Ryan North is such a treasure. The Fantastic Four writer is very talented, and crafted a hilarious Deadpool and Wolverine one-shot (actually it was a Ryan North is such a treasure. The Fantastic Four writer is very talented, and crafted a hilarious Deadpool and Wolverine one-shot (actually it was a backup series crossover when first released) which is obviously only published as part of hyper for the multiversal Deadpool & Wolverine movie.
Personally, I love when superhero comics are essentially nothing but corporate synergy and yet somehow they can still be of great quality written and illustrated by creators with heart.
So expect a funny irreverent romp of the two characters jumping around alternate realities--I enjoyed the romantic comedy universe the most--and just enjoy without needing much more than that!...more
Early X-Men was a good premise, but poorly executed. It's funny how many early adventures just ended with Prof X mind-wiping everybody.
Still, good foEarly X-Men was a good premise, but poorly executed. It's funny how many early adventures just ended with Prof X mind-wiping everybody.
Still, good for Stan and Jack (probably mostly Jack) creating this so that other creators could later author some of the best superhero comics ever! ...more
Jeph Loeb's writing was never that good, but somehow he got the opportunity to work with great artists and entire comics publishing companies let him Jeph Loeb's writing was never that good, but somehow he got the opportunity to work with great artists and entire comics publishing companies let him do whatever he wanted so that ended up with iconic stories.
That's what Hush is: Batman illustrated by Jim Lee in a storyline allowed to use every iconic character. So of course it was a hit. The art is excellent, among Jim Lee's very best even if the skintight look is a little too 90s for the modern era.
In a mystery that didn't make sense (seriously, the Joker is allowed to just go free because "Harvey Dent" got his lawyer license back??) Batman goes on a tour meeting all the best villains and side characters. He teams up with/fights Catwoman, Superman, and Nightwing. One by one he faces off against Poison Ivy, the Riddler, Ra's al Ghul, the Riddler, and Scarecrow.
I won't spoil the ending revealing who was the mastermind Hush, nor will I hint at the retcons, but what was exciting at the time turned out to be disappointing upon rereading. Still, this is a pretty good self-contained Batman book to recommend to comic novices who just like to see cool drawings and read about their favorite film and television hero. ...more
Jim Starlin's 2000s output continues, with this somewhat random Thanos vs. Hulk story. I guess Starlin really wanted to draw Hulk.
The art is good, somJim Starlin's 2000s output continues, with this somewhat random Thanos vs. Hulk story. I guess Starlin really wanted to draw Hulk.
The art is good, some of Starlin's best (although his legacy is more of a writer than artist) and the 70s-era artist surprisingly holds up well with modern flashier comics. It's also interesting to see Starlin explore the 21st century Marvel cosmic universe, with Annihilus as the villain and some of the latter Guardians of the Galaxy status quo.
Ultimately though, it's a rather unnecessary story about the Hulk being kidnapped by aliens and Thanos shoehorned in. That's okay, comics can be fun for fun's sake and not everything has to be the most epic stakes ever. Starlin has many classics in his repertoire, which everyone should read, while this story is mainly just for completists. ...more
A solid Superman story that takes the character back to the Golden Age progressive roots, while at the same time very relevant in for the current natiA solid Superman story that takes the character back to the Golden Age progressive roots, while at the same time very relevant in for the current nativist MAGA-era.
Eerily relevant, in fact. This is a reinterpretation of a classic Superman radio drama in which the original superhero indeed smashed the Klan. (To those naysayers who say comics are "too political" these days: learn some actual history of the genre.) The radio serials were very important to the mythology back then, also introducing such elements as kryptonite and the flight ability. This new edition also references the Fleischer animation styles, something old school fans will appreciate.
The real heart of the story is Gene Luen Yang's take on a Chinese immigrant family which feels semi-autobiographical. As they are attacked by bigoted nationalists, the narrative overlaps with Clark's storyline as he is of course literally an illegal alien.
I look forward to reading the rest of these volumes and seeing how the story unfolds. The great thing about the superhero genre is the timelessness; these stories can be told and retold again and again teaching valuable lessons to new generations...
A near perfect all-ages Superman story with an important message of empathy and tolerance, marketed for young readers but definitely an enjoyable arc for both kids and adults....more
There are a lot of excellent Daredevil graphic novels out there, and this is one of them. The first volume from writer Chip Zdarsky, it has the perfecThere are a lot of excellent Daredevil graphic novels out there, and this is one of them. The first volume from writer Chip Zdarsky, it has the perfect tone with gorgeous art. Readers who are fans of the streaming series can also see some influence, such as the part when he debates over morality with the Punisher...
One of the most interesting storylines of the recent era was having Wilson Fisk as mayor of NYC, which is a major factor from the start. That's just one of the many angles in which Matt Murdock's life is ruined and he further suffers, as the character goes. This is how it should be, and there are original takes herein, so one can see why Zdarsky is such a fan-favorite writer. ...more
High-quality graphic novel that introduces the new Superman status quo (secret identity is back, apparently, I didn't realize it was previously gone aHigh-quality graphic novel that introduces the new Superman status quo (secret identity is back, apparently, I didn't realize it was previously gone actually). The cast-of-characters includes lots of the Superman family of heroes, Lois is the editor in chief of the Planet, and Lex Luthor is also reimagined in an original way as more of a reformed villain and scientific genius rather than business mogul--although everything that came before does count. A good story utilizing the others from the rogue's gallery, such as Live Wire and Parasite, and then it leads into the epic House of Brainiac... ...more
A surprisingly good collection that's only published because of a very bad movie.
Mostly because it contains the classic 80s Spidey vs Juggernaut storyA surprisingly good collection that's only published because of a very bad movie.
Mostly because it contains the classic 80s Spidey vs Juggernaut story illustrated by John Romita Jr. There's also the awkward first appearance of Madame Web, and some 2010 stories written by Dan Slott who is good.
So don't judge by the stupid movie, enjoy this little Marvel-verse book with some fun old Spider-Mans!...more
Having originally come out in 2019, which already seems a bygone era, the Green Lantern: Far Sector miniseries has been rereleased as part of the affoHaving originally come out in 2019, which already seems a bygone era, the Green Lantern: Far Sector miniseries has been rereleased as part of the affordable DC Compact line, known for their great deals in rebranding iconic comic storylines. Although I wouldn’t have minded reading on a slightly bigger format with glossier paper etc., I probably wouldn’t have gotten this book otherwise, so I’m very grateful Far Sector was chosen to get this treatment.
Far Sector is a 12-chapter self-contained comic series about a new rookie Green Lantern character: Sojourner Mullein. There have admittedly been a lot of Green Lanterns, it’s a bit of a crowded field at this point, but so far no female humans have joined the corps so this addition does feel fresh and necessary.
Furthermore, the story doesn’t even take place on Earth and has few references to complex DC lore. That makes this a perfect recommendation for novice readers. It all takes place in the alien world of the City Enduring, and is structured like a murder mystery. In fact, it begins with the first murder there in hundreds of years. Of course, as the story progresses, the resident GL investigates and it turns out to be a bigger and bigger conspiracy�
Author N.K. Jemisin creates a vast science fiction setting, with lots of depth. There are the three alien species who live in this world, who range from animal to plant and even digital. It makes for a smart premise, and fascinating explorations into some cyberpunk realms. The core of the narrative is about emotion, as they have all suppressed them for the sake of peace, and then an illegal drug starts going around which can release emotions. This raises ethical questions that the reader must contend with—it is a thinker.
This is all illustrated by Jamal Campbell with dynamic art. There is a lot of world-building as well as action, full of new ideas which haven’t been seen before in DC, and the art accommodates this challenge very well. Frankly, some of the best art of the 2020s so far. There’s good reason that Far Sector was the winner of the 2022 Hugo Award for comics, nominated for three Eisners, and received a GLAAD Media Award. A high-quality graphic novel of our time....more
Jim Starlin's contribution to "The End" series of the time, it holds up well with his illustrations and cosmic epic storytelling. It's also very much Jim Starlin's contribution to "The End" series of the time, it holds up well with his illustrations and cosmic epic storytelling. It's also very much of its time, with Bush-era political cameos and particularly stands out with Grant Morrison's X-Men in the first chapter.
Like many an alternate timeline, everybody dies. Kind of. But it's done with interesting twists and turns. Mostly it stars Thanos, with Dr. Strange's Defenders lineup all facing off against a new evil pharaoh villain (there's more than that, and it actually has something deep to say about death and superhero comics always bring characters back to life). I guess I'm just a sucker for Starlin stories. Anyway, if the Marvel Universe was going to end circa 2003, this is how it would have happened....more
Like all of these epic crossovers, not for the novices. A good read if into the illustrious Grant Morrison, such as their 90s JLA, continuing into theLike all of these epic crossovers, not for the novices. A good read if into the illustrious Grant Morrison, such as their 90s JLA, continuing into the continuity clusterf*ck that is the 21st Century DC. Post-Infinite Crisis, but a more linear story (even though there's some weird non-linear stuff--it is Morrison). The whole end of the world, this time focusing on Darkseid and Kirby's New Gods but the Seven Soldiers versions. It may not have been the last of the Crises, but it was the climax of the Batman RIP and Superman Beyond was awesome too. Nobody does DC cosmic like Grant!...more
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