Tenken347
Knackwurst Level: 115
Posts: 1185/3258 EXP: 16317754 For next: 493661
Since: 27.2.03 From: Parts Unknown
Since last post: 41 days Last activity: 3 days
| #1 Posted on 2.3.07 1652.36 Reposted on: 2.3.14 1653.30 | I don't know why, exactly, but lately I've really been in the mood to talk about comic books. So in the interest of generating some more content around here, I figured I'd do some mini-reviews of my pull list. I get my comics every other week, so this is the last two week's worth of the stuff I read, not counting Civil War which already has its own thread.
Annihilation - Heralds of Galactus: Okay, let me just say that if you haven't been reading the Annihilation books, you're a bad person and you should feel bad. While Civil War was massively over-hyped and seriously under-delivered, Annihilation has been telling one of the best stories to come along in years, and putting new life into characters like Ronan the Accuser and the Super Skrull. You should buy the trades just for the scene in issue five where Ronan fights Ravenous. Anyways, the Heralds book tells two stories dealing with former heralds Terrax the Tamer and Stardust, following the events of Annihilation. Terrax's story I thought was not bad, but a little flat. Stardust, on the other hand, I know very little about to begin with and wasn't at all impressed with what I read here. All in all, this book wasn't much to write home about, and really just felt like something to mark time until Annihilation: Conquest begins.
GI Joe - America's Elite #21: Finally, we're getting some forward motion on the Baroness/Destro story. I've been waiting almost two years for Destro to find out that the Baroness isn't dead, and now it's finally starting to look like that's going to happen. I've stuck with the book for this long just to read this story, so they've got me on the edge of my seat for this one.
New Excalibur #17: I picked this book up because I have a soft spot for the Juggernaut. The first few arcs actually weren't bad, and then Tieri came in as a filler writer and actually turned out a few more good stories. Claremont's return to the book, however, hasn't been any good at all. Not only do I think his writing of the characters lacks any substantial characterization, for some reason he's reverted Nocturne's mental state to a total rookie, and once again he's setting up Sage (the worst Deus ex Machina character in comics) as the hero of the piece. I think I'm done with this book.
X-Factor #16: Pretty much a stand alone story about one of Maddrox's dupes who becomes a priest, and the moral dilemma of Jamie when he comes to reabsorb it. Good read, would recommend it, not much more to say.
X-Men #196: Mike Carey's X-Men have been pretty great since he started writing the book. This issue, we get a big fight and lots of Sabertooth. Both good things in my book. My one minor complaint? Cable teleports in this issue, but if you've been reading him in his own book, you know it is now impossible for him to teleport without bringing Deadpool with him.
Cable and Deadpool #37: Speaking of, although this is a straight Deadpool story, and a reference to an earlier story in the last run of his solo book. Deadpool fights the Rhino, but is shrunk down by Pym particles before the fight starts. Felt like an off issue for Nicieza, the humor wasn't quite on point. Also the art could have been better, all the action looked very messy in this issue.
Illuminati #2: Big gripe with this book. The premise is that the Illuminati go around collecting the Infinity Gems so that no villain can ever do it again. Black Bolt brings up the point that the Infinity Gems, at this point in time, aren't supposed to be able to work together anymore. "Says who?" says Reed Richards. Says the Living Tribunal, says me. For those who aren't familiar with the character, the Living Tribunal is essentially the god of the Marvel Universe, the single most powerful entity in all creation. If he says something, it goes. This whole premise of this issue is junk, and Bendis just threw out massive established continuity just because it didn't fit the story he wanted to tell (brand new thing for him, right?).
Iron Fist #3: Danny Rand goes looking for the other guy who can use the power of the Iron Fist, and finds him in Danny's own office like three pages from the end of the issue. Seriously, that's all that happens here. I like Brubaker, I like the way the book reads, but it's moving so slow. Pacing on this book really needs to pick up, or their story arcs are going to be like 10 issues long.
Now some DC stuff, and by DC stuff I mean stuff Gail Simone writes:
Birds of Prey #103: Exploration of the relationship between Barbra Gordon and Spy Smasher. Decent character piece, but a little lightweight. Also we get the resolution on what's been happening with the Birds' field team. It really doesn't feel like Simone has a handle on the personalities of a lot of these characters yet. Huntress and Misfit (a character created by Simone) read fine, but the new Judomaster and Barda are more like cyphers that spout one-liners and feel utterly unnecessary to the plot.
Helmet of Fate - Black Alice: I'm one of the people whose always liked the Black Alice character. I liked the fact that she was an awkward teenager, who, when she gained awesome mystical powers, used them very irresponsibly in order to hurt the people who had hurt her. Just like I probably would have done if I had super powers in high school. Not particularly noble, but there you have it. Here, Alice gets even more power added, and again it gets used pretty irresponsibly. This time, however, Alice manages to clean up her own mess without any help from the established super heroes. Obviously, I'm a big fan of Gail Simone, and I'll read pretty much anything she writes. This one doesn't disappoint.
Well that's it for my pull list this time. Let me know if you guys like this, and I'll keep doing it.
(edited by Tenken347 on 2.3.07 1501) Promote this thread! | | hansen9j
Andouille Level: 96
Posts: 213/2142 EXP: 8761798 For next: 227021
Since: 7.11.02 From: Riderville, SK
Since last post: 115 days Last activity: 115 days
| #2 Posted on 2.3.07 1704.38 Reposted on: 2.3.14 1705.51 | Originally posted by Tenken347 Cable and Deadpool #37: Speaking of, although this is a straight Deadpool story, and a reference to an earlier story in the last run of his solo book. Deadpool fights the Rhino, but is shrunk down by Pym particles before the fight starts. Felt like an off issue for Nicieza, the humor wasn't quite on point. Also the art could have been better, all the action looked very messy in this issue.
Best part of the issue was the back page saying Agent X was going to be in the next one. For some reason, I love Agent X to death, and only like Deadpool a bunch. I think it's because Agent X's humor is so innocent and unforced. | It's False
Scrapple Level: 151
Posts: 1839/6155 EXP: 43059136 For next: 237440
Since: 20.6.02 From: I am the Tag Team Champions!
Since last post: 2199 days Last activity: 581 days
| #3 Posted on 3.3.07 0000.34 Reposted on: 3.3.14 0001.01 | Originally posted by Tenken347 Annihilation - Heralds of Galactus: Okay, let me just say that if you haven't been reading the Annihilation books, you're a bad person and you should feel bad. While Civil War was massively over-hyped and seriously under-delivered, Annihilation has been telling one of the best stories to come along in years, and putting new life into characters like Ronan the Accuser and the Super Skrull. You should buy the trades just for the scene in issue five where Ronan fights Ravenous. Anyways, the Heralds book tells two stories dealing with former heralds Terrax the Tamer and Stardust, following the events of Annihilation. Terrax's story I thought was not bad, but a little flat. Stardust, on the other hand, I know very little about to begin with and wasn't at all impressed with what I read here. All in all, this book wasn't much to write home about, and really just felt like something to mark time until Annihilation: Conquest begins.
Agreed with all points. Annihilation quietly rocked everyone's world and made Marvel's space stories cool again. I agree with the points about Ronan and Super-Skrull, but no one got a bigger star rub than Nova. His final confrontation with Annihilus was the epitome of awesomeness. I have high hopes for both Annihilation: Conquest and Nova's upcoming mini-series and fully believe they'll deliver. After all, the Annihilation mini-series all sputtered to a slow start before bringing the goodness. | Llakor
Landjager Level: 67
Posts: 416/930 EXP: 2555791 For next: 37095
Since: 2.1.02 From: Montreal, Quebec, CANADA
Since last post: 4005 days Last activity: 3996 days
| #4 Posted on 3.3.07 1053.17 Reposted on: 3.3.14 1054.59 | I am one of those guys who tends to buy TPBs rather than individual issues. I like to be able to take something off a book shelf and reread it. I try to limit my purchases by only buying what is availanble in hardcore, although I have been relaxing that rule of late.
All of that said, I am very excited about the new Annihilation series for one reason and one reason only:
ROCKET RACCOON!!!
(also *tic* BUG!) | Tenken347
Knackwurst Level: 115
Posts: 1187/3258 EXP: 16317754 For next: 493661
Since: 27.2.03 From: Parts Unknown
Since last post: 41 days Last activity: 3 days
| #5 Posted on 3.3.07 1119.42 Reposted on: 3.3.14 1120.50 | Oh, no doubt that Nova got the star treatment. But the reason I mentioned Ronan and Super Skrull is because Nova is a hero. Even if he's third string, there were still some stories that got inside his head before and kind of flushed him out as a character. Those other guys are villains, nobody ever bothered telling their stories much before. Annihilation gave us some genuine motivation for these guys, and for guys that we've never had any reason to cheer in the past, gave us some incredibly awesome ones now. Ronan ending the fight with Ravenous may be my favorite comic book moment of all time, I thought it was just that cool.
Oh, and hell yes, Rocket Raccoon! | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
| | | | | |