First Impressions 7/8/10

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 7/8/10

Hit-Monkey #1

By Daniel Way & Dalibor Talajic
Price: $2.99

Brief Thoughts: Way and Talajic squeeze way more material out of this idea than I ever thought possible.  It’s not an amazing read or a comic that will change your life, but it’s solidly written and the idea of a monkey with two handguns really doesn’t get old.  Way smartly re-introduces a human character from the original one-shot to serve as the Hit-Monkey’s guide, since following a mute monkey might get old.  Talajic’s art is quite nice.  The last page reveal makes me look forward to the next issue.  Hopefully the creative team milks the showdown for all the insanity that it’s worth.

Verdict:  Give it a shot.

Batman: Odyssey #1

By Neal Adams
Price: $3.99

Brief Thoughts: When you pick up a Neal Adams comic book, you can safely bet that the artwork is going to be a joy to see.  Adams’ work here is as visually striking as fans of his have come to expect over the decades and that alone makes this issue worth a flip through at the shop.  Unfortunately, Adams’ script doesn’t come near the level of expertise he shows in his linework.  Characters’ dialogue is oddly written and paced and the plot itself fails to excite, being a mix of another look at the Year One-era of Batman’s career mixed with the Dark Knight on an adventure with the first Robin that somehow involves a bumbling  Man-Bat.  Quite puzzling is the fact that Robin is clearly meant to be Dick Grayson (as evidenced by the dialogue), yet Adams has drawn him in the third Robin’s, Tim Drake’s,  costume.  Who’s editing this?

Verdict: Save your dough.

Steve Rogers: Super Soldier #1

By Ed Brubaker & Dale Eaglesham
Price: $3.99

Brief Thoughts: Brubaker and Eaglesham tell a satisfactory tale that would have fit nicely in the regular Captain America title were Steve Rogers still the star of that book.  While Eaglesham’s work isn’t my usual cup of tea, he does a fine job here illustrating a tale of Rogers investigating the heir of his creator  and the possible abuse of the super solider serum.  I’m still not a fan of Steve’s new costume (it’s sort of silly, and it’s very silly for him to be running around in it, face for all to see, despite the fact that he’s invading another country, yet trying to avoid an international incident).  Regardless of lapses in logic, I’m curious to read the next issue and see where this plot leads.  The reprint of Cap’s Golden Age origin is a nice addition considering its connections to the main story.

Verdict: Give it a shot.
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Hellboy: The Storm #1

By Mike Mignola & Duncan Fegredo
Price: $2.99

Brief Thoughts: I’m new to the whole Hellboy thing, having been pulled in by last week’s Abe Sapien #1, but the beginning  of this miniseries continues the trend of making me want to discover more or Mignola’s universe filled with paranormal investigators and myths running rampant in the world.  While Mignola certainly tells an interesting tale of Hellboy and his companion Alice investigating the rising of Britain’s dead, Fegredo stands out as the real star of this comic book.  I’ve been a fan of the artist for a long time, and it seems he’s taken a lot of Mignola’s own style on for this series and it works.  Most of this issue is a joy to behold and well worth the time I gave to drooling over the visuals. Promising.

Verdict: Give it a shot.

First Impressions 6/16/10

First Impressions 6/16/10

Pale Horse #1
By Andew Cosby & Michael Alan Nelson
Price: $3.99

Brief Thoughts: Cole is a hard man who knows no hesitation with a gun or a blade.  Being a Negro in 1865, he can’t afford to.  And as he cuts a bloody swath on his journey to discover why several people want him dead, he’ll teach everything he knows to one person:  his 3-year old son.  Pale Horse was a fantastic read, especially if you’re a fan of westerns in the vein of Unforgiven or The Man with No Name trilogy.  Heck, if you’re a fan of bloody revenge stories that are well told with great art, then this is well worth the price of admission.  Cosby tells a violent tale that’s instantly captivating and it’s perfectly brought to life by Nelson’s artwork.  Boom! continues their trend of putting out really good comics in all genres. Click here to read more.

Verdict: Give it a shot.  Definitely.
Amazing Spider-Man Presents Black Cat #1
By Jen Van Meter & Javier Pulido
Price: $3.99

Brief Thoughts: Javier Pulido was born to draw caper/heist stories.  He was also born to draw Spider-Man.  While he’s no Marcos Martin on that last point, he certainly does a wonderful job with the little Spidey he’s given here.  Unfortunately, he’s penciling a Black Cat comic book, and surprisingly, his rendition of the femme fatale is lacking.  Van Meter’s script is also lacking, sadly.  While there’s certainly interest in meeting Black Cat’s support staff and trying to figure out why someone is framing her, the tale comes off feeling too light and ordinary to justify the four dollar price tag.  Softening the monetary blow somewhat is an 8-page back-up that serves as a prologue to the Grim Hunt storyline beginning in Amazing Spidey this week, which is actually intriguing.  Every little bet helps right? Click here to read more.

Verdict: Save your dough.

New Avengers #1
By Brian Michael Bendis & Stuart Immonen
Price: $3.99

Brief Thoughts: Well, I’m not really sure why we needed a new issue #1 for this series, but Bendis and Immonen sure make it so much fun to read that you certainly forget that little annoyance.  While Avengers #1 a few weeks ago felt a bit stiff and disappointing, New Avengers’ premiere issue continues the fun “group of buddies” tone that the series has always succeeded with.  Adding the ultimate Marvel Universe uber-buddy in the Thing to the cast just injects this title with even more potential.  The tale, concerning something stalking the mystical experts of the MU is also pretty intriguing.  The Avengers oral history also continues as a back-up, and while it’s nothing spectacular, it certainly makes the issue feel a bit meatier. Click here to read more.

Verdict: Give it a shot.

Rob G’s Top Ten Number #1’s

The following list is my picks for the best first issues, based on comics that have been released during by tenure as a hobbyist, i.e the past twenty years. They are from series that were or are ongoing series, not minis. The only factor in choosing these books was simple: Greatness.

1. Y The Last Man

Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra

Unmatched storytelling and utterly masterful writing. So many plot threads perfectly bundled up in perhaps the best example of non-linear storytelling.

2. Four Eyes

Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara

An incredibly unique story, told perfectly with outstanding art. Whips you up and takes you to a place that is both familiar and fantastic.

3. Preacher

Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon

Like Y The Last Man, an expertly crafted story, with brilliant pacing and perfect dialogue. Plus, insanely novel concepts and characters.

4. The Walking Dead

Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore

A regular paged issue that seems like a novella. Haunting, engaging, fun and most importantly, Rick is a character you want to travel with.

5. Batman and Robin

Grant Morrison and Frank Quietley

Morrison and Quietly. Usually that says it all, but this was something unexpected with its new take on the dynamic duo, creating a new mythos rather than perfecting an old one– like they do in All Star Superman.

6. Planetary

Warren Ellis and John Cassady

Mind-bending and genre-jarring. Ellis scoops you up while Cassaday blows you away. For Sci-Fi, there is Firefly for TV and Planetary for Comics.

7. All Star Superman

Grant Morrison and Frank Quietley

Everything Superman should be  in both character  and appearance. Also, perhaps the best colored comic in the past 15 years.

8. The Ultimates

Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch

The Avengers you want and a team of characters that make sense. Story hits you as the art wows.

9. Ultimate Spider-Man

Brian Bendis and Mark Bagely

The best Spider-Man ever. Period. Perhaps the most endearing comic character ever created. Instant love.

10. The Unwritten/Invincible

Mike Carey and Peter Gross/Robert Kirkman and Corey Walker

Both these issues set up addicting stories and characters. Like the other comics in this list, greatness was evident from the get-go.

Be sure to weigh-in in the comment section!