|
Fallen Angel #13
PUBLISHER: DC
WRITER: Peter
David
PENCILS: David
Lopez
INKS: Fernando
Blanco
Each issue of this title is my last, at least that’s what I
tell myself after I finish reading it each month. I picked up the
first issue based on some reviews I had read and that I liked Peter
David’s writing. I then began to order the book through Previews
for the next few months, finally stopping around issue 7, yet I find
myself with a complete run to date. That says something about the
book. I generally don’t pick up books off the rack, I may from
time to time grab something because I forgot to order it, but I don’t
usually go trolling. The quality of this book makes me want to find
it each month. The combination of David’s scripts and Lopez’s
art makes this a great book to read. Granted the art may not be the
prettiest, but I think it’s perfect for the tone of the stories.
This issue is a stand alone issue, which a new reader can pick up
and sample. It is a good example of the general tone of the book.
I think it gives the reader everything they need to know, but if you
want to know more, pick up the trade of the first story line, it will
introduce you and hopefully draw you farther into the world of the
Fallen Angel. -KEVIN-
|
X-MEN 159: “DAY OF THE ATOM” PART 3 OF 4
PUBLISHER: MARVEL
COMICS
WRITER: Chuck
Austen
ART: Salvadore
LaRocca
I haven’t picked up an X-Book in
a couple of years, so I thought that since the creative teams have
all shifted I would try again. Austen does a fair job here with
the character interaction, so I guess maybe this is one of his better
efforts (I usually don’t care for his writing style at all).
Since this is my first issue of his stint on this book I think I’ll
hold off on a decision as to whether I like it or not, at least
until I read a couple more issues. Larocca, on the other hand, does
stellar work. His art is really dynamic and I like the way he portrays
these characters. Although it’s not really his fault, I kind
of dislike some of the new costumes (although I really LIKE the
new Wolverine design…go figure). In particular I think Havok’s
new look is, well, repulsive.
The story itself is the third of four parts, so
I feel like I’ve most definitely missed something. The story
does make a certain amount of sense, which says something good about
Chuck Austen’s writing style. This is why I always say he’s
hit and miss; some of his books are well thought out and well written,
while others lack those qualities. The particular team of X-Men
who star in this book (the current “roster” is divided
into sub-teams kind of like the old Blue and Gold teams) have gone
to China because Cerebra discovered a mutant bio-signature that
is almost exactly the same as their former teammate Xorn (who, if
I understand, was actually Magneto in disguise). The team has already
suffered one casualty; it’s not a death, but it’s definitely
a serious injury that will have, at the very least, short term repercussions.
I’ll probably read the last part of
this arc, and maybe the next one if he can hold my attention and
keep up the better storytelling. I guess we’ll find out in
a couple of months. -TMC-
|
Powers Vol. 2 #1
PUBLISHER:
Icon
WRITER: Brian
Michael Bendis
ART: Mike
Avon Oeming
I didn’t plan on getting this book. I had a sense of completion
after the Image series ended that I didn’t feel the need to
revisit the Powers world. I couldn’t help my curiosity. I wanted
to see if things had changed with the book moving over to the new
Marvel Imprint ICON, for creator owned properties. Nothing has, it’s
still excellent. Bendis writes a book that is very easy to read- you
don’t need the pictures- not to dismiss them- but the conversations
between the characters are art all by themselves. On a whole though,
the book wouldn’t work for me without Oeming’s art. When
I first saw his work, I thought it was kind of primitive, but it totally
serves the tone of the story and I can’t picture any one else
handling the chores. In fact my favorite part of this issue involves
a scene between Walker and Pilgrim, the first time they run into each
other this issue, and there are no giant Bendis word balloons to be
found. There is just a subtle awkwardness between the two of them
conveyed brilliantly by Oeming’s art. This issue establishes
the new status quo and gives enough back-story from the previous volume
for readers to get up to speed fairly quickly. The use of one’s
powers has been outlawed by the president. The good guys, do what
good guys do, they follow the law. The bad guys, of course take advantage
of that fact. So Pilgrim and Walker are back on the job, tracking
down renegade Powers. But not having their own powers puts them at
a disadvantage- that is until…
If you read the last volume, you’ll certainly enjoy this. If
you haven’t, this would be a good place to start, but make sure
you give it a few issues before you make your decision to stay or
go. It will take a little while to get caught up. Oh and if you do
pick up this issue, make sure you read the letters column, there is
always something entertaining in there (if you don’t feel like
reading the whole thing, at least read the quote of the month- it’s
pretty funny). -KEVIN-
|
IDENTITY CRISIS [LIMITED SERIES] 2
(OF 7)
PUBLISHER:
DC COMICS
WRITER: Brad
Meltzer
PENCILS: Rags
Morales
INKS: Michael
Bair
How often do we hear the phrase in comics, “Worlds will die!
Lives will be shattered! And NOTHING will EVER be the same again!”
Well, Brad Meltzer has lived up to that hype… and then some.
This seven issue limited series begins with the death of a major player
in the DCU in issue 1 and is escalating from there. This mystery is
extremely well crafted, and in only two issues has already produced
quite a series of twists and turns. The covers for this series are
beautifully rendered by Michael Turner.
This issue follows the actions of a very specific group of Leaguers
in relation to last issue’s shocking, grisly murder. We learn
that a deep, dark secret exists within the ranks of these same former
League members; something so horrible and reprehensible that they
have never spoken of it again, and that even the “Big Guns”
aren’t aware of. It’s definitely implied that this awful
thing they did may have been done more than once…which casts
a whole different light on the heroes involved.
There are many, many rumors flying around relating to this series
and the fates of several characters involved. I guess we’ll
have to wait and see how it plays out, but I know I’m on the
edge of my seat waiting. If this were a novel, I wouldn’t be
able to put it down. Next issue: Deathstroke vs. the Justice League!
-TMC-
|
Marvel Knights Spider-man #4
PUBLISHER: Marvel
WRITER: Mark
Millar
PENCILS: Terry
Dodson
INKS: Rachel
Dodson
Part 4 of 4 would suggest there is some sort of conclusion to the
“who kidnapped Aunt May” story, but there isn’t.
Part 4 of 4 suggests that you may get a sense of resolution, but you
don’t. Part 4 of 4 suggests an ending, but there isn’t,
unless you consider that this may be the last issue of this title
I pick up. A high profile writer and pretty art does not, a good book,
make. I hope something happens soon to redeem this book.-KEVIN-
|
FLASH 212: “MIRROR, MIRROR ON
THE WALL”
PUBLISHER: DC COMICS
WRITER: Geoff
Johns
PENCILS: Steven
Cummings
INKS: Wayne
Faucher
Geoff Johns is a genius and a master at his craft. I can’t say
that enough. I love his work and rarely have anything to nitpick about
with the stories he writes. This issue of Flash once again proves
how talented and versatile he is as he continues his showcasing of
the Rogues Gallery, this time with the second Mirror Master Evan McCulloch.
This is Johns’ fourth such spotlight issue featuring the Rogues,
and another great look into what makes these villains tick.
Johns manages to once again write an issue of a
monthly book without even showing the title character, which is
a tricky proposition under most circumstances. As with the other
Rogue profile issues, we are shown McCulloch’s entire life
from childhood to the present in order to learn and better understand
what drove him to become what he is: a super-villain. There’s
an interesting twist to this tale regarding how McCulloch actually
acquired the technology and name, but I won’t spoil it here.
Let me just say that it wasn’t the usual way and let you read
it for yourself, which I would highly recommend.
By the way, in case anyone is interested
in finding the other issues featuring profiles / histories / origins
of the Rogues, they are: Flash 182, focusing on Captain Cold; Flash
190, focusing on Pied Piper; Flash 197, focusing on Zoom II [Hunter
Zolomon]. -TMC-
|
Identity Crisis #2
PUBLISHER: DC
WRITER: Brad
Meltzer
PENCILS: Rags
Morales
INKS: Mike
Bair
This is the second issue of DC’s big summer crossover, and they
promised to rock the foundations of the DC universe. Last issue brought
the death of Sue Dibny, one that in and of itself is quite sad, but
that was just the set up. Ralph Dibny (Elongated Man) is convinced
that Dr. Light is behind her death, and this issue we find out why,
but we also find out just how far our heroes will go to protect their
own circle. It turns out, in the past, Sue was horribly attacked by
Dr. Light (in one of the most disturbing sequences I’ve seen
since Batman: The Killing Joke) while on the Justice League Satellite.
He violated her and in doing so, found the weakness that he couldn’t
find while going head to head against the heroes. He could never defeat
them, but now, he had found a way to actually hurt them, by getting
to those they cared about. Sue was able to signal for help, but by
the time it arrived, the attack was already happening. Ralph, Green
Arrow, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Hawkman, Black Canary, Zantana
and the Flash (Barry Allen) decided to deal with him. Their own type
of justice, so that he could never do something like that again; they
went in and adjusted his mind, they violated him in a way not all
that much different than he had done. Granted, his was an attack that
altered someone physically and emotionally, but they in turn did the
same to him mentally. So now our heroes are flawed well beyond what
we could have imagined. In the present, word gets out that they are
looking for Dr. Light and he enlists some help for protection, while
Dr. Midnight had the chance to examine Sue’s body before the
burial and has proof that Dr. Light didn’t kill her, but he
can’t contact the others to tell them. This issue was brutal,
from the attack on Sue to Dr. Light’s personality adjustment.
When I finished reading this issue all I could think was “wow”.
Talk about altering ideas about people. Meltzer’s story is one
of the most engaging I have read since last year’s graphic novel
from Top Shelf- Blankets. The art work is beautiful. The only problem
I have with the book is the subject matter. Kids read comic books
as well as adults, I don’t think I would like to see an 8 year
old reading a book like this. Granted the world is a lot less innocent
than it was when I was growing up, but this is still pretty harsh
for a kid to read. There should be some sort of advisory not or something
on the cover, just in case. -KEVIN-
|
The Pulse #4
PUBLISHER:
Marvel
WRITER: Brian
Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Mark
Bagley
INKS: Scott
Hanna
This book is all about characterization. This book is about people,
the staff of the Daily Bugle, specifically a new section called The
Pulse. Terri Kidder was new to the staff and was fearful of keeping
her spot. The stories weren’t panning out, that is until she
got a call from a friend at Oscorp (Oscorp=Osborn=Green Goblin) about
staff that had been disappearing. Her last mistake was confronting
Norman Osborn about it. He killed her, not the Green Goblin, but Norman.
The connection of the murder and Osborn exists and Ben Urich wants
to follow it, but he needs help, so he calls a friend. He calls Spider-Man.
Up until this point Peter Parker didn’t think Ben knew, and
he is concerned now that he is aware, concerned for his friend, who
will be going up against Osborn again. The exchange they share over
a couple of pages, you could see playing out in real life (I know
comic books aren’t real- but the pacing and their expressions).
Ben often appears in a supporting role in books like Spider-Man and
Daredevil but in this one he is the glue that holds it all together,
and it’s about time he got a chance to shine like this again
(last time I remember was the Daredevil story line Born Again). It
builds to a head when Ben has to confront J. Jonah Jameson about what
he is going to do with the information he has discovered about Norman
Osborn. The situations are somewhat real (again for a comic book-
but because they are mostly dealt with by regular people it’s
easier to relate). Finally, Jonah gives in. Ben, Jessica Jones, and
the police go to meet Osborn but they aren’t ready for what
they find. To put it simply I love this book. The writing and art
are top notch. You owe it to yourself to check it out. -KEVIN-
|
Emma Frost #13
PUBLISHER:Marvel
WRITER: Karl
Bollers
PENCILS: Adriana
Melo
INKS: Sean
Parsons
I last read this book with issue 6, the end of the first story line.
Emma’s powers had emerged, her life was turned upside down and
it seems that at this point she has turned her back on her family
and their wealth. She is trying to make it on her own. At first I
didn’t think this book had much potential beyond giving us a
beginning of Emma and her powers. But I can see with this issue they
seem to want to do this right, by having her grow slowly into who
she is in the present time. I do not know if this is a book I would
regularly read, but it will be interesting to stop in from time to
time and see how tings develop. It seems like the creative team have
an agenda for Ms. Frost. -KEVIN-
|
Gotham Central #21
PUBLISHER: DC
WRITER: Ed
Brubaker
PENCILS: Michael
Lark
INKS: Stefano
Gaudiano
I’ve raved about this book for the past two months, why aren’t
you reading it yet? -KEVIN-
|
Identity Disc #2
PUBLISHER: Marvel
WRITER: Rod
Rodi
PENCILS: John
Higgins
INKS: Sandu
Florea
Please do not make the mistake of confusing this for the DC title
Identity Crisis, if you do, please hit yourself in the head - HARD.
Instead of calling it Identity Disc, they should have called it Identity
Don’t, as in “don’t buy this book, spend your money
on a title that isn’t such a train wreck”. I want the
five minutes it took me to read this, back. -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
  |
