Category Archives: Reviews
Review: X-Factor #238
Last issue was a wonderful character-based story where a several members of X-Factor let their hair down, had a good time and settled the darkest demons of their soul. It was great. This issue is very similar, being an entirely character-based story which sees the members of X-Factor acting and interacting like real people instead of superheroes. While definitely a good read, this issue lacks the spark of energy and excitement that the last issue had.
X-Factory #238
Still, any issue where Multiple Man and Strong Guy banter about getting special jackets for their ‘Deathbeaters’ club is a good issue to me!
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
This is more of a transition issue than anything else, moving characters around to continue with the various stories being told. I wouldn’t say the issue suffers from being a transition issue, it mostly just suffers from mediocre writing and less-than-stellar art. Basically, all of the various members of X-Factor bump into each other and have little chats about what they’re up to and what stories they’re a part of, not all of which are connected. They make jokes, there is some humor, but mostly it’s just light, standard chatter. This issue is another example of why the cast of this book is just too big. With so many people making appearances, they only get a few panels and a few lines to make an impression. It doesn’t work for all of them.
Unfortunately, the art also takes a step back this week with new artist Paul Davidson. The characters are OK, and you can tell them apart thanks to their costumes, but it just looks a little amateurish. The art is just not very good.
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more!
Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #6
Following up on last issue’s epic cliffhanger, Avengers vs. X-Men #6 does not disappoint when it comes to scale. Gone is the petty back and forth between the Avengers and the X-Men, replaced by much bigger and better things. Unfortunately, this also looks to be the issue where the story starts to get regrettably predictable. I still have faith that this series will be able to surprise me down the line. But I think it’s obvious to everyone where the story is headed from here on out. Marvel has definitely taken sides over who is right and who is wrong in this battle.
Avengers vs. X-Men #6
Of course, I’m still going to side with the X-Men! Down with the murderous traitor Wolverine and the bull-headed warmonger Captain America!
Comic rating: 5/5: Great.
I have always loved the work of artist Olivier Coipel, and to see him take over the series is a delight. His characters are fantastic, the details are stellar, and the man can draw epic scale like none other. You really get a feel for just how huge this story has become. If only Marvel had been able to organize their entire comic universe to match this story, it would feel stronger. There’d be a lot of other problems to contend with, but at least this story would have the proper weight behind it. Instead, we’re just going to have to deal with Avengers vs. X-Men on its own, and that’s good enough.
But like I said, unless Marvel has some insane sort of awesomeness planned, there’s only one way this story is going to end. And that way sucks.
How do I think it’s going to end? Find out after the jump!
Review: Scarlet Spider #6
Unfortunately, a discombobulated story and an odd sketchiness to the art finally bring a halt to the so-far fantastic Scarlet Spider series. Not that they make for a bad issue, mind you. But the stellar quality has definitely taken a dip. The villain comes out of nowhere, the supporting characters are a little off and the ending is rather abrupt.
Scarlet Spider #6
Plus this comic has nearly as many epilogues as Return of the King.
Comic rating: 3/5: Alright.
Sadly, this is also artist Ryan Stegman’s last issue of Scarlet Spider! The guy has been fantastic, infusing a lot of energy and style into the book. Sometimes it looked a little cartoonish for the grittier tales that writer Christopher Yost was trying to tell, but the art was clean, detailed and very cool. Stegman had a flair for highly energetic and dynamic action sequences. His fight scenes were awesome.
But for some reason, the art in this issue is a little grainy. The fight is still cool, but there’s just something off about the art…not sure if it’s intentional or not. The same thing could be said for the writing – it’s a little grainy. I’d say this issue feels a little rushed all around. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely a bump in the road.
Review: Superman vs. The Elite
Superman: The Animated Series is back — in DVD form! That’s probably the best way to describe the new straight-to-DVD movie Superman vs. The Elite. Not to say that the old Superman cartoon from the 90s is really back. More along the lines of this new movie feels like a long lost, extended episode of a generic Superman cartoon show. After watching the new 70-minute film this week, I find that my thoughts are exactly the same as when Superman vs. The Elite was first announced back in February: Why bother?
Is this really the best use of the very awesome and very talented people at DC Animation?
Sadly, the whole movie was not like this
Movie rating: 4/5: Good.
That’s not to say Superman vs. The Elite is a bad movie. Far from it. It’s a perfectly fine movie. It’s well drawn, the action is cool, the characters are fun and the voice-acting is good. Honestly, there are very few problems with this film at all. It’s total quality from frame one. There’s also the matter of the rather significant philosophical question it raises about whether or not superheroes should kill, but I don’t think it gives a very definitive answer — though that’s not the movie’s fault. That’s simply the nature of the comic book beast. I think it tackles this question well, with a few stumbling steps. But maybe those same stumbling steps came from the original comic book story from 2001. I don’t know, I didn’t read the comic. So I couldn’t tell you if this is a good adaptation.
Superman vs. The Elite is just a good, solid Superman story put to animation. My problem is that I don’t see the point of these animated movies anymore. But maybe that’s just me looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Review: Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #11
Ultimate Spider-Man is firing on all cylinders, baby! Last issue was absolutely perfect in its tense dialogue and character study, and this issue is absolutely perfect with its fantastic action and excitement. If I haven’t declared it already, this is the issue where Miles Morales is cemented in my mind as a new and exciting Spider-Man. The pain of Peter Parker’s young, unnecessary death still hurts, but writer Brian Michael Bendis is at the top of his game telling a decidedly Spider-Man story with a new, fascinating protagonist.
Ultimate Spider-Man #11
Not that I’m saying Miles should replace Peter everywhere, but for a comic in the Ultimate Universe, this is an absolutely fantastic story.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great!
Everything works in this issue. The dialogue, the art, the action, the energy. This is Miles Morales finally getting into a fight that actually lasts more than a single punch. This is Miles being unable to come up with a good quip in the middle of a brawl. This is Miles actually getting smashed around – though he shrugs it all off fairly well. This kid seems untouchable so far. I suppose that’s one complaint I would have: Miles still hasn’t had any trouble being a superhero. I realize it would be horrible to put a kid so young into a good scrape, but not even his costume gets torn. Peter Parker was put through the ringer. Miles seems almost impervious.
And the teaser cliffhanger at the end is absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait for the next issue! Too bad the Ultimate Universe will be starting another stupid crossover soon. Poor Miles.
