Revival #12

Revival #12 

Story by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton w/Art Baltazar

Preview and Solicitation

Review
This was just another phenomenal issue of Revival. As much as it tries to play for the single issue, I am beginning to see more and more how this is something that needs to be read multiple issues at a time.

This comic has such a large cast of characters and deals with so many plates at one time that it is difficult to really jump into the book mid story. Simple things like name checking characters is helpful to keep up with who is who, and the art is consistent and delivers with every issue in telling just as much of a story as the written words do.

The guest art taking up the spots in the comics where Dana is reading her son's comics is a nice touch. It is that and the other small, human moments that really hit home, like when the little girl is describing the way she returned to life. It helps to show how everyone in this small town is going to be included, and that means people from all walks of life. This comic is as much as an intimate portrayal of small town life as it is with the more fantastic elements that are coming out of the story. This issue definitely feels like a set up issue or the first part of a new story arc. You can see where the story is setting itself up to go next, and it is just hitting all the right notes.

The cover by Skottie Young is very deceiving. It makes the comic look like it will be all about kids meeting these aliens creatures as they play with some toys. But it is an innocence that the book quickly takes away from you. Although I did find it enjoyable seeing old He-Man figures with the human and the Star Wars figures with the creature. There is just something that feels very symbolic with those toy choices.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Me wants more.
Buy Next Issue: Can I get a hell yeah?!?!?

Prophet #37

Prophet #37 

Giannis Milonogiannis: story and art

Preview and Solicitation

Review
For what it is worth, this issue of Prophet is very much a self-contained style of story that delivers what you would expect out of the comic. Sci-fi, craziness, and a clone fighting whatever steps in front of him so he can complete his mission for the greater war.

Milonogiannis has an art style that reminds me of Rob Liefeld's sometimes pencil sketchy, unfinished, rushed look. He has had previous issues of Prophet under his belt before, and taking up the full story and art on this issue serves him well. Aside from the "unfinished" style of his art, I would have expected this comic to fit right in with any previous ones.

It was interesting seeing the contrasting story of his in the back up that went without colors. Comparing the two is interesting, as I can't really decide which one I would prefer to see. I think the added coloring brings about a much more appreciative look at his work that makes the story more complete in the end.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Let's go exploring.
Buy Next Issue: Hells yea.

Judge Dredd Classics #1

Judge Dredd Classics #1 

Writers: John Wagner & Alan Grant
Artists: Mike McMahon & Ron Smith
Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Yea, I'm just not liking this format for Dredd.

While it is nice seeing the older stories in color, it just doesn't have the same impact for me as the Complete Casefiles editions of Dredd. Take the page layout as an example. In order to maintain the right page ratio, the bottom couple of inches on the book have this footer thing throughout the book. I can understand doing it to keep the look of the comic in tact, but it takes away from seeing some of the details in the words. Words are smashed together and if they are in bold, good luck trying to read it.

Seeing it in color also doesn't bring too much to the story for me. And why start off with this "classic" tale if you skipped ahead a few years and don't start with the very first Dredd comic? It seems like a wasted opportunity to me. Not to mention that for a "first issue" of the series, this really isn't much of a jumping on point. You really have to know who Dredd is and what the world of Meg City One is like.

For the price tag, I just don't think it is worth it. I can spend four times the money and get something that contains hundreds of more pages if I wanted to have some classic Dredd. There won't be any color in it, but I think that is something that can be left out for some classic Dredd stories.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
General Feeling After Reading: Hungry for more, but left with nothing.
Buy Next Issue: Nah. I'll wait out the trade or just get the Complete Casefiles.

Batman: Li'l Gotham #4

Batman: Li'l Gotham  #4 

Written by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs
Art and cover by Dustin Nguyen

Solicitation & Preview

Review
I've enjoyed the Batman Li'l Gotham series since it first came out in on digital. It is a fun break from all the craziness that the regular Batman series can get, and I am a big fan of keeping Damian as Robin and some of what feels like the old DC universe character traits in tact.

Li'l Gotham is a concept you have to appreciate and come at with a sense of fun, otherwise it will be a big let down. And honestly, the stories and art are wonderfully put together. The only issue I've had with this series, other than having bought it first in digital and now it is slightly more expensive in the print version, is that the art has a distinctive pattern of being cut off mid page. Scan each page from top to bottom and you will see where the digital screen layout cut off and the digital page ended. It isn't a bad thing, just noticeable.

There are little details you have to appreciate in this story. Like the fact that the video game controller that Damian is playing with is reminiscent of an 8-bit Nintendo controller followed up by the Atari controller. The fact that Batman is this very brooding character and Damian is the one that comes off as colorful is a nice balance. Including Lobo in an all ages book, which is just a sight that gives me a laugh. All in all, a good book to enjoy by taking it at the light-hearted approach that you can.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Aw, shucks.
Buy Next Issue: I'm game for this E-rated.

The Walking Dead #112

The Walking Dead #112

Robert Kirkman: creator, writer
Charlie Adlard: penciller, inker, cover

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Damn that was good.

It can be hard at times, especially in this issue, when Rick does something so stupid without any thought to the outcome.

That is a major downfall of his character - he is still living in the moment as opposed to looking at the larger plan. Sure, he had his big breakthrough a while back and thought more positively about things. He has even arranged a huge plan with other tribes to go after Negan. But what does he do when he thinks a chance to come up and kill him arises?

Negan was right this issue - Rick is one stupid fucker. But I'll be damned if there is anyone who quickly flipped through the two page spread of Rick looking like he pulled the trigger on Negan. The next page after that - that was a work of art. Seriously, the pacing for that moment is something that Adlard should be proud of. That was something that turned the tide for this issue, and the art beautifully sent it there.

Notice that the two page spreads in this issue were the moments when Rick and the crew really were put against a wall. Damn that art was gorgeous.

So how does one get out of this situation? It is like there is one big chess match going on between these people, and Rick is always the one quickest to move. Sadly, that means he doesn't have the right planning. In actuality, Negan is the master chess player here. I'm pretty sure we will see the day he goes away, but not before some serious, serious damage is done to the crew.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Wow, what a dumbass.
Buy Next Issue: Done.

Ghosted #1

Ghosted #1 

Joshua Williamson: writer
Goran Sudzuka: artist
Miroslav Mrva: colorist

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Ghosted takes a very interesting premise and intrigues me. Strangely, this is a comic where the plot seems more interesting to me than any character in the story.

Let's not mince words, I think it is the intent to have a main character that isn't very well liked. I just don't feel any sympathy for the character as his actions outside of jail seem to indicate what kind of person he was before, and that he probably deserved to be in jail.

In that regard, I really feel like there has to be a catch or something coming up for Jackson T. Winters, our main lead. There is too much time devoted to him in the story than to the quick intro of the other characters that it makes me feel like something is up. Only time will tell.

The art by Sudzuka isn't too shabby. The book reads at a very well done and paced manner. Each panel contains enough details and backgrounds that I don't feel like there is a pose off going on between the characters. There is depth there, and a way to help guide the eye from panel to panel.

This series seems to me like it will be a very fast paced book. Something akin to the hits will keep coming and coming, if the pace of the story in this first issue is any indication. This is one of the recent Image #1s that I've read of late that I'm thankful I picked up, but I am a little hesitant in moving forward. There is an interesting premise here that I wonder if it is more a send off to an Ocean's Eleven type of movie, or going to be courted to Hollywood as the next type of Ocean's movie. There is a fine line there and I would rather see creators take advantage of telling a story in this medium as opposed to prepping it here for the jump to the big screen later.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
General Feeling After Reading: Intrigued.
Buy Next Issue: I'll be down with a three issue try.

Chew #35

Chew #35 

Written and lettered by John Layman
Drawn and coloured by Rob Guillory

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Chew just doesn't know when to stop.

Issue #35 takes us into the final chapter of Bad Apples, in which you finally see Tony winning. Friendship takes precedence, and there are some family heirlooms that are begging to be eaten.

Chew has had such a great run for me. Now you can start to see little things that were adding up from the beginning of the series make there way into this issue. It is the kind of thing that makes me want to read this book again from the beginning. In one shout out, there is mention of flight 815 (Lost) that helps to add to the impression that things were planned from the beginning.

For as much as Layman has done with the story, Guillory really deserves equal credit for the artwork. The guy is amazing and has a couple of well timed panels that just hit home and definitely shows that you cannot have the story of Chew based on the words alone.

And seriously, nice shout out to Saga with Olive's shirt in this issue. Now there is another series that should be having the next issue coming out soon.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 10/10
General Feeling After Reading: Aw. (the last page really hits you)
Buy Next Issue: Until the final one.

Batman #22

Batman #22

Scott Snyder: writer
Greg Capullo: penciller
Danny Miki: inker
Back up written by Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Solicitation & Preview

Review
On my first read through of the book, I came away thinking that it wasn't too bad. Snyder managed to impress me with a decent second issue into the series, much like in the same way that The Wake did. It was only through the course of sitting down and really thinking about the overall series that it brings a lot of plot holes to mind for me.

First up is the idea that Bruce Wayne jumped out of a window of a blimp and the Red Hood gang still commenced searching for him throughout the aircraft. Why would they need to keep searching for him? And are we really being led to believe that in that scuffle when Bruce's mask was taken away, and again when he was wearing the handkerchief over his face, that no one recognized him? I know that he is supposed to be dead at this point, so we do get some leeway, but there has to be points of reality sneaking in somewhere here.

Then let's go to Bruce being outed as alive by his uncle. The press just accepts this as the truth? I just don't buy that.

Part of telling a story set in the past is that you can't have situations that put one of the main characters in danger. We know how ti turns out, so the ending where Bruce's apartment is blown up really doesn't leave me wondering if he survived or not. What bothers me is that somehow the Red Hod gang knew exactly which apartment Bruce was using. Sure, they may have gotten the address from when Bruce told Red Hood where to take him in the taxi, but they couldn't have known exactly which one was his.

Like any story, there are flaws here. But is there enough entertainment to make me overlook those flaws? on the art side, yes. I'm a fan of Capullo and the last page where the bats chasing Bruce was awesome to see. But the story is just lacking something that excites me.

Grades
Words: 6/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Another round, please. This time put the alcohol in the drink.
Buy Next Issue: It's Batman, so yeah.

East of West #4

East of West #4 

Jonathan Hickman: writer
Nick Dragotta: artist

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Here is my "problem" with East of West: I can tell this is a comic best appreciated when taking it all in at once. So while the monthly appearance of it on my pull list is enjoyed, I am finding that I always have to play catch-up with it each month.

Is that a good problem, or what? Once we get past that nonsense, this book delivers in a big epic scope that truly takes a couple of reads to fully appreciate.

The thought just occurred to me that there is one excellent way to describe the writing: how Brian Azzarello should write. Azzarello is very sparing with putting words into character's mouths, and all the characters have a way of sounding the same. While the characters in East of West might not sound too different at times from each other, Hickman manages to capture an always pleasant play on words with each character without resorting to ending the page or panel with a character cut off in mid sentence only to have the rest of it finish elsewhere in a punny manner.

The art is a little tricky for me in this issue. Usually I enjoy every detail of each panel, but for this issue I was a little weird-ed out. I say that because it opened showing the grandness of where the battle for the issue will take place. It looked like a lot of room for the characters to wage war. Unfortunately, each of the following pages made the battle seem really up close and personal, which lost a big of the grand scale that this was supposed to be for me.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, but it just didn't have that feeling of scale that I thought it showed at first. There were some interesting framing and panel work done in this issue that showed the expansiveness of the individual violence, but there weren't too many times I felt I was one a huge battlefield. Granted, this is essentially an army versus 3 other characters, and maybe that was part of the reason for it being so up close to me.

I think this book will be one that I will enjoy more from when I get it in trade, which will probably happen after the first trade comes out.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Whew.
Buy Next Issue: Where will it go next?

Sheltered #1

Sheltered #1 

Co-created, written and lettered by Ed Brisson
Co-created and illustrated by Johnnie Christmas

Solicitation & Preview

Review
There is a lesson to be learned from what you teach your children. You try to teach them right from wrong, truth from fiction. But sometimes, consequently, they take things in the opposite or unintended direction than what you wanted.

Welcome to Sheltered.

This comic is great. Seriously. I highly recommend getting it and buying a copy for a friend as well. Don't believe me? Then download it from Comixology once Image puts the first issue out for free, then get the trade, then keep on getting it.

The comic delivers another excellent first issue from Ed Brisson, who I first saw in the Comeback limited series from Image not too long ago. Once again we have a nice introduction to characters, an excellent premise, and enough intrigue at the end to keep me hooked as a reader.

The art isn't exactly to my tastes, and it did take me a couple reads to get into it. The framing of each panel and layout for each page is spot on and easy on the eyes to follow. There is a slight awkwardness I feel with the art, but each character is expressive, unique, and backgrounds aren't just a solid color.

It will be interesting to see how this series plays out over the next couple of issues. It has a great setup that I think can only be brought down by leaving reality with these characters. You can tell already who will be the more grounded out of the kids left behind at the end of the issue, and you can tell who will probably be stepping up to challenge the new leadership and present future conflicts for everyone.

Let's see what happens next.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Excitement.
Buy Next Issue: Added to the pull list, now to see if it stays.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles New Animated Adventures #1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles New Animated Adventures #1

Story: Kenny Byerly
Art: Dario Brizuela

Solicitation & Preview

Review
This is a different beast than what comes from the other Turtle title each month from IDW. Bear that in mind as we head through this.

With my familiarity with the Turtles, this isn't too bad. Now I haven't seen any of the new cartoon series that this comic is based on, so there are some tiny details that I am missing. First is knowing that April is training to be a ninja. Another is that Donatello is falling for her. The third thing that sticks out is Donatello's missing teach.

It isn't to say that not knowing the details behind these differences break the comic, but there is the sense that if you have seen the TV show then a lot of this will tie in and will be a great continuation of the world they are building. There is still a lot of entertainment to this issue in case you haven't seen it, but it still requires being knowledgeable about the typical Turtles lore and who is who.

Raphael still looks like the fighter with a temper. Leonardo is still the leader. Donatello is the brains, and Michelangelo is still the pizza loving one. And go!

I was told that the tone of this comic fits in with the show, and if that is so, then I must check out the show sometime. It seems fun and definitely has a style to it that is interesting. But is it worth the price of admission for some more turtles stories? I'm not married to the idea, but this issue does pack a punch and I would recommend it to anyone who has seen the show, wants to get a kid into comics, or if you are just a Turtles fan.

If I wasn't picking up the regular TMNT series, I would get this series instead if I wanted that trip through Turtle Nostalgia lane.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Worth it, but full.
Buy Next Issue: Nah. But this might be worth checking out in trades later or finding them in the discount bins.

Five Weapons #5

Five Weapons #5 

Created, written, illustrated, and lettered by Jimmie Robinson

Review
There isn't much that I can say about Five Weapons that doesn't end with this being an awesome book that you must check out.

