Comic Book Review: C.O.W.L. #7

The Chicago Organized Workers League is back in full swing after the one-shot fluff piece on The Grey Raven in the previous issue. This issue dives head first into the aftermath of the strike and John Pierce’s murder, but is it good?

The book opens with a scene that is a drastic shift from what Chicago has been experiencing since the rise of C.O.W.L. It is somewhat comical how petty the crime is compared to the reality of the power play happening behind the scene. Another point of contention is the fact the criminal asks the victims to inform the police he was wearing a mask despite not wearing one the entire time the crime is being committed!

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Comic Book Review: Resurrectionists #2

The story is churning ahead by leaps and bounds and it is only the second issue! Is it good?

Resurrectionists #2 starts off right where the first one left off - Jericho Way meeting Quinn. The interaction between the two is awkwardly romantic. The way Maurizio Rosenzweig captures the romance is through their eyes. If there was ever love at first sight, Jericho Way’s eyes capture it. The second page also complements Fred Van Lente’s writing depicting multiple people from different time periods finding each other and knowing they are their soul mate.

Van Lente’s writing captures everyday conversation perfectly. Hell, he even drops a John Fogerty lyric in a smooth line on his way to asking the girl out.

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Comic Book Review: Cap Stone #1

Cap Stone #1 takes readers on a journey into the hopes, dreams, regrets, and life of a young woman, Charlie Chance. Is it good?

The premise of Cap Stone #1 surrounds the fact the only superhero the world has known has proclaimed the world is in imminent danger and then suddenly goes missing. However, Captain Stone is only mentioned twice in the entire book! It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, thinking you will be reading about this superhero who has gone missing and finding out this is not the case at all!

Despite the sense of betrayal with the marketing of the book, the story is quite interesting.

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Comic Book Review: 13 Coins #3

John Pozner has been brought into the world of The Sons of Noah and The Fallen’s political machinations continue. Is It Good?

Martin Brennan and Michael B. Jackson start off 13 Coins #3 with Manny Hernandez. The scene begins perfectly innocent, but quickly devolves into a “what the f…” moment. However, this scene still does not provide any background on who Manny is or why he is important to the story. It is hard to invest oneself in a character when one has literally no idea who he is after three issues!

Meanwhile, Pozner has been taken to the Sons of Noah (SON) hideout and is quickly introduced to the team. One of the more interesting plot developments in this issue is the introduction of the Nephilim gene.

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Comic Book Review: The Valiant #1

An epic struggle between the protectors of Earth and chaos that spans centuries and civilizations has unfolded with every battle ending in the same way. Can the pattern be broken? Can entropy and decay be defeated? Is it good?

Writers Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt spend the first ten pages of The Valiant portraying a multitude of battles between Gilad, the immortal protector of the Geomancers, and a force of entropy and decay. The narration takes the voice of Gilad giving the reader a good view into his unflagging determination and belief he can adapt to overcome the Immortal Enemy. However, outside of the narration, Kindt and Lemire adopt a different tone. The Immortal Enemy taunts Gilad and challenges his belief and determination with the power of a law of nature. In just ten short pages Lemire and Kindt introduce a strong stalwart character only to bring doubt and defeat to break this potential hero.

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Comic Book Review: Sinergy #2

Jess has gained the ability to see the monsters for what they are, but how will she use her new powers and what will become of her relationship with Leaf? More importantly is it good?

Michael Avon Oeming and Taki Soma open the issue with a very odd and bland dialogue between two police officers. The conversation between the two ends with an attempt at making a joke, but falls absolutely flat.

The next sequences focus on exploring the choices in front of Jess and the decision she will have to make. The dialogue between Jess and her mother as well as her own thoughts reveal a typical young teenager who faces large life choices with no real idea on how she will decide.

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Comic Book Review: Brides of Helheim #3

Raevil has been captured, but mystery still surrounds him. Has he been so easily cowed? Is it good?

Right off the bat Cullen Bunn and Joëlle Jones make the reader wait to see what will happen between Rikard and Raevil. Instead, Sigrid and Brand are front and center and once again the opening sequence is rather uninspiring. Brand comes off as a sappy, love-sick puppy while Sigrid is impetuous and immature. If Sigrid’s character couldn’t get any more annoying after this opening scene with Brand, she has become infatuated with Rikard.

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Comic Book Review: Low #5

Stel’s hope and optimism is once again under assault. Will she continue to remain steadfast? Is it good?

Rick Remender opens this issue with Stel exerting her will and displaying her sheer determination and mental resolve to succeed no matter the obstacle or evil that stands in her path. The evil standing in her path is monstrous. Roln has imprisoned Stel for four months attempting to break her and acquire the location of the probe.

The dialogue between Stel and Roln is wonderful and reveals Roln not only as the primary villain but as Stel’s opposite. While Stel relies on hope to survive and continue on, Roln views hope as a weapon to destroy Stel.

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Comic Book Review: Escape from New York #1

Snake Plissken returns with an attitude and a ton of Rambo-style action. But is it good?

Escape from New York #1 is an opening issue, but if you have not seen the movie (I’ll admit I haven’t seen this one) it takes quite a bit of the first half of the issue to figure out why Snake is being hunted down. Fortunately, the why recedes to the back of your mind as writer Christopher Sebela and artist Diego Barreto jump into an exhilarating chase sequence.

Snake Plissken is “Public Enemy Number One” as Sebela so eloquently puts it and he is on the run. Diego Barreto’s artwork is able to convey the ingenuity and believability of Snake’s actions whether he is jumping from an Army Jeep onto a helicopter or bringing down a helo with power lines. Each panel leading up to these actions clearly conveys the steps taken to accomplish his desired outcome.

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Comic Book Review: Transformers vs. G.I. JOE #4

Transformers vs. G.I. JOE #4 is full of surprises and revelations and the continued introduction of more and more players as the conflict rages on. Is it good?

Tom Scioli and John Barber pull a fast one right from the first page creating a chaotic and action-packed event which leads to an interesting look into Snake Eyes as he fights the demons within himself as well as Duke! Tom Scioli’s artwork portraying the inner battle within Snake Eyes is intriguing as the first image depicts him meditating and remembering voices from his past as both tell a different method of achieving a goal. On the subsequent page he illustrates a picture of Snake Eyes with Duke and Scarlett torn straight down the middle cutting Snake Eyes in half. In just two short pages, Scioli is able to illustrate and characterize Snake Eyes as a conflicted individual with a brewing internal struggle.

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Comic Book Review: C.O.W.L. #6

C.O.W.L. takes a break from the main story to dedicate this sixth issue to the man behind the Chicago Organized Workers League. The head honcho of C.O.W.L. reveals how and why he became The Grey Raven. Is it good?

Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel take a break from the overarching story and the ramifications the strike will have on Chicago to introduce a publication relations fluff piece on Geoffrey Warner and his path to becoming The Grey Raven.

The road to become The Grey Raven began at a young age when starry-eyed Geoffrey Warner envisioned becoming a policeman like his father to help the people of Chicago. However, the road was not as straight and true as what the young boy believed.

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Comic Book Review: Sinergy #1

Michael Avon Oeming brings a comedic and light-hearted tone to Buffy-style monster fighting. Not to mention a dash of mystery and a high school protagonist with plenty of everyday problems to juggle. Is it good?

Oeming opens the book with a hint of a mystery, providing a very stark depiction of the world of Sinergy, but offsetting it with just a touch of hope with the narration. The page grabs you and draws you in instantly. The next sequence is where the book really makes its mark.

The reader is introduced to Jess, a recent high school graduate with a passion for hockey among other things. Her inner monologue is absolutely hilarious and the ensuing action comes straight out of the stories your Dad tells about protecting his baby girl. It is an absolute riot.

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Comic Book Review: 13 Coins #2

The battle between The Fallen and The Sons of Noah (SON) begins to escalate and our John Pozner is caught in the middle. Is it good?

Writers Martin Brennan and Michael B. Jackson laid the groundwork and backstory in the first issue and begin to delve a little more into how the world of 13 Coins functions in the second installment. The introduction of Senator Graham hits this point on the head as he addresses a divisive issue in the Voting Rights Act. Despite introducing political intrigue, the dialogue between the reporter and Senator Graham is rather uninspiring and the two do not even seem to be having the same conversation with each other. Distracting from the dialogue between the two is Simon Bisley’s artwork. Apparently, Senators and reporters are both having a rough go of it, because neither has seen a dentist.

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Comic Book Review: Brides of Helheim #2

The spae witches’ quest for vengeance takes center stage as Rikard begins his hunt for Raevil. Is it good?

Cullen Bunn’s first part of the story seems altogether pointless. He uses two full pages to detail the fact that Rikard is no longer a man, but an undead draugr. Something readers are well aware of if they read the first book or Helheim itself. After these two pages the history of the spae women and how they became the witches they are, is revealed.

Joëlle Jones places a background behind the panels to cue the ensuing sequence is taking place in the past. There is no need for a written cue because of the visual effect, where the panels are centered on the page and do not take up as much of the page as the panels occurring in the present.

