Comics! The Quick & The Read: Rotworld Part 2

The Quick & The Read: Rotworld Part 2

Animal Man #14 

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist, Interiors & Cover: Steve Pugh
Penciller (pages 1, 2, 13-16): Timothy Green II
Inker (pages 1, 2, 13-16): Joseph Silver

What I Liked
Writing about these two issues since they are covering the same "world."

We get to see more about what happened to the previous heroes, but wasn't that just the same thing as before? Aw well, still entertaining.

And kudos to dividing up the art in the correct fashion. Showcasing two different worlds and using two different artists for each one makes sense and is the proper way on how to do a fill in artist spot.

What I Didn't Like
Seriously, still feel like we are spinning our wheels here with this story. If this is supposed to be over in four parts, then we need to get to the halfway point and it still feels like this story is starting. And introducing Grodd into the story at this point? It better be because he is turning into an ally, otherwise it is just filling up space.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 8/10
Buy Next Issue: I guess. And that isn't how I should be reacting to this book at this point.

Swamp Thing #14


Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Yanick Paquette

What I Liked
I seriously feel like I can hold these two books up to one another as the stories and everything are still pretty much the same. That is a kinda cool feeling and nice way of showing how much all the collaborators are working on the books and overall story.

The art, even though it was done by one person, still had the feel of a different style when the stories to the past were featured. That is a nice attention to detail that I love to see happen.

What I Didn't Like
Again, I just felt like we are spinning the wheels here. The one difference is that this book featured a character that is making an appearance in the "past" setting of the other book. So it really connects the two, but then makes me scratch my head still at Grodd coming into the story in Animal Man.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 8/10
Buy Next Issue: I guess. And that isn't how I should be reacting to this book at this point.

Comics! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #15

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #15

Story: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz
Script: Tom Waltz
Art: Andy Kuhn

The Solicitation
Something has escaped Stockgen labs and is hunting the Turtles. Its unrelenting and deadly force compel the Turtles to question how far they'll go to defend themselves... and stretch the brothers' bonds to the limit!

Preview

Why I Bought It
This Turtles series has been getting on my "meh" side lately. Hoping that one of these issues will turn things around a bit.

What I Liked
Well, this issue picked up a little in the art department for me. Seriously, I like Kuhn's take on Specimen 6 - aka Slash - quite nicely. And Slash also gets a great intro this issue as well. Which is kinda strange, because you usually see this type of set up in one of the Micro-Series, but I guess since the Micro-Series only spotlights the heroes then we can assume that Slash isn't going to be friendly with the Turtles. And indeed he isn't.

This issue has less of an "Eastman" feel to the art. We get different page setups in and layouts that differ a lot from previous issues. From Slash's 9 panel grid of getting a Turtles mask, to the double page spread of 12 paneled goodness, this issue really breaks from the pack with the settings. And this makes me want to see what the pencils alone looked like for this issue. I don't think the trick with the flashlight as the only light source really works well if this was a black and white comic, and I'm thankful that this series is colored.

What I Didn't Like
The scene between Splinter and Casey Jones was supposed to be funny. And I get it, but it just felt very forced. To the point that I caught myself rolling my eyes at Splinter's apron.

The cover I got had a bunch of crime scene tape all across the top and bottom of the issue, and it had a red background to go with it. Honestly, it looks a little bit like an eyesore. It is so loud on the eyes that it makes the title and credits at the top of the comic just disappear. I tired to visualize what colors might work with this setup but there just isn't a combination that I can think of that would pull it off correctly.

I also don't get Slash's motivation and what he has against the Turtles. He puts the mask on as a way to sorta look like them and seemingly fit in, and then attacks them right away when he meets up with them? Is this part of his crazy persona?

Panel to Remember
I like panel number 4 on the double page spread of the 12 paneled pages. It is Leonardo holding a flashlight right into the face of Slash and Slash's look is just right on. The art was done great on that panel.

Quotable
"Here." - Slash announcing his presence.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10 - But Slash was a right on 10/10.
Buy Next Issue: I'll keep up with the Turtles, but this is starting to get worrisome and into the territory of bland.

Comics! Flash #13

The Flash #13 

Script & Cover by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art by Francis Manapul

The Solicitation

• “GORILLA WARFARE” starts here!

• Gorilla Grodd’s army attacks Central City, and The Flash is forced to team up with the Rogues!?


Preview

Why I Bought It
Well, the past couple of Flash comics haven't been too bad, but I am a Flash fan to the death. i will buy it regardless.

What I Liked
I like the idea of a Gorilla invasion, and I like the idea of the Rogues helping out the Flash or teaming up with him or whatever. This comic did tangle with that story, and it worked to a degree, but not one that I liked that was one display with previous issues.

I find it a little funny that Grodd could be the possible creature to inherit the speed force. It is a nice concept that does at least justify the gorilla's attack, and Todd's ruthlessness is shown when he takes a piece of the Trickster with him. If anything, that will at least change Trickster into something similar to the new Rogues Gallery where each one incorporates their power into their body.

What I Didn't Like
I know that Glider has some cool new powers, but what exactly are they? They seem to bend to whatever the story needs it to be right now, and that doesn't leave any room for the power to last that long outside of the story. I can kinda see where it could go, but a little more explanation of things is needed in order to get the idea across.

I think that this book works best when we focus on one story at a time. Trying to juggle between a couple just feels messy all around, especially at the beginning where who knows when that will be developed any more. I think Barry Allen has been dead for more issues than he was ever alive. So yes, insert some more Barry Should Be Dead jokes here.

And it is looking more and more like Frye will turn out to be Barry's dad. Unless Turbine is just delivering a red herring. Either way, it is just lame to me.

Panel to Remember
I'll go with the part where Trickster gets his arm ripped off. That was a moment, and although the characters looked very "posing for the camera" in the shot, it was still an excellently done panel for what it needed to show.

Quotable
"Get your stinkin' paws off me!" - Yea, Planet of the Apes was quoted in this book. The lazy writer went for the easy reference, a smarter one would have enhanced it.

Grades
Words: 5/10
Pictures: 8/10
Buy Next Issue: Yea, but not because I want to.

Comics! Maggie #1

Maggie #1

Words and Art by Sergio Aragones, Carol Lay,Patric M. Verrone, Max Davison, & Mike Kazaleh

The Solicitation
Our Simpsons One-Shot Wonders continue with a special issue, featuring everyone's favorite boss shooting, bear pacifying, mallet wielding, preschool rebellion leading, nail gun riveting, unibrow hating, infant language translating, Bobo cuddling baby, also known as the Gem Child, God's chosen instrument of peace and goodwill to Springfield. Prepare yourself for the exciting and heartwarming adventures of the littlest and savviest Simpson of them all: Maggie Simpson! Featuring a variant wraparound cover by Sergio Aragones and a little something extra!

No Preview

Why I Bought It
A one-shot featuring Maggie? Who wouldn't want this?

What I Liked
I always appreciated Maggie as the Simpsons character that was probably the most intelligent. It makes it difficult for me to like any story involving Maggie unless that smartness is explored, or just like in South Park, the character's immaturity and age show through and they are just themselves. It is a fine line to balance a story on, and thankfully each comic within these pages manages to find that balance.

It has been a year that I've been following these one shots that Bongo has put out for some of its characters. And in each book it has just been loads of fun for the price of admission. It has been a nice break from the regular reads, and I always walk away with a smile on my face. That says something about a comic when that happens. And the back page that is a maze, that is just priceless!

There is also a great sense of consistency among each of the stories. Yes, there are some slight art differences, but the characters themselves have maintained who they are from the first issue of Ralph Wiggum that I picked up to this book. Kudos to the creators for that.

What I Didn't Like
These special bonus inserts and surprise inside makes things a little difficult for me, mostly because I want to mess around with them but that mean ruining the comic to some degree by getting them out from within the staples. Maybe some day I will find the comics in a quarter bin and then I will get my moment of fun.

Panel to Remember
The very last panel showed a victorious Maggie after outsmarting Bart. she has a smile on her face that matches mine at the end of the book.

Quotable
"Ptui!" and "Ptoi!" - Both signs that Maggie doesn't like a pacifier.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 8/10
Buy Next Issue: Professor Frink is next, bring it on!

Comics! Talon #1

Talon #1 

Plot by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
Written by James Tynion IV
Art & Cover by Guillem March

The Solicitation

• A new series spinning out of “Night of the Owls”!

• After many years on the run, Calvin Rose returns to Gotham City to investigate the fallout from “Night of the Owls”!

• Can the Court of Owls finally be defeated? Could Calvin have the one thing he’s been seeking his entire life: his freedom?


Preview

Why I Bought It
Like most new titles, I give it three issues to really sink my teeth into it and see if it has legs to stand on. Let's see how the second issue (which is strange to say about a book with  a big #1 on the cover) of this series goes.

What I Liked
This is a decent story. It does everything that it needs to as a first issue. And if you missed the last issue, no worries here, this one recaps almost everything. Name checks are given, motivation for characters are spot on. We even get a little bit of a taste of what the big bad enemy has in store for our main character and what kind of fights we could be having in the future.

Effective establishing. Decent art. Very well suited as a Batman book, but I'd be weary of bringing in Calvin Rose to the main books for team-ups.

What I Didn't Like
My big issue with this character and the whole Court of Owls centers around the fact that I have read this before, except it was called Azrael the first time I saw it. I think the similarities will just stick with me and make it hard for me to read the book without seeing it. A trained assassin breaking free of the programming that a secret cult bred him with. That's Jean Paul Valley's story in a nutshell, and that shell is shared by Calvin Rose as well.

There is potential here for the personality and character of Calvin to be very different from Valley. Calvin seems to be more certain of himself and his abilities, which is something that Jean Paul was lacking all those years ago. So again, there is potential, it is just hard for me to see it right now.

Panel to Remember
Pick any one of Sebastin Clark's panels. The man's face looks like an owl's face, and I don't think that is coincidental. Although, if he is simply using Calvin to gain power in the Court of Owls, then it will come across as entirely predictable.

Also, kudos to the "Zur En Arh" spray painted on the subway walls. Makes me wonder if that actually happened now in the new 52.