Jimmie Robinson has outdone himself and created a world that I would be happy to read month in and month out. Thankfully, this limited series is blossoming into an ongoing. Although, I almost wonder how well it will do as an ongoing. I could see five issue chapters per story, but a regular ongoing just doesn't seem like a fit for a book that came with a good premise each issue.

There are twists and turns in this story that continue to delight, but doesn't bring much surprise. Some I expected but I was still plenty entertained throughout.

This book is regarded as an all-ages book, and I gotta say that despite the violence that is in it, there is much to be said about the story showing that there are other was beside violence to resolve conflict. The best thing about the book is that it could easily be translated into a children's movie, and totally work.

The comic shop probably doesn't have all five issues available, so put this on your list of trades to get. This is a comic that would serve as a great introduction to people of all ages as to what can happen in a creator owned book.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 10/10
General Feeling After Reading: Belly full of goodness.
Buy Next Issue: When the ongoing starts in January, I will be there.

Batman Incorporated #12

Batman Incorporated #12

Grant Morrison: writer
Chris Burnham: artist

Solicitation & Preview

Review
I jumped into the Transmetropolitan series about 1/3 of the way through it. Enjoyed it thoroughly until the last few issues at the end. But with time and perspective, I've been able to enjoy them.

The problem with the issues towards the end is that the comic started going full steam ahead towards the ending. It wasn't necessarily pacing itself for the individual issue, it was looking at the more broad strokes of telling the completed story at the end.

That is where this series is now for me. Everything is just building up for the finale and there are too many beats still left to go. Yea, we will have our individual moments that should come shining through and have an impact, but I think you have to wait you can read all the issues at once to really appreciate the scope of the comic.

For me, the key to this issue is that I am still entertained by it. There were a couple of points that helped to have things make a little more sense, but there is still a trick or two that Morrison will have that will throw a wrench into everything.

But overall, and this is key here, I am still entertained by the story. I don't have that feeling of being committed to the series because I've been following it for so long so now I have to finish it kicking and screaming. I'm still looking to be entertained and to get some enjoyment out of it. A second read through of the series once it is finished might bring about a different opinion, but for right now, I am satisfied.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Skeptical, but hopeful.
Buy Next Issue: Let's see how this bad boy ends.

Satellite Sam #1

Satellite Sam #1 

Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Howard Chaykin

Solicitation & Preview

Review
I'm trying to remember any Matt Fraction books that I've picked up before, and I think I am only limited to some Daredevil comics from after Brubaker's run ended. Nothing about it really popped for me from that book years ago, mostly because after Bendis and Brubaker, well really how can you top that?

Howard Chaykin is a familiar name, but again I can't just place any titles to the name nor can I come up with some cover images he has done that stick out in my mind. But the cover, and the concept of the show, grabbed my attention. Since I hadn't really gotten into either of these creators before, I decided to take a stab at what this book could bring.

My initial reaction is that this book isn't too shabby.

The initial issue hit all the points that I like about issue number ones in regards to setting up the characters, having a great overall plot, and include a hook that makes me want to come back. in all those regards, the book did fairly well.

There is just something about this comic that is intriguing, and I can tell that there is some talent there to carry the weight of the comic's premise without going too far off the deep end. If the next issue is able to pull off a stunt like how the producers of the TV show the comic is following did, then I think that this book will be one to watch. It is almost like this comic had a nice setup, but is saving the big reveal and surprise for the second issue.

I think keeping the art colorless is a really nice choice. I can see where adding color would be helpful in some areas, but I think the tone of the comic matches the black and white approach.

This is a comic I would add to a watch list. I think it make take two or three more issues, but that is when the fireworks will really start to fly with everything. I think I'll stick around for a few issues while it does this, but if I don't see something that really registers with me by  issue 6, then I think it will be one story arc and then done.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Reluctantly optimistic.
Buy Next Issue: I'll check it out for now.

Detective Comics #22

Detective Comics #22 

Written by John Layman
Art by Jason Fabok
Art by Andy Clarke

Solicitation & Preview

Review
I'm kinda surprised about this issue.

Let's make it clear - that isn't a necessarily good surprise. There are elements of the story that just seem repetitive. Take the main story - I get that this Caldwell guy is supposed to be some sort of mirror image of Batman, but it just comes across as predictable and boring. That really hasn't been something I've used to describe Layman's writing before.

I mean come on, isn't it obvious what the connection is between the villain and Batman? And the art is good enough, but not good enough to distract me from the story. The art serves it's purpose for this issue, and that is about the only way to describe it.

The back up is much better and more entertaining for me than the main story. We follow Man-Bat as he figures out that his wife is helping to cover for him and to try and take over his research. It is a sorta twist on the last story line with Penguin's number one help covering his tracks but really wanting everything for himself. This time it looks as if the help is trying to make things better and include the helped in on things.

I don't know. This issue just really felt like sub-standard stuff for me. Just like the Dark Knight title, i wonder why should I care about the comic and pick it up. Unfortunately this comic is headed towards that area and is in major need of some excitement.

Grades
Words: 5/10
Pictures: 5/10
General Feeling After Reading: Meh.
Buy Next Issue: I suppose, but I'm hopeful for a twist of some type of some sort of improvement.

