Green Review

So Green Arrow is increasing in popularity due to the new CW’s tv show but also in the comic book world with a new team book and a new creative team on his solo book.

Green Arrow # 17

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino

Green Arrow was always an interesting character because his story was a classic and original. A classic because it’s so obviously inspired by the Robin Hood story. Original because Oliver Queen’s origin story which was about a rich man who got stranded on a deserted Idland with only a bow to survive. When he got back to his city, he became the vigilante known as The Green Arrow.
Jeff Lemire begins his first issue by taking away everything previously establish into the story of the new 52’s Green Arrow. The few first pages see Oliver Queen lose his compagny and the few friends he seemed to have; a new villain emerges.

In the second part of the story, we get to see that Green Arrow might not be the best archer. The new villains look isn’t that remarkable but the art is moody with uses of white tons to conveys the tension. The action scenes seems like it’s all slow motion which fits the arrow shooying actions. Andrea Sorrentino’s art is mysterious with color schemes shifting across every panel. If Count Vertigo makes an appearance, we’ll have one hell of a visual imagery in these pages. A good start, the first issue is a good jumping on point for any fan of the emerald archer.

4/5

Late Reviews

Young Avengers # 1

Writer: kieron Gillen
Artist: Mike Norton
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Teen drama, the source of half the tv shows on television. Of course, it would make for a good superhero comic book. The justice league has the teen titans, but for a few years now, the Avengers have the young Avengers. After a mini-serie by the original writer, this story is trying to re-assemble a new team of Young
Avengers. No new characters yet, its a good idea because most of these characters already have a good fan base. The new team, in this first issue, is not yet a team but u get to see where each individual characters are in the Marvel universe. Interesting first issue, good writer and an artist, whose designs fit the story very well; it gave each characters a modern look.

4/5 stars

Batman & Robin Annual #1

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Ardian Syaf

I always liked the idea of Batman & Robin, this series is a hidden gem of the bat-titles. Why? You ask, well because most Bat-titles are good.
This story is a stand alone issue with heart and humor. The story is a good rest from the usual intense drama of the Bat-family. A good annual issue, Batman & Robin just keeps getting better every issue.

5/5 stars

Bat-Review

Batman # 16
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo

First of all, going into this issue, I assumed that this story would be a lot like Arkham Asylum/ City video games. Scott Snyder managed to excide expectations by having some crazy sh- stuff happen within Arkham. Somehow Batman, like always, was prepared for everything that the Joker sent his way. The story is not rush in any sense, we can really feel how slow the story develops with Batman calculating each one of his moves.

This story has some many great panels with scenes that are so complex; I would like to know Greg Capullo’s art process. The poetic imagery of certain panel is really interesting and even the Joker mentions the artistic side of his revenge. Batman, facing a burning horse coming towards him, was a very epic scene for me.
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The most disturbing piece of this issue will probably be the human tapestry depicting Batman & Joker's sordide history. The next promises to be full of surprise because the only thing we know is that the Joker has Batman right where he wants him. We can guess that this is a very dangerous position to be in.

4/5 Super Mario Bros Stars

This Week Review

Sweet tooth # 40

Writer/ Artist: Jeff Lemire
Jeff Lemire shows one of the best way to end a series. By giving his main character a defenitive end to what seemed like a long journey.
The story doesn’t pick up right after the last issue but a few years later. We find Gus, now with a family, looking back at some of the events of his life also bridging the gap between now and then. The last issue felt like a swan song with Jeff Lemire telling us a story about a mutant who liked chocolate.

5/5

Detective Comics # 16 ;

Writer: John Layman
Artist: Jason Fabok

Tie-in issues are always a gamble for a series because you to tell a compeling story without overshawing the main story. John Layman manages to add to the Death of the Family event with a brilliant story that advances a side character (henchman) to front stage character (Emperor Penguin? ). It also shows the effects of the Joker’s return to the city of Gotham , people are acting crazier (from Gotham city’s standard). The Joker doesn’t really appear in this tie-in serie which seems like a good choice; because you don’t want The Joker to become the Wolverine of DCU, appearing in 10 different series all at once. Not to say that the Joker hasn’t been busy. By the way, I’m still not sure about Emperor Penguin but I have to admit that his my favorite part of Detective comics.

5/5

The legend of Luther Strode # 2

Writer: Justin Jordan
Artist: Tradd Moore

Volume 1 of the Luther Strode story was pretty goodand original, the sequel started with a lot of killing happening with Luther barely saying one word. In this issue, Luther has more to say But we also get to see, a bit, how the event of volume 1 affected him.

All around mayhem, people dying in crusome and funny ways which is what we’ve all come to expect from this series.

4/5

Thor: God thunder # 4

Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Esad Ribic

I hate time travel! Now having said it, I can explain why when it’s Thor doing it, time travel becomes awesome. The story is about Thor being hunted down by a God butcher in 3 different eras at the same time. The 3 seperate era converge toward the conclusion of this epic story.

The art is majestic and consistant which is what you want from a story with such beautiful landscape. One last issue to go, no idea how this story will end but excited to found out.

5/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Secret history of the Foot clan # 1

Writers: Mateus Santolouco & Erik Burnham
Artist: Mateus Santolouco

Remember those funny ninjas, who fought the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, every saturday morning. If you ever find yourself wondering where they came from? This serie will attempt to answer them all.
The story goes back in forth between characters in the present telling the story about the past of the foot clan. The past collides with the present with a shared enemy returning. The art is very manga-like which fits the story perfectly. If you are wondering why the foot clan is called the foot clan, pick up this issue ( I will ).

5/5

1st Review of 2013

( Good & Bad )

Batman: Incorporated # 6

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Burnham

Over the holidays, I got the Christopher Nolan’s batman trilogy. While watching the Dark knight rises, I realized that Batman is at his best when push to his limits.
In this issue, Morrison shows what Talia Al Ghul plans are for the batman. The story can bit confusing because of the way certain things are inter connected within the plot. This is really a continuation on his earlier work on the batman title so it has a very pre-52 feel to it. Except for Nightwing wearing his new 52 costume, we can see that there’s no new 52 Tim Drake or Batgirl. Its a great Batman book, a lot more surprise twists and cliffhanger ahead.

4/5

New Avengers # 1

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Steve Epting

For a first issue, it was pretty boring because nothing really happened.
When you think about it, what we get in this issue is a new mysterious villain being introduced ( much like Hickman’s first issue of Avengers) and a hero gathering other heroes to fight it (again just like Avengers). This issue lacked the character interaction and action sequences that Avengers had so it seemed like a boring read. Even the villains acted alike in the way that you had no idea what they were talking about , who they were or if they had ties to the existing Marvel U.

At least, the last page had kind of a surprise that made the issue more interesting for some. Not a good first issue, I hope the next one is more entertaining or might have to drop it.

2/5

Quick Reviews

FF # 2

Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Michael Allred

When I first heard about the new concept for the marvel now FF team, I did not put it in my buy pile even if I was going to read the Fantastic Four series. I got into the serie, when I saw all the positive reviews online, and I have to admit; it’s good.
Except for one (the human torch’s latest girlfriend), the different members of the new team were known to me but not liked. Matt Fraction manages to turn them into a pretty good and entertaining bunch. Michael Allred art is a classic and fits perfectly into the modern vibe behind the Future Fondation. The last issue ended with a pretty confusing cliffhanger.

4/5

Nightwing # 15

Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Eddy Barrows

Death of the family promises to be hard on everyone, Dick Grayson suffered, not one but, two deaths in this weeks issue. The first one was pretty obvious, anybody practicing the clown profession in Gotham are asking for trouble.
Nightwing is a great book, the last two pages are so fast with action that you need to read it twice to understand what the Joker did to Dick Grayson.

5/5

Bat-Review

Batman # 15

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo

This issue explores the psychological aspect of the relationship between the Joker and Batman. What is surprising about this issue is that the story isn’t black nor white. It means that you can’t tell if the Joker is telling the truth or lying.
Batman is confronted with having to realize that the only thing he knows about the Joker is that he doesn’t know anything about him.

There’s a bat-family reunion, where everyone ( except Damian) seems to doubt the dark knight’s abilities to defeat the crime prince. Scott Snyder is telling a crazy batman story that might become a classic, if the end delivers.
The art is awesome, Greg Cappulo draws a pretty cool Joker making him even more scary. Batman’s action are full of action and edge. The last page was so simple yet had a sense of drama and suspence for the scene.
A great issue, to a great story of an epic title. Scott Snyder is running wild with his Batman title. The next issue can’t come soon enough.

5/5

Short ( but sweet ) Reviews

Deadpool # 3

Writer: Brian Posehn & Gerry Duggan
Artist: Tony Moore

In my last review of this series, I mentionned that I wanted the story to go somewhere or have somekind of under lying plot. In one panel, these guys managed to hint at a bigger story. Again, this issue moves the story along wonderfully with a lot of good jokes . If you are having a bad day, this will become a great addition to you’re buy pile.

4/5

Detective Comics # 15

Writer: John Layman
Artist: Jason Fabok

These days, every bat-book is a must read and with the new 52 continuity is no problem. This issue flows perfectly into the death of the family storyline in Batman. The ending leaves us with a pretty cool cliffhanger and plot twist that leads the book in another direction making it more than just another tie-in issue.Also the back-up adds to the story in a very interesting way. Good issue for a great series with some very classic art; not sure of the name Emperor Penguin yet.

5/5

Avengers # 1

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Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Jerome Opena

Expanding the Avengers, it seems like a simple enough idea. In his new Avengers series, Jonathan Hickman tells a story that explores that very concept.Also He introduces a new group of villains with a mysterious agenda. The art is great and fits the story; looking forward to see where this serie will be going ( a few glimpses of the future was given in this issue).

4/5

Action Comics # 15

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Writer: Grant Morrison
Artists: Brad Walker & Rags Morales

The concept behind the new DC universe was to have a way to give a new spin to old characters. If there's one writer who perfectly understood that idea, its Grant Morrison with Superman. He didn't just make changes to have people talk about it; he made changes to tell a bigger story. He also shows that Superman has a pretty cool extended rogue gallery. In this issue, a few things are explained about the evil Imp working behind the scenes agaisnt Superman. We also get a glimpse of the new DC universe Superman's past, present and futur. Action Comics is a must read, I'll be sad to see him ( Grant Morrison ) leave the title in a few months.

5/5

Quick Reviews

Batman Incorporated # 5

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Burnham

Normally I hate alternate universes or alternate futures, Grant Morrison manages to tell a story about one that seems to matter into the overall story arc. This issue reads wonderfully with quick action sequences with a few different cliffhangers towards the end.
This issue turns out to be an essential part of the futur Batman storyline continued from the first volume of Batman incorparated.
The art was great, by artist Chris Burnham, who manages to make the fast pace action not seem rush or lacking details. A very interesting read with a lot of good character development; done within a very short period. Grant Morrison manages it perfectly which is why Batman Incorporated is a must read/ own.

5/5

New Avengers # 34 />

Writer: Brian Micheal Bendis
Artist: mike Deodato & Various

During Brian Micheal Bendis run on Avengers, Doctor Strange was no longer the sorcerer supreme which made him lose the eye of agamatto. This week, in the last issue, after defeating Jericho Drumm aka Brother Vodoo’s brother, Daniel; he was once again given the title of sorcerer supreme. The odd thing was that Doctor Strange lost the eye fora very sane reason, by using dangerous magic but now all seems forgiven. It is the same writer but for some reason continuity does not seem to matter. His erasing everything he did as an avengers writer; at least with Dc there was a reason ( warning). Now with his last New Avengers arc, it does not make sense for the character to go back to his previous status quo just to fit a compagny’s plan to make money with reboots. Disappointing issue, overall a bad way to end what was a pretty good run.
1/5

Manhattan Project # 7

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Nick Pitarra

Jonathan Hickman is a great writer, who happens to be very bad with keeping deadlines when it comes to image comics. His marvel titles, for some reason, always ship on time but each one of his image titles are running behind schedule. Jonathan Hickman’s image work always seems interesting but actually finding it in issue form or trade paperback is hard. Other than that, the story is pretty interesting with issue 7 shaking things up for an allready crazy crew of mad scientist. It was a good issue but the reader might enjoy it more as an overalll serie.4/5

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Quick Reviews

Justice League # 14

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Tony S. Daniel & Gary Frank

Another great issue of the Justice League, you can tell that Geoff Johns is leading up to an incredible story to add to the already epic mythos of the title. This issue includes several jaw dropping cliffhangers from both, the main story and Shazam/ Captain Marvel bonus.
For the fans, who did not approve or understand the relationship between Superman & Wonderwoman; This issue gives us some insight into the ultimate power couple. It’s always fun to have Superman back in Smallville.
Good solid issue, you can tell that the writer, Geoff Johns, is building to something major. Both stories had wonderful art from both artist, Tony S. Daniel & Gary Frank.

4/5

Deadpool # 2

Writers: Brian Posehn & Gerry Duggan
Artist: Tony Moore

We fought a Zoo, the funny title of the second issue of the new Deadpool series. It was a laugh riot, every page had a good joke and Deadpool’s crazy banter was Spiderman quality.
The art fits the story, Tony Moore brings a lot of detail to the zombie mayhem ( no big surprise coming from the first artist for the Walking Dead) . The story is evolving and expanding which takes us into a funnier side of the marvel universe. Overall, a good book about a crazy guy who cannot die.

5/5

Nightwing # 14

Guest Writer: Tom DeFalco
Guest Artist: Andres Guinaldo

Dick Grayson was a pretty cool Batman, in the new 52 universe his once again Nightwing and his awesome. Nightwing can be described as Batman with a lot less self pity and glooming around. Every issue nicely flows together which makes the serie feel like a tv show about a young vigilante.
The story is very compelling because it mixes Dick’s Nightwing persona and his increasingly demanding public identity. He is now founding a new Haley Circus based in Gotham City while having to deal with Sonia Branch, daughter of Tony Zucco the man who killed his parents.
Seems like with the new 52, there always is a good bat-title coming out each week. This issue’s cliffhanger also connects into the Death of the family story arc.

4/5