Nightwing #140-143 Review

Dick Grayson is the big brother I wish I had.
by mr. b

Nightwing has always been a character everyone could relate to. As Robin, he's basically been in the spotlight from the beginning of the DCU. He grew up and out of the shadow of his mentor and formed his own superteam. He took a new identity, left behind the costume that was his last tie to Batman, and became his own man. It's hard not to feel like you grew up right beside him, but over the last couple of years I've found it hard to connect with the former Boy Wonder. Recently though, the new creative team of Peter Tomasi and Rags Morales have put Nightwing back at the top of my read pile.



Peter Tomasi was a relatively new name to me. He had been an editor at DC since 1993 and had dabbled in some writing. In 2007, he left behind his post as editor and began working on a number of titles. Hopefully he sticks around. Since starting his full time writing gig, Tomasi has put together an incredible resume. Working alongside Geoff Johns, the two crafted what I thought was the most exciting event of last year, The Sinestro Corps. Tomasi then went on to pen a low key but EXTREMELY good Black Adam miniseries with Doug Mahnke.

Rags Morales is probably best known for his work on DC's Identity Crisis. As good as his work was there, I became a bigger fan when he took over Hawkman. Morales is a versatile artist with an underrated ability to have emotion pour off his pages. His deft use of facials and body language are engaging and his crisp linework only accentuates that.



Tomasi's back-to-basics approach to the book has been nothing short of invigorating. There's so much to love about this book. He's managed to make things fresh while keeping the characters grounded with the feeling of familiarity. Dick's interaction with his "family" are spot on. He's the big borther to Tim's wide-eyed sibiling. He's the approval seeking son to Bruce's demanding father figure. He's the mature and capable one in Alfred's proud grandfather eyes. Nightwing's use of the DCU's resources are great and make you scream to yourself, "Why didn't anyone else think of that!?" The JLA Satellitle lends some needed help on a recon mission and serves as an excuse to have Dick banter with his old friend Red Arrow. Now based in New York, down the street from the JSA Brownstone, he calls in a favor and has the team help him set up his new headquarters. Plus, an appearance from one of my all time favorite characters, KGBeast.

Over the last couple of years, the DC Universe has felt exactly opposite of what a universe should feel like. The cohesion between characters, books, and storylines has been lost in all of the company's recent crossovers. Nightwing brings a closeness back to a company whom I feel has lost direction over time and now consists of an expanding but disconnected universe.

One Sentence Review: For those looking for DC fun, without worrying about any looming "crisis." | 8.5/10

Subscribe in a reader

Invincible #49 Review

Robert Kirkman puts his milestone plans in motion with a very strong 49th issue of Invincible.
by Larry_Chimp_Man

I hated this issue. Not because of the way it's written, not because of a plot point I didn't agree with, certainly not because of the art. No, I hated this issue because I can't read what happens next for a whole month.



Invincible #49 wraps up the Image crossover against Doc Seismic while setting up events that'll no doubt lead the way for a huge milestone issue 50. Mark's world will be undergoing major changes in the coming months and that all kicks off with issue 49.

Robert Kirkman's fun writing style is on display once again with this issue and it's a treat to read. The Kentucky-based writer is full of surprises and has a knack for throwing his readers curveballs. This issue is no different. Book 49 ends with a bang and, as I mentioned earlier, it's going to be a tough month waiting for issue 50 to hit shelves.



Penciller and Inker Ryan Ottley is also stellar as always. Ottley is quickly climbing his way to number one on my list of favourite artists and it's issues like this that prove his worth. His work is so crisp and defined and it's hard not to ignore his perfectly expressed character work. The man somehow continues to improve with each issue and it's always a thrill when eying each issue of Invincible.

One Sentence Review: Excellent issue that ends with a bang. | 9.2/10

What did you guys think of this issue? How do you think the end of issue 49 is going to affect Mark? Post a comment and tell me all about it.

Invincible's milestone 50th issue hits comic shops in April. Check back to MediaZEALOT every week for new comic reviews.

Cheers.

Subscribe in a reader

Fantastic Four #554-555 Review

Marvel’s First Family looks for a fresh start.
by mr. b

Following an insanely successful run on The Ultimates, superstar creative team, Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch, check in for an extended stay at the Baxter Building. The aptly named “World’s Greatest” storyline kicked off last month and continues (on time!) this week.



I was apprehensive when this story arc was announced. Aside from the obvious prospect of having Hitch falling behind schedule, Millar has had a rough couple of years critically. I, personally, enjoyed the majority of Civil War but the ending felt extremely disappointing. His previous runs on Ultimate Fantastic Four were underwhelming and forgettable. That being said, I approached the first issue with high expectations.

Those expectations were met within the first four pages.

Everything a Fantastic Four comic should be was here. The sarcastic Ben Grimm. The nerdy, oblivious Reed. The annoying kids. All balanced out by the ever-present mother figure that is Sue Richards. The opening of this comic oozes Millar’s obvious love of the Lee/Kirby era. It was amazing to me that he nailed the characterizations so quickly. All against the backdrop of a time traveling train, barreling through the Old West. Millar spends the rest of the issue setting up a handful of interesting subplots that will run through his tenure on the title.

“Wow” seems to be as good a word as any to describe what Bryan hitch brings to this book. Every panel is illustrated with pain-staking detail. No empty spaces and no shortcuts taken. His trademark widescreen panels are made to give the book a blockbuster movie feel, and they accomplish just that. Imagine if Michael Bay made good movies. These two issues also showcase Hitch’s underrated ability to draw “quieter” moments. His facials and body language add a whole dimension to Millar’s already excellent dialogue.



The running subplots make sure the book never seems stale. Every member of the team seems to have something going on. Sue has joined an all-ladies group of superheroes to fill her time. Johnny has moved out of the Baxter Building and getting ready to start work on a reality TV show. And Reed has been recruited by his ex-girlfriend to rebuild the planet. Millar was so good at putting these side stories together and having them seamlessly run through the book, without bogging it down.

Two issues in and the nay-sayers already have begun speculating how late the next issues will be. Bad news for them. Millar has twelve scripts finished and hitch has enough issues in the can to last to December.

One Sentence Review: A great Fantastic Four story in the tradition of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. | 9.0/10

Subscribe in a reader

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 #12 Review

Dark Horse’s canonical continuation of the cult television series ventures into its third arc.
by dares

This issue starts a new story for the all new, all illustrated scoobies. “Wolves at the Gate” is being helmed by former Buffy and Angel television scribe, Drew “Cloverfield” Goddard and also features the ooey gooey deliciousness that is Georges Jeanty’s art.

Buffy #12 has received some attention in the media, spotlighting a certain moment in the book which is sort of hinted in the first arc and then sort of even more hinted in issue eleven, and while this spotlight receiving moment is very much memorable, it’s another scene in the book that has become my favorite part Buffy Season Eight. (Hint: It involves most of the main cast).

(Yes, the moment topped the “mask reveal” of issue eleven.)

Following two solidly boss arcs by Joss Whedon and Brian K. Vaughan, “Wolves at the Gate” has procured the title of "favorite issue of series" in one awesome swoop. Drew Goddard has hit it out of all parks in the world combined together to make one gigantic super-park. While the last two arcs have felt like episodes split into four parts, this single issue feels like an episode of Buffy all by its lonesome.

This issue also has the return of a character not seen since Season Five (or, if you’re a real Buffy keener, the Tales of the Vampire anthology series published by Dark Horse a few years back) and it’s a good one.

Georges Jeanty’s art on Buffy is another reason the comic is so great. He hits the personalities of the characters perfectly, ensuring that the reader is seeing Xander Harris and not Nicholas Brendon. It's a very fine line between the character and actor in comic tie-ins and Jeanty balances it perfectly. I think it’s safe to say that he is the definitive Buffy artist.

Drew Goddard is no stranger to Buffy comics either. He wrote a short for the previously mentioned Tales of the Vampire collection. If you’ve watched the television show and you love the comic book, I’d highly recommend picking up a copy of Tales of the Vampire. It definitely adds to the experience.

One Sentence Review: A great issue in an already fantastic series. 9.5/10

If you’re reading Buffy, let me know what your favorite moment of the book has been.

The next issue of Buffy The Vampire Slayer ships on April 2nd.

Later Days!

