Monthly Archives: March 2013

Red She-Hulk Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

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Red She-Hulk is a Marvel NOW! title by Marvel Comics.  Taking over from a previous Hulk series, Red She-Hulk starts at issue #58.  I would have preferred if this series would have started at issue #1 to keep confusion at a minimum.

On a side note, Elizabeth “Betty” Ross, aka Red She-Hulk is the ex-wife of Bruce Banner (Incredible Hulk) and the daughter of General Thaddeus Ross (Red Hulk) for those who don’t already know.

Red She-Hulk is attempting to destroy Project Echelon, the military’s secret Super-Soldier Program.  Android X-51 (Aaron Stack) was requested to track her, but after learning her motive for wanting to put an end to Echelon, he decided to help Red She-Hulk instead of turning her in.

So far I am enjoying the story.  There is action on nearly every page.  I have to admit, the girl is bad.  But she’s a hulk so that’s a given.  I especially like the fact that she remains pretty and feminine while she’s in hulk form.  When I first learned she would have her own series, I immediately pictured a big red monster like her father.  I noticed that Red She-Hulk displays emotions while in hulk form.  She is compassionate.  There was an incident where she destroyed a bridge, but stuck around (on the down low) to make sure no one was injured.  There was also another incident where she unintentionally killed a participant in the Echelon Super-Soldier Program.  This caused her to become enraged, thus hulking out.

Well-written script with great character interactions.  Jeff Parker did a great job setting up the story.  He even included a backdrop on Betty Ross.  It will help readers with little or no knowledge of Ross learn and understand her character.

The art team did a fantastic job as well.  Well defined details and amazing action scenes.  Carlo Pagulayan and Wellinton Alves are the pencilers, and Val Staples is the colorist.

I’m going to read a few more issues of Red She-Hulk to see where the story leads and take it from there.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this Marvel NOW! title, especially if you’re a hulk fan.

Demon Knights Review

DC Comics, , ,

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If you like magic, mysticism, and monsters then you should be reading Demon Knights, a New 52 title by DC Comics. The series is currently on issue #17.

The Demon Knights is a team created and written by Paul Cornell. The members are:

Etrigan – Demon from Hell. Hates everyone. Tried to overturn Lucifer and his army. Wants to put an end to Merlin and Jason Blood.

Jason Blood – Former apprentice of Merlin. Soul bound to Etrigan’s by Merlin during the destruction of Camelot. They share bodies and can change at will.

Madame Xanadu – Magician trained by Merlin. Lover of Jason Blood and Etrigan.

Exoristos – An Amazon living in exile.

Shining Knight (aka Sir Ystin) – Transgendered knight.

Horsewoman – Mysterious. Skilled archer. Ability to communicate with horses. She can’t walk but can ride a horse, supported by the magic in her saddle.

Al Jabr – Has advanced scientific knowledge. Inventor. Little is known about him but he can build war machines and electrocute people.

Vandal Savage – Barbarian. Rowdy, deceitful.

The series takes place in the medieval times within the DC Universe. The team happened to meet by chance in a small village. They joined forces to stop the Questing Queen and her horde from destroying the village.

The series is well-written by Cornell. There’s plenty of jokes and all the characters are compelling. I love the interactions among all the characters. It’s hard for me to have a favorite because each character is different and have their own quirks.

The artwork, by Diogenes Neves and Oclair Albert, is excellent. Finely detailed. These two artists are great at visual storytelling. Flawlessly flowing panels.

demonknights

Robert Venditti took over as writer beginning with issue #16, where he begins his story 30 years later. Venditti’s writing is that of Cornell’s. Well written. Bernard Chang did a great job with the art.

The Demon Knights went their separate ways after the Battle at Avalon. Al Jabr has summoned the knights to stop a plague that is quickly spreading by a man known only known as Cain. Cain and his guide, an Amazon, infects people through their bites. Yes they are VAMPIRES. Al Jabr is unable to join the team because of his aging body. He’s not immortal like the rest of the team. Horsewoman, Exoristos and Shining Knight agree to stop Cain and his recruits. Needing Etrigan for his strength, the trio must first free him from Vandal Savage’s imprisonment.

Demon Knights is a must read series. It’s full of sorcery, dark magic, witches, monsters, and demons.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

Oops, I told my verdict two sentences up, didn’t I? Oh well I’ll say it again. DEMON KNIGHTS IS A MUST READ SERIES.

Age of Ultron #1 Review

Marvel Comics, ,

ultron1

Ultron has arrived in the Marvel NOW! Universe.  If you don’t believe me, take a look at the nice Age of Ultron #1 foil cover.  Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Age of Ultron #1 is the first of a 10-issue limited series.

For those who may not know, Ultron is one of the baddest super-villains in the Marvel Universe.  Dr. Hank Pym created this criminally minded artificial intelligence.  Ultron’s goal has always been to destroy humanity.

The story begins with the destruction of humanity already taken place.  The Marvel Universe has been destroyed by Ultron.  New York City, where this issue takes place, is covered under what appears to be a blue dome-shaped structure.  It’s obvious that survival and trust are themes in this series.  After Hawkeye rescued Spider-Man, they received a cold welcome by some of the surviving superheroes.  The cold welcome stems from Hawkeye being told not to return if he left to search for surviving heroes.  The way Hawkeye and Spider-Man were rough-housed by Luke Cage and She-Hulk, I’d say the policy is strictly enforced.

This is one Marvel NOW! title that I’m sure I’ll enjoy throughout the entire series.  It’s gripping and eye-popping from page one.  The dialogue is well written.  The interactions among the characters are realistic.  Bendis did a great job with the set-up for this story.  He dived right in and started after Ultron’s destruction of humanity.  I laughed at a couple of panels at the beginning, but I cried on the last page.

The artwork is great.  Bryan Hitch (penciler), Paul Neary (inker) and Paul Mounts (colors).  Well detailed.  There’s a few earth-shaking panels.  Literally.  You can actually see it in the panels.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.  I really like that technique.  The colors are outstanding, thanks to Mounts.  I especially like the explosive panels.  One of the blasts is so bright, I felt as if I was in that panel!  The art team did a superb job with visual storytelling.

I enjoyed the first issue and I definitely plan to read the entire series, especially with Bendis being the writer.  I want to know who’s going to survive this apocalypse.  Iron Man?  Wolverine?  Emma Frost?  WHO is going to survive?  And HOW?

VERDICT

If you like action then you will definitely want to read Age of Ultron.  I have a feeling the creative team will not let us down.

Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

guardgalaxy0.1

I don’t know what made me want to read Guardians of the Galaxy the most; Gamora and Rocket Raccoon or Star-Lord and Tony Stark.  But I do know that I enjoyed reading the debut issue.  I was in tears by page 7.  However, by the end of the story I was ready to jump into the comic book and commit to being a part of the team.

The story detailed how Peter Quill became Star-Lord.  Peter was a typical school-aged kid, being raised by a single parent.  Living a life of normalcy.  That is, until life changing events took place.

I was sparked with emotions from page one.  Definite page turners.  Every page is gripping and eye-popping.  The superb dialogue is written by Brian Michael Bendis.  Peter’s character is so realistic.  He’s good kid with his share of rebellion against his mother.  I like that.  There’s a panel where I laughed out loud.  Peter lashed out at his mother and his face had the most annoyed look on it.  For a moment I thought my tween son was in a comic!

Bendis did a superb job with this one.  The set-up for the story is perfect, and the scenes are not rushed.

I love the artwork.  Steve McNiven, John Dell and Justin Ponsor did a great job.  Finely detailed.  The colors are great (Ponsor).  I especially like the scenes in front of the fireplace.  SO ROMANTIC.

I have a feeling this Marvel NOW! title will be around for a very long time.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend Guardians of the Galaxy.

Young Avengers #2 Review

Marvel Comics, , , , , ,

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I didn’t like Young Avengers #1 at all, so I didn’t make any plans to read this issue.  I gave in and read it on the 2nd day of its’ release.  I have to admit that I like it better than the debut issue.

Wiccan cast a spell and summoned Hulkling’s mother from another dimension, but strange things start to happen shortly after her arrival.  Wiccan, Hulkling and Loki appear to be the only ones that can see things are not right.

Again, I liked this issue much better than the first.  Just as with issue #1, this issue also focused mainly on Wiccan and Hulkling.  Hawkeye, Miss America Chavez and Noh-Varr are not in this issue.

The dialogue is well written and has great pacing.  I would like the interactions between the characters even more if Kieron Gillen make the Young Avengers more like typical teenagers.  Rebellious.  Attitude.  There’s too much happy-go-lucky talking going on in the story.  Throw in some smart aleck or snide comments here and there.  I think Kid Loki is funny.  He makes the perfect mischiveous tween.

Jamie McKelvie, Mike Norton and Mattew Wilson did a great job with the artwork.  I like the detailed facial expressions, especially those of Hulking’s mother.  And I love that big and scary picture of (I won’t spoil it) on the last page.

Young Avengers is reader friendly for all ages.  Although I don’t know for sure how long I’ll be reading this Marvel NOW! title, I can definitely say I will finish the story arc.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend Young Avengers if you like teen and young adult comics.  Or if you’re looking for a story that’s reader friendly for all ages.