Off-Topic: Comic Book Reviews

I apologize for the lull in blogging, but I have a sickness in the family. This is the first of several comic book blogs as I had a huge haul this week, and several of them were exceptional. There will be two extended reviews as well.y              


DC's TEEN TITANS #27
This book takes a rather negative turn in this issue as the trial of Bart Allen/Kid Flash gets into full gear. I don't like the side story of the Superboy imposter. I really would like some more down to Earth stuff with the Superman clone. The main story is interesting and unexpected, but there really is something missing in this whole 'lost in the future' stuff. I don't know, I'd like something a little purer, sublime, and straightforward. Why does everything have to be so 'out there'? A good old fashioned supervillain/superhero dynamic would be nice. This was a good story, but I'm starting to want something a little more classic from DC.

Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Dark Horse's SERENITY: LEAVES ON THE WIND #1

This is a comic event many have been waiting for a while now. Other FIREFLY based comics have been prequels or do-overs, but this book takes off directly where the SERENITY film left off, with the aftermath of the reveal of the 'truth' about the Reavers causing major upheaval across the systems. The powers that be seek to cover up a truth already revealed while stamping down a new resistance to its domination, while both them and the newly empowered rebels seek the crew of SERENITY, though for different reasons. I don't want to say too much because this one is full of interesting tidbits that would be easily spoiled.

Storyline: 4.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Zenescope's TALES FROM OZ #1 (Tin Man)
Zenescope is expanding it's OZ universe by exploring the origins of some of the major players in the main OZ book. Here Tin Man is explored. The changes Zenescope applies to the original Oz mythos is very poignant here. It is the difference between exploring a character that was created without the ability to love, and a character that had that ability taken from him. This was a well done story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It makes the main OZ Zenescope offering much richer, too.

Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 3 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Marvel's THUNDERBOLTS #21
This takes off where the last one left off, and it was pretty impressive. I particularly like the way Ghost Rider is being handled here, Johnny Blaze seems to be going back to his daredevil, public spotlight roots with all the talk of Hollywood, the crossover with real life and the recognition that the two GHOST RIDER movies sucked was funny and refreshing. The storyline is a bit disjointed here, and the pacing is a bit off, but the often funny, and very unique dialogue more than makes up for it. I particularly like the exchanges between The Leader and Mephisto. Overall, a fun if a bit disturbing read.

Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 5 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars