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Hi kids!
Today I start a brand new weekly feature, Word Balloons, in which I review the previous weeks comics, every Tuesday right before Wednesday, and we all know what day Wednesday is.
So without furthur ado, let's jump right into it...
Word Balloons
October 28 2008
Stephen King’s Dark Tower: Treachery #2
David, Furth, Lee, Isanove
Marvel
Peter David and Robin Furth return for their third series of Dark Tower prequels, rendered in moody impressionism by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove. I’m a fan of the Dark Tower series, so for me, this is wonderful stuff. This issue introduces Cort’s daughter, Aileen, and a look at the Order of Lady Oriza.
Stephen King’s The Stand: Captain Trips
Aguirre-Sacasa, Perkins, Martin
Marvel
Somewhat less essential for Stephen King completists, this adaptation is a pretty straight-forward re-telling of the novel The Stand. I like the art, which has a nice retro, adventure comic strip look to it.
Uncanny X-Men # 503
Fraction, Brubaker, Land, Ponsor
Marvel
I’ve been reading the X-Men since the Dawn of Nerf, so I’ve seen phases come and go. So far I like this one, it’s called Manifest Destiny. The X-Men have decided to grow up, become responsible Gay adults and move to San Francisco. It suits them. The mutant allegory can be used on many different levels, and Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker use it to great effect, mixing cop-drama action with 30-something angst. I know some people don’t care for Greg Land’s art but I can’t imagine why, his gauzy photo-realism lends a sense of maturity and gravity to the X-Men that works really well with the new direction. This issue Pixie faces down her fears, and introducing the deadly Chimera.
The Guardians of the Galaxy #6
Abnett, Lanning, Pelletier, Magyar, Guru
Marvel
Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning spin cosmic space epics, like Legion Lost and Annihilation. This one has Rocket Racoon and Groot!
The Amazing Spider-Man # 573
Slott, Romita Jr., Janson, White
Marvel
I’ve never thought John Romita Jr. was the best artist for Spider-Man – he’s too BLOCKY. But I have to say I did enjoy the New Ways to Die storyline. Spider-Man vs. Norman Osborn and the Thunderbolts is knock-down, drag-out fun.
Hulk #7
Loeb, Adams, Cho
Marvel
Okay, I confess, I bought this strictly for the art. Art Adams. Frank Cho. Sexy babes smashing into each other with big weapons. ‘Nuff Said.
Captain Britain And M13 #6
Cornell, Kirk, Delperdang, Reber
Marvel
Sure, Captain Britain is a cipher, but the supporting cast is interesting. Super-speedster Spitfire is a secret vampire, The Black Knight looks really cool in a leather jacket and Faiza Hussain is a religious Muslim trying to reconcile her strict familial homelife with the fact she’s been chosen as the wielder of the legendary sword Excalibur. This issue guest – stars Blade the vampire hunter. Uh-oh…
Daredevil #112
Brubaker, Lark, Gaudiano, Hollingsworth
Marvel
It’s a crying shame the movie was such a stinker, because Daredevil the comic has consistently been one of the best books out there of any kind for years. This Lady Bullseye storyline is better than it sounds, and I love supporting character Dakota North. Please don’t kill her!
Secret Invasion #7
Bendis, Yu, Morales, Martin
Marvel
The Secret Invasion Crossover chugs along. Do we know who the Skrulls are yet? Does anybody still care?
Superman: New Krypton #1
Johns, Robinson, Gates, Woods, Frank, Guedes, Sibal, Magalhaes
DC
When last we saw Superman at the end of Action Comics #870, he had defeated the megalomaniacal, planet-stealing Brainiac and rescued Metropolis along with the shrunken Kryptonian city of Kandor, but not without a cost, his adoptive human father, Jonathan Kent was killed in the conflict. If this all sounds familiar to you, it could be because it’s been a part of Superman lore for the past fifty years. But the retelling by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank has been enchanting. It’s a perfect example of DC doing what it’s best at, straight-forward superhero adventure stories with tight plotting and crisp art. Gary Frank’s Superman is a glowing tribute to Christopher Reeves, while Geoff Johns supplies real drama with his terrifying version of Brainiac. This one-shot special serves as an introduction to the upcoming New Krypton storyline, which picks up where Brainiac left off and will run through Action Comics, Superman and Supergirl. With Kandor now free and on located on Earth, a city full of Kryptonians means a city full of Supermen. I can’t wait for this!
Final Crisis #4
Morrison, Jones, Pacheco, Merino
DC
This is grim, apocalyptic stuff from Scottish writer Grant Morrison, as Darkseid and the nasty forces of Apokolips step on daisies, mangle baby ducks and generally bring da evil to your town. J.G. Jones art is stunning as usual, but the pairing seems a bit awkward, as if neither of their hearts are truly in it anymore, and we’re only 4 issues in, this series is supposed to run 7… I attended a highly psychedelic lecture by Morrison this summer at the Jacob Javitz Center at the New York Comic-Con where he was a guest of honor. He is a founding Vertigo writer and one of comics true weird minds.
