Demon Knights #16 – Review

By: Robert Venditti (story), Bernard Chang (art), Marcelo Maiolo (colors)

The Story: It’d be nice if these reunions could happen anyplace besides a dungeon cell.

The Review: I’m always a little wary after a writer I admire leaves his title for some unknown to take his place—unknown to me, of course.  I’ve only heard vaguely respectable rumors about Venditti from my subconscious internet browsing, but I still had my doubts as to his ability to step in Paul Cornell’s shoes.  That’s still a step up from where Peter Milligan stood when he took over Stormwatch from Cornell, however; I didn’t even give Milligan a chance to prove himself.

As you read this issue, it soon becomes clear that Venditti definitely brings his own taste to the title, but he tries very hard to remain true to the blend of playfulness and ambition Cornell brought.  The specter of fate surrounding our group remains the same, as does the tense camaraderie of the characters.  Most importantly, perhaps, Venditti does not go out of his way to shake up the status quo or change the cast’s core personalities.

WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Daredevil #7 – What a nice change of pace this issue was!  It featured an injured Matt Murdock stranded in a snowstorm with a bunch of blind kids.  You have to take some leaps of faith on the story (i.e. Why how has DD thrived in NYC all these years if snow is his mortal enemy?), but it was touching and uplifting to see Matt/DD doing something very out of the norm for a superhero.  The art was also incredible.  As much as everyone is talking about “Mark Waid’s Daredevil run…”, they should really be giving at least as much credit to Paolo Rivera and the now departed Marcos Martin.  They’ve had just as much to do with the new, lighter tone of the book.

Most Anticipated: American Vampire #22 – After a three-issue flashback story arc that some reviewers didn’t love (but I thought was quite good), we go back to “normal” with a story arc set in the 1950’s.  Rafael Albuquerque is back on art!  Yay!  And I can’t wait to see how Scott Snyder is using he batch of characters from the WWII arcs.  Will it be the same vampires we’ve come to know and love?  Will the humans be old by now?  What’ll be new in the world of vampires?  Can’t wait!

Other Picks: Spaceman #3, The Unwritten #32.5, Witch Doctor: Resuscitation One-Shot, Secret Avengers #20, Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #8

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Daredevil #7 – I have to say I quite enjoyed Waid’s interludish Daredevil #7 of the blind leading the blind pulling the blind. Well worth checking out.

Most Anticipated: Warlord of Mars #14 – I’d been hoping for a Barsoom book last week, but I guess I was just impatient. This week, we’re into the second installment of the Gods of Mars in Warlord of Mars #14. Carter and Tars Tarkas together in the valley of death!

Other Picks: Captain America and Bucky #625, Captain America #6, The Mighty Thor #9, Uncanny X-Men #3, X-Men Legacy #260, Captain Victory #2

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: PunisherMAX #20 – While it was tempting to give the title to this week’s issue of Invincible Iron Man, PunisherMAX was ultimately just the better comic.  A gripping read throughout with disturbing and psychological character-work mesh with brutal and amazingly choreographed action.

Most Anticipated: Spaceman #3 – Normally I trade-wait when it comes to minis, but last week I caved on Spaceman and picked up the first couple of issues.  While it certainly will appeal more to some readers than others, I truly love this book.  Azzarello and Risso have grafted a fantastic world here, a dirty, dystopian future that has a distinctively “European comics” feel.  A fantastic book and one where writer and artist carry equal loads.

Other Picks: I, Vampire #4, Uncanny X-Men #3,  The Flash #4, Captain America #5, Captain America #6, American Vampire #22, FF #13, Aquaman #4, Mighty Thor #9

I, Vampire #3 – Review

By: Joshua Hale Fialkov (writer), Andrea Sorrentino (artist), Marcelo Maiolo (colorist)

The Story: Thank heaven for little girls—who shoot arrows into your arms.

The Review: The last three years or so have been something of a revival for vampires in the media, everything from the grossly romanticized (Twilight) to the artistic (American Vampire) to those in between (Vampire Diaries).  In many of these works, writers have taken to humanizing these creatures of the night, emphasizing their capacity for self-restraint and love so you almost forget the risk of their constant bloodlust.

This series takes the opposite route.  The opening pages demonstrate what happens when the vampires decide to let their vices go unchecked: nationwide fear as four cities swiftly fall victim to Mary’s revolution.  In each of these cities, you see the bloody ruins of what the vampires leave behind in the wake of their attacks, a grim portent of the dystopia that awaits the world should they succeed in the long run.

For that reason, you become highly invested in Andrew, “the only man who can save [the world],” according to best friend and fellow vampire hunter John Troughton.  Previous issues pretty well established our hero’s merciless dedication to policing his own kind.  That he has a completely loyal ally who grew up learning to hate vampires gives credit to Andrew’s virtue, and it gives you a sense of relief that he won’t have to fight this battle alone.

I, Vampire #1 – Review

by Joshua Hale Fialkov (writer), Andrea Sorrentino (art), Marcelo Maidlo (colors), and Pat Brosseau (letters)

The Review: Every once in a while, you read a comic that just has that indefinable, special “something” where everything just clicks.  This is one of those books and despite being semi-retired from WCBR, I had to come back for it.

With Catwoman, Red Hood, and Voodoo all coming out over the last two weeks, a lot has been made about the sex and violence that’s present in the DCnU.  For many, things like Starfire’s sex drive, Catwoman’s various states of undress, and Voodoo’s stripping constitute “mature content.”  I, Vampire is a book that makes such a definition of “mature content” appear laughable.  This, my friends, is quite possibly the most “mature” of the DC new 52.  There’s off-screen sex, there’s dead bodies galore, there’s violence, and there’s blood.

But unlike those other DC titles I mentioned, not a bit of this content is sensationalist or exploitative.  None of it is done purely for its own sake.  This is “mature content” that lives up to its name, where the violence is meaningful and emotionally laden and hence, all the more horrifying and affecting for it (there are a couple panels, a vampire attack in a subway station, that will surely haunt any reader).  The sexual tension between main characters Andrew and Marie is sincere, gripping, a relationship that is completely character driven.

There’s a strong argument to be made that Mary may be the sexiest female of the new 52.  She manages this without ever contorting her body into strange poses or showing off her lingerie.  Rather, it’s all in her words.  Mary’s dialogue is absolutely riveting.  Her sexuality is palpable, one psychological weapon in a mental toolbox for a character that is brilliant, sadistic, sociopathic, and utterly manipulative.  Fialkov has managed to fashion a character that leaps off the page.  Moreover, he’s made Mary into a character that is at once attractive and repulsive.  It’s clear that she’s evil and twisted as hell, and yet there’s no denying her charisma.  In fact, she’s such a seductive character that she seduces the reader almost as much as she does Andrew.  Her words, her playing on Andrew’s guilt and their shared history, her sadistic and sickening playfulness, all lead to an absolutely fascinating foil for Andrew.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth #1 – What a great and refreshing comic this was!  I love that a comic that has such outlandish ideas as an actual Axe Cop Academy, a talking hammer extolling his now brainless warrior companion (the cup) and a hero named Handcuff Man who has to be put to bed at night is told with 100% seriousness.  Lest we get lost in all the accolades this comic is getting for its zany story, let’s not forget that artist Ethan Nicolle is doing a wonderful job illustrating this comic.  I’d gladly take an ongoing Axe Cop comic!

Most Anticipated: The Walking Dead #82 – Ya know….because the zombies are going to eat some people.  The shit got REAL last issue as a quasi-main character got chewed, and I’m sure it’ll just get worse/better this month.  I do know one thing……  If I were trapped in a locked-up facility with a horde of zombies, I’d feel pretty good that Andrea was “safe” on the outside.  Do you think she’d run away or do something to help?  Me too….

Other Picks: I, Zombie #11, 27 #4, Lil Depressed Boy #2, X-Men Legacy #246, Batman Inc #3

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Powers #7 – It was a real dog-fight between this and Sweet Tooth #19, but in the end powers gets the nod, if only because I love Thor and this issue of Powers’ approach to the more problematic aspect of mythologically based superheroes really rung true to me.  This book may have taken half a year to come out, but it was smart, funny, and and pretty to look at.  It also had Deena Pilgrim in it, while Sweet Tooth did not.

Most Anticipated: Venom #1 – When this was first solicited, I yawned.  I haven’t cared about Venom since I was ten and Eddie Brock was under the symbiote.  Also, another covert-ops book?  Worse still, I have yet to totally forgive Rick Remender for Frankencastle.

But then I read Slott’s back-up introducing the new Venom.  Then I got tricked into buying Amazing Spider-Man #654.1 and really enjoyed it.  Then I read the preview for this issue, and liked what I saw, especially given that I’m always a sucker for gritty narration.  Hell, I even went and checked out a little Fear Agent just to wash the stink of Frankencastle a bit off of Remender.

Now I’m excited.  And Tony Moore?  That man and has fantastic art are always in my good graces, even with Frankencastle on his resume.

Other Picks: PunisherMAX #11, New Avengers #10, Batman Incorporated #3, Superboy #5, Wonder Woman #608

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Detective Comics #873 – In a week where I felt like I deserved a medal for valor for merely finishing my comics (thanks for that Marvel) that contained a notable death in Fantastic Four, three excellent Avengers comics, the shocking end to Uncanny X-Force, another stellar issue of American Vampire and a great start to New York Five, the best was Scott Snyder’s trippy end to his first story arc that combined gas masks, amputations, Scarecrow gas and Man-Bat juice to create a story where you didn’t know what was real and what was in Dick Grayson’s head.  This is far and away the best Bat book and that is saying something because all the Bat books are quite good right now.  Runner-up: New Avengers #8

Most Anticipated: She-Hulks #4 – The bad news is that its the end of the mini and the next time we see the She-Hulks it probably won’t be with Harrison Wilcox writing such clever dialog and Ryan Stegman drawing beautifully fun characters.  The good news is that I fully expect this series to close on a very high note.  The series has been fun as hell and you shouldn’t miss this final issue.

Other picks: I, Zombie #10, Doc Macabre #3, Amazing Spider-Man #653, Hulk #29

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Fantastic Four #587 – RIP Johnny.  A fantastic issue that succeeded on so many levels.  It wasn’ t just an emotional, heroic, and proper send-off for a character, as there were also thrills and, surprisingly, laughs to be had.  Truly, the sky is the limit for Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four and I can’t wait to see where he takes us over the next year.

Most Anticipated: Invincible #77 – It’s a shame, but delays have taken some of the steam out of the Viltrumite War these days as it seems that Invincible comes out whenever it feels like it these days.  That said, it was a pleasant surprise to see this making it to the stands this month.  The Viltrumites are heading to Earth as the War comes to it’s conclusion.  That alone is enough to grab my most anticipated spot.

Other Picks: Invincible Iron Man #500.1, Superboy #4, Secret Six #30, Sweet Tooth #18, Brightest Day #19, SHIELD #6

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Kato Origins #6 – I am really digging Kato Origins and issue #6 this week was cool ninja action, layered into WWII America, with the crime and racism that makes Kato one of the most outsider heroes I’ve ever seen. Next issue is the start of a new arc, so you should get ready.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #19 – Johns, Tomasi and the massive art crew have delivered some great issues recently and we’re gearing up for all the pieces to come together. That alone would have put Brightest Day near the top of my list, but Ivan Reis on Aquaman has been one of the real pulls for this series and this issue promises to be Aquaman heavy.

Other Picks: Captain America – Hail Hydra #2, Batman Confidential #53, Batman: Odyssey #6, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1, Marvel Vault: Doctor Strange #1

I, Zombie #9 – Review

By: Chris Roberson (writer), Michael Allred (art), Laura Allred (colors), Todd Klein (letters) & Shelly Bond (editor)

The Story: Gwyn goes out on a date with a monster hunter.

What’s Good: At its core, this comic has a ton of potential as just a human relationship type of comic.  Sure the main character is a zombie, but she still has hopes and aspirations and does things like goes on dates, which is the A-story in this issue.  As a reader is it hard not to like Gwyn and want her to find some happiness in her kinda tragic existence.  Still, you cringe when she goes on a date with Horatio the monster-hunter (to a miniature golf course of all places) because you know it probably won’t end well.

The Allreds’ art continues to be stellar.  When you have art like this in a comic series, you can ride out some rough patches in the story that would be cause real heartburn with weaker art.  Michael Allred has such a nice, soft line.  His women are really pretty in a girl-next-door sort of way; they never look like skanks.  Even the tramps don’t look like skanks.  And Laura Allred’s colors are the perfect match.  I love the blue/white she uses for Gwyn’s hair and the purple/pink for her skin tone.  It makes it clear that she is something other than a normal human.

I, Zombie #6 – Review

By: Chris Roberson (writer), Michael Allred (art), Laura Allred (colors) & Todd Klein (letters)

The Story: Now that we know where zombies, vampires & ghosts come from, what about were-terriers?

What’s Good: Roberson has a pretty complex story to tell and has to deal with the challenge of establishing all of the expansive groundwork for this series without allowing the reader to get bored, because issue #6 is still explaining to the reader “what is going on”.  He does a very good job of continuing exposition in this issue while also telling a touching tale of how Scott (the zombie’s boyfriend) became a were-terrier.  Let’s just say that you’ll never look at roadkill quite the same way again!

But, there is more to his story than that.  It also tells a touching story of how Scott was orphaned at a very young age and was taken in by his grandfather who just happened to be a golden age cartoon voice actor.  Of course, Scott loves this (becoming a comic geek) and has a hard time rationalizing that to his grandfather, this is just a “job” and that he sees as representative of his failure to be a “real actor”.  Clearly Roberson was making parallels to many golden age comic artists who didn’t have any sort of passion for comic books…they just needed a job and they could draw, so they did the work.  As he grows, Scott (predictably) grows away from his grandfather but everything comes full circle in a way that is appropriate for this funny series while also slightly touching.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Green Lantern #54 – Out of a very solid week (my reviews were, unusually, B’s and A’s), Green Lantern takes the crown. Hal Jordan, arguing and bickering with Sinestro and Carol Ferris, while they all try to figure out an impending doom, was just awesome. And the collection of the entities from the different batteries cranked up the tension and mystery. Tune into Brightest Day!

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #3: The last installments of the Brightest Day event (GL #54 and GLC #48) have me chomping at the bit to see what happens next.

Other Top Picks: Red Robin #13, Red Hood: Lost Days #1 (of 6), Adventure Comics #12, Thanos Imperative #1, Avengers Prime #1, Darkstar and the Winter Guard #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Madame Xanadu #23 – A solid conclusion to a really fun arc.  Great art and continual little winks and nods to its readership make for a great time, along with a cast that is universally lovable.

Most Anticipated: iZombie #2 -With a first issue that was almost entirely introduction and set-up, I don’t think we’ve really gotten enough to sink are teeth into from iZombie.  Hopefully this issue will give us more to gauge.  For this reason, this issue carries much of the same excitement for me that #1 did.

Other Picks: Brightest Day #2, Sweet Tooth #10

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Amazing Spider-Man #632 – A combination of GREAT art with a really nice reimagining of a classic Spider-man rogue (The Lizard) to make him much scarier than he used to be.  ASM has been on a great run for the last 6 months or so.

Most Anticipated: The Thanos Imperative #1 – I was looking forward to Thanos Imperative: Ignition last week and it was really good.  Marvel doesn’t keep us waiting by bringing out the first issue of the Cosmic event this week.  I can’t wait.  This will be the first book out of the stack this week!

Other picks: Red Robin #13, I, Zombie #2, Dust Wars #1, Bulletproof Coffin #1, Avengers Prime #1