March 28th, 2007 Reviews
Incredible Hulk #105
Yep, the Hulk is definitely angry. That should come as no surprise since the Illuminati sent him into space, and he ended up on the planet Sakaar where he had to fight for his life. Well, the Hulk made the best of a bad situation. He fought, and he fought, and he finally became a quasi savior to the people of Sakaar. He even liberated the planet from the tyrant Red King. Well, he did his best to make a positive out of a negative, but what happens in this issue gives him reason to be even more angry. I'm not going to spoil it, but I will say that the last page of the book shows the Hulk rocketing back home, and makes the month long wait for World War Hulk feel like an eternity. The most interesting thing though is that the Hulk has been given more reason to hate the Illuminati, which I thought to be impossible. Not only did they send him off into space, but they were also responsible for the tragedy in this issue.
I have only been reading this series for the last two issues, but Greg Pak is a very capable writer. He makes the Hulk feel human, and he has made the character a little more complex. The Hulk has a motive this time around, and even though it does involve lots of smashing, it isn't just for kicks. Carlo Pagulayan provides the art in this issue, as he has done for the entire Planet Hulk story. He does a really good job overall. There were a few sketchy parts where things looked a little rough, but overall, his art really fits the bill.
What's the verdict? I say that this issue was excellent, and does a really good job of giving the Hulk a motive for what he will inevitably do when he gets back to Earth. I've only read the final two issues of the Planet Hulk story, but Greg Pak's writing is stellar, and I'll be first in line when the collected edition of Planet Hulk hits the stands. I'll also be first in line when World War Hulk #1 comes out, because the combo of John Romita Jr., Greg Pak, and the Hulk smashing things is one that has me drooling.
Grade: 9/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann
Runaways #25
The last time Joss Whedon was writing stories about teenagers, the result was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Along with that, he's written other critically acclaimed TV shows, and he's the writer on the best X-Men title in ages (Astonishing X-Men). With a pedigree like that, it's hard not to buy a book about super powered teens on the run in the Marvel Universe when he's the one holding the pen.
I should really make a quick confession (no it doesn't involve me crying over Captain America's dead body). My experience with the Runaways comic book series is very minimal. The first issue I ever read was the Runaway's Saga, which came out last week. Therefore, my knowledge of the characters, and their journey is very basic. However, it doesn't take very much knowledge to know a good comic when I see one. This issue was very well done on the writing side. Just like in my Hulk review, I'm not going to go into detail, but I can assure you that Joss Whedon knows what he's doing (which is not a big surprise to most people). Plus, he's doing something that this series has been good at; he's using the rich canvas that is the Marvel Universe, and making use of the characters within that universe. This issue features one guest star, and a cliffhanger that promises us at least one more.
Michael Ryan's art is..........mediocre. There's nothing in his art that distinguishes him from many other artists out there. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing seriously wrong with this issue's art. The problem is that I'm so used to the quality of the art on Whedon's Astonishing X-Men (provided by the awesome John Cassaday), that Ryan's pencils just seem middle of the road to me.
This series will most likely pick up a pretty big number of new readers with Whedon's name on the cover. This series will also most likely keep those new readers. This was a very well done comic book. I am really excited for the five other issues of this series that Whedon is writing, because if this issue is an indicator, then the rest of his run on the title will be nothing short of astonishing (couldn't help myself).
Grade: 9/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann
52 #47
After a couple mediocre issues, this week's 52 was a good read. We not only got an appearance by Bruce Wayne, but by Diana Prince/Wonder Woman as well. Plus, the Steel storyline seems to have come to a close this week, and Animal Man taps into his new powers. There's also a little blurb that deals with the Batwoman/Intergang storyline, where we are beat over the head with clues as to where that story is heading. This issue marked the return of the issues of 52 that didn't focus on any one storyline, but quite a few of them. It was a nice change after the last couple weeks where Black Adam stole the spotlight. The strongest moments in this issue though are the ones featuring the two bigger characters I mentioned before. The 52 writing team has made sure to try and avoid using the Big three in this series as much as possible. That makes the appearances that they have made that much cooler. Less is more, and the writing team really grasps that concept.
Giuseppe Camuncoli's art is by far the most distinctive that has appeared in 52. I really liked it though. It might get old after a long run, but for short periods his art really works.
For the first time in a few weeks, 52 was a fun read. Black Adam's story is entertaining, but I can only take so much of him being mad, and taking out his anger. Having said that, I am still really excited for World War III, because when the whole DCU stands up to Adam it will be a can't miss event.
Grade: 8.5/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann
Fantastic Four #544
I wasn't planning on reading this series, but when I saw it on the rack this past Wednesday, I couldn't help myself. It was as if the cover, which I'd see about fifteen times on the internet already, had some profound effect on me when I saw it. Twenty minutes later I had dropped a few extra bucks, and I am really glad I did.
The new roster of the Fantastic Four at first struck me as a cheesy cliché/gimmick. Dwayne McDuffie proved me very wrong. He wrote the characters so that the situation that they were in wasn't just a tacked on money grab. McDuffie's story in this issue springs from his Marvel mini series by the name of Beyond! I didn't read that series, but I know the basic plot. So, something occurs that involves a character's corpse from the aforementioned mini series, and the new Fantastic Four goes to investigate. This leads them to the home of the Watcher on the moon. Then they experience some "turbulence" of sorts, and everyone's favorite shiny silver surfing guy shows up on the last page. This issue mainly works because it isn't trying to do anything too earth shattering and ground breaking. McDuffie is taking the Fantastic Four, and putting them into space, where they undeniably are at their best. The main positives of this issue are that the new team doesn't feel forced, McDuffie is putting the team back into their element, and that the Silver Surfer is involved! I think that all of that adds up to a really cool comic.
Paul Pelletier provides the art for this issue. No matter who comes after Mike McKone, there is probably going to be a letdown. McKone's art was just so perfect for this series, so it would be hard for many artists to measure up. What is impressive though, is that Pelletier's art comes close making me forget McKone's.
Good writing, good art, and a fun story. It looks like the Fantastic Four's title is in great hands. I am really glad that I picked this issue up. Thank you Michael Turner, because your cover to this issue sucked me in, and now I'm in for the long haul.
Grade: 9/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann
Black Panther #26
Niko (Pride of Baghdad) Henrichon's cover is all to blame for me dropping three bucks on this issue, which to be honest, was pretty bad. This was another comic I wasn't planning on buying, but I decided that if I was going to buy Fantastic Four, this would be must reading as well. What's wrong though, is that the only connection between this title and Fantastic Four isn't even accurate. This issues provides a pretty different series of events that lead to the new Fantastic Four going on their first mission. You'd think that Marvel would at least be able to get the major details to concur with each other. Besides that glaring error, the rest of this issue is nothing special either. There's some Wakandan politics, and an invasion of the 42 prison in the Negative Zone. It just seems like this series banks on guest stars and crossovers for sales, and the story in each issue comes second.
Francis Portela's art in this comic is actually pretty good. His art is the high point of this issue. Between him, and Henrichon's cover, this comic doesn't lack pretty pictures. It would be nice to see a good story to match the good art though.
Unless you are an avid Black Panther fan, there is nothing in this issue of much interest. It seems like this series will continue to leech off guest stars and utilize events like Civil War in order to stay afloat when it comes to sales. If I had to sum it all up, I'd tell you to either save your three dollars, or go get some food off the dollar menu at McDonalds.
Grade: 5/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann
Superman Confidential #4
This whole series to date has been very good. This issue continues that trend. This is in no way the first book I read whenever it comes out, but it certainly provides me with three dollars worth of entertainment.
The best part of this comic is that the supporting cast is used very well. This is still a Superman story, but it gives enough focus to the supporting players to make it more diverse. You get Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor, and Perry White appearances all in one book. The main villain, Tony Gallo, remains shrouded in mystery. All we know is that he basically hoarded all of the Kryptonite he could find, and disposed of the villages where he found it. So, in short, he is one bad dude. The plot of this issue involves Superman getting the crud kicked out of him (due to Kryptonite being near by), Lois having a talk with Lex Luthor, and and ending that is tinged with a wonderful silver aged feel. The ending is by far the most entertaining element to this issue. I'm not going to spoil it, but I have to say that it will be interesting to see how it all works itself out in the next issue.
Tim Sale could draw any character, Marvel or DC, and I would be buying the comic. As a reader, you can always depend on the fact that Tim Sale's art will be beautiful. The guy's already been showered with praise, and it's not like I'm going to come up with any new reasons why his art is great, so I’ll just get to the point: Sale's art is perfect.
Like I said, this isn't the first book I read when it comes out. However, it sure is beating out its' counterpart (Batman Confidential), and quite a few other books I buy. This issue has a good story, wonderful art, and a bit of silver age flare. It all adds up to a must read comic book.
Grade: 9/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann
Batman #664
Grant Morrison takes a step back in this issue, and looses the craziness that accompanied his last arc. He takes Batman, and puts him back in Gotham City. It feels a little more like a Batman title in this issue, compared to Morrison's ninja man bat, and Bat rocket infested first arc.
One thing that Morrison does well is make Bruce Wayne cool. He makes Wayne the playboy/James Bond cross that makes sense. Once Wayne gets done shooting down snipers with ski pole things in true 007 fashion, he heads back to Gotham. He goes out on patrol, and one thing leads to another until Batman is taken down by what can best be described as Bane in a Batman costume. Plus, Batman can't stop mentioning a mysterious "black casebook." This story seems to be heading in a more traditional direction than the last arc, and I am pretty excited about that.
Andy Kubert's art was great here. I have grown to love his style after rereading the previous arc he was on, and seeing some of his other work. I think now that Morrison is trying to tell a more realistic Batman story, Kubert's art fits a little better with the story.
This issue does its' job as an opening issue to an arc. It has me really excited for the rest of the story. Morrison seems to be leaving out his wackier ideas, and Kubert's art meshes much better because of that. So, if this first issue is any indication, the rest of this arc will be much better than Morrison's first on the book.
Grade: 8/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann
Ultimate Spider-Man #107
The Good: Good dialogue, good art, and a story that has me excited. Ultimate Spider-Man has kept up the pace after the hectic and wonderful Clone Saga, and things are really clicking on this title!
The Bad: The Clone Saga is a hard act to follow. Any arc that follows one such as the Clone Saga will seem inferior, and less exciting. This arc suffers from that a bit.
The Verdict: One of the better books this week. Brian Bendis is on his game, and Mark Bagley does his usual stellar job. Plus, the Kingpin! Everyone loves the Kingpin!
Grade: 8.5/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann
Ultimate Fantastic Four #40
The Good: The art, by both Scott Kolins and Mark Brooks is the one positive of this story.
The Bad: This is nothing but a fill in story. I feel kind of cheated, because Mike Carey’s first arc on the book was pretty solid. It just seems like he’s mailing it in. Plus, the cover to this issue is irksome. Salvador Larocca portrays Sue Storm as a snarling, seemingly pot bellied (pregnant?) women, who doesn’t fit the archetypal look of the character.
The Verdict: Only collectors looking to keep their collection going should buy this. There isn’t anything unique about the cookie cutter story, and those expecting a solid Mike Carey penned tale will be disappointed.
Grade: 4/10
Review by Christopher Hoerdemann |