Green Lantern #35
Johns, Reis, Albert
DC
I got my skeptical old high school Marvel Zombie buddy to start reading this book, and he loves it. I wasn’t so thrilled with Hal and Sinestro mouthing off to the Guardians like they were little blue nobody’s this issue, but that was a minor misstep.
Green Lantern Corps #29
Tomasi, Gleason, Geraci, Buchman
DC
Fill-in artist Patrick Gleason does a fine job here, I just wish he was a little more imaginative with the aliens, though that may not be his fault. This issue we learn the origin and mechanics of the Star Sapphires. I’m not sure which Green Lantern book is my favorite, but I like them both. There’s nothing ground-breaking going on in either of them, just solid superhero stuff that’s fun and not too heavy. One of the things both books get right is the spirit of freedom and endless possibility of the Green Lantern concept, even if that potential is never quite fulfilled, you’ll tune in to find out what’s next…
Hellboy: The Crooked Man #3
Mignola, Corben
Dark Horse
And so comes to a close this creepy little tale of backwoods hoodoo written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and illustrated by Metal Hurlant legend Richard Corben. Hellboy finds himself out in the Ozarks and decides to help hapless bumpkin Tom, who foolishly made a deal with local bogie the Crooked Man years ago. Some of the Hellboy offshoots are better than others, this one was great. It’s actually scary!
Okay, see you next Tuesday!
Today I start a brand new weekly feature, Word Balloons, in which I review the previous weeks comics, every Tuesday right before Wednesday, and we all know what day Wednesday is.
So without furthur ado, let's jump right into it...
Word Balloons
October 28 2008
Stephen King’s Dark Tower: Treachery #2
David, Furth, Lee, Isanove
Marvel
Peter David and Robin Furth return for their third series of Dark Tower prequels, rendered in moody impressionism by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove. I’m a fan of the Dark Tower series, so for me, this is wonderful stuff. This issue introduces Cort’s daughter, Aileen, and a look at the Order of Lady Oriza.
Stephen King’s The Stand: Captain Trips
Aguirre-Sacasa, Perkins, Martin
Marvel
Somewhat less essential for Stephen King completists, this adaptation is a pretty straight-forward re-telling of the novel The Stand. I like the art, which has a nice retro, adventure comic strip look to it.
Uncanny X-Men # 503
Fraction, Brubaker, Land, Ponsor
Marvel
I’ve been reading the X-Men since the Dawn of Nerf, so I’ve seen phases come and go. So far I like this one, it’s called Manifest Destiny. The X-Men have decided to grow up, become responsible Gay adults and move to San Francisco. It suits them. The mutant allegory can be used on many different levels, and Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker use it to great effect, mixing cop-drama action with 30-something angst. I know some people don’t care for Greg Land’s art but I can’t imagine why, his gauzy photo-realism lends a sense of maturity and gravity to the X-Men that works really well with the new direction. This issue Pixie faces down her fears, and introducing the deadly Chimera.
The Guardians of the Galaxy #6
Abnett, Lanning, Pelletier, Magyar, Guru
Marvel
Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning spin cosmic space epics, like Legion Lost and Annihilation. This one has Rocket Racoon and Groot!
The Amazing Spider-Man # 573
Slott, Romita Jr., Janson, White
Marvel
I’ve never thought John Romita Jr. was the best artist for Spider-Man – he’s too BLOCKY. But I have to say I did enjoy the New Ways to Die storyline. Spider-Man vs. Norman Osborn and the Thunderbolts is knock-down, drag-out fun.
Hulk #7
Loeb, Adams, Cho
Marvel
Okay, I confess, I bought this strictly for the art. Art Adams. Frank Cho. Sexy babes smashing into each other with big weapons. ‘Nuff Said.
Captain Britain And M13 #6
Cornell, Kirk, Delperdang, Reber
Marvel
Sure, Captain Britain is a cipher, but the supporting cast is interesting. Super-speedster Spitfire is a secret vampire, The Black Knight looks really cool in a leather jacket and Faiza Hussain is a religious Muslim trying to reconcile her strict familial homelife with the fact she’s been chosen as the wielder of the legendary sword Excalibur. This issue guest – stars Blade the vampire hunter. Uh-oh…
Daredevil #112
Brubaker, Lark, Gaudiano, Hollingsworth
Marvel
It’s a crying shame the movie was such a stinker, because Daredevil the comic has consistently been one of the best books out there of any kind for years. This Lady Bullseye storyline is better than it sounds, and I love supporting character Dakota North. Please don’t kill her!
Secret Invasion #7
Bendis, Yu, Morales, Martin
Marvel
The Secret Invasion Crossover chugs along. Do we know who the Skrulls are yet? Does anybody still care?
