will Celenawe
find out more about the quest for the Black Axe? These and other questions
should be answered in issue #2, and I for one, cannot wait!
One final note, if you have never read any Mouse Guard you can pick this up
without any problems. I though, will now go back and read the older stories,
just because I found this one so adorable.
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GUMBYS GANG #1 (OF 4) STARRING POKEY
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a WILDCARD INK COMICS mini-series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
120810 |
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Writer:
Michael Aushenker
Artist:
Rafael Navarro |
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MSRP:
$2.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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WILDCARD INK'S SYNOPSIS:
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When Gumby and Pokey horse around with an ancient Egyptian medallion belonging
to Professor Kapp, everyone's favorite pony pal is accidentally hurled through
time and space! Pokey meets Billy the Kid in the Wild West, aliens from the
future, and more soldiers than you can shake your tail at during the Trojan War!
Join Pokey in the trip of a lifetime for his first solo adventure in this
all-new four-issue mini-series! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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When I first received this book to review, I was told I might be
surprised; this book is not geared towards little kids only, as you may think.
That assessment is so true. Pokey is still fun for young readers, but will also
grab the older readers of all ages with his pop culture humor, all while on a
historically (literally) fun adventure.
Believe it or not, this is Pokey’s first adventure on his own. Gumby is in the
story, but Pokey is the star who goes on the journeys through time. He also
learns a little of history along the way while making some cute and funny pop
culture jokes. Who knew he and Gumby liked to listen to RUN DMC?
Pokey puts on an ancient Egyptian amulet to dance to RUN DMC and every time he
says “You be illin” he pops into a new place in time. Pokey is ridden by Paul
Revere, chased by mummies, and thrown into the year 4000, to name a just a few
places he finds himself.
Ultimately, Gumby needs to find Pokey, to get him back to their own time, which
he does by using books in a library. This book gives us glimpses of history and
a lesson on the consequences of touching or taking something that does not
belong to us.
This is a great read for kids of all ages. Gumby and Pokey adventures for the
young, history and life lessons for the “tween” set and pop culture humor for
the rest of us. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was nice to read a book about
a favorite childhood toy and enjoy it as much as I did when I was a lot younger.
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and get in-store discounts on all your purchases for each of the "A's" & "B's"
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CHIP N'DALE RESCUE RANGERS #1
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a BOOM! COMICS ongoing series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
120210 |
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Writer:
Ian Brill
Artist:
Leonel Castellani |
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MSRP:
$3.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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BOOM'S SYNOPSIS:
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It's the return of your favorite furry flatfoots in an all new original ongoing
series! Coming on the heels of BOOM!'s bestselling Darkwing Duck ongoing series,
BOOM! continues the the Disney Afternoon Revolution with Chip 'n Dale Rescue
Rangers as the diminutive detectives embark on all-new original adventures! This
is the series that will have you singing that song you can never forget:
"Sometimes some crimes go slipping through the cracks. But these two Gumshoes
are picking up the slack. There's no case too big, no case too small, when you
need help just call -Ch-ch-ch-Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers!" Note: Available in
the United States and Canada only. |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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Let me just say from the start, I love Chip ‘n’ Dale ever since I
can remember. With that said, I still think this book is great for kids of all
ages to pick up and read or have read to them.
The first thing I noticed, which I always like in a book, is that on the first
page, for those who are not familiar with the characters, a short “bio” on the
main characters of the Rescue Rangers. Next, is a short look back in time at
Gadget when she was a little girl, and why she is so special to the Rescue
Rangers and her dad.
Now our adventure begins! To begin with, the story is fun and exciting. The
colors and artwork are very attractive and will keep even a younger child
interested in the story. At first, I thought maybe my book’s pages were put
together in the wrong order, but then realized that during one point we are in
Dale’s head, when he thinks they are going to crash; and the next time Monterey
Jack is telling the back story to why they are in the situation they are in now.
So, once I reread the book and found the flow of the back and forth in time,
which again is great for younger readers, because it will keep their attention
with different things going on; I truly enjoyed the story and am looking forward
to the next installment of the Rescue Ranger’s adventure.
One further note for the older reader: I believe, if you like funny adventure
stories with a hilarious group of characters, that bumble through one mishap
after another, trying to stay ahead of their nemesis, who is a fat
cat (coincidentally his name is Fat Cat), you will enjoy reading this book to
your child or even the guilty pleasure of just reading it for yourself.
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SIMPSON'S #172
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a BONGO COMICS ongoing series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
111710 |
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Writer:
Mike W.Barr
Artist:
John Costanza |
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MSRP:
$3.99
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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BONGO'S SYNOPSIS:
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Homer's get-rich-scheme to sell Christmas trees runs afoul of conservative Birch
Barlow, who's also looking to cash-in on the commercialization of the festive
holiday with his inspiring rant about the "War on Christmas!" |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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First off, if you are a parent of children under 12 years old, I
have two words for you- The Simpsons! This comic is definitely not for small
children. In my opinion, any one under 16 should not read it. This issue
includes a rant about the “War on Christmas” using a Rush Limbaugh type
character, with the use of racial slurs and profiling. Throw in some gang
violence and extortion, and we are all set for what Christmas is all about
right?
Therefore, this is definitely not for children. This book is geared towards
adults, and even then, it is still tasteless and crude. This is not in the
Christmas spirit at all, and should be left on the shelf that you found it on.
