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Justice League of America #1 Review

DC Comics, , , , , ,

jla1

I originally planned to buy all 50 state variant covers for Justice League of America #1.  That’s right.  A cover for each state.  Why did I change my mind?  Because I can take the money I would have spent on all those covers that would only sit and collect dust, and buy a variety of comics.  So I’m proud to display my MICHIGAN cover!

Amanda Waller, Director of A.R.G.U.S. (secret branch of U.S. military) is passive-aggresive, and manipulative from the beginning.  She wants Col. Steve Trevor to organize and train the members of the Justice League of America (JLA).  Although Amanda says the JLA will help other super-heroes, it’s pretty clear that A.R.G.U.S. plans for the JLA to take down the Justice League. If necessary.

The issue focused on Amanda and Steve reviewing the profiles of each team member and the reasons they were chosen.

  • Katana
  • Hawkman
  • Martian Manhunter
  • Vibe
  • Stargirl
  • Catwoman
  • New Green Lantern (Simon Baz)
  • Green Arrow

How Steve Trevor plans to organize and train the team is beyond my wildest guess.  I can’t wait to see how he plans to train Katana and Hawkman.  Katana was an assassin who came to America to track down her husband’s killers.  Hawkman (he scares me, and yes I love it) is a police officer from his planet (Thanagar) that captures Thanagarian fugitives.  He also passes judgment on the fugitives.  Read the comic so you’ll know how he passes judgement.  I’m trying my best to not put in spoilers.  I’m also trying my best to get you to read this comic, because that’s what this blog is all about!

Martian Manhunter is not one to be messed with.  He’s powerful, yet mysterious.  Spooky is the word I like to use.  He pops up out of nowhere.  He also knows the true reason Steve agreed to organize the team.  But he warned that he will erase the minds of everyone in the building if Amanda Waller or any other government official makes a move against him.  Including Steve.

Can A.R.G.U.S. be trusted?  I don’t think so, especially Amanda Waller.  Steve Trevor is going to have his hands full trying to organize such a powerful and diverse group.  The team roster is established and each member of the JLA has been paired with a member of the Justice League that he/she is going to take down.  IF it comes to that.

The debut issue ended with The Secret Society being mentioned.  What’s that about?  You’ll just have to wait and see like the rest of us.

Geoff Johns grabbed my attention with this story from the beginning.  Powerful opening.  Strong dialogue throughout.  Rapid progression.  Perfect timing.  I know this series is going to be around for a very long time.

I love the artwork by David Finch.  Scenes flow flawlessly between panels.  Sonia Oback did a great job with the colors.  I especially like the dark panels.  It gives me a sense of fear and suspense.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

This is one series you definitely want to jump on.  I have no doubts about this one at all.

Superior Spider-Man #4 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

spidey4

Otto Octavius appears to enjoy being Superior Spider-Man. He also appears to enjoy bragging about it. He constantly compares himself to Peter Parker, talking down about Peter in every way possible. This may be due to Otto realizing Peter never made plans. He just went out and did his thing without thinking twice about it.

Not only does Otto brags about capturing more criminals than Peter, he also says he does a better job at tying up loose ends. A specific point in reference is when Otto captured the underage minions of the Vulture and turned them over to Child Protective Services.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN. I can go on about it, but my husband told me to stop putting spoilers in my reviews! So I decided I’ll just get to the point and tell why I’m still loving this series.

Otto Octavius vowed to be a better, stronger and smarter Spider-Man. He said he was going to be Superior Spider-Man. After only four issues, you can see the differences between Peter Parker and Otto Octavius. Otto stated Peter never made schemes or plans. That he was a man of limited vision. Well that is not Otto Octavius. Otto is an evil genius. With a plan. With a scheme. How is he able to capture more criminals than Peter? With the spider bots that he placed all over the city. He takes a lot of the calls from the bots, others he directs the bots to contact the appropriate authorities, such as the police or fire department. Now that’s a plan.

Although Otto likes being Superior Spider-Man I can’t help but notice his anger and frustration with Peter for not living up to his full potential. After showing a groundbreaking walking device for Aunt May to the head of Horizon Labs and demanding to be recognized as Doctor Peter Parker, Otto becomes enraged when learning Peter never received his Doctorates. So what does Otto do? He re-enrolls in college to earn that last credit and work on a thesis! That’s right. Peter Parker was just a credit and thesis away from a Doctoral degree. Peter was so busy web slinging that he never took take the time to fullfil his other obligations.

The story gets even better as Marcus Lyman escapes from an asylum, committing several murders on his way out. Marcus, aka Massacre is a mass murderer. He lost all empathy for humanity after he was brain damaged in a car bombing that killed his wife. Spider-Man gave his word to the mayor that he will end Massacre.

The story ended with the two escaped minions of the Vulture running into a long-time enemy of Spider-Man, who said he would keep them safe from Spider-Man. He’s also one of my favorite villains. Who is it? Another reason for you to start reading Superior Spider-Man!

