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X-MEN FOREVER #1 |
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Writer:
Chris Claremont
Artist:
Tom Grummet
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Reviewer:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel Comics
Shipped On:
061009 |
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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BE HERE FOR THE BEGINNING! Comics icon and New York Times bestselling writer
Chris Claremont returns to his legendary run with X-MEN: FOREVER! The shockwaves
after the death of Magneto are still reverberating all over the world.
Attempting to heal the rift between man and mutant kind, Professor Xavier
volunteers his X-Men to go on a mission to capture Magneto's sole remaining
Acolyte, Fabien Cortez! But with Nick Fury-and the entire world-watching over
their shoulders, the stakes have never been higher for Cyclops, Jean Grey,
Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Rogue, Kitty Pryde, Storm, Beast, and Professor
X. With Tom Grummet bringing Claremont's vision to the page, this landmark
series is packed with enough surprises and twists to shake the X-Men mythos to
its very core!
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Oi, as much as I went into this book believing Comic
Book Man had a personal vendetta against me for some unknown reason, when I was
finished reading I was pleasantly surprised that my brain didn’t attempt a
violent coup, or some daring prison-break style escape from my skull. No I don’t
think Claremont found his mojo, but I think allowing him to play in a pocket
universe, with no real bearing on established continuity, has been the smartest
decision Marvel has made in regards to the writer who seemed to have lost his
way over the last several years.
There’s a very small portion of my being that believes I’m going to continue to
read this title, and yet there’s another, much larger portion that believes the
smaller portion is a bloody idiot. Everything about this book felt wrong while I
read it. Characters I know, and some that I even like, have evolved so far from
where they were 18 years ago when this storyline ‘began’ that I had to re-train
my brain to ignore things that seemed out of character. Another thing I had to
get used to was Claremont’s archaic style of ‘over-exposition,’ as he
spoon-feeds every little piece of information that the reader may or may not
pick up on their own, as if we’re all of some sub-par intelligence. I don’t want
to blame it on his age, but that’s just how comics were written way back when
dinosaurs didn’t just roam the Earth, but they also sat behind type-writers and
penned X-Men.
The X-Men, Cyclops, Storm, Rogue, Wolverine, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Jean Grey,
and Gambit, attempt to track down a renegade Fabian Cortez, who in ‘X-Men #3’
was responsible for the (supposed) death of Magneto. There’s some action, but
mainly we’re forced to sit through a lot of the typical teen-angst filled banter
that Claremont love to inject into every possible text square, dialogue balloon,
and thought bubble. Nick Fury, meanwhile, is hanging over Professor X’s
shoulder, just waiting for the X-Men to slip up so that he could institute a
S.H.E.I.L.D. takeover of the mutants’ day-to-day operations.
There’s a certain part of me that feels like this is a chance to see what may
have happened if Claremont’ s epic 16-year run on Marvel’s merry mutants hadn’t
been (miraculously) cut short. While I don’t argue that what he’s going to do is
going to be as incredible as some of his past stories, I find it to be an
intriguing look into what current X-mythology could be built upon. For what it’s
worth (which isn’t much) it’s a strange take, that definitely won’t be for
everyone, but I think it may find it’s audience (very much like Winick’s
‘Exiles’ did before you-know-who came on and put a few too many nails in it’s
coffin).
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CURSED PIRATE GIRL #0 |
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Writer/Artist:
Jeremy Bastian |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Olympian Publications
Shipped On:
060309
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MSRP:
$1.25 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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OLYMPIAN'S SYNOPSIS:
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From a far away land rises a mighty hero. The son of
peasants from two different realms, the one known only as Barak protects the
people of Hope Kingdom at all costs. Watch as he takes on the likes of Boosh the
Dim, Red Sarah, and Cha-nee the Grim in this spectacular first issue! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Ahoy! I feel like I just stepped off of a rickety
old wooden ship, smelling of brine and salty sea air. Jeremy Bastian is a local
boy whose dreams have more or less been realized, as he sets sail for uncharted
waters with an artistic style seldom seen these days. The #0 issue of his
“Cursed Pirate Girl” series is a small preview of what readers may expect from
this larger than life fairy tale of a comic book.
Pirates, the scourge of the seas; vicious, lying, filthy, untrustworthy dogs as
likely to sell their son or daughter for a cold pint of ale as they are to gut a
stranger just for looking at them cross-eyed. What makes anyone, let alone a
child, think this is the kind of life that someone would lead by choice? Yet,
this is the subject of this infectious tale that convinced me, no matter how
briefly, to re-evaluate my life’s priorities (seriously, how bad can scurvy
be?). For four pages I was wowed, panel after panel, page after page, as I was
introduced to characters who’ll probably mean nothing, and tales of battles that
may never be retold, and I didn’t even meet the cursed young lady-pirate the
comic is named for. But it didn’t matter, I was hooked.
Jeremy Bastian is an original voice in what’s an otherwise copy-cat medium. His
style is a throw back to political cartoons from century’s ago. At times
containing more lines in a single page than some artists are known to put an
into an entire issue, Bastian’s intricate pen work takes him sometimes as long
as a week and a half to finish a page (his fastest time is two days). In case
you were wondering where I dug up that little morsel of insight, I read it in
the interview with the creator and publisher found after the short story in this
very issue.
This isn’t going to be a title that everyone can get into; however, everyone
should try their best. This is more than just a comic book in my opinion; it’s
the amalgamation of Terry Gilliam movies, Grimm’s Faerie Tales, Victorian Art,
Muppets, and drugs. This is something I envision reading to children before bed
if you want to scare the crap out of them, and not because the story is in
anyway gruesome or violent, but because of the amount of sheer imagination it
inspires in those of us adventurous enough to read it. |
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BARAK THE BARBARIAN #1 |
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Writer:
Larry Hama Artist:
Christopher Schons |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Devil's Due Publications
Shipped On:
062409
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MSRP:
$3.50 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DEVILS DUE'S SYNOPSIS:
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From a far away land rises a mighty hero. The son of
peasants from two different realms, the one known only as Barak protects the
people of Hope Kingdom at all costs. Watch as he takes on the likes of Boosh the
Dim, Red Sarah, and Cha-nee the Grim in this spectacular first issue! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Never in my life have I been subjected to a more
horrible example of how to do satire this poorly. I mean, I’ve read all sorts of
piss-poor comics, most are not even worth the paper they’re printed on, but this
takes the cake, and by cake I mean a big steaming pile of dog-s***.
I’m not even sure this counts as satire; it’s about as subtle as a MadTV sketch,
one of the bad ones with Aries Spears in it. In someone’s impossibly lame
imagination there was a spark that inspired them to create this horse-pile, and
they were brilliant enough to bring it to a publisher desperate enough to jump
on the Obama’rama band wagon about 6 months too late and print this tripe.
Try to envision Barack Obama, our country’s leader, the first Halfrican-American
President of the United States, as a Conan-esque barbarian warrior; then try not
to puke. This book has everything and the kitchen sink thrown at readers in such
cleverly disguised subtext as Hilaria and the Cult of Bill, the land of
Warshington, the evil Warlord Boosh and his Vizier Harry Burden. In the most
thinly-veiled of send-offs to Barack’s trials and tribulations on his journey to
the position of power he now holds Larry Hama, one of the minds to bring the
world the original “G.I. Joe,” is either a staunch supporter of Obama’s
administration or thoroughly disgusted with the current state of affairs, but in
either case, the fact that he felt the need to advertise it in the most
obnoxious way possible makes me seriously wonder what the hell his problem is?
It’s not just the bad story that makes me think there’s something mentally
deficient with the editors and creators behind this title, but the art is also
nothing nice either. In fact, the art is so bad I’d be hard pressed to think of
a comic book, or even a newspaper comic strip that has worse pencils than this
title. I’ve never heard of Christopher Schons, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I
never hear from him again.
I really can’t imagine the need for a book like this, it’s not as if there’s
some sort of bizarre demand for barbarian-themed political satire. I mean,
correct me if I’m wrong but since when had there been any demand for any
barbarian-themed anything? After reading this I’m pretty sure that I’ll never
purchase another comic published by DDP ever again, just based on principle. |
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PREDATOR #1 |
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Writer:
John Arcudi Artist:
Javier Saltares |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Dark Horse Comics
Shipped On:
062409
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MSRP:
$3.50 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DARK HORSE'S SYNOPSIS:
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The world's attention is focused painfully on a
brutal third world Civil War, a merciless sectarian conflict sparing neither
soldier nor civilian, grandmother nor child. But amidst the terror and carnage,
where great nations and powerful interests jockey for position and advantage,
another blood feud rages in the shadows, one no more humane but decidedly less
human. Two warring tribes from the stars have chosen Earth's killing fields as
their arena, with each clan sworn to eradicate the other . . . and all who stand
between them. Each is the other's prey, each the other's Predator. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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SO…I’m a ‘Predator’ fan. There, I said it. I have
been since I was a little dude sitting around watching the "Governator" take on
the alien warrior in the South American jungle. I even liked the sequel, in
which Danny ‘I’m not really an action star’ Glover combats an invisible foe
stalking the streets of the urban jungle (I think it was New York but I can’t
remember). Ever since I can remember Dark Horse has been publishing Predator
comics in one form or another. They were the first to put the Predators up
against the Aliens (from the movie ‘Aliens’ f.y.i.) which proved to be such a
hot concept it’s gone on to spawn two feature films of the same name.
This is pretty much run of the mill stuff anyone familiar with any aspect of the
Predator lore. Take one hot bed of military conflict, add a small American
military unit, some savage rebel soldiers hell-bent on destroying any and all
living things in their path, and then toss in a dash of invisible, alien
hunters. Bake for as long as a writer can get away with the typical Predator
clichés, then serve to the masses; same old s***, brand new wrapper.
I think the main problem transitioning from celluloid to four-color funnies is
that most of the things that made the Predator scary just don’t translate well
to the printed page. How can you get that horrible ticking-clicking noise that
the hunter makes just before he cut’s Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura’s guts out?
Where’s the semi-invisible camouflage effect that makes the alien so difficult
to spot? These are the things that MAKE the character, or at least make it a
threatening antagonist, and neither of which end up here.
I don’t know, even as a fan of “The Predator” I just couldn’t find my stride
with this book. I don’t think there was anything about the main characters that
gave them any flavor; there was the by-the-book Commanding Officer, the upstart
soldier who’s too cool for the rules, as well as the stereotypical bloodthirsty
bad guys who come off as two dimensional and inevitably irrelevant considering
the fact the Predators are the one’s everyone’s going to be afraid of. Bottom
line is this book just didn’t do it for me. |
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DARK AVENGERS UNCANNY X-MEN UTOPIA |
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Writer:
Matt Fraction Artist:
Marc Silvestri |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel Comics
Shipped On:
062409
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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The Dark Avengers take on the Uncanny X-Men! Kicking
off the 6-part crossover event, rising star Matt Fraction (UNCANNY X-MEN,
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN) is joined by X-artist supreme Marc Silvestri (X-MEN:
MESSIAH COMPLEX, CIVIL WAR: THE INITIATIVE ONE-SHOT) to bring you a story that
shakes the foundations of the Marvel Universe. When mutant riots break out in
San Francisco, Norman Osborn declares martial law and sends the Dark Avengers in
to quell the riots and take down the X-Men. And that's just the tip of the
iceberg. Don't miss the first Avengers/X-Men crossover in over 15 years! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Wow, it’s been a while since I had this many mixed
feelings about a title that should be a ‘sure thing’ in my reading list. I love
what Bendis and Co. have been doing with the ‘Dark Reign’ that’s consumed the
Marvel U. in most, if not all, of the main titles. On the other hand I’ve hated
every thing that Matt Fraction has been doing over in the Uncanny corner of the
616. So when the two teams are thrust together in a story that’s set to debut an
X-Team featuring Namor of all people I should be really, really excited, and yet
this issue left me feeling quite the opposite, so much so that I’m not sure I’ll
be back for any more.
So the X-Men have relocated from their home in upstate New York to the much more
accepting city of San Francisco, and yet times couldn’t be worse for Marvel’s
merry mutant family. Simon Trask and his ‘Humanity Now’ organization have
introduced a motion to limit the breeding activities of mutants nation-wide,
which doesn’t make any of them gleeful or optimistic for the future of their
species. Blah, blah, blah, humans, blah, blah, blah, intolerance, blah, blah,
blah, media bias, violent rioting, in-fighting, and cry-babyism (coined right
here folks!). For some reason the mutant’s from Xavier’s (now-defunct) school
take it upon themselves to start fighting with powerless human idiots and draw
national coverage, which in turn leads directly to the eyes and ears of Norman
Osborn. H.A.M.M.E.R. units are deployed and martial law is declared in San Fran,
Berkley, and Oakland, which only serves to fuel the fire of violent intolerance.
Norman confronts cabal member/X-man Emma Frost with a new plan for a sanctioned
team of X-Men to be a government face for the mutant masses.
There are some neat twists toward the end, and the covers seem to promise to
cover a lot of new ground for the mutant franchise that hasn’t been explored
before, which is cool, but overall I still can’t seem to enjoy Matt Fraction’s
take on the X-mythos. It just seems overly stylized with no real soul to it.
There’s such a mish-mash of characters from all the titles under the x-banner
it’s hard to tell who’s who and what the hell is going on most of the time,
however the bit with Ares was really, really f***ing cool. I haven’t even
mentioned the lazy and sloppy pencils of Marc Silvestri, whom amongst the 40+
pages only produced probably 5 actually impressive pages of artwork. Everything
from him seems to have been thrown together in a hurry to meet a deadline; it
left the art feeling false, hollow, and soulless, just like the rest of the
book. |
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CAPTAIN AMERICA #600 |
Writers:
Ed Brubaker, Roger Stern, Mark Waid, Joe Simon, and
Stan Lee
Artists:
Butch Guice, Howard Chaykin, David Aja, Rafael
Albuquerque, Mitch Breitweiser, Kalman Andrasofszky, Dale Eaglesham, and Al
Avison |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel Comics
Shipped On:
061509 (That's right, Monday!)
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MSRP:
$4.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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Where were you when Captain America died? It's the
anniversary of the day Steve Rogers was killed, a day of reflection and mourning
in the Marvel U...a time to look back on the things Steve did and what he stood
for... or is this issue actually the beginning of the most wicked plot twist
since issue 25? Yeah, actually it's both. Plus, contributions from Cap creators
past and present, including a very special essay by Joe Simon, a classic story
from Cap's Golden Age, a full gallery of 600 Cap covers, and more anniversary
shenanigans than you can shake a shield at! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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So it’s been two years since the death of Steve
Rogers, more commonly known to the world as Captain America, and in what may
prove to be one of the biggest surprises ever kept under wraps in the age of
internet spoilers, writer Ed Brubaker is unleashing the third and final act of
his epic ‘Bucky-Cap’ storyline. Has the wool been pulled over our eyes? Did we
really see what we thought we saw that day, two years ago, on the courthouse
steps?
This is a big issue, and it has a lot to offer. Brubaker gets the ball rolling
with a double size story featuring a jamboree of some of the better artists out
today. Broken into sections, and following Cap’s supporting cast as they deal
with their as-yet-unresolved feelings in response to the premature slaying of
their friend and mentor, Bru slowly teases readers with the revelation that
Sharon Carter is beginning to remember more about what happened the day she
pulled the trigger on the man she loves. Rikki Barnes (Heroes Reborn’s Bucky)
meets up with Patriot, could she be the latest Young Avenger? There are some
cool developments in prison with Crossbones, which also alluded to a bigger
conspiracy surrounding the death of the star-spangled Avenger. Even the other,
fake Steve Rogers gets some spotlight, as he deals with being a clone of the
real Captain America.
There are some shorter back-ups in here that really caught my attention almost
as well as the main story did. Roger Stern, along with Kalman Andrasofszky take
a look at some of Steve’s older supporting cast members Bernie (Steve’s
ex-girlfriend) and Josh, his old neighbor, in a really touching story,
reflecting on what I can imaging to be Stern’s feelings toward the character and
his run in particular. Mark Waid is next and his tale is one much more in tune
with the average Joe’s take on what Cap meant to everyone. One of the world’s
biggest Captain America memorabilia collectors is putting his life’s collection
up for auction in protest of the American government’s decision to label Steve
Roger’s a traitor. This leads to a few character beats that go to show just how
large a role Cap played in the hearts of the citizens of the Marvel Universe.
Closing out the book is a classic look at Captain America straight from the
pages of his comic book back in 1942, written by Stan ‘the man’ Lee himself. It
really goes to show the leaps and bounds the character has taken since his
inception. The oversized issue finishes up with a cover gallery featuring all
599 issues that have led us to this 600th issue, and it took me all of about 4
seconds to go looking for Cap-Wolf, and it’s in there baby, oh yeah, it’s in
there. |
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YOUNG ALLIES COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL |
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Writer:
Roger Stern Artist:
Paolo Rivera |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel Comics
Shipped On:
061709
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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Before they were Invaders, Bucky Barnes and Toro the
Flaming Kid joined forces with four teen-age friends to battle the Third Reich
as the Young Allies! Their fictionalized adventures thrilled readers on the Home
Front throughout World War II, but their real story has never been told -- until
now! Discover the truth behind comics' original kid gang! Action! Intrigue!
Adventure! All in a timely tale by Roger Stern (Amazing Spider-Man) and Paolo
Rivera (Mythos). And in a bonus back-up, take another trip to the Golden Age
with a classic reprint from the Timely Era! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Surprisingly enough the book that I made the most
fun of, before ever reading it, turns out to be the only one of these Timely
Comics anniversary specials that bears any relevance in the modern Marvel
Universe. In a poignant tale featuring the former star of the original “Young
Allies Comics”, Bucky, now the Marvel U’s Captain America, reflects on his days
as a kid sidekick to America’s first super-soldier. Apparently Bucky was so
popular back then that he and Toro, the sidekick to the original Human Torch,
led an offshoot group of Nazi-fighting teen boys, called the Sentinels of
Liberty, into armed combat with German spies on a near-regular basis.
This update, which isn’t really so much an update as a ‘where are they now’ take
on the original characters, really celebrates the richness of the Bucky-Cap
character that hasn’t been expanded upon enough, considering it’s been two years
since they made the switch from Steve Rogers. With his second chance at life
still somewhat a shock to his system Bucky’s been spending a lot of time in
grave yards, trying to figure out which of his pals are still amongst the
living. When he comes across a Sentinels of Liberty headstone with only 2 names
on it, Bucky manages to track down the remaining members of his band of
child-soldiers who are now well on into their years. It was dramatic without
being mushy, it was sentimental with out being sappy; it was a solid tale based
on characterization over mindless explosions and violence.
Really, the idea of kids putting themselves on the line in hopes of defending
the American way is absolutely ridiculous, but this stuff was published in the
‘40’s and everyone wanted to feel like they were patriotic or some such
nonsense. I thought that Paolo Rivera’s art was expressive and awesome; I really
appreciate what he and Marcos Martin are doing with their styles, it’s like a
return to the classic-cool stuff by Buscema, Kirby, and others. Roger Stern’s
story was relevant, and that more than anything else seemed to be lacking from
all the other anniversary issues. It felt as if this had a place in the current
scheme of the Marvel U, even if it wasn’t some big alien invasion, or other
typical super-hero throw-down. |
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CAPTAIN AMERICA #50 |
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Writer:
Ed Brubaker
Artist:
Luke Ross |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel Comics
Shipped On:
052009
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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Bucky Barnes, another man out of time, is the new
Captain America now...but today he's trapped in the past, because today is Bucky
Barnes' birthday. See Bucky's favorite and least favorite birthdays - from the
cold winters of the Depression on military bases, to the front lines of WW2
fighting alongside the Invaders, to his new mission as Cap. Oh yeah, and
someone's trying to kill him. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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I don’t think the star-spangled Avenger was ever as
popular as he is now that he’s dead. It’s been over two years since the
assassination of Steve Rogers, and there’s been a lot of change in the Marvel U
since then. This issue, the very last one before Marvel switches back to the
original series numbering, is chock full of Cap goodness, from both the current
and previous iterations of the character.
Bucky’s birthday never quite seems to work out the way he hopes it would. While
on patrol he’s attacked by heavily armored storm troopers known as Watchdogs, a
nationalist paramilitary group claiming to be the last remaining patriots of the
U.S.A. Whilst dodging bullets, explosions, and guys flying around with jet packs
Buck flashes back to a few of his memorable (note the lack of the word
‘enjoyable’) birthday experiences as sidekick to Captain America.
Well it just wouldn’t be a birthday with out a party right? I’m glad to see a
little establishment of Captain Buckmerica in accordance with his role with the
Awol-Avengers, and they’re appreciative of his sacrificing his living space to
share with them. So they have a shin-dig in his honor, and the look on his face
is priceless.
All in all I’m digging what Brubaker has been doing not only with the character
of Captain America, but also the mythos of his role in established continuity.
By taking Steve out of the role he’s known for it gave fans a renewed respect
for the character, and by injecting the only person capable of filling his red
boots by breaking one of comic’s oldest rules (nobody brings back Bucky, who’s
next Uncle Ben?) he’s not just breaking cliché’s he’s shattering them as if he
launched a vibranium shield at them.
The artwork of Luke Ross is incredible. There are a few artists currently flying
under the radar at Marvel, and this is one of them. He vibes very well with
Steve Epting’s work on the book, and it’s important to maintain the flow that an
established creative team has worked hard to preserve. There isn’t a moment in
this issue where I felt as if I’d been jilted by Epting’s absence, in fact, I
feel as if I’ve discovered someone whom I hadn’t previously been exposed to, and
that gives me something to look forward to. |
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BRAVE AND BOLD #24 |
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Writer:
Matt Wayne Artist:
Howard Porter |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
DC Comics
Shipped On:
061709
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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At long last, the first meeting of Static and Black
Lightning! Virgil Hawkins has always had a bit of a problem with authority
figures - especially politicos as seemingly crooked as one-time Luthor crony
Jefferson Pierce. When Black Lightning comes to speak at Hemingway High's
commencement, Static fully intends to give him a piece of his mind. But not if
Holocaust takes a piece out of both of them first! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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I’m not sure what anyone is supposed to really think about this book. Static has
never struck me as that brilliant of a creation, and Black Lightning, well he’s
one of those heroes from an era when all black super heroes had to have the word
‘black’ in their name, otherwise nobody would know they were actually black.
Ever since DC and Milestone made up their characters they’ve been
shoehorned into the current DCU continuity at an alarming pace, and this is
another example of a team up that makes sense, considering the similar powers,
but it just feels off.
While giving a speech at a high school graduation Donald ‘Black Lightning’
Pierce is attacked by a pyro-kinetic calling himself Holocaust. The two of them
throw down for a bit, but just when Holocaust has the upper hand Static shows up
to save Black Lightning’s bacon. The banter was bad before, but it went to a
whole new level of bad once Static shows up; puns’a’plenty and not a single one
that was clever or funny in the slightest. In the end (and I almost never spoil
a book because, well that just my thing) the good guys win (big surprise) and BL
offers some advice to his young would-be counterpart, and then it’s over, whoop-dee-doo.
I thought Howard Porter’s art was alright for the most part. I didn’t like all
of the panels he drew, some seemed very uninspired, but I can’t imagine he was
handed a very inspiring script, so whatever. The cover actually has a
regurgitated image from the interior of the book, which I found a tad
underwhelming, but again, there isn’t much this book has going for it. I’m
actually surprised it hasn’t been cancelled yet. I’m sure there’s someone out
there that thought this was a lackluster issue in an otherwise brilliant series,
but I just don’t see it. |
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PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #71 |
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Writer:
Victor Gischler Artist:
Goran Parlov |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel/Max Comics
Shipped On:
061009
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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"WELCOME TO THE BAYOU," PART 1 OF 4-Traveling the
Louisiana back roads with something awful stored in his trunk, Frank Castle
stops at a service station on the edge of the bayou...and steps into a world of
unspeakable horror. Patrolling the depths of hell, the Punisher has crossed
paths with some unsavory characters, but noting has prepared him for the
unspeakable depravity of the Geautreauxs. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Oh man, I can almost hear the dueling banjos way
over yonder. Frank Castle’s in the middle of a good old fashioned road trip from
Houston to New Orleans, and knowing Frank there’s probably a body in the trunk
of his car. Victor Gischler, who I wrote about previously (WOLVERINE REVOLVER #1
),
lets readers see just how good a guy a scumbag like the Punisher can be, if you
show him some skin.
Frank pulls off for some gas at some backwoods, hill-billy, f***-your-sister gas
station and notices the clerks sizing up the scantly clad coeds and their
boyfriends that happened to pass him on the interstate. When Frank takes off
before the kids he pulls over a few miles up to make sure they didn’t get
hassled, or worse. When they never show Frank puts on his killin’ boots and goes
looking for some rednecks to wring.
There’s a certain blend of mystery and horror that work really well here.
Everyone knows Frank is the guy that goes after all the mob bosses and super
criminals when he gets the chance, but seeing him in these kinds of out-there
scenarios really plays up his bad-ass factor. Oh and you get to see some poor
schmuck get a majority of his upper torso inhaled by a hungry croc, good s***.
Goran Parlov illustrated the tremendous “Punisher MAX Presents: Barracuda” and
does just as good a job here. It’s not too gritty and not too animated, with the
right combination of pulp, indy-comic, and horror-comic influences. The Dave
Johnson cover sold me even further on this one. Gischler isn’t a name I’m
entirely familiar with just yet, but after two weeks of solid reads, I think I’m
becoming a fan. |
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BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #1 |
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Writer:
Paul Dini Artist:
Dustin Nguyen |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
DC Comics
Shipped On:
061709
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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An all-new Batman series by the DETECTIVE COMICS
creative team of Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen! As a new Batman rises on the
streets of Gotham City, the heroes, villains and citizens take notice. How will
the police feel about this new Batman, and can he control the crime in Gotham
the way the old Batman did? This new series also features a regular ongoing
co-feature starring Manhunter written by Marc Andreyko and illustrated by
Georges Jeanty (Buffy Season 8)! Kate Spencer lost a friend during the chaos of
BATTLE FOR THE COWL, and now she wants payback. As usual, she'll use any means
necessary to get it! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Featuring one of the more excellent Batman covers of
the past several years, and by Dustin Nguyen no less, Paul Dini is back and
better than ever in the all new “Streets of Gotham.” This one reads less like a
comic and more like one of those movies with a big ensemble cast with a bunch of
smaller storylines that ultimately intersect in brilliant and surprising ways.
We move from Jim Gordon, to Harley Quinn, to Batman and Robin, to some child
prostitutes, to Firefly, and then he brings it full circle, and it’s only been
one issue!
There’s a lot going on here than I’m not gonna get into. I’m going to skip right
to the meat and potatoes of this issue, and that people spontaneously bursting
into flames all over Gotham City, and the police have no idea what’s going on.
Batman and Robin know who’s responsible, but finding Firefly and taking him down
may prove more difficult than either of them imagined, as most of the city is
burning away.
This is also the first title I’ve read that comes with one of the new
co-features, and the character getting the spotlight in the bat of ‘SOG’ every
month is none other that Gotham City’s newest D.A. Kate Spencer, the masked
Manhunter (not the Martian). Written by Marc Andreyko and illustrated by Georges
Jeanty, the story is only 9 pages but they pack in as much action and story as
humanly possible. It was so good I’m now trying to figure out how I missed out
on this character before, considering I was introduced to her immediately
following the cancellation of her on-going series.
Dustin Nguyen’s art is phenomenal, even better than the stuff he was doing on
‘Detective.’ He’s illustrating Batman differently now that there is a different
man under the cowl, and his Damien is both threatening and childish
simultaneously. The supporting cast is rendered well, and the city itself plays
a big role in the story. Paul Dini has been writing Batman and the streets he
patrols for quite a while, and this feels much more like his Batman: The
Animated Series than anything else, and that’s a good fit. I was thinking this
was gonna be where the Batman: Reborn stuff was going to start hitting a wall,
but I was wrong. |
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JSA VS. KOBRA #1 |
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Writer:
Eric S. Trautmann
Artist:
Don Kramer |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
DC Comics
Shipped On:
061009
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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The new lord of Kobra has shown his true face of
evil, and now the JSA stands ready to face Kobra. But the old tactics may not
work against this new terrorist network. Conspiracy mastermind Eric Trautmann
(CHECKMATE, FINAL CRISIS: RESIST) and artist Don Kramer (DETECTIVE COMICS,
NIGHTWING) take you inside the mind of Jason Burr, the diabolically clever Kobra
leader whose goal is nothing less than bringing the world into the age of Kali
Yuga. Set throughout the major cities of the DC Universe and wrapped in the
gorgeous covers of Gene Ha (TOP 10), this 6-issue miniseries sets the stakes
higher than ever before for the Justice Society! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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So, this one kinda confused me. I had limited JSA
experience, and absolutely no Kobra background whatsoever. Nevertheless I read
the issue and really didn’t have any clue what was going on, so I went back to
the store and picked up the Faces of Evil: Kobra one shot from a few months
back, and everything came together. This is a great book, despite my ignorance
at first, I could tell that there was some exciting stuff going on, but I just
needed to know why I should care. When reading this book for a second time I
definitely had more affinity for the characters and the problems they were put
through.
Suicide bombers, armed to the teeth with off-world technology, get the ball
rolling, in what I found to be, one of the more exciting displays of DC’s Mr.
Terrific’s character development. The Society swoops in to save the day, and
after much deliberation, determine the case to be one they should handle
themselves as opposed to handing it off to Terrific’s other team, Checkmate.
Meanwhile, the members of the Apocalypse cult Kobra are making moves of their
own, namely finding ways into Checkmate’s defense systems. When the Society
manages to take a few Kobra prisoners for questioning, are they getting more
than they bargained for?
Don Kramer’s art is stupendous. I couldn’t get into the way he draws Power Girl
only because I think Amanda Conner does it so well, but everyone else looked
incredible; Action, backgrounds, dynamic, expressive characters, and fantastic
storytelling. Eric S. Trautmann masterfully handles the writing chores. I never
thought I’d be this into a JSA story but this, in combination with the FOE:
Kobra one-off is some of the better DC extended-universe offerings out right
now. Overall, I think more people should be giving books like this a shot. This
is what DC needs to be doing right now: moving their characters forward, even
the ones with out ‘super’ or ‘bat’ in their name. |
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DARK REIGN MR.NEGATIVE #1 |
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Writer:
Fred Van Lente
Artist:
Gianluca Gugliotta |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel Comics
Shipped On:
061709
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(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's most mysterious new enemy takes center
stage in a 3-issue mini-series by Official Amazing Spider-Man Web-Head Fred Van
Lente and newcomer Gianluca Gigliotta. One-half benevolent
philanthropist/One-half underworld mastermind, Mr. Negative has carved out a
substantial slice of the big apple for himself over the past year. But when the
super-villain mastermind The Hood strikes at the heart of Mr. Negative's
criminal operations with a whole horde of classic Arachno-Foes (including The
Scorcher, Speed Demon, The Squid and the long awaited return of the White
Rabbit), Spider-Man is left to clean up the mess between these two violent
nemeses. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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What would happen when you combine over-priced
‘event’ tie-ins with one of the first new villains introduced in the
controversial ‘Brand New Day’ storyline? Well, if Fred Van Lente, co-writer on
the phenomenal “Incredible Hercules”, is at the helm, and you’re lucky, you’d
get Dark Reign: Mr. Negative.
If ever there was a Spiderman villain (that hasn’t been around since the silver
age) who’s closer to Peter Parker and his family, and more dangerous than Martin
Li, I haven’t read about him/her. He’s a philanthropist, beloved by the people
of New York City, and aunt May’s boss, but he also heads a major crime family
operating out of China Town, specializing in gambling, prostitution, and human
trafficking. Now those are the basics, that and the fact that his personal body
guards, the ‘Inner Demons’, are seemingly invulnerable, not to mention how handy
they are with a three-section staff, any other details on Li, his origin or what
exactly his powers are, have been slow coming.
In case you don’t know, the bad guys of the Marvel Universe are in quite a power
position over those who consider themselves heroes. With Spidey’s arch-nemesis
at the head of the U.S. defense organization, appropriately dubbed H.A.M.M.E.R.,
newer baddies, such as Mr. Negative, are given a chance to shine. In the first
issue we get to see what happens when someone turns down direct orders from The
Hood. Y’see, The Hood has declared himself the boss of bosses, and as a part of
Norman Osborn’s inner cabal of bad guys, he’s got some of the heavier hitters on
his side backing him up. None of this, however, really weighs on any of Mr.
Negative’s decision making, as he abruptly uses his powers to turn one of The
Hood’s own soldiers against him.
This of course leads to an all-out assault on China Town by a list of c- and
d-list villains whom, by themselves never really amounted to anything, but as a
unit manage to tear up the place something fierce. The commotion makes it to the
news stations, and it’s not too long before a certain friendly, neighborhood
Spiderman is out on the town looking to take out some bad guys, without a side
of pot-stickers! Oh, did I mention that Spiderman has no idea that Martin Li is
the villainous Mr. Negative? WAIT TILL YOU SEE THE LAST PAGE!
Fred Van Lente is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. His work on
‘Hercules’ is one thing, but when you can take a c-list Spidey villain, and turn
an over-priced, non-essential, ‘event’ tie-in into a must-have, well, that
really just speaks for itself. The art of Gianluca Gugliotta isn’t the best
artwork I’ve ever seen on a comic book before, but it is some great stuff. If
given enough time, and more fantastic stories I’m sure he could mature rather
quickly into one of Marvel ‘Young Guns’ they like to brag and boast so much
about. |
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SALEM'S DAUGHTER #1 |
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Writer:
Ralph Tedesco
Artist:
Caio Reis |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Zenescope Comics
Shipped On:
061709
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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ZENESCOPE'S SYNOPSIS:
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In 1892 Massachusetts a gorgeous young woman named
Anna Williams is about to fully realize the immense powers she has repressed for
so many years. The very powers that her mother had made her bury her whole life
for fear of sparking another witch hunt two hundred years after the Salem
trials. But now as Anna comes of age, and her gift no longer able to be hidden,
an immensely evil and mysterious being named Darius is on his way to recruit
her. Meanwhile Braden Cole, a hardened gunslinger with a sordid past, is on the
tail of the elusive Darius as he looks to avenge the death of his family. Now
Anna will be given the choice she's been waiting her entire life to make and
Cole will finally be given his chance at revenge. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Surprisingly enough, the publishers that bring us
“Beyond Wonderland” and “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” every month are able to carve out
another slice of cheesecake for basement dwellers the world over, this time with
a sexy witch, W00T! Okay, so I’m exaggerating a little bit, other than the nip-tastic
cover there’s very little in the way of glorified T & A through out the whole
issue, which I found as a rather nice departure from what I’ve seen from
Zenescope.
There’s a bad guy on the run from the law, and an unnamed bounty hunter is on
the trail, and it’s leading the sharp-shooting gun slinger to Massachusetts?
Okay, so it’s a western set on the East Coast, but it’s alright, because the
story sucks you right in and doesn’t give you long to dwell on the small stuff.
The bad guy, who is also unnamed, is trying to find a young lady who he hopes to
corrupt to his own selfish end. He uses some sort of hypnotism on a young man
from town to attack the girl, whom she defends herself from when a supernatural
set of abilities manifests itself in the form of a blue flame she uses to melt
his face off. All the while the bounty hunter meets the local sheriff, and the
two of them don’t really hit it off.
I though this was a cool idea, but judging from the cover to the second issue it
looks like it’s on a downward spiral dangerously close to spank-mag material. I
don’t like cheesecake comics, I think they’re silly, and therefore I don’t
support them. That said, I thought the idea for this book was a tad cliché, but
overall a fine example of what can be done when combining the western genre with
horror, action, and mystery. The art isn’t bad either, but it isn’t great. I’m
starting to notice a trend of artists that ink their own pencils having a
sloppier look to the feel of their lines than those who use professional inkers.
There were panels with clean smooth lines similar to the work of McNiven or
Michael Turner, but then the very next page would degrade into a choppy mess,
which made for a less enjoyable read than it should have been. |
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PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #0 |
Writer:
Jim Krueger (with Alex Ross Plotting)
Artist:
Edgar Salazar (with Alex Ross on Art Direction) |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Dynamite Comics
Shipped On:
061709
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MSRP:
$1.00 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DYNAMITE'S COMIC'S SYNOPSIS:
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The next exciting chapter of Dynamite
Entertainment's PROJECT SUPERPOWERS begins here! And, just like the first
series, Chapter Two is debuting with a full-size, introductory priced #0 issue!
And best of all, issue #0 features three connecting covers - forming one amazing
and powerful image - by Alex Ross! PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: CHAPTER TWO picks up
from the events of CHAPTER ONE as the newly returned heroes have set out on a
quest to use their newfound freedom to return the world to the power of the
people, while facing the shadowy Supremacy and the unlikely foes of the
Inheritors! We've built up the SUPERPOWERS universe, and now watch it be torn
down! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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So the Golden Age has seen resurgence in popularity
as of late or so it would seem. Alex Ross, love him or hate him, loves comics.
More specifically, he loves the comics that he loved growing up and it shows in
both his art (which we hardly ever see anymore outside of the occasional
anniversary cover or some such nonsense) and the projects he seeks to undertake,
such as “Project Superpowers.” I didn’t read the first volume of this
‘critically acclaimed’ series, but I found this first issue of the second volume
to be quite accessible, and dare I say it, interesting.
I’m not a huge fan of older comics, mainly because I, too often, find myself
looking at them out of context. Most of the characters utilized in this series
are Golden Age characters that reside in the public domain, simply re-imagined
for today’s audience, while still retaining the spirit of what made them
appealing originally. That’s what Ross is able to do so well, capture the iconic
nature of a hero, while somehow setting them firmly in very realistic
conditions, easily relatable for most readers. That’s what I liked about this
book so much: these were the guys who used to protect us, and after being
isolated for the better part of a century, emerge into the world anew and are
sickened by what they see, so they decide to change it.
This volume kicks off after the Superpowers have taken over New York and the
White House. Former sidekicks are horrified by the behavior of their ex-mentors;
the President of the United States and the shadowy cabal he works with secretly
controlling the world (because there has to be a shadowy cabal), are none too
pleased with what’s been going on either. While the bad guys get together and
plot their attack, the Superpowers find an ally in the strangest of places,
warning of the moves made against them, but will they also find enemies where
they used to find friends?
I’m not that taken by the book’s art, but judging it on story alone I was very
impressed. I’m constantly let down by the revisiting of old characters, themes,
or ideas by writers who have nothing new to bring to the table. This concept
rings of “The Authority” or “The Ultimates” albeit considerably less violent and
vulgar than either of those series ever were. I’m surprised that Alex Ross would
be willing to put his name in the credits under art direction for a book with
such little artistic personality, but I guess his name sells comics, so there
you go. |
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RED ROBIN #1 |
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Writer:
Chris Yost Artist:
Ramon Bachs |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
DC Comics
Shipped On:
061009
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC COMIC'S SYNOPSIS:
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Writer Chris Yost (New X-Men, X-Force) and artist by
Ramon Bachs (Civil War: Front Line) kick off a brand-new ongoing series right
here with "The Grail" part 1 of 4! Following the aftermath of BATTLE FOR THE
COWL, a new Batman watches over Gotham City. But not everyone is ready to give
up on the old one. Someone believes that Bruce Wayne may still be alive...and
that someone is Red Robin. But who is wearing the Red Robin costume, and why is
he traveling the globe looking for a dead man? Whoever he is, he's not alone in
his search! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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I think this is the most clear cut example of DC’s
stable of artists letting them down. Anybody that can take a Chris Yost-penned
script and butcher it to this degree doesn’t deserve to work in the industry,
let alone get a crack at what could prove to be one of the more important books
in the Batman: Reborn library. Ramon Bachs stinks it up all over the place in
what may be the most disappointing book I’ve read all year.
Tim Drake was the third person to serve as Batman’s protégé Robin, and when his
father was killed during the ‘Identity Crisis’ storyline a few years ago Tim
Drake became Tim Wayne, as his mentor became his adoptive father. With Bruce
gone, and Dick taking up his mantel, combined with his decision that Damien
Wayne, Bruce’s biological son, is more in need of the mentoring that comes with
the role of Batman’s sidekick, Tim Wayne was suddenly out in the cold.
Red Robin was a character from “Kingdom Come” and up until a few years ago had
no standing in the current DCU. Everyone thought, following the mess that was
“Countdown,” that the newly resurrected Jason Todd would continue to fill the
role, but that was short lived as he went on to be the Gatman-Batman in ‘B4C.’
Now Tim has taken to traveling the world with a new moniker as the new Red
Robin. Just like Dick Grayson was able to evolve from the role of Robin and take
on the persona of Nightwing, DC is hoping lightning will strike twice, and maybe
fans will accept another dark, brooding member of the bat-family, and that’s
exactly what he is. I counted at least twelve panels through out the book where
Tim is leaning up against a wall in stoic reflection, after just clobbering a
wall, or a table, or something made of glass, etc.
I was really hoping this was going to be a great take on a new version of an old
face, but it’s not. Christ Yost’s heart was in the right place, but it comes off
as stale and uninteresting. Ramon Bachs’ art looks lazy and rushed. On one page
Tim is illustrated as a regular sized, athletic teen, and on the next he’s as
bulky as an NFL linebacker. In one scene he’s drawn damn near too big for the
motor cycle he’s whizzing around on. I think a book like this needs sleeker
lines and a better inker (and since none is listed in the credits I’m safe to
assume Bachs handled those chores as well). This book was a complete
disappointment. |
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RESURRECTION VOLUME 2 #1 |
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Writer:
Marc Guggenheim Artist:
Justin Greenwood |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Oni Press,
Shipped On:
061009
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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ONI PRESS' SYNOPSIS:
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The ground-breaking series from hit writer Marc
Guggenheim (Eli Stone) returns in a new, on-going full-color series! The
invasion came swiftly and without warning. But after ten years of death and
destruction raining down from above, the otherworldly oppressors have vanished.
Why did the leave? Why did they attack in the first place? And where do the
survivors go from here? Find out in this action-packed, intrigue-fueled new
series! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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After years of occupation following an invasion by
extraterrestrial life forms, whom after appearing from no where, persisted in
relentlessly attacking our planet until the moment they vanished almost ten
years later, with no rhyme or reason to the pandemonium they’ve caused. A small
band of survivors do what they can to find and reestablish society; with
lingering questions in regard to the invasion, and sudden departure of the alien
intruders, will the group tear itself apart from the inside? Writer Marc
Guggenheim explores what happens after the typical summer popcorn-flick ends,
and much in the same way Robert Kirkman tackles a very similar idea in “The
Walking Dead”; Guggenheim is able to humanize what would otherwise be written
off as another hokey Sci-fi (or is it SyFy? *cough*LAME*cough*) romp with
gorgeous art, seriously…Justin Greenwood. Remember that name.
While the FCBD #0 issue was a stand alone tale that set the pace, laid the
groundwork for the overall mystery, as well as the expectation that everyone is
expendable, the first full issue presents the introduction of our main
characters. After one of the more haunting openings I’ve come across in all of
my fandom, featuring ex-President Bill Clinton no less, we’re catapulted ahead 9
years, to 2007 to be exact, where everyone is shocked to find that the non-stop
bombings they’ve grown used to over the last decade have suddenly ceased. It’s
quite the inspirational moment for the group for all of about 5 minutes, before
the realization sets in that they still have much to fear, and not from aliens
either. Later readers are introduced to the vicious bandits that patrol the
abandoned city streets called Road Agents, a twisted mix between modern day
Somalian Pirates and the Mad Max movies. But Guggenheim saves his biggest
curveball for the end; reaching the town of Red Lion, thinking they’re finally
in the clear, the group encounters an ally in the least likely of places.
There are a lot of reasons I get into books like this, the most primary being my
unrelenting appreciation for original material, which this clearly is.
Comparisons to “The Walking Dead” are inevitable, but the way Guggs
differentiates his yarn from Kirkman’s is by weaving a web of multi-layered
mystery into the mythology, so the characters aren’t just surviving whatever
current circumstances they’re unlucky enough to find themselves in, but rather
working toward solving a much, much larger puzzle. Did I mention the phenomenal
artwork of Justin Greenwood? Boy is it good; it’s reminiscent of guys like
Oeming, Ba, Immomen, and Mignola. Clean lines, unique characters, an eye for
detail (including backgrounds!!!) and great storytelling ability are all traits
of a strong artist, and all are present in Greenwood’s work.
I know I get up on my soap box and preach the importance of trying out new
comics, and I don’t mean just new Marvel or DC titles either, but I think it’s
important for readers to branch out and find new artists, writers, characters,
and stories that will expand their horizons as fans of the medium. Oni Press has
done a tremendous job of promoting this book, and as a fan I’m going to continue
to do the same. Don’t miss out on another title that I really think everyone can
enjoy! |
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SECRET SIX #10 |
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Writer:
Gail Simone Artist:
Nikola Scott |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
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Publisher:
DC
Comics,
Shipped On:
060309
|
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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Where have all the forgotten heroes and villains of
the DCU been? The Six are blackmailed by someone claiming to be their old boss,
Mockingbird, into a brand-new mission taking them into the heart of the
metahuman slave trade! And former Wonder Woman Artemis returns in the most
brutal Secret Six story yet! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Since the last time I checked in with the cast of
“Secret Six” the title has become considerably darker than I recall. Of course
that was before the crises both ‘Infinite’ and ‘Final’ in a book entitled
“Villains United”; the DCU was a much more lighthearted place to live back then.
The team has a few new faces, namely Bane, the man who broke Bruce Wayne, and a
slew of old ones, as well as the signature ‘bad guy attitude’ that really sells
books like these to younger audiences who have no idea who Ragman is, or why
they’d ever want to read a comic starring Catman.
Deadshot’s a pimp. The beginning of the story finds him hanging with Cheshire,
as she parades around with no underwear on. The two are very schmoozy until the
big, bad shows up and lets the pair of them know that the Secret Six are now
under his employ. Bane is having trouble weening himself off of the drug Venom,
and Scandal Savage offers him emotional support through the ordeal, an offer the
big man proves very fond of.
Despite their sordid histories Gail Simone does a phenomenal job humanizing the
inhumane, and making us sympathetic to characters we hated before. I think that
in the hands of a talented writer this is one of the stronger DC in-continuity
books I’ve been exposed to. The art is nothing to write home about, but it’s
also nothing to scoff at. It’s a typical DC style that’s very Jurgens-ish only
with better coloring.
If you haven’t checked in with the Secret Six in a while, this would prove to be
a suitable jumping on point. The twist in this issue takes readers all the way
back to the original 6 issue mini series, so no matter how long you’ve been away
(like me) there’s still something that you can relate to the original material.
I’ve found the darker corners of the DCU to be its most inviting as of late.
Instead of trying to wrap your mind around 60-plus years of continuity most of
their heroes come with, a lot of their villains are only now starting to be
fleshed out and given any real personality. These are the characters that seem
more interesting lately. |
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ABSOLUTION #0 |
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Writer:
Christos Gage
Artist:
Roberto Viacava |
|
Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
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Publisher:
Avatar
Comics,
Shipped On:
061009 |
|
MSRP:
$1.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
|
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AVATAR'S SYNOPSIS:
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Super-star writer Christos Gage gets to cuts loose
with his first series at Avatar with a seven issue epic that kicks off here with
a specially priced #0! John Dusk is a man of honor. He has been fighting crime
inside the rules of the law. He respects the laws he's been sworn to uphold. But
day after day, bringing in the same scum, and watching the revolving door of
justice, there comes a time when a man is pushed too far. When you're bound by
rules that the bad guys ignore, when the criminals are going free, when the
worst kind of man is loosed on the world, when do you finally take a stand?
Where do you draw the line between being the good guy, and getting the job done
- for good? Absolution is the story of masked heroes pushed to the brink,
standing on their own, and against their best friends. Sometimes, a man just
needs killing. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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John Dusk has been fighting crime for a long, long
time, and as of late it seems the horrible things he’s witnessed during his
tenure have begun to weigh rather heavily on his thoughts. He’s not getting
enough sleep, constantly plagued by the faces of those he was too late to save,
and those who sought to do harm to others in the most terrible ways. Bringing
some of his experience writing for the television show “Law and Order: SVU”,
writer Christos Gage explores the dark side of crime fighting, and the fatigue
that would begin to set in after being exposed to the worst criminal minds have
to offer, day in and day out.
Even police officers get transferred after two years in a Special Victims Unit,
but there isn’t anyone to step in and relieve John Dusk from the burdens he’s
been forced to bear as a protector of his city. As a result of the
post-traumatic stress he’s living with he’s been moonlighting as a
‘Dexter’-inspired serial-killer-of-serial-killers. Oh and to complicate matters
even further, his girlfriend, a police officer, is hot on his trail, only she
has no idea she’s sleeping with the killer.
While this isn’t the most original idea in the world, its execution is what
makes it stand out. There are a lot of ways creators approach these #0 issues of
a brand new series, and it’s usually by ‘hamming’ it up with extra action and
eye candy. Luckily Gage goes in the opposite direction, instead choosing to
highlight the human aspects of this superhero who’s out for blood. The art by
Roberto Viacava is some of the nicer stuff I’ve seen out of Avatar publishing,
and it’s likely we’ll be seeing a lot more of him. There’s a couple pin-up
images of John Dusk, one by Jacen Burrows (of Garth Ennis’ ‘Crossed’) and Juan
Jose Ryp (of Warren Ellis’ ‘Black Summer’ and ‘No Hero’), which were both
extremely inspired. |
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ROTTEN #1 |
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Writer:
Mark Rahner and Robert Horton
Artist:
Dan Dougherty |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
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Publisher:
Moonstone
Comics,
Shipped On:
060309 |
|
MSRP:
$5.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
|
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MOONSTONE'S SYNOPSIS:
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A new twist on Zombies with action, horror, and the
uncomfortably recognizable in the old West! A stop-lossed Army vet. A president
in office without the popular vote. A terror crisis gripping the nation! Meet
William Wade, newly minted - and seriously resentful - secret agent for
President Rutherford B. Hayes. His mission with cerebral partner J.J. Flynn:
travel the West and investigate outbreaks of the living dead - each one more
horrifyingly advanced than the last. For Wade, 1877 is turning out to be one
rotten year. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
|
Brand new from the folks at Moonstone comes an
undead spin on the western genre. In a story almost too clever for its own good
readers are stranded in the small silver-mining town of Shimmer, whose citizens
have two rather large and looming problems, the corrupt land owner who runs the
town with an iron fist, and zombies. I thought there were a few things that
needed to be made clearer in the story telling, but overall I found this to be a
really enjoyable book.
I found the opening to be somewhat off-putting. In a
more-confusing-than-necessary pair of sequences that only later in the book
become sensible, we’re shown a zombie dissection and a zombie attack that seem,
in hindsight, drastically underplayed. Once the main story got rolling though I
completely forgot about the strange prologues, finding myself swept away in the
drama unfolding in the corrupt desert town. When C.O. Jones (get it? It’s
Spanish) finds himself forced to work in the mine for its power-mad owner, he
uncovers a secret kept from the town’s folk, the zombies seem to be coming from
the mine. Then the wool is pulled from our eyes, and the ‘big reveal’ is
revealed, and the opening sequences suddenly seem invaluable to the plot, which
I didn’t mind so much, but I just wish the authors had made it at least a little
clear that there was a bigger picture, as opposed to a straight forward
western-style I’d expected.
In that respect I can appreciate the curve the authors threw at me. I didn’t see
it coming from a mile away, and as a comic reader in the age of the internet
it’s almost impossible to be surprised by a plot twist when so many of them are
spoiled on the net before they ever debut on the printed page. For what it is I
found this book to be a lot of fun. It reminded me quite a bit of the old “Tales
from the Crypt” comics, or “Vault of Horror” both of which rocked. Come to think
of it, why are there not more horror comics out there for consumption each
month? |
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MISS AMERICA COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL |
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Writer:
Jen Van Meter
Artist:
Andy Macdonald |
|
Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
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Publisher:
Marvel
Comics,
Shipped On:
061009 |
|
MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
|
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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A brand new adventure of one of comics' original
super-heroines! Plus an extra-special classic reprint of one of her original
1940's adventures. Jen van Meter (Black Lightning) and Andy MacDonald (PUNISHER:
WAR JOURNAL) take you back to a time when the fate of the United States rested
not only in thousands of men fighting for freedom overseas, but also in the
hands of the women back home building the equipment that would keep the country
running and winning! So get ready Axis Annie, Vichy Vixen, and...Madame Mauzer!
Her name might be Miss America...but she sure ain't gonna miss a chance to sock
evil in the face! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
|
Hope everyone brought along their necessary
transvestite apparel, because we’re doing the time warp again. Once more, in
celebration of their 70th anniversary, Marvel Comics has released another one
shot, featuring yet another character that most people (I’m assuming) my age, or
around it, have never, ever, heard of. This time around it’s the buxom, blonde
babe Miss America, but don’t let the cover fool you, she’s not blonde, not
really that buxom, and kinda' resembles a librarian more so than a ‘Baywatch’
babe. So go figure.
I think the idea of a comic that is meant to show women in a place of power
should try to refrain from fulfilling every typical cliché imaginable. There’s
certain awkwardness to the story; a tale about a 40’s super-heroine written by a
women with new-millennium sensibilities, trying to shoehorn modern views into a
story that naturally relegates ladies to a second-class status. As I read it I
felt like the writer wasn’t just treading both sides of the line, but rather
taking running leaps back and forth over the line, with no real rhyme or reason.
Miss America is fiancé of super-speedster The Whizzer, and after a particularly
difficult mission attempting to rescue a missing American spy, uncovers a more
serious threat at a local shipping yard. Posing as a journalist writing a story
on ‘the hard-working women building our fleet’ she discovers a team of Axis
spies (all women of course) and commences to beating them down. I thought it was
funny that Miss America spends four pages working on the ship in her undercover
persona bragging about how strong she is, and then spends five pages trying to
break out of the chains used by her enemies to subdue her (and rather quickly at
that).
There was no real characterization of who this dame is. Other than flight, and
super-strength I couldn’t tell you a thing that she’s capable of doing or how
she became the woman she is today. These Timely Specials have all come with
reprints from the 1940’s featuring the characters as they were originally
presented to audiences, however, Miss America is nowhere to be found in the
reprints that follow this new original story. Jen Van Meter channeled her inner
Stan Lee when she sat down at the keyboard to start writing this; too bad she
didn’t channel his imagination.
The art by Andy MacDonald was actually really cool. I thought the line-work and
the characters were all well illustrated, and the action was top notch. I’d love
to see this guy get his hands on Daredevil, or a Powerman/Iron Fist book. The
cover by newly acquired Dale Eaglesham is really top notch, and if it’s any
indication of how his art on “Fantastic Four” is going to look, well I’m tickled
pink. But don’t be fooled, his interpretation of the Miss America character for
the cover is nothing like the one represented inside the book. So boo. |
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AGENTS OF ATLAS #6 |
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Writer:
Jeff Parker Artist:
Gabriel Hardman |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
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Publisher:
Marvel
Comics,
Shipped On:
060309 |
|
MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
|
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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Disturbing visions plucked from the malignant mind
of Norman Osborn lead the intrepid Agents to the darkest depths of the Atlantic
Ocean, where Namora must have words with her infamous cousin - The Sub-Mariner!
What happens next shocks her team, who must prepare to say goodbye to their
aquatic avenger! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
|
I’ve been a big fan of this series, an inspired 50’s
throw-back fit seamlessly into the grand scheme of the Dark Reign, since its
very first issue. The always beautifully drawn title is probably the
most-inspired to come out of the whole ‘Secret Invasion’ event, setting itself
apart from the pack in a wacky way that gives it a unique personality and voice
in an increasingly dark Marvel U. I really can’t put this title in enough
people’s hands, it’s just that good.
Dealing with the ramifications of running an underground empire, posing as a
terrorist organization, attempting to sell phony arms to Norman Osborn’s
H.A.M.M.E.R. military teams, and fighting superheroes who don’t know any better
leaves Atlas Foundation head Jimmy Woo and his cohorts quite worn out. What
better way than unwinding a few miles beneath the surface of the ocean in the
Atlantean Kingdom of Oceanus. Their host for the duration of their stay is none
other than their own team member Namora’s cousin, the Sub-mariner.
They wouldn’t be the Agents of Atlas if they didn’t have ulterior motives for
every move they make, so when they’re caught digging for secret information of
Osborn’s cabal in Namor’s head, well, those sorts of things aren’t easily
excused in Atlantis. It’s Atlantean might versus the cunning ingenuity of Woo,
Gorilla Man, The Uranian, Namora, M-11 the Human Robot, and the goddess Venus
herself. Of course it’s simply a misunderstanding and once everything gets
sorted out, meaning Namor shoves his tongue down his cousin’s throat, everyone
is able to go about their business as if nothing ever happened.
Jeff Parker has some of the most out-there minds of the 616-Earth at his
disposal, and he utilizes them to the fullest of their capabilities. I can’t
help but get wrapped up in the characterization, the non-stop excitement, the
feeling I get that I’m in on something that most of the other characters that
populate the Marvel universe have no idea of. It’s really one of the only titles
under the Dark Reign banner that could easily exist on it’s own outside of the
M.U. altogether. I’m missing Carlos Pagulayan on pencils, but Gabriel Hardman is
no slouch at all. I think his talents are well suited to a book like this, or
even one like “Iron Fist” or “Daredevil.” Nevertheless this title is still one
of my favorite buys every month, and I hope more people hop on the band wagon
soon enough, so the title doesn’t fade into obscurity. |
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BATMAN #687 |
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Writer:
Judd Winick Artist:
Ed Benes |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
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Publisher:
DC
Comics,
Shipped On:
061009
|
|
MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
|
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DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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In this special epilogue to BATTLE FOR THE COWL, new
BATMAN writer Judd Winick rejoins the Bat Family! This 40-page issue explores
the final moments of the Battle for the Cowl as the new Batman learns that
winning the Cowl comes at a high price! Witness the new Batman taking to the
streets of Gotham City for the first time! Putting a new man inside the Bat-suit
was the easy part - now the fun begins! Guest-starring Superman and Wonder
Woman, this issue is a must-read for any Batman fan. |
|
SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
|
It’s the dawning of a new age in the DCU. A new
Batman has emerged to fill the shoes left by his predecessor, Bruce Wayne, and
his name is Dick Grayson. Following the events of Tony Daniel’s “Battle for the
Cowl” creator Judd Winick is responsible for exploring the issues Dick had with
taking on the mantel of the Bat, leaving all the fun stuff for Grant Morrison to
play with over in ‘B&R.’
Say what you want about his previous runs on the title, the ‘net sure does, and
they hate ‘em, but I thought this was a pretty good effort from one of the first
stars of American reality television (he was one of seven strangers picked to
live in a house and have their lives taped, to see what happens when people stop
being polite, and start getting real, season 2). When the book opens we find
Dick still stuck in Nightwing mode, driving around in the Batmobile complaining
how no one could possible fill the shoes left by Bruce, and that he knows he’s
not capable of doing a good job, which is fine by me.
I figure it like this, as long as Dick is whining and complaining over in this
book, it leaves Grant Morrison free to not worry about the fear and
self-loathing that have become keystones in the Dick Grayson/Nightwing character
mythos. I mean, it’s not like it’s out of character for him to carry one of the
world’s biggest chips on his shoulder, so here we get to see what happens when
Alfred and Damien have to poke, and prod, and bargain with him just to get him
in the suit, carrying on the legacy like he was always supposed to. One of the
finest character beats I found in the book takes place between Superman, Wonder
Woman, Tim, Alfred, and Dick, as they all decide that the world can never know
Batman has died. It illustrates to readers exactly what the mission of the
original Batman had been all along, instill fear deep into the criminal
underground and even a normal man can leave a larger-than-life legacy.
Ed Benes is one of those guys whose style is best suited for high-profile books,
just like this one. That’s not to say that I think this is some of his stronger
work. I personally find his art on Brad Meltzer’s ‘JLA’ run to be a tad more
enjoyable, considering his line work doesn’t play so well in a dark book like
Batman. Winick crafts an enjoyable story, not too heavy on melodrama, and not
too heavy on mindless action. There’re flashbacks featuring Bruce as Bats, as
well as some good stuff between the new Batman and Robin. I’m pretty sure this
is going to continue to be a solid book, but we’ll have to wait and see. |
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 |
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SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #4 |
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Writer:
James Robinson Artist:
Pete Woods |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
|
Publisher:
DC
Comics,
Shipped On:
060309
|
|
MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
|
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|
DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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A new planet suddenly appearing in any space sector
would demand the scrutiny of the Green Lantern Corps. When the planet in
question is New Krypton and the space sector is 2814, it means Kandor City gets
a visit from Hal Jordan and John Stewart, with Daxamite Sodam Yat along for good
measure. But what starts as a good-will mission soon becomes a manhunt for some
of the Phantom Zone's most deranged and dangerous criminals and leads ultimately
to dire conflict between the Corps and Zod's Military Guild - with Superman
caught in the middle! |
|
SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
|
Well it makes sense that if a new planet emerged in
our solar system sooner or later the Green Lanterns, whose job it is to patrol
this sector of space, are bound to come snooping around, on what they’re likely
to call a ‘fact-finding mission.’ This issue opens with just such an event
transpiring, as Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Sodam Yat are all guest stars.
The World of New Krypton has been a rather hard pill to swallow, with this
fourth issue feeling very much like the first issue, and the second issue, and
the third issue. There is a bit of action as the Lanterns, and a platoon led by
Commander El, as Supes is known on his new adoptive planet, chase down a
criminal, Greyline, who has escaped from the phantom zone and has been wreaking
havoc on New Krypton. The Green Lanterns discover an armada being assembled
complete with battle ships, and this presents the question, will there be a huge
Corp vs. Kryp battle royal? I hope so. When Kal-El disobeys an order given to
him by General Zod him and his partner are taken into custody, and the charge is
treason.
I personally find this series to be very slow moving. I’m sure James Robinson
has a master plan in mind but it sure is taking a long time getting there. The
pencils of Pete Woods are top notch as usual, and as a matter of fact his
artwork is the primary reason I’ve been able to keep reading this series. I’m
sure this is all leading up to an inevitable war of supermen, with the New
Kryptonian's taking aim for Earth and the DC heroes rising up to form a united
front as our last line of defense, but if the journey to that point isn’t fun or
exciting, then is it really worth the trip? |
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TIMESTORM 2009/2099 SPIDER-MAN |
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Writer:
Brian Reed
Artist:
Wesley Craig |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
|
Publisher:
Marvel
Comics,
Shipped On:
060309 |
|
MSRP:
$3.99 each
(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 2009 + Spider-Man 2099 = A new era for a
new hero! In this special TIMESTORM one-shot, witness the birth of the future's
Spider-Man -- assuming Peter Parker, the current Spider-Man, doesn't knock some
sense into him first! And if you thought Wesley Craig's art in GUARDIANS OF THE
GALAXY #11 & #12 was cool, just wait until he cuts loose in Marvel's new 2099! |
|
SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
|
As far as the 2099 corner of the Marvel U is
concerned, in my book, I’ve been there, and done that. I believe I was about 10
when the 2099 books started popping up, and I gotta tell you, even as a kid I
saw the camp, and hokey parallels to current Marvel icons as forced and lame. So
far be it from me to believe that I could actually find a visitation to this era
in storytelling enjoyable. Sue me.
Spiderman is a hero beloved by many, and hated by a handful, at least in our
time period anyway. About 90 years in the future he’s just a kid with a Spanish
first name and an Irish last name, who just happened to be around a
scientifically enhanced spider when a terrible, out of the ordinary occurrence
led to a freak accident giving him similar powers to the original, spectacular
Marvel icon. Hey, I can’t comment on the origin, it was thought up almost twenty
years ago; not exactly a high-point in creativity during that era.
Our Spidey is sent through the “Time Storm” (hence the title) and finds himself
interacting with a futuristic version of the Scorpion, whose origin is much
similar to that of Peter Parker’s rather than Mac Gargan’s. While in the heat of
battle, Spidey finds a little assistance by some kid in a blue and red, form
fitting, body condom, and doesn’t find it the least bit as amusing as I did.
There’s the typical mentoring shtick that plays inevitably like some broken
record whenever similar characters from different universes interact, which I
found not as unbearable in this title as I’ve found in others in the past.
The art by Wesley Craig is exciting, and lends a little character to those who
needed it most, the drab and dull, 90’s inspired 2099 universe. It comes off as
cartoony, but it really looks like it could work for a mainstream Spidey book.
Brian Reed is an accomplished talent who’s still trying to find his footing over
at Marvel, but he scored a hit with this one as far as I’m concerned. |
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 |
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FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: DANCE #1 (of 6) |
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Writer:
Joe Casey Artist:
Chriscross |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
|
Publisher:
DC
Comics,
Shipped On:
052009
|
|
MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
|
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|
DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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Japan's Super Young Team wants nothing more than to
be seen as heroes in the eyes of their adoring public. Unfortunately, their
adventures during FINAL CRISIS have gone unnoticed, and they've been reduced to
performing at public appearances and on various TV shows literally dancing for
their livelihood. But the appearance of a new American teammate and a deadly
threat complicates the motives of the team as they try and find what truly makes
somebody not just a hero, but a sensational hero. Discover the path to greatness
in this exciting 6-issue miniseries! |
|
SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
|
ALL HAIL JOE CASEY! I f***ing love this guy. Spinning out of Grant Morrison’s
“Final Crisis” Joe Casey takes on the ‘Super Young Team,’ a pseudo-celebritard
group of teen heroes, modeled after members of the JLA, and very much in the
public eye. This book is a little more off the wall than I expected, but it all
plays into the weirdness that Morrison set up in ‘FC.’
Most Excellent Superbat, Shiny Happy Aquazon, Big Atomic Lantern Boy,
Well-Spoken Sonic Lightning Flash, Shy Crazy Lolita Canary, yeah, these aren’t
your typical teen crime fighters. As part of some massive PR blitz the SYT is
thrust into a satellite 52 miles above the Earth and told they’re hosting a
“Welcome Party” for themselves. Right off the bat you can tell that these guys
may not be into it for any noble, save-the-world style good intentions, but
they’re in it deep, so in it they stay.
There’s a few cool character beats I found helpful considering there isn’t much
background on these new characters, but there were also a few things I found
kind of annoying, such as the Twitter-esque narrative breaks every page or so by
MESuperbat. There’s both internal and external conflict popping up around every
turn, and Casey does a superb job layering the mystery so that you never quite
feel like you got it all figured out. This is the first of the three FCAftermath
titles that deals directly with events that occurred in the main book. There’s
anti-life graffiti scrawled on walls, parts of the Earth cannot be visited by
anyone other than JLA-approved construction crews, and most of all, not everyone
knows what happened during it all, just like those of us that read the book.
Chriscross (a strange pen name for a writer to take on), returns with this issue
and as long as ego
doesn’t affect the pencils then I won’t really complain. His style is very
clean, though not as crisp as I usually like, but I thought it worked for the
sheer insanity that is presented within the book’s pages. I’m looking forward to
seeing more of the characters, and watching the story play out as the two
creators really put their touch on the Super Young Team, hopefully injecting as
much personality and creativity as possible. |
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 |
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BATMAN IN BARCELONA DRAGONS KNIGHT |
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Writer:
Mark Waid Artist:
Diego Olmos |
|
Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
|
|
Publisher:
DC
Comics,
Shipped On:
052809
|
|
MSRP:
$3.99 each
(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 a string of bizarre murders hits Spain's
beautiful coastal city of Barcelona, The Dark Knight makes solving this crime
his top priority. Full of international intrigue, high adventure and even higher
stakes, BATMAN IN BARCELONA: DRAGON'S KNIGHT showcases The Caped Crusader in a
different type of Gotham - but one no less dangerous! |
|
SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
|
Just in time for DC to christen a new Batman in the
pages of ‘Battle for the Cowl’ comes a brand new one shot featuring, the old
Batman?! Yep, that’s correct; fan favorite scribe Mark Waid brings Bruce Wayne
to Spain, and readers are more than welcome to tag along as he hunts down one of
the more vicious villains in his rogues gallery, Killer Croc.
There’s a whole lot of killing going on in the streets of Barcelona, as the Mad
Hatter and Scarecrow managed to cook up a version of Crane’s fear formula, while
in prison no less, and render Croc an even viler madman than he was before, and
on top of that the pair of criminal minds convinced KC that he may be the
reincarnated spirit of the dragon slain by St. George, which juices up his ego
quite a bit. Once the Batman catches wind of what’s happened he makes for Spain
with a quickness, planning on reigning Croc in before he can continue his
senseless slaughter of innocent women. Bruce of course, ever the resourceful
crime-fighting billionaire, has a cache of hidden Batman stuff cleverly tucked
away in Spain for just such an occasion, and sets about tracking down Croc the
only way he knows how, by hitting the streets in a flashy set of wheels,
attracting all sorts of unwanted attention by Spanish authorities. That’s right
kiddies; he ain’t in Gotham no more!
It’s not a bad read, but it doesn’t come off as particularly necessary either.
Mark Waid has been writing fantastic comics for as long as I’ve been reading
them, but I didn’t get any sense that this book meant anything to him. It came
off like a homework assignment; no heart, no substance, nothing new you could
sink your teeth into and say, ‘YES, that was a Batman moment I’m glad I didn’t
miss!’ The artwork of Diego Olmos is pretty impressive. There were panels that
could’ve used a little polishing up, but other than that it was a solid effort
by a great artist.
I think the Jim Lee cover is kind of a cop out though; it doesn’t add anything
to the value of the story. If anything it sets up the misconception that the
interior art is going to be somewhat more stylized than it actually is, why not
have the interior artist draw up a cover so at least fans know what they’re
getting into? |
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BTVS TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE SHOT |
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Writer:
Becky Cloonan Artist:
Vlasilis Lolos |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Dark Horse
Comics
Shipped On:
060309
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DARK HORSE'S SYNOPSIS:
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In a small town in Massachusetts, a young man named
Jacob goes about his day as usual-wakes early, eats breakfast with his mom, and
heads to school. He's a hard worker and a reliable friend to Alexia, an athletic
and headstrong young woman. But at night Jacob likes to cut loose at the local
arcade, where he's befriended a reckless gang of vampires who enjoy drinking his
blood. Jacob craves the high and the easy escape from the monotony of his life
that this "bloodletting" provides. Enter the mysterious and sultry May, who can
help Jacob leave those high-school days behind-that is, if Alexia doesn't stop
her first. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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So a lot has changed in the world of Buffy the
Vampire Slayer since my last visit (which was before the show was S***-canned
from the WB). Apparently there’s been a changing of the tide as the slayers who
once protected humanity from those who seek to feed upon us have been relegated
to hiding in the shadows until “humans regain their senses.”
I was a little surprised to not find Buffy or the rest of her pals from
Sunnydale anywhere in the whole book, but the title is “Tales of the Vampires”
so I guess I should have seen that one coming. Instead readers get a tale of
teenager Jacob, and his seemingly meaningless existence playing video games,
dodging his mother’s paranoia, and nearly flunking out of school. Ripe with sex,
attitude, and trendy slang Becky Cloonan explores the ins and outs of being a
teen who wants to be a vampire. When Jacob finally gets what he’s longed for,
there’s a poignant moment between him and the girl he used to like, as well as
the girl who turned him, which is cool until one of them ends up on the wrong
end of a wooden stake.
Aside from the cover by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon (Love those guys!) I didn’t
think there was anything spectacular in terms of the book’s visuals. Don’t get
me wrong, I’m not saying the art is done poorly, but I just didn’t expect that
sort of a style on a Buffy title, but seeing as this is a spin-off book I’m
assuming all bets are off. There’s stuff I enjoyed about the book, but also
stuff that was off-putting. I found a lot of the dialogue to feel forced, almost
false, and character interactions all seemed based on who’s cooler than whom. As
much as I enjoyed the Buffy mythos so many years ago, I just don’t think I’ve
found a solid foot-hold in this title, but it did pique my curiosity in the
Whedonverse once again, so I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for something I can
get into. |
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RAPTURE #1 |
Writers:
Taki Soma and Michael Avon OemingVictor Gischler
Artists:
Michael Avon Oeming (With layouts by Taki Soma) |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Dark Horse
Comics
Shipped On:
053109
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DARK HORSE'S SYNOPSIS:
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After warring for a century, Earth's greatest
champions and villains suddenly disappear, leaving the planet devastated. Like a
rapture, the Powers are gone and humanity is left behind to pick up the pieces.
Amongst this wreckage, two lovers, Evelyn and Gil, find themselves separated by
a continent and will do anything to find each other again. But when a strange
being named "The Word" turns Evelyn into a champion with an angelic spear, she
finds the force of her love for Gil clashing with her newfound power. Love and
destiny collide in what will become the worst breakup-ever. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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I think I may suffer from narcolepsy. I’m not trying
to make light of any conditions that may or may not plague any loved ones you
may have, so don’t think ill of me (HA), but every time I tried to sit down and
read this book I fell right to sleep. I mean, it’s not as if the idea isn’t cool
and all, and the art is beyond exceptional, but I found the story to be a little
more than difficult to follow. It didn’t help that the pace was stalled almost
as soon as it picked up, and on more than one occasion, by what has come to be
known as a ‘musical interlude.’
