Wonder Woman #613 – Review

By J. Michael Straczynski & Phil Hester (writers), Don Kramer & Travis Moore (pencils), Wayne Faucher, Walden Wong & Drew Geraci( inks), Pete Pantazis (colors) and Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: In a long bout of desperately needed exposition and explanation, Diana finally learns the details of, and the motivation behind, the Nemesis’s plans for her. But with the truth finally revealed, can Diana hope to overcome her old enemy without losing herself in the process?

What’s Good: Huh! What an odd feeling. I just read a really good issue of Wonder Woman. You’ll have to forgive my dazed reaction here–it’s been quite a long time since this has happened. Although this issue is extremely talky, and features one of the largest single infodumps in recent memory, I am actually okay with that. Information and explanation is what this headache of a storyline has needed for a long time. Would this have worked better if this information was parceled out more, and hinted at over the course of several other issues? Sure, but at this point I’m just happy to finally have a solid grasp on what’s going on, and what the goals of the major characters are. Fortunately, the exposition is delivered on the back of a very nice fight scene and some interesting pseudo-philosophical musings that break the back-story up a bit.

San Diego Comic-Con: Part 1 – Intro and Art

As you may have gathered from all the SDCC related messages on WCBR’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, I was lucky enough to attend all four days of the San Diego Comic-Con. It takes place yearly right in my backyard, but this was my first time attending (and it was only my second convention ever–the first being ECCC ’11 earlier this year.

Overall Impressions: “Overwhelming” is the first adjective that comes to mind. Unlike ECCC, which–although quite large–maintains a very relaxed and genial atmosphere, SDCC felt extremely impersonal (with some exceptions, which we’ll talk about) and quite difficult to navigate both physically and cognitively. Was it fun? Absolutely! But it was also extraordinarily draining in a way that ECCC was not. ECCC was pure recreation and joy for me; SDCC made me work for the fun.

Quick Hit Reviews Week of Feb. 16, 2011

Some weeks it is just insane how many comics get published.  Despite the intrepid efforts of our writing staff here at WCBR, we simply can’t do a full review of every comic.  Thus, we bring you the quick-hit reviews where we say a few words about some comics that were pretty darn good and some others that are not so much…

Silver Surfer #1 – The story here is pretty good stuff.  It isn’t the best story ever regarding the Surfer, but a very solid story involving Earthly affairs with a surprising guest starring role from the High Evolutionary.  This action seems to dovetail with the High Evolutionary story occurring in the Iron Man – Thor miniseries from Abnett & Lanning.  What really puts this issue over the top is the art.  Stephen Segovia and Victor Olazaba do an awesome job drawing and inking (especially inking) the Surfer and Wil Quintana contributes great cosmic colors.  I am trying to pare down my “non-essential” Marvel titles, but this display of art will probably have me sticking around.  Grade: A-  — Dean Stell

Wolverine & Jubilee #2 – This is a great series so far that casts Wolverine in his best role: as mentor to a younger hero.  Not only is this my favorite role for Wolverine, but it has always been the best way to bring new members into the X-universe.  Jubilee isn’t new, but she is in a new “role” as she adapts to her vampiric powers (which we learn more about in this issue).  Kathryn Immonen even works in some very funny bits such as Wolverine’s revelation that one can apparently get one’s tongue stuck to Colossus if it is really cold outside.  I DEMAND that that story be in the next Strange Tales!  This issue is also telling a neat story that shows Logan and Jubilee finding zombies in Siberia and it would have gotten a better grade if not for a wholly confusing final page.  Seriously, the final page made me wonder if there was a printing error and I’d missed something.  Phil Noto’s art is again wonderfully pretty.  He draws such pretty eyes on his women.  Grade: B+  — Dean Stell

Venom/Deadpool #1 – No character but Deadpool could pull off a comic like this, and I highly doubt that many writers other than Remender could have written it. This fourth-wall slaughtering romp through the Marvel U is a great deal of fun, with in-jokes, creative references and absurdity to spare. The artwork is big and bold (as well it should be for this kind of a tale) and the story itself–Deadpool is on a quest to find the Continuity Cube, thus making himself the single most relevant character in the Marvel Universe–is a very funny concept that both Remender and Moll execute very well. I must admit, I’m glad I bought the single, $2.99 comic rather than trying to piece together the four mini-chapters that were spread out over four different books. The story is good enough, and fun enough, that $2.99 feels just about right. Any more cost–or effort–than that would be a little much though, even for a ‘Pool-addict like myself.  Grade: B    — SoldierHawk

Justice League of America #54 – What a difference new art makes!  Bagley’s time on this title was pretty drab, but I really, REALLY like the work that Brett Booth is doing in this issue.  Booth’s classic figures (with a beautiful fine line from inker Norm Rapmund) combines really well with Andrew Dalhouse’s understated colors.  I so enjoy this muted color scheme to brilliant and shiny colors.  The story is pretty good too showing Eclipso coming “back” and beginning to recruit shadow-powered villains.  Very little actual JLA in this issue, but that’s fine.  Hopefully this is the arc where James Robinson’s turn on the series finds its footing.  Very promising.  Grade: B  — Dean Stell

Captain America: Man Out of Time #4 – This series continues to be a wonderful character showcase for Steve, and a more overarching look at his current relevance to the Marvel Universe. I especially like Cap’s being forced to face the less-savory parts of American history he’s missed (rather breezily–or perhaps, very calculatingly–passed over by Tony Stark’s version of the temporal tour.) I am and always will be a huge Tony Stark fan, so the contrast we see between his America, and General Simon’s America, was fascinating, and a lot of fun to read. My only complaint is that, in this issue especially (and mostly for the sake of pushing the story along), Steve seems awfully naive. I understand that both he and the 40s are supposed to represent a more innocent and morally straightforward time, but…c’mon. Cap’s a soldier. He fought the Nazis for crying out loud. He’s seen the absolute worst of what humanity has to offer…and he’s really THAT shocked by the fact that, yes, crime and Bad Things still exist in America today? I do understand why he might be disappointed, but Waid and company spend far too much time milking that for the sake of a larger message.  Grade: B-   — SoldierHawk

Quick Hit Reviews: Week of February 9, 2011

 

Yeesh… What a lot of comics last week, huh?  Especially after the preceding week being so light that we didn’t even need to do a “quick hits” feature.  That’s randomness for you!  But, the upshot of this weekly feature is that all of the writing staff at WCBR have pretty extensive pull lists and despite our best efforts, some issues don’t get a full review.  Thus, we bring you “quick hit reviews”

Black Panther: Man without Fear #515 – Good and bad with this issue and story.  The good: Francesco Francavilla’s art is just incredibly good.  He’s a real master of dark, moody and atmospheric art.  A bonus is that he colors his own work, so there is a very clear sense of lighting.  I’m also enjoying the story by David Liss of a depowered Black Panther fighting eastern European gangsters.  My only quibbles are that the script is a little verbose and that I don’t understand why Marvel doesn’t just let Francavilla do the cover also.  Really?  A Simone Bianchi cover on a Francavilla book?  There is nothing similar about their styles.  Grade: B — Dean Stell

Osborn #3 – What a sneaky good book this is!!!  Ms. DeConnick writes a very creepy and chilling Norman Osborn: Composed and methodical one moment and a frenzied psycho the next.  This is basically the story of how Osborn busts out of federal custody where he has been since the days of Siege.  Emma Rios’ art is a show stealer.  She is really, really talented and gets to draw all sorts of cool detailed stuff in this issue (including a bad ass riot at the super-villain prison).  Grade: B — Dean Stell

Carnage #3 – Zeb Wells spins a really good symbiote story and Clayton Crain sells how creepy the Carnage symbiote is.  The whole story is just hopping along with the symbiote having taken a new host (that kinda made sense) and busted out of his holding cell before running across town to find a BIG SURPRISE!  This is a well-paced and enjoyable comic.  Even though I enjoyed it and am giving it a good grade, I’m going to throw a rock (or two).  Why does Carnage have to come back this way?  Why can’t a C-list character like him have a new chapter with the lady host?  That would have been more interesting (I think).  And I am really warming to Crain’s art, but wish that he wouldn’t darken the panel every time there is action.  I want to see what is going on!  Grade: B-   — Dean Stell

Tyrannosaurus Rex One-Shot – This was a fun romp.  Not much in the way of story: Caveman village getting repeatedly ruined by a T. Rex.  Village chieftain offers his comely daughter to any many brave enough to slay the beastie.  One randy young man decides to give it a try.  Lots of really good dinosaurs in this comic by Jeff Zornow (including adding the feathers that scientists are now pretty certain they possessed).  The only bummer is that it would have been nice to see a little more of the comely daughter.  Grade: C+ — Dean Stell

WCBR Quick Hit Reviews – Week of 12/15/2010

Sometimes we get a few more comics than we can review in full, so here are the balance of the comics read by the WCBR staff, some good, and some pretty bad.

Thunderbolts #151 – This was a great little story that tells the origin of Ghost (for those who care of such things).  Again, Jeff Parker smashes an incredible amount of story into a normal sized comic.  Goodness do I wish he could rub off on some of his fellow Marvel creators (e.g. Fraction, Matt).  At the end, you’re crystal clear on why Ghost hates corporations and you really don’t blame him.  Very nice art by Kev Walker! Grade: B+ — Dean Stell

Doc Macabre #1 – Why buy this odd horror comic from IDW?  Well, it is drawn by Bernie Wrightson and that is reason enough for me.   Wrightson is a Hall of Fame-level comic artist who still has his fastball.  This comic looks great!  As for the story, it is about some young ghost hunter guy (Doc Macabre) who uses his wizardry and gadgets to get rid of ghosts and zombies for money.  Story is entertaining, but nothing spectacular.  Worth buying if you love beautiful sequential art.  Grade: B — Dean Stell

Captain America: Man Out of Time #2 – By Mark Waid (writer), Jorge Molina (pencils), Karl Kesel (inks), Frank D’Armata (colors), VC’s Joe Sabino (letters) I’m already on record as loving the premise of this book, and this issue has me loving the execution right along with it. Although Cap’s wild and rather exaggerated mood swings could have very easily come across as silly or out of character, Waid brings out just the right note in each episode to not only keep them realistic, but to use them to reinforce Steve Rogers’ essential humanity. (After all, who WOULDN’T go just a little bit nuts after being unfrozen, time-traveled, and brought face to face with an alien in the same two or three hour time span!) Special note has to be taken of the short but very sweet scene where Cap discovers his personal proof that he is not trapped in a dream. Moments like that, while possible in other mediums, are what make comics so special. A perfect marriage of a single, powerful static image and piece of dialog that packs (a rather unexpected) emotional punch. Very well done, and well worth picking up.  Grade: B — SoldierHawk

Two New Series To Be Freakishly Pumped About

DS: Hey SoldierHawk! I heard a fangirlish squeal of joy all the way in Canada. What’s that all about?

SH: Hey DS! That would have been me, reading that the new Batwoman monthly series–which I have been not-so-patiently waiting for since Rucka and Williams’ run on Detective Comics ended–finally has a release date! According to DC, issue #1 will be on shelves in February. Additionally, they will be releasing a zero issue in November. *SQUEEEE!!!* 😀 Now I have to say DS…I heard *you* hollering for joy as well, all the way down here in SoCal. Care to share the source of your happiness with the rest of us?

DS: OK. I can totally buy that you’d be happy about Batwoman. Rucka and Williams have done some amazing work on her. Her long absence from the monthlies has *got* to mean that they’re planning to do this series right. My shout for joy (a much more masculine one btw) was on seeing the ads for the new John Carter series by Dynamite, called Warlord of Mars. I am a total Edgar Rice Burroughs fan, and just at the time I started collecting comics and discovering bargain bins, I’d picked up a couple of issues on Marvel’s old run, which (a) got me completely hooked and (b) pointed me in the direction of Warlord of Mars, the first novel I ever bought, maybe the second I ever read. The art (internal and cover) looks amazing, and Dynamite has a real track record for taking classic and public domain characters (Princess of Mars is public domain) and turning them into original serial adventures. But let me put this to you: There are some amazing comics out there right now, some of which you review every month. Why the big deal about Batwoman?

SH: I’m a huge fan of the Barsoom series myself! (Specifically the novels…I’ve never had the pleasure of reading the old comics.) But to answer your question about Batwoman, I love the books she’s been in; and I am ridiculously excited about the monthly to come–because of Kate Kane herself. I love the fact that, although she has the requisite tragic past that all superheroes (and more specifically, all members of the Bat-family) must possess, it is not exclusively the memory of this tragedy that drives her. Her goal in life had been to become a soldier, but that dream dies for her after being kicked out of West Point. In spite of this she still feels compelled to serve and protect, and she turns to nightly crime fighting as a way to fulfill this need. I find the “superheroism as a substitute for military service” angle fascinating, and I think it gives Kate a very unique perspective and motivation that not many other heroes have. I also very much enjoy the way her relationship with her friends and family is portrayed; the Detective Comics storylines did a better job than any comic I’ve read to date of balancing the hero’s real-life concerns and relationships with their superheroic activities. Now, my question for you: what was it about John Carter and his stories grabbed your attention so thoroughly when you first discovered them?