[Comics] - Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Year 2 - Week 12

[Everlost_MI]

Welcome to week twelve of Evil Avatar’s Weekly Comic Book Reviews.

The Evil Avatar’s Weekly Comic Book Review column features a monthly giveaway where a randomly drawn winner gets to choose four comics from a list of what BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) has in stock. BCBcomics offer comic book subscriptions (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) with many fringe benefits including no hidden costs, 30-35% off of cover price (depending on the publisher), all issues are bagged, boarded and offer cheap* shipping on all orders (*see BCBcomics’ website (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) for the details). In addition, the comics featured on BCBcomics home page are 50% off or just $1 if you’re a subscriber. The list is in the neighborhood of 200 to 400 titles that will be emailed to the lucky winner after the drawing.

One entry submission is allowed per week. The deadline of entry submissions for week twelve is midnight EST on Sunday, March 25th. The selection of the random winner for the March books will occur on Monday, March 26th. Click here (everlost_mi@evilavatar.com) to submit your entry and don’t forget to include your Evil Avatar screenname. Remember, submit an entry each week to increase your chances of winning.

Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.

[Everlost_MI]

Week Twelve:
Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews – Year 2 - Week 12
By Everlost_MI (Brian K. Nichols), Editor in Chief

Grounded #5 of 6
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer/Creator: Mark Sable
Artist: Paul Azaceta
Colors: Nick Filardi
Letteres/Design: Kristyn Ferretti
Editor: Ivan Brandon
Price: $2.99 US/$3.50 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/grounded5.jpg

The series begins to wrap up as Jonathan and the students use hard light holograms to bolster their lost superpowers in an effort track down The Virus who holds their powers and the answers to this situation. In the meantime, the superhero parents find the Terrific Two, who they believe are behind this kidnapping as well as being the parents of The Virus, long dead in their headquarters and end up with more questions than answers. The kids find The Virus and it offers the return of their powers or the answers, not both. The children choose former, as Jonathan becomes a willing host of The Virus. The powers are returned but they are ramped up beyond their previous incarnations causing uncontrollable results and the issue ends with Mr. Clean, the janitor, zapping Jonathan/The Virus with his weapon.

Mark Sable’s storytelling in this issue has improved greatly since the fourth issue with numerous nods and parodies of the various Marvel/DC archetypes being used through out the story. However, the dialogue and characterizations are quite flat and lack any real sparks. The artwork created by Paul Azaceta is decent but it doesn’t add enough to the comic to compensate for the writing.

Bottom Line:
The series started out strong but has quickly lost steam and quality after the second issue. If you’re a fan of series like Astro City, it might be worth your time in looking through the single issues or the upcoming trade paperback.

Rating: 2 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e2.jpg


Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #6
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Roger Cruz
Inkers: Oclair Albert and Victor Olazaba
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Axel Alonso
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/fnhspiderman6.jpg

This two-part story arc revolves around El Muerto who has been tasked to defeat a masked hero of the people within ten years or he will die by the hands of the Gilded One. El Muerto saves J. Jonah Jameson and John Jameson from dying at the hands of an angry son who feels that Jonah’s editorials doomed his father’s chances at parole. During this incident Jonah discovers that John isn’t Spider-Man, as he supposedly led believe by Peter Parker. (I am still not clear on this, can anyone enlighten me has how that happened.) Jonah helps El Muerto stage a public fight with the winner walking away with a million dollars, what Peter doesn’t know is that the loser is unmasked. As the issue progresses the reboot of Flash Thompson’s memory back to being the bully he was in high school is rather boring as is Jarvis asking Aunt Mae on a date. The issue ends with Spider-Man defeating El Muerto and the Gilded One hanging from the rafters in anticipation of claiming El Muerto’s life.

Peter David’s story provides a small break from the upcoming Civil War saga as well as Spider-Man’s initiation into the New Avengers. The dialogue is decent but the characterizations are a bit out of whack. For example, Wolverine seemingly out of character attempts to repeat to Mary Jane the same Damon Runyon literary quote Aunt Mae said to Peter earlier in the issue. Roger Cruz has temporary stepped in for Mike Wieringo’s in the art department during this two-issue story arc. Cruz’s work is decent but it doesn’t add or detract from David’s storytelling.

Bottom Line:
Normally, Peter David has an excellent grasp on storylines, dialogue and characterizations. However this issue he doesn’t appear to be firing on all cylinders. If you’re not a regular Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man reader then I would pass on this and the following issue. However, the previews for issue eight look promising with the return of an old and unexpected foe as well as Mike Wieringo’s artwork. Hopefully David will be in his old form by that point as well.

Rating: 2 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e2.jpg


War of The Worlds: Second Wave #1 (Ongoing series)
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Writer: Michael Alan Nelson
Artist: Chee
Colorist: Matt Webb
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artist: Sunder Raj, Jeff Rebner and Ron Riley
Edited by: Chris Ryall
Price: $2.99 US

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/wow1.jpg

This issue retells the classic H.G Wells’ novel War of The Worlds through the eyes of Miles who loses his wife Gina during the attack of the Martians. The issue ends with Miles’ desire for vengeance of his wife’s death is answered by a second wave of Martians landing on Earth, just a few weeks after the initial wave died off from bacteria.

Michael Alan Nelson does a decent job of retelling the classic story in the first twenty pages and then adding additional life to the story in the last two. The character development of Miles is excellent as he’s fleshed out from the loss of his wife and is now driven by guilt and vengeance. The artwork created by Chee fits the story quite well. There is an occasional stiffness to the depictions of the characters, which is easily overlooked with the excellent action and emotional sequences.

Bottom Line:
If you enjoyed the original Wells’ novel or a in the mood for an interesting twist on a classic story, check this issue and series out. Just be forewarned, this initial issue doesn’t really provide anything new to most readers except for the last two pages.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e3_5.jpg

What else is worth reading this week…

· Runaways #14 – Wow. I didn’t see that person coming back, did you?

The deadline of entry submissions for week twelve is midnight EST on Sunday, March 25th. The selection of the random winner for the March books will occur on Monday, March 26th. Click here (everlost_mi@evilavatar.com) to submit your entry and don’t forget to include your Evil Avatar screenname

Remember, you can submit one entry per week to increase your chances of winning.

[thecrazyd]

I can't wait for Spider-Man to lose that shitty costume. So shitty... Iron Man is a real dick for making him run around in that crap.

[JazGalaxy]

It's not the classic red and blue, but I like it well enough for an alternate costume. Clearly he's not going to wear it permanently, so I'd just sit back and relax and enjoy Spidey wearing something different for a while. Or just dumpt he crappy regular series Spiderman books and read Ultimate instead.

[thecrazyd]

It's not the classic red and blue, but I like it well enough for an alternate costume. Clearly he's not going to wear it permanently, so I'd just sit back and relax and enjoy Spidey wearing something different for a while. Or just dumpt he crappy regular series Spiderman books and read Ultimate instead.
All I read is Ultimate (the only monthly super-hero book I read) anyway, but it just annoys me.

[AspectVoid]

All I read is Ultimate (the only monthly super-hero book I read) anyway, but it just annoys me.

Wait...something you don't read, and thus have no vested interest in, annoys you enough to complain about it? Yeesh, when I come across that, I just laugh at the people who have to suffer with it.

Oh, and personally, I always liked Peter in the Black and White costume the best. That's just me, though.

[thecrazyd]

I made an off hand comment about it in a forum. I do not punch walls and cry in my LiveJournal about it.

[AspectVoid]

I made an off hand comment about it in a forum. I do not punch walls and cry in my LiveJournal about it.

Ah, okay. This is the only good place I know of to talk about comics, so it just sorta felt that way to me. My appologies and all that.

[Vaginasaurus]

Ah, okay. This is the only good place I know of to talk about comics, so it just sorta felt that way to me. My appologies and all that.

http://www.newsarama.com might increase your comic community circle.

[AspectVoid]

http://www.newsarama.com might increase your comic community circle.

No, I don't like the style they do their stuff in. It's just not for me.

[Heretic Machine]

The Jameson/Spider-man identity thing happend in Marel Knights I believe... I can't really remember. I believe it might of been a pre-HoM thing, but I do remember reading it.

[ProfPuppet]

I didn't think this would be news-worthy so I'm posting it here. From Boingboing (http://www.boingboing.net/):

Marvel and DC attempt to copyright the phrase 'super-hero'. (http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/18/marvel_comics_steali.html)

It's a public-domain word that belongs to all of us. Adding a ™ to super-hero is a naked bid to steal "super-hero" from us and claim it for their own.

Respect for these companies... Lowering.

[Spigot]

I didn't think this would be news-worthy so I'm posting it here. From Boingboing (http://www.boingboing.net/):

Marvel and DC attempt to copyright the phrase 'super-hero'. (http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/18/marvel_comics_steali.html)

Respect for these companies... Lowering.
That's just wrong on so many levels. Hopefully it'll get thrown out.

Looks like it was a rather lackluster week, review-wise. I saw that War of the Worlds comic but didn't know if it was worth picking up. Ah well.

Has The Walking Dead TPB #5 come out yet? I just finished reading #2 and I am absolutely loving the series. Good thing I have two more trades to read.

[Kefkataran]

I do not punch walls and cry in my LiveJournal about it.

You should.

This wasn't a great issue of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, but I didn't tihnk it was so bad either. That said, at least it's only a two-issue arc. Can't wait to see what David has in store for us.

Newsarama is a great place for news, but as far as community, I've never dug them too much.