Saturday, May 31, 2014

Off-Topic: Comic Book Reviews

Big Dog Ink's THE LEGEND OF OZ: THE WICKED WEST #18
For many issues, several story lines have been going on all at once. We had Jack, the Tin Man and the rest going after Mombi and looking for Ozma, Jinjur seeking to free the Gnome King, and the struggle between Dorothy and Glinda. Now many of these strands come together with a stunning brilliance as the Emerald City rises from the caverns in which it was once trapped. While the pacing and art have not been QUITE as good in the last couple of issues as in the past, this book continues to be one of the best things on the comic book racks, and this issue shows why. The current artist does some scenes better than others, and comic doesn't flow quite as well as it used to. Yet the overall scope is grand, and the coloring is still some of the best I've ever seen. I loved specifically the way the raising of the city was handled, and the scene with Glenda moving everyone in the Bubble. The Tinker Soldiers and the Rainbow King also stand out as stunning. There is a twist at the end, too that will knock your socks off. Overall, this is a brilliant book you absolutely should be reading.
Storyline: 4.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4.5 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

DC'S JUSTICE LEAGUE: DARK #31
There are some twists and turns as we learn more about the Nightmare Nurse and John is quickly dragged back into the orbit of the League. I like the way the House of Mystery's role is expanded here, and the way it reaches out to Swamp Thing and Deadman. My only complaint is that I am not getting enough Deadman. He's one of my favorite characters and my main reason for collecting this book. Can we please, for the love of God, get more Deadman?
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #15
While I don't like it that the team is broken up, this story is overall he best GUARDIANS has seen since the newest volume of the book began. The only thing that confuses me is the cover, it doesn't match the internals of the book. If you buy it you'll see what I mean. Anyhow, here we have all the Guardians becoming acquainted with their various captors and jails. There are some very low moments here, and you really feel for what is going on. You care about these characters and what is happening to them. Let the strong stories continue, because this book is quickly becoming one of my all time favorites.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4.5 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Marvel's THANOS ANNUAL #1
This book marks the *epic* return of writer Jim Starlin to the cosmic characters of Marvel's Universe. Starlin knows Thanos perhaps better than any other writer, and he can do things with the character's dialogue that no one else can. Starlin's treatment of Adam Warlock and Thanos was definitive for me and to see him back in the driver's seat here, well it is awesome. This book was mostly a review of Thanos' history, and attempt to establish Starlin's ability to re-enter the stories of the cosmic characters within the context of what has been done in the last decade or so. This book really sets up THANOS: INFINITY REVELATION, coming out in August. And I'm now more than ready for it.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

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