Jupiter's Legacy #2

Jupiter's Legacy #2

Mark Millar & Frank Quitely: writer, co-creators, artist

Solicitation & Preview

Review
I'll admit that I cheated a little and read the first two issues of this series back to back. Looking back, that is the way this series should be read.

The book itself isn't too bad. I enjoy Quitely's work and Millar has had a couple of hits for me. For the most part, I just felt like the comic was very shallow in a way. The characters felt generic and the story had some cool moments, but even now I struggle to really remember much of it.

I get the same sense for this book like I do for a lot of Brubaker and Philips' work on Fatale - I know it is good stuff, but for some reason it just doesn't excite me. So as far as a full on review goes, I really can't do it.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
General Feeling After Reading: Blah.
Buy Next Issue: I will see if the third issue changes my mind, otherwise I may just not move forward with it.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #23

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #23 

Story: Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, & Tom Waltz
Script: Tom Waltz
Art: Mateus Santolouco with Dan Duncan, Ross Campbell, Andy Kuhn, Ben Bates, & Kevin Eastman

Solicitation & Preview

Review
I hate the old "brainwashed" addition to any story. What is the point of it? Are you just trying to have your hero character do bad things and have an excuse that "hey, they were mind controlled at the time, so it don't count" shtick?

More or less, character become brainwashed in an instant or off panel. The only reason while I have some respect for Leonardo's brainwashing in this issue is because it was done it a way that is tasteful. We actually go through the brainwashing with him, which is why this instance of brainwashing the hero gets some respect from me.

Kitsune, who performs the brainwashing of Leonardo, acts upon the insecurities of a teenager burdened with too much responsibility. It starts to make logical sense why Leonardo would chose to side with Shredder towards the end of the process. I also liked the fact that we got past turtle artists to cover the brainwashing parts of the comic where we go inside Leo's mind. For an incident where Dan Duncan wrote the original story, he comes back to lend art duties for the altered version of that scene, and so on and so forth with the other artists and their respective scenes. It was a nice touch and felt like there was a level of detail and respect given to the previous artists.

It is really hard to pick out which artist I enjoyed seeing more from this issue. Each double page spread of goodness was just thoroughly enjoyed.

In reading this issue over and over, I wonder if the brainwashing really worked or not. Yes, Leonardo called Shredder "master," but for all intents and purposes he could have felt like he was waking up from a dream. So will there be any permanent hits to his psyche?

City Fall has been bringing the hits along, and it has only been two issues. This makes me excited for what may come next, and it really makes me wonder where the story will go if it keeps getting turned on it's head like it has been the past two issues. Either way, I know I will be along for the ride.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 10/10 - so many bits of goodness.
General Feeling After Reading: Flabbergasted.
Buy Next Issue: In a heartbeat.

Judge Dredd #8

Judge Dredd #8 

Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Nelson Daniel & Antonio Fuso

Solicitation & Preview

Review
I've been reading the Complete Casefiles for Judge Dredd for some time now. They are every Judge Dredd story ever made and put into one nice, big book. After reading a couple of them, I have seen where the story in the new IDW series gets a lot of influence.

And I'm really enjoying it.

This issue doesn't really feel like a conclusion to a story arc. About the only thing it really does to wrap things up is to explain why the robot uprising happened. In that regard, the story is just beginning as we jump into the next story arc immediately.

Let's focus on that back up for a minute. The back ups in this book have continued to really show the world around Dredd, and this issue makes no exception. There is just a general weirdness and flexibility with the story that you can go into when you think of deranged mutants across a hostile wasteland. The use of this particular mutant's "abilities" or "insanity" was nicely done and show not only through words but through the artwork.

There is a fast pace to the story telling within Dredd that becomes more evident to me as I read the comic and the older comics. It is a pace that is hard to nail down correctly, but is something that Swierczynski does in spades. And Kudos to Daniel for making each panel count. It is a pace that reminds me of a Chew comic where the story grabs you and takes you along for this insane ride that moves along faster than I can predict an outcome. That is the sign of a story that intrigues me and will keep me coming back each month.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Give me more!
Buy Next Issue: Shut up and take my money!

Batman/Superman #1

Batman/Superman #1

Writer: Greg Pak
Artists: Jae Lee (1-18)
Ben Oliver (19-25)

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Mind controlled heroes fighting each other before teaming up. Insert named artist who only does the first 18 pages and has someone else finish them in a style that distinctively different than the main artist.

Dull. Boring. Predictable. Some pretty pictures, but not enough to warrant making this on the pull list.

This is only, what, like the 20th "first meeting" of these two characters?

Aside form Jae Lee's art, there really isn't much of anything that this issue has that makes me want to keep on buying it. You have a guest artist on the first issue to help finish things up is a sign that you shouldn't be on a monthly book. Each page where the heroes appear looks to be a set up for a poster of the character. While not a bad thing, I can't imagine that a whole book of poses like that would sound good to carry a whole book. Then again, it seems to do wonders for Jim Lee.

Actually, one funny thing to note is that this comic included something that I would have left out completely - sound effects. There is enough being told in the art itself, when the heroes aren't posing, that you don't need to cover it up with giant letters for a sound effect.

Greg Pak has never really hit me as a writer. There just hasn't been a story that he has done that has really sold me on a book that he has participated on. It doesn't make him a bad writer, but using stereotypical superheroes fighting each other tropes on the first issue of a team up book is a terrible choice.

Grades
Words: 4/10
Pictures: 7/10
General Feeling After Reading: Bored now.
Buy Next Issue: Negative.

The Wake #2

The Wake #2 

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Sean Murphy

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Well, things just went from mediocre story to WTF IS GOING ON!

But in a very, very good way.

Sometimes you need a couple of issues to really sell the story, which is why I will typically have a three issue rule for any new series I want to try out. I would have kept with this book beyond that simply for Murphy's artwork, but now the story has me a little intrigued.

And really, it is only because they blew up the moon at the end of the book. Seriously. That better not be a dream sequence or anything, because that was pretty cool.

It really doesn't feel like a set up to Sphere in this issue. The story is starting to branch out on its own path and I'm thankful for that. the artwork would have kept me going, but the story is the key in this issue.

I find it funny that I see little bits of paneling or looks in the characters that remind me of Punk Rock Jesus, Murphy's creator owned book. Thankfully, those are just fleeting moments and we are able to get into some art that is miles different from PRJ.

And if you ever want to see how a colorist can influence a story, take a look at Matt Hollinsworth's work in this issue. Murphy's art gets a nice balance with the level of color work that really, if it was missing, wouldn't be the same story. Trust me, I would still buy the original artwork in a heartbeat, but it might not be a match for the finished product. Just try to extract the colors from the story and see if it could still be seen the same way.

My one hope is that Snyder doesn't travel into familiar territory in the next issue. It is weird to think that he is starting to become a hit or miss writer for me. He used to just be on top of things, but here lately it has become a little stale. This issue was a breath of fresh air.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Feeling good and thinking WTF.
Buy Next Issue: Most definitely.

Lazarus #1

Lazarus #1

Written by Greg Rucka
Art and letters by Michael Lark
Color by Santi Arcas

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Review
Well that is an interesting start.

I have to admit that this book didn't quite have a huge hook for me. It was good, and I am a huge fan of the art and the story, but it seemed like it was missing something.

Rucka and Lark were a dynamic team with Brubaker back in the Gotham Central days, and I've been missing Lark's artwork for some time in a book that I would read. This issue doesn't disappoint. There is just something about it that fits with this story. Having flashy superhero stuff isn't always a good look for Lark, outside of something like the Bendis penned Daredevil back in the day. Grounded isn't the right word to describe it, but it is definitely something close to that.

The world that Lazarus is set up in seems like a sorta generic setting for a dystopian society. There didn't seem to be that something that made this stood out of the pack and gave it a feel like it might turn into a generic plot for an 80's movie. But i trust this creative team. I know we will get some great character work and the art will shine along with it.

The blurb on the inside front cover definitely helps to give everyone a setting for the story. There are some topics that are discussed in the main book itself, but that blurb was what hooked me and really sold me on the world that the characters would be in. Nicely done.

If this issue was done by some other creative team, I think I would find it boring and walk away after this first issue. But it is Rucka and Lark, so I know that something good has to be coming in the book, and I hope to see it soon.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Not excited, slightly hesitant.
Buy Next Issue: Let's see where this one goes.

The Malevolent Mr. Burns #1

The Malevolent Mr. Burns #1 

Gail Simone, Mike Kazaleh, Ian Boothby, Chris Houghton, Nathan Kane, Tone Rodriguez, Andrew Pepoy, Dean Rankine, Karen Bates

Review
While I don't read the regular Simpsons comics, I am a huge fan of these one shots that come out quarterly spotlighting various characters. This issue featuring Mr. Burns happily carries on the tradition of a great book with some spot on stories.

I think my favorite story was the second one that spotlighted some history on the hounds of Burns. Specifically, the story is about his first hound, Nipper. Nipper matched Burns in just about any way possible with being a runt and all. Surprisingly, it was Burns' intelligence that saved the day.

While a lot of the artists might not be showing their own style here, there is a great consistency from story to story that gives it the feel of having had one artist drawing the entire issue. It would be interesting to see some original takes on the characters with an artist's individual style, but there is such a distinctiveness to these characters that I think would be lost if shown in a different light.

This issue's insert of special goodness was a cut out mask for a Batman type parody featuring Mr. Burns complete with a letter from Mr. burns that provides some added humor to the mask. If it weren't for that letter, I don't think the mask would shine nearly as much as you would think.

The next issue focuses on Lisa, which should be interesting to see. I know that if it keeps of with the level of goodness that this issue has had, then there should be no worries.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 10/10
General Feeling After Reading: Jubilant.
Buy Next Issue: Bring on Lisa!

The Flash #21

The Flash #21 

Francis Manapul: co-writer and artist
Brian Buccellato: co-writer and colorist

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Review
Oh, I see what you did there - calling Kid Flash so damn "impulsive."

Har. Har. Har.

