fred
01-25-2007, 06:19 AM
I had a really mixed week. There were a few great books. There were a few bad ones. There were a bunch of wtf books. My favorite was Wolverine #50. It was great. I still have to read Deadman and Heroes For Hire. I'll add those tomorrow night in all likelyhood. Lets get to it:
Civil War The Return: I'm not sure what to think of this. The Return was the return of Captain Marvel. Honestly I didn't really understand the circumstances surrounding his return. There was a lot of huh, what going on as I read it. The backup story was crap but to be fair it was a backup. The main story could've been much better, but I'll probably buy the new ongoing Captain Marvel.
I have this weird relationship with Paul Jenkins' writing. At times, for instance in Image's Sidekick, it's great and at others he confuses me with the holes in his stories and the crazy explanations and whatnot. I think that when it comes down to it I like him much more than his writing. I've read his Floggings column at Newsarama for a long time now and I've heard a lot of interviews with him and he's a very funny cool guy. Great writer? Occasionally, not usually, but occasionally.
Wolverine #50: This was really good. I liked it. I was honestly worried comiing into it that my expectations were too high or that Loeb would drop the ball but it was great. It had a lot of the cool things I've missed lately in Wolverine's Marvel U presence. It had inner monologue - love it. It showed Wolverine as a good guy and actually demonstrated that he was. 'Sabertooth's a killer. Just so were clear, I've killed too. But I never liked it.' This kind of highlights the whole man v animal inner conflict that I enjoy so much about Wolverine. It looks like this could be an underlying theme from Loeb judging by the way the Sabertooth is trying to convince Logan that one day he'll become like him. I liked Wolverine screwing Silver Fox up against a tree. He's The Wolverine; of course he would. The backup story, in a week that so far seems to be the week of them, was better than the one in Civil War The Return. Would I pay for it on it's own? Probably but I wouldn't be happy about it. I liked the fact that they didn't feel the need to make him cry. Some of you will get that one. Overall quite good.
One thing, why is Wolverine fighting furries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_fandom) in the beginning of the book? Sure they give me the creeps too (for the love of Christ they call their costume and backstory their 'fursona') but not enough to make me want to fight them. Maybe he caught them yiffing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yiff). I'd buy that.
The art was great. I'm so glad that Bianchi is doing the book now. I could never get into Humberto Ramos' pencilling style. OK, I've been way too charitable. Ramos' pencils were an abomination. Wolverine doesn't look like Jay Leno. It was all chin with that guy. So anyway we've gone back through shitty, past good, and straight to great. It was very dark and animalistic. Love it.
Silent War #1: I have very mixed feelings on this book. It started badly and then got better. Then it got bad again but then ended ok. Will I buy #2? Yes. Will I be excited to see #2? No. It was written by David Hine who wrote Civil War X-Men. It wasn't as bad as Civil War X-Men, but then how many stories are?
Not suprisingly the art was also spotty. There were places where I thought that it was actually pretty good. There were also places where I thought that it was really bad. All of the pages with the FF were pretty bad from an art standpoint.
That actually brings me to my next point, (smooth transition) how can they be fighting the classic FF? They're not together anymore. I don't get that, and I likely won't ever. The curse of Hine is back.
Moon Knight #7: I've got yet again a mixed bag on this one.
Case #1- This was the most craven example of a Marvel Money Grab(or mmg as I'm calling it for now on because it definitely seems to be here to stay) I've seen in Civil War yet. This was a Causulties of War banner book. What did it have to do with CW? That's what I wondered. On the last page Captain America shows up to recruit him(or so it seems). The funny thing is that I looked at it and asked: Who is that crazy homeless guy? Then I turned the page and saw the Next Issue thing and it showed Cap and I went oh that's who the crazy homeless guy is. He's Captain ****ing America; he shouldn't look like he's about to push someone off of a subway platform.
Case #2 - Finch's art was great with the exception of Cap. I loved it ..... but.....
Case #3 - This book never comes out. I think that they're replacing Finch but this is way out of continutiy at this point because of the delays. It's essentially still October or something in MoonKnightLand and I really can't remember issue #6 for the life of me.
So I'm torn yet again
X-Factor #15: This was really good. I've been enjoying X-Factor since the relaunch. Peter David is a gifted storyteller. At the end of the last issue, Madrox was kidnapped by Hydra and this issue he was brainwashed and then broke free. They also revealed who Guido was brainwashed by. The art was good. This is suprisingly the only book that I read where it doesn't bother me that artists are constantly switched. The story is so good, and the art as well generally, that the inconsistency doesn't bother me. This book has made me love Madrox. There's a point in this issue where he refers to SHIELD as the Super Hero Intimidation and Evisceration Division.
Punisher War Journal #3: I can't wait until this book is done with Civil War so that I can drop it. The first one was good. The second one and then this one were horrifyingly bad. I really don't care how many times throughout history Cap has beaten Castle's ass. I got it the first time in CW. He won't hit him because he's Captain America. Ok, let's move on. And Olivetti's art is strange. It's very similar, to me at least, to a video game in the shapes and textures(especially with faces and torsos). This sucked.
Criminal #4: Ed Brubaker really has a handle on this story and his characters. The way that he 'gets' Leo is so cool. This was spectacular. Sean Phillips' art was amazing as usual.
Dr. Strange The Oath #4: I love Brian K Vaughn and that's why I feel bad for having to bag on him a second week in a row. The first 3 issues of this mini were really good and this had its moments too. In the end though it felt phoned-in.
There were logical holes in the story you could drive a truck through. Dr. Strange killed the Marrakant Hellguard with a pistol. That's right he shot it. But it was a special pistol right? Sure it was Hitler's pistol. Everybody knows that Hitler's pistol kills demons.
Then, Nicodemus West tells Dr. Strange that he heard of The Ancient One in 'med school'. I really hope that this is as unrealistic as I think it is. At the end of the day I hope the guy that's giving me a bypass studied heart surgery in med school rather than ancient Tibetan sorcerers.
Further but separate: Dr. Strange says something to the effect of: that's why I never joined the Avengers. BKV had to know that he was going to be on the NA. It just seems like a cheap thumb of the nose at Marvel.
DMZ #15: Part 3 of the the 5 part Public Works arc. It gets better every month. It really does. Everything about this book is great. More people should read it.
Invincible #38: Yaaaay Kirkman. I loved the jabs at Hydra in the book. They were really funny. The scene with Rick Sheridan and Donald Ferguson was great. The scenes with Mark as boyfirend and the Guardians of the Galaxy were as well. The best part though was the last page. The book ends with Mark and Eve kissing. Go Kirkman
Drain #2: This is a really promising new series from Image. I enjoyed this. It has everything: vampires, sword fighting, and lesbian sex. ...
when the dog bites
when the bee stings
when I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
[big finish]
and then I don't feeeeeeeel so saaaaaaad
Fables #57: This had some of the most interesting coloring that I've ever seen. It seemed to be charcoal. I'm not certain. The pencils were pretty good as well. I might not like them as well with a different colorist or coloring method though. The story was also very good. I love the Bigby, Snow, and family stories. I'm not sure what how long this book is planned to go for but I hope it lasts a long time. It really is very good.
Eternals #6: This was terrible. Neil Gaiman should be taken behind the woodshed and beaten for this crap. I have no idea what's going on. Glad they took 3 months to come out with this issue
Deadman #6: to come later
Heroes For Hire #6: to come later
Civil War The Return: I'm not sure what to think of this. The Return was the return of Captain Marvel. Honestly I didn't really understand the circumstances surrounding his return. There was a lot of huh, what going on as I read it. The backup story was crap but to be fair it was a backup. The main story could've been much better, but I'll probably buy the new ongoing Captain Marvel.
I have this weird relationship with Paul Jenkins' writing. At times, for instance in Image's Sidekick, it's great and at others he confuses me with the holes in his stories and the crazy explanations and whatnot. I think that when it comes down to it I like him much more than his writing. I've read his Floggings column at Newsarama for a long time now and I've heard a lot of interviews with him and he's a very funny cool guy. Great writer? Occasionally, not usually, but occasionally.
Wolverine #50: This was really good. I liked it. I was honestly worried comiing into it that my expectations were too high or that Loeb would drop the ball but it was great. It had a lot of the cool things I've missed lately in Wolverine's Marvel U presence. It had inner monologue - love it. It showed Wolverine as a good guy and actually demonstrated that he was. 'Sabertooth's a killer. Just so were clear, I've killed too. But I never liked it.' This kind of highlights the whole man v animal inner conflict that I enjoy so much about Wolverine. It looks like this could be an underlying theme from Loeb judging by the way the Sabertooth is trying to convince Logan that one day he'll become like him. I liked Wolverine screwing Silver Fox up against a tree. He's The Wolverine; of course he would. The backup story, in a week that so far seems to be the week of them, was better than the one in Civil War The Return. Would I pay for it on it's own? Probably but I wouldn't be happy about it. I liked the fact that they didn't feel the need to make him cry. Some of you will get that one. Overall quite good.
One thing, why is Wolverine fighting furries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_fandom) in the beginning of the book? Sure they give me the creeps too (for the love of Christ they call their costume and backstory their 'fursona') but not enough to make me want to fight them. Maybe he caught them yiffing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yiff). I'd buy that.
The art was great. I'm so glad that Bianchi is doing the book now. I could never get into Humberto Ramos' pencilling style. OK, I've been way too charitable. Ramos' pencils were an abomination. Wolverine doesn't look like Jay Leno. It was all chin with that guy. So anyway we've gone back through shitty, past good, and straight to great. It was very dark and animalistic. Love it.
