A Shot of Reviews for 11-12-14

MPH #4

This book feels like a popcorn movie running on pure adrenaline. Mark Millar created this little world that has me enjoying the ride. 

Alex + Ada #10

Plain and simple, this is a love story. I looked all over for a Young Romance #181 and before turning it over to CGC for grading I read it. For the seventies it was exactly what a romance comic was meant to be. Alex + Ada is so much more. After ten issues I'm still hooked. 

Spider-Verse #1

I'm not sure if I like this one or not. The spider-verse story looks amazing, but this hodgepodge of pages seems nothing like what I've read before. I wish I would have passed on picking this one up. 

Superior Iron Man #1

Such a disappointment, but that's only because they should have waited until the AXIS storyline finished. Buy the book but wait until reading, at least until AXIS is over. 

AXIS #5

There were so many marvel crossovers throughout the years. This is the first one to me that is actually fun. 

Thor #2

If the first one was good, the second is better. Now that "she" has the hammer, what happens if she loses it?

All-New Captain America #1

I've been waiting for this and it does deliver. This issue is post AXIS and unlike the Superior Iron Man it won't ruin anything. It's only the first issue, but it has me looking forward to the second issue. 

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb 

A Sixth shot of Reviews (10-22-14)

As I collect comic books every week, both new and graded, I like to give you a quick review of what I bought.

The Wicked + The Divine #5

If you like the series, you'll continue to enjoy. Issue five might not give any answers but it will give you more questions. 

The Amazing Spider-Man #8

Ms. Marvel guest stars in Dan Slott's beginning of the end for Spiders everywhere. Do I dare say that he writes Ms. Marvel  better than G. Willow Wilson? After this issue I'm looking forward to issue nine, and Silk is officially in a costume. 

AXIS #3

I haven't seen so many villains band together since Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars. It is refreshing. I hope Magneto becomes all he should be and if I were a betting man, my money is on Doom. What I love best is I can read this series without needing to read everything else.

Starlight #6

Is this the end? Is this the last issue? If it is, it ended admirably well, but I hope not. If you like Flash Gordon of old, BUY THIS COMIC BOOK. 

Lazarus #12

I purchased the earlier issues to try something new. And even though I might not be ecstatic about every issue, I'm enjoying the setting. I feel that I'm watching a lit fuse and I'm just waiting for the fireworks to go off. 

Avengers #37

I love it that Bobby Dacosta purchased A.I.M. And Steve's reaction is priceless. I have enjoyed Hickman's run month after month. I just wish Marvel would get on the same page with each title, may more *notes. All in all, a great popcorn read. 

A 4th Shot of Reviews (11-Oct-14)

Amazing Spider-Man #7: 

Ms Marvel guest stars and reminds me a bit like when my lil bro met Stan Lee for the first time. Dan Slott continues to give me a comic title to enjoy month after month. 

AXIS #1: 

The first half of the book was better than the second half. I disliked only one thing. I wanted to see the Falcon as the new Captain America in his own series first. Rick Remender is starting this series off like a fight gone bad, like a kick to the groin. 

Thanos: A God up there is Listening #1

This is more about the son of Thanos than Thanos. If I would have skimmed through the comic before buying it, I would have passed. 

Imperial #3: 

I am truly loving this series. If there was a vote for best new series for 2014, this would be my pick. Bonus: no ads. 

Birthright #1: 

Please read full review...or better yet, buy the book. 

Avengers #36: 

There are so many confusing elements including Sunspot in charge of AIM, and telling Thor what to do. Not to mention Cannonball being a father. This comic book has fun written all over it. 

Sex Criminals #8: 

I can't say the issue slows down because it was a series that never picked up, it was always at a steady pace, like driving down the freeway at 65 mph. I have yet to read an issue I don't like. 

Black Science #9: 

This is a title I have to read twice. Cross dimensional travel can always be confusing much like living backwards. Black Science is one of those series that you have to start at the beginning with. Fortunately, the first issue is not expensive. 

Birthright #1: A Roundabout Review

Birthright #1

Produced by Image Comics 

Written by Joshua Williamson

Art by Andrei Bressan

Colors by Adriano Lucas

Nothing scares a father more than losing a child. A simple game of catch turns into what would be my worst fear. Aaron Rhodes loses his son in the park as his boy enters a heavily wooded area to fetch a ball gone long. In the first seven pages a year passes, effortlessly. The opening third of the book is dedicated to the father and the rest of Mikey's family, a family shown to be torn apart. 

The FBI  becomes involved when Mikey is found in a way no one could ever have imagined. Aaron, after being accused over and over again for murdering his son, was never charged. A body was never found. And we find out why in the middle of the comic book. 

So what happened to Mikey Rhodes after running for the ball? Where did the "hero" of our story disappear to when he was separated from his father during a simple game of catch? We find out the boy was transported to a far away land where time passed more rapidly, aging him. Once a missing boy, now returned, as a man. And this is where our true story begins. 

The cover alone is reminiscent of Art Adams mixed with Mike Mignola. Andrei Bressan draws phenomenally well, not just the everyday world, but a world of fantasy. And it is the story by Joshua Williamson that encourages me to read further. What brings it all together is the vibrant colors Adriano Lucas adds. 

Image keeps adding title after title to my pull list after I'm trying to cut back on titles I collect and I hope they don't stop. 

Thanks for Reading

4.5 out of 5 stars

A 3rd Shot of Reviews (10-1-2014)

Spider-Man 2099 #4

So far this is as much fun as the first issue. It cannot compare to the first Spider-Man 2099 from the nineties, because so far this series is so much better. 

Edge of Spider-Verse #4

The cover reminds me of the old EC books from the fifties. The interior, I imagined, mimicked the stories too. I have yet to purchase and read an old EC title to compare. 

Alex + Ada #9

This title continues to impress. 

Justice League # 34

This is the only New 52 title I still collect and it still proved to be worthy, unlike Thor, who can no longer wield the hammer. Geoff Johns is weaving not just a story, but a mystery; what is Lex Luthor after? 

Morning Glories #41

Imagine the TV show "Lost" as a comic book. If you liked the show, you'll like this. After 41 issues I might be lost, but I'm enjoying trying to be found.

Thor #1

Being a first issue is the worst thing about this book. All in all I must say, it is a must read. Too much happens in this to describe during one shot, I just might need to make it a double. 

Black Science #8: A Roundabout Review

Black Science #8

Produced by Image Comics

Written by Rick Remender

Art by Matteo Scalero

After six issues of a title, I knew if I would continue to collect or drop the title. As I grew older, I placed that limit to three. After eight issues, Black Science continues to impress. The story is never quick or slow. The art never overcomes or is underscored. The comic simply is that, a comic book. 

As a teen, I would look forward to the next month, almost not being able to wait the appointed time. I don't feel that way much in today's market and yet...dare I say, after reading issue 8, I can't wait until issue nine arrives at Fat Jack's, my LCS on Sansom Street. 

I don't know what's going to happen next. I can't predict it, which is enjoyable. Kadir, who sabotaged the project seems to be filled with remorse, Nate McKay, the son of Grant, is a bit more of a surprise as he defends his older sister, and the Shaman adds to the story. It seems his people didn't create the technology they use, they only adopted it into their culture. He explains it as Black Science.

The book has a mixed feel of Quantum Leap meets Space Family Robinson.  All in all, a really good book. 

4 out of 5 stars for the book

Imperial #1: A Roundabout Review

Published by Image Comics 

Written by Steven T. Seagle

Art by Mark Dos Santos 

Is this the best comic I've read all year?

The cover drew me in. I felt like a fish on a hook. The detailed simplicity reminded me of a Norman Rockwell painting. And after skimming through it, I placed it back on the shelf, picked up the rest of my weekly haul, and after realizing it was a light week, I went back and picked the best copy my LCS had off the shelf. 

When I finally picked up Imperial to read, I was only paying a portion of my attention to it. After I was done, I was in awe. The book was nothing short of phenomenal. I reviewed another Marvel title for The Next Issue Outpost and even though I felt that was a 4 out of 5, I was disappointed I didn't review this comic, because not only would I have graded it a 5 out of 5, I now feel it would be a grave disservice to pass on this title. 

In the nineties, I collected Image because I was afraid I might miss the next best thing. Now I collect Image because of the diversity. East of West, Black Science, Alex + Ada, along with Morning Glories and Ten Grand continue to entertain me month after month. My boxes are beginning to fill with great title after great title, alternating from the usual. And after deciding to not get caught up in a new series, I failed. Imperial #1 is the best new book out there. 

Thanks for Reading.

Fuse #1

Every week I go to the comic shop. If I'm delayed, it is only by a day. I have my choices picked before I even traverse the twenty some mile distance to my LCS, which is about 15X further than the one closer to where I live. As I walk around the store, grabbing for my weekly addiction, I will try something new once in a while. And Image Comics really wants me to try something new from them this week between the pages of The Fuse #1.

The comic book is fast paced and reads like a good television show feels. I was never one for Mysteries or whodunit shows. I wasn't a fan of Murder She Wrote or Sherlock Holmes, but I remember reading five minute mystery stories in elementary school that had me guessing. To say that The Fuse reminded me of those short stories would be a disservice to Anthony Johnston, it's more like the feeling of reading a mystery and trying to figure it out before the ending reveals all. 

It's only the first issue and some where 36000 km (22,469.362 miles) above the Earth there are some questions that need to be answered, predominantly that enigma that craves to be answered first is why Detective Dietrich decided to relocate to "The Fuse", second who's killing Cabler's, The Fuse's version of homeless, and third do I really have to wait a month for issue #2?

The Fuse was an interesting read, one that I only picked up because Image has continued to impress. This was no exception. I rate this a Very Fine/Near Mint out of a Near Mint.


Thanks for Reading

Is it Worth Ten Grand? A Roundabout Review

The Long of it:

I am trying to keep an open mind. I want to be able to try new things. I want to be captured and enthralled within the time it takes to read approximately 22 pages. I never picked up the Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman when it first came out because I wasn't into Zombies nor did I like black and white comic books. I never picked up Morning Glories either. This time I didn't have the Zombie black and white comic excuse either.  It was because I was biased against Image. I remembered how much they let me down in the nineties.

DC rebooted and I wanted to try many different titles but I chose two and am now at three. Marvel began their Marvel Now program, which as they say is not a reboot, but a perfect opportunity for New Readers. Marvel captures the majority of my comic book budget.  Image’s Whilce Portacio’s work on Non-Humans gave me the opportunity to purchase a digital comic book. Although this book is in print, this was the title I decided to purchase only digitally. Being that it was touted as a limited series I was only in it for four issues.

It didn't help that Comixology.com has sales every Monday. Other than certain Marvel issues being .99 they also occasionally have the same price for a three day sales event; allowing me to finally try issue #1 of Morning Glories, then issues two, but decided I would stop at issue three.

After purchasing all twenty five issues I figured I would stop and wait for the rest to be sold digitally and for .99. I figure I would have to wait until issue 50. Image surprised me by publishing issue 26 for only $1 and its digital counterpart for the sale price of one cent less. They conspired against me because how can you not pick two formats on a brand new comic book for the cost of a cup of coffee. Twenty seven was back at full price, and now Morning Glories is one of my monthly books to purchase.

 With more of an open mind East of West was picked up on the date of its release. Currently, issue three is waiting to be read, but Ten Grand captured me. I picked issue one up and looked through it. I put it back. There was enough for me today and Wizard World Philadelphia just had their convention this first weekend of June and garnished a good amount of my funds. I checked to make sure I had all the books I wanted, and the book called out to me again. The original reason I picked up the book because the title itself, the way it was written looked like it read Neil Gaiman. Maybe it was an omen.

I looked at the book again, this time issue two and the art by Ben Templesmith reminds me of Bill Sienkiewicz, an artist I hated when he first took over the New Mutants. Since I have aged, I have grown and learned to truly appreciate what a grand scope of an artist he is. The thought of not giving Bill a chance all those years ago and only buying it because of the Story Chris Claremont weaved, could I do no less for this tale from J. Michael Straczynski. Ironically enough, cover B of Ten Grand is from Bill Sienkiewicz, and what was even better at the end of issue one; there is a notation by Tom Mandrake for a future book called SideKick. At the end of issue two I get to see the original artwork I fell in love with splashed on the pages of my favorite hobby again.

I couldn't wait to get home. I read one other book first and made my way into Ten Grand. I was on the second issue before I knew it and began to conspire what to write. I sent out a picture on Instagram immediately to tell anyone paying attention that issue one and two are worth picking up. The scope of the story feels like the waves of the ocean as it flows up the beach; knowing the vastness beyond with the glimmer of the sunrise over the open sea are just pieces of what’s to come.

 OK Image, you have my attention, what are you going to do with it?

The short of it: WOW!!!

 Thanks for Reading

A Glorious Morning: A Roundabout Review

The long of it:

Image has been a small powerhouse originally taking a piece of the industrial pie from the major two, DC and Marvel. Of course when they were first created it was almost like they were a Marvel lite. Titles such as Spawn, Youngblood, and Wildcats were added to my subscription list. I was Well into my adult life when I had to stop collecting. Space became scarce and my purge of possessions ended with the majority of my comic books. After my reclamation to the comic market I picked up my favorites based on memory. Image was not part of that process. I never jumped on the Walking Dead band wagon and still haven't, mainly because I'm not a Zombie Fan. I even skipped a few other decent stories due to the lack of money but now that Comixology has specials every Monday for .99 I have found it to be a glorious Monday indeed.

Stuck on a slow day at work I decided to purchase Morning Glories #1 and Son of Merlin #1. The following issues of the Son of Merlin were subsequently higher in price so I passed, as much as I enjoyed the premiere. Morning Glories however had issues one through twenty five all below one dollar. I have picked this up in Fat Jack's, skimmed through it, and passed on purchasing the book. At ninety nine cents I vowed to only buy the first one, then I vowed I would only buy the first story line. I didn't abide by that either. After reading a full nine issues at work on my iPhone and another nine issues at home I plan on getting to the last issue I have. But, then what? Will I continue to collect at the full retail price or wait again for a sale?

The artwork is clear cut and easy on the eyes. The story is J.J. Abrams-esque by giving flashbacks with the characters mainly involved. Nick Spencer is spinning a tale that Joe Eisma articulates very well. The covers alone by Rodin Esquejo are tantalizing that purchasing copies graded by CGC are weighing heavily on my mind and I wonder why I didn't skip a cup of coffee or two just to purchase the book...ok I know why I didn't skip coffee.

I picked up another Image title dubbed Non-Humans to figure out if I want the actual comic book or just the digital rendition. My decision was once that series was over I would stick with a Comic book I could hold in my hand and only get the digital copy if it came free with the comic book (thank you Marvel, but please have Daredevil added back to that mix). However, at .99 cents how could I pass on getting the whole series available.

The short of it:

Get the series by trade, back issues, or digital, but buy this title to read.

Thanks for Reading

East of West: A Roundabout Review

The long if it:

I must admit it has been a while since I picked up an Image book. I recently have tried Non-Humans, but only in a digital format. And although I picked up a copy of Walking Dead #100 chromium cover variant, it was strictly to have it signed, graded, and sold. I accomplished this. The last books I believe I actually picked up from Image were Spawn, around the 180's and they were for my son.

I walked around my LCS in center city Philadelphia picking up my usual books when the bland looking western cover "East of West" series caught my eye. With my Age of Ultron, Aquaman, and a few other Marvel titles waiting to be purchased I skimmed through this last minute impulse buy. It was enough to spend my $3.50. 

A short walk later and I was in a crowded El with the raunchiest smelling commuter. Thankfully when he asked if this was the Broad Street Line, I happily said no. He exited and I had room to begin reading my weekly haul. I started with my unexpected pick up "East of West".

A lot of books are read so quickly now substituting images for words that I wonder if substance has been replaced with something a bit more processed. Comic books are a medium that should entertain, especially with an average of $4 a book. For years I have always read what I thought would be the best book last, after reading this I realized this book should have been anything but first. In fact when I get through the other handful of books I purchased, I think I'll read this one again? 

The short if it:

Did you miss out on the Walking Dead #1? I'm not saying that this book will reach the financial status Robert Kirkman's undead walkers have achieved but with as strong as this number one was, I look forward to getting a Chromium edition of issue #100 as well as the journey getting there.

Thanks for Reading