bat_collector
03-15-2007, 08:10 PM
Before I start, let me just say I welcome any and all feedback from my humble opinions. This is a forum after all, and I always hope that some sort of enjoyable discussion of different viewpoints emerge from these columns. Do we have to agree? I hope not, what a boring world would this be if everyone shared the same viewpoint. After all, is that the very freedom the 300 fought and died for (well that and the freedom to kill their babies if any defect be found). And heaven knows I'm always ready to give my opinion on anything, be it on movies, music, or comics. So don't think I'll grudge that to anybody else.
With that out of the way, on to my reviews.
You know what I've become tired of? Checklists. You know the "if you want every last detail of the ______ event of the year, pick up these comics!" We suffered through it non stop since HoM and Countdown, and it isn't getting any better. Now we have the Initiative checklist, which will segway into the WWHulk checklist, etc. I even fell for it in Civil War, but no more. Thus, I passed on Civil War: the Confession. However good it may be, I can't afford to buy every one shot, mini, and special issue for civil war. Especially when I feel Cap's death will probably last only slightly longer than hawkeye's. What is a confession worth in this sham of a publicity stunt? As Iron Man said, "it wasn't worth it."
After all, I had horror comics to buy, dang it! Thus, comes Wildstorm's Friday the 13th #4, with that fantastic cover by Ryan Sook (woo hoo). Things are falling apart for our ill-fated teens who probably won't survive the night! Bodies are piling up, and its the dead of night in a terrain the clearly favors Mr. Vorhees. Thankfully, these guys have seen horror movies and try to concoct a plan to survive the night (that doesn't involve random sex, booze, or drugs!). Too bad Scream came out a decade ago. This is a total filler issue, where our victims, er, heroes spend more time bickering then getting slaughtered (gee, sounds like the boards lately). However, the last few pages has a character do something that is so disgusting, it redeems the issue. I'm still loving this!
Speaking of great covers, one A. Olivetti came out with a doozy in Punisher War Journal #5. I wish I had the money right now to buy that!. If only the cover were half as compelling as the issue. Here we get to see a whole issue devoted to a a Broadway hostage situation featuring Bushwacker, G.W. Bridge, and a puny Auxiliary cop named Ian. If you were hoping to find out what Punisher did with Cap's mask, we you will have to wait for the next issue. This issue is clearly nothing more than a bridge to that issue, and the most unremarkable in its short series.
I still want the cover though.
Well if Frank didn't bring the beat down this week, at least Black Adam brought it in the increasingly better 52: Week 45. If you ever wondered what Supes could do if he lost everything and blamed the world, pick up this issue. After burying his dead wife and brother in law, Black Adam begins his mission of revenge to find those responsible, and his first stop is after the horseman Death currently in hiding in the small nation of Bailya. The nation, and its inhabitants, never had a chance, as Adam destroys it in an unconquerable rage. World War III is clearly on the horizon, as Checkmate reassembles the Suicide Squad, China's super hero team prepares for war, and Atom Smasher prepares for one last attempt to stop his friend from the bloodshed. But, this issue is all about Black Adam wreaking havok, and his fight with Death is extremely well done. For those who have not read 52, you only need to buy the last few issues to enjoy the rest of the ride.
Finally ,Justice, like Lighting, came through in Thunderbolts #112. I really feel this will be one great comic, as the arrogant, evil and corrupt team (ok, at least some of them are that way) are setting themselves up for a huge fall. Feeling totally safe and insulated, just what will happen when this team (who nearly failed against Jack Flag) goes against one of the big boys (say Spidey) or worse yet gets involved in WW Hulk. I'm reading hoping to see some hell to pay for these guys. "Hulk smash puny thunderbolts!!":buttrock:
Well that's it for this week. Hopefully next week I'll be reviewing some independent comics I got at NYCC!
With that out of the way, on to my reviews.
You know what I've become tired of? Checklists. You know the "if you want every last detail of the ______ event of the year, pick up these comics!" We suffered through it non stop since HoM and Countdown, and it isn't getting any better. Now we have the Initiative checklist, which will segway into the WWHulk checklist, etc. I even fell for it in Civil War, but no more. Thus, I passed on Civil War: the Confession. However good it may be, I can't afford to buy every one shot, mini, and special issue for civil war. Especially when I feel Cap's death will probably last only slightly longer than hawkeye's. What is a confession worth in this sham of a publicity stunt? As Iron Man said, "it wasn't worth it."
After all, I had horror comics to buy, dang it! Thus, comes Wildstorm's Friday the 13th #4, with that fantastic cover by Ryan Sook (woo hoo). Things are falling apart for our ill-fated teens who probably won't survive the night! Bodies are piling up, and its the dead of night in a terrain the clearly favors Mr. Vorhees. Thankfully, these guys have seen horror movies and try to concoct a plan to survive the night (that doesn't involve random sex, booze, or drugs!). Too bad Scream came out a decade ago. This is a total filler issue, where our victims, er, heroes spend more time bickering then getting slaughtered (gee, sounds like the boards lately). However, the last few pages has a character do something that is so disgusting, it redeems the issue. I'm still loving this!
Speaking of great covers, one A. Olivetti came out with a doozy in Punisher War Journal #5. I wish I had the money right now to buy that!. If only the cover were half as compelling as the issue. Here we get to see a whole issue devoted to a a Broadway hostage situation featuring Bushwacker, G.W. Bridge, and a puny Auxiliary cop named Ian. If you were hoping to find out what Punisher did with Cap's mask, we you will have to wait for the next issue. This issue is clearly nothing more than a bridge to that issue, and the most unremarkable in its short series.
I still want the cover though.
Well if Frank didn't bring the beat down this week, at least Black Adam brought it in the increasingly better 52: Week 45. If you ever wondered what Supes could do if he lost everything and blamed the world, pick up this issue. After burying his dead wife and brother in law, Black Adam begins his mission of revenge to find those responsible, and his first stop is after the horseman Death currently in hiding in the small nation of Bailya. The nation, and its inhabitants, never had a chance, as Adam destroys it in an unconquerable rage. World War III is clearly on the horizon, as Checkmate reassembles the Suicide Squad, China's super hero team prepares for war, and Atom Smasher prepares for one last attempt to stop his friend from the bloodshed. But, this issue is all about Black Adam wreaking havok, and his fight with Death is extremely well done. For those who have not read 52, you only need to buy the last few issues to enjoy the rest of the ride.
Finally ,Justice, like Lighting, came through in Thunderbolts #112. I really feel this will be one great comic, as the arrogant, evil and corrupt team (ok, at least some of them are that way) are setting themselves up for a huge fall. Feeling totally safe and insulated, just what will happen when this team (who nearly failed against Jack Flag) goes against one of the big boys (say Spidey) or worse yet gets involved in WW Hulk. I'm reading hoping to see some hell to pay for these guys. "Hulk smash puny thunderbolts!!":buttrock:
Well that's it for this week. Hopefully next week I'll be reviewing some independent comics I got at NYCC!