The series is progressing rapidly. I still don’t know how Dan Slott can pack so much information within a few pages. The dialogue is strong. It’s both funny and serious. Compelling characters. I like the fact that Peter Parker’s ghost is still around, and that he can’t be heard by anyone. It’s good for the story.

What I’m liking the most from this story is Otto Octavius. I don’t know ALL about Spider-Man and his enemies, but I know enough to know Otto is showing a side the world hasn’t seen before. I’ve always liked villains but I’m drawn more to Otto right now. He is still that evil genius with the plans and schemes. And although he’s showing a dark side of Spider-Man through his recent handling of the bad guys, there is a soft spot in his heart. By the way, Doctor Octopus has always been my favorite Spidey villain.

Ryan Stegman is not the artist on this issue (I’ve come to know and love his work on SSM) but the artwork is still great. Giuseppe Camuncoli did a great job and I like Edgar Delgado on the colors.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

You know what to do. So hurry up and start reading if you haven’t already.

The New Ghostbusters #1 Review

IDW Publishing, ,

ghostbusters

I didn’t read the original Ghostbusters series, so I really didn’t know what to expect with the re-launch. So when I bought The New Ghostbusters #1, by IDW Publishing, I quickly skimmed through the pages to see who was in it and what the ghosts looked like. I was in for a big surprise because I hadn’t read any of the press releases or previews.

The Ghostbusters (Peter, Egon, Ray and Winston) were abducted one at a time, by a ghost that resembled each of them. They wind up in what looks like another dimension.

Who you gonna call now? The New Ghostbusters!

  • JANINE. Ghostbusters secretary.
  • KYLIE. Ray’s bookstore manager, paranormal researcher.
  • MELANIE. FBI special agent

After creating a chaotic scene at a ghost busting site, the ladies are given a proposition by the city. Either agree to micromanagement by the Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission (PCOC) or have charges filed against them by the city. Since none of the ladies have technical skills with the proton equipment, they also have to add a technician to their team. RON ALEXANDER. Janine hesitantly agreed.

This is a pretty good debut issue. Great dialogue with lots of jokes, all at a good pace. I like how Erik Burnham began with showing what happened to the original Ghostbusters. If you’re looking for a good set-up for a story, this issue has it.

Dan Schoening did a great job on the artwork. I also like the coloring by Luis Delgado. I especially like the ghosts. They’re the typical ghostbusters ghosts. Ooey, gooey and slimy. Just how I remember from the film!

I wasn’t really feeling the story, probably because I rather watch it on television (cartoon comes on QUBO channel), but I’m curious as to what’s going to happen next. I want to know how The New Ghostbusters are going to handle not being able to have a say in the coordinating and prioritizing of their cases. Especially their most important case, finding the guys. I also want to see how well Janine and Kylie work with Ron. Last but certainly not least, I want to know where the guys are and how they plan to get home. So I plan to read the next issue to see where it’s heading.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

If you’re a fan of Ghostbusters then you will want to start reading this series.

Grimm Fairty Tales Presents: Wonderland Review

Zenescope Entertainment, , , , , ,

wonderland1

Grimm Fairy Tales Presents:  Wonderland

I was already a fan of Zenescope’s Grimm Fairy Tales.  But when I learned that Greg Horn was going to be a variant cover artist (pictured above) for issue #1, I immediately emailed the comic shop to request cover B.

Grimm Fairy Tales Presents:  Wonderland is what happens after the Wonderland Trilogy (Return to Wonderland, Beyond Wonderland, Escape From Wonderland).  Callie Liddle and her daughter, Violet try to live normal lives.  They learn soon enough they can’t escape the realm of madness, and is on the run once again.

The series begins with the spirit of the Mad Hatter using a troubled teenage boy named Sammy to carry out his madness and evil schemes, including brainwashing an entire town and murder.  In case you don’t already know, Mad Hatter’s name is Johnny and he is the brother of Callie.

Wonderland is full of chaos, madness, murder and betrayal.

The relationship between mother and daughter is breathtaking, as Callie gives her all into making sure Violet is safe.  Violet wants to live a normal teenage life.  Callie knows this is not safe and forbids Violet from doing most teenage activities.  Living a life on the run is causing the relationship between Violet and her mother to deteriorate.

The series is a twisted fairy tale filled with horror, chaos, suspense and murder.  The Mad Hatter, Queen of Spades, and the Queen of Hearts are just a few of the characters that Callie and Violet will encounter from the realm of madness.

The artwork is great, especially the covers.  Zenescope is known for their explicit covers.  But there’s nothing explicit about the stories.  Just pure horror, chaos and madness.  And I love every bit of if.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

If you like:

  • fairy tales
  • stories with a twist
  • horror
  • chaos
  • suspense

then I highly recommend this series.