Quick issue recap - two people run around for an entire issue doing nothing while the big bad Reverse Flash comes in for a page or two and kills someone.

I feel like the issue ends in the same way it started - not knowing much more about anything. Flash evens admits in the first few pages that he knows Kid Flash isn't responsible for the killings. So then why chase after him? Flash says that he knows Kid Flash is hiding something, and that his police instinct is telling him so.

Let me tell you a little something - police instinct only works in Hollywood and works of fiction. Strangely enough, it doesn't really do much to reveal more about Kid Flash if you haven't already been reading Teen Titans.

There was a lot of talk about Kid Flash taking Flash's name without asking in this issue. But no other reason was given for why he took it. Just for Flash to "get over it." Is that a message to fans? Maybe, maybe not, but I would have to really think hard about why Kid Flash didn't call himself Flash and why did he put the title "Kid" in there as well.

That "conversation" between the Flashs (Flashi?) take up a majority of the issue. We then are surprised to see some pages devoted to some subplot that feels like it has been building at a snail's pace with Daniel West. Iris gets a mention. And then we are treated to more murders on the part of Reverse Flash.

Here is a stat for you - the guest star in this issue had more pages and time to show his character in this one issue than Reverse Flash has had in the past three issues he has appeared in. So when I wonder what the problem is with this book, I will point to that at first.

Grades
Words: 3/10
Pictures: 5/10
General Feeling After Reading: Disappointment.
Buy Next Issue: Regrettably so.

100 Bullets: Brother Lono #1

Brother Lono #1

Azzarello, Risso

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Review
Well, maybe I should have finished 100 Bullets. Maybe.

As a first issue, the book does the job it should do, in a way. Let's not mince words, Azzarello has a style and Risso have a style and they are sticking to it. Personally, I've just been burned out by it. It happened when I was reading Wonder Woman and I just wanted something a little more from Azzarello. Even reading Spaceman from this creative team had some limits for me.

This feels like work that has a lot of potential to be really great, but the creative team is just at the minimum requirements table. This is something I've said about Azzarello before, and I think it is starting to take it's toll on how I view Risso.

Risso has some great visuals, which is really helpful in tackling the lightness of Azzarello's script. Maybe there is more that Azzarello puts down for artist notes that I'm not taking into account, but all his character's text sounds very interchangeable. Insert panels from the original 100 Bullets series and see how the characters come across as very predictable and formulaic.

It is just painful to see something that has so much potential just not care enough to put more on the page.

Grades
Words: 4/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Deflated.
Buy Next Issue: Nah, I'll get the eventual trade. Maybe.

Animal Man #21

Animal Man #21 

Jeff Lemire: writer
Steve Pugh: artist (1-7, 10-13, 16-20)
Francis Portela: artist (8-9, 14-15)

Solicitation & Preview

Review
What if Twitter attacked a comic book? That is the question you get at the beginning and end of Animal Man. For me, it hit some right notes as well as showed some foreshadowing to the rest of the comic. So, pretty much right on with how Twitter is in real life.

Animal Man's world collide as his agent tries to push a more public profile for him just as he is still recovering from the death of Cliff. It is a nice setup that pushes the story forward ever so slightly, if only in the regard that we are moving away from the crossover elements from Rotworld.

This is a story that I think Lemire is still finding his voice on. I see the steps moving forward, and I am curious as to where it will go. The visual display of the Tweets really do make for an interesting commentary and was nicely done within the art.

My only issue with this comic comes with the art, actually. It is another guest artist coming in to fill in for some pages. While at times it does seem appropriate, such as when Max goes to the Red, the times when Pertela is in the 'real world' are just very off from the rest. Look at the layouts from that one page where Buddy is visiting the crazy cat lady. It is just riddled with world balloons. Things just don't feel as smooth and I bet a different layout could be used for the sequence that would cut down on the exposition or allow another way to make the words fit.

Animal Man survives to live another day on my pull list. I heard that there are rumors to an upcoming artist change for the book, which may serve well enough to give the book back a distinctive art style that is consistent from page one to the end.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
General Feeling After Reading: Intrigued.
Buy Next Issue: Living to be read another issue.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #21

Red Hood and the Outlaws #21 

Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Julius Gopez
Thumbnails by Ken Lashley

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Review
You know, Red Hood isn't sucking it up.

That's is about what I can surmise from this issue and the direction that the series has taken since Tynion took over writing duties. It can be a little wordy at times, and the art feels inconsistent from issue to issue, but it isn't too bad.

One thing that I absolutely didn't like seeing was Hugo Strange. As a classic Bat-villain, I just wanted a little more realism to his classic look. here he seems to be as fit as can be, and I just see Hugo with at least a pot belly.

There is an introduction of sorts to another major Bat-villain as well, and I must say that it makes sense to include him in this book considering how Jason came back to life. But with the introduction to this character, we get a lot of assassin types showing up, and they all seem to be very colorful characters themselves. I'm sure that more will be explored in that area, and I'm not entirely against the idea of them appearing.

I still feel like Tynion is finding the character's voices in this series, but there has been enough progression from issue to issue that has kept me on board. I was just excited to see someone other than Scott Lobdell on the book, and so far there has been some pay off.

The art had thumbnails drawn by someone else other than the main artist. That is a rare credit that I see in comics. In fact, the last time I remember seeing something like that was when J.G. Jones did it for the 52 weekly series. This also isn't the first time that Gopez has had some assistance with art duties in some regard in this series, which to me is a telling sign that either he can't keep up with the monthly pace, or he doesn't know what he is doing. This book obviously isn't a huge selling book each month, so there is some leeway to give some experience to someone who needs it, but I want to start to see some improvement sometime soon.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 5/10
General Feeling After Reading: Intrigued.
Buy Next Issue: It continues to hit the pull list for another issue. Good sign.

Mara #5

Mara #5 

Brian Wood, Ming Doyle, Jordie Bellaire

Solicitation & Preview

Review
This should have been issue #3.

The comic continues to move at a snail's pace. Thankfully, where the writing has taken a very slow, somber pace, the art and colors more than make up for it.

The only reason I am continuing to pick up the book is because it is a limited series and I just need to see how it ends. Honestly, from the way things are going, we are going to get an ending a la 2001 A Space Odyssey where Mara becomes a star child or she pulls a Dr. Manhattan. Either way, color me bored with the story.

Maybe I'm just bored of seeing what happens when ordinary people get all powered up and the world reacts to them. Maybe I expected more from Brian Wood. I didn't expect to read a decompressed story that sounded very interesting at first but has taken a complete nosedive from there.

I know I try to recommend more indie stuff to people, but this comic is very skippable. Which is sad, because Wood should have done more with the story to really have Doyle and Bellaire shine more. They are both great, but Wood could have really given them something better than this.

Grades
Words: 3/10
Pictures: 7/10
General Feeling After Reading: Tired.
Buy Next Issue: It will be the last one.

Batman and Batgirl #21

Batman and Batgirl #21 

Peter J. Tomasi: writer
Cliff Richards: guest penciller
Mark Irwin with Mario Alquiza: guest inkers

Solicitation & Preview

Review
There is just something about Batgirl that I'm not liking. She just comes off as a whiny, depressed person. I thought it might have just been how she is portrayed in her own book, but Tomasi pretty much nails the same feel that I got from Batgirl's book with this comic.

I just don't understand why the story took that path that it did. The bargain that this story refers to involves Batgirl offering to take up the Robin mantle. That just isn't something that comes across as genuine in this comic, or just for how I would expect Batgirl to act. Yes, Barbara wants Bruce to get over his grief, and she does have some insight into how the Robin role works within the Batman/Robin relationship, but the offer just rings hollow.

In the pages before the offering, we get a glimpse into the world of Batgirl and why she doesn't have her symbol on her chest anymore. For the most part, she came across as a very doubting, very weak character. From what I get, Barbara sees the Robin role as a step above what she is doing. But it shouldn't be that, she should be her own person, much in the same vein as Nightwing or Batwoman works.

These guest characters issues have been a little hit or miss for me. So far, this has been the one I enjoyed the least. not only are we missing Gleason's wonderful artwork (although the guest team doesn't do too bad, they just aren't Gleason), but I haven't really seen Batman's path to getting over Damian make a move in any direction. Unless the steps are so small that I can't notice them unless I read multiple issues in a row, it is just starting to feel like we are having a tour of the Bat-supporting characters in a book that is better than that.

I just want to make a side note that Batman's gloves in this comic come across at times like the gloves worn by Jean Paul Valley in the Knightfall story line. Was it done on purpose, or is that a bigger thing? Also, between this comic and the regular Batgirl series, I think I just am not a fan of the New 52 Batgirl.

Grades
Words: 6/10
Pictures: 6/10
General Feeling After Reading: Bah.
Buy Next Issue: Catwoman is up next, so this ought to be interesting.

The X-Files Season 10 #1

The X-Files: Season 10 #1 

Story by Joe Harris with Chris Carter
Written by Joe Harris
Art by Michael Walsh

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Yea, I'm game for this book.

I was a fan of the show from way back when. I haven't had the time or inkling to re-watch it on Netflix just because I think I'll find it horribly dated. But brand new adventures in comic book form with an artist I like? Now this is something I can get into.

This series has a clever way of scaling back things to keep the feel of the early years of the TV show. No big alien plans of grandeur or anything like this, let's keep things simple with a nice set up and execute the story well.

There are a few points of creepiness that the art really sells for me. One is the look on the little girl's face as she talks with Scully and the off-tilt with her head just hits that button that activates the hairs on the back of my neck to stick up.

I read through the book with the eye of a new-comer to the series and let's just say that even though it says Season 10 on the cover, this is a story that does a great set up and hits all the points that it needs to when informing readers of who each character is and what runs their motivation.

I'll give this to Joe Harris as well - I easily heard each character's voice as I read the story. Between the vernacular and just the rhythm to their words, I felt very much like this is a great continuation. Throw in the great artwork by Walsh and this book honestly couldn't have been better. This book is easily going to be added to the pull list.

Grades
Words: 10/10
Pictures: 10/10
General Feeling After Reading: Bring me more X-Files!
Buy Next Issue: Definitely.