Comic Reviews

Swamp Thing #2 – Review

Swamp Thing continues to impress, but may be on weak branches.  After a promising first issue this second issue lays out the score and reveals some surprising things about our hero.  With great artwork and a fascinatingly entertaining story, Swamp Thing has the potential of becoming one of the best series of the New 52, but still has some issues to work out in order to get there.

In this issue, Alec Holland comes face to face with the Swamp Thing, a former fighter pilot during the second world war.  The monster tells him of a great evil coming to kill him and shape the world into its own creation with the help of some mind control.

Severed #3 – Review

It’s hard to completely speak my mind about a single issue of Severed. Scott Snyder and Tuft’s new horror series is clearly showing that the value is much greater than the sum of its parts. Damn, these guys sure know how to tell a story. With Severed #3, Snyder and Tuft don’t let up as they continue weaving their masterful tale of Hitchockian suspense and horror, and Futaki keeps the reader enveloped with his exquisite artwork in an issue that is sure to have people getting chills by the last page.

As our story continues unraveling, Jack and Sam decide to make some money off of Jack’s fiddle-playing skills in order to pay for their tickets to go down South and meet Jack’s father. Little do they know, the psychotic, identity-stealing, child-eating murderer has his eyes set on Jack and Sam. In this issue, the psycho, who goes by Alan Fisher for the time being, manages to act like he is interested in Jack’s act and invites them over to his apartment (which, in case you didn’t know, is a very bad thing).

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice #1 – Review

Oswald Cobblepot has always been one of those villains I never gave much thought. He was always just sort of there. Clearly the Penguin is one of the iconic villains in Batman’s rogues gallery, though I never bought much stock in the character. Maybe it’s because I always think about Danny DeVito portraying the character in Batman Returns. If not the main reason, that memory certainly doesn’t help. Whatever the cause of my disinterest, apparently I was wrong. In Penguin: Pain and Prejudice, Gregg Hurwitz and Szymon Kudranski have presented a side of the crime lord I had never seen before. Sympathetic, loving, tortured, heartless – Oswald is all of these things at once, and Hurwitz balances these aspects perfectly.

Static Shock #2 – Review

 Static’s back in his second issue and is just as much fun as he was in the first with even better action scenes, but a few more problems that could negatively effect how popular the title could become.  If you are tired of the depressing storylines in Batman or just need a breather and a more light-hearted series, this is a great one, even if it is hard for new readers to follow.

Scott McDaniel and John Rozum team up again in this issue as the writers and have Static facing off against the Slate Gang and Virule, powerful foes who want him dead.  But after a close call, Static realizes how powerful he is becoming.

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #1

Oh, sweet hyper-violence, how I have missed thee. I’ll be up front and admit the following: this comic is certainly not for everybody. But this reader right here was sold in the first two pages. Here’s a little play-by-play, just to give you an example of what I’m talking about. Man gets arm ripped off. Said arm is shoved down other man’s throat (which logically gets torn because of the arm’s fingers). Same arm obliterates another man’s face. Like I said, this may not be for everyone, and keep in mind that the rest of this issue is much more tame than what I just described. However, if you can muster through what I just said, then jump on board — you’re in for a great time with what is one of the best debuts of the year.

Static Shock #1 – Review

After having my favorite childhood cartoon ruined for me in Batman Beyond #1, I was very skeptical of how Static Shock, one of my other favorite childhood cartoons, would fare.  Unsurprisingly, it is not the best of the New 52, but is a great start to Static’s story with a promising new plot, a surprising appearance from an older character and decent artwork.

Static gets his first ongoing series since the ’90s!  Virgil Hawkins (aka Static), Detroit’s greatest superhero, has moved with his family to New York City where they are about as welcoming to Static as they are to Spider-Man.  Static is working as an intern at S.T.A.R. labs under the mentorship of Hardware.  His “warm” welcome in NYC is followed by getting a hit put on him by a group of super villains, leading up to an exciting cliffhanger.

Angel & Faith #2 – Review

When Angel & Faith #1 released I was stoked. Angel was returning to Dark Horse. He and Faith, two personal favorites, were teaming up for their own book. The pair were leaving California in the wake of the massive drama bomb that was Angel killing Giles. There was a lot to be excited for and, obviously, that hype lends itself heavily to the first issue when all these cool ideas were made reality. But, to know if Angel & Faith could stand on its own as more than a heaping helping of hype, Angel & Faith #2 had to be seen. Man, am I glad it kicks ass.

Justice League Dark #1 – Review

If there’s anything I’ve learned from the post-90’s entertainment market, it’s that darker is better. No one liked those Joel Schumacher Batman movies; let’s get the guy who made Memento. Sonic the Hedgehog? So lame. Make way for Shadow the Hedgehog. Sure, the Beatles’ “White Album” was great, but let’s add in a little Jay-Z and make it the “Grey Album.” DC’s answer to the dark side was Vertigo, a line comics that, for the most part, still corresponded with the DCU and its characters, but had more of the controversy and graphic themes that kids love. Basically, Batman-style stuff without the marketability to get away with it in the mainstream. Of course, with the New 52, Vertigo and DCU are whole once more and the dark side of the spectrum needs a corresponding flagship. So, forget that non-light-spectrum-associated Justice League, this is Justice League Dark #1.

Blackhawks #1 – Review

The first issue of Blackhawks is surprisingly successful in creating an interesting array of characters, an intriguing storyline and art that has a few really good moments.  But longtime fans of the original Blackhawks may be upset with these new characters and the modern setting.

A team of mercenaries using high-tech weaponry known as the Blackhawks stand in the way of the innocent and a new deadly enemy.  The team consists of Nikki, a sassy pink-haired vixen, her secret lover Wildman, Attila, Canada, the Irishman, and their captain, Andrew Lincoln.

Aquaman #1 – Review

Okay, first let’s get this straight: I love Geoff Johns. You love Geoff Johns. The comic world loves Geoff Johns, and that’s no surprise — he’s a great writer. But, I must admit, when I first heard that one of the comics he was writing for The New 52 was Aquaman,  I immediately thought it was going to be a failure. I’ve never read Aquaman before, but can you blame me? It’s Aquaman! So when I started reading Geoff John’s Aquaman #1, my expectations weren’t the highest, but then something happened: I was blown away. With an incredibly well-drawn, smart, dramatic, and even funny first issue, Geoff Johns has proven me wrong and shown me that Aquaman is indeed a force to be reckoned with in the DC Universe.