Monday, August 15, 2011
Jim Lee's Cover To Justice League Issue Three
Happy Monday....
I love this picture as it just fuels my excitement for everything that is going on.
BUT
I wish DC would make up its mind on whether or not to pants or de-pants Wonder Woman.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Cape Town Community Podcast - Ep. 029 - "Run, Reed Richards, Run!”
What’s happening with our blockbuster events?!? Last week we dissed Flashpoint and this week—well, you’ll have to listen now won’t you? There is a lot of love to have for the Bat-family of books this week as some DC storylines, and titles, come to a close. Of course we take time to try to figure out what is going on with Fantastic Four #600 and why Reed Richards and team don’t choose a more pragmatic way to race into action!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Book of the Week: 'Detective Comics' #881
By Don M. Ventura
Detective Comics #881
DC Comics
««««
Remember the state of Batman last November? Grant Morrison had just finished a successful run on Batman and Robin, triumphantly brought Bruce Wayne back to the DCU in his time-traveling mystery Batman: The Return Bruce Wayne, then changed the Caped Crusader’s status quo with the radically different Batman, Incorporated. Morrison was singlehandedly responsible for what seemed to be a Batman renaissance.
Almost singlehandedly. Out of nowhere, during the last week of November 2010, comic readers were all asking the same question: “Did you read Detective Comics #871?”
Is 'Fear Itself' Living Up to Expectations?
 |
| Does Fear Itself have the depth it seemed to promise when teased last December? |
As Marvel’s summer event winds down, I wondered after issue #5, is Fear Itself a big enough story?
I don’t think so. There doesn’t seem to be enough meat to the story to warrant a seemingly endless number of crossovers and minis that are beginning to feel repetitive. We’re five months in and, while the book contains a formidable antagonist for the entire Marvel U, the story is not as dense and layered as it needs to be.
A forgotten evil has arisen and turned seven villains and heroes into his avatars of destruction who then tear across the planet. Really, there isn’t much more to Matt Fraction’s mini-series than that. Unfortunately, when an event comes along we expect more substance. I was expecting, when the action seemed to kick into high gear with the last issue, that issue #5 would present some surprise or turning point for the book. But now it seems to have become a bombastic action piece with little heart to it (there’s been some, but not enough to pull readers in emotionally).
Will the FF Continue? All Signs Point to Yes.
It’s not over—there’s learning to be done as you can see by the cover of November’s FF #12.
With all of the Fantastic Four teasers out this week (below), which led up to the announcement of Fantastic Four #600, there was mild speculation that the FF might not be long for this world. Not so according to today’s teaser from Marvel (there have been many this week) featuring the children of the Future Foundation.
Sara Pichelli's Cover To Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1
Today Marvel Comics provided fans with Sara Pichelli's cover to Ultimate Comics Spider-Man number one.
Like most readers I am becoming a huge fan of Sara's and I am really looking forward to this book.
However, the new Spidey clearly has a lot to learn....swinging around with out his mask on...jeez, what a dope.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Review: 'Amazing Spider-Man' #667
By Don M. Ventura
The Amazing Spider-Man #667
DC Comics
««««
Okay, so here’s the thing. Spider-Man is my favorite superhero. And I have thoroughly enjoyed the fun that Dan Slott has brought to this book. But darn it, the book has just gotten fun to the Nth degree.
The Spider-Island story has been quietly building for months. In the last issue we followed the calm before the storm as Slott put all of Spidey’s amazing supporting cast in place for the impending torrential downpour. Things go nutty for Peter when Carlie explains that she suddenly has Spider-powers (in a very clever opening page). Ever the scientist Peter (quite delicately) wonders if he is somehow responsible for—uh, transmitting—his Spider-powers to his girlfriend.
Shang-Chi and Madame Web are observers to a criminal underground meeting in which a gaggle of gangsters show-off their spidery powers. The Jackal sets them loose to loot the Big Apple, but not before giving them all Spider-Man garb. All hell breaks loose as the Avengers try to protect the city from dozens of wall-crawling baddies—unfortunately for the real Spider-Man, he looks like every other hood now.
Slott builds the tension perfectly from the last issue as hell starts breaking loose and Manhattan is overcome with Spider-men and women. Peter gets a taste of his own medicine as Carlie swings off into action, leaving her boyfriend dumbfounded. Adding to the energy of Slott’s script is the perfectly matched Humberto Ramos who gets another shot at the Avengers (who he drew in issue #648).
'Fantastic Four' #600 is Coming This November
Marvel released a fourth (get it?) teaser and officially announced that Fantastic Four #600 would be published this November. John Romita Jr. has drawn the team this time which features the former and current fourth members of the team: the Human Torch and Spider-Man.
I’ll just assume that this is a one-off issue where we get to go back to calling the FF the Fantastic Four so they can have their anniversary cake and eat it too.
And why not? This is one of Marvel’s longest-running titles (FF is a continuation of the original series whether you like it or not) and they deserve to celebrate their 600th issue. People have speculated that the book would return to its original numbering and title by the big 6-0-0. I don’t think so though. And I don’t think Johnny Storm is coming back either. Not yet.
No details, other than the creative team and the publication month, have been released so we will just have to wait and see.
'Dark' Days Ahead for the Avengers
What makes me feel like a kid? Super team crossovers and team selection issues.
There are only two ways to properly conduct a selection process for entry on a super team: 1) One or more iconic heroes stand around a table and look at pictures or cards with mug shots of the would-be allies. 2) Same process, but all of the photos appear on an IMAX-sized monitor (when one is removed from the running, the picture does not disappear—it is covered with a capital ‘X’).
Marvel hosted one of their “Next Big Thing” press conferences—this one on the Brian Michael Bendis’ Avengers/New Avengers crossover storyline called “Hammer War.” Norman Osborn is out of prison and decides to go on the straight and narrow—just kidding! Nope, he immediately puts a new Dark Avengers team with new villains with Avengers-likenesses; there will be evil versions of Hulk, Thor, Spidey, Hawkeye and Iron-Man. What else makes me feel like a kid? Superhero teams going up against supervillain teams!
Chris Burnham’s Cover To StormWatch #1
The previous released image/cover was to keep the team's members a secret. But now, the secret is out of the closet. (see what I did there?)
"Flashpoint" Last Week "Fear Itself" This Week....YAWN
Dear Marvel and DC....I love you guys but if you want my money give me something worth my time and $$$.
I really don't want to get into a lengthy review but this week Fear Itself 5 came out....nothing happened. Thor fought Hulk and Iron Man asked for Odin's keys to to the warehouse.
That's it.
This is what fans have issues with. Don't give me a long running "event" book unless each issue has something to say.
Flashpoint is another book. Most of issue four took place in a kitchen....A KITCHEN. And to make it worse...we already know what happens to the DCU.
DC if you are going to change just about EVERYTHING make each issue count.
Just saying.
Review: 'Batgirl’ #24
By Don M. Ventura
Batgirl #24
DC Comics
««««
Life can be unfair. When DC relaunches all of their books to what they are hopeful will be great fanfare in a couple of weeks, two of my favorites titles not be a part of the festivities: Power Girl and Batgirl. Well, not this Batgirl at least.
I’ve been following the exploits of Stefanie Brown since she teamed up with Supergirl to fight a few dozen Draculas in the re-readable Batgirl #14. It’s great to see the character go out on a high note—although it is far, far too soon. At the conclusion of the last issue Stephanie had come face-to-face with her criminal father, the Clue Master.
In this issue, the two have a quick showdown between father and daughter before Stephanie is taken down by a whiff of the Black Mercy (DC horticulturists will know what the plant is). What follows is a powerful scene between the young heroine and her mother that ties their relationship up nicely and a sweet cameo by Robin (writer Bryan Q. Miller know precisely how sweet he can go with Damian Wayne).
In the final scene, Stephanie shares a moment with Barbara Gordon on a rooftop where we are treated to seven beautiful pages by artist Pere Perez as we see Stephanie’s “heart’s desire.” I won’t spoil what she experienced while subjected to the Black Mercy, but it was touching, dramatic, funny and everything you would expect from Miller, who has given his protagonist one of the strongest, most confident voices in comics. After a beloved two-year run, Miller sends Gotham’s brightest crime fighter off with undeniable class.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Cyclops and Storm Make Kissy Face! Teaser 3
Was this what anyone would have expected in their X-teaser today? No.
Rumors were just beginning to swirl that Cyclops would not be around much longer once X-Men: Schism concluded. But just where is this story going to take mutantkind? While it sounded as if there would be two distinct X-Men teams, this looks like there might be a third group. Either that or Astonishing X-Men is going to become a mutant romance anthology (ala Love American Style). Probably not.
Marvel released today's teaser featuring Cyclops and a punkified Storm (this look hails back to Paul Smith's 1980's Ororo makeover) making big-time kissy face on the cover of November's Astonishing X-Men #44. Marvel has an interview with new series writer Greg Pak (fresh from his long run on the Hulk books), who will be joined on the title with Mike McKone.
So will Marvel surprise us again tomorrow or will they reveal the members of Wolverine and Emma's teams? We'll have to sleep on it.
Marvel Teases Something 'Fantastic' from Hickman and Company this November
Do mine eyes deceive me? For some reason, I think they do. I will be shocked if we are seeing what we are seeing, but I've been wrong before. Earlier this summer I spent an extra long visit at "Peter Parker isn't gonna die" camp.
But I would be pretty surprised if Human Torch was coming back from the dead after being gone for only a matter of months, whether issue #600 of The Fantastic Four would have been published in November or not. FF is still in it's infancy (they haven't finished an arc yet!) and Ben has to finish grieving now that he's no longer wielding a hammer (did I just spoil something?). Whatever is going down with the First Family of Marvel, it will continue to be guided by Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting. It looks as though Carmine Di Gianomencio, Leinil Yu and Farel Dalrymple are on for the ride as well.
I would assume that we will learn the fates of both teams (there could be two) by the week's end. But for now, we have a quandary to noodle on. Or is that a quad-ry? No, it's quandary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)