Category Archives: Reviews
Review: Punisher #8
Finally picking back up with the Punisher and the Bride facing off at the fireplace, the latest issue of The Punisher moves the plot forward in several ways. But it does so without fixing any of the frequent problems I’ve had with this series. Perhaps, like Teen Titans, I should just accept certain problems as part of the story and move on. Because if you overlook those issues, there really is a decent Punisher story here. And the twist ending is very exciting.
Punisher #8
We might finally get to see the Punisher doing some punishing next issue!
Comic rating: 4/5: Good.
The Punisher himself remains a quiet phantom, there’s no changing that. But at least we get appearances from all the other major players, we even learn a bit more about a lot of them. Not that this ‘bit more’ really adds anything, especially to the villains. As far as I’m concerned, The Exchange has fallen flat on their faces as bad guys. Adding a bit of tension between them means zilch at this point. But it’s better than nothing, I suppose. I enjoy plot progression at least.
But when is he going to lose that stupid eye patch? Did Punisher lose his eye or what?
Synopsis and spoilers after the jump!
Review: X-Factor #231
Only more questions arise in the latest chapter of Madrox’s ‘afterlife’ adventure. I want the conclusion already! This issue dips in quality because it devotes far too much time to a bunch of alternate reality characters that just don’t matter. Or maybe they’re going to matter in future stories? I rather hope not, because there was nothing very interesting about this reality. When Madrox isn’t the focus, the book issue is incredibly boring. But when Madrox has the time to shine, the book is a gem.
X-Factor #231
Clear answer: give us more Madrox!
Comic rating: 4/5: Good.
Basically this issue feels a bit like padding. The entire issue is spent with Madrox, but we don’t learn anything new about his predicament, don’t get any revelations about the ‘truth’ of his duplicating powers and we don’t get any closer to Madrox returning home. It’s basically just Madrox hanging out in an alternate reality, but rather than one filled with character like the one with the wedding, this reality feels mostly cliche. Not to mention the fact that it drops a lot of random references to ‘House of M’ and ‘Civil War’, plus features a character who hasn’t been seen in so long that new readers won’t have any clue why he is important.
But all this worry is only temporary, as next issue is the conclusion to ‘They Keep Killing Madrox’! I’m on pins and needles!
Synopsis and spoilers after the jump.
Review: Teen Titans #5
Writer Scott Lobdell and artist Brett Booth team up to deliver what could be the very best issue so far of the new Teen Titans series. The problem is that I only say that because this issue is wall-to-wall action and fight scene, meaning there isn’t time to focus on the various problems I’ve had with this series. Still, great fight scene! The Titans take on Superboy in this issue, marking their first real superhero brawl as a team.
Teen Titans #5
Do they win? Well, you’ll just have to keep reading to find out.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
I’m going to try, from now on, to get over the various hang-ups I’ve had with this series. I can’t keep repeating them over and over again in every review. The dialogue feels forced, N.O.W.H.E.R.E. is a terrible villain and this team of Titans feels like they were picked out of a hat and just thrown together. These aren’t going to be fixed because one random guy is whining on the Internet. So I’m just going to start incorporating them into the basic fabric of the book. If they get better, I’ll let you know. They’re all still evident in this issue, but they don’t drag down what is an otherwise awesome fight scene.
Every character that appears in this issue gets their moment to shine, highlighting new aspects of their personalities while building towards a better story overall. Definitely an issue I would recommend.
Story and synopsis after the jump!
Review: Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #6
Oh Sarah Pichelli, I miss you already.
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man has a new artist with this issue, and I hope Chris Samnee is just a fill in. He does an OK job, but is nothing compared to the emotional and detailed glory of regular artist Pichelli. At least I hope she’s a regular artist. I don’t know why the switch, I’m just hoping we see her again soon.
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #6
Because the not-quite-as-amazing art brings down an otherwise stellar issue.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
Though not by much. Writer Brian Michael Bendis gives us a fantastic issue of Miles Morales getting used to his new role as Spider-Man, while adding in some family time, a visit to J. Jonah Jameson and a preview of the next storyline and new villain. Even Uncle Aaron, the Prowler, is back! This issue is a definite transition, bringing us down from the opening story and moving us into the next.
The only complaint I can really make is that it doesn’t transcend the written word into full-on comic book perfection. It doesn’t rise to the level where I would give it a perfect score.
Still, very damn good comic book. Spoilers and synopsis to follow!
Review: Scarlet Spider #1
How cool is it that I hold in my hands, in 2012, a comic called Scarlet Spider? I know my brother and I aren’t the only fans of the Clone Saga out there in comic book land. It’s just a thrilling feeling to have characters and concepts that I’ve loved since my earliest days of comic collecting get some love. And it’s a pretty good first issue too! Granted, it’s not about Ben Reilly wearing his classic Scarlet Spider costume, but one simply has to accept that this is a modern update to characters of the past.
Scarlet Spider #1
Basically this series can be summed up as: Anti-Hero Spider-Man.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
Scarlet Spider #1 starts the ongoing story of Kaine, a clone of the original Spider-Man. I’ll get into his somewhat confusing backstory in a bit. Kaine, a former villain, has a new lease on life with all of the spider-powers to boot. Now he has to decide what he wants to do with his life, and if he wants to be a superhero. This issue is a fine introduction to Kaine as a character, his powers, and his goals in life. For some reason his journey has taken him to Houston, Texas. Writer Christopher Yost has a nice handle on the character, and he starts building the cast and the setting. The tagline for this comic is ‘All of the power, none of the responsibility’, and that’s definitely showcased in this character-driven issue.
Joining Yost is artist Ryan Stegman, who draws clean, concise and nicely animated characters. The action is easy to follow and engaging, and the characters stand out as unique individuals. Unfortunately – spoiler – we don’t see the Scarlet Spider in costume in this issue.
Maybe next issue. Join me after the jump for spoilers and synopsis!
