Review: Ultimate Spider-Man #131

(***1/2)

Ok, so Ultimatum is still going strong, even though it’s been a few months since the last actual Ultimatum issue, and Ultimate Spider-Man is inching along. Due to the extreme decompression, we’re likely to have some good issues and some bad issues depending on what’s going on. The last two issues of USM have been excruciatingly boring. However, this issue will hopefully be a turning point. Even with the lack of actual content, this issue was written very well.

What can you expect to see? Lives change, heroes are realized, Hulk and Spidey team-up, and perhaps a few hints at the future. Oh and without getting too spoilery, a hero dies and I think something from Ultimatum #3 gets spoiled. It seems, from the conclusions of this issue and the last UFF issue, that something is going on with hell or the Ultimate Dark Dimension. It could be Hela, who we saw in the last Ultimatum issue, but she appeared to in the clouds, right? Also, I was very sad to see the fallen hero in this issue. He didn’t get much love in the Ultimate U, but he’s a favorite of mine in 616. Hopefully he’ll get more love in the reboot. Anyway, as I said, this issue was written well. And you know what? The art was pretty sweet too. I can’t wait to see Immonen on New Avengers, especially after Tan’s dismal renderings in fiftieth issue.

Review: Hulk #10

(****)

Ha! Hulk was the best comic that came out this week! Who would have thought? Now, Hulk, as I’m sure you already know, is not a book for everyone. It’s the real Silver Age throwback that everyone thought All Star Superman was. Hulk is very much a modern Stan Lee yarn. Lighthearted, goofy, and undeniably fun, Hulk proves that comics can still be entertaining without the need for darkness and nihilism. Instead of Jack Kirby, we’re treated to Ed McGuinness’ delightfully bombastic art. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, McGuinness is a perfect fit for this book! I’m happy to say that in this arc, it appears Loeb has made room for several splash pages. I think they’re trying to set a record. There are at least four two-page spreads in this issue alone.

Are you ready for the zany plot? It’s a cosmic duel to the death of course! The omnipotent Grandmaster and his devious brother are having a galactic chess game. The good Grandmaster selects Hulk as his champion. Hulk has his choice of teammates and he assembles the Defenders! How does that fit into continuity? Well, when the gods want to play, they can make anything happen. All of these champions are snatched at the very moment of their greatest tragedy. How’s that for motivation? The heroes are fighting for love, but what are the baddies fighting for? We don’t know yet, but we do know that it’s the villainous Offenders we’re supposed to boo. We don’t see much battle yet in this opening chapter, but don’t worry, the game is all set and the fists are ready to fly!

Review: New Avengers #50

(***)

I don’t want to spoil anything because I want to warn you. The New Avengers do not fight the Dark Avengers in this issue. So if that was the reason why you were going to buy this issue, you can save your fin. If you’re still willing to throw down your cash, at least you won’t be as disappointed when the big promised fight doesn’t come.

I’d like to say that something even better than the predictable Avengers vs. Avengers battle occurs in this issue, but that would be lying, and lies make baby Jesus cry. The fact is, you still get something you’ve seen before and it’s still very much in the spirit of Dark Reign, so you shouldn’t be too disappointed. What makes the “big fight” unique, is the guest artists, Bryan Hitch, Steve McNiven, David Aja, and more. These artists pencil a page featuring a character that they’ve drawn before or will draw soon. It’s a nice technique that makes a forgettable fight memorable.

This of course brings me to the main artist, Billy Tan. I’ve never thought that Tan, despite his recent improvement, was good enough to handle such an important Marvel title, and his art looks even uglier here. It’s possible that he was rushed, but whatever the reason, the art looks bad, especially when it’s next to the renderings of some of the most talented artists working today. What’s worse than its actual appearance, are the several repeated panels throughout the book. Not only does Billy Tan’s art look poor, but this book makes Tan seem lazy as well.

Overall, for the five dollars you spend to purchase this book, you’ll get a mixed bag. The art ranges from bad to great and so does the writing. A lot of Bendis’ jokes fall flat. And even though Bendis tried to throw us a curve ball, the end result proved much more annoying than what was actually promised. However, even though the comic has its flaws, I couldn’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy at the end. I’m not the biggest Hawkeye fan, but I couldn’t help but jump with glee when it came to this book’s last couple of pages. It’s a pleasing finale that promises good things to come.

Top Ten Best Comic Artists

Why this list? I don’t know; I like lists! This is something I’ve thought about for awhile, but I’ve never had the organization skills to execute this idea. Well, I stopped bothering with some things (Sure, the west half of my house is on fire, but who cares?!?) so I could finally create the awesome list you’re about to experience.

Just to be clear, these are my top ten working artists. All ten of them produced interior work on at least one comic last year. Enjoy!

10. Ed McGuinness

McGuinness is the Wolverine of comic artists. He’s the best there is at what he does. And what he does is draw big muscular cartoony fun! Hulk is the PERFECT book for him. The man was born to draw it. Throw in an extensive Superman (And later Batman) run and you’ve got plenty of pretty beefy heroes to look at. Did I mention that his art is a fantastic model for toys as well? Check it out! Sure, he doesn’t have much range and he’s a bit lazy, but if I ever need anyone to find a vein on my arm, I’ll go to him!

9. Frank Cho

After criticizing EM’s range, I put Frank Cho? Am I crazy? Maybe, but Cho does actually have some range. Go check out his Spider-Man issues with Mark Millar. Sure MJ had big boobs, but his Venom was badass. He also renders some fantastic animals. Who draws Dinosaurs and monkeys better than Frank Cho? And yes, he draws some bodacious babes, but is that really such a bad thing? Yes they’re a bit crude, but it works with an American audience. We’re a bit too uptight when it comes to the female form. Cho just puts it out there. Too preachy? I like big boobs. Better? The fact is his women are tough, sexy, and usually pretty muscular. They can kick the shit out of the men. That’s a kind of female power, right?

8. Steve McNiven

Good, we’re away from the cartoons. Steve McNiven is pretty new to the art scene. Ok, he’s been in the biz for about eight years, but I can count his projects with my fingers. I’ve always considered myself a fan of the man’s work, but his most recent project, Old Man Logan, is what got him on the list. Have you seen that stuff? It’s fucking epic! He’s created an entire future Marvel Universe, aged character designs, and zany stuff like a Venom T-Rex. He’s nailed them all. There’s no doubt in my mind that in ten years when fans discuss the best Wolverine artists, McNiven will be mentioned in the same sentence as Frank Miller and Barry Windsor-Smith. As if that weren’t enough, he also did a stellar job on Civil War, and whether you enjoyed that event or not, at least you were treated to some gorgeous images.

7. Tim Sale

Say what you want about Jeph Loeb, but when he and Sale get together, you get magic. I just picked up that new Daredevil Yellow hardcover a few weeks ago and Sale’s art was absolutely mystifying. His Daredevil is poetic. Sale captured the fallen hero, Battlin’ Jack Murdock, perfectly. Don’t even get me started on his Karen Page. Lois Lane, Mary Jane, Gwen Stacy, Selina Kyle, Tim Sale has rendered some of the most iconic women in comics and yet he always brings something new to the table. Sale is an expert at taking old characters, blowing off the dust, and making them look all shiny and new again.

6. JH Williams III

Whoa! JH Williams III is number six? How the hell did that happen? Because Williams is awesome, that’s why. He’s an artistic chameleon. If you read his three-issue arc in Batman recently, you’ll know that every member of the Club of Heroes had a different art style. El Gaucho is Howard Chaykin, The Knight and the Squire are Ed McGuinness, and so on. On top of that, Williams has some of the most interesting layouts in comic history. If you want to see some expert graphic design, Williams is your man. How he presents his art is almost as intriguing as the art itself. Heck, the only reason why Williams isn’t higher on the list is his lack of content (Or perhaps my lack of reading his content), but with an absolute Promethea volume and his long-awaited Batwoman run coming up, Williams is sure to make my top five soon.

5. John Romita Jr.

And speaking of Williams’ lack of content, here’s a man who has too much content. Romita has been in the biz for nearly three decades. That’s awesome, but what usually happens to artists over time is that their style gets boring. Not so with Romita, his style has evolved. Going from the traditional look of his Iron Man days, to the Kirby/Miller amalgam, Romita has proved that he’s still one of the best. Want proof? While some of the artists on this list (Even those ahead of him, sadly) produce only a few issues a year, Romita is the opposite. In just two years, he worked on a Neil Gaiman project for seven issues, a mega Marvel event for five, a six-issue return to Spider-Man, and an entirely new property with Mark Millar. Throw in directing part of a movie (An illustrated Kick-Ass segment) and you have one fabulous work ethic!

4. Joseph Michael Linsner

This is where you can stop calling my list predictable. What can I say? I feel a deep connection with Linsner’s work. There are times when I think he’s my favorite artist. His style is Cartoony yet realistic. Linsner’s women are cheesecake, yet independent and strong.  The man’s work is truly transcendent. I can just stare at for days and days. The Hulk is probably a poor example (Though funny), but please go check out his work. If you feel half the connection with it that I do, it’ll be a wondrous experience.

3. Alex Ross

What’s a “best comic artists” list without Alex Ross? Actually, when I was compiling this list, his name slipped my mind. Terry Dodson was on for quite a while, but eventually (Sorry Terry), an image of Kingdom Come Superman blazed across my mind. How is it, that a character that said so little and was part of so few stories can be as incredibly inspirational as Kingdom Come Superman? I blame Alex Ross. He brings such power and solitude to the grey-haired Man of Steel. It was hammered home this year; KC Superman is the symbol for the man who has unimaginable power, and yet he can’t save the ones he loves. A much bleaker ending than the one Jeph Loeb gave him in Absolute Power, but it’s still undeniably moving. Though Ross spends a little too much time rendering covers and writing nostalgic tales for my taste, Justice, Marvels and Kingdom Come are so well-crafted that he easily earns a spot on the list.

2. Frank Quitely

Remember what I said about Sale and Loeb being magic? Well, that goes triple for Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. See that picture above? Why did I choose that instead of something like New X-Men and All Star Superman? Because you already know those are great, but you may have never heard of We3. You should definitely read it because it’s fantastic, and that’s what every project is that Quitely works on. His art is truly unique and I mean that in the best possible way. Quitely handles everything, action, facial expressions, and emotion, all of it, like the master he is. The only reason Quitely isn’t number one is because his art has greatly evolved into marvelous beauty within the last five years. My number one, however, has always been at the top of his game.

1. Jim Lee

I never thought Jim Lee would be my number one. It makes sense; Batman is my favorite hero, so it’s only natural that the quintessential Batman artist is my favorite. Lee has always demonstrated greatness. Whether your first experience was X-Men, WildC.A.T.s, Batman, or even way back to Punisher War Journal, you were probably impressed. He’s worked on a few bad projects, sure. That won’t stop you from gazing at his beautiful interiors though. Why do you think All Star Batman and Robin is a best-seller? Its gloriously groundbreaking dialogue? I think not. Whether the words accompanying his art were good or not, I’ve always enjoyed Lee’s renderings immensely.

So there’s the list. I doubt you’ll agree completely. “Good art” is purely opinionated. I only wish that if you haven’t heard of one of these talented men (Why isn’t Amanda Conner on the list?), you’ll go check them out. Hopefully, you’re in for a treat.

-Bruce Castle

Review: Ultimate Fantastic Four #60

(**)

Listen to this song while you read my review. And so, another title bites the dust. That seems to occur more and more in these harsh economic times, but when it comes to this title, I have to say, it’s well-deserved. This series hasn’t been enjoyable since Millar left, and that was almost three years ago. Oh sure, some of the stories weren’t terrible and I enjoyed Mark Brooks’ art (He only rendered a few issues), but let’s face it, no disrespect, but Mike Carey drowned this series long before Jeph Loeb did. Why did I stick around? Because I made the foolish mistake of declaring myself as an Ultimate completionist. Completionism, no matter how cool it may appear, is a bad thing.

So how was this sad conclusion to an overall poor series? Well, nothing concluded, does that answer your question? Quesada has chosen to show no respect, even when cancelling the books, to Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four. In addition to Ultimatum, you have to follow the FF’s “death” in a requiem one-shot as well. Oh joy! Logically, I’d say that it’d be best to not waste my money on the last issue of UXM and the two following requiems, but alas, there’s no logic in completionism.

Review: Uncanny X-Men #506

(****)

Alright, I’m warming up to this book. It’s gotten increasingly better, and that annual was fantastic. I see what Fraction is trying to do, and while it’s not the best approach, his run has the potential to be pretty fun. For too long, the X-Men have been disconnected with the Marvel U and Fraction is trying to remedy that. Fraction’s also given them a goal: Preserving the race and offering sanctuary to all mutants, past and present. That’s cool. What I dislike, is that Fraction has to do so much damn juggling. He has to service the plots of so many other books that it interferes with his own storytelling. Fraction is also using Clairemont’s style, subplots a plenty. Colossus is dealing with his past. Beast and Angel are trying to save the mutant race. And Emma Frost is troubled by Dark Reign and the deterioration of her relationship. So, it’s almost like you’re getting three seven-page stories instead of a single adventure, highlighting one or two team members, which is what I prefer. Still, Uncanny X-Men is better than it’s been in years, and Terry Dodson’s art is always pretty to look at.

Review: Invincible #59

(****)

Now that Invincible’s 50′s have concluded, it’s time to evaluate. This was perhaps the best “decade” in the series. I’ve already mentioned several times how much I adore Plascencia’s coloring. The book looks sharper. As a friend put it, “Whoa! It looks like it’s in high-def.” Kirkman has further developed his writing. There was a time when he would’ve been incapable of producing an issue like #59. Kirkman has finally embraced compressed storytelling and I couldn’t be happier.

As I reflect on the 50′s, I realize just how much has been accomplished. The status quo was changed, Mark and Eve’s relationship has flourished (Rock the Casbah!), Kid Omni-Man may be evil, the Mauler Twins are dead, Nolan and Allen are free, and Angstrom Levy is about to return in a big way. All that and more, way to go Kirkman!

This issue is a done-in-one from a villain’s perspective. We’ve seen this story before, but that doesn’t soften the emotional gut-punch. The aforementioned stupendous coloring increases the tear-inducing finale. With the upcoming Image crossover next issue and the Conquest storyline, this is the best time to be an Invincible fan.

Review: Dark Avengers #2

(*)

Because I review comics, every now and then I check out what others have to say about the books I read, especially if they have the ability to peruse them before I do. A sterling derivation for this is Line of Fire Reviews. A reviewer there I greatly admire, Paul Brian McCoy, has pointed out some devastating errors in this comic and I have to say, he’s right. You can find his review here. Because Mr. McCoy already did a great job criticizing this comic, using tools like research and logic (Tools I’m not fond of utilizing), I’ll take a moment to present an abridged version of my review. It stinks.

This comic is written for a 12-year-old, which is fine, as long as it has a Marvel Adventures tag somewhere on the cover. This, however, does not. In fact, it’s trying to be the edgy, macabre, and wickedly humorous  romp that Ellis’ Thunderbolts was. I’m faced with a conundrum. I adore Deodato’s art and fancy half of the Dark Avengers’ roster. Conversely, this comic contains repetitive nonsense like  ”Gagagoo! Gadapoo!”, time paradoxes, and the De-evolution of Morgana Le Fay, she’s an enraged scorned crazy-girl! Women, can’t live with ‘em, eh Bendis? So, do I continue reading this book with my brain turned off, or do I face the sad truth that Ellis’ Thunderbolts are long gone? I think it’s time to leave the party before the drunk shoots somebody.

Review: Marvel 1985

(****)

I missed this series on the monthly circuit and perhaps you did too. Four dollars for 32 pages is bad enough, but when you’re dealing with a series that’ll be a hardcover in a few months, it’s very deterring. Though I’m a fan of Millar, I was even going to pass once this was collected. I was uninterested due to the likelihood of sappy nonsense and Edwards’ seemingly esoteric art didn’t help. Over NYCC, I read an interview where Millar mentioned that Marvel 1985, Old Man Logan, and his Fantastic Four are all connected. Well, I read and adore Old Man Logan and FF, so I thought I’d go ahead and give this book a shot.

Do you like Steven Spielberg movies? If Spielberg wrote comics, they’d be a lot like this. Is it a bit corny and predictable? Yeah, but we need to embrace conventionalism every now and then. “It brings out the kid in you”, is uttered a little too often. It also happens to be appropriate in this case. Who didn’t fantasize about superheroes when they were a kid? I still fantasize about superheroes; although I will admit, my fantasies have gotten a bit more erotic. Anyway, I too dreamt of not only superheroes coming to our world, but also going to theirs. Wouldn’t it be cool to go to the Daily Bugle and say “Hey Pete, I know your secret.” That, and more, is explored in Marvel 1985.

Something we didn’t really consider when we were children, were the repercussions of our fantasy. If there are heroes, there must be villains. That’s actually was dominates Marvel 1985. The heroes don’t really show up (Except Hulk. And what happened to him is something that’s left unanswered) until the ultimate chapter. One of this book’s most appealing qualities is the fact that it shows C-list villains in a badass light. When was the last time you saw Vulture, Electro, or Fin Fang Foom get a full page splash? Has MODOK ever terrified you? Several other baddies you’ve probably never even heard of are mentioned in passing. Marvel 1985 feels like an event. Sure, not every character gets a shining moment, but they’re all there in appearance and spirit.

At the event’s epicenter lies Toby, a young boy who’s recovering from his parent’s divorce. We see all the wonders and horrors through his eyes. This makes Marvel 1985 a spiritual sequel to Marvels. One of the defining things about that series was the look given by a newcomer, Alex Ross. Though Tommy Lee Edwards, the artist on Marvel 1985, has a similar feel, his work will undoubtedly be less praised. The only extra in the hardcover edition I purchased, is a detailed look at Edwards’ artistic process. The man spent a year rendering this book. Everything visual about Marvel 1985, except the lettering, is all Edwards’ doing. He offers unique artwork to say the least, but I for one found it fascinating. It may not be very pretty at first glance, but Edwards is a born storyteller. Sampled in the art above my words, you can see scratchy realism. This is absolutely appropriate and vital to the story. When Toby enters the Marvel universe, Edwards’ work reflects that and morphs into a cleaner, Lichtenstein-esque form. Though it may take some getting used to, I’m a fan of the art.

Marvel 1985 has its problems. It’s not breaking any rules and there are a few artistic and literary missteps. Nevertheless, Millar’s verisimilarly brilliant tale will move you.

Review: Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #3

(****)

This is my review of the second issue. I was much more enchanted then, and less lazy. Though this was another good issue, it was one of those setup type chapters. The wheels are turning, things are in motion, but there wasn’t as much to love as there was in the last issue. Still, this series appears to be another fantastic installment of Hellboy goodness. Oh and there’s another Guy Davis backup as well.

Review: Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #2 – Spoilers!

(**1/2)

Are you ready for another trip down memory lane? I just read this issue about a week or so ago, and yet without opening the page I can barely remember anything about it. All I remember is that things didn’t really progress at all in this issue. That’s right, it’s flashback time! What happened in Ultimates 2, how Hulk got all those beautiful women and so on.

That’s really all this issue is. What’s Hulk’s side of the story? It’s him finding peace and all that jazz. Again, is it well-written? Maybe, there were some fascinating moments like when Banner refuses to eat meat and then goes green and eats cows, hands and so on. Do we know that stuff about Hulk? Yeah, but it’s still fun to see. Because of the lack of story, I’ll focus on the art. This is from Mr. Yu. I don’t know what to think of this man’s work. There are times when his art is muddled or esoteric and others when it’s extraordinary. As much as I disliked Secret Invasion, it looked undeniably marvelous. I’m not sure if that was because of time or effort or as with most things in life, a bit of both. Yu certainly gets the job done here and he does aid Lindelof’s writing immensely. Still, this is definitely pre-Secret Invasion Yu. I’m eager to observe post-Secret Invasion Yu. The second issue promises “The Damn Fight”. I just hope we don’t delve into the opposite extreme and receive excessive action.

Review: The Walking Dead #58

(****1/2)

Wow! I can actually do a Walking Dead review without spoilers! Why? Because this issue is mostly a series of depressing conversations and there’s no need to spoil things. In this issue, the “unthinkable” was promised. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but there are definitely some unthinkable acts discussed. Seriously, this will bring you down. If you’re feeling too happy, read this issue.

You know, I don’t praise Charlie Adlard enough in these reviews. It’s probably because he’s so consistent. Adlard does a great job on this book. He draws terrifying zombies and handles the facial expressions wonderfully. This issue is packed with emotionality, so Adlard gets to show off.

Though it may rip your heart out and leave you in a puddle of tears, and blood from that gaping hole in your chest, this is another terrific chapter of The Walking Dead.

Review: Batman #686

(****1/2)

Neil Gaiman’s Batman is here! Does it live up to the hype? Yes. Will it please everyone? I don’t think so. In fact, it’s a lot like Morrison’s run.

As you probably know, in the 80′s, Alan Moore wrote Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? This is Gaiman’s answer to that. Moore’s tale was supposed to be the Man of Steel’s last adventure. It was packed with action and memorable moments. Gaiman’s tale is, appropriately, more of a mystery. It’s full of absurdities, quasi-realities, and references to old comics. Sounds Morrisonian, right? As I said, this is a mystery. So I’m not entirely sure where this story is going, but this first part was thoroughly entertaining. It’s surprisingly lighthearted, full of humor, and it even pokes fun at the goddamn Frank Miller!

It’s nice to see Andy Kubert return to Batman. His work looks good as always. Maybe this means he’ll be back for some of the upcoming Morrison issues. Though there’s still more to come, Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader is a proper homage to seventy years of Batman.

Review: Thor #600

(****)

The best issue of Straczynski’s Thor is here! But, I haven’t been a fan of his run at all, so that’s not saying much. Kudos to Marvel for offering an anniversary issue that is near irresistible. You get a double-sized issue of your scheduled programming, plus a ten or so page tale by Stan Lee and David Aja. Some humorous Mini Marvel action and about twenty pages of Lee and Kirby reprints round out one hell of a package. Though tossing a fin will be troubling, you do get 104 pages for your cash.

Straczynski’s Thor has been meandering and depressing. When Thor re-launched, I gave the first three issues a shot. The first issue was decent, but the second and third were incredibly awful. I later borrowed the first trade and still found it to be bad. Fortunately, the last six issues have been better, but Straczynski’s Thor has got to be one of the most overrated runs that I know of.

The issue begins with a resurrected Bor, Odin’s father. He’s wreaking havoc on New York due to a distortion spell from Loki-Sif. Basically, Loki puts Thor in an unwinnable situation and the rest of the issue is smashing, bashing, and thunder. That makes for a nice jumping-on point as well, since this issue is mostly action. The story, what little there is, is pretty good. It sets up a new status quo for Thor firmly based in Marvel’s Dark Reign for better or for worse. This title has struggled between Straczynski going off on his own, and the fact that Asgard is in Oklahoma. Whether it was Straczynski’s decision or Quesada’s, the future for Thor lies in continuity.

The battle itself is mostly spectacular. Coipel makes this book his own and begs even those most disenchanted with what Straczynski’s doing, like yours truly, to purchase this book solely for the art. Marko Djurdjevic joins Coipel this time, but the two don’t perform randomly like Land and Dodson did on Uncanny X-Men #50o. Coipel handles the normal stuff while Djurdjevic renders Bor’s spell-induced nightmare. Both artists did a remarkable job. Coipel shows the action, emotion, and even an “Avengers Assemble!” masterfully. And Djurdjevic has a lot of fun demonstrating Bor’s distortion, like when Spider-Man appears to be Venom in Bor’s lens.

My main complaint with Straczynski’s tale is perhaps the direction it’s taking. The Dark Reign moments were my least favorite parts. When Thor cries “Avengers Assemble!”, only a few jokers show up. I won’t spoil it, but why would only those guys appear? There must be close to a hundred heroes, and villains actually, that could’ve answered the call. It’s a ridiculously contrived moment. The status quo change is interesting, but the guest appearance on the last page is not. You can count him on your “most appearances in Dark Reign list” along with Osborn.

The bonus material is fun. The Lee/Aja tale is much like the main one; you can ignore the words and just gaze at the art. Aja produced some amazing work and Lee’s “story”… is pedantic to say the least. Thankfully, we’re also treated to some classic Thor stories as well where Lee redeems his good name. Stan Lee is in top form in these reprints and Kirby is, as always, the king, though these are some of the Vince Colletta-inked issues that are very controversial among Kirby fans. The last addition, by Chris Giarrusso, is hilarious. It pokes fun at Straczynski’s run so as you can guess, I had a blast.

The love outweighs the hate here. Marvel offers quite a hefty tome filled with glorious art that makes up for a bit of lackluster story. Good anniversary issues are rare, but you can count Thor #600 among them.

Review: Dark Ivory #4

(****)

Let’s see, this mini is four issues long and the first one came out about a year ago. Oh and this isn’t an ending, it’s a beginning. That’s a window into the life of a Linsner fan. The man likes to take his time even when he has a cowriter and cocolorist. Having said all that, does the art look great? Absofuckinlutely! This series looks gorgeous! It’s what keeps me coming back of course. Although after these delays I may have to wait for the trade next time…maybe.

How was the writing? Good, but not great. This final issue was filled with exposition. That’s not a good sign. However, among the few writing missteps lie surprisingly relatable and lovable protagonists. I’m far from a teenage goth girl, but I’m still very fond of Ivory. I’m also absolutely thrilled with the way her relationship with Samson ended up. It’s a bit sappy, but I’m always a sucker for realistic romance. When you’re constantly bombarded by superficial dribble from movies, television or even other comics, these kinds of connections are always refreshing.

So if you’re a Linsner fan, I’m sure you’ll be pleased. If you’re looking for an unconventional coming of age story with vampires and sublime art, you should give this a try.

Review: Justice Society of America #23

(***1/2)

The beginning of Johns’ last arc on JSA, and it’s about Black Adam. That’s awesome, right? Well, it is, but I’m bothered by something. Ordway’s art looks bad. I know. He’s an old master. He’s drawn the JSA and Shazam many times, but his style just doesn’t work for this story. It looked fine in that Annual, but it’s too old fashioned for this arc.

The story is fine. A lot happens in this issue. It’s about recruitment. Adam settles a score with Faust. Billy feels the wrath of Black Adam and his new family.  Like I said, a lot happens. I didn’t like Johns’ use of her. Countdown continuity is very bad. Other than that, the story worked well. Now if only I could get past the art, I’d be set.

Review: Ultimate Spider-Man #130

 

(**)

I love Ultimate Spider-Man. I’ve been with the series through all the ups and downs. Sadly, this issue belongs in the latter category. This is basically a retelling of events that occurred several months ago. I’ve seen this kind of thing before, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen another tie-in go to such extreme lengths to actually recreate the main event. Dialogue and shots from Ultimatum #1 are literally copied. Remember this? You’ll see that same shot in this book. This all makes for a weird and uninteresting issue.

Though Bendis tries to make the dialogue and narrative entertaining, there are only two ways I can imagine someone enjoying this comic. Either they haven’t read Ultimatum #1, or they despise Finch’s art. I don’t belong in either of those categories. Oh well, this was the catch-up issue for fans who aren’t reading Ultimatum. It looks like we’ll have at least three more tie-ins to deal with. Hopefully those will be better. Although USM #133 promises the final issue of the series, so maybe things won’t get better.

Review: Batman #685

(***)

Things I Like: Though this is really the second part of a story, both this issue and last can be read as singular stories. Good for you, Dini. Both this issue and the last Detective have embraced the Faces of Evil format. These villains are actually the main character. Again, that’s very awesome. This issue also mentioned the Black Glove and Batman’s imprisonment in Final Crisis. This is the only Last Rites book that has mentioned Morrison’s work. There’s a bit of a twist in this issue and it was very pleasing.

Things I Didn’t Like: I’m not a fan of Nguyen’s art. Though it certainly gets the job done, it is merely passable to me. While this issue did mention some Morrison-continuity, it also spoke of Bruce as if he was missing. There is no way in hell he would be thought of as missing after the way his death looked in Final Crisis. I blame DC for this, not Dini. “Enjoy it while you can, Kyle. It won’t be long before I show you there’s more than one way to skin a cat.” That’s straight from this issue. That is horribly bad writing!

Final Verdict: A decent but ultimately forgettable tale. Only recommended if you’re looking for a quick and fun read.

Review: Secret Six #6

(****)

As always, I must mention that I love this book. GO BUY IT! Ok? Ok.

This was my first look at an Origins & Omens issue. It’s the new DC promotion in February. It’s supposed to retell things and/or hint at the future. It was basically invented for Adventure Comics #0 that also released last week. In that, it was revealed that Superboy will be back as a Black Lantern. That’s kind of interesting. What about this issue’s O & O? Well, it retold things I knew and took pages away from the main story. So, that really sucks. The best part about it was Pete Woods’ art. If Nicola Scott needs some breathing room, Woods could easily step in. Other than that, I have a feeling I’m going to be annoyed with the back of DC books this month.

This issue is stellar as always. What can you expect to see? Junior’s origin, Jeannette’s origin, the Six’s employer is revealed (Don’t think this is lame, it makes perfect sense), and a betrayal. Simone and Scott continue to produce one of the most entertaining books on the shelf.

Review: Secret Warriors #1

(****)

This was a last minute addition. I couldn’t help but be enticed by this CBR review. A huge reveal was promised. Well, it’s not all that. In fact, SPOILERS! These guys have always been controlled by these guys END SPOILERS! Is it shocking? Yes. Do I care? Kind of. Does it make sense? Not really. Does it make me want to purchase the next issue? Absolutely. Even if the reveal doesn’t impress you or if you’re enraged, this comic undeniably succeeds as a first issue. You are eager for more.

Honestly, I had absolutely no idea how much I missed Nick Fury until I read this issue. I’m completely on board for a S.H.I.E.L.D./HYDRA spy comic right now. This series is cowritten by Bendis, but it’s mostly Jonathan Hickman. Not familiar with the name? That’s because this is his Marvel debut. He’s already made a name for himself on Image books like The Nightly News, but this is his first foray into the mainstream. This is my first Hickman experience and I’m quite impressed. He seems to be a dedicated writer that is not corrupted by an overexposure to the medium. I’d wager you can expect some pretty fresh ideas from the man.  In fact, if you’ve followed the NYCC news this weekend (Or if you’re there, you lucky bastard), you’ll know that he is Millar’s replacement on Fantastic Four.

Stefano Caselli is an interesting artistic choice. It’s not a common espionage look. I am fond of it though. It gives the spy genre a vibrant, almost manga-esque qaulity. Although the manga style may be due to the colorist, Daniele Rudoni. This looks like an UDON comic. An odd look for sure, but Secret Warriors is pretty.

As I said earlier, this is a fine first outing. I read an interview where Hickman said something like “If you try the first issue, we have you for the arc. If we have you for the first arc, we have you for a very long time.” That statement is true so far. And hey, this issue also features shadowy Obama! Catch the Obama fever! Because Marvel demands it!