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Comic Book Review: The Life After #5

The Life After #5 introduces a major player in the game, while reintroducing a character from the very first installment. Is it good?

Following the shock of the last book where Nettie had somehow been pulled back into Purgatory from Heaven, Joshua Hale Fialkov begins The Life After #5 by filling the reader in on what has happened to Nettie since Jude sent her skyward. One would think after reading four books, the reader would be prepared for some curve balls out of strange field. However, there are no curveballs; Gabo is upfront with the strange depicting a husband’s face in a state of melting and one of the most grotesque baby’s you will lay your eyes on.

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Review: Resurrectionists #1

Resurrectionists #1 is one part heist and one part Hindu rebirth. Except, there is a catch, the past can see into the present and the present can remember the past. The premise is set up for a grand adventure. Is it good?

One of the first things many a reader will see when flipping open the first pages of their comic is a summary of past events that have occurred in previous issues. These summaries are good for refreshing the memory, but writer Fred Van Lente opens it up with a quote from James A. Baldwin to set the tone for this new series. “People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them.” The story of Resurrectionists #1 paints a vivid picture of what this really means.

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Comic Book Review: American Legends #1

American Legends #1 looks to explore the early 19th century frontier with famous historical characters Davy Crockett and Marie Laveau, to name a few, as a plot to eradicate the Lewis and Clark expedition unfolds. Is this historical fiction good?

Writers Bill and Zachary Schwartz use a unique style utilizing mini-stories within the book. It makes the book rather hard to follow. It reads quite like a raging, flooding Mississippi River tossing and turning everything in its path knowing it will eventually end up in the Gulf of Mexico. To elaborate on this point, the first three pages are telling three different stories. In the first page we are introduced to Jean Lafitte who is enjoying the festivities of Mardi Gras.

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Review: Grendel vs The Shadow #3

Matt Wagner concludes what has been an epic mini-series pitting the criminal mastermind of Grendel versus The Shadow’s crusade for justice. How will it end? Is it good?

The book jumps right in where Wagner left us putting The Shadow in an extremely vulnerable position. However, the tables turn quickly and Wagner provides not only excellent dialogue between the two foes, but also draws them as equals as they face off against each other. These two are an excellent match.

Wagner not only continues to have these two impressive characters match their physical prowess and wits against each other, but he also delves into their personal lives.

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Review: Low #4

Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini have set a high bar for themselves following the absolutely brilliant Low #3. Do they keep up the extraordinary level of quality in the fourth installment? Is it good?

Rick Remender continues with his vision of hope for Stel although it faces some mental stumbling blocks just as she and Marik face their own obstacles in the Third City of Poluma. He also supplements her vision of hope with a determination to shape the world around her with the strength of her will.

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Review: The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow #5

When it comes to The Shadow, Matt Wagner’s mini-series Grendel vs The Shadow sets a high bar for others to reach for. Is Howard Chaykin’s The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow #5 able to get to Wagner’s level? Is it good?

The short answer: No. The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow #5 is not anywhere close to Wagner’s Grendel vs The Shadow. The premise of this fifth installment has put Lamont and Margo on the heels of radicalized Americans and Soviets working towards mutually assured nuclear destruction. Something that should happen to this book.

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Review: Lazarus #12

Greg Rucka and Michael Lark are putting the pieces on the board as the Carlyle and Hock families begin a deadly dance for power. Is it good?

Rucka and Lark begin Lazarus #12 with an in-depth discussion on which families have taken the Hocks’ side and which are vulnerable to be swayed to join the Carlyles’. The sequence solidifies Malcolm’s role as a master strategist and the reason he is the head of the Carlyle Family; but, more importantly, the sequence exposes Forever to an increased role within the family. She is able to comment and give her own analysis of the situation. Malcolm treats her as his heir and daughter rather than a tool to be used; he even suggests she relax and enjoy herself.

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Review: 13 Coins

13 Coins brings the supernatural world down to Earth in a very familiar good vs. evil setting. Is it good?

In the opening sequence, writers Martin Brennan and Michael B. Jackson provide a brief history of the world of 13 Coins. God has cast out rebellious Angels and chained their leader, Semyaza, until the Day of Judgement. However, some of Semyaza’s followers escaped, fled to Earth, and bide their time until the day the prophecy is fulfilled, where Evil will once again wage war “on the throne of God.” This is the gist of the narrative; but, some of it comes off rather clunky and does not flow very well from panel to panel.

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Review: Skylanders #1

Skylanders #1 is one part continuing story, one part short. Is it able to balance the two to create a fluid, fun read? Is it good?