I gotta admit the concept in and of itself, is pretty interesting. Playing off
of actual Bible verses, Soma and Oeming are able to craft an ‘end of the world’
plot, using superheroes as the trigger mechanism for what may possibly be the
apocalypse. Behind it all a story of two lovers, Gil and Evelyn, set on separate
paths until the calamity begins, as they attempt to reconnect amidst the chaos
and devastation.
I don’t know, I really tried my best to take a deeper interest in this book. No
matter how many times I read it I couldn’t find anything that managed to grab
and maintain my attention. Like I said before, the art, a collaboration by both
creators, is stupendous. In fact I’d go so far as to say I think it’s some of
the best work I’ve seen by Oeming, who continues to grow and develop his style
as time goes on.
Overall the book is a fantastic idea which suffers from, what I contend to be,
poor creative focus. Maybe, just maybe, if the character of Gil was a car
mechanic and not a musician, and the character of Evelyn wasn’t such a typical,
headstrong, pain in the ass, the book wouldn’t feel like a million other
stories, albeit not involving the same circumstances, but clichéd characters
lead to clichéd situations despite the overall back-story. |
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WOLVERINE REVOLVER #1 |
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Writer:
Victor Gischler Artist:
Das Pastoras |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel
Comics
Shipped On:
060309
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right? But
Logan's gone to Vegas in search of something that's been hiding there a bit too
long. In a place where anyone will wager on anything, it's no wonder that Logan
finds himself in a game of Russian Roulette surrounded by rowdy Russian
mobsters. But they're not the real problem. Logan's got his eyes trained on the
man sitting across from him. The guy with the revolver in his hand and the
killer smile who is much more than he seems. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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No matter how hard I try I can’t seem to escape
Marvel’s favorite mutant Canadian. In one of the 28 books featuring Wolverine
Marvel Comics happened to release this week I managed to find a gem amongst the
multiple steaming piles of drek. Wolverine: Revolver is a fun book, taking the
cranky canuckle-head out of his element, and on the trail of a demon, living
among humans here on Earth.
I’ve never heard of either the writer or artist, but both of them do a fantastic
job of capturing Logan’s voice. Don’t let the cover fool you, there’s no blue
and gold costume, there’s no X-Men, no Avengers, just a hairy little drunk with
a knack for getting in over his head. This time he’s in the middle of a game of
Russian roulette in an underground betting establishment in Las Vegas.
I think the most appealing thing about the book is the way Pastoras visually
captures the experience in a way that’s neither run of the mill or ordinary. His
pencils, inks, and colors come together like a Frank Quitely cover, but as
opposed to only enjoying one page of it, you get it in every panel, on every
page. I know already that it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but it
sure did the trick for me. Instead of some traditional comic style the art allow
the story to stand out in field crowded with so many other worthless reads
featuring Marvel’s wildcard.
More often than not Wolverine can be considered to be a necessary evil in the
Marvel U, he’s the best there is at what he does, which is hogging the limelight
apparently. As long as writers continue to push the boundaries of what he’s
capable of doing, and the situations that he finds himself in, then I’ll
continue to enjoy his adventures even if I know better. |
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BATMAN AND ROBIN #1 |
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Writer:
Grant Morrison Artist:
Frank Quitely |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
DC
Comics,
Shipped On:
060309
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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"Batman Reborn" begins here! With the reunited team
of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WE3, New X-Men), this
first issue kicks off a 3-part story arc that can't be missed! The new Dynamic
Duo hit the streets with a bang in their new flying Batmobile as they face off
against an assemblage of villains called the Circus of Strange. They also tackle
their first mission investigating a child who's been abducted by the mysterious
Domino Killer. But will everything go smoothly? And who exactly are the new
Batman and Robin? The newest era of The Dark Knight begins here! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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The nearly year-long build up of ‘Batman RIP’,
‘Final Crisis’, and ‘Battle For the Cowl’ has led us down a path which has
delivered readers to this very monumental moment in the history of DC comics
(and comics in general really), a rebirth (of sorts) for The Batman. With Bruce
Wayne, the original Batman presumed dead his protégés must pick up the slack and
continue his legacy, lest the city of Gotham become overrun with crime and
corruption (that is to say, more so than the usual).
Dick Grayson, the original Robin, is the rightful heir to the cowl of the Bat,
and he’s proving why as he takes Bruce’s son, Damian, under his wing (no pun
intended) as the new Robin, in hopes that he can instill some positive values in
the boy raised by the League of Assassins. Along with the ever faithful
manservant Alfred Pennyworth, the new dynamic duo encounters a group of small
time thugs with ties to a rather large criminal organization.
You can tell the twisted mind of Grant Morrison has been biding its time,
waiting for this precise moment to unleash holy hell on the Bat-verse, and he
really wastes no time introducing a rather disturbing new villain, Pyg, along
with his makeshift hench-dolls to plague Dick in his debut adventure as Gotham’s
protector. Bringing along long-time collaborator and friend Frank Quitely was
another genius move. The two managed to reenergize Superman within the confines
of the All Star line of titles, and hopefully they’ll be able to duplicate that
success, as well as leave their mark on the bat-mythos for generations to come.
I’ve been a fan of the Bats for a while now, long before I knew Morrison was
even working for DC again. I think that the talent and creativity that Grant
brings to the table is exactly what has been missing from the streets of Gotham
for quite some time. The scary, unpredictable nature of his stories, the
unrelenting, stomach churning sociopaths he creates, combined with the fresh and
imaginative way he views the medium make him, possibly, the definitive creator
on the bat-family of titles in probably twenty years. |
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BRAVE AND BOLD #23 |
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Writer/Artist:
Dan Jurgens |
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
DC
Comics,
Shipped On:
052009
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MSRP:
$2.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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DC'S SYNOPSIS:
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Future imperfect! Time-traveler Booster Gold has
seen countless possible futures. But futures don't get much darker than the one
that will spawn the ruthless Magog! After the events of JSA: THY KINGDOM COME,
Magog has appeared in our time, and Booster will do whatever it takes to make
sure his apocalyptic destiny never comes to pass. |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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Apparently the ‘net is buzzing about this book, no
seriously, they’re all aflutter over the Booster Gold/Magog team up from Dan
Jurgens, regular series writer/artist of “Booster Gold”; you’d think it was the
second coming of Christ or something. I personally didn’t really get into the
issue, but for a one-and-done it’s not horrible.
There’s a certain respect I have for the character of Booster Gold. He’s never
been much other than a reliever for the Justice League, and a bit player in the
grand scheme of the DC universe, that is of course until “52” three years ago.
Booster has been on a crusade since the death of his friend and fellow hero Ted
Kord, the second Blue Beetle, and with Rip Hunter mentoring him Booster has
found his niche as defender of the space time continuum. Maybe that’s what works
about the guy as of late; the over anxious, attention-seeking glory hound is
reduced to working in the shadows, so’s to not destroy existence as we know it.
Never a more humbling experience than being
responsible for the lives of all men, women, and children, alive, dead, or not
yet born.
Magog is a carry-over from the Mark Waid/Alex Ross classic “Kingdom Comes.”
Geoff Johns brought him over to the JSA and he’s been running amok in current
continuity ever since. I’m not quite sure what to make of the potential future
despot, other than he’s a hot head, and that works a lot of the time, but
considering the setting (a hostage situation in Khandaq) I’d have rather seen
what this so-called heavy hitter can do up against a guy like Black Adam.
Dan Jurgens is pulling double duty, bringing the talent and skill from decades
of experience along with him. His art is solid, if not a little dated; you can
almost remember similar layouts used in his old Superman days. My problem lies
with his story, it’s just not good. Jurgens writes in an old-school, or at least
pre-‘Identity Crisis’ DC style, where everyone is just bursting at the seams
with honor and nobility. Booster’s dialogue is like something out of a bad after
school special, and even when he’s trying to be funny (something other writers
have had no problem conveying) he comes off as stale and unimaginative, which
more or less means Dan Jurgens is stale and unimaginative. |
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MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL |
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Writer:
Tom DeFalco
Artist:
Chris Burnham
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Review By:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet
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Publisher:
Marvel Comics,
Shipped On:
052009
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MSRP:
$3.99 each
(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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MARVEL'S SYNOPSIS:
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The original Human Torch, Toro, the Sub-Mariner, the
Angel and the Ferret team up to prevent Nazi saboteurs and one of the Torch's
earliest foes from creating the ultimate weapon of mass destruction in this
all-new 22 page story. Plus another 10 page classic vintage tale from Marvel's
Golden Age! |
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SWEET DAN'S REVIEW:
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So I’ve gotten the chance over the last month or so
to explore a lot of Marvel’s golden age characters that I didn’t think I’d ever
delved that far into, other than Captain America. The Human Torch, Toro, Namor
the Sub-Mariner, Ferret Mystery Detective, and The Angel all co-star in this
feature written by (former?) editor Tom Defalco as the team finds themselves up
against, who else but the Nazis.
Apparently giant robots were a huge fear of Americans, or at least the
cartoonists of the time, as the Nazis are preparing to launch Project
Blockbuster, or as the Native Americans came to know him, Iron Giant-With
Swastikas For Eyes. There’s some punching, and a lot of flying around, and some
in-fighting, and I surprisingly liked it a lot.
I think both DeFalco and Burnham were able to capture the spirit of Golden Age
comics without too much of the cheese that’s known to come along with them. In
fact, I think it would have been smarter of Marvel and much more accessible if
they didn’t include those horrible reprints, and just lowered the book’s cost to
$2.99. No one who isn’t already a fan of these characters is going to purchase
these a) because of the rising cost of books that don’t offer enough bang for
the purchaser’s buck, and b) because editorial needed to squeeze out another 12
pages so you scraped up some stories from the bottom of the barrel that featured
the same bad guys.
I know the point is to give the audience a perspective on where the stories and
characters came from, but all it does is alienate younger readers who’ve come to
expect more quality from everything from writing to art. This has been my
favorite of all the Timely 70th Anniversary stories Marvel has done (the Captain
America one still had the best art though), but I’d like to see them do
something with The Angel though, or Ferret, or the both of them, they seemed
like street level guys who could be put to use in some way that would make for a
good yarn. |
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All Books/Characters pictured herein are © Copyright 2009 by their respective
owners. No rights given or implied by Alternate Reality, Incorporated.
Reviews © 2009 Alternate Reality, Inc.
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