Review: Amazing Spider-Man #694 – The 50th Anniversary story arc concludes!

By

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September 26, 2012

Amazing Spider-Man #694
Writer: Dan Slott
Art: Humberto Ramos [Pencils], Victor Olazaba [Inks], and Edgar Delgado [Colors]

If Amazing Spider-Man #692 and 693 were about introducing Alpha, then this week’s #694 is all about setting the character up for his next chapter–whenever that may be.

Deciding to take a break from his research at Horizon Labs, Peter Parker heads out to the airport to say goodbye to his Aunt May and her husband, J. Jonah Jameson Sr., before they head back to Boston. As is the case when he has something to do or somewhere to be, he’s interrupted. The Avengers request his help fighting off Terminus, who’s once again intent on taking over the Earth.

The Avengers unfortunately have the bright idea of having Spider-Man summon Alpha, and the egotistical teen hero with more power than everyone else present darts across the world from Japan to lay the smackdown on Terminus. This causes problems, as the fight takes place above the airport and Alpha’s irresponsible use of his powers short circuits all of the planes currently in the air–including the jet carrying May and Jonah Sr. Naturally, the day is saved, but as soon as Alpha leaves, Spider-Man and the Avengers all agree his powers, created in a lab accident by Peter’s “Parker Particles,” must go.

But, irreparable damage may have already been done.

Dan Slott packs a lot of great moments into this issue, continuing to showcase Alpha as an extraordinarily unlikeable character. At least two recurring members of Spidey’s supporting casts get apparent status quo changes here, as well. Seeing Peter act in a more stern, almost parental-like manner was different for a change, and I especially enjoyed Dan’s nod to all of the people who are unclear as to whether or not Spider-Man is still a Future Foundation member. Combine this with Ramos’ art and a nice lead-in to the “Danger Zone” arc and you’ve got a solid conclusion to Slott’s 50th Anniversary story arc.

RATING: A Tantalizing Tale in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

*ALSO: If you didn’t notice, this issue’s cover was an homage to a classic cover from when the “big two” comic publishers could play nice every now and then.

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Tales From the Water Cooler #83

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 24, 2012

Welcome to Tales From the Water Cooler!

Join Infinite Speech, Decapitated Dan, and the Southern Sensation each week as they gather around the water cooler of stories to talk about comics.

This week the guys tackle some Super Hero Trivia and then take a look at Harbinger #4, Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #0 and Scarlet Spider #9.

This weeks Kickstarter of the week can be found at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/932317089/backslider?ref=category

And don’t forget to LIKE us on Facebook!

Tales from the Water Cooler: Episode #83

You can click the link to listen to the podcast or right click “save link as” to download it.

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Horror in the West – Review

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 19, 2012

Issue: Horror in the West
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Price: $9.99

““Horror in the West” is a horror anthology featuring eleven stories that combine the mysticism of the Old West with demons, zombies, aliens, and blood-curdling storytelling. A man who cannot be killed by the hangman’s noose, alien cattle-drives for human flesh, demon-slaying bounty hunters – all of these stories can be found here. “Horror in the West” will take you by the reigns and drive you straight over the edge!”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Well now we got ourselves a bit of a situation here pardner. You see ol’ Decap he is not to big on Western Comics, but he does love his Horror Comics, so what on Earth could he even like about Horror in the West? How about everything! This is one great looking, great reading, hootenanny of a good time! The artwork in this entire collection is GORE-Geous. I will admit that they set the bar high starting with sam Agro’s style, but no story in this ever let me down. Personally I prefered the art styles of Agro, Brian Evinou, Chris McFann and Dan Simon the most, but again they were all great. There is some really great horror scenes depicted in this book and Jeff McComsey actually takes home the prize for drawing the scariest panel. The stories, like the artwork were all very well done. As a person who doesn’t love Western stories, it’s a tough thing to make me care. Each short was original, nothing like the others in the book, and just overall fun. So many different concepts only adds to the overall value of this collection. My personal favorites were “Star Calf”, “The Hunters”, “Pinkerton Express” and “The Amulet”. I will say it once again, this collection was great. It was able to make me enjoy something I don’t typically care for, so that is a win right there. This is an Anthology that you should be adding to your bookcase. YEE HORROR!!!!

