OMAC #1 Review: OCRAP

1/5 Stars
Writers and Artists:  Dan Didio and Keith Giffen pretending to be Jack Kirby

I'll admit that I am no fan of OMAC from before.  I think he was the worst thing Jack Kirby ever came up with and shouldn't have made it out of the 70s.  It's a stupid name, stupid look, and everything around him was stupid.  For some reason people love him, and Didio and Giffen are two of those people.  Now this is not indictment on their works as a whole, just this god awful book.

The story is mostly OMAC destroying the Cadmus science labs and fighting everything weird Cadmus throws in his way.  The shocking ending is that OMAC is really Kevin Khom, mild mannered Cadmus scientist, who has no memory of becoming OMAC.  He's being manipulated by Brother Eye (who says eye instead of I, very annoying) into uploading said Brother into the Cadmus Mainframe.

I literally groaned everytime I turned the page.  The book is filled with bad throwbacks to the original OMAC series.  Build-A-Friends, Gobblers, and Dubbilex (I'm not going to even try to explain what they are, just google it if you really hate yourself) are all in their full glory. Kirby was really into doing weird for weird sake and this issue reflects it.  The dialogue is laughable (I...am...OMAC!).  The art is ok, but it tries to be Kirby so hard it's sad.  I don't know if they were going for printed fan fiction, but this is what we have.   

I would not recommend this book even for punishment of murderers in third world countries.  My only hope is that it's cancelled in a timely manner.

Green Arrow #1 Review

4/5 Stars
Writer:  J. T. Krul
Artist:  Dan Jurgens
Inker(Traced by):  George Perez


Green Arrow has been the best retooled character for the DCU.  He's fun to watch, he's likable, and the character feels modern.  Sure it's kind of the same concept of a guy who loves to wear green shoots people with arrows, but it has a contemporary flair to it.  He mentions Youtube and uses wi-fi arrows for pete's sake. 

Most of the book is Arrow fighting three super villains on a boat (insert relevant joke here).  It's fun to see a guy without powers taking on three powerhouses with a bow and a bunch of trick arrows.  He's the underdog, but as the star of the book you know he's going to win.  The rest of the plot is filled with some corporate drama that may or may not be a interesting subplot.  It's a good opening chapter for what seems to be an interesting story. 

The best part of the book is Green Arrow is the title character.  Oliver Queen is a selfmade man who cannot let himself sit on the sidelines while he has something to offer.  Arrow's not afraid to speak his mind or talk down the super villains.  Krul has Arrow wondering why criminals are romanticized instead of looked down upon.  Interesting coming from a guy who resembles Robin Hood.

The art is good but nothing great.  Jurgens with Perez doesn't make the book feel like it's 2011, but rather 1995.  It doesn't diminish the story in any way, but it feels dated to a degree.  Not complaining, just observing.

Ultimately it's a fun book and I would recommend buying it for anybody who loves anything to do with comic books, green, or arrows.

Dectective Comics #1 Review

3.5/5 Stars
Writer and Artist (Showoff):  Tony Salvador Daniel


Batman and the Joker fight.  Batman wins.  That's pretty much it.  Oh and the ending was horrific.

The story is a regular Batman versus Joker story.  Same old shenanigans between the Caped Crusader and the Laughing Prince.  What shines in the book is that Daniel knows how to do it right.  The art is crisp and exciting, the dialogue natural.  There was no part of the book where I didn't have fun reading it.  Yes I've probably been told this story a buttload of times, but it's still fun and exciting.  There's nothing old about ultimate good taking on ultimate evil. 

The book itself is pretty self contained, excepted for a gruesome ending that I'm not giving away.  It sets up what may be an interesting story arc.  I can't wait to see what they're going with the Batman franchise, as they can move around some of the more tedious parts. Sometimes it's good to shake up the status quo. 

So recommended for those who love a good Batman story, Joker fans, or just someone who doesn't have anything better to do with $2.99, plus tax.  

Swamp Thing #1 Review: 100% Alan Moore Free

3.5/5 Stars
Writer:  Scott Snyder
Artist:  Yanick Paquette


On it's own merits this book is halfway decent but it does have a certain appeal that grows on you.  Mr.  Snyder you have got my attention and I want more.  Let me tell you why:

The book begins with Swamp Thing no longer around.  We have good old and not dead Alec Holland back (did not see that coming).  He doesn't know how he got to be back to normal, but remembers being Swamp Thing.  Birds,bat, and fish are all dying at the same time gaining the attention from the world's superheroes.  Alec meanwhile is building homes in Louisiana, no interested in pursuing the science that originally created Swamp Thing.  Though there's a lot of science babble in his inter-monologue as if he was lecturing to himself    Weird stuff happens, weird stuff happens, and the ending is a great cliffhanger.

I loved Yanick's art through the issue.  The cover is as iconic as you could get and the interior is very beautiful and consistent.  Makes me want to cry is so damn good. I loved the use of panel breaks, plus the strong coloring of Nathan Fairbarn really bring out the details instead of hide them.

The first half is kind of a chore to read.  There's some vanilla dialogue, slow plot, and little action.  The last few pages move rather fast and like I said before the end is just as bad as an episode of Lost.  You just can't wait until the next episode.  Definitely recommended for Swamp Thing fans, fans of more intelligent comic books (no fart jokes here), and people who like swamps.

Stormwatch #1: You've got Wildstorm in my DC

3/5 Stars


Writer:  Paul Cornell
Artist:  Miguel Sepulveda

I'm a little concerned the powers that be decided to blur the lines between DC and Wildstorm.  The Wildstorm Universe had it's own unique, and mostly R rated flavor, that came to fruition during the late 90's and early 00's.  It was more violent, more adult, and a little more sexy than DC proper.  I guess after they bought the property (and the very soul of Jim Lee), they thought it would be better merged with the DC Universe.  Now we can have the in canon fight between Midnighter and Batman, and the struggle between Apollo and Superman.  I just hope they stay in their own corners of the universe or this could end awkwardly for fans.

Anyway the book itself is kind of a tease.  We're introduced to Stormwatch, a centuries old institution with the objective of keeping the Earth safe from extra terrestrial threats.  They have superpowers but aren't superheroes (kind of hipster).  They're the professionals, while the Justice League are amateurs (say that to Batman's face).  The story moves from one team trying to recruite Apollo to join them, and the other characters in the HQ or on missisons.  It's kind of a quirky burrito that entices the reader for more but doesn't get too intimate with them. 

The characters of the book are probably the biggest downside.  I've seen most these guys before in the Authority and here they come off as wusses.  Apollo doesn't want to join, waa, waa, waa.  Jack Hawksmoor is an elitist who can talk to and use cities, a reverse Bear Grylls.  Martian Manhunter is probably wondering as much as the reader why he's in this book and not in the freaking Justice League. The Engineer barely registers in this book, showing up on only four pages.  Sucks to be on guard duty.

Sepulveda's art is inconsistent.  On one page a character will be shown detailed and exciting, and in the next page they look like a goof.  Also the redesigns for Martian Manhunter and Midnighter look unimpressive.  What was wrong with their original looks or are they eventually going that way?

It's good to see a new Stormwatch book, but this is one step away from Wildstorm-Lite.  I would recommend it to new fans, but those who loved the old Stormwatch or Authority stay away.

Hawk and Dove #1 Review

3/5 Stars
Writer:  Sterling Gates
Artist:  "Sigh"  Rob Liefeld

I take that sigh back.  The art is probably the strength of the book.  Liefeld puts together a strong opening act, featuring the heroes battling some hired goons in a crashing plane over Washington DC.  There's good symbolism in the characters' poses as they do battle .  Hawk bristling with energy and Dove calm and cool.  Sure there's some muscles where there are no muscles, but at least Dove poses like she has a spine. Yep, you've come a long way Rob.  Still far to go.

The story is ok.  There's a lot of dialogue from Hawk and Dove to other characters how they don't get along all that great.  Hawk misses his dead brother, who used to be Dove.  Dove is stressed that she has a secret about Hawk's brother.  It's setting up to be an interesting story, but without good character arcs I don't know if this book has the legs to keep going. 

I have the feeling that this might be good as a trade paperback but as a standalone issue it's not bad, but nothing really good either.  Pick it up if you need a Liefeld fix or want to get all of the #1s.

