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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Affiliate link: Click here to get your copy of Escape from New York #1.