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Horror in the West you can find it at http://alternacomics.com

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Koma OGN – Review

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 18, 2012

Issue: Koma OGN
Writer: Pierre Wazem
Artist: Frederik Peeters
Colors: Albertine Ralenti
Publisher: Humanoids
Price: $29.95

“Addidas is a bright and quirky young girl who spends most of her time helping her widowed father in his job as a chimney sweep in the industrial metropolis they live in. When Addidas ventures too far into a chimney, she encounters a bizarre new friend…”

Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
I don’t even know how to start this review without just saying, Book of the Year front-runner. I was so blown away with what happened on these 280+ pages that I feel like trying to sum it up will only come across as a gushing love letter to the creators. So let’s do just that. I went into this book not knowing what to expect, well I expected to read about a little girl and her new Monster friend, but instead I was introduced to a world that was so imaginative and original. If I even try to compare this to anything, and keep in mind that I am just basing this off of the overall feel I had when I was done reading this, I would have to say Spirited Away. Yes I know that one is a movie and the other is a comic, but that is as close to any kind of comparison I can even make. The art work is so GORE-Geous from page to page. The facial expressions are so key to the telling of this story and Peeters delivers ever single time. While the colors are mostly dark in the book, dealing with a drab cityscapes, chimneys and underground monsters, it still shines page after page. The art just jumps right into your face and demands your attention. Towards the end of the book, when you are shown the scenes of the countryside, you see the full potential of this team. This story alone should be winning awards left and right. Every time I thought that I knew what was going to happen I was slapped in the face and told no. Wazem’s dialogue, which is translated into English, is done so well. His voices for the entire cast are so believable for who they all are. The story has so much mystery and depth to it. The relationship between Addidas and all of the characters will pull at your heart-strings, and when all is said and done, you will just feel alive. Is that enough gushing for you? I can not suggest a book more than I will this one. This is the whole package and so much more. I will be reading this over and over for years to come.

Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Koma you can find it at www.humanoids.com

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Debris #1 – Review

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 17, 2012

Issue: Debris #1
Writer: Kurtis Wiebe
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.50

“In the far future, humanity has doomed planet earth to rot and decay, covering her surface with garbage. Now, ancient spirits called the Colossals rise from the debris and attack the remaining survivors, forcing the human race to the brink of extinction. One warrior woman, Maya, sets out to find the last source of pure water to save the world before the monsters bring it all to an end.”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
What in the world is going on here? This book is awesome and WAAAY too short! Oh man I want it all right now, this was so good people! The Wieley tandem is back and in full force. If you ask me Rossmo is always out doing his own work. The way he went from Rebel Blood, which was a dark horror tale, to a bright and vibrant futuristic world full of machines, is simply amazing. He really shows off his talent with the cover alone, look at the machine aspects involved. This book is just beautiful to look at, which again leads me to wanting more RIGHT NOW! If you are not reading Wiebe’s work, then you are missing out at a man who is ascending the comic writer mountain right now. His concept for this story is mind-blowingly good, and he is writing it to perfection. The story is gripping, and if issue #1 is only a sign of things to come, then this one will be something you are all going to be talking about. Sure this is not my typical horror fare, but when I get a chance to cover anything by Wieley, I will. They are a team to be reckoned with, pushing the envelope on great original content, and proving why comics will always be a fun medium. Read Debris, you will not be disappointed.

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Debris you can find it at www.imagecomics.com

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Tales From the Water Cooler #82

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 17, 2012

Welcome to Tales From the Water Cooler!

Join Infinite Speech, Decapitated Dan, and the Southern Sensation each week as they gather around the water cooler of stories to talk about comics.

This week the Clergyman is back as the guys take a look at Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #14, Fairest #7, Road to Oz #1 and Venom #24.

This weeks Kickstarter of the week can be found at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1334937359/blast-furnace-recreational-thief-volume-one?ref=live

And don’t forget to LIKE us on Facebook!

Tales from the Water Cooler: Episode #82

You can click the link to listen to the podcast or right click “save link as” to download it.

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End Times #1 – Review

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 16, 2012

Issue: End Times #1
Writers: Jeff Edmond, Vin Davis, Charles Anthony
Artist: Vin Davis
Price: $5.95

“Premier collectors issue!”

Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Yes, my favorite printing style for horror comics is magazine sized, and End Times #1 knows that, so lets put a +1 in the positives column right off the bat! What this issue brings to the table is a great sense of horror comic nostalgia, mixed with some great modern tales. Now I throw in the nostalgia line because of the way this book is presented in terms of printing, and because of the overall feeling I got while reading it. The stories are a good mix of Creepy and Eerie styled themes, mixing both horror and sci-fi genres throughout. The artwork is consistent throughout, but at times I didn’t care too much for the shading styles. I kind of felt that the grey’s took away from the great line work. But that is me being nit-picky. The stories are fantastic. My favorite had to be “De-Cap-Puc-Cino”, because of the overall presentation. Davis did a great job on drawing that entire cast, and the story by Edmond was funny and creepy. Overall, this is a great first issue from this bunch. It has room to move forward with future issues, and I will only expect it to get better and better. It is easy for me to tell you to pick this one up and check it out, because I had a great time reading it.

Artwork: 4.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about End Times you can find it at http://www.horrorgeddoncomics.com

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Grim Leaper #2 – Review

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 15, 2012

Issue: Grim Leaper #2
Writer: Kurtis Wiebe
Artist: Aluisio Santos
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: June 2012
Price: $3.50

“Lou Collins: Serial Leaper. Lou desperately tries to find Ella, the woman with an identical curse, before his next horrific death. But, there’s malevolence waiting in the darkness, something that wants to kill Lou before he even gets the chance. Something alive.”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
I think I am in love people. I am in love with tree shavings and octopus juices, because they bring things like Grim Leaper to my eyes. If I didn’t say it enough when I reviewed issue #1, Santos is an amazing artist. Just the death scenes alone, are enough to show how GORE-Geous his style is. When you add in the other panels it just makes my black heart skip a beat. This is a visual treat, so make sure to savor it. The story by Wiebe moves right along and only gets more and more interesting. I love the concept and how it is being played out. I find myself enjoying the chemistry that Lou and Ella have, but then I flip-flop and I root for them to die. I guess I am just a romantic. This series is so much more than I could have ever expected, and I don’t want to see it end at #4. I say death to the mini, lets ride this one out for years and years, it has so many different ways it can go. Just think of their first fight when they kill each other. Read it people, it really is that damn good.

Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Grim Leaper you can find it at http://www.imagecomics.com

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El Bigote #0 – Review

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 14, 2012

Issue: El Bigote #0
Writer: Matthew Mclaughlin
Artist: El Chivo
Publisher: Tekilla Comix
Release Date: May 2012

“Living-dead banditos and skeletal gunfighters, ghostly Federales and ghoulish Conquistadores, cannibalistic muertoads and spectral sessquatches prowl Mexico’s haunted prairies – and its up to undead mustachio-quillslinger El Bigote to put them back in their tequila worm-graves!”

Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Yee Haw Cowboys! El Bigote is here to save us from the undead side of Western Hell! The artwork in this issue is fantastic. Chivo has a great style that fits perfectly in both the Horror and Western genres. I really enjoyed his GORE-Geous characters and how great they looked from panel to panel. And those Tekilla Worms were amazing. The story is very original and mixes elements of both English and Spanish culture. The issue takes place on the undead side of life, picture limbo or hell if you will. So I can’t wait to see if these characters can actually stay dead, I know it was hinted at within the story. Mclaughlin dis a great job on the dialogue, but at times I did have to go get the Spanish to English dictionary out. No matter how I look at it, this issue was a blast. I enjoyed it from start to finish and I can not wait to get more in front of my horror loving eyes. Great stuff, now pass the Tekilla!

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about El Bigote you can find it at http://elbigotequillpower.blogspot.com/

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GREEN LANTERN #0 Green Lantern Sector 2814 Gets A Bit More Crowded

By

mDeVivo

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September 6, 2012

Green Lantern #0

Written By: Geoff Johns

Art By: Doug Mahnke

While most of the #0 issues have focused on the past to flesh out their stories and characters this issue focuses on the future of the Green Lantern franchise. We’re introduced to new Green Lantern recruit Simon Baz this issue. Simon is an Arab American living in Dearborn Michigan. The opening pages set Simon’s story into motion by utilizing the events of September 11th to show that Simon and his family haven’t had it easy due to the terrorist attacks he witnessed. We see how Simon and his families lives were effected 1 day , 5 years , and 10 years after the fact. John’s touches heavily on the topic of racial profiling in America and while it’s not easy to read its not hard to believe this could have happened to Simon based on his race.

We are then brought to the present as Simon is fleeing police after he had stolen a van to try to make ends meet and to help his family. The van itself houses something very lethal however that Simon wasn’t aware of and it is here that we first see Simon’s courage (which is actually tattooed on his arm in Arabic) and strong moral code come into play.

Simon is then moved to an undisclosed location where agents begin to interrogate him. Even though he is telling the truth the agents don’t trust that the Arab American in front of them was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and look at him as a potential threat to the US. Things move quickly and the agents decide to try to water board Simon to get the “Truth” from him. It is in this moment that the ring chooses Simon as he struggles to fight from being tortured and escapes.

The art this issue is a step up from the annual both in execution and tone. Doug seems to enjoy filling the earlier pages with detail and his style continues to suit John’s writing perfectly. Especially in the quieter moments when Manhke does most of the storytelling. His facial work is great and goes a long way in conveying the sincerity in Simon as well as the anger and disbelief in the situation he’s left in.

John’s even manages to throw in a one page Epilogue showing us the fate of both Hal Jordan and Sinestro and the direction he’s heading in with their story. After reading last weeks Green Lantern Annual I was left doubting the new direction that Green Lantern was taking. However after this issue I’m behind Johns and Mahnke once again. The solicits and cover image would have you believe Simon Baz is a gun toting criminal so its refreshing to see a very complex and interesting character inside. While there still is some uncertainty about The motivations of the Gaurdians and the Third Army story in general I am completely sold on this new Green Lantern and I’m happy to say Simon Baz is a wholly realized and worthy character in the Green Lantern Mythos.

Review Score: 9.5/ 10

Follow me on Twitter @pandasandrobots

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