Category Archives: Comics
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 7/11/15
Someday I’ll go to San Diego for Comic-Con. I don’t necessarily want to go. I imagine the crowds are horrendous and unbearable. But I’d still like to go, in theory, and that’s important too. But at least I have some good comics to read while I’m stuck in New York.
It’s a Marvel-less week this week, with Secret Wars dominating too much of their time and energy. Fortunately, DC is more than happy to pick up the slack, with quality new issues of Gotham Academy, Starfire and Justice League of America.
Comic Book of the Week goes to Batman #42, the second consecutive issue of the new series to earn the award! Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are just killing it with their new Robo-Batman.
Commissioner Gordon may never be the same again
I’m chomping at the bit for the crossover with We Are Robin!
Over at Word of the Nerd, my latest dive into Secret Wars tie-ins left me rather disappointed. Civil War #1 is a waste of a comic, spinning its wheels with backstory and exposition as it tries to set up a ‘What If…’ scenario. Skip it.
Comic Reviews: Batman #42, Bloodshot Reborn #4, Gotham Academy #8, Justice League of America #2 and Starfire #2.
Robin War is Coming!
Holy comics, you guys! Robin War is going to be a thing! When Damian Wayne finds out that there’s a whole gang of kids playing Robin in Gotham City, there’s going to be a freakin’ war! It’s like DC Comics is trying extra hard to get me to love them again.
Comicbook.com has the scoop! Apparently there was something called a ‘Robin Panel’ at the San Diego Comic-Con. How am I missing stuff like this?!
The crossover will take place between Robin: Son of Batman, We Are Robin, Grayson and Gotham Academy, almost all of which I love reading. So does that mean Robin: Son of Batman is taking place in the present? I thought it was taking place during the events of Batman Eternal. I dunno, doesn’t matter, this crossover sounds amazing!
Said Grayson writer Tom King:
“To me, the concept of Robin — so many characters in comics are about stasis and Robin is about evolution,” King added. “That’s what makes him this distinct character that everyone can relate to. That’s what that ideal represents, is who you were, who you can be and who you are today.”
Plenty of more quotes and info at the link.
I think this might be the most legitimately excited I’ve been about a new comic book storyline in a long time. I think my entire comics writing career will now be focused around getting to be part of a Robin Panel in the future.
And stay tuned for even more news about Robin, based on some other articles and pictures I’m seeing on the Internet. I’m going to stay with Robin stories all night if I have to!
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The 6 Characters on My X-Men Team
Welcome to Comic-Con Week! The party is rocking down in San Diego, but here I am still shuffling around Central New York. Such is my lot and life, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have some comic book fun! In what’s becoming an annual tradition for Henchman-4-Hire, I’ve decided to spend Comic-Con Week playing one of my favorite games: superhero dream team!
If I was hired to write the X-Men, which characters would I choose for my team? Last year, I did the Justice League, and the year before that it was the Avengers. I’ve also done X-Force, the Fearless Defenders, the Teen Titans and the Sinister Six. But this year, it’s the X-Men!
Maybe you’ve heard of them (and if so, remind Marvel that they exist)
This is a very open-ended proposition, considering how many X-Men teams and squads there have been over the years. Once upon a time, team membership was sacred, but now every single change in writer brings on a new lineup, not to mention all the different X-titles available. There are already dozens of lineups in continuity, so what difference would mine make? Good question! Just trust me when I say it would be an awesome, super fun comic!
Join me after the jump to check out my roster. And please join me in the comments to pick your own! I’d love to hear your ideas.
Buncha New DC Comics
DC Comics announced an octet of new comics yesterday, due to come out in October. They are Poison Ivy, Metamorpho, Raven, Metal Men, Katana, Firestorm, Sugar & Spike and Swamp Thing, by a variety of creative teams. The announcement was made at USA Today.
Stop trying to make the Metal Men happen, they’re not going to happen
I’m sorry to say that they’re all mostly uninteresting to me. I think I’ll definitely check out that Poison Ivy series, but the rest of them are not characters I care about. Heck, I prefer the new Element Woman over Metamorpho! Her superhero career was woefully short-lived. And this’ll be the second time DC has tried comics about Katana, Firestorm and Swamp Thing since the start of the New 52. Can’t keep certain characters down, I suppose.
Someday I hope to be in a position where I can pitch character-focused mini-series to a place like DC. I have tons of ideas for the Wonder Twins!
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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 7/4/15
Happy Fourth of July, my American readers! I hope you’re all out blowing up a small part of your country today! I’m picnicking with the family and hopefully having a blast. My brother is in town, so he and I can finally have a face-to-face conversation instead of staying in touch via the comments section on my blog.
We’ve got some quality comics this week, especially out of DC. I’m finally buying a regular Superman comic after years ignoring Big Blue. I only wish I could say the same about Bizarro. I had such high hopes for that book. Marvel delivered a cosmic one-two punch with both Darth Vader and Princess Leia, and my humor quota is filled by another great issue of Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.
Which easily wins Comic Book of the Week when Squirrel Girl takes on the Avengers!
Always own up to your puns
Though it has some stiff competition from Secret Wars #4, which I reviewed over at Word of the Nerd. Secret Wars might be the best crossover in a while. I’m really enjoying the power and energy of Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic on that series.
Comic Reviews: Action Comics #42, Bizarro #2, Darth Vader #7, Princess Leia #5 and Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #7.
Henchman-4-Hire 