Category Archives: Reviews
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 10/19/13
It is with great disappointment that we read comics this week, because the final issue of J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman’s Batwoman has come out. These geniuses were building up a battle between Batwoman and Batman himself, and we get one single issue to tease their story before their famous walk out goes into effect. And the issue is damn good. In fact, Batwoman #24 wins Comic Book of the Week for me because of the skill and fun with which they set up this fight. This is going to rank up with J. Michael Straczynski’s run on Thor in terms of comic book runs that ended too soon. Same with Straczynski’s Supreme Power…man, that guy really can’t seem to finish a comic.
Batwoman sadness aside, we’ve got some good issues of Infinity, Lights Out and Battle of the Atom, since Big Event crossovers are all the rage these days. We’ve also got the return of Hawkeye after a long hiatus, so that’s a plus. But for my money, nothing beats Batwoman this week.
Comic Reviews: Avengers #21, New Avengers #11, Batwoman #24, Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #1, Green Lantern: New Guardians #24, Hawkeye #13, Uncanny X-Men #13 and Wonder Woman #24.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 10/12/13
I wish I was at the New York Comic-Con this weekend. I’ve been twice so far, but it’s been a few years since my last visit. Though if I was in New York, I couldn’t pick up Pokemon X later today. So I guess there are trade-offs. But there seems to be a lot of cool comic book news coming out of the Comic-Con, and I’m definitely the kind of guy that finds that exciting.
Speaking of comics, how about this week’s reviews? We’ve got a super-sized issue of Batman that’s pretty good, and the first issue of Superman/Wonder Woman, which could be better. We’ve also got the continuing chapters of Infinity, Battle of the Atom and Lights Out, one of which is better than the others. In fact, and I’m kind of shocked that I’m saying this, but I think my Comic Book of the Week has to go to Infinity #4! I know! I’m appalled myself!
But when Battle of the Atom delivers its worst issue yet, and Infinity delivers its best, that sort of thing leads to Opposite Day.
Hopefully this isn’t going to be the case going forward. Though I wouldn’t mind if both Infinity and Battle of the Atom were good.
Comic Reviews: Batman #24, Green Lantern Corps #24, Infinity #4, Superman/Wonder Woman #1, Thor: God of Thunder #14, and X-Men #6.
Grand Theft Auto V vs. Saints Row IV
Welcome to the first ever side-by-side review here at Henchman-4-Hire! When both Grand Theft Auto V and Saints Row IV decided to release within only a few weeks of each other, we of the strained wallets could only afford one of the two. Fortunately for me, Sean Ian Mills, and my favorite gamer gal pal, Alyssa (1wombat4u), we each had a favorite. I’ve been a Grand Theft Auto groupie since the days of top-down vehicular larceny, and Alyssa is insane – or at least that’s what I would call someone who isn’t in love with the GTA series. But we’ve had some amazing times in the co-op Saints Row games, so she decided to check out the latest in that wacky, dildo bat-loving series. And now we have pit our two experiences against each other in a head-to-head battle to see which 3D crime simulator is truly the best.
It’s the grand daddy of the entire genre vs. the knock-off that managed to find it’s own direction; it’s Grand Theft Auto V vs. Saints Row IV!
Most important question: which one has the prettiest logo?
Let the battle begin after the jump!
Review: Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #27
I missed this review the week it came out because of a little thing called Grand Theft Auto V. Fortunately for me, there were no big review comics this week, so I’ve decided to pick up the slack and check out what might be one of the last Ultimate Spider-Man comics ever. Cataclysm is on the horizon, and nobody yet knows what’s going to happen to Miles Morales or even the Ultimate Universe itself. This could be the end of their entire world! But until then, Miles still has to worry about Cloak, Dagger, Bombshell and the newly introduced Ultimate Taskmaster. All of them come together in this action heavy issue.
Ultimate Spider-Man #27
If the end is truly near, I’m a little saddened that this story is so low key. Miles Morales puts the costume back on just to randomly help Cloak and Dagger? Taking on Roxxon feels kind of underwhelming, and I would have to imagine Bendis would have something bigger and better planned if the series was really coming to an end.
Comic Rating: 7/10 – Good.
The new issue remains as entertaining as the last few. Bendis has done a great job building up Cloak and Dagger into interesting characters, and his Miles remains as strong as ever. The new villain, Taskmaster, isn’t really anything to write home about though. He’d tough, he’s got some neat powers, and at least he doesn’t look as silly as the bright white, orange and blue swashbuckler from regular continuity. Why did Marvel go back to that costume instead of sticking with the awesome, blue Udon design? I definitely like the Ultimate design.
But ultimately, Taskmaster doesn’t prove to be all that interesting storywise. He’s a tough, no-holds-barred mercenary, and he puts up a good fight, but I’m not a big fight fan. Bendis’ best Ultimate Spider-Man issues are dialogue-heavy. So when it’s punch-heavy, it’s just not as good. Especially since Taskmaster came out of nowhere only last issue. He’s Roxxon’s hitman, but so what? He’s just a villain and the heroes defeat him, there’s not much to that story. And overall, Roxxon isn’t much of a villain either. They’re evil, sure, but they’re evil without a purpose. They’re just evil for the sake of being evil. And I’m sure Spider-Man will put them in their place, and that will be it.
If this series is truly coming to an end, I would have liked a story strong enough to go out on. Instead, it’s a simple fight issue, with some good character moments here and there.
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 10/5/13
Villains Month is over and not a moment too soon, as far as I’m concerned. The sales were apparently amazing for DC Comics, but the comics themselves were mostly garbage, from what I read. They were all over the place with their stories, and when it came to quality writing and art. I can honestly say I didn’t need to read any of those Villains Month issues. None of them really added much of anything to the ongoing story or the villains themselves…though there were a few nice issues.
And it seems I may owe DC an apology about Bizarro…maybe.
Fortunately for us, Forever Evil is back, and it continues to be entertaining. The New 52 as a whole is still a weird fit for a project like this, but I enjoyed the issue. I also enjoyed the continuing chapters of Battle of the Atom and Superior Foes of Spider-Man, which claims Comic Book of the Week. But the second issue of Mighty Avengers really seemed to grind my gears! Find out why in the review below!
Yes, yes he did
Comic Reviews: All-New X-Men #17, Forever Evil #2, Green Lantern #24, MIghty Avengers #2 and Superior Foes of Spider-Man #4.
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