|
The Goon #7
PUBLISHER:
Dark Horse
WRITER: Eric
Powell
PENCILS: Mike
Mignola
Hellboy crosses paths with the Goon. Hellboy’s world is often
dark and moody, while the Goon’s world is somewhat cartoony
and colorful. The thought of mixing the two worlds at first intrigued
me, and in the end totally entertained me. I can’t call it a
classic book, but I definitely found it quite entertaining. My favorite
scene had something to do with a bar, a couple of drinks and a giant
spider. Hellboy is definitely the proverbial “fish out of water
in this story”, or as the Goon said “Maybe them stumps
is diggin’ inta his brain”. Mignola’s art frames
the story and is always great to see, and Powell, well his art in
the middle is strong as always. If you want a quick and enjoyable
read, check out this issue. You don’t need much in the way of
back story so it’s good for a one time purchase, although, you
are missing out on some sharp art if you don’t get the Goon
regularly. -KEVIN-
|
AVENGERS 84: “ONCE AN INVADER…” PART 3 OF 4
PUBLISHER:
MARVEL COMICS
WRITER: Chuck Austen
PENCILS: Scott Kolins
INKER /COLORIST: Chris Sotomayor
This book is the launching point to the new Invaders
series, which is why I picked it up.
I haven’t really read Avengers on a regular basis in a long
time, and if this is how the book typically reads then I can’t
say I regret that. I have to admit that I find the book somewhat
confusing as it makes heavy references to previous events without
benefit of any recap of what has gone before. I haven’t read
a lot of Chuck Austen’s work, but I know that in many fans’
opinions he is considered to be a rather sub-standard writer.
In this issue the Invaders fight to take over a
country in the Middle East, a plot that has been building since
part one of the story arc. I won’t spoil the shock ending
at this point, but let me just say that not all of the Invaders
appear to agree with the resolution to their problem with the dictator
of the country in question. This story concludes in two weeks in
Invaders 0, and as much as I hate to admit it I’m eager to
see what the final resolution to the last two pages of this issue
are going to be…
Austen
seems to have gone beyond making this book his own to the point
of taking huge liberties with the characters and their recognized
personalities and traits. On that note, for the record, since when
can the Wasp achieve giant size? That’s a new development…and
one of the things that Austen seems to have just pulled out of his
hat. I don’t think I’ll be returning to the Avengers
proper any time soon (of course, having seen the first part of Avengers
500 that may change), but I’m still going to give the new
Invaders book a shot. -TMC-
|
Gotham Central # 20
PUBLISHER: DC
WRITER: Ed
Brubaker
PENCILS: Michael
Lark
INKS: Stefano
Gaudiano
I’m sure someone else has described this book the same way I
am, but it’s “Law and Order” meets Gotham City.
The current ark involves the bombing of a high school baseball team
20 years ago and the death of one of the two remaining survivors of
that, and somehow the Mad Hatter and perhaps another of Batman’s
foes have something to do with it. Detectives Driver and MacDonald,
in the course of their investigation have enlisted the help of Harvey
Bullock (too long gone from the scene) to find out the Mad Hatter’s
connection to the case, since Harvey worked on the original bombing.
While Driver and MacDonald are interviewing the Hatter, Harvey’
s checking out a lead of his own, this leads him into trouble. If
this title is not on your list it should be, Brubaker’s arks
seem to be a bit stronger than when Rucka assists, but no matter what,
this book is good. If you want to sample the book, pick up the first
trade, it’s a collection of the first arc and priced a bit lower
than the regular trades, so it’s a great introduction. -KEVIN-
|
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 509: “SINS
PAST” PART 1 OF ?
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
WRITER: J. Michael Straczynski
PENCILS: Mike Deodato, Jr.
Mike Deodato, Jr. supplies the pencils on this issue
(and the subsequent chapters in the story arc, most likely) while
John Romita, Jr. takes some well-deserved time off. I’ve always
liked Deodato’s work (his work on both Wonder Woman and Hulk
were really dynamic) and I look forward to seeing how he depicts
some of the characters in Spider-Man’s world. Apparently the
book has also gotten a brand new logo, foregoing the “classic”
logo once again for something new and modern looking.
Issue 509 begins the story arc that is kiddingly
being referred to as “Shush” around the Marvel offices
(at least if the rumors can be believed). It bears a passing similarity
to the Jim Lee storyline that ran in Batman last year, with the
major plot point being someone knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man
and using that to torment him and threaten his loved ones.
I like
the way the story begins, with part of a letter from someone whom
Peter loved very much years ago (but someone who did not know his
secret) and believes is dead. One particularly touching sequence
takes place in a cemetery where this same person is interred; Straczynski
shows off his strong story-telling skills spectacularly here, showing
that he can write not only gripping action, but also very real human
issues. The story’s apparent antagonists reveal themselves
(a male and a female are involved in the attack) in the last panel,
with the male removing his mask to reveal his face. I have my thoughts
on who these people could potentially be, but I’ll wait and
see if I’m correct or not as the story plays out.
-TMC-
|
Birds of Prey #68
PUBLISHER:
DC
WRITER: Gail
Simone
PENCILS: Joe
Bennett
INKS: Ruy
Jose
I’m ashamed of myself for not discovering this title earlier.
I see it on the racks each month, but think to myself, I’m not
sure I want to read about the adventures of Oracle, the Huntress and
Black Canary. Was it because they were all women? No, it was more
of the thought that neither the Huntress nor Black Canary really interested
me that much. Oracle was always good in her supporting role in the
Batman titles, but the combination didn’t thrill me. I was so
wrong; this is a wonderful little book worthy of more attention. Too
many books are out there that are fight driven, this book seems to
move forward based on the strength of the personalities of the parties
involved. This issue seems to come at the tail end of the latest arc
and is a great jumping on point for the new reader. It gives you insight
to their relationships which is so much better than the monthly fight
scene. I highly recommend this book. -KEVIN-
|
 
Amazing Spider-Man # 508 and 509
PUBLISHER: Marvel
Comics
#508 ART:John
Romita Jr, Scott Hanna and Scott Koblish
#509 ART:Mike
Deodato and Matt Milla
Both written by J. Michael Straczynski and COLORS:
Matt Milla
Why group these two issues together for a review? Well because the
first is the end of the original arc started by Straczynski and Romita
Jr., and the second is the beginning of the new arc. Issue 508 brings
to close the Ezekiel story line, while it doesn’t end with the
bang that one would hope after the run, it does give you the requisite
reason why Spider-Man keeps fighting and surviving, it’s not
for himself, it’s because of the strength of his feelings for
those around him. Romita’s art is good as always, it’s
sad that he’ll be gone (for a while at least). Issue #509 begins
the next story Arc, Sins Past, and brings in a new art team, I was
a bit concerned at first, never being a fan of Deodato’s sequential
art (his covers are always great though). I felt that this was some
of the best art I’ve seen come from him and in my opinion matches
the mood of what seems like a more mysterious story line. I think
the combination of his art with Straczynski’s mood work very
well and I’m looking forward to see where this arc goes. There
are hints at the return of a former supporting character returning,
which is part of the mystery. Instead of someone pulling Spider-Man’s
strings, they are working on Peter Parker. A strong start…but
I seem to remember something bad happening called “The Clone
Saga”, I hope this keeps a wide berth. -KEVIN-
|
|
Al n'
Ann's Collectibles
Store Hours:
Mon-Thurs
11:00am - 7:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday
10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday
Closed
Location
3819 W. Main St.
McHenry,IL 60050
Phone
(815)344-9696
  |
