Category Archives: Comics
The Flintstones by Amanda Conner
DC Comics has announced a huge new wave of Hanna-Barbera comics coming out later this year. But unlike the regular, old licensed comics that I’m always surprised are still being sold, DC is reimagining these classic comics with new, potentially interesting twists. There’s Scooby Apocalypse, which is self explanatory, and Wacky Race Land, which looks like it’s going to put the Wacky Races into a Mad Max-style wasteland. Entertainment Weekly has all the details.
Honestly, these sound just insane enough to maybe be interesting. Mostly, though, I wanted to show off this awesome picture of the Flintstones by one of my favorite comic book artists, Amanda Conner.
It just looks so totally perfect
It’s just so…totally Conner. It’s gorgeous. I’m not about to read a comic about the Flintstones, but that picture was too great not to share.
This whole idea is kind of neat, but also kind of insane. Who buys Scooby Doo comics? I know that DC makes Scooby Doo comics, but who buys them? Are they the same type of people who will now buy a Scooby Doo reimagining set in the Apocalypse? Or is DC banking on some kind of super nostalgia to drive new readers to Scooby Doo comics?
I have no idea, but I applaud creativity nonetheless.
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Review: Teen Titans #16
When writer Will Pfeifer joined Teen Titans, DC Comics felt so strongly about it that they restarted the series with a new #1 issue. It was supposed to be a new beginning, but somehow, inexplicably, Pfeifer seemed to drown himself in the exact same problems that buried Scott Lobdell’s tenure on the book. Rather than breath new life into the series, Pfeifer simply continued all of the worse traits of the Teen Titans in the New 52. But it’s over now…maybe. New writer Greg Pak takes over with the next issue. Will he be cursed with the same problems? Or will Pak, who has been writing a very excellent Action Comics recently, somehow find a way to make this series good? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
Teen Titans #16
As for Pfeifer’s final issue, apparently he got the memo that he needed to clean as much house as humanly possible. He cleans out Teen Titans so quickly that you’d think he’d thrown a party while his parents were on vacation, only to find out they were coming home early.
Comics Rating: 3/10 – Bad.
Based on the solicitations for upcoming issues, it looks like Pak is going to keep the team relatively the same, and try to find new stories with them. I’m fine with that. I like the lineup just fine. The characters have potential. It’s the stories and the premise that need to be worked on. It remains a marvel to me that DC has kept Teen Titans the way it is, despite all outside influences in comics these days. When books like the new Batgirl or Ms. Marvel are getting so much attention, when the DC animated shows focus so heavily on vastly different versions of the team, why then is the comic book Teen Titans still a team of random characters fighting random supervillains with little to no continuity or consistency?
Teen Titans Go! has better consistency and character development.
This final issue is no different. Once again, the Titans go up against completely random bad guys for an issue full of gratuitous fighting. Once again, this comic is just a bunch of action figures being smashed together. The writing is pretty wretched as well, with Pfeifer embodying the worst superhero comic traits when it comes to the characters explaining what they’re doing on the page. It’s like Chris Claremont’s worst X-Men habits. And on top of that, someone at DC told Pfeifer to clear the slate a bit for Pak, so he finds several quick and dirty ways to shuffle characters out of the book. And considering how he brought those characters in, this has to be painful for him as a creator.
Teen Titans #16 reads like DC told Pfeifer not to let the door hit him on the way out, but they didn’t really mean it.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 1/23/16
This was an exciting week for comics! We’ve got new issues of some of my favorites, like Astonishing Ant-Man and Ms. Marvel, as well as the excellent return of the new Patsy Walker series. Heck, even DC delivered, with another big Batman issue, and the first issue of the new Poison Ivy mini-series. This week was packed to the gills!
But two of the best issues were new #1s! I’m talking, of course, about the relaunched Captain Marvel and Silver Surfer comics! One has a new creative team and a new direction, while the other doubles down on what made the previous volume so good — which is exactly why the new Silver Surfer #1 wins Comic Book of the Week!
You’re live to the whole world!
But it’s good to have both series back! Marvel is finally shaking off all the Secret Wars malaise (even though I did enjoy Secret Wars).
Comic Reviews: Astonishing Ant-Man #4, Batman #48, Captain Marvel #1, Ms. Marvel #3, Poison Ivy #1, Patsy Walker a.k.a. Hellcat #2 and Silver Surfer #1.
By the Way, Steve Rogers is Coming Back as Captain America
Announced a few days ago, it looks like Steve Rogers will once again be Captain America in the comics. He’s getting a new costume to boot, designed by artist Daniel Acuna. I think he looks pretty great.
Go America!
Obviously, Steve is getting back in the saddle because he has a new movie coming out in the Spring. That’s fine by me. He’s done a lot as an old man, and I’m sure his new series will be a lot of fun. The comic will be written by Nick Spencer, who is doing great on Astonishing Ant-Man, with art by Jesus Saiz.
Meanwhile, Sam Wilson will also remain as a Captain America, and will get to keep the iconic shield. Marvel is gonna try dueling Captains for awhile, possibly to reflect the near 50/50 split between liberals and conservatives in our country. Or maybe Marvel just wants a bunch of Captain Americas.
Should be fun either way! And like I said, I’m digging the new costume. What do you henchies think?
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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 1/16/16
Hey there, hi there, ho there, comic book fans! We’re back with another batch of reviews, and this was another stellar week for comics! Both Marvel and DC are firing on all cylinders these days, and I couldn’t be happier!
New issues of The Mighty Thor and All-New Wolverine are real treats, and the conclusion of Robin War is pretty great. They nail the landing and leave a lot of excitement for stories to come.
But the real jewel this week was the teaser issue of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers from BOOM! Studios! I don’t normally care for licensed comics, but this one could be special. It definitely wins Comic Book of the Week.
This takes me back
This week also saw the release of the final issue of Secret Wars, which I’m not going to review, because it hasn’t been a regular feature here in Hench-Sized land. But I just wanted to say that the finale is great! I think it might be my favorite finale to any of Marvel’s Big Events. Secret Wars comes together so nicely, and with so much fun, that I wish beyond all wishes that this series had come out on schedule. It would have been even greater!
Anyway, on with the real reviews.
Comic Reviews: All-New Wolverine #4, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers #0, Mighty Thor #3, Robin War #2 and Starfire #8.
Henchman-4-Hire 