Batgirl #1 Review: Welcome Back Babs

4/5 Stars
Writer:Gail Simone (An actual woman writing a comic, bout damn time)
Art:  Ardian Syaf (Probably a guy, going to check after the post)


Well Batgirl is back, so to speak Barbara Gordon is. Three years ago (I guess we go on a five year rule now) she was crippled by the Joker.  Now thanks to some miracle she can walk again.  As much as I hate to see the DCU's taken paraplegic taken from us, it's kind of nice to her return to the role as Batgirl. 

Great first issue to start her off.  She's fun, she's surprising very likeable, and she probably flosses.  She kicks butt and takes names which makes for  book  a fun ride.  The art moves the story quickly from the opening action scene to Barbara moving out of her dad's place and into her own.  I can really see her develop more as a character being a physical superhero than stuck at a computer. 

I'm glad they've shelved all other Batgirls and brought back the original formula.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes comic books, likes girls, or is a girl.  If they're a combination of all three, than so much the better.  Here's hoping this book survives the cut.


Yep Adrian Syaf is a guy, check out his deviantart page for some more great works.

Justice League International #1 Review: Internationally Incidental

2/5 Stars
Writer:  Dan Jurgens
Artist: Aaron Lopresti

To begin with, this book is a huge dissappointment.  It's poorly written by a writer I was expecting better of and falls flat in numerous areas. The art is good, but let's face it, he's not illustrating Shakespeare here.

First there's a lot of characters in the book and most are one dimenisonal.  Booster Gold is the only one in the book that seems multifaceted, probably becomes Jurgens created him.  We don't know most of their powers, expect the obvious stuff like fire or ice powers.  I don't even have a clue as to what Godiva's (blonde chick) powers are.  Does she move her hair?  Does she have telekinesis and love to move her hair? Gah.  What use is someone who moves their hair?

August General in Iron (real name) and Rocket Red are so stereotypical is almost ridiculous.  Rocket Red talks like Borat, which is not supposed to be funny.  August General is Chinese I guess, so Rocket Red doesn't like him.  Less said about these folks the best.

Guy Gardner is in the issue just to be a jerk.  Seriously he's a jerk and justleaves.  At least in the old JLI he was a jerk that stayed around, then Batman punched him.  Speaking of Batman, he seems to be the only sane one of the group that doesn't fill a stereotype or instantly hate everyone else.  Cause he's Batman, and is there only to move sales.

So it's pretty much a quamire of a story.  The UN forms the JLI because they need superheroes or something.  UN scientists are being kidnapped (who cares?) and the team is sent to find them.  The story is weak, the dialogue also lame.  Just because all the characters share the same panel doesn't mean they all should  have something to say Jurgens. 

So overall I would barely recommend this to someone who wants to read all of the #1s.  Otherwise I see this in the dollar bins.   I hope this book gets better, only because it carries a great legacy of the JLI from the late 80's and early 90's. 

Review Animal Man #1

 

4/5 Stars

To be honest, I didn't expect much from this book.   My previous exposure to Animal Man was limited to the 52 miniseries and the follow up story to that.  The character is pretty easy to explain:  Buddy Baker can channel the abilities of every animal on the planet.  This has probably lead to several nerd conversations as to what combination of these powers is best, which is something explored in the book.

Buddy is a well developed activist and family man.  He's got a wife, two kids, and a house in the burbs.  He also has to support them financially.  The best part of the book is Buddy interacting with his family, and he tries to be the good husband and father.  Jeff Lemire does a great job making this feel natural.  Travel Foreman (is that his real name?) uses a unique art style, which put me off at first, but actually works well with the story.  

There's some action, some twists, and a great cliffhanger at the end.  If you like an intelligent story or were a fan of 90s Vertigo books I would highly recommend it.  I have the feeling this will be the sleeper book of the new 52.

Penny-Arcade does the new 52

Superman is a one idea kind of guy. .

Men of War #1 Review: War is hell and so is this comic

1.5/5 Stars

Atten-Hut!

Listen up maggots.  I am your comic sergeant.  Today's punishment will be reading Man of War #1.  I hope you enjoy cliches, because it is full of them.  Your hero is a bad mix of Top Gun, Officer and a Gentlemen, and every other goddamn military movie with an insubordinate hero.  In case you sissies didn't realize it from his out of place dog tags in the cover, his name is Rock.  Oh no, not the awesome Sergeant Rock from the past of DC, just plain old corporal Rock.

Sweet Zombie George Washington, there are four full pages of craptacular dialogue about him not wanting to be promoted, or he's too awesome in combat, or waa waa waa he doesn't have a family.  It makes me want to puke!   The story is confusing and executed worse than a French offensive maneuver!  They're in the desert for pete's sake.  Can we find another place besides the desert to fight our fictional wars?  I hear Canada is a great place for a firefight.

The art will be crappy, your colors bland.  There will be plenty of beige, like no beige you have seen before.  Panels will be divided needlessly, your character designs generic.  Acronyms will be thrown like candy on Halloween.  Fortunately for all you mother loving wussies, there will be explanations for them as apparently civvies and probably the writer can't understand them.

There's a backup story too, that's not too awful.  The last panel made me cringe.

Enjoy your punishment ladies.  If you survive reading it, do not recommend it to your worst enemies.  Purge it from your mind with alcohol and porn.  Do not come to me for help, as I have none to give.

Dismissed!

Action Comics #1 Review

5/5 Stars

When Grant Morrison writes good, he writes damn good.  Action Comics #1 is Grant being great.  This issue sums up all that is excellent in writing comic books:  Deep story, well designed characters, quick plotting, and superb dialogue.  This has actually gotten me excited about how great this reboot could be.

The quick summary of the plot is that a young Superman fights corruption and the police, while maintaining his secret identity all the while being targeted by Lex Luthor and Lois Lane's dad.  He's stronger and more resistant to harm than the average human being, which is putting it lightly.  But  he can't fly yet and the rest of his powers are still developing. 

By making him weaker and more of a rookie than we're used to, Morrison brings the character back to a level we can understand.  He's still fresh at the whole superhero business but  more dangerous than we're used to.  He puts mobster through walls and wife beaters out of windows (don't worry they got better). Superman even seems to know how awesome it is being him, daring the police to shot him just to show how bad ass he really is by catching the bullet.  I can only hope that we get some good character development from him over the next year as he becomes more powerful and more responsible (cliched but true).

The art is also rather solid.  Rags Morales really compliments Morrison's style making the story flow smoothly.  I really like the costume redsign for Supes.  It's obviously homemade but still stylish.  Kind of feels like he had bigger ideas about how it should look, but could only afford some jeans and fabric for a cape.  Stupid journalist salary.   

So go out and buy this book.  Seriously it's that good.  It costs an extra dollar, but it's so worth it.  The double sized issue really helps tell the story without an obnoxious chapter break (Justice League #1 anybody).

Review: Justice League #1

3.5/5 Stars

Good but not a great start.  I guess you have to begin somewhere and this is it.  To recap from Flashpoint#5 (Spoilers!!!) there was a divergent timeline or something from the established DC Universe.  This story and reboot is the result of the timeline.  So it's not really a reboot or retelling, I guess it's more a re-imagining of what we know. So history's not being rewritten, or unwritten, but written again I guess.  I think there's probably an explanation given somewhere in Dan Didio's billion interviews he's done since they announced the relaunch. 

So what's lame about this issue is that nothing really happens.  Batman and Green Lantern fight a parademon, Victor Stone (Cyberborg) is introduced, and we get to see Superman.  That's pretty much it.  I think in a six issue arch and going directly to the next issue from this one would've been better read, but as a standalone issue there's not much meat.  We didn't even get to see Wonderwoman or Aquaman at all.  I assume they'll probably show up when we need a Deus Ex Machina.

What we did see was pretty fun though.  Green Lantern and Batman play off each other really well.  Geoff Johns makes them really good opposites.  Batman is brooding and calculating, while Lantern is arrogant and direct.  Jim Lee is an excellent artist, if not the best one in the last twenty years.  The redesigns don't get in the way of enjoying the book yet, a lot of looks have been tweaked and not blown up yet.

So if you're a fan of the DC Universe, Jim Lee art, or just want to know where the relaunch begins pick it up.