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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