Category: reviews

Review: Invincible Iron Man #4

Ezekiel Stane has a grudge. Li’l Zeke blames Tony Stark for the death of his dear old dad, former Iron Man villain Obadiah Stane, aka the Iron Monger. Zeke is making it his life’s mission to bring down Tony Stark as well as the company he has built, and all the while using Tony’s own Iron Man technology to do it. Can Tony stop Ezekiel in time before he destroys Stark Enterprises, as well as bringing down the Iron Man himself?

The hunt for Ezekiel Stane continues in issue four of this explosive new series from writer Matt Fraction and artist Salvador Larroca. Fraction continues to deliver a pretty solid story. I wasn’t as thrilled with this issue as I was the previous issues, but I still very much enjoyed it. The only problem I had story wise with this issue was that it seemed to slow down considerably compared to the other three. I was looking for more of the explosions, chases and action that made the first three issues a blast. Don’t get me wrong though, there are some really great moments in this issue. I loved the interaction of Tony and Maria Hill. I think Fraction has a really great grasp of both of these characters, especially Maria. And, being a big fan of chess, I loved the opening with Tony and Reed Richards playing chess on five boards simultaneously. Really, really good stuff there!

I would have to say my biggest problem with the book comes from the art. I don’t want to sound like I’m bashing Larroca’s work. I have always enjoyed his stuff in the past, especially when he was on Extreme X-Men. But his stuff in this issue just didn’t really hit with me. I thought his first three issues were much, much stronger. There were some moments with the some of the characters that I thought just didn’t look right to me, especially the scenes with Reed. Overall, it was still a good read. I would have liked a little bit more action, but their were some really great character moments that made up for it. If you haven’t checked this series out yet, it’s definitely worth giving a shot!

WRITER: MATT FRACTION
ARTIST: SALVADOR LARROCA
COLORS: FRANK D’ARMATA
LETTERS: CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
EDITOR: WARREN SIMONS
Rated A …$2.99

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Review: Venom: Dark Origin #1

Yeah, okay, where to start? I guess, as Eddie Brock would want, with the truth. I hadn’t intended to read this series. I’m not a fan of Venom. Now I’ve enjoyed his appearances over the years in Spider-Man, but have never picked up any of the series focusing on him. This was going to be no different, to my mind. Of all the titles coming out on August 6th, I’m not even sure why I decided to read this one first, but I did and I’m glad of it. This first issue is not dedicated to the origin of Venom, but rather focuses solely on Eddie Brock. Let me just say this, by the second page I had decided that Brock was waaaayyy more messed up then I ever imagined. I always saw him as a guy who made some bad choices and that his erratic/psychotic behavior was a result of his bond with the symbiote. Evidently this is not even remotely the case. This issue shows Brock’s life from elementary age up to college. We only see little snippets, but they are very telling. Within the first few pages, pages that are previewed here for you, there is an implication that Eddie Brock may have shown some early indications that he was a serial killer in the making. Or perhaps a spree killer.

Zeb Wells does an excellent job of creating interest in a character you thought you already knew. Usually, when reading a comic, or any bit of fiction really, there is the hope for some surprise twist in the story, something you didn’t see coming. The interesting thing about this story is I didn’t see the tone or direction of this story coming. Perhaps I should have, though, because it makes perfect sense. Eddie Brock becomes a much more interesting and compelling character. The question this all raises in my mind concerns the morality that played a fairly important role in Venom’s attitude toward protecting innocents. As I’ve said I’m no Venom scholar, and my recollection is vague, but I always thought his goal was to kill Spider-Man and protect the innocents. Wells may be intending to change things up a bit. I’m very interested to see where he goes from here.

The art on the book was excellent. I’ve always associated Angel Medina with Spawn, a character created by Todd McFarlane, so it seems a natural fit for him to be working on Venom, another McFarlane creation. Well, partially created by McFarlane. Anyway, the art matches the tone of the story wonderfully. It is a very detailed, but strongly cartoon based style with great use of cross-hatching, contrast, angles and perspective. The inker for Medina is Scott Hanna and colorist is Matt Milla. These three work seamlessly together. I would love to see the work at each stage to really get a feel for what each artist added to each page.

Venom: Dark Origin #1 was an interesting read, adding a great deal to a character who’s been around for quite awhile. The great thing about it is you don’t have to be a fan of Venom or Eddie Brock, you don’t have to be reading Spider-Man, or even have any knowledge of either character, really, to enjoy this book. It’s really an excellent introduction to the character. For long time fans, this starts at the beginning before Eddie Brock was Venom, so I think it’s safe to say, you’ll want to read this, too.

Surprisingly, recommended for any fan of Marvel comics.

COVER BY: ANGEL MEDINA
WRITER: ZEB WELLS
PENCILS: ANGEL MEDINA
INKS: SCOTT HANNA
COLORS: MATT MILLA
LETTERS: JOE CARAMAGNA
EDITOR: ALEJANDRO ARBONA

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Review: Patsy Walker: Hellcat #2

Her first day on her new job and Pasty Walker is already on thin ice. Actually, it’s kinda more like through the ice. After being attacked by a giant squid monster and dragged into icy Alaskan waters at the end of the first issue, Hellcat now finds herself in the company of a group of Shamans who inhabit the Middle World. The Shamans charge Hellcat with the task of finding their heir, who has apparently been kidnapped by the cannibalistic Windigo. Is the feisty Hellcat up to the task? You better believe it!

This series continues to be just a fun, kinetic read! I found this issue to be a little hard to figure out what was going on in certain spots, but it was such a fun story that I was able to look past it. Writer Kathryn Immonen does a great job of delivering a story that is keeping me interested in what’s going to happen next. And David Lafuenta’s art is not too bad either! His style is a perfect fit for this type of book and really adds to the fun, lightheartedness of it.

Hellcat is a character I’ve never been familiar with so this has been my first exposure to her. Immonen has done a great job of getting me interested in this character and wanting to find out more about her. I’m not sure how this version of Hellcat compares to the one that was in the old Avengers series, but I’m definitely going to be looking up some of her old stories! If you haven’t given this book a shot yet, I highly recommend picking it up and giving it a try!

COVER: STUART IMMONEN
WRITER: KATHRYN IMMONEN
ARTIST: DAVID LAFUENTE
COLORS: JOHN RAUCH
LETTERS: DAVE AND NATALIE LANPHEAR
EDITOR: NICK LOWE
Rated A …$2.99

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Review: Ms. Marvel #29

I haven’t really been following this title, and now I’m very, very sorry. I also haven’t been following every tie-in with this event, but I’ve been following some of them and this is one of the few issues that has been entirely in the present. This is what I’ve been looking for in the narrative. Battles against overwhelming odds, chase scenes, and a surprise on the last page to get you ready for the next issue. What more can you ask for?

Brian Reed tells the tale of what happens to Ms. Marvel as one of the only heroes fighting the Skrulls in New York. I don’t know where all the other heroes in the Marvel U are, but I can tell you where the Skrulls are. Well, actually I can’t because they seem to be popping up everywhere, but there are a boatload of them in this issue and Mr. Reed makes it clear that they don’t like Ms. Marvel, or her resistance to their invasion, very much.

Doing a fine job on art, we’ve got Adriana Melo on pencils, Mariah Benes on inks, and Paulo Siqueira on pages 11 – 16. They convey the scale of the invasion and the overwhelming forces the heroes face beautifully. Now, I generally try to keep my reviews on the positive side but I have to interject here that while the art is well done, it doesn’t really do anything for me. These are professional comic book artists who have achieved mastery of their art form, so I don’t want to take away from that, but I didn’t feel that this was the best this book could have or should have looked. That said, the story does move along well and is one of the best tie-ins I’ve read so far.

Recommended for anyone following Secret Invasion.

COVER: GREG HORN
WRITER: BRIAN REED
PENCILS: ADRIANA MELO and PAULO SIQUEIRA
INKS: MARIAH BENES and PAULO SIQUEIRA
COLORS: CHRIS SOTOMAYOR
LETERS: DAVE SHARPE
EDITOR: STEPHEN WACKER
Rated T+ …$2.99

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Review: Fantastic Four: True Story #1

When Reed Richards can no longer find solace in the theatrical version of “Josie and the Pussycats”, you know something very serious must be going on! But when the whole world seems to lose it’s love for fiction, some villian must definitely be behind it! Now it’s up to the Fantastic Four, with the help of their old friend Willie Lumpkin, to get to the bottom of the problem. Get ready to take a journey through classic literature with the Fantastic Four as your guides in this all new four part miniseries!

Writer Paul Cornell (Captain Britain and MI:13, Wisdom, TV’s Dr. Who) and artist Horacio Domingues seem to have something really special going on with this series. This book was just a really fun, off the wall experience from start to finish. This is probably unlike any other Fantastic Four book you’ve read before! The story literally finds the FF using their imaginations to get to the bottom of the worlds sudden missing love for fiction. Along the way, the team encounters classic characters throughout literature including Dante (not the one from Clerks) and the Dashwood sisters from Sense and Sensibility. You really feel that Cornell has a great love for the classics with this story. Horacio Domingues’ art is just a blast to look at! His playful style is really a wonderful fit for this book. Just wait till you get a look at the Fictocraft! I would love to see what he could do with Spider-Man. This was just an all around great read that I truly had a blast with and can’t recommend enough!


