Tag Archives: Review

Comics, DC Comics

‘Justice League: Throne of Atlantis’ Remains One of the Greatest JL Stories Ever Told

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Perhaps the most complex and intricate Justice League story I’ve ever personally read, Throne of Atlantis is loaded with war, internal conflicts, deception and a number of twists you don’t typically take in through this specific medium. It’s a fast-paced piece that reads and looks amazing (as for the looks, I’ll be delivering my review of the animated film in the immediate future), and if you’ve never been a big Justice League follower, reading this tale – especially the beautiful hardcover collection that includes a DVD as well as a Blu-ray of the film – might turn you into a dedicated follower of the League.

As for the story, I’ll be as vague as possible and tell you that a naval test goes awry and a series of missiles plummet towards the bottom of the ocean. And deep beneath the sea, the army of Atlantis takes the arrival of explosives as a clear ignition point of a war they will not stand by idly and watch, nor will they lose. But as Orn, evil brother to Aquaman, makes his way to the surface to bring hell to those who walk on dry land, pieces of a different puzzle are coming together, and they all point to an accidental war that is anything but accidental.

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That’s all we can give you here, because believe this: you need to read this story. Geoff Johns’ epic tale is beautifully illustrations by Ivan Reis, Paul Pelletier, Tony S. Daniel and Brad Walker. All keep the look of the story cohesive, and all gift us some stunning background visuals. The characters themselves don’t always exist as the star of the show, although I must say I’ve never seen Orn look so menacing and intimidating. This story really gives readers an idea of how sharp, savage and downright entertaining Orn is. This is one severely underrated villain, for sure.

If you’re looking for an excellent storyline to hold your attention for a few hours, get your hands on the stunning hardcover/disc combo. It’s a must-have. It was a gift given to me for my 35th birthday, and I was more than pleased by the gift, I was certifiably stoked. And it all lived up to expectations. Throne of Atlantis makes for a marvelous book and an action-packed, gratifying film, as well!

Rating: 4.5/5

1st Appearances, Comics, Marvel Comics

Throwback Review: X-Men #1 (First Appearance of Magneto)

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A true classic that introduces a number of characters that would, decades later, find themselves firmly entrenched among a blossoming group of iconic names and faces. In X-Men #1 Stan Lee gives us the chance to meet Professor Xavier, Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Iceman and – eventually (she arrives at the Professor’s school for gifted youngsters about halfway through the book) – Jean Grey, then known as Marvel Girl. We also learn of the professor’s intentions to hone his pupils into warriors capable of defending and preserving the safety of the world’s average men and women.

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Comics, Marvel Comics

Marvel Spotlight on… Werewolf by Night #2 (Review)

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The initial introduction of Jack, the young, confused lycanthrope – as seen in Marvel Spotlight On… #2 – would eventually go on to become an expanded and intriguing tale of a man afflicted by something terrible. Jack is a decent human being, but sudden extreme events in his life change things fast.

First, Jack is forced to confront himself and acknowledge his position as a literal monster of the world. Second, he doesn’t care much for his step father – there’s some hatred lingering beneath the surface, and when it comes to Jack, that hatred spreads in the direction of his step father’s driver, a mean brute. And finally, the man suddenly has his mother taken from him after she found herself in a terrible car accident that may not have been an accident at all.

Rage fuels the beast, terror and uncertainty rules the man. There’s a sizable gap between man and monster and that works great. It’s a little bit reminiscent of Lon Chaney Jr.’s depiction of the Wolfman back in 1941. I love that, as Chaney played the greatest Wolfman we’ve ever seen, still to this day.

I really enjoyed the parallel conflicts of the story, as they encourage a fast paced narrative that sucks the reader right in. Gerry Conway really did do an outstanding job of crafting this monumental introduction, and Michael Ploog, who handles the illustrations, turns in top notch work that for the most part, wouldn’t feel dated by today’s standards. The man was ahead of his time, and he got the chance to illustrate a terrific story here.

As much as I adore Marvel’s other big classic monster book, Tomb of Dracula, I just can’t get enough of Werewolf by Night. Werewolves were always “my thing” as a child, and they still are today, decades later as grown nerd who takes a verbal shellacking from his kids… even though they’ve all got a little nerd in them, as well.

Amazing stuff, is Werewolf by Night.

Rating: 5/5

Werewolf by Night 2 Cover

Comics, DC Comics, Review

Reliving the Death of Superman (Review)

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Back in the early 90s there were only a handful of books I could claim to truly love. Spiderman, Batman, The Flash and Superman made up my primary reading list. I adored those characters, each for different reasons. Batman channeled that dark side, Spidey captured the essence of youth perfectly, the Flash never slowed down for anyone, and Superman was a symbol of everything right in the world.

And then DC decided to kill Superman, shattering everything right in the world.

It was a tough pill to swallow, and it was a difficult story arc to make it through. Back then, before the story had been released as a collected graphic novel, we all waiting weekly for the next chapter in the destructive saga. And as each week passed, the feeling that Superman was doomed (pardon the… eh, screw it) grew. Superman’s demise felt imminent. No matter what he, or any member of the JLA threw at Doomsday, it didn’t faze him. The monster just… kept… coming.

Throughout the 150-plus page story we, the reader, break down as much as our once trusty heroes. Knowing that there’s something alive in this universe capable of completely obliterating the forces of good was jolting. Knowing that the men and women who occupied this fictional world were no longer safe left a dark cloud hovering over the masses.

Of course we readers faced no danger… or so we thought.

The real danger we faced, unbeknownst to us, was the loss of a legend. Was it really possible that DC could kill off the greatest superhero of all time? What could possibly fill the void left by the one and only Superman? The whole scenario seemed like a bad joke. But it wasn’t, and the DC crew would indeed decide to kill Superman.

Of course, the DC gang would find a way to bring the Kryptonian back to us in decent time. But that stretch in which Superman was nowhere to be found, was an uncomfortable stretch to say the very least.

Nowadays DC is running a different ship entirely, having rebooted essentially all of their major titles a few years back, labelling the project the “New 52.” There are ups and downs in the new system, just as there has always been, but it’s cool to see Superman still doing his super thing in 2016.

But whether Superman made a triumphant return or not, one can never forget the brilliant story written by Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Louise Simonson and Roger Stern. And I’d be mighty neglectful if I didn’t tip my cap to Jon Bogdanove, Tom Grummett, Jackson Guice and, again, Dan Jurgens who all illustrated this tale. And finally, respect to a gang of amazing inkers: Brett Breeding, Rick Burchett, Doug Hazlewood, Dennis Janke and Denis Rodier.

Without these sharp minds and hands, the Death of Superman could have been an epic misfire. Instead, it ended up being epic, just plain epic… and tear-jerking. Still one of, if not the greatest graphic novels ever to be published, The Death of Superman is mesmerizing, engaging, depressing and abysmal. It’s memorable and it’s infectious. There’s a brilliant hardcover release of the book which also includes DVD and Blu-ray copies of Superman: Doomsday, and it’s relatively easy to get your hands on the collection for under $20. It’s a purchase you’ll cherish.

Rating: 5/5

Death of Superman Cover

Comics, Image Comics

Outcast Volume One: A Darkness Surrounds Him Review

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A brilliant book with multi-layered characters that are typically easy to cheer for, but can be easy to despise. But if you pull those polarizing figures from the picture, and what Outcast truly is, is an evil, exorcism tale. Now drag those personalities back into frame and what you’ve got is a battle between good and evil that runs parallel to an intricate examination of magnetic characters.

Robert Kirkman may end up being remembered for The Walking Dead and little else, but he’s accomplished so much more than just creating The Walking Dead, and his ability to chill to the bone sure as hell isn’t dependent on the inclusion of zombies. Kirkman could make your backyard patio set terrifying, if he wanted to. He can certainly handle evil, self-doubt, violence and even maybe a hint of schizophrenia, as well. Pretty versatile, if you ask me.

As for this story, the focus rests on Kyle Barnes, an insanely troubled 30-something with a past he’d prefer to forget. But he can’t forget, because evil beings have been following him since day one. His only answer (a leery one) to this problem is to stop being the pursued and begin pursuing. Kyle embarks on a mission to rid the world of the evil beings capable of possessing the human body.

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Kirkman makes this one a rugged affair, as we see some unsettling imagery, creepy ideas brought to the page and an unrelenting evil that has a score to settle with Kyle. It’s a brilliant read, and this comes from someone who isn’t a fan – in the least bit – of religious horror stories.

This one feels different. It actually doesn’t feel like an exorcism piece in the slightest, and that works for me. It reads differently, as though the small community and the mysterious and unknown are designed to take center stage over crosses and holy water. Again, big points for knowing when it’s time to move in a different direction.

I’m interested in seeing where Kyle heads from here. Robert Kirkman’s writing is top notch, and Paul Azaceta and Elizabeth Breitweiser’s artwork proves to be a magical fit for this gripping story. One volume in and I just can’t get enough of this aggressive piece of artwork.

You can order volume one right here.

Rating: 5/5

DC Comics, Movies

Superman and Batman: Public Enemies Review

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I’ll always be a sucker for three specific DC characters: The Flash, Superman and Batman. They’re all compelling characters with great depth, diverse personalities and an assortment of cool villains to tangle with. While we don’t get to see any crazy involvement from The Flash in Superman and Batman: Public Enemies, we get more than enough thrills from Supes and the Bat.

Knowing how much I adore these characters, this is hard to admit, but I get a morbid kick out of any opportunity to see both Superman and Batman made to look like true villains. You can bet with Lex Luthor having been recently elected as the president of the United States, these two are going to take a public shellacking. Lex Luthor doesn’t disappoint.

Luthor plays the manipulator here and gradually encourages the people of Metropolis, as well as every hero and villain alive to view these two in a different light. Obviously, Luthor wants to be done with Superman, and if he can take out the bat in the process, great. But it won’t be easy, even after recruiting every savage you can think of.

So who exactly wants to kill these two? Captain Atom, Captain Marvel, Solomon Grundy, Metallo, Gorilla Grodd, Starfire, Mongul, Lady Shiva and… well, the list just goes on and on. And that means that Public Enemies is really just a showcase for every awesome DC character on the roster. It’s a blast to see!

The script is solid, the artwork is beautiful and seeing Superman and Batman bond over tough times is good fun in my mind. The flick is non-stop action, which also holds some huge appeal. All in all, director Sam Liu did a bang up job of creating one of the more entertaining feature length Batman/Superman films.

If you’re a DC freak, this is a must-see!

Rating: 4/5

Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Reviews

Alien vs. Predator vs. The Terminator (Review)

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There are a few things that make this story rather unique. First, we see Ellen Ripley and Call reunited which is awesome and leads to the other aspect of this tale that kicks serious tail: We’re dealing with post-clone-super-modified Ripley. The one we met in Alien: Resurrection. These are two points that immediately won me over, as I’m big on the idea of post-Resurrection tales. Throw in Terminators and Predators and a guy like me – a product of the ‘80s – is just about in Heaven.

We’ve got a Terminator working to create the weapon of all weapons, something clearly capable of disposing of Aliens, androids, clones and Predators alike. This Terminator, who operates under the alias Trollenberg certainly looks to be the major villain of the story arc, but we quickly learn that he’s only one piece of the puzzle. It’s the creature he’s been putting together that poses the real threat. The hulking beast is capable of obliterating everything – Predator, Alien – you name it, with the greatest of ease.

So how in the hell can Ripley and Call bring the insanity to an end, and how do they dispose of what eventually is revealed to be an Alien, Terminator hybrid?

Pretty intimidating predicament.

We won’t dig too deep into conflict resolutions, because you can still get your hands on this book today, although at a somewhat hefty price. It’s not cheap, but it is worth it, and it is a story line that truly has a massive fan following despite some sketchy reviews and – admittedly – a couple hazy plot points. I think the greatest complaint has been that the story itself feels a bit too murky. But in 2016, having now read a lot of Alien, Predator and Terminator books, and seen a few new film additions of each of those franchises, I can appreciate this one for what it aims to do. It’s something of an earlier crossover book (not uncharted territory, but for years a pretty sporadic occurrence), and it falls into a few potholes as can happen in crossover stories, but it feels like a pretty straight forward, even if a little outlandish, idea that’s stronger than more than a single comic I’ve read and film that I’ve seen.

I’ll take this book all day and night. It unites three of my favorite childhood monsters and brings them together for a respectable battle (I’m greedy and readily confess to wanting just a bit more action from the story). I enjoyed this far more than a lot of the franchise books I’ve read – so many in fact I couldn’t even kick off a list. I enjoyed it more than Alien vs. Predator. I enjoyed it far more than Terminator: Genisys. It’s a fun book that doesn’t fall as flat as some reviews might lead you to believe.

Respect goes out to Mark Schultz who writes a fairly convoluted but quite enjoyable and infectious book. As for artist Mel Rubi, not much need be said other than holy hell – beautiful art!

Rating: 3.5/5

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Comics, DC Comics, Reviews

Alan Moore, Brian Bolland ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ Review

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When it comes to Batman and his lengthy history, there are a few must-read stories. Stories that altered the way we view and think of Batman, and some of his greatest foes. Alan Moore just so happens to be responsible for more than a single one of those stories. My personal favorite, however, is less about Batman and more about Joker than anything. It’s only appropriate that the book be titled Batman: The Killing Joke.

What we get here is no doubt the greatest Joker story ever told. It’s a bold thing to craft a Joker origin story. It’s far bolder to tell that story all the while pushing Batman’s greatest villain to depravities unknown even to this legendary monster. Never has the grinning one been so cutthroat and vile. Never has he pushed Batman in such fashion. Never has he been so frightening.

That’s another element of the book that steals my soul. This is a genuinely frightening Batman book, and that’s brilliant. While I adore the silliness that comes with some of the earlier Detective Comics issues, I’ve been much more keen on edgier tales (Shadow of the Bat was a brilliant run), and this fits the bill.

So, as we’re reading this issue, we find ourselves – for the first time in a long time – wondering if Batman will actually capture the Joker before he can slaughter an excessive amount of decent Gothamites. That’s a mystery we don’t typically get from Batman books, and it’s absolutely amazing.

What more can be said of this one other than major, major respect to the legendary Alan Moore and the master of cover art, and former boss of the insides, artist Brian Bolland. These two are mind bogglingly good together. These men don’t make comic books, they make very real, very respectful artwork that, as The Killing Joke proves, is truly timeless.

Rating: 5/5

batman the killing joke cover

Comics, Marvel Comics, Review

Throwback Review: Spectacular Spiderman #2

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The first issue of this amazing Spidey spinoff featured a showdown with the menacing yet unintentionally comical Tarantula. Tarantula’s a fun character, though few Spidey aficionados would likely place the man on any “Best of” lists. The villain introduced in issue two however, has quite a different following.

Kraven the Hunter pops up in this book, and of course, that means he’s not only going to tangle with Spidey, he’s going to tangle with Tarantula, who’s still hanging around, as well. But, these two aren’t occupying the same space by mere coincidence. Tarantula was hired to kidnap chancellor Lansky, but he was also hired to kill the mayor, an assignment he botched. That’s where Kraven comes into play, to try and get the mystery man’s plans back on track. So, like it or not, Tarantula and Kraven are in this devious plan together, and the plan has changed. Kraven and Tarantula’s new assignment is to capture Chancellor Richard Gorman – dead or alive.

Peter goes through the normal growth process. Problems with Mary Jane, concern for Aunt May. Education, employment. Peter’s always going through that crap, and when he’s not, he’s going toe to toe with Kraven or Tarantula.

It’s a back and forth affair between Spidey and Kraven, all the while Tarantula delivers Gorman to our mysterious villain only to be double crossed. Whoever pulls the strings is sharp, and cautious.

Eventually the book comes – sadly – to an end, but not before an explosive and definitive conclusion to Spiderman and Kraven’s battle. Wanna guess who picked up the W in that rematch? Speaking of Ws, what’s next for Tarantula? Is he a goner, and will this particular story arc reveal the mastermind early, or will we be forced to wait for issue four?

Another amazing, classic book that comes to us courtesy of stud writer Gerry Conway and personal favorite with the pencil, Sal Buscema. Again, this really is a beautiful book.

Rating: 5/5

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