Subscribe in a reader

Dark Tower: The Long Road Home #1 Review

Gunslinger Roland Deschain is back in another Marvel mini-series.

The first issue of Dark Tower: The Long Road Home is more of what was found in the Gunslinger Born mini-series. With the Big Coffin Hunters hot on his tail and his lover Susan Delgado dead, Roland and his ka-tet must flee into the desert.



As much as I want to enjoy Marvel's Dark Tower comics I just can't bring myself to do so. Peter David has written these books in such a distanced perspective that completely removes me from the characters and story. It's so hard to fall into the universe and allow yourself to be swept off your feet when you feel like you're watching the action from above. Plus, I can't feel for any of the characters in the book because they are all fairly underdeveloped. I need a book that I can connect and relate to and it just seems impossible to do so with Dark Tower.

I do, however, love Jae Lee's visuals. The Korean-born artist is the only reason I continue to purchase and read this book. His pencils are so clean and refined and he uses negative space better than any artist I can think of.



Many praised Gunslinger Born as one of the best mini-series of 2007. Quite a few have also claimed to really enjoy the first issue of The Long Road Home. I am in no way claiming that it is a bad book. However, it is not for me. I've tried countless times to give it another chance but it doesn't grow on me.

One Sentence Review: Not my cup of tea. | 7.1/10

Are you a fan of Dark Tower who thinks I'm totally off my mark with this review? Leave me a comment.

The second issue of Dark Tower: The Long Road Home hits shelves on April 30th.

Cheers.

Subscribe in a reader

All Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder #9 Review

Frank Miller's controversial comic series continues to tell an unconventional Batman tale.

So often Batman is cast in a dark shadow of gloom and depression. He's always brooding and carries the guilt of his parents death as a burden. The character doesn't have a lighter side, at least not in modern comic history, and that's what makes him so iconic. The ninth issue of All Star Batman and Robin brings the character out of the dark. The comic series features a quick witted Batman that's ruthless yet darkly cartoonish. It's a different take on the Dark Knight and feels like something I've never read before.



The ninth issue with Batman and Robin talking with Hal Jordan in a safehouse in Crime Alley. Sounds normal? It's not. Batman, Robin, the room, and all of its contents are painted yellow. To top it all off Batman is serving lemonade. The Green Lantern is obviously not amused by this stunt and shit goes down.

The comic is hilarious and a total riot. I haven't had so much fun reading a Batman book since DC's The Spirit crossover last year. It's obvious that this comic series is not to be taken seriously and that Miller is merely having some fun with his characters.



What I love about Miller's most recent Batman run is how he paints the character as such an unlikable guy. Batman is usually quite the anti-hero, don't get me wrong, but in the All Star universe he's a total dick. Batman isn't the only one to appear different within the pages of All Star B&R, Miller has shaken the foundations of every character in this series.

All Star Batman and Robin is a must-read series. Not for the convoluted story that doesn't seem to be going anywhere but for Frank Miller's crazy antics. Once you accept this book as a character experiment you'll enjoy it much more. Batman is drinking lemonade for Christ's sake, let loose and have a laugh.

One Sentence Review: A riot of an issue featuring a fun and entertaining Batman. | 8.2/10

The tenth issue of All Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder hits shelves on April 9th.

Cheers.

Subscribe in a reader

Invincible #48 Review

The latest issue of Invincible is light on story but still a great read.

Invincible has been an extremely fun and exciting comic for its entire 47 issue run thus far and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. It's easily one of my favourite books and Robert Kirkman is quickly climbing the ranks and becoming one of my most beloved writers. I've really fallen in love with the characters in this book and I look forward to reading all about them come every month's new issue.



That trend continues with Invincible 48. The issue is just as fun and exciting as always but something felt different while I was reading it earlier today; the pacing. Issue 48 feels like a "villain of the month" story instead of part of a larger narrative. It's easy to forget about this one soon after digesting it. A portion of the book is also cut out of this issue as Kirkman uses a few pages in the comic to advertise some Image books he's currently working on. It's a funny gag but feels cheap and wastes important page space in the comic.