COVER BY: NIKO HENRICHON

WRITER: PAUL CORNELL

PENCILS: HORACIO DOMINGUES
INKS: HORACIO DOMINGUES
COLORED BY: HORACIO DOMINGUES

LETTERER: DAVE LANPHEAR
EDITOR: TOM BREVOORT
Rated A …$2.99

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Review: Black Panther #39

The Skrulls think an invasion of Wakanda will be a walk in the park. But King T’Challa, the Black Panther, and the citizens of Wakanda have other plans! It’s non-stop Secret Invasion excitement as the Skrulls bring the fight to Wakanda’s front door! Black Panther #39 features the new creative team of writer Jason Aaron and artist Jefte Palo. Story wise, I thought this issue was a really good read. I loved the back and forth between the Skrull battleship and the Wakandan command center leading up to a final confrontation at the gates of Wakanda. I really appreciated the insight we get into the motivation of the Skrull Commander leading the Wakandan invasion. For me, it really helped make the battle feel more than just another Skrull attack. You knew the Skrull leading this mission was fighting for a purpose and I felt that really added to the story. Really great writing on Jason Aaron’s part. The art from Jefte Palo was kinda hit or miss for me. There were a couple of splash pages that I thought looked really good, especially some of the battle scenes. But than there were other spots that just didn’t really do anything for me. Overall, this was a really good issue and an excellent tie-in to the Secret Invasion event. There were some really well done battle sequences and the story was well written. This book is definitely worth picking up!

COVER: JASON PEARSON
WRITER: JASON AARON
ARTIST: JEFTE PALO
COLORIST: LEE LOUGHRIDGE
LETTERER: VC’S CORY PETIT
EDITOR: AXEL ALONSO
Rated T+ …$2.99

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Review: True Believers #1

The heroes of the Marvel Universe better look out! There’s a new team in town, and their not completely into the whole hero scene. In fact, if your a hero in the Marvel U., you better make sure all those dirty little secrets you don’t want the public to know are well guarded or you may end of like… You’ll just have to check out True Believers #1 to find out!

Written by Cary Bates (Flash, Star Brand, Superman) and illustrated by Paul Gulacy (Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu, Six From Sirius, Batman, Catwoman) issue one introduces us to the True Believers, a team of four computer hacking superheroes who use their powers and abilities to run a popular tabloid style blog that covers the slimier side of the Marvel Universe as well as the latest superhero gossip and dirt. The team’s leader, Mavis Trent who goes by the name Payback, also doubles as an adviser for S.H.I.E.L.D. I really, really dug the hell out of this first issue! The story is told from the view point of Mavis, who I found to be a really fun character to read. Bates’ dialog is very believable and has a great flow about it. This is the first time I have read any of Bates’ work, and so far I am thoroughly impressed. The story was very entertaining, and the cliff hanger at the end really leaves you wondering: did this really happen?

The art from Paul Gulacy is absolutely phenomenal! Once again, Gulacy is an artist I am not familiar with, but I thought the stuff he did in this issue was outstanding. Each panel was incredibly detailed and he draws some absolutely stunning women! I am really curious to see where this book goes. Based on the end of this issue, I’m wondering what kind of dirt we will be getting on some of our other favorite heroes? Definitely give this book a try, I can’t recommend it enough!

COVER BY: PAUL GULACY
WRITER: CARY BATES
PENCILS: PAUL GULACY
INKS: PAUL GULACY
COLORS: RAIN BEREDO
LETTERS: ARTMONKEY’S DAVE LANPHEAR
EDITOR: MOLLY LAZER & BILL ROSEMANN
Rated T+ …$2.99

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Review: She-Hulk #31

When She-Hulk and bounty hunting partner/Skrull Jazinda land in Detroit tracking down a premonition Jazinda has regarding the highly revered Skrull Talisman, the pair find themselves crossing paths with private mutant investigators X-Factor who believe the duo are after some friends of theirs. But are these “friends” really who they say they are? Get ready as the Secret Invasion infiltrates the She-Hulk’s world in She-Hulk #31!

She-Hulk #31 continues the story that began in X-Factor #33 and ties into the current Secret Invasion event. Since Peter David is writing both books, the story in this issue fits in seamlessly with the one in X-Factor. David does a good job of mixing humor and action and keeping the story moving forward. Having not been a reader of either X-Factor or She-Hulk, I found the story was easy to jump into and I was able to pick up enough information from the characters that I didn’t feel I needed to read all of the She-Hulk back issues to know what was going on. The Secret Invasion parts of the story feel as if they could potentially be a big part of the event, but seem almost a little too big for She-Hulk and X-Factor. Then again, Peter David might just be setting up something that is going to play out in one of the bigger Invasion books. Either way, I’m definitely enjoying the story and I’m looking forward to the next issue of X-Factor to see how this pans out.

I thought the art from the team of penciler Vincenzo Cucca and inker Vincenzo Acunza was pretty solid. I wouldn’t call it spectacular, but I felt it fit the story well. I thought each of the characters were well drawn and that there were some pretty good action scenes. However, at times I felt that some of the panels may have been a little lacking in detail. There was nothing that was just blaring out at me, but there were just a few places here and there I thought the artist could have added a little more detail to the surroundings.

In all, I really had a good time with this book. The story was fun and has me looking forward to what happens next. If your enjoying the Secret Invasion event, and haven’t picked this book up before, definitely give it a shot. I think you will be glad you did!

COVER: MIKE DEODATO & RAIN BEREDO
WRITER: PETER DAVID
PENCILER: VINCENZO CUCCA
INKER: VINCENZO ACUNZA
COLORIST: BARBARA CIARDO
LETTERER: DAVE SHARPE
EDITOR: BILL ROSEMANN
Rated T+ …$2.99

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