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Guardians of the Galaxy #1 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

guardgalaxy1

If there is anyone worthy of being on the cover of Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s the team that’s already pictured on it.  It can’t get any better than this.  The Guardians include:

  • Starlord of Spartax
  • Drax the Destroyer
  • Groot – Did you know he can regenerate from a twig? 
  • Gamora – The most dangerous female in the universe.
  • Rocket Raccoon – Please make sure you don’t call him a raccoon, because it will definitely be your last.

Starlord receives an unexpected visit from his dad, the King of Spartax.  He tells Starlord that Earth is off-limits to all extraterrestrials.  He also wants Starlord to drop his “broken” friends and take his rightful place as the firstborn of Spartax.

Can Starlord trust his dad?  Is the King of Spartax really looking out for the best interest of his son?  Exactly why did the Galactic Council ban ALL extraterrestrial interactions on Earth?

We learned the events leading up to how Peter Quill became Starlord in the debut issue.  Guardians of the Galaxy #1 is a powerful story featuring a kick ass team.  Especially with Rocket Raccoon and Gamora on board.

This action packed series with sharp dialogue and compelling, yet complex characters is written by Brian Michael Bendis.

I am really liking this Marvel NOW! series so far.  The Guardians is an awesome team that values friendship and loyalty.  They can be funny and serious at the same time.  Bendis is doing a superb job with this story. 

The art team includes  Steve McNiven (pencils), John Dell (inker), and Justin Ponsor (colors).  These guys are excellent at visual storytelling. 

The only complaint I have with the art is Gamora’s costume.  She is completely covered and you can barely see her face.  She’s one of the main reasons I’m reading Guardians of the Galaxy, but her costume has taken a lot of that excitement away.  There’s one panel where I couldn’t even tell that she’s green.  I was expecting her to look as she did in Nova.  Instead she looks like an ordinary girl.

Being a female myself, I want female characters in comics to look feminine.  Bare a little flesh.  Let the hair down.  I am not drawn to a story by its’ script alone.  The artwork pulls me in as well.  Believe me when I say I can sit and stare at Starlord and Tony Stark for hours.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

There is no doubt that I highly recommend Guardians of the Galaxy.

Superior Spider-Man #6AU Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

ssm6au

Ultron has destroyed the world.  Unless the handful of surviving superheroes can come up with a plan to destroy Ultron and his drones, all hope will be lost.

Superior Spider-Man 6AU, a Marvel NOW! title, is a tie-in to Age of Ultron.  Spider-Man blames himself for the destruction of humankind.  When Tony Stark (Iron Man) tells him of a plan that could send Ultron to another dimension, Spidey agrees to help.  Especially since the plan involves him going to Horizon Labs.  Once inside the lab, Spider-Man begins to devise his own plan for Ultron.

Doc Ock  (we all should know by now that Otto Octavius is now Spider-Man) boasted of his accomplishments.  Successes that Peter Parker failed to achieve.  He even shows off his skills of controlling machines mentally when the drones arrived.

This comic is a one-shot and I’m taking extra precaution as to not spoil anything.  But I will say that I liked the story, especially when Superior Spider-Man fought the drones.

Christos Gage is the writer.  Well written dialogue.  Excellent timing.

Great artwork by Dexter Soy.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this Marvel NOW! title if you’re a reader of Age of Ultron and Superior Spider-Man.

Sex #1 Review

Image Comics, , ,

sex1

After a 7 month sabbatical, Simon Cooke returns home to Saturn City. Although his staff and attorney are happy for his return, Simon is nonchalant throughout the story.

I bought this issue without knowing anything about it. I have not read any previews, reviews or interviews. I wanted to read it because I wanted to know what is going on in the story that would cause a lot of retailers to not sell the comic in their shops. When I couldn’t find it on the shelf at my local comic shop, I asked the owners if they ordered the book. The book was ordered but it was behind the counter. They said it was due to explicit graphics. But I wonder if any of the retailers read a preview, or if the comic was simply judged by its’ title.

Sex, by Image Comics, is a catchy title. I flipped through the pages before reading it, and didn’t see anything worthy of getting banned. There are a few explicit pages. Simon is in a suite (sitting on a sofa) at a gentlemen’s club. Sliding doors open to reveal two women performing sexual acts on each other. Simon sits and watches quietly. Angry that he’s not masturbating, one of the ladies calls him out on it. The door slams and a woman, who Simon appears to know, walks out and tells Simon the ladies are not allowed to talk to the clients. That’s it for the sex in the story.

With a title like Sex, I thought the comic would mostly consist of sex and crime. Something that would be worth displaying from behind the counter. There is nothing in this issue that needs to be banned from the shelves of comic shops. Maybe in future issues, but definitely not this one.

There is only one curse word in this story. The lady that became angry with Simon called him an asshole. That is the only obscene word I read in the story.

One thing that concerns me is that Sex was behind the counter at my local comic shop. On the other hand, Crossed, a title published by Avatar Press, was not. I walked right into the store and grabbed an issue right off the shelf.  And that is far WORSE than Sex.

I didn’t get much out of this story at all. I know that Simon Cooke took a 7 month sabbatical. He has his own company, The Cooke Company. He was a part of a group called The Armored Saints. A kingpin, who looks old as dirt, shows up at the club with two bodyguards. Overall, I have no idea what this series is about or where it’s going. I will not be reading farther than I already have, issue #1. Although the title grabbed my attention, the story did not.

The story is written by Joe Casey. The art team consists of Piotr Kowalski (artist) and Brad Simpson (colorist). I have no complaints at all about the artwork. Kowalski and Simpson did a great job.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I do not recommend this title.

Avenging Spider-Man #18 Review

Marvel Comics, , , , ,

avenspidey18

In the Avenging Spider-Man series, by Marvel Comics, Superior Spider-Man teams up with a character or team in every issue.  In this issue he teams up with The Mighty Thor, God of Thunder, in a battle against Electro.

Electro has found a way to return to Earth, after being shot into space by Thor.  Superior Spider-Man warns Thor of Electro’s return, and that he may be returning to seek vengeance against Thor.  An arrogant Thor laughs and takes the warning lightheartedly.

An angered Spider-Man sought out Electro and learned of his plans to destroy Thor.  He tried to warn Thor a second time, but Thor brushed him off again.  But not for long.  Electro appears and the battle begins.

I started reading this series at issue #16 because of the debut of Superior Spider-Man.  And he is no different from the way he is in the  Superior Spider-Man series.  His true identity (Otto Octavius) is not known.  There is a panel where Superior Spider-Man told Thor to remove his hand from his shoulder, and Thor was astonished.

Avenging Spider-Man is written by Christopher Yost.  Well-written script and I especially like the interactions between Superior Spider-Man and Thor.  They’re both funny, but Spider-Man is funny AND serious at the same time.

I like the artwork.  Marco Checchetto is the artist, and Rachelle Rosenberg is the colorist.  I really like the colors in the fight scenes.  There’s a panel where the lighting is so bright, I almost had to squint to look at it.  I especially like that one!

So far I am liking what I’m reading so I plan to continue to read this Marvel title.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this series.  If you’re a reader of Superior Spider-Man, hopefully you are already reading Avenging Spider-Man.

Justice League of America #2 Review

DC Comics, , ,

jla2

In the debut issue we saw how Amanda Waller, director of A.R.G.U.S., and Col. Steve Trevor formed the Justice League of America.  I listed the members in my review of issue #1, so all I’ll say here is that this team consists of the big guns.  Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Katana.  Everyone on the team is a bad ass, so don’t let Stargirl fool you.

Without proper training, not to mention never fighting alongside one another, Director Waller has given Col. Trevor 15 minutes to assemble the team for a press conference, and another 15 to prepare them for their first mission.  MISSION:  find and take out the Secret Society.

Justice League of America, DC Comics New 52, is an interesting, yet complex series.  The team members believe they are protecting their country, but they’re really in training to take down the Justice League, if needed.  Each member has been secretly paired with the member of the Justice League that he/she will fight.  Again, if needed.

I am enjoying this New 52 title so far.  The series is dark which is a major selling point for me, as I love dark stories.  It also has compelling characters.  I am liking Col. Trevor but I don’t trust Director Waller at all.  She is aggressive and manipulative.  Stargirl is a pretty, braces-wearing teenage Hollywood celebrity, but I’m pretty sure she can kick ass in battle.  Vibe is a friendly teen who, at times, have second thoughts about joining the team.  Hawkman.  Well let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be on the same planet with him.

This well-written story is written by Geoff Johns.  Great interactions among the characters.

David Finch is the artist.  Sonia Oback is the colorist.  Great visual storytellers.

This is one DC Comics New 52 title I definitely plan to continue reading.  I am more than certain this series will be around for a long time.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend Justice League of America.

Nova #2 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

nova2

In the debut issue of this Marvel NOW! title, we were introduced to Sam Alexander.  In my review of Nova #1, I mentioned that not only is Sam a typical teenager with a bad attitude, he is also the kid in the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon.  This issue picks up where that issue ended; Sam waking up in a hospital room with Gamora and Rocket Raccoon standing in front of him.

Without spoiling the story, I’ll tell you that Sam discovers he is now a Nova, and that all the stories his dad told him and his sister are true.

I’m liking this story so far and I plan to read more issues to see where it’s going.  In addition to his attitude problem, Sam is also impulsive.  So I’m looking forward to reading how Sam will take to his newfound powers.  Will he mature overnight?  How will he learn or who will teach him about his powers and its’ limitations?  What will his mother say (I can tell by her expression that she knows)?  Will Gamora and Rocket Raccoon return?  I hope so because I really like them.  Especially Rocket Raccoon.  He is definitely not one to mess with.  I learned that within the first couple of pages.

Jeph Loeb is the writer.  Dialogue is well written.  It’s reader friendly for all ages.  Great pacing.

I love the artwork.  The art team consists of Ed McGuinness (penciler), Dexter Vines (inker) and Marte Gracia (colorist).  I’m liking Nova’s costume (I wish I had a helmet with powers).  I find some of the panels to be life-like, emotion sparking.  Like that scary Rocket Raccoon.  Or the hologram of Jesse, Sam’s dad.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend Nova.  Reader friendly at the perfect pace for all ages.