Off-Topic: Comic Book Reviews

Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #14
Finally we get a tight, focused Guardians-centric storyline that is worthy of the comic book's dialogue. The art has improved as well. I like the addition of Venom mostly because I am a huge Venom fan, and they started to explore the origins of the alien costume, and that was cool too. There were some additional post script stories, one about Groot and one about the original GUARDIANS team from the future, the team I grew up on. This last story indicated the two teams may meet soon, and I like that idea as well. Overall, this book just rocked. It is also a great place to start learning about the GUARDIANS so pick it up today!
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4.5 Stars
Pacing: 4 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Marvel's ORIGINAL SIN #0
The next big Marvel event is ORIGINAL SIN. In this preliminary issue, some big things are revealed about the origins of that ever-mysterious figure known as the The Watcher, Uatu. The reason for Uatu's watching is finally revealed, and the new Nova features prominently in the story. I highly recommend this book for any long-time Marvel fan, though it seems the rest of the ORIGINAL SIN series will be readable without this issue.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

DC's JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #30
JLD weathered the FOREVER EVIL storyline better than some other books, though I was worried at the end that everything was falling apart. This issue is really a kind of relaunch, with some of the team leaving and new members coming on permanently from the affiliation during the FOREVER EVIL arc. And this relaunch feels good, and it feels right. I hope we get back to some of the great tight story telling that made the first dozen or so issues of this book work so well. I'm happy with the relaunch and look forward to what is coming next.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

DC's TEEN TITANS #30
This was the penultimate issue of the current Teen Titans run. It is being re-launched with a whole new volume soon. This issue in many ways 'set up' that relaunch and in some ways was a preview of it. It looks like it is going to be a big improvement from what came before, but that isn't saying a whole lot. This book used to be the best superhero team in all of DC, but after New 52, it is one of the books that suffered, and FOREVER EVIL made it worse. But this issue had a lot of the spirit that used to make TITANS great, and I hope that bodes well for the future. The only issue with this issue was the pacing was off.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 2.5 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Marvel's THUNDERBOLTS #25
Well, this issue clinches it for me, this book is going in my subscription box. There was some really shocking stuff, and some of it I hope doesn't have lasting effects (something happens to Johnny Blaze that I hope is somehow undone). Anyways, this book has the feel of a classic action film, combined with some great comic book dialogue and solid art. Deadpool continues to be one of the highlights, but every character has some great moments. Overall, this book is genius.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 5 Stars
Pacing: 4 Stars
Art: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars