EA's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 20

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty is Serenity #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week twenty is Sunday, July 24th. The selection of the random winner for the July books will occur on Sunday July 31st. 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 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
· Gotham Central #33
· Serenity #1

If you’re tired of missing out on your regular or new comics then you’re in need of a reliable comic book subscription provider. Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway provider, BCBcomics offers comic book subscriptions with many fringe benefits including no hidden costs, 20% off of cover price, all issues are bagged and boarded PLUS free* shipping for orders over $14.99 and cheap* shipping for orders under $14.99 (*see BCBcomics’ website for the details).

Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.

The books that have been reviewed are Serenity #1, Freshmen #1 and All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder #1.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/serenity001a.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/freshman001b.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Twenty:

Serenity #1 of 3

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Story: Joss Whedon & Brett Matthews
Script: Brett Matthews
Art: Will Conrad
Cover Artists: JG Jones, Brian Hitch and John Cassady
Colors: Laura Martin
Letters: Michael Heisler
Editor: Scott Allie
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/serenity001a.jpg

This marks the first Serenity comic book and this three issue mini-series is intended to bridge the gap between the cancelled television Firefly series and the upcoming theatrical movie, Serenity. If you’ve unfamiliar with the Firefly/Serenity universe, the different names both refer to the ship, with Firefly being the class of ship and Serenity being the name it is given by it’s captain Malcolm Reynolds.

If you’ve watched any of the original Firefly episodes, then you will feel right at home with this issue. It captures the same atmosphere, dialogue, characterization and subplots to make it feel like it’s another episode. This story was written Joss Whedon and Brett Matthews and it’s accessible to new readers as well as old fans. Even though the story was a joint effort between Whedon and Matthews, it’s Matthews’ script that really hits all the cylinders and makes it come alive in the print format. The art by Will Conrad and coloring by Laura Martin really captured the characters well, in addition they also packed the issue with great layouts and action sequences that flowed so well the issue will be over before the reader knows it.

The word is that if the Serenity movie does well, Whedon has plans to create two more Serenity movies. In any case, I sincerely hope they continue at some point with at least a comic series that equals or exceeds this initial issue.

Bottom Line:
If you’re a Firefly/Serenity fan pick this issue up, it’s like finding a lost episode of the television series. Otherwise, if you had any interest in the movie or the show, this issue is worth picking up since it’s accessible to new readers.

9/10

Freshman #1 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: Image Comics
Co-Created: Seth Green & Hugh Sterbakov
Written by: Hugh Sterbakov
Penciled by: Leonard Kirk
Inked by: Andrew Pepy
Colored by: Tyson Wengler
Lettered by: Troy Peteri
Editor: Scott Tucker
Price: $2.99 US/$4.60 CAN (That’s what the cover says for the Canadian price, go figure)
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/freshman001b.jpg

The premise of this book is what caused me to pick it up, not the fact that Seth Green (Oz from Buffy the Vampire Slayer series or Scott Evil from the Austin Powers movies) was a co-creator. The co-creators touted the book as, “American Pie meets X-Men by Hugh Sterbakov or as Seth Green describes it…“Revenge of the Nerds meets X2.” I figured ok, why not? I’ll give it a shot.

The book was decent how it handled and set up the large cast of characters but with a cast of over eight with no familiar faces it’s going to take some time to get the audience accustomed and comfortable with the team. That’s not a problem if you can keep the audience captivated but this issue lost me in the last few pages. In those last few pages the group was suddenly and inexplicitly bestowed powers with the only clue being it happened overnight and that they lived in the same science building that was converted to temporary housing. It’s a superhero book, I can suspend my belief to understand being bitten by a radioactive spider will make someone have the powers of a spider but that was explained to the audience of how it occur. Even just a little bit of an explanation would have been better than the college beaver mascot whose suddenly acquires great intelligence and the ability to talk end the issue with the same question I had, what the hell just happened? All that aside, it was a decent attempt at a first issue but Sterbakov should have taken cues from other team books where the entire cast is brand new and whose initial issues were stronger, like the Runaways or Youngblood. Yes, even Liefeld’s first issue of Youngblood did a better job of explaining why things were occurring before trying to pull a fast one. Which resulted in a genuine interest of what would happen in issue two than this issue did.

The very clean artwork by Leonard Kirk, whose previous work includes Supergirl and Amazing Fantasy, was quite good. He has a great handle on facial expressions, which strengthens this issue whose focus was on character interaction and not action scenes. Not to dismiss Kirk’s ability to handle action scenes, his other work has proven he can handle the full spectrum of comic book scenes/sequences.


Bottom Line:

This book does have some potential, but I am on the fence about shelling out another $2.99 to see what happens next. So, that being said I really can’t do more than recommend you look through this book before you buy it. The artwork is good but it’s the story drives off the cliff at the end.

4/10


All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder #1 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Frank Miller
Pencils: Jim Lee
Inks: Scott Williams
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Artists: Jim Lee & Scott Williams
Editor: Bob Schreck
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN

Frank Miller. When comic fans hear that name they probably think of Batman, Daredevil or Sin City. And when comic fans hear Jim Lee, they probably think of X-Men, WildC.A.T.S. or Batman. So the powers at DC decided open up their time tested characters to new and old readers under a new line called All-Star. According to a Newsarama article ( http://www.newsarama.com/DC/AS/AS_Batman.htm) that can explain it more succinctly than I can, “…the idea behind the All-Star line isn’t to spin the characters into a new timeline, a new universe, or a new continuity, rather, the creators are telling stories set in a contemporary period that both builds on the histories of the respective characters, while remