December 2002 comics reviews

[Guest raptor]

Soundtrack: Away From The Sun, 3 Doors Down. A really fun album that actually displays growth after The Better Life. Plus, no clunker like “Kryptonite” on this one. Pure Rock ‘n’ Roll goodness.

 

The Ultimate War #1 (of 6)

Story Title:The Ultimates vs. The X-Men

Creators: Mark Millar, Chris Bachalo

Publisher: Ultimate Marvel Comics

Auxiliary Facts: J Ultimates: Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch

Comments: I had to go across Eugene to find this, so you better believe I’m making it the feature review. My local store ran out, since I went shopping with a girl I like instead of going to buy comics. Lesson learned? Boobs>Comic Books.

Oh right, the review. I said last time in my review of The Truth that it’s very difficult for a title to live up to a tremendous amount if hype. Well, Millar has succeeded where others have failed. An opening issue isn’t allowed to be this good.

It’s not perfect, however. While Bachalo’s art is better than his Ultimate X-Men stint, it still isn’t sleek enough for an Ultimate comic. Also, the lateness of [/i]The Ultimates[/i] is effecting this title, too. Even though Millar does a good job of filling us in, I kept having the feeling that part of this was to be made clearer in The Ultimates.

Star Rating: **** (Recomended)

 

Other Stuff I Bought:

 

Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra #2 (of 4): They should really call this Ultimate Elektra. I know ol’ Hornhead sells books right now, but it’s kinda misleading. DD is little more than a supporting character. Still an incredible limited series, though. YOU BUY NOW!! ***** (Highly Recommended, Uber-Book of the Week!)

 

Ultimate Spider-Man #32: Although the actual villain plot blew, the last three issues of this title are a character development landmark for the series. I can’t reccomend them enough, especially for the heart wrenching scenes that populate this issue.**** 1/2 (Highly Recommended)

 

Green Arrow #19: I’m going to hate myself for saying this, but as far as GA writers go, Metzer>Smith (sorry to use that joke twice). His dialogue is just as biting, but he’s doing more with the actual character than Smith ever did.**** 1/2 (Highly Recommended)

 

Alias #17: I don’t know, but this issue never really clicked with me. It was enjoyable and all, but it didn’t evoke emotion like the other titles this week. Although it does mark the second appearence of BUTT Sex in Alias!*** (Mildly Recommended)

 

eXiles #20: Buy this issue just for Calafiores’ rendition of Warlock at Cypher’s bedside. I think I’ve finally run out of praise for eXiles though. If you aren’t buying it, then... start. ****1/2 (Highly Recommended)

 

Spider-Girl #54: Whenever I’m in need of old school superheroics and angst, this title always delivers. If you don’t like that kind of stuff, then I don’t reccomend it. Plus, it has the best cover of the year.**** (Recommended)

 

Uncanny X-Men#416:So, this is Kia Asiyama’s debut. His noses suck. Thus, every X-Men is now Triple H. Kinda surreal, really. This also marks Austen’s first great issue. Everybody gets adequate screen time, and the characterization is great. Juggernaut, Sammy, and Stacy really shine.***** (Highly Recommended)

[Guest pochorenella]

Ultimate War #1. I'm buying it. I'm a Bachalo fan.

Ultimate DD & Elektra #2. I missed on the first issue, so maybe I'll wait for the TPB?

Ultimate Spider-Man. My favorite ongoing title right now. Buying it.

Green Arrow. Not a fan.

Alias. Never read it. Seems that I'm missing out, huh?

Exiles. Been reading it sporadically. Nice stuff, but I'm not sure to buy.

Spider-Girl. Haven't been following it. What's a nice starting point?

Uncanny #416. I'm buying it.

 

And hey, I liked "Kryptonite"! The video sucked, though.

[Guest starvenger]

My local store ran out, since I went shopping with a girl I like instead of going to buy comics. Lesson learned? Boobs>Comic Books.

I'm more of an ass man myself. Which may explain why I like Shakira, but doesn't explain why I dislike Jennifer Lopez.

 

The Ultimate War #1 (of 6)

Also, the lateness of [/i]The Ultimates[/i] is effecting this title, too. Even though Millar does a good job of filling us in, I kept having the feeling that part of this was to be made clearer in The Ultimates.

I'm glad you mentioned this. Ultimates should probably be 1 or 2 issues farther on than it is, and this is what forces me to drop a point on Ultimate War. Bachalo actually seems motivated again, on the interiors anyway. Not bad at all.

Rating: 7/10

 

eXiles #20: Buy this issue just for Calafiores’ rendition of Warlock at Cypher’s bedside. I think I’ve finally run out of praise for eXiles though. If you aren’t buying it, then... start

I can't even remember the name of that storyline with the techno-organic creatures. This was a pretty cool "what if" world though, and it's hard to see how all the eXiles will survive this world.

Rating: 7/10

 

Uncanny X-Men#416:So, this is Kia Asiyama’s debut. His noses suck. Thus, every X-Men is now Triple H. Kinda surreal, really. This also marks Austen’s first great issue. Everybody gets adequate screen time, and the characterization is great. Juggernaut, Sammy, and Stacy really shine.***** (Highly Recommended)

It reminds me of Ron Garney's fill in run way back when - also big noses - so I'll get over it. But if Angel starts talking-uh like-uh this-uh, I'm outta there. I also notice that the team has seemingly reverted to Matrix-like spandex as oppesd to Matrix-like leather. It's a start. I wonder if we'll see Squid Boy again, as this issue seems to be what Austen was building to for him and Juggie (heh-heh... Juggie). And Iceman is STILL being treated seriously. That's gotta be some sort of record.

Rating: 8.5/10

 

I'll rate the following later today:

Transformers Armada #4, Robotech #0, Battle of the Planets #5 and Agent X #5. Yep, it's a licensed book-o-rama!

[Guest areacode212]

I think it would be a good idea to keep all reviews for a given month in a single thread. It'll make for longer discussions and I don't have to deal with pinning/unpinning so many threads which can make things a little hard to track. I'll rename this thread when I'm done.

 

Hellspawn asked about this new title in another thread.

 

Gotham Central #1 (Writers: Greg Rucka & Ed Brubaker. Artist: Michael Lark) Yay! The Scene of the Crime (Brubaker/Lark) creative team returns! It reminded me a lot of Alan Moore's Top 10 in that it's about cops who have to deal with freaky supervillain shit. Of course, in this title, the characters are all normal human cops, but the sense of camaraderie that you got from the T10 cops is there. There's a certain love/hate relationship going on with Batman. On the one hand, they're obviously grateful for the criminal ass-kickings he delivers, but on the other, what does it say about them that they constantly need his help?

 

I liked what we saw of Akins/Montoya/Maggie Sawyer & the rest of the GCPD gang in Detective and I'm happy that we get a Rucka title focusing on them, but as Sass pointed out, a comic about regular cops doesn't exactly make people want to run to the comic shop.

 

Well, if any of you liked Top 10, you should give this a shot. *** 1/2

 

More reviews once I'm done with school.

 

EDIT: Geoff Johns likes it too.

[Guest raptor]

Good idea with the title, areacode.

 

A question about Gotham Central: it sounds like a retread of ideas expressed in Powers. Is it?

[Guest areacode212]

I'm not really feeling the Powers/GC similarity, but it's been a while since I've read my 2 Powers TPBs.

[Guest HellSpawn]

I'll get Ultimate War soon, damn, now that I remember, my dealer just send me the list for Dec and there wasnt ?!?!, Oh well, we'll talk about that.

 

Ultimate DD/Elektra, agreed, well I got #1 and kicked so many asses, BUT, I read a solicitation for Feb and it says that the TPB will be released the same week that #4, AND it comes with a plus, some new (or old, I dont remember) E/DD story, so, I didnt ordered #2-#4 and picked the TPB.

 

Alias #17?? Maybe I'll check this book. And also Gotham Central.

[Guest raptor]

Spider-Girl. Haven't been following it. What's a nice starting point?

The latest issue (reviewed above), is a good starting point. It starts a new story arc, and Defalco always does a good job of recapping the subplots.

[Guest Vyce]

I'd like to give a shout-out to Punisher #19.

 

For two reasons.

 

First, the return of Joan the Mouse. Good to see Ennis use some of his own continuity here, and there's a nice contrast there in that Joan works both as the "straight man" for the dark humor of the Punisher and in a more dramatic fashion as she's clearly in love with him, but knows that this love will forever remain unrequited.

 

The other reason I enjoyed this issue: Frankie the Dog.

 

BEST. Canine sidekick. Ever.

 

Well, maybe not, but I swear, I was busting a gut at the dog's facial expressions, and his non-chalant "Ruff." after the prompt dispatch of Stalin earned a big goofy grin from me.

 

I don't do star ratings, so I'd just give this one a thumbs up.

[Guest starvenger]

OK, a couple of quickies...

 

Transformers: The War Within #3

(Simon Furman/Don Figueroa/Elaine To)

Rating: 8.5/10

Quite simply, the best licensed comic book out there. If you like Transformers, you NEED to read this book. Basically rewriting the TFU, it keeps all the characterizations intact and continues to give some cool visuals for the Transformers' Cybertronian forms.

 

Robotech #0

(Tommy Yune & Jay Faerber/Various)

Rating: 6.5/10

This being a "preview"-style book, it wasn't bad. It measures up fairly well to the "Jack McKinney" (aka James Luceno andd Brian Daley) books, and I have high hopes for this one. I'll be getting the first few issues, for sure.

 

Oh, and as a funny-weird aside, there's a mini catalogue for the WWE ShopZone.

 

conversely...

Masters of the Universe #1

(Val Staples/Emiliano Santalucia/Marco Failla)

Rating: 4.5/10

While not the black hole of suck that is the Thundercats comic, it's still a bad comic. I suppose that part of the reason is that it's based off of the current series, but it really didn't capture my attention all that well. The art was decent, but the cover (regular edition) was bleh. The J. Scott Campbell cover was even worse as he continues to phone it in, but the painted cover wasn't bad - too bad the comic's not worth the price you pay for it.

 

I've got a couple more to do, they'll be up later tonight...

[Guest Vyce]

Transformers: The War Within #3

(Simon Furman/?/?)

Rating: 8.5/10

Quite simply, the best licensed comic book out there. If you like Transformers, you NEED to read this book. Basically rewriting the TFU, it keeps all the characterizations intact and continues to give some cool visuals for the Transformers' Cybertronian forms.

Agreed. It's a great series. The characterizations especially (as usual, Starscream is king DICK of the universe, and I love him for it).

 

Any idea if they'll continue the series beyond the 6 issues? Armada seems to be a regular series now, but it's far inferior to War Within.

[Guest raptor]

Soundtrack: Saliva Back Into Your System. Not as good as Every Six Seconds, but is still a decent listen. I can’t say they’re a great band, but they fall into the “fun to listen too” category.

 

Powers #26

Creators: Brian Michael Bendis, Mike Oeming

Publisher: Image/MOB Comics

Comments: A little slower than usual, but still good. I just don’t find myself too enthralled with this storyline. Perhaps it will look better in a TPB, but the whole story (not just this issue) has moved too slow. *** (Mildly Reccomended)

 

Punisher #19

Creators: Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon

Publisher: Marvel Knights

Comments: Didn’t enjoy it as much as Vyce did, but it was a fun w aste of time. I’m just getting jaded with the Punisher, I guess. Ennis may have run out of thing to say with the character. *** (Mildly Reccomended)

 

Avengers #61

Creators: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Comments: Great old school superheroics, with a neat twist. Making the Avengers a world power is a cute idea, and I think Johns can really go places with it. Gary Frank’s art is fantastic, too. This is my first exposure to him, and I’ll definatley track down his other stuff. Plus, Jack of Hearts and T’Challa are here to stay!**** (Reccomended, Uber-Book of the Week)

 

Captain America #6

Creators: John Ney Reiber

Publisher: Marvel Knights

Comments: This was a really heavy handed conclusion. After all Reiber did to make Cap a less traditional superhero (ie killing Al-Tariq), he totally backtracks and gives us a shitty, old Cap style ending. Cassady’s art gets the two stars, though. I think I’ll give this series a chance through the Ice arc, and if it doesn’t get better, I’ll drop it.** (Not Reccomended)

[Guest HellSpawn]

Hey Raptor, can you please feed me with a few Alias good picks?

 

Im picking this new arc, I think it started in #16, and I already asked to my dealer to got me #1 & #10.

[Guest areacode212]

Practically all the issues of Alias are part of a larger story arc, but there was a pretty enjoyable (to me) standalone issue a few months back (I think just before she went off to that small town to find that girl) where she & Ms. Marvel/Warbird were just hanging out & bs'ing. It was a pretty dialogue-heavy issue. Bendis's dialogue can be a little too Aaron Sorkin-esque, so if you liked the TV show Sports Night, you'll probably like this. And conversely, if you hate SN, it'll probably drive you nuts.

[Guest raptor]

I'd go with the 1st Alias TPB. I believe it goes all the way through the fan-frickin-tastic all prose/painted stand alone in issue #10. That's the most enjoyable and fascinating that the book has been. That (Issues 1-10) would be the best start, and if you enjoy them, you can pick up the last back issues for cheap.

[Guest HellSpawn]

OK, 1st, thanx for the Alias info, I guess Im picking the title form now on.

2nd, this is my 1st review.

 

Soundtrack: Best of Boston, Deep Purple, Rainbow and... J-Lo / Britney, Random play.

 

Elektra vol.1: Introspect $16.99

Creators: Greg Rucka, Carlo Pagulayan, Danny Miki, Joe Bennet and Greg Horn, Colors by Nathan Eyering

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Comments: !st volume of Greg Rucka's Elektra run (10-15), plus Marvel Knights Double Shot # 3 lead story.

1st issue is really cool, Elektra is a TOTAL BITCH! But, her bitchness is the main reason that turns her into a loose canon, so, from now on... she is a No-No on the hitman list. Beautiful Art by Bennet.

Later, the story reminds me a little some Punisher story by Ennis, but.. better, Oh well, I didnt picked this issues early, and now it looks like a nice "jump on" arc. It makes me want to read about Elektra and her new status. **** 1/2, Reccomended. That 1st issue is worthy of ***** alone.

The MKDS story is an incredible looking CGI story by Rucka & Horn. Is 'bout a "suit" woman leading with movie troubles, What happen when some director screw the budget? Story: I dunno, I guess (Im not sure if this issue was before GR took Elektra) it was a nice preview of Rucka's pov about mercenary job. Art: Holy Shit! Horn's CGI rules. *** 1/2

 

Total: **** 1/2 + *** 1/2 = **** 1/4 <--- add 1/4 star for all that Beautiful Greg Horn Covers.

 

One more comment, I dont know why *this* particullary issues are under the banner of MAX, IMO, isn't extremely violent or sexually explicit.

[Guest raptor]

Soundtrack: Gin Blossoms New Miserable Experience (10th Anniversary Universal Chronicles). Tied with Our Lady Peace for best band of all time. A masterpiece turns ten, people, and everyone should own this album. YOU BUY NOW.

 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer #52

Creators: Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza, Cliff Richards

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Comments: Early issues of this title were just plain bad, but it has finally found its niche by filling in the holes the television show misses. With the current season mildly dissapointing (until Faith aka “The greatest television character ever” returns), the comic offers a refreshing change of pace. **** (Reccomended)

 

Batman #610

Creators: Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee

Publisher: DC Comics

Comments: A lot of people seem to be dissapointed that this is “standard superhero fare,” but I’m really enjoying it. As far as superhero comics go, this seems to be the pinnacle. It seems to be tackling the human side of Batman, which I haven’t seen a whole lot of. Would’ve been the best of the week if not for...**** (Reccomended)

 

Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra #3 (of 4)

Creators: Greg Rucka, Salvador Larroca

Publisher: Ultimate Marvel Comics

Comments: 3 issues, 3 “Uber-Book of the Weeks.” That’s gotta be some kind of record, or something. I’m quickly becoming a Greg Rucka fan, and if I wasn’t a poor college student, I’d run out and buy his crime fiction. Sal Larroca is already my favorite artist, and if Marvel continues to digitally ink his stuff on X-Treme X-Men, I’ll be wicked pissed.***** (Highly Reccomended, Uber-Book of the Week!)

 

The Filth #7 (of 13)

Creators: Grant Morrison, Chris Weskon

Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo

Comments: Can someone tell me what happened in this issue? All I got was that someone hijacked a utopia-like cruise ship and sodomized the president. Oh, and there was a bloody tampon, too.*** (Mildly Reccomended)

 

X-Treme X-Men: X-Pose #2 (of 2)

Creators: Chris Claremont, Arthur Ransom

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Comments: I still don’t know exactly how I feel about this issue. It had some interesting things to say, but I kind of got a feeling like we’ve already been there. Plus, Gambit and Rogue with no powers=suck.*** (Mildly Reccomended)

 

The Ultimate War #2 (of 4)

Creators: Mark Millar, Chris Bachalo

Publisher: Ultimate Marvel Comics

Comments: Now that’s the way Magneto should have always been. The man SPOILERS blows Pietro’s face of for god’s sake!END SPOILERS The Ultimate War continues to live up to the hype. ***** (Highly Reccomended)

[Guest starvenger]

Soundtrack: Gin Blossoms New Miserable Experience (10th Anniversary Universal Chronicles). Tied with Our Lady Peace for best band of all time. A masterpiece turns ten, people, and everyone should own this album. YOU BUY NOW.

Best band of all time? I dunno. Great album though - one of the first CDs I ever bought.

[Guest raptor]

In my life, all of the memories associated with them have made them the greatest band in my mind. I'm sure they're not actually the greatest, though.