Tag Archives: comics

The Movement #1 Review

DC Comics, , ,

movement1

For a New 52 title by DC Comics, I can say The Movement definitely fits the description of “new.” New characters. New concepts. But not enough to reel me in.

The story takes place in Coral City, a city of crime and corruption. It begins with two police officers attempting to sexually assault a teenage girl, but their efforts were thwarted by a group of people wearing silver masks and holding recording devices. The display on the devices read “i.c.u.”

Taking over a section of the city called the Tweens, the Movement is a group of outcast citizens, all with super human powers. The Movement is basically an army of citizens that takes a stand against those who abuse their power of authority; police officers and government officials, by exposing their corruption to the public. They will stop at nothing to keep their territory crime and corrupt free.

The Movement reminds me of the Occupy movement, the protest against social and economic inequality. The only difference is that The Movement are super powered heroes. So this series is more like a modern-day super hero type of story. They are fighting real villains; corrupt authoritative figures.

I was not hooked at all by this story. No page turners. One character in particular I don’t care for is Mouse, the prince of rats. When he summons them, they follow him by the masses. Yuck. Gross. I don’t see this title going very far. I will not be reading the next issue.

Gail Simone is the writer. Good character interactions. The story may work for some readers, but I prefer not to see super powered heroes in this type of story. I want to see them fighting super villains, monsters and aliens.

Freddie Williams II is the artist and Chris Sotomayor is the colorist. Great visual storytellers. I have no complaints in this area.

I sure hope this series is NOT the replacement for Demon Knights, one of my favorite New 52 series that is on the chopping block.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I do not recommend this title.

The Green Team #1 Review

DC Comics, , , ,

greanteam1

When I learned  that Art Baltazar and Franco would be writing this series, I knew right away I had to support The Green Team, a New 52 title by DC Comics.  Or at least the first issue.

The title alone gives you an idea of the main characters, wealthy teenagers.  The Green Team is a development company led and funded by the wealthy tech guru, Commodore Murphy.  Given only a short timeframe to prepare, exhibitors are invited to Poxpo, or Pop-Up Expo at a secret location.  Guests are invited as well, but with a two-day notice.  The exhibitors are given the chance to show off their inventions to Commodore, in hopes that he funds their developments.  But we soon learn Commodore’s ulterior motive behind the Poxpos.

This story is a light read, but may appeal more to teens/young adults.  I knew the script would be well-written and easy to follow because of Baltazar and Franco’s run on Tiny Titans and Superman Family Adventures (two popular but canceled DC titles that my kids loved).

Although the set-up for the story is great, unless my tween wants to read the series I may not continue reading this title.  I have no complaints about the story at all.  It just does not fit my personal taste.  I may read the next issue to see where it’s heading.  I have to admit that I am curious as to what’s going to happen to Commodore and the rest of the gang.  I am especially interested in Commodore because he took a surprising turn towards the end of the story.  Thus the adventures begin.

The art team consists of IG  Guara (pencils), J.P. Mayer (inker), and Wil Quintana (colorist).  Great visual storytellers.  I have no complaints in this area.

Verdict (drum roll please)

I highly recommend Green Team for teens and young adults.  I recommend it for older readers looking for a light, but adventuresome read.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #23 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

ultimatespidey23

The story begins one year after the fight between Spider-Man and Venom that left his mother dead and father injured. Spider-Man, aka Miles Morales decided to give up being a superhero.

Outside of being a superhero, Miles Morales is an ordinary teenager living an ordinary life. He has his best friend, Ganke, at his side. There’s also a teenage Katie Bishop, Miles’ girlfriend. Miles feels that since he is no longer Spider-Man, he can tell Katie about his secret past. However Ganke warns him against it, fearing that Katie will be put in harms’ way if she learns the truth.

At a rendezvous with Spider-Woman, Miles became upset when she tried to hand him a briefcase. After a brief dispute with her, Miles took off, leaving the briefcase behind.

I haven’t read Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, by Marvel Comics, since issue #4. I decided to grab and read this issue after Brian Michael Bendis, writer, tweeted that this issue would be a good jump-on point. And he was right. Several events took place in this issue:

  • Discussion between Miles and Ganke about his giving up being Spider-Man and whether he should tell Katie his secret or not
  • The meeting with Spider-Woman
  • Running into Gwen Stacy while at dinner with his dad
  • An explosion/fight outside the restaurant (No spoilers given. You’ll have to read and find out the couple that’s involved)

I really enjoyed this story. Well-written dialogue that is easy to read for all ages. I especially like the exchanges between Miles and Ganke. Short and to the point. But Miles appears in need of an attitude adjustment, having telling both Ganke and Spider-Woman (on separate occasions) they need to respect him. But then again, typical teenager.

Although I haven’t read this series in a while, I can definitely see a difference in the physical appearance of an older Miles Morales. He lost the baby face and although he is still cute, he is now a teenage boy with the height and attitude to go with it. Thanks to the creative team of Dave Marquez (artist) and Justin Ponsor (colors) for the visuals. Well defined features, especially Miles and Ganke.

I plan to continue reading the series to see where it’s heading. With Bendis as the writer, it can only go one way. UP.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend Ultimate Comics Spider-Man for all ages.

Regular Show #1 Review

BOOM Studios, , ,

regshow1

You may watch them everyday on Cartoon Network.  Now they have their own comic book series.  Regular Show #1 is just as funny as the television cartoon.

The debut issue of this new comic book series, by BOOM! Studios, has all the main characters in the story:  Rigby, Mordecai, Benson, Skips, Muscle Man, and High Five Ghost.  The story has all the elements and quirks as the cartoon series.  Mordecai gets on Rigby’s case (you know Mordecai is the sensible one out of the two).  Muscle Man creates chaos.  Not only is Skips always knowledgeable about chaotic events, he always has a solution to the problems.  And what would Regular Show be like without Benson yelling “Get back to work!”

The gang is at an outdoor benefit concert when Muscle Man starts a mosh pit, which eventually gets out of control.  Now Rigby, Mordecai, Skips and Benson have to find a way to get Muscle Man to stop moshing.

If you are a fan of the Regular Show cartoon, then you will want to grab a copy of this issue and start reading.  I’m a fan of the cartoon and reading the story was just as funny and entertaining as watching it on television.

The story is written by KC Green.  A very easy to read, all ages comic.  Silly and funny just like the show.

Art is done by Allison Strejlau and colors by Lisa Moore.  Good visual storytellers.  The characters are drawn true to the cartoon, a major selling point.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this title, especially if you are a Regular Show fan.

Jupiter’s Legacy #1 Review

Image Comics, , ,

jupiterlegacy1

It was the depression era. The year was 1932. Sheldon Sampson, a wealthy businessman, had dreams of being called to an island where he would find answers and help for his country, the United States. But this island is mysterious, as no one has ever heard of it or seen it. It appears only in Sheldon’s dreams. After traveling a great distance, he found and hired a crew to take him to this land of the unknown.

Sheldon’s brother, Walter, and some of his friends from college left for their journey, not knowing what was in store for them. All they had to go by was a picture of the island that Sheldon drew for them. The crew reached the mountainous island, but no one outside the group knows what happened while they were there. They never even talked about it amongst themselves. The only thing that is known is that they returned home as superheroes. Costumes and all.

The story jumps to the present. The children of the now aging superheroes have super powers, but most of them do not take their responsibilities of being a superhero seriously. The aging superheroes are still out in the field fighting villains while most of their children are living life in the fast lane. Sheldon’s children are partygoers and drug users. His arrogant son, Brandon, takes care of superhero groupies in the mens’ rooms at clubs. His sister, Chloe, is a drug abuser and uses the renowned name of her family to gain publicity, fame and endorsements. Soaking up the spotlight while doing nothing to earn it. They’re both slackers. They don’t care about saving the country. They just want to live carefree.

Walter’s son, Jules, is a slacker also. When a fight erupts between the heroes and a villain, Jules stayed back. His plan was to jump in at the end and throw a few blows.  He is also using the family name for his own personal fame.

The economy is weak and the two brothers, Sheldon and Walter, engage in a verbal dispute over their roles as public servants. Walter feels it’s his moral responsibility to show the president what needs to be done to stabilize the economy. Sheldon, on the other hand, wants to continue fighting crime, as he feels that politics are to be left to the politicians.

Jupiter’s Legacy #1, a new by Image Comics, is a story about a generation gap and the problems in-between this gap. Children of renowned superheroes who has no desire to follow in their parents footsteps.

I went into this title with no idea of what it was about, therefore I didn’t know what to expect.  Although the script is well-written by Mark Millar, the story didn’t grab my attention at all.  There was no substance for me to get hooked on.  Younger readers may find this story boring and hard to follow. Sure you have the younger generation running around partying, abusing drugs and feeding off their parents names, but you also have their parents, older heroes who believe in serving their country and being responsible. They care about the economy, their country and the people in it. Younger readers may not care too much about the latter.

I like the artwork. Frank Quitely (artist), and Peter Doherty (colors). I like how the appearance and style of the kids’ costumes immensely contrasts with that of the more classic style of costumes worn by the older heroes.

I was bored stiff by this debut issue.  I only found one page turner. And I couldn’t turn it because it was the last page.  As of now I’m up in the air as to whether I will give the next issue a try or not.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I do not recommend this title.

Superior Spider-Man #9 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

ssm9c

A dying Otto Octavius, aka Doctor Octopus or Doc Ock, found a way to switch bodies with Peter Parker.  Having gained the memories, powers and skills of Spider-Man, Otto now realizes the responsibilities that comes with being Spider-Man.  Otto vowed to be a better Spider-Man.  A smarter Spider-Man.  SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN.  However a small piece of Peter Parker is in the brain of the Superior Spider-Man.  Stuck in Otto’s brain, Peter is forced to watch Otto live his life and trying his hardest to keep Otto in check and out of trouble.

In the last issue, the Avengers forced Spider-Man to undergo extensive testing and evaluations because of his erratic behavior.  Test results did not reveal an imposter and Spider-Man was released with probation.

Seeing an anomaly on his brain scan, Spider-Man went to the H.E.A.R.T. Clinic to take back his neuro scanner that was stolen by Cardiac.  Spider-Man learns a little girl was severely brain-damaged during one of his schemes, so he performed surgery on the girl and saved her life.  Borrowing the scanner from the clinic, Spider-Man returned to his lab to study the anomaly in his brain.  He discovered the tiny fragment is Peter Parker!  Otto informs Peter that he is aware of him and that he plans to extract him from his mind once and for all.

The entire storyline in The Superior Spider-Man #9, a Marvel NOW! title by Marvel Comics, is about the lobectomy, and its’ outcomes, performed on Otto to destroy Peter Parker.  Or Peter Parkerectomy, as Dan Slott, writer, coined in the last issue.

Without giving any spoilers, I will just say that this issue is full of surprises.  I am amazed at the scope of this storyline.  The events that take place in this issue are breathtaking.  Action packed.  Adrenaline inducing.  Peter was not going down without a fight, and he and Otto were prepared for each other.  And well prepared they were.

The Superior Spider-Man series is not to be read lightly.  The more I read this title, the more involved I become in the story.  Especially this issue.  Peter and Otto fought long and hard, but I want to set the physical battle aside and talk about the verbal exchanges between the two of them.  Peter came down hard on Otto about his portrayal as Spider-Man.  He reminded him of nearly being fired from the Avengers, and the brutal treatment towards his enemies, including the murder of one of them (I won’t mention the name in case you haven’t read the issue yet).  He was basically telling Otto that he’s not worthy of being Spider-Man and that he should give him his life back.

Otto, however, broke it down to Peter and let him know why he’s the better Spider-Man.  Peter was always slinging around town being the “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.”  Always comical.  Wanting to be loved by everyone.  Not using his powers to its’ fullest extent, he always went easy on his enemies.  Since Otto has been Spider-Man, there has been a reduction of crime in the city.  And he gets full support from the mayor and the police.  Superior Spider-Man has taken down several enemies that Peter Parker went too easy on.  The Vulture and Massacre are perfect examples (again I won’t spoil it in case you haven’t read it yet).

I totally agree with Otto and I feel that he is the better Spider-Man.  He created a device to help Aunt May walk.  He stopped the Vulture from using children as his henchmen.  He re-enrolled in college to take that last credit and write a thesis for his (Peter) Doctorate Degree.  He saved that little girl’s life with the brain damage.  Otto may be a villain, but he is a hero at heart.  He has shown compassion far too many times for it to go unnoticed.

The Superior Spider-Man #9 is probably Slott’s best issue yet.  Well written and engaging dialogue.  Phenomenal character interactions.  Compelling characters, especially Otto.  A lot of information is packed in this fast paced story but it’s not hard to follow.

Superb artwork by Ryan Stegman (artist) and Edgar Delgado (colors).  These two are great at visual storytelling.  I especially like the cover.  Hmmm, I wonder if the layout of my brain spells my name.  Ummm that’s okay.  I don’t want to find out.

There is no doubt that I will continue to read The Superior Spider-Man.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this Marvel NOW! title.