Quotable
"I'm done thinking, Clark." - Yea, me too. this book just didn't have anything that really struck out as me as Quote of the Book worthy.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
Buy Next Issue: Eh. Yes, just to complete the three issue try, but the lifespan of the book beyond that doesn't look too good.

Comics! Batman Incorporated #4

Batman Incorporated #4 

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Burnham

The Solicitation
• BATMAN and TALIA AL GHUL continue their fight for control of their son DAMIAN – better known as ROBIN! • WINGMAN and REDBIRD descent upon GOTHAM CITY! Who are these heroes, and what is their relationship to THE DARK KNIGHT?

Preview

Why I Bought It
Well, after a bit of a delay, we come back to Morrison's Batman. Let's see how the story is flowing.

What I Liked
I like that this issue really felt more like a team book than having a couple of side characters make a random appearance and then shuttle off to the background. I also liked that, thanks to the revelation of Wingman's identity, that Batman Incorporated is really about reaching out as far as Batman can to find allies. And I would definitely like to see a Wingman and Redbird mini sometime down the line.

I don't know who has Damian down better, Tomasi over in Batman & Robin, or Morrison here. I'll go for the split and say that Redbird shines in Batman Inc, while Robin shines better in Batman & Robin. But this issue has a really good moment at the end that just shows how naive and innocent Damian can be even considering the type of world he grew up in. The moment at the end of this comic where he just looks up wondering what everyone else knows that he doesn't just shows how human he can be. Burnham had a moment with that panel that just really sells it.

This isn't a Batman book designed for new readers. I think we can all admit that upfront. And that is including if you have read it from the reboot. I personally like a Batman book like this, simply because I am a long time reader and am finding some enjoyment out of it. I can't quite divorce myself from that knowledge when reading it, so I can only imagine what a new reader would think of this book.

What I Didn't Like
Is it good or bad that I didn't recognize who Wingman was until Damian pointed out who is was? Are all the secondary characters in Bat-comics really all clones or something?

The only real big name villain in this issue was Merlyn, and even that was iffy at best. So while it was nice to see Batman Incorporated actually through down, it just feels a little wasted on all these no name villains and henchmen who are supposed to be the world's top assassins.

With each time Damian refers to Batman and Talia as mother and father, I can't help to wonder if all of Batman Inc knows Batman's identity. I'm almost going with the idea that they have to know. And if that is the case, it just makes things a little less enjoyable for me. Almost no one has really focused on the world knowing that Bruce funds Batman Incorporated. We've had a couple of flashes to indicate that Bruce and Batman (Nightwing) have been in the same room, but I wish we could see more of a legal fallout for Bruce sponsoring vigilantism.

But these are Batman books. I guess it would be a little much to ask for some Bruce Wayne in the real world time every now and again, isn't it?

Panel to Remember
I'm going with the moment at the end when Damian asks what everyone else knows that he doesn't. It is just the look in his eyes that Burnham captures just right.

Quotable
"Who the hell are - oh. You're not supposed to be here." - I find it funny that Jason knew right away who Redbird was but it took Damian some time to figure it out. Maybe they could make a really nice dynamic duo.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 8/10
Buy Next Issue: I think this is supposed to be a 12 issue series or something like that. I'll probably be buying it until the end anyhow.

Comics! Revival #4

Revival #4 

Story by Tim Seeley
Art By Mike Norton

The Solicitation
Dana investigates threats sent to a pair of siblings running a charity to help people adjust to life with undead loved ones. But there's more to this brother and sister than philanthropy. Meanwhile May Thao discovers photos of a bizarre creature, and just can't help but get herself into deep sh*t.

Preview

Why I Bought It
The quality of the book continues at a nice steady pace and things get more and more interesting.

What I Liked
Four issues in and this book is still giving that good feeling of wondering what is going on. It is the nice kind of intrigue that reveals some details but then keeps you wanting more.

There are lots of pop culture references sprinkled throughout. It gives it a kind of Joss Whedon writing style. Whedon could get characters and knew how to play them off of each other. This book also give the same kind of understanding about the characters and the bigger mystery about what is going on with those creatures. That, coupled with the fact that we are on issue #4 and I'm still as excited by this book, shows me that there are some long term plans for this book to go places. If it can keep up at this pace and not feel like a formula, then this book can have some growing success behind it.

The stays consistent from issue to issue. There isn't anything too fancy going on, there is just lots of excellently framed panels and great story telling happening.

What I Didn't Like
Some of those song references are now in my head. Which is weird to happen to me, as music in a comic book typically doesn't do that to me as reading over the lyrics just doesn't connect me with the words nearly as much as hearing the music. Weirdness.

Panel to Remember
Notice the two panels that Justin Hine's dad appears in this issue. One has him just sitting on the couch with no oxygen tube. The second panel has him wearing it. I though that he was in some sort of catatonic state? Weirdness, but if it is a mistake, then it helps add to my collection of comic book errors.

Quotable
"Looks kinda like she burned from the inside out too." - Mystery, and intrigue.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 9/10
Buy Next Issue: I'll be there.