Marvel's ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER #5
Robbie Reyes' adventures with his new walk-in spirit companion continue as the real power behind the super-gangsters fully engages with the new hero. It is one of Ghost Rider II's enemies, Mr. Hyde. And it is here that Reyes hears for the first time about his predecessors. This book is rather chaotic, but given the subject matter that is exactly what it should've been. I liked the overall tone of the book a lot. I also liked the inner city subject matter which isn't handled expertly but is handled better than most books do. The dialogue is good, the pacing is very strong, though the art continues to leave something to be desired. Overall, this was a good comic book.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars
Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #17
The best storyline of the new series concludes as the team reunites. Each individual storyline wrapped up a little too neatly for me, save for one in particular whose ending I wasn't too happy about at all. I particularly liked the way Starlord got back at his father. The dialogue in this issue wasn't nearly as funny as most issues are, and Rocket's dialogue in particular wasn't at the level I'm used to. This is ironic given the fact that the newly-released GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY film was the funniest movie of the year, and was a faithful reproduction of the comic book. The pacing was good, but the art as usual was middle of the road.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars
Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 100TH ANNIVERSARY #1
It looks like Marvel is celebrating finally having 100 GUARDIANS issues. There have been 100 issues of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, spread over a span of 20 years. Each volume of GUARDIANS has lasted about 30 issues or so, so far. The current volume has 17 issues, and there have also been one-shots and limited series. Altogether, we now have 100 issues. So they've released an anniversary special. It cannot be coincidence that they've decided to do this at the same time the film is being released. This issue is supposed to take place a few decades in the future. And it was awesome. It features as the villain a fusion of the Silver Surfer and Galactus called Silver Galactus, and that character was very interesting. The dialogue here was better than what was in GUARDIANS #17 (see above), and the storyline was awesome. The pacing was good despite being a fast-paced story, though the art was not my favorite by any stretch of the imagination.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 2 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
Marvel's DEADPOOL: DRACULA'S GUANTLET #4
The hilarity continues as Deadpool fights AIM agents, werewolves and his own heart in his quest to return Shiklah to her groom-to-be, Dracula. The relationship between DEADPOOL and HYDRA BOB is side-splitting, as is the fight with MODOK. The dialogue itself was not as funny as it is in most books, but the overall feel of the book is spot on. The art is good and the pacing here was better than in last issue.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
DC's JUSTICE LEAGUE #32
One strange thing about this issue is how disconnected the cover is from what is inside. Lex's quest to join the league continues, as we learn more the Doom Patrol, who seeks to gain control of the newly-resurrected villain Power Ring. We know now, too, that Power Ring's plan is related to the soon-to-arise child of Super Woman and Mazahs. Shazam has a moment of glory here that I really liked, but I really hope we get some more Shazam-centric stories here or in an independent Shazam book. The aesthetic of the character is really working for me. I am very happy about how Captain Cold is developed further in his relationship with Lex. He's quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in the DC universe. The only thing off on this issue is the pacing. The whole issue jumps around too much. They really need to make these issues bigger given the direction they are taking the book.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
Antarctic Press' STEAM WARS #5
While officially disavowing any similarity to STAR WARS, lets face it this whole thing was in part a replaying of that story in a steampunk context. But it also took the familiar story and took it some new directions. So it also serves as a 'what if' Star Wars. And I liked the new directions it explored. Overall, I really liked this book, even though I feel for most people they need to spend a lot of time with the book to fully appreciate it. It is like Time Lincoln, the more I read it the more I like it. I don't know how or why the writing over at Antarctic Press works that way, but it does. I'll be re-reading the entire series today.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
No comments:
Post a Comment