Tag Archives: comics

The New Ghostbusters #2 Review

IDW Publishing, ,

ghostbust2In the debut issue of The New Ghostbusters by IDW Publishing, we saw how the team came together. Janine, Melanie and Kylie got together to search for the guys, who were abducted by spirits and taken to what appears to be another dimension. The PCOC made them an official team, but they have to abide by PCOC’s terms.

The team is engaged in a photo shoot at the beginning of this issue, and this is where I was able to get a more in-depth feel of the characters and their personalities. Erik Burnham, writer, has done a great job with character development. All four members of the team are from different walks of like, but they are all funny in their own way.

Janine – Aggressive, mouthy. Will put you in check at the blink of an eye. Shows strong leadership skills.

Melanie – Takes crap from no one.

Kylie – Gothic-looking. Skilled at identifying supernatural forces.

Ron – Annoying

ghostbust2a

I like this issue much better than the first one. I laughed throughout the story. Right now, I’m liking the entire team, but I especially like Janine. Her aggressive personality stands out from the rest of the team, and she backs down to no one. Not even the PCOC.

Along with a good script should be good artwork as well. This issue has both. The artwork is superb. Art by Dan Schoening. Colors by Luis Delgado. These two are great visual storytellers. I don’t know what I like the best, supernatural scenes and its’ bright colors, or Janine’s facial expressions when she’s mouthing off!

I plan to continue reading this series to see where it leads.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this series, if you haven’t already started reading it. It is full of funny jokes and ghosts!

Adventure Time Fionna & Cake Review

BOOM Studios, ,

fioandcake

Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake is a 6 issue mini-series published by BOOM! Studios, written and illustrated by Natasha Allegri. The series is currently on issue #3.

The characters in Fionna & Cake are gender swapped versions of Adventure Time.

Finn = Fionna

Jake = Cake

Princess Bubblegum = Prince Gumball

Ice King = Ice Queen

Marceline = Marshall Lee

This series is definitely written for children. There is not much dialogue and the words are large print in big bubbles. It reminds me of the “Ready to Read” books. You know the books that are number or color coded according to reading levels for the younger kids (pre-k through chapter books).

I like the artwork. I think Fionna, Cake and the baby fire lions are cute.

The only reason I’m going to buy the last three issues is for my kids. They like anything related to Adventure Time and I’m going to support them.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

Adventure Time Fionna & Cake is not a comic for adults. It is geared towards kids. Unless you plan to buy the comic for young children, then I don’t recommend it at all.

Demon Knights Review

DC Comics, , ,

demonknights1

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, , , , , ,

youngadv2

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.