Superman: New Krypton #1
Johns, Robinson, Gates, Woods, Frank, Guedes, Sibal, Magalhaes
DC
When last we saw Superman at the end of Action Comics #870, he had defeated the megalomaniacal, planet-stealing Brainiac and rescued Metropolis along with the shrunken Kryptonian city of Kandor, but not without a cost, his adoptive human father, Jonathan Kent was killed in the conflict. If this all sounds familiar to you, it could be because it’s been a part of Superman lore for the past fifty years. But the retelling by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank has been enchanting. It’s a perfect example of DC doing what it’s best at, straight-forward superhero adventure stories with tight plotting and crisp art. Gary Frank’s Superman is a glowing tribute to Christopher Reeves, while Geoff Johns supplies real drama with his terrifying version of Brainiac. This one-shot special serves as an introduction to the upcoming New Krypton storyline, which picks up where Brainiac left off and will run through Action Comics, Superman and Supergirl. With Kandor now free and on located on Earth, a city full of Kryptonians means a city full of Supermen. I can’t wait for this!
Final Crisis #4
Morrison, Jones, Pacheco, Merino
DC
This is grim, apocalyptic stuff from Scottish writer Grant Morrison, as Darkseid and the nasty forces of Apokolips step on daisies, mangle baby ducks and generally bring da evil to your town. J.G. Jones art is stunning as usual, but the pairing seems a bit awkward, as if neither of their hearts are truly in it anymore, and we’re only 4 issues in, this series is supposed to run 7… I attended a highly psychedelic lecture by Morrison this summer at the Jacob Javitz Center at the New York Comic-Con where he was a guest of honor. He is a founding Vertigo writer and one of comics true weird minds.
Green Lantern #35
Johns, Reis, Albert
DC
I got my skeptical old high school Marvel Zombie buddy to start reading this book, and he loves it. I wasn’t so thrilled with Hal and Sinestro mouthing off to the Guardians like they were little blue nobody’s this issue, but that was a minor misstep.
Green Lantern Corps #29
Tomasi, Gleason, Geraci, Buchman
DC
Fill-in artist Patrick Gleason does a fine job here, I just wish he was a little more imaginative with the aliens, though that may not be his fault. This issue we learn the origin and mechanics of the Star Sapphires. I’m not sure which Green Lantern book is my favorite, but I like them both. There’s nothing ground-breaking going on in either of them, just solid superhero stuff that’s fun and not too heavy. One of the things both books get right is the spirit of freedom and endless possibility of the Green Lantern concept, even if that potential is never quite fulfilled, you’ll tune in to find out what’s next…
Hellboy: The Crooked Man #3
Mignola, Corben
Dark Horse
And so comes to a close this creepy little tale of backwoods hoodoo written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and illustrated by Metal Hurlant legend Richard Corben. Hellboy finds himself out in the Ozarks and decides to help hapless bumpkin Tom, who foolishly made a deal with local bogie the Crooked Man years ago. Some of the Hellboy offshoots are better than others, this one was great. It’s actually scary!
Okay, see you next Tuesday!
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Re: Word Balloons
Wed, October 29, 2008 - 3:37 PM
Stephen King’s Dark Tower: Treachery #2
Of the Dark Tower books "Wizard and Glass" (which is the book that the comic draws most of it's story from) is without a doubt my least favorite, mostly because it thought it was poorly edited. I think the comic, on the other hand, is turning out rather well. King's little helpers cut out grate big chunks of story for the first arc, not sure if that's good or bad for story, but if you consider the first vol. was just to give the comic a place to start, It starts to look like a pretty promising book, maybe it skipped out on some of "Wizard and Glass"'s cooler parts but it's still a pretty solid book. The art is, for sure, the book's greatest asset: if you haven't seen it, click here------------------------------------------------------------>www.marvel.com/news/comic...wer_Preview
Of the newest arc I'm hopeful but don't expect blown away.
This is what I'm hopeful for: Aileen will turn out 1) to be a well rounded character and not the cliche she appears to be and 2) The unexplained woman Rolland remembers in the in the hardpack dessert of the first Gunslinger short story (NOT the 2001 version ). The bulk of this arc will center on what ever it is that Rolland's father is doing.
This is what I expect: Aileen will turn out to be a cliche. The arc will focus on a romance between her and Cuthbert and will ether be dead before the arc is over or turn out the be Allie (think that was her name) of toll (she was in both versions of the Gunslinger: they had sex then he shot her). Rolland will escape form grapefruit dreamland just in time to blow his mom's head off for the climax or still be in grapefruit dreamland till the next vol. -
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Re: Word Balloons
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 6:36 AMHahaha! We'll see...
My favorite of the Dark Tower books was The Drawing of the Three.
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Re: Word Balloons
Wed, October 29, 2008 - 3:41 PMHaven't had an issue of Green Lantern forever. Been thinking of getting some back issues for awhile, any recommendations? -
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Re: Word Balloons
Fri, October 31, 2008 - 6:34 AMWell, they're doing a whole new story arc in the Green Lantern books now, so right now's a really good jumping on point. In the regular Green Lantern book they've been doing an Origins storyline telling the early story of Hal Jordan that's been really good. Green Lantern Corps. focuses on some of the other Green Lanterns like Guy Gardner and Kyle Raynor and some new alien Green Lanterns. Both books are pretty good.
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