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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