Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Cover of the Week

Happy New Comic Book Day! Books were delayed at my shop due to Thanksgiving. Well...thanks. But they eventually came in, just a bit late. New books are in hand and set up for their reading order. Now we move on.

And what do we move on to? My cover of the week of course. Take a look at the retailer incentive cover for Ghostbusters #15 by Tristan Jones.

If you've been reading Ghostbusters, you'll recognize Jones' name from the back-up features running through the series. Once I saw this cover, it made the cut and won out after browsing the rest. If you don't recognize the image, it is from the Real Ghostbusters cartoon. It is near the ending of the intro where all these ghosts, ghouls, goblins with Slimer and Stay-Puft at the top, face-off against the Ghostbusters. Jones adds something to it though. The entities are certainly grittier and scarier, if you will, than they looked in the cartoon.

As a kid, the Real Ghostbusters cartoon had me hooked. I'm still waiting for more of it to be released on dvd. Just to see this image again is cool enough. I have to hand it to Jones for taking me back. Although it may not be far back considering I have some of the series on dvd and watched it within the last year or so. But you know what I mean.

Thanks for looking and happy reading.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Cover of the Week

Happy Sunday Funday! If you're not having fun, you should definitely be read some comic books. I've been going through some of my books for the week and have reviewed some of those with more to come. Feel free to check those out.

As I browsed the releases for the week, I narrowed down my choices to two books. The winner had the edge for two reasons: primary character and level of activity. Because of that, I chose the cover to Minimum Carnage: Omega #1 by Clayton Crain.

Crain has a great hand for drawing symbiotes. The living nature of the symbiotes fits his fluid style. Maybe I'm biased, but who wouldn't want more Carnage running around? All these mini-Carnages pestering Scarlet Spider and Venom is quite a sight. The one right above the UPC stands out because you can almost hear it screaming as it joins the mob.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #19 Review

Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #19 is the next chapter of the "Target: Snake Eyes" storyline running through this title as well as G.I. Joe. To catch you up quickly, while falsely being believed to be dead, Snake Eyes returned to his clan, the Arashikage. Upon discovering he was very much alive, the Joes think he abandoned them and Storm Shadow believed his sword-brother to have truly rejoined him and their clan. The events of the last issue as well as this one call both of those notions into question.

Chuck Dixon has proven himself capable of handling the G.I. Joe franchise for IDW Publishing. Here however, there are several bits of the overall story tied together that don't mesh well. The ending set up something we should have gotten in this issue. Scarlett stating that she believes Snake Eyes is working deep cover and Helix's progress on the tail of the silent ninja are the only redeeming elements of the issue.

Alex Cal and Romulo Fajardo Jr., artist and colorist, respectively, give the book a look that resembles the work of Mike Deodato Jr. That aspect fits this title because it is about two of the most popular ninja in fiction and their clan. There's a lot of secrecy involved, so the use of shadows is fitting. Beyond that, there aren't many remarkable visuals.

I recommend staying away from this issue. You won't miss a beat by skipping this book. My primary complaint is that it doesn't add much to the crossover. For a book about two highly-efficient ninja, this book doesn't work well. Each issue of a story may not have complete focus on the main character, and there's nothing wrong with that. But in those cases, the books tend to add significant elements to the overall story. So pick this up at your own risk.

Indestructible Hulk #1 Review

This was a big week of comics for me. I brought home 21 new comic books, including this last-minute addition. This just might be the most books I've had at once. It makes for some good holiday reading.

I'll preface this review by telling you I've never been much of a Hulk fan. Before this issue, I can count the number of Hulk books I own and I'd still have extra fingers. With that said, you might be asking yourself why pick up Indestructible Hulk#1? And that's a great question. I'll answer that question will another question: what's in a name? Well in this case, the names attached bring with them a history of quality work. I've enjoyed writer Mark Waid and artist Leinil Francis Yu's work for sometime. I try out new books all the time and I will certainly take note if either of their names are on a project. Joining them are colorist Sunny Gho and letterer Chris Eliopoulos.

The relaunched Hulk book features Bruce Banner attempting to make peace with the Hulk. It's cool because he realizes he Waid utilizes some interesting aspects to present the story which begins the character's path as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. With my limited knowledge of Hulk history, I don't know how the elements in this book have been used before. One of those elements is Banner acknowledging his place among the other super-scientists in the Marvel Universe. This is different because I can't recall him ever trying to apply his skills to the world.

Leinil Francis Yu brings a style that's somewhat gritty and very expressive. Sunny Gho's colors give Yu's pencils a darker and flatter look which serves the story well. My only real problems are a couple panels where I lost track of what was happening. Beyond that, the art team provides some quality visuals.

I'm curious to see what the creative team does with Banner and Hulk on his new journey. So I'll be sticking around for a few issues. I think Hulk fans will like this series. Opening a new chapter in Banner's life will appeal to new readers as well.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Book of the Week

Here we are on New Comic Book Day Eve and two days before Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it anyway). Speaking of new comic books, a subject I discussed on twitter yesterday, there are 20 comics I'll be picking up this week. You know what I'm thankful for? A holiday weekend that allows me to read all 20 books without worry of work or school. I foresee some good reading ahead of me.

Before we get to my favorite, take a quick look at the competition for the week. All New X-Men #1, Amazing Spider-Man #697, Batgirl #14, Batman #14, Extermination #6, Gambit #5, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #184, Green Lantern Corps #14, Invincible #97, New Avengers #33, Thief of Thieves #10, Thor: God of Thunder #1, Venom #27, Wolverine and the X-Men #20 and X-Men Legacy #1. With all that, let's give a round of applause to writer Brian Michael Bendis, penciller Stuart Immonen, inker Wade Von Grawbadger, colorist Marte Gracia and letterer Cory Petit. All New X-Men #1 opens the next chapter for the X-universe.

I'll admit I questioned Bendis handling the X-Men when this move was announced. Granted, this is just the first issue so we haven't had much time with the X-Men from the past. But I obviously enjoyed this issue and look forward to the next. If you're a long-time X-fan (as I am) and was hesitant about this: pick this up.

Cyclops has been liberated, he re-joins Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik in recruiting the newly mutated citizens of the world. The Cyclops fan and X-Man in me immediately fell in love with a three particular panels in which Cyke declares his stand on mutants in the world and the X-Men. Immonen's depiction of Summers making the "X" with his forearms is an image I won't forget. And I can thank the art team for that.

Stuart Immonen and Wade Von Grawbadger have collaborated before and you can expect the same high quality level of work here. And who doesn't want more Immonen art? His characters look great all around. From a storytelling standpoint, his pencils convey the script well. Marte Gracia adds in his colors to really make the book come alive.

I'm looking forward to what this book will bring, even with my previously stated reservations. Long live the X-Men.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Cover of the Week

Happy New Comic Day! On Monday, I looked at the releases for the week just to see how many books I'd likely be picking up. That number may have changed as I looked over the covers for this post. There are a ton of good looking books hitting shelves today. Marvel has more coming from the NOW! movement. Beyond that, there are plenty of great Indie books including one of my favorites, Thief of Thieves #10 from Image Comics. You can find me on Twitter talking more about the rest of the books in stores today.

I'm sure you skipped ahead to see the beautiful piece from Ryan Ottley. If you actually read first, now you can check out the cover on a book I like to call Invincible #97.

I like when artists do what Ottley did here, which was present the character in two fashions by using a reflective surface. I can't think of a time when I didn't like how an artist used that. For this cover, the main characters image is seen in blood. The blood itself looks great as well. Another interesting bit is he appears to have a different costume on in his reflection. All I know about this issue is it delves into the character's origin. I'm a bit behind on reading this series, so I won't get to this one for a while.

What do you think? Let us know. Thanks for looking.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Book of the Week

As we get ready for this week's releases to hit shelves, here's one last piece of comic book goodness to keep your fangirl/fanboy hearts pumping. I know a lot of people will have all that stuff about creators, fans and cosplayers in mind, but let's shine some light on something fun for a bit as I highlight my book of the week.

Here's the list of books I picked up: Avengers #33, Avenging Spider-Man #14, AvX: Consequences #5, Batwing #14, Detective Comics #14, G.I. Joe #19, Iron Man #1(NOW!), New Avengers #32, Scarlet Spider #11 and X-Men #38. My favorite read of the week was X-Men #38 written by Seth Peck, drawn by Paul Azaceta, colored by Rico Renzi and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

After the events of the previous run, Domino decides to take a break from the team. I like this move because Domino's a fun character who hasn't had this much attention in quite some time. Pairing Domino and Daredevil might raise questions as to how they'd even cross each other's paths. The answer lies in the writing. Peck makes it work. An underground casino for the villainous spandex crowd? Sounds good to me. Even though they have different purposes for being there, Domino and Daredevil find themselves teaming up. Daredevil was quick to refer to it as a team-up, while Domino was quick to reject that. That's until the end of the issue at which point they discover their mission is bigger than they originally imagined.

I have to give credit to the creative team for the villain cameos. I always appreciate a Wrecking Crew appearance. They're a team of villains that should receive more attention. Cameos by Constrictor and Tigershark round out my favorite appearances.

Visually, Azaceta and Renzi provide solid work throughout the issue. The action sequences are conveyed well. There are two panels inparticular of which I took note. The first depicts DD taking out some security guards. He extends a baton to the side in both directions break the guard's visors knocking them out. This is coupled with Caramagna's sfx; a "krack" to each of the guard's heads. The second scene may be my favorite that Azaceta has drawn. He has the Wrecking Crew getting ready for action. Wrecker is up front with his trusty crowbar. Thunderball is on his right, complete with twirling wrecking ball. Off to the left sitting at the bar are Piledriver with a drink and Bulldozer cracking his knuckles.

If you've been enjoying this title, I'd recommend to keep picking it up. The set-up for the next issue should make this a fun little tale. Let the world know what you think. Thanks for looking.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Cover of the Week

Happy (post) New Comic Book Day! The first Wednesday of November was big. Not only did a ton of new books come out (of course), but included in there were several series debuts. I'm curious about a few of them. If you picked up or plan on picking up a #1 this week, let the world know.

Let's welcome the talented Gabrielle Dell Otto to the winner's circle for his cover for Avenging Spider-Man #14.

Spider-Man inside a dinosaurs mouth? What is this? Yes, Spider-Man is headed to the Savage Land for all types of prehistoric shenanigans. Here, Spidey is standing on the tongue and holding the mouth open. Can you imagine what's going through Spidey's head as he's a muscle spasm away from being a meal? This dino's mouth is clearly watering for what could be a cue horrible sticky meal pun nice meal.

Dell Otto also did the interior for this issue. That should be a treat for his fans. I can't remember the last book he drew besides Secret War.

Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking.