Tag: Mark Waid

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Comic Review: Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come

This DC book really got me into reading comics. It’s the story of how after Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the older superheros quit, the present generation heroes are faced with the blurred line between right and wrong.Writer, Mark Waid (Incorruptible, Daredevil) and artist, Alex Ross (Astro City, Universe X), tell this story.

The superheroes that fight to save people have lost their way. They’re more concerned with destroying their enemies than saving the lives of the people in danger. Superman has been retired for some time but still keeps an eye on the world. One day, he can no longer let things continue down its current path.  His intervention and presence brings out the heroes of the  old. With these actions, a rift in ideals is created that challenges the status quo.

The story delves into what truly makes a superhero. Is it just fighting evil at any cost or is it more than that. Being that this is in the future, you get to see how age has changed some of your favorite heroes. You may be surprised to see how some have changed.

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Comic Review: 52

DC Comics 52 Omnibus

After the events of Infinite Crisis, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman have disappeared with no one knowing their whereabouts. Not to be confused with the New 52, DC Comics created 52 as a vehicle to feature some of their less popular characters such as Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Black Adam, Animal Man and other lesser known characters. The introduction of Batwoman is also part of the series.

This series came out 1 issue week for 52 weeks and featured stories written by some of DC best writers which included Geoff Johns, Mark Waid and Grant Morrison and were drawn by a huge list of DC’s most talented artists which included Brian Bolland, Howard Chaykins, Ivan Reis, JG Jones, Adam Hughes, George Perez, Andy Kubert, and Ethan Van Sciver.

All in all the series was great for those of you want to read more in depth about the other characters that DC has in their stable. This series also featured many spin-off stories. Some notable ones that are worth reading are DC World War III featuring Black Adam, The Search for Ray Palmer, and  52 Pick-up Booster Gold

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Steed and Mrs. Peel, Volume 1: A Very Civil Armageddon

Roger Ebert wrote in his review of The Thin Man (1934) that “William Powell is to dialogue as Fred Astaire is to dance.” The famous film’s characters of Nick and Nora Charles are among many duos both silver screen and television have had to offer over the years, delivering dialogue rich in wit dry as a martini, repartee and riposte sharp as any rapier. Among so many selections, few stand out so sharply as the characters of John Steed and Emma Peel, first brought to us in the 60s, at the height of the British spy spectacular. Although outlandish plots by nefarious ne’er-do-wells, ingenious gadgets and devilish devices are also hallmarks of the genre, nothing made The Avengers so memorable as their dialogue.

Rapid-fire interchange between Steed and Peel is perfectly portrayed throughout this first 128-page collection of the ongoing comic from Mark Waid, Caleb Monroe, Steve Bryant, and Will Sliney. The action moves along briskly, propelled in large part by the interaction between two star spies at the height of their Great Game. True to the original, the escapade always starts off in the middle of a scene, leaving the audience to put the pieces together as the subsequent action unfolds, always drawing the disparate pieces back together into a cohesive whole. In this regard, perhaps the best recommendation that can be made is that the reader immediately begins to crave a sequel, awaiting Steed’s classic, slyly delivered catchphrase:

“Mrs. Peel, we’re needed.”

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Comic Review: JLA Volume 7 Tower Of Babel

JLA Volume 7 Tower Of Babel

How can you stop the Justice League, the most powerful team on the planet. That is the question posed by writer Mark Waid (The Brave and The Bold, Indestructible Hulk) and artist Howard Porter (Aquaman, Doc Savage) in DC’s Tower Of Babel.

Batman has a plan for everything but what does he do when they are used against him. Someone has stolen files on how to defeat all the members of the Justice League and are implementing them. It’s up to Batman to save his friends and find out who is behind all this. Even if he can do this, will the Justice League ever forgive him?

Great tale about the strongest superheros and how they deal with being utterly helpless. If you are a big Batman fan this is just one more reason as to why he kicks so much ass. But, even he is left vulnerable at some point in the story.