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AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES #1 of 4 |
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a MARVEL COMICS mini-series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
111010 |
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Writer:
Christopher Yost
Artist:
Scott Wegener |
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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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Based on the AMAZING new animated series! What do
you do when the world's evilest villains attack? Call Earth's Mightiest Heroes
to save the day! In our first tale, CAPTAIN AMERICA and THOR face a threat
bigger than BOTH of them! And in tale two, following the exploits of everyone's
favorite arrow-flinger: HAWKEYE! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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The story is based on the Disney XD version of Marvel’s Avengers. In this issue,
Captain America believes he is out of place in the future and Thor is helping
him to realize he is needed still. Throw in a few bad guys and you have another
great superhero story for kids.
This comic also includes short bios of some of the characters in case the kids
haven’t seen the show yet, and need some history on who’s who. If you watch the
TV series, you won’t be disappointed in this issue, which is written by one of
the shows producers. Even if you haven’t seen the show, you will still enjoy the
story line which is straight to the point of good vs. evil and is easy to
follow.
Again, as with most of today’s books for kids to read, there is a message to be
learned. Even if you feel useless at certain times, just remember you are
important and needed by the people who care about you.
I recommend this book to kids of all ages, (yes I know for those of you
aficionado’s the story is not as complex and has some time issues), but for a
quick good vs. evil fun, you can’t go wrong with this book. |
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OZMA OF OZ #1 of 8
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a MARVEL COMICS mini-series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
110310 |
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Writer:
Eric Shanower
Artist:
Skottie Young |
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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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Dorothy Gale plunges into adventure again, this time with a talking chicken
named Billina. Dorothy and Billina are washed off their sailing ship to face
drowning, starvation, and screaming Wheelers, strange men with wheels instead of
hands and feet. The multiple Eisner Award-winning and New York Times bestselling
team of Shanower and Young returns to Oz with this comics adaptation of L. Frank
Baum's third Oz book. |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This is definitely a story for all ages. We find ourselves following the further
adventures of Dorothy Gale, our heroine from one of the greatest classics of all
time; The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The story is easy to read and flows
smoothly. This first issue is action packed and leaves quite a cliffhanger. I am
sure anyone who picks up this book will thoroughly enjoy Dorothy’s new
adventure.
Once again, we find Dorothy Gale in a storm, Oh my!! Only this time Dorothy is
on a ship with Uncle Henry heading for Australia to visit relatives down under.
Dorothy is blown off the deck of the ship into the sea. Lucky for her there is
an animal crate floating by that she can ride out the storm in. When the storm
ends, our heroine finds herself in the crate with a talking hen of all things!
Land Ho! Miss Gale and her new friend, land on what looks to be a deserted
island where they find a warning written in the sand. This chapter ends with
Dorothy and hen being chased by creatures they believe are called “Wheelers,” in
part based on the warning in the sand, and the fact that these strange things
have wheels on their hands and feet.
A few questions to ponder until next issue: Is Dorothy back in Oz? (It doesn’t
look or feel like Oz), maybe it is Australia after all? Where are Uncle Henry
and the ship?
Who are these creatures with wheels, and are they friendly or mean, terrible,
monsters?
This is definitely a “keeper” in the continuing adventures of Dorothy Gale, and
worth picking up whether for your children or for yourself. Either way, Oz fans
young and old will not be disappointed with this newest tale. |
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AVENGERS VS PET AVENGERS #1 (OF 4)
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a MARVEL COMICS mini-series
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Review by:
Deanna "Dee Kay" Bihlmayer
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Release Date:
102710 |
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Writer:
Chris Eliopoulos
Artist:
Ig Guara |
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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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Basic Truth: It's very hard to protect the earth
when you've been turned into a frog. The Pet Avengers Return! Good thing, too,
cuz dragons have decided that it's time to take over the world and oppress the
silly humans once and for all!!! And since Captain America, Iron Man & Thor are
all green and hopping about, here's hoping they can get used to their new
flippers in time to fight alongside Earth's Mightiest Pets! |
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DEE KAY'S REVIEW:
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This being the first of hopefully
many reviews I will be doing for the kidz corner, let us get right to it.
This issue is the first of four in this story line by Marvel. The plot tells us
about the age of dragons, their awakening, and the Pet Avengers coming to the
rescue of the Avengers, now in frog form, and the dragons plan to take over
earth.
For the younger readers there is action, dragons, talking animals and, well,
Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man have been turned into frogs! The story moves
at a fast pace and leaves you wanting more. There is even a great public service
announcement about not letting dogs have chocolate candy. Very responsible of
the writers to point this out.
For older readers, parents, or both, the story line may seem a little disjointed
if you don’t know any background of the characters (like me). So, some of the
more pointed questions I asked myself were why, if only one dragon was left, put
to sleep and was awakened, was the island swarming with them, why is the main
dragon Fin Fang Foom wearing shorts, and why are the Avengers frogs??? Well,
hopefully, we will find these questions out and more in the next three issues.
Overall, this comic is very entertaining and kids of all ages will enjoy it
(even cynical ones like me). I am looking forward to the next issues to see what
happens to the frog Avengers. Will Thor, Iron Man and Captain America be changed
back to human form? What is the fate of our Pet Avengers, will they become
dragon lunch? Will Lockheed leave the Pet Avengers to their “dragon lunch” fate
and join the dragons on their quest to dominate earth? All these, and more,
should be answered in issues #2-4. |
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All Books/Characters pictured herein are © Copyright 2010 by their respective owners. No rights given or implied by Alternate Reality, Incorporated.
Reviews © 2010 Alternate Reality, Inc.
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