Tag Archives: comics

Constantine #4 Review

DC Comics, , ,

constantine4

Constantine travels all over the world to recover (or steal) artifacts, that can be used for evil if they land in the wrong hands, and secures them in a safe location.  The occult detective lets nothing get in his way while on these perilous journeys.  Often being followed and captured by his enemies, Constantine finds a way to free himself from his captors every time.  He acquires the magical assets, using whatever means necessary, even if at the expense of innocent lives.

In this issue, Constantine steals an artifact from Papa Midnite.  A voodoo sorcerer and leader of a vicious street gang, Papa and his goons intend to make Constantine pay.  SEVERELY.

This series is fast paced, but not hard to follow if/once you are aware of what is happening in the story.  I was confused after reading the first issue, but that was because I went into the story blindly.  I knew nothing about Constantine at the time.  I was addicted by the end of the second issue.

Ray Fawkes and Jeff Lemire are the creative writers of this action filled series.  I like how Constantine’s use of jokes and trickery intensifies the anger in his enemies.  I also like the fact that  he is known and recognized, by his enemies, as a sorcerer of great skill and power.

Fabiano Neves is the artist and Marcelo Maiolo is the colorist.  I love witches, wizards and monsters.  And I love dark.  Neves and Maiolo provides all of this.  An excellent team of  visual storytellers.

I enjoy following the adventurous travels of Constantine, a clever, cynical, deceitful, manipulative, cigarette smoking wizard.  And since I love stories of sorcery and black magic, I definitely plan to continue reading this series.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I still recommend this New 52 title by DC Comics.

Suicide Squad #21 Review

DC Comics, , , ,

suicidesquad21

I began reading this New 52 title with the last issue (#20) and was instantly hooked.  I had no choice, it’s dark and full of nonstop action.

Belle Reve Penitentiary is a prison for super-villains.  Select villains have a chance to reduce their sentences by participating in a government program.  Known as the Suicide Squad, the team performs deadly missions.  Tiny bombs are implanted in their necks to keep them in check.  Amanda Waller, the woman I love to hate, is Belle Reve’s director and the overseer of the Suicide Squad.  And she’s her usual conniving and manipulative self.

A riot takes place at Belle Reve and Harley Quinn appears to be at the center of it.  Although Harley Quinn is looney, she exhibits a bit of intelligence.  However I do not believe that she is the mastermind behind the attacks at the penitentiary.  Other key players in this story are Deadshot, Cheetah and James Gordon, Jr.

This story is action packed from the beginning.  The characters are funny, scary and serious all at the same time.  I definitely plan to continue reading this series to see where it’s heading.

Ales Kot is the writer.  Well written dialogue and easy to follow.  I love the character interactions, especially Harley Quinn and Amanda Waller.

Patrick Zircher is the artist and Jason Keith is the colorist.  This team did a great job on the artwork.  Lifelike characters.  I especially like the realistic facial features of Deadshot and Amanda Waller.

The only complaint I have is the look of Harley Quinn.  She is one of my favorite characters in this series, but she looks too psychotic.  I know she is mentally unstable but her appearance seems a bit exaggerated.  This is only my second issue of reading this series, so I’m sure I’ll grow on her look.  I know that I’ll appreciate her appearance more once I get more issues under my belt and learn a bit more about all the characters in the story.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend Suicide Squad, a New 52 title by DC Comics.

Deadpool #10 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

deadpool10b

He’s a violent, anti-hero, witty, and mentally unstable mercenary. He’s Wade Wilson, aka DEADPOOL, the merc with a mouth. And he still has Agent Preston trapped in his head. Preston, for those who don’t know, was a S.H.E.I.L.D. agent that was killed by a dead George Washington in issue #6. Michael, the necromancer that raised the presidents from the dead, was able to transport Agent Preston’s mind into Deadpool’s head. They’re also still hanging with Benjamin Franklin’s ghost.

When Deadpool arrives at the location of Daniel Gump, the guy that’s next in line on the hit list from Vetis (a demon that Deadpool made a deal with to get Michael’s name off the list), Spider-Man surprisingly shows up to take down Gump as well. Deadpool would call this issue a team-up. Spider-Man? No way.

I LOVED this story. It’s Deadpool so you know that violence is a key factor. It is also hilarious. Deadpool annoyed the heck out of Spider-Man the entire time. They’re fighting Gump’s hired super villains, while at the same time Deadpool tries to talk to Spider-Man about joining the Avengers. He also flirts with Spider-Man. A LOT. He even calls him “sweetums.” A very irritated Spider-Man handled Deadpool quite well. I laughed so loud and hard. Twice. Because I read it twice in a row. And I’m going to keep reading this issue whenever I want a good laugh.

WARNING TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN: Deadpool is not suitable for young readers. It is violent and gory. Please exercise caution when reading around young children.

Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan are the writers of this funny but violent series, and I think it’s their best issue yet. Dialogue is funny as always. Character interactions are phenomenal. I really like the relationship between Deadpool and Agent Preston. A normal, down to earth woman is stuck in the head of an insane mercenary. The ghost of Benjamin Franklin is very funny. I like when he floated inside of the gentlemen’s club. Spider-Man is as arrogant as ever, and even Deadpool sensed something was different about him (remember he’s Otto Octavius). These creative geniuses have a way of combining violence, comedy and interpersonal relationships into one good story after another.

The art team includes Mike Hawthorne (artist) and Val Staples (colorist). They are excellent visual storytellers. Lifelike characters. Finely detailed with just the right amount of lighting, especially with the explosions and fight scenes. I like the panel where Spider-Man’s reflection is Otto Octavius. I also like how Deadpool’s reflection is Agent Preston. It brought tears to my eyes. The panel with Spider-Man crawling up the wall with Deadpool on his back (and the dialogue) is funny. The funniest are the panels with Deadpool flirting with Spider-Man and pink hearts are floating above Deadpool’s head.

I am still enjoying this Marvel NOW! title and definitely plan to continue reading the series.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title for mature readers only.

Screwed #1 Review

Zenescope Entertainment, , ,

screw1

Imagine waking up in a hospital covered in scars, not knowing who you are, and everyone you see is a monster. That’s what is happening to the lead female character in this story, only it’s real.

The story takes place in Morris County, New Jersey. Anne (name has not yet been revealed, it’s mentioned in next month’s sneak peek at the end of the story) awakes from a coma in a hospital room not only covered in scars, but looking as if her body has been dissected and sewn back together. Then massive chaos takes place. A monster named Suture attacks her in the room, but she is able to ward him off with her unexpected superhuman strength. She escapes from the hospital, taking down several monsters that tried to stop her on her way out. FBI agent Erin Scott arrives on the scene to investigate, but her efforts are thwarted by Simon Beckett, a conniving looking secret agent.

Anne’s mind seems to be fragmented as well. She has no recollection of her identity or what happened to her, and everyone she sees is a monster. While in the coma, she had a sense of smell and sound, so she was able to hear the location of where she was found. That is all she has to go on for now.

Anne soon discovers that her body goes though a cycle:

  • pain
  • darkness
  • jolts of electricity flows through her body
  • monsters appear
  • she has uncontrollable rage
  • her surroundings become quiet

It sounds to me like someone has implanted a demented defibrillator in her body.

Screwed is a mini series published by Zenescope. This story held my undivided attention and I was hooked from the beginning. It is a twisted, modern-day Frankenstein horror story. It is full of monsters, blood baths, insanity and deception. And I LOVE IT. I am a reader of Zenescope comics, so I already knew what I was in for with this title. And I was not disappointed with this debut issue.

Tyler Kirkham and Keith Thomas are the writers of this action filled story. This Zenescope quality script is intense, and Kirkham and Thomas did a great job in setting up the story.

The art team consists of David Miller (pencils) and Oracle (colors). These guys did an excellent job on the monsters. I am a horror fan so I jumped and laughed at the same time.

The only complaint I have is the cover art. Zenescope is known for scantily clad dressed women on its’ covers, setting them apart from other publishers. That is also my indication that it’s a Zenescope title. So I probably would have overlooked this comic at the store, unless I knew ahead of time what the story was about.

But then again, I won’t complain. I love horror, suspense, fantasy and twisted tales. I enjoyed reading Screwed #1 and definitely plan to continue reading this mini series.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title for all horror comic readers.

Fearless Defenders #5 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

feardef5

My last review of this Marvel NOW! title, was issue #3. And believe me when I say A LOT has happened since then. By now you may know that Valkyrie neglected to select a new group of Shieldmaidens from Midgard (Middle Earth). She claimed that she couldn’t find any women that was worthy. In the meantime, the villainess Caroline LeFay used Dani Moonstar’s Valkyrie energy to raise the Doom Maidens. Hela, the Asgardian goddess of death, raised Queen Hippolyta from the dead to fight the Doom Maidens. The All-Mother appointed Misty Knight and Dr. Annabelle Riggs to accompany Valkyrie and Hippolyta as they rescue Dani and fight the Doom Maidens. While in battle with the Doom Maidens, it was learned that Valkyrie is a former Doom Maiden. Valkyrie, Dani and Hippolyta went to confront the Doom Maidens. Although Misty and Annabelle stayed behind, Misty decided it was time to take further action. Placing a phone call, all we know is that she asked the question, “Are you for hire?” And now we get to find out just who it was she talked to AND hired.

As Valkyrie, Dani Moonstar and Hippolyta go to battle with the Doom Maidens, Misty Knight and Annabelle arrive with surprise reinforcements. Misty hired a badass team of 12 female superheroes, although only 9 Shield Maidens are needed. The fierce battle has begun. Lots of body slinging, butt kicking and dragon slaying. Then some serious hell breaks loose and Valkyrie takes a turn for the worse.

This action packed issue is no joke. Non-stop action with continuous page turners. As I got to the center splash all I could say was, “DAMN.” When Valkyrie went through her changes at the end of the story, again all I could say was, “DAMN.” I rarely say curse words so you know that this series has to be top-notch.

It is more than obvious that I am still loving this title. But with badass chicks like Valkyrie, Misty Knight and Hippolyta I have no choice. They all have strong, yet distinct personalities. All from different backgrounds. The interactions among them remains phenomenal. Misty is still the Foxy Brown of comics, Valkyrie is serious but will put you in check if needed, and Hippolyta is still conceited as ever.

I even like Dr. Annabelle Riggs now. She was meek and timid at the beginning of the series, but her character becomes stronger in each issue. In this issue, it is apparent that she is strongly connected to Valkryie in some kind of way. I have a feeling of what it may be, but I won’t say until the story progresses.

The women that Misty Knight hired are:

    • Elektra
    • She-Hulk
    • Black Widow
    • Storm
    • Captain Marvel
    • Black Cat
    • Tigra
    • Spider-Woman
    • Thundra
    • Colleen Wing
    • Hellcat
    • Tarantula

I was very excited to see that She-Hulk, Elektra and Black Widow, my favorite badass Marvel girls, are a part of this story.

Cullen Bunn, writer, needs a round of applause AND a standing ovation. I still don’t know how he does it, but he is able to write amazing dialogue among these compelling characters. The interactions among all the characters are both funny and serious. I am still amazed at how well Bunn writes such realistic dialogue. A bunch of women all with different personalities; attitudes, funny, serious, conceited and evil. All I can say is that I’m glad Marvel has this creative genius scripting this series.

The creative art team consists of Will Sliney (art), Veronica Gandini (colors), and Mark Brooks (cover). The art for this issue is superb. The characters and backgrounds are lifelike and finely detailed. I like Gandini’s use of colors, especially in the panels with explosions and the dragon induced fires. And I love that awesome cover. I can ramble on about the art, so I’ll end by saying that with visual storytellers such as this team, you don’t need text to know what’s going on.

I continue to stress that in order for a story to work, it needs to have both a good script AND art. Fearless Defenders has both. I am going to continue to read this title.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I strongly recommend this title.

X-Men #1 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

xmen1

Storm, Rogue, Psylocke, Jubilee, Rachel, and Kitty Pryde.  I can tell by the cover that this is going to be a kick ass girl team.

Having a sense of being followed, Jubilee contacts the X-Men.  When Storm, Rogue and Kitty arrive at the train Jubilee is a passenger on, they discover that she is harboring an infant she claims to have rescued.  Then all hell breaks loose.  The train has been tampered with and it’s up to the women of X-Men to defuse the situation.  Shortly after that, Jean Grey School For Higher Learning receives an unexpected, yet unwelcome visitor.  John Sublime, super villain and enemy of the X-Men, seeks their help for a crisis that he alone cannot handle; taking down Arkea Prime, his evil twin sister.

Brian Wood is the writer of this action packed series.  The pacing is fast but easy to follow, and I love the realistic dialogue and character interactions.  All the characters have distinct personalities, which makes the story more exciting to read.  I feel that Wood did a great job with the set-up of the story, beginning with the narrative on the first two pages.

The art team consists of Olivier Copiel (pencils/inks), Mark Morales (inks) and Laura Martin (colorist).  This team did such a great job at visual storytelling, that you really don’t need text to understand what is happening.  I love the cover art, especially Psylocke, Storm and Kitty.  Their facial expressions alone are enough for me to know not to mess with them or their teammates.  Each panel is finely detailed and realistically drawn.  The characters are so lifelike.  A couple of the baby’s facial expressions had me laughing.  Kitty Pryde has always been one of my favorite X-Men characters so I loved seeing her phase in and out of the train.  The lighting and colors in the panels are great, with my favorites being Mercury throwing that book at Bling (ouch) and the train explosion.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, a good story needs a good script AND good artwork.  You cannot have one without the other.  X-Men #1 goes over and beyond a good script and art.  It deserves the adjective of SUPERB.  This creative team needs a round of applause.  And then a standing ovation.

This Marvel NOW! title by Marvel Comics is sure to not only retain its’ loyal X-Men readers, but to gain new readers as well.  You already know one of those new readers, ME.  I don’t recall ever reading X-Men titles, but I have been glancing through them for years (my husband is a loyal X-Men fan) and have become familiar with most of the characters.  I definitely plan to read the next issue because the super villain on the last page of this issue is sure to cause havoc.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend X-MEN, the Marvel NOW! title by Marvel Comics.