Silent War #1: I have very mixed feelings on this book. It started badly and then got better. Then it got bad again but then ended ok. Will I buy #2? Yes. Will I be excited to see #2? No. It was written by David Hine who wrote Civil War X-Men. It wasn't as bad as Civil War X-Men, but then how many stories are?
Not suprisingly the art was also spotty. There were places where I thought that it was actually pretty good. There were also places where I thought that it was really bad. All of the pages with the FF were pretty bad from an art standpoint.
That actually brings me to my next point, (smooth transition) how can they be fighting the classic FF? They're not together anymore. I don't get that, and I likely won't ever. The curse of Hine is back.
Moon Knight #7: I've got yet again a mixed bag on this one.
Case #1- This was the most craven example of a Marvel Money Grab(or mmg as I'm calling it for now on because it definitely seems to be here to stay) I've seen in Civil War yet. This was a Causulties of War banner book. What did it have to do with CW? That's what I wondered. On the last page Captain America shows up to recruit him(or so it seems). The funny thing is that I looked at it and asked: Who is that crazy homeless guy? Then I turned the page and saw the Next Issue thing and it showed Cap and I went oh that's who the crazy homeless guy is. He's Captain ****ing America; he shouldn't look like he's about to push someone off of a subway platform.
Case #2 - Finch's art was great with the exception of Cap. I loved it ..... but.....
Case #3 - This book never comes out. I think that they're replacing Finch but this is way out of continutiy at this point because of the delays. It's essentially still October or something in MoonKnightLand and I really can't remember issue #6 for the life of me.
So I'm torn yet again
X-Factor #15: This was really good. I've been enjoying X-Factor since the relaunch. Peter David is a gifted storyteller. At the end of the last issue, Madrox was kidnapped by Hydra and this issue he was brainwashed and then broke free. They also revealed who Guido was brainwashed by. The art was good. This is suprisingly the only book that I read where it doesn't bother me that artists are constantly switched. The story is so good, and the art as well generally, that the inconsistency doesn't bother me. This book has made me love Madrox. There's a point in this issue where he refers to SHIELD as the Super Hero Intimidation and Evisceration Division.
Punisher War Journal #3: I can't wait until this book is done with Civil War so that I can drop it. The first one was good. The second one and then this one were horrifyingly bad. I really don't care how many times throughout history Cap has beaten Castle's ass. I got it the first time in CW. He won't hit him because he's Captain America. Ok, let's move on. And Olivetti's art is strange. It's very similar, to me at least, to a video game in the shapes and textures(especially with faces and torsos). This sucked.
Criminal #4: Ed Brubaker really has a handle on this story and his characters. The way that he 'gets' Leo is so cool. This was spectacular. Sean Phillips' art was amazing as usual.
Dr. Strange The Oath #4: I love Brian K Vaughn and that's why I feel bad for having to bag on him a second week in a row. The first 3 issues of this mini were really good and this had its moments too. In the end though it felt phoned-in.
There were logical holes in the story you could drive a truck through. Dr. Strange killed the Marrakant Hellguard with a pistol. That's right he shot it. But it was a special pistol right? Sure it was Hitler's pistol. Everybody knows that Hitler's pistol kills demons.
Then, Nicodemus West tells Dr. Strange that he heard of The Ancient One in 'med school'. I really hope that this is as unrealistic as I think it is. At the end of the day I hope the guy that's giving me a bypass studied heart surgery in med school rather than ancient Tibetan sorcerers.
Further but separate: Dr. Strange says something to the effect of: that's why I never joined the Avengers. BKV had to know that he was going to be on the NA. It just seems like a cheap thumb of the nose at Marvel.
DMZ #15: Part 3 of the the 5 part Public Works arc. It gets better every month. It really does. Everything about this book is great. More people should read it.
Invincible #38: Yaaaay Kirkman. I loved the jabs at Hydra in the book. They were really funny. The scene with Rick Sheridan and Donald Ferguson was great. The scenes with Mark as boyfirend and the Guardians of the Galaxy were as well. The best part though was the last page. The book ends with Mark and Eve kissing. Go Kirkman
Drain #2: This is a really promising new series from Image. I enjoyed this. It has everything: vampires, sword fighting, and lesbian sex. ...
when the dog bites
when the bee stings
when I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
[big finish]
and then I don't feeeeeeeel so saaaaaaad
Fables #57: This had some of the most interesting coloring that I've ever seen. It seemed to be charcoal. I'm not certain. The pencils were pretty good as well. I might not like them as well with a different colorist or coloring method though. The story was also very good. I love the Bigby, Snow, and family stories. I'm not sure what how long this book is planned to go for but I hope it lasts a long time. It really is very good.
Eternals #6: This was terrible. Neil Gaiman should be taken behind the woodshed and beaten for this crap. I have no idea what's going on. Glad they took 3 months to come out with this issue
Deadman #6: to come later
Heroes For Hire #6: to come later