Off-Topic: Comic Book Reviews 2-4-2015

Marvel's THE BLACK VORTEX One-Shot
The major X-MEN and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY crossover event begins with this One-Shot issue. The storytelling here began as a bit of a mess. There were some good elements but for some reason they just didn't fit together. Then, about halfway through the issue, things started to come together, and the ending was quite riveting. Overall, I liked this book despite its problems.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 2 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars

DC's BATMAN '66 #19
This week's 'villain of the week' is Professor Marmaduke Fogg, and the overall thrust of the comic wasn't great. Everything just felt disjointed, and the jokes didn't work well. The art was okay, though I've seen better in this book. The only high point for me was the use of the giant rubber device on Alfred's Car when the caped crusaders were falling, that worked. But little else did.
Storyline: 2.5 Stars
Dialogue: 3 Stars
Pacing: 2.5 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 2.5 Stars

Marvel's HULK #11
Doc Green faces down his so-called daughter from the future, as his artificially intelligent frankenstein monster turns against him. This book really worked, and I really like the direction this new Hulk book is taking. The only thing off was the pacing. The book felt a little rushed. But that was a minor issue. Right now, the Hulk has it going on.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 4 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Marvel's RETURN OF THE LIVING DEADPOOL #1
I am a fan of the Deadpool side stories, off the main branch of the character's book. This one is great. It is a fusion of the classic Deadpool superhero storyline fused with a zombie apocalypse horror comic. The result is gore and comedy. The art in the book isn't the greatest, but everything else had me completely engrossed, especially the dialogue. There was plenty of humor and horror to make it all worth it. I loved this book.
Storyline: 3.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 3 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

DC's EARTH 2 #31
This is the best EARTH 2 storyline I've read in a while. Maybe it was because of the tight focus on Doctor Fate, and the exploration of his relationship with his current host. Or maybe it was just nice to see the battle taken to Apokalypse rather than everything happening on Earth itself. But this issue worked in a way few other EARTH 2 books have worked for me recently. Particularly stunning was the art. My God, is it beautiful.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Art: 5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars