EA's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 18

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week eighteen is Batman #641 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week eighteen is Sunday, July 10th. The selection of the random winner for the July books will occur on Sunday July 31st. Remember, you can submit one entry each week to increase your chances of winning.

The list of books that are going to be given away for the month of July are:

· OMAC Project #3
· Batman #641

Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.

This week's reviews are Batman #641, Fantastic Four #528 and Shaun of the Dead #1.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/bm641.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ff3-528.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/shaun-otd001.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Eighteen:

Batman #628 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: DC Comics
Script: Judd Winick
Pencils: Doug Mahnke
Inks: Tom Nguyen
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Nick J. Nap
Editor: Bob Schreck
Price: $2.50 US/$3.50 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/bm641.jpg

This issue reveals to Batman, what readers have known for some time now, that the Red Hood is Jason Todd who he and the rest of the world thought was killed by the Joker years ago. This entire story line started with the Hush series written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Jim Lee. That series ended with the entire setup of Todd’s return being an apparent rouse but after the Hush storyline ended it was revealed that Todd at the last minute swapped places with Clayface. Batman thought this ended the mysterious resurrection/return of Todd, but it only helped fuel Todd’s/Red Hood’s vigilante crusade.

This issue finally puts everything in place and Judd Winick does a good job of pacing, characterization and especially dialogue when Hood/Todd mocks the standard superhero monologues while he revels in his own path of destruction. The artwork is quite fitting with clean action sequences that don’t detract from the story. The inking and coloring is moody and strengthens the pencils without overshadowing them.

This issue ends with the question of where Batman will go from here with this confirmed knowledge that not only is Todd alive but he’s now an enemy. This knowledge mixed with the guilt Batman carried for years regarding Todd’s death will hopefully create a permanent mark on Batman and another reoccurring antagonist to Batman’s rogue gallery.

Bottom Line:
If you aren’t familiar with the Hush series then save your money, you’ll be lost. But if wish to catch up on the entire Hush story, which was a very entertaining Batman story, then go back and pick up the two Hush TPBs. The TPBs are worth the money just for Lee’s artwork but Loeb’s work is on par with Lee’s. Otherwise, if you’ve been following the series, this issue was no surprise but hopefully now the story can really get into gear since it’s apparent that all the cards are now on the table.

7/10

Fantastic Four #538 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Pencils: Mike McKone
Inks: Andy Lanning
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: VC’s Randy Gentile
Editor: Tom Breevort
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ff3-528.jpg

J. Michael Straczynski has recently taken the writing reins over from Mark Waid and it appears that Straczynski is right at home with the Fantastic Four. It’s been sometime, say ten years since I’ve read a mainstream issue of the Fantastic Four and not much has changed except that the Sue and Reed have a daughter named, Valeria. That was news to me and I am sure someone can fill me in how this happened. Anyways, it seems that Straczynski is attempting to breathe some new life into these classic characters with various plots. The two that stick out the biggest are the New York City Child Welfare Division has begun the investigation into the safety of the Richards’ children as their lives are put in constant risk. While the other big plot is the attempt to understand exactly why the Fantastic Four acquired their specific powers while Reed assists a Federal project that intends on duplicate their famous flight.

Unlike last week’s Dream Police, Straczynski does a bang up job on plot, dialogue and characterization. This book kept my attention and has piqued my interest in seeing what happens next. The artwork by Mike McKone is decent but his depiction of the Thing makes his look like an orange teddy bear.

Bottom Line:
For a Fantastic Four fan, I am sure this is either a direction you will love or hate depending how much you enjoy these characters being put through the paces of change whether it’s short or long term. For someone who’s a casual reader it was a fun issue that’s worth looking through. Personally, I’ll pick up next month’s issue to see where things end up for the team.

7/10

Shaun of the Dead #1 of 4

Publsher: IDW Publishing.
Writer: Chris Ryall
Artist: Zach Howard
Colors: Thompson Knox
Letters: Robbie Robbins
Editor: Dan Taylor
Price: $3.99 US/$5.75 CAN
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/shaun-otd001.jpg

This is the “director’s cut” of Shaun of the Dead, which has been approved by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg who are the co-writers as well as the director and star respectively of the original movie. The solicitations of the book promise deleted scenes and other never seen before material. So far, the first issue is the first 20-30 minutes of the movie without much deviation, which isn’t a bad thing but if you’ve seen the movie why read the late adaptation?

The dialogue, characterization and plot are dead on, no pun intended, with the original movie. However, I am unsure how it would fare with a reader who hasn’t seen the movie.
The artwork provided by Zach Howard and coloring by Thompson Knox is adequate by taking nothing away from the story while not adding much too it.

Bottom Line:
Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, I recommend passing on this series, unless you want to see what little surprises pop up over the next three issues. Otherwise, buy the DVD, it’s worth the money.

5/10

What else is worth reading this week…
· Young Avengers #5 – There is just one word to describe this issue, W O W ! If you’re not reading this book you are really missing out on one of the best superhero comics out right now.
· Runaways #5 – Great issue with an interesting twist nobody saw coming.


The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week eighteen is Batman #641 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week eighteen entry submissions is Sunday, July 10th.

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.

[TrackZero]

J. Michael Straczynski has recently taken the writing reins over from Mark Waid and it appears that Straczynski is right at home with the Fantastic Four. It’s been sometime, say ten years since I’ve read a mainstream issue of the Fantastic Four and not much has changed except that the Sue and Reed have a daughter named, Valeria. That was news to me and I am sure someone can fill me in how this happened. Anyways, it seems that Straczynski is attempting to breathe some new life into these classic characters with various plots. The two that stick out the biggest are the New York City Child Welfare Division has begun the investigation into the safety of the Richards’ children as their lives are put in constant risk. While the other big plot is the attempt to understand exactly why the Fantastic Four acquired their specific powers while Reed assists a Federal project that intends on duplicate their famous flight.

Heh, it's funny, I haven't read an issue since #375 (which I believe was around 1993). Though with the movie coming out, maybe this is a good time to find out what's been happening with these characters. It sounds like there's been some definite changes and with Straczynski at the helm, it should be interesting.

[Justin_McElroy]

Everlost, as usual, I agree 100% with your reviews. Young Avengers is the book I didnt want to like at first, but is consistently so good that I can't help it. And Runaways is fucking fantastic. Big ups to Brian K. Vaughn. Big ups.

[Deadend]

Sue and Reed have a daughter named, Valeria. That was news to me and I am sure someone can fill me in how this happened

With the music to set the mood, something skimpy from Lovers Lane, and a bit of champange.... 9 months later "REED! STOP THE FIGHT! MY WATER BROKE!" and then they had a baby.

[Heretic Machine]

If anyone is wanting to get back into the Fantastic Four, I'd really recommend reading the mini-series Fantastic Four: Foes. Why, you ask? Because Robert Kirkman wrote it. 'nuff said.

[Evil Avatar]

Young Avengers is my #1 favorite title right now. It is just so amazing every issue.

[Evil Avatar]

Oh, and congrats to the guy who uploads the thumbnails for finally getting his act together.

[Everlost_MI]

Oh, and congrats to the guy who uploads the thumbnails for finally getting his act together.

Mad props to that guy. :D

[Justin_McElroy]

I'm still waiting to see a Spider-Man: India review.

[Kish]

If anyone is wanting to get back into the Fantastic Four, I'd really recommend reading the mini-series Fantastic Four: Foes. Why, you ask? Because Robert Kirkman wrote it. 'nuff said.

We actually have a few left of 1-6 Fantastic Four: Foes (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?catalog=yhst-55424119583314&PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=Fantastic+Four+foes&Page=1) in stock.

enjoy

[Everlost_MI]

I'm still waiting to see a Spider-Man: India review.

The local stores never even ordered that issue, I would've reviewed it if I could have got my hands on it. But the first four issues are out now as a TPB. So who knows...I might start swapping a single issue review out some weeks and throw a TPB review just to mix things up a bit. I'll have to see what the wife, child and pocketbook have to say since all the issues that are reviewed I buy myself. No, not complaining just informing the masses that the reviews I give are based off of my own money being spent to buy these books.

And with that being said it's a big deal that BCBComics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) donates an issue every week for the Evil Avatar Weekly Comic Book giveaway. That's nothing to sneeze at. So, if you're looking for toys, comics, TPBs and more check their site out. The prices are really reasonable, I know I picked up the HC of Wolverine:Enemy of the State cheaper through them than I could've at my local stores with shipping costs.

[Drinking_Buddy]

With the music to set the mood, something skimpy from Lovers Lane, and a bit of champange.... 9 months later "REED! STOP THE FIGHT! MY WATER BROKE!" and then they had a baby.

Well accually the baby was conseved in the n-vers, or some crazy demintion. When Sue gave birth to Valeria on earth, there were complications because of the baby being conseved on a alt. demintion. Anyway, Sue and the baby where going to die and Reed could not think of a way to save them. So Johnny Storm pleaded to Dr. Doom to save them. Doom agreed and used his science and sorcory to save Sue and the baby.

For saving them, Doom got to name the child, whom he named after the only woman he loved and the privalage to gloat at Richards.

[Liquidize105]

What the heck is in that hand of Shaun's?

[Everlost_MI]

Well accually the baby was conseved in the n-vers, or some crazy demintion. When Sue gave birth to Valeria on earth, there were complications because of the baby being conseved on a alt. demintion. Anyway, Sue and the baby where going to die and Reed could not think of a way to save them. So Johnny Storm pleaded to Dr. Doom to save them. Doom agreed and used his science and sorcory to save Sue and the baby.

For saving them, Doom got to name the child, whom he named after the only woman he loved and the privalage to gloat at Richards.

Ok, thanks for bringing all of us up to speed!

[Bone]

What the heck is in that hand of Shaun's?

That would be a bouquet of flowers, which he first purchased for his mum and then tried to pass off to his girlfriend before she broke up with him.