Invincible is headed toward a milestone with issue 50 right around the corner and it feels as if Kirkman is holding back. The quality of this issue is nowhere near the standard for this book and one can only hope Kirkman isn't saving everything for the big issue. We'll find out next month if that's the case.



This issue wasn't a complete disappointment. Atom Eve is back and it looks like things could go either way between her and Mark. Let's hope their relationship is worked out in the next few issues (who's betting on issue 50?). Wolf-Man, from the pages of Kirkman's Astounding Wolf-Man, also shows up in this issue to fight alongside Mark and The Guardians of the Globe. However, with Wolf-Man in the picture quite a bit of the spotlight is taken off of Mark. Ryan Ottley's art is also simply amazing as usual. This guy is one of the best in the business and shows it every month with his work on this book.

Invincible 48 was fun but nowhere near as good as it could have been if Kirkman wasn't holding back. Hopefully issue 49 is a return to form and that the Kentucky-based writer isn't just treading water until issue 50.

One Sentence Review: Enjoyable, although not up to the usual snuff. | 8.0/10

Did any of you guys pick up this issue? What did you think? Post a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Cheers.

Subscribe in a reader

Spawn #175 Review

Full of action and a powerful twist, Spawn 175 is a treat to read.

Spawn has been really hit and miss since artist Philip Tan left the book after issue 164 and ventured on to do Spawn: Godslayer. I really liked the Armageddon storyline that led up to Tan's departure and wasn't prepared for the book's drop in grade after he left. The last ten issues haven't been bad, they've just been easy to ignore. It's tough to settle for the current quality of the book when you've had a taste of how excellent Hine's writing can be when he's on his game.



Spawn 174 was a return to top form for David Hine and a fun read. Issue 175 continues that trend, concluding the two-part Gunslinger Spawn arc. The gun-toting western-themed Spawn is going on a rampage and plans on killing an entire town unless a fugitive can stop him. It's an exciting and action-packed issue that concludes with a great twist tying the arc back to present-day Spawn.

The art in this issue by Bing Cansino and Geirrod Van Dyke is amazing. The two showcase a very thick-brushed painted feel with amazing flow and detail not often found in your average comic. The action looks great and there is quite a bit of beautifully rendered gore and explosions. I'm a huge fan of comic artists who excel at the painted style and these two have done an excellent job over the past two issues.

The two-part Gunslinger Spawn arc proved to be a great stand-alone Spawn storyline. It was able to deal with issues in the Spawn Universe but didn't require its readers to have any knowledge of the current Spawn status quo. Hopefully this arc opened the door to some new Spawn readers and that the quality of this arc is carried on in Spawn 176 and forward.

One Sentence Review: Great issue and a fitting conclusion to an excellent arc.

Spawn #176 hits comic shops in March and will feature the return of regular Spawn artist Brian Haberlin.

Cheers.

Subscribe in a reader

The Twelve #2 Review

J. Michael Straczynski follows up the excellent first issue of his new series with another brilliant read.

J. Michael Straczynski's The Twelve is looking like it will turn out to be one of the best books to come out recently. I know it's a bit early, as only two out of 12 issues have hit stores, but it feels like it could go the distance and really make a name for itself.

The Twelve is about twelve Golden Age heroes who fought as a team during the Second World War only to be frozen in time and then awoken in the present day Marvel Universe. The heroes are given the task of settling in and returning to form as crime fighters but many are having a hard time getting over the past.



The second issue is more of what was found in the first but with more character work. Straczynski does an excellent job showing the humanity of these heroes and you really understand their confusion and pain as you read this issue. I found myself deeply feeling for these characters which is something a comic isn't often able to do, Straczynski does it with ease.

The art of Chris Weston is once again remarkable. Weston does an excellent job creating a retro feel to the comic without allowing the art to feel dated. His pencils are crisp and detailed and a thrill to take in. The art features everything great about the art in old comics but with a modern twist to set it apart. Kaare Andrews is also doing some great work with the cover of each issue.

It'll be interesting to see where this comic book goes. The story is still being established and we haven't yet seen clue of a major villain or plot device. The past two issues have been amazing reads and if Straczynski can keep it up for the next ten we'll be in for a real treat.

One Sentence Review: Spectacular follow up to an amazing first issue. This book can't be missed.

The third issue of The Twelve hits comic shops on March 5th.

Cheers.

Subscribe in a reader

Amazing Spider-Man #550 Review

Brand New Day's second arc's second issue is a hit-and-miss affair.

I really enjoyed the first three-issue arc of Brand New Day. I felt Dan Slott and Steve McNiven did a superb job following up after the train wreck that was One More Day and I was genuinly excited to read Spidey again for the first time in years.

The second arc has tried to continue that fun and exhilarating Spider-Man style but it's not working as well as it did in the first arc. For starters, I'm already sick of the retro feel Marvel is shoving down our throats with this book. The silly opening/closing narratives feel forced and the editor comment box feels like it was written for children or readers partially retarded (or both?).



All quibbles about the presentation aside, I'm enjoying where this book is going. Many seeds are being planted and it feels like the book is progressing substantially every week. The new villain nicknamed Menace, a Green-Goblin-esque character introduced in ASM #549, looks like he could lead to something big and I want to see where he leads. It's also nice to see Jackpot getting a portion of the spotlight.

One thing that really bothered me about this issue, and the last one for that matter, is Salvador Larocca's art. Larocca's Spider-Man is great. He's cinematic and stylistic and seems to always be in motion, I have no complaints. What bothers me is how the art quality drops once Spidey takes off his mask. Some of Larocca's faces are flat out terrible and many of his civilians are plain and boring. It feels like Larocca doesn't have the passion for drawing everyday Joes the same way he does for drawing superheroes.

The same can be said for writer Marc Guggenheim. He's great whenever Peter's in action but lacks the same punch once the costume comes off. A lot of his dialogue simply seems like filler shoved in-between the action.

I may be being too harsh on Marvel and the creative team behind this current arc. I'm enjoying Brand New Day and this issue was no exception. I just wish Slott and McNiven were back on the book. Oh well, at least it's only one more issue before writer Bob Gale and artist Phil Jiminez team up to bring us Brand New Day's third arc.

One Sentence Review: Better than your average issue but frustrating at the same time.

The next issue, Amazing Spider-Man 551, hits comic shops on Wednesday.

Cheers.

Subscribe in a reader

Grifter & Midnighter #1 Review

Two of Wildstorm's top-guns collide in this six issue mini-series.

I am a HUGE Grifter fan. I don't know what it is about the character but he is just awesome. Now, that being said, I had really been looking forward to Wildstorm's Grifter & Midnighter mini-series. The only other Grifter book on the shelves is the main WildC.A.T.S. title (which has been months in-between issues) and I wanted more of the masked assassin's comics to read. Grifter & Midnighter had the potential to fill that void. Unfortunately the premier issue didn't give the best first impression.

One of my complaints with this first book is the writing. Chuck Dixon has really been around the block when it comes to comics, and usually does a fairly decent job, but this issue felt really cheesy and dull. Most of the dialogue spoken between characters are throwaway one-liners and cliche phrases that don't even apply to the scene. The story is a very simple one but it's handled in an extremely messy fashion. Plot points are convoluted and sloppy and Dixon molds the characters flat as paper, making it hard to care for them or the conflict at hand. I felt myself gagging reading some of the material in this issue and I was tempted to put the book down at times, eventually gaining enough courage to force my way through it.



Another problem I have with the book is that Grifter is nowhere to be found. The character gets a few panels here and there but is generally absent from the issue. Even in the five or so pages where we see him, he's just chilling at a table. What's cool about that? I want to see Grifter rocking the socks off of some baddies, not taking a lunch break. I guess they are just saving the guy for later issues, building the reader's anticipation for the character.

One highlight of the issue though is the art. Ryan Benjamin does a fairly good job with the characters he's given and manages to bring life to the otherwise static scenes with his expressions and gestures. Hopefully this guy gets hired to do a big project after this mini-series because I really like his stuff so far.

The first issue of Grifter & Midnighter was a letdown. While the art is good, the writing of Chuck Dixon is piss-poor, reminding me of a really bad B-movie. The issue is also all about Midnighter and, while he is a cool character, I'd much rather have the spotlight focused on Grifter.

Am I being too harsh with this opinion on the book? Tell me what you think, post a comment.

Cheers.

Subscribe in a reader