The continuing story titled “Forgetting Flynn” begins by not only giving our main character Flynn a headache but the reader as well. The freshman class is being transported to Skylander Academy to begin their training; unfortunately, the freshman class is the equivalent of a bunch of four year olds set on a path to drive Flynn crazy.

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Review: Dead Letters #5

New threats have bubbled up in Here, as the gang war between Jones and Ma continues to rage on. Is it good?

Christopher Sebela and Chris Visions continue to flesh out more and more of the world of Here. They begin Dead Letters #5 by introducing the reader to the method of how new souls arrive and directly contrasting it to how Sam arrived in Here. Visions provides an excellent visual depiction of the process Sebela describes in a conversation between Sam and his new boss, Fante. The first panel adds a dash of extremely cynical comedy as a bus heading to “Look Out” closes in on an unsuspecting pedestrian. The mood shifts dramatically to extreme sadness as the recent victims of death are lined up with heads down-cast and shoulders slumped still experiencing their causes of death. Visions provides a graphic depiction of how people die and are transported and relocated to Here.

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Review: Parallel Man #1

Dinosaurs riding dinosaurs, Chinamerica, an aggressive and expanding world-state, and a conspiracy to bring the aggressors to their knees all wrapped into just one book. Is it good?

A routine descent into Andrews Air Force Base quickly spirals into chaos and an intriguing fast-paced story that never loses steam. Writers Jeffrey Morris and Frederick Haugen build a compelling multiverse full of amazing and dangerous alternate dimensions. The danger quickly builds when Air Force One is warped out of the sky and transported to an alternate Earth that has seen better days.

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Review: The Grendel vs The Shadow #2

Matt Wagner spares little time joining his two protagonists into battle as they push each other to the limits. Will Wagner be able to do the same for this second installment of Grendel vs. The Shadow? Is it good?

The Shadow and Grendel are on full display as each pulls out all their tricks in an attempt to subdue the other. The battle is intense, providing a spectacle of awe for both as they match up against an opponent who is their equal. Wagner also provides plenty of suspense, allowing the reader to believe it could all be over in just the second book, with both Grendel and The Shadow potentially claiming victory.

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Review: Brides of Helheim #1

Cullen Bunn and Joëlle Jones venture back into the world of witches, draugr and Helheim. Is the return good?

If you were thinking the main protagonist would be Rikard and the witches, you are in for surprise. Sigrid, a fiery young blonde, carries the weight of the story. She is accompanied by her friend, Brand, as they journey to the Old Village. Bunn provides an excellent build-up for those unfamiliar with the backstory of Helheim (like this reviewer). He creates a sense of fear and foreboding with regards to the Old Village. There are tales and stories the elders have whispered in the young ears of Sigrid and Brand. Brand, especially, has a healthy fear of the Old Village and the potential realities of his fate.

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Review: Robocop #4

The cover by Goñi Montes is marvelous; Robocop dances to the touches of Killian’s fingers as the master controls the puppet. 

Is the rest of the book just as good?

The city of Detroit is at critical mass as the citizens continue to riot, demanding the return of their firearms. 

Meanwhile, Robocop is enjoying a Monster Truck show and even getting to take a ride in one! (Well, behind one, that is.) The ride is so enjoyable, Nash offers to give Officer Lewis a ride as well.

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Review: Low #3

Hope lives on at the bottom of the ocean refusing to be crushed by the enormous pressures of a society sunk so low. 

This third installment of Low ventures into the streams of political apathy, an unflinching spirit, complete and utter human despair, and the joys of discovery. Is it good?

Rick Remender ventures into the profligate halls of the Capitol of Salus, where Stel encounters what has become of the Senate and the political class of the surviving humans. Greg Tocchini conjures images straight out of the paintings of Pompeii. Senator Greeme is having a full-on orgy with dozens of women many of them most likely illusions conjured by the cream.

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Review: C.O.W.L. #5

The Chicago Organized Workers League is at its breaking point. Geoffrey Warner is attempting to pull out all the stops to salvage the union, but will his efforts be enough or will the members of C.O.W.L. go their separate ways? More importantly, is it good?

After the chaos of the strike in the previous issue, the political landscape for Geoffrey Warner and C.O.W.L. is looking grim. His allies within the organization and outside are shrinking and shrinking fast. Even a once dependable ally in the media backs out claiming, “…eventually everything ends.

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Review: Purgatori #1

Creators Aaron Gillespie and Javier Garcia Miranda introduce Purgatori just “hanging” around Hell. Lucifer and Hel are having a little fun with her using all sorts of toys: a power drill, a morningstar, and even a butcher’s cleaver to name a few. However, their fun quickly turns into a fight over which one will be able to keep Sakkara of Alexandria, the Vampire Goddess. Take a walk through Hell and find out if it is good.

The disagreement between Lucifer and Hel gives Sakkara the perfect opportunity to goad Hel into a violent rage. Writer Aaron Gillespie and artist Javier Garcia Miranda introduce one of the most important aspects of Sakkara’s character – she derives pleasure from increasing amounts of pain and punishment. She enjoys the beatings and revels in Hel’s vicious attacks. 

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Review: The Life After #3

Joshua Hale Fialkov and Gabo’s journey into Purgatory continues to get weirder by the page, even venturing into the beginning of time. It is strange, that’s for sure, but is it good?

Fialkov and Gabo begin by reintroducing the traditional Biblical story of Jesus Christ. Fialkov adds some light humor when God interacts with Mary telling her straight-up to avoid conversation about her betrothed because after all God does not want to be the other man. Unfortunately his plan fails. Jesus is crucified and the world continues to wage war.

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Review: Black Market #3

Ray and Denny’s past catches up with them in a number of ways in Black Market #3, but is it good?

Frank Barbiere and Victor Santos have finally hit their stride in Black Market, where Ray and his brother Denny track down Supers to drain their blood for a company called Biochem. The story starts out on November 8, 2012. Ray has agreed to help Denny patch up one of his injured crew members, and the tone of the story is ominous. Barbiere uses Ray to narrate the opening scene and sucks the reader in with an excellent bit of writing: “But all the good intentions in the world can’t fix what I’ve done.” The reader immediately desires to find out what exactly can be worse than what Ray has already done in the previous two issues.

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Review: The Shadow Year One #10

The Shadow Year One is the conclusion of The Shadow’s fledgling journey into crime fighting and the beginning of his crusade for justice. After being introduced to The Shadow in Grendel vs. The Shadow #1, being able to review this final conclusion was too hard to resist. So let’s get down to it, is it good?

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Review: Deadpool vs. X-Force #4

The laughs continue as creative team Duane Swierczynski and Pepe Larraz finish up their four-book miniseries. Deadpool has rescued Adolf Hitler, enemy #1 of time travelers extraordinaire, and is protecting him with an all-new super-gun. The panel describing the gun is hilarious! It is a spoof on television commercials telling you to “Call Now!” Letterer VC’s Joe Sabino uses a bunch of different fonts to conjure up the voice of Billy Mays. And he guarantees “It KILLS them forever!!”

While Deadpool is off erasing wannabe saviors of World War II, Cable and the X-Force are busy cleaning up the mess Deadpool left behind during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. It all seems too easy for the X-force. Cable uses his telekinetic powers to give the British back the tactical advantage. All seems as if they have triumphed, but Deadpool and Talbot have other ideas!

Pepe Larraz creates a warped world where the Nazi’s have won with the use of powerful Panzer-Sentinels decked out in a new flag combining the Nazi swastika with blue and red stripes, a warped version of the American flag. The Panzer-Sentinels are fearsome to behold with skulls for faces and large eyes; a true terror that has even Cable scared. Colorist Nolan Woodard adds to the fear by giving the Sentinels’ skull faces a pinkish color with green glowing eyes. Larraz and Woodard not only create fear with their Panzer-Sentinels, but they also add amusement on the very next page with a young Adolf Hitler throwing a temper tantrum. Adolf’s hair covering his right eye with his feet flailing in the air is downright comical. One of the most villainous human beings to walk the earth has been reduced to a mere child crying out for attention.

The action sequences are also wonderful to look at. Deadpool begins unleashing his Time Gun MachineTM vaporizing a woman and her parents. Her parents are blasted into skeletal form as their skin and bones begin disintegrating into the wind. Warpath rips an eye out of one of the Panzer-Sentinels and the mechanical and electrical parts come spilling forth. Woodard highlights the electrical wire giving it a bright white color, contrasting it against the looming shadow of the Sentinel. The panel highlights the combination of Larraz’s artwork with Woodard’s colors. However, there are some minor hiccups. For example, in the following panel Warpath appears to have five flailing appendages as he is thrown to the side.

Swierczynski ends the story beautifully keeping the humor alive and paying tribute to Deadpool’s first ever appearance in New Mutants #98. However, Swierczynski relies a little too much on Cable’s telekinetic abilities to bring the story to a close.

7.8	Larraz’s artwork and Woodard’s colors were fun and action packed. Swierczynski kept the humor flowing and wrapped up the story nicely despite an over-reliance on Cable’s telekinetic powers.