Comics! Peter Panzerfaust #2

Peter Panzerfaust #2

Co-Creators:
Kurtis Wiebe: words
Tyler Jenkins: pictures

The Solicitation
"THE GREAT ESCAPE," Part Two
With Calais in the early stages of occupation, Peter and the boys discover a squad of captured British soldiers. Seeing an opportunity to get a ticket to London by saving them, they engage in a dangerous game of espionage that ends with a deadly showdown.

Preview

The Story
We start out with old man Tootles talking with the shrink, who I begin to suspect is actually Peter in some way.  Back in occupied France, Peter and the gang are trying to escape away from the soldiers that are surrounding them. We get some more explosiveness to allow the art a chance to show off. We also get a possible foil to Peter's leadership role from Felix, who seems a bit more eager to kill than Peter.

I get from this issue that Peter is more the let's have fun type and kill only if necessary. Felix seems more soldier like and just wants to kill them all. I like this dynamic and I think it will be interesting to see where this goes in the future.

Just when we think everything is good and Peter and the boys got away, the boat they are on gets hit. End of issue.

One thing I am finding odd is that the voice over from Tootles only comes in the beginning of the book and at the end. It would be nice to have it happen occasionally in the book, or just not to have it at the end.

The Art
More backgrounds in this issue, which I liked. I am a little bit surprised about the choice of not having that much blood in this comic. Flipping through again and seeing how many times people are shot and the only time any blood is shown is when someone has some coming out of their mouth a bit. Weird choice, but interesting to note so far.

There are also some panels where cigarettes seem to come out of nowhere and into people's mouths. Like when Felix kills the soldier. He walks up and there is clearly nothing there, but when he shoots the soldier on the ground then there it appears.

The Cover
Now this looks like the start to a cover that should have been on the first issue. Seriously, this one screams more of a Peter and the Lost Boys kind of look to it. You can easily distinguish who the leader of the group is with Peter because he is the only one without a gun.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 7/10
Recommend: Yes, this is getting better for me with each issue and it gains the ground it wants to establish. Highly recommended to give it a try.
Buy Next Issue: Already bought it, so I'm sold!

Previous Issues
Peter Panzerfaust #1

Comics! Batwoman #8

Batwoman #8

J.H. Williams III & W.H. Blackman: writers
Amy Reeder: penciller & cover
Rob Hunter: inker

The Solicitation
Six lives moving through different points in time, all heading toward a crossroads. Batwoman faces gnashing teeth, claws and otherworldly powers. But can she defeat the villains of Gotham Harbor? Maro, an arcane wizard, harnesses violent magics to create the vile creature known as The Hook. Kate Kane struggles with living multiple lives and how that affects her relationship with Maggie. Detective Maggie Sawyer transports a double agent named Sune.Jacob Kane still holds onto hope for a life that he so desperately needs in his.DEO Agent Cameron Chase covertly aids Batwoman in abducting one of the villain Falchion's inner circle.The creative team's unique take on spy stories continues!

Preview

The Story
Focus. Half of this book can just be thrown out the window. We don't need this comic to be following six stories. It brings the pacing for all the stories down and dividing it into 6 different parts makes no sense.

We start off with Batwoman confronting all the scary monsters that are being led by...someone. I forget. Honestly, I don't care for this part of the story because I don't think it has been explained at all why this confrontation is happening. Its like dividing up the climatic scene of a movie and playing it throughout the beginning, and weaving in about 4 other side stories.

After a two page fight scene we jump to the story of the guy with the hook for a hand. You know, the guy who's origin we needed way back in issue #1. Or at least some sort of clarity of who the person was back when he sliced up Flamebird.

Then we get Kate's story where she is being coerced into dating her girlfriend more.

Next is Batwoman trying to get someone who is held under police protection free.

We check up on Flamebird and Batwoman's dad in the hospital where he thinks that she moved her hand, but the doctor thinks that it was an involuntary reflex.

Cut back to Batwoman with the now freed prisoner.

Then cut to Batwoman fighting the weird guy from the beginning of the story. Then the freed prisoner appears shooting arrows at the evil guy. End of issue.

Fuck this story format. If this was being written by someone who I fully entrust having the writing chops to pull it off then I would be all about it. I don't see that here. Maybe this will read better in some sort of collected edition, but for now I just want to run away and cry.

The Art
Its decent. Floating panels everywhere. Some characters appear to be missing body parts at time (how is that cop positioned; is Batwoman holding his crotch or something?). I get the strange feeling that this story just isn't a good fit for this artist.

The Cover
THE best thing about the comic. Seriously, I love that cover. I hear that Amy Reeder is leaving the book as the interior artist, but I wish that she could stay on for the covers. I've enjoyed the covers greatly.

Grades
Words: 2/10
Pictures: 5/10
Recommend: Nope. Not at all.
Buy Next Issue: Three issues in a row of just crap. Bye bye Batwoman.

Previous Issues

Comics! Green Lantern #8

Green Lantern #8

Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Doug Mahnke
Inks: MArk Irwin, Ketih Champagne, Christian Alamy & Doug Mahnke

The Solicitation
"Secret of the Indigo Tribe" Part 2! On the Indigo homeworld, Hal Jordan and Sinestro are trapped, powerless and on the run – with the entire Indigo Tribe in hot pursuit! Their situation grows even more dire when we learn the Indigos' deadly secret! Plus: Why Indigo-1 is so interested in Hal's predecessor, Abin Sur?

Preview

The Story
Remember last issue that was pretty much a recap of all previous knowledge of the Indigo tribe? This is part 2 of that, with crazy Hal Jordan escaping from jail hijinks.

Seriously, that "secret" that the solicitation says is revealed? Nada. I don't see one here.

We start off with Sinestro fighting back becoming an Indigo Tribe member. Then we flip to Hal Jordan talking to Black Hand, which deserves a WTF stamp. We know that the Indigo Tribe can harness the power of all the users if they are within range of them. Before they were never able to access willpower, or so they said. Black Hand does just that, and Hal Jordan takes the moment to put his ring that Sinestro forged him against Black Hand's forehead to charge the ring.

A couple of problems with that action there. First off, I thought that when Sinestro's forged rings ran out of power they just disappeared, which means that Jordan should have no ring. Let's skip that point. I also didn't think that Jordan could power up the ring by placing it on Black Hand's forehead and shouting his oath, mostly because I thought that only Sinestro could power up the rings he forged. And just what does it mean to access a part of the emotional spectrum? Does that mean you can charge the rings or that you can just use the power? It isn't really explained and it seems to be built based upon what Johns needs to get Hal out of a situation.

At least when Hal powers up the ring with Black Head's forehead, it doesn't fully charge the ring and the ring doesn't have all of its abilities. So now that Jordan is out on the run, he comes across a statue of Abin Sur. I guess this is when the big secret is revealed that Abin Sur saved all of those in the Indigo Tribe. That he created them. Honestly, I thought that was already common knowledge, unless that's just me being able to read it online somewhere and not in the comic.

The final page is a picture of Sinestro in Indigo Tribe set up. Behind him is the reflection of who he was before he became a member of the tribe. The same goes for all the other members of the tribe in the picture.

This issue just disappointed me. This seems to crawl at baby steps to try and tell us the story of the Indigo Tribe. Honestly, I would think that by the second issue we would get some sort of new information.

I really didn't like Johns' way of getting Jordan out of trouble in this issue. I just rolled my eyes and wondered why. And then spend half the issue dealing with Jordan and his escape. Bah.

The Art
The art is consistently good as per usual. The team of inkers on this one included the main artist himself. I must say that the opening sequence with Sinestro beating the member of the Indigo Tribe was awesome. Definitely had a creepy vibe to it.

Outside of that, most of the comic only had bars and lines for backgrounds throughout the rest of the issue. Made it feel very empty.

The Cover
Honestly, with the title boxes and everything, it just looks like Hal and Sinestro are running from some circular light behind them. The light source behind them definitely gives a subdued feeling with the rest of the cover, which matches the way of the Indigo Tribe.

