Comic Reviews

Superman #712 – Review

Superman #712 is shrouded in controversy, as it was originally supposed to begin the Grounded arc – which tells the story of a Muslim hero aiding the Man of Steel. For more than a few reasons, the arc has been delayed several times. In its place, DC released a lost one-shot that takes place after the events of Infinite Crisis. Superboy is dead, and Superman is nowhere to be found. Issue 712 tells the story of Krypto, and how he would go to any lengths to find his friends. I’m going to need a limb, because I’m about to go out on it.

Damaged #1 – Advanced Dual Review

Damaged is the first
book to be printed under the Full Clip Imprint at Radical in association with
Sam Worthington’s production company, Full Clip Productions. Damaged is the story
of two brothers, Frank and Henry Lincoln, long estranged after a violent event
in their shared past which forces them apart. Over the course of 35 years, the
brothers pursue separate paths, each upholding his own vision of the law—Frank,
an upright citizen, becomes a distinguished veteran of the San Francisco PD,
while Henry, a hardened vigilante, enforces the sort of justice the law cannot
stomach. As the brothers approach retirement, each attempts to train a younger
protégé in his image. Sparks fly as the two brothers and their differing views
collide—and the fate of the city may hang in the balance.

Chosen & Forsaken #1 – Review

Welcome to the end of the world, or what seems like it anyway especially when zombies are running amuck. 

A small task force head by Eliot Kaine moves through the city looking for any supplies. The men in Eliot’s task force are: Kelvin “Preacher” Bailey; Jack “Frost” Richards (I see what you did there); Brock “The Tank” Carson; and Tai “Deuce” Cho. All of them showcase their own talents and weaknesses and so on. Together they are a destructive force with a dislike of the undead. As soon as the team enters the city they disperse small hordes of the undead while making their way to a grocery store. Once inside they gather up some canned goods and head off right smack dab into more zombies. As the team does what they do best, they show the skills, tactics and trust that have kept them alive.

Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side #2 – Review

Star
Wars has an incredibly large universe to juggle. From the Old Republic
to the Legacy period of Darth Krayt, writers and fans alike have around
25,000 years to grapple with. Jedi – The Dark Side
takes place just before the events of Episode I, with Qui-Gon Jinn
mentoring another Padawan, Xanatos, before his time with Obi-wan Kenobi.
Sent to investigate and asses a brewing civil war on Telos, the home
planet of Xanatos, Jinn and company must deal with rising tensions and
distrust among its citizens and its ruler, Xanatos’s father, Crion.

Dracula: The Company of Monsters #11 – Review

Finally after all the talking, this issue brings the action
with some great artwork, but a little too much seems to be going on at one
time. There have been numerous
characters simply added for fodder with some of the regulars having off
personalities, but the story is still pretty solid. Evan has revealed his betrayal of Dracula and the grand
battle between Conrad and Dracula finally begins physically with a huge battle
ensuing between Dracula, Conrad, Evan, Marta and her band of vampire slayers
and some vampires from the old country with great power.

Grimm Fairy Tales: The Dream Eater Saga: Wonderland Part 4 – Review

This is a good starting point for new readers and old readers alike with an interesting storyline. There are some interesting and downright boring moments and characters and artwork balancing a thin line between mediocre and great.

Calie Liddle, the daughter of Alice – yes, the same Alice from “Alice in Wonderland” – has stopped the habitants of Wonderland from leaving their world and taking over hers. But now, Calie is seventeen years older and mentally unstable with a teenage daughter. After seventeen years of silence the Cheshire Cat has finally escaped to take his revenge on Calie, starting with her daughter.

All Nighter #1 – Review

The comic, All Nighter #1, has little stand-out moments. It is oddly interesting with little humor.  A reality comic, it has a strong impact when it is not making you feel like you’ve been sucked into a soap opera for teenage girls. Kit, the main character, has a cynical personality. She seems like the ordinary teenage girl with the boyfriend she can’t stay away from, however she is far from ordinary.

The Traveler #8 – Review

Stan Lee and Mark Waid join forces to give us The Traveler. It should be a match made in heaven or what people called a dream team. Maybe it is or maybe is not. Well so far they are up to issue 8, four issues shy to that first year mark. Now I’ll be honest with you, this is the first issue of the Traveler that I picked. When I read it, I was like “what the $&@? Is going on here?” So I read the other seven issues, to have an idea of what this comic is all about. When I read all those I understood, the Traveler is Stan Lee’s version of Doctor Who with a twist. A time traveler that can manipulate time. Who is often the cause to many of his own problems because some future self manipulated the past to orchestrate a course of action that will be beneficiary to his mission.

Usagi Yojimbo #138 – Review

Wow! This is a great book. Usagi Yojimbo came out this week and it doesn’t disappoint. In fact it is one of the best issues of this series. It has everything –
great action, a surprising twist and moral teachings. It also offers us
a stupendous supplement on the origins of seppuku. This book gives us
all the great things the Samurai genre is all about. But what is more
surprising is how Stan Sakai is able to keep this book interesting after
all these years.

Witchblade #145 – Review

Pretty. That sums this issue up well: pretty. Witchblade
and other numerous Top Cow titles are noted for their beauty, but when
you are not having your breath stolen by some of the amazing artwork in
this issue, you will notice not only some awkward art but also an
average story. Gretchen
Fullmer, reporter for the “Starlight Alternative” newspaper, interviews
two homeless men with two spectacular stories to tell her about a
beautiful woman fighting a monster in the sewers. After the interviews
and giving away a few free hotdogs, Gretch meets Sara at a coffee shop
to question her and gets the real story.