Monthly Archives: September 2013

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Comic Review: The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 1

The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 1

A classic Alan Moore (Promethea, 2000 AD) comic with illustrator Kevin O’Neill (Green Lantern, Halo Jones) from America’s Best Comic’s. The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen is one of Moore’s quintessential reads if you’re a fan and if you’re not.

It’s 1898 in London and the times are changing fast. To combat all the threats against the country, a team of the times is needed.  Allan Quatermain, adventurer extraordinaire. Captain Nemo, leader of the Nautilus–scourge of the sea. Hawley Griffen, the invisible man. Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Edward Hyde, Dr. and monster. Mina Murray, leader of the group. Together they are The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

The many literary figures come together seamlessly to tell an original tale. The illustrations are detailed and complex to match the serious tone of the comic. Easy to see why this series is held in such high regards.

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Comic Review: Gambit Volume 1 Once A Thief

Gambit Volume 1 Once A Thief

A new series about Gambit and his thieving ways. A Marvel Comic written by James Asmus (Thief Of Thieves, Generation Hope) and illustrated by Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy, Heroes For Hire).

When he’s not helping out the X-Men, Gambit is usually up to no good. Today is no different, his target–Borya Cich. A man who bankrolls supervillians. If things don’t work out he keeps their high-tech toys. Those toys are precisely what he is after. It doesn’t take long before Mr. Cich spots Gambit and warns him not to get up to any mischief. This only makes things more interesting for Gambit. What’s the fun in stealing if there isn’t a challenge.

It’s nice to see Gambit back with his own series. Even better is that it’s about him robbing people. I’ve always liked Gambit but not the fact that they make him such a good guy. Not saying he isn’t but he is a thief at heart.

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Comic Review: The Invisibles Volume 1 Say You Want A Revolution

The Invisibles Volume 1 Say You Want A Revolution

A comic about many of Grant Morrison’s (Batman Legends, Animal Man) interests at the time. Magic, conspiracies, drug experiences, alien abduction and many other topics. It’s definitely a fun ride. This Vertigo comic is a Morrison must and being that, it’s sure to be chalk full of lovely weird strange things.

Dane McGowan is an angry young rebel who is sick of society. His life is going nowhere until he meets King Mob. He is the leader of The Invisibles, a group of counterculture revolutionary soldiers and assassins. They’re fighting the people trying to shape the future of the world for their own gain. Dane has stepped into a world of things he can’t even begin to imagine. One of them being that he has a big role to play in the war for our future.

An unbelievably imaginative story that jumps from idea to idea. Steve Yeowell (Starman, Judge Dredd) illustrates everything from giant cities, secret government bases, extra dimensional beings and past and future societies. Be warned if you start this series your brain will hurt but it’s that good kinda hurt.

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Comic Review: Infinite Crisis

DC Comics Infinite Crisis

The heroes of the DC Universe faces one of their greatest challenges. This is also a sequel to the 1980’s series. A story written by Geoff Johns (JSA, Avengers) and drawn by a team consisting of George Perez (Avengers, Teen Titans), Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman, Invisibles), Jerry Ordway (Superman), and Ivan Reis (Green Lantern)

Following the events of Identity Crisis, Batman has inadvertently released an army of OMAC’s on the world. Also revealed in this story line is that there were survivors from the original “crisis”, Crisis on Infinite Earths. These survivors, which included Alexander Luthor and Superboy Prime, were hiding in a cave. Now they feel it is time for them to reveal to the world of their existence. If the original crisis was any indication, you can expect a pretty rough road ahead for the heroes of the DC Universe.

The story was well written and kept you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire event. Geoff John worked his magic quite well like he did for the revival of the JSA series. As well, George Perez has not lost his touch as the king of jamming as many characters into a panel as possible.

Must read tie-ins into this story are Days of Vengeance, OMAC Project, Villains United, and Rann Thanagar War as well as Superman: Sacrifice which ties into OMAC Project. This story leads you into the 52 week series “52” and continues on to Countdown to Final Crisis and Final Crisis.

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Comic Review: The Punisher Enter The War Zone

The Punisher Enter The War Zone

With the avengers after The Punisher, is this one enemy that he can’t defeat. This Marvel series written by Greg Rucka (Queen & Country, Detective Comics) and illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico (Journey Into Mystery, Iron Man 2.0) is the end of the most recent Punisher run.

The Punisher’s recent accomplice is on trial for the killing of a police officer. With the public opinion of the Punisher at an all time low, people are looking for justice.  Unfortunately the Avengers agree and they’re looking to lock him up. With such powerful adversaries after the Punisher and the fact that he won’t kill them, can he survive. Or is this finally the end of the Punisher’s long career.

Great ending to the series, honestly didn’t see the whole Avengers thing coming. Each issue is the Punisher facing off against an individual member of the team leading up to a final battle. There is no Punisher title currently running so if you are looking for more of him check out the Thunderbolts series.

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Comic Review: City Of Others

City Of Others

Zombies and vampires seem to be popping up together more and more these days. City Of Others is one such comic from Dark Horse. Written by Steve Niles (Simon Dark, 30 Days Of Dark) and Bernie Wrightson (Creepy, Batman: The Cult) with Bernie doing the illustrations as well.

Blud is a killer for hire and he is good at his job. Feeling no emotions about those he kills is what makes him so ruthless. During a job he runs into a problem, they won’t die. Following some clues he finds a group of what can only be rationalized as zombies. They lead him to a house in the middle of nowhere. From there it only gets weirder, it’s full of vampires. Now all that’s left for him is to make sense of the situation he’s in.

The back story between the zombies and vampires is really compelling. It practically begs for a prequel. As full of blood and guts as it is plot. At first glance it may look like a simple versus comic but it is so much more.

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Comic Review: Before Watchmen Comedian/Rorschach

Before Watchmen Comedian/Rorschach

Watchmen is back with 2 of its darker members, the Comedian and Rorschach. This DC title is written by Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets, Spaceman) with The Comedian illustrated by J.G. Jones (Doc Savage, 52) and illustrations for Rorschach by Lee Bermejo (Joker, Daredevil)

In The Comedian, we see where he fits throughout modern history. It turns out he has a long standing history with the Kennedy family. Also we see his time during the Vietnam war and the atrocities he has committed. In Rorschach, we get a deeper look into who the man really is and what makes him tick. More than once he is entrenched in violence and fighting for his survival. Soon he finds himself being the prey when he thinks that he is the predator.

Both series have a firm story line that they stick to. The Comedian is centered on historical events and the parts he did or didn’t play in them. Extremely violent and unforgiving while he carries out his missions. With Rorschach, it’s all about what he does during the day and how it leads to his night time excursions. It’s full of the guttural journal entries that we’ve all come to enjoy. A great read from the Before Watchmen series.

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Comic Review: Saucer Country Volume 1 Run

Saucer Country Volume 1 Run

What’s worse than being abducted by aliens and no one believing you? How about being abducted, while running for president and not being able to tell anyone. A Vertigo series about aliens written by Paul Cornell (Demon Knights, Action Comcis) and illustrated by Ryan Kelly (Local, American Virgin).

Arcadia Alvarado is the governor of New Mexico and is considering running for President Of The United States. She does have a couple of things that may stop that dream before it starts. Her ex-husband Michael, who is an alcoholic and the one night where she claims she was abducted by aliens. Only remembering bits and pieces of it, she enlists the help of a former Harvard professor, Professor Kidd. She hopes that he can return the memory of what happened that night.

Super fun comic full of intriguingly weird subject matter. Artwork is great kinda has a 1950’s era feel to it. In some of the issues they have separate stories about people’s true tales of abduction.

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Comic Review: RED

RED

If you’ve seen the movie you should give the comic from DC a try. It’s like the movie except it’s not funny, happy, quirky or witty. But it is dark and violent which is just as good–probably better. Warren Ellis (Scars, Doktor Sleepless) shows us why you should leave CIA assassins alone.

Paul Moses is a retired CIA agent who spends his time in peace and quite. That is until the newly appointed Director of the CIA is briefed on certain operations. Concerned that these actions will see the light of day, extreme measures are taken. Soon Paul is looking for answers and those caught in his path will die.

Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Firearm) illustrations match the pace of ferociousness and violence. It makes you think about the possibilities of the CIA and likely hood that these people exist.

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Comic Review: The Secret History Of D.B. Cooper

The Secret History Of D.B. Cooper

D.B. Cooper extorted $200,000, parachuted out of a plane and was never seen again. Find out what lead up to these events and who the man really was. An Oni Press title written and illustrated by Brian Churilla (We Kill Monsters, BlackAcre).

D.B. Cooper is famous for his well known getaway from a plane. What people don’t know about him, would make him even more famous. He works for the C.I.A. as an assassin but an assassin who can physically enter people’s minds. Going into a trance he is able to transfer his essence into his target and kill them from the inside of their head.

Very interesting series. Firstly because of the namesake of Cooper and secondly because of the whole C.I.A. mind assassin thing. Artwork is gritty and full of strange creatures, give it a try.