Honestly, if the idea behind the two on the cover is that they are powerless and on the run, like the cover says, why are they in full costume? Wouldn't a fading costume or tattered costume give a better impression of that?

BTW, the cover I got does not match the cover here. The cover here looks much better. The cover I got has the Indigo Tribe symbol behind the two with some sort of ground thing that they are running on.

Grades
Words: 6/10
Pictures: 7/10
Recommend: Eh. Skippable middle part of the story. Next issue will be ok to pick up and skip this one.
Buy Next Issue: I guess. My retailer is only getting the Combo-Packs though. Hopefully I can get a copy of the regular edition next time because I don't want to pay $3.99 for this comic if it drops in quality every other month.

Previous Issues

Comics! Peter Panzerfaust #1

Peter Panzerfaust #1

Co-Creators:
Kurtis Wiebe: words
Tyler Jenkins: pictures

The Solicitation
“THE GREAT ESCAPE,” Part One
The city of Calais is the first city in France to fall to the Germans in the spring of 1940. A mysterious American boy named Peter rallies a handful of plucky French orphans and they must work together to survive Europe’s darkest hour. 
From the writer of the critically acclaimed GREEN WAKE and THE INTREPIDS comes a new ongoing series: PETER PANZERFAUST, a high energy action story that blends Red Dawn with Peter Pan.

Preview

The Story
Let's talk about making a comic where the basic concept is Peter Pan fighting Nazis.

And I'm sold.

This works as a great first issue. We see that the approach of the story is being told by an old man who turns out to be one of the "lost boys." He is telling the story of how he and some other orphaned boys all were in France when a bomb fell on their orphanage. And that's when they met Peter.

We get more or less a classic version of Peter and how the lost boys work. Peter tries to convince the boys that they need to hide until the Germans are defeated. To do this they will have to remain in hiding. I imagine they will be having some grand adventures as they do so.

We get basic character introductions and a few moments that are classic Peter Pan moments. This story reeks of fun times ahead, and I'm falling for it.

The Art
This is where my problem is with the book. Everything is heavy with shades of brown. At certain points all of the lost boys look almost alike to me. There isn't really too much to distinguish them from each other save for Peter who has a very distinct look. Once I get past that hump, its not too bad.

When I flip through the book, I get really confused as to what is going on. Rooms seem to be built like the inside of a TARDIS. The transition form panel to panel seems weird. At times backgrounds seem to be lacking and objects are there one moment but not the next. I'm liking the story, but the execution of the art could use a little bit better direction.

The Cover
I got the second printing cover. You can't tell from this cover that its Peter Pan in WW2, and I would think that is what needs to be expressed on the cover. You do get airplanes in the back, but you don't know who the guy is. Hopefully if this makes it to a collected edition then it will be changed.

Grades
Words: 8/10 Nice concept and it has me hooked.
Pictures: 6/10 Needs help, but can get better.
Recommend: Definitely give it a try. Its an excellent way to change up the telling of Peter Pan.
Buy Next Issue: Already done!

Comics! Animal Man #8

Animal Man #8

Jeff Lemire: writer
Steve Pugh: artist, p.6-20
Travel Foreman: pencils, 1-5
Jeff Huet: inks. 1-5

The Solicitation
"Animal vs. Man" Part 2! Buddy takes a stand as the horde of Rot-infested animals continues to grow and close in on the Baker family. But the results are disastrous, setting up a chain of events that may lead Maxine right to the Hunters.

Preview

The Comic
Maxine says that the rotten things are there. Sure enough, the RV is surrounded by the creatures infected by the Rot. Maxine then thinks that she can fight the creatures and get them to stop. She can't.

That's right, this comic opens with the Rot feasting on Maxine. And it doesn't let up from there.

This comic has got turns and surprises all along the way. I really think that just about anything can happen in this comic, and this comic goes down some dark roads.

Don't worry about Maxine though, she "jumped bodies" into some other creature and morphed that creature back into her normal looking self. Apparently this is supposed to be an ability that she will develop eventually, but she is apparently a fast learner.

Let's just say that the reaction by everyone else in the comic is justified after what just happened. But instead of taking this time to leave, they stand around and talk. Animal Man heads off to a nearby town to try and stop the animals. He picks up the ability to fly and tries to lure the animals that way. Then some crows get infected with the Rot and eat him.

The last page has Animal Man speaking with the voice of the Rot.

Damn this comic is good.

The Art
There is another shift in the art again this issue, but the styles stay very similar. From what I understand, Travel Foreman will be leaving the title soon, which is a shame. But if Steve Pugh keeps up the style he has going, then this book will continue to run at a high level of excellence.

The Cover
There is something about the background being the solid red and the gray tones of the rest of it that just seems off. It catches my eye, but in a way that just throws me off. I like the idea behind what they were doing, but the color choices just seem off to me.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 9/10
Recommend: Highly. This book is still something that first time readers to the comic will enjoy. But if this isn't your style in the first few pages, then this book won't be for you.
Buy Next Issue: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

Previous Issues
Animal Man #7
Animal Man #4 - #6
Animal Man #1 - #3

Comics! Spaceman #5

Spaceman #5

Azzarello and Risso

The Solicitation
The epic new series from the team who brought you 100 BULLETS continues! Orson is in way over his head, trying to do right in a world gone wrong. Now, a mysterious man from his past is about to make things much, much worse.

No preview available

The Story
Orson tries to take the kidnapped child into friendly territories, and it backfired. The cliffhanger from last issue is resolved quickly, but the trio of would be kidnappers keep on the trail. They use a version of Twitter to make it a game to track Orson. Instead of Orson, they find another Spaceman.

Meanwhile some producers of the TV show are trying to track down the kidnapping and make some ratings out of it. Then they realize that they have a Spaceman mixed in with the situation, which is apparently not too good.

This story is told in the typical Azzarello style, meaning that you have to be very familiar with the characters and story that is going on or you'll need to go back and re-read it. This will be much better when it has multiple issues in a row to deal with.

Knowing Azzarello's style, it makes me wonder how he is going to be writing the Watchmen prequel books. His style can be good, but I think his sense of minimalism writing is going to be an interesting way to deal with the Watchmen books.

The Art
It's Risso, on par with what else he has done art for. Love it, or hate it. I personally like it.

The Cover
Kinda cool with the sketchy-ness around the bottom half. I wonder why this wasn't done with the other outer areas of the cover. Not too interesting, and probably the weakest cover of the series so far.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 9/10
Recommend: Only if you have the previous four issues.
Buy Next Issue: Only four more to go, and the series has been enjoyable so far. Sticking with it until the end.

Previous Issues
Spaceman #4
Spaceman #1-#3

Comics! Fatale #4

Fatale #4

Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

The Solicitation
The surprise hit of 2012 continues! FATALE's first arc veers dangerously toward its crushing end... all the pieces are in place, Josephine and her lover are prepared to execute their plan, but only one of them knows what kind of men (or demons) they're dealing with. Nothing will go as planned, and there will be blood. 


And remember, FATALE is packed with extras - text pieces, art, paintings - that are only included in the printed comics, so don't miss an issue!

Preview

The Comic
Hank pretty much gets to know the meaning of police brutality. For Walter's part in it, he gets a visit from Jo. All Hank wants to do is visit Jo. Instead, he gets drunk and gets a visit from the cult people from yester-issue.

Seriously, its difficult to describe the story in this comic without giving much of it away. For that then, I think the next issue will be the last one that I review, but that I will keep on buying. Let's play the game of rate a trio of issues or rate a story line instead of reviewing each one. Basically, each review has been the same. Great intriguing story, and great art.

The Art
Ditto from the last issue.

The Cover
Another character profile shot. I love the use of red to contrast the rest of the cover, it really makes it stick out when its on the comic shop rack.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 9/10
Recommend: Yes. Get it, I'm tired of describing how good it is. This will definitely fill up your appetite for noir material.
Buy Next Issue: Sold!

Previous Issues
Fatale #3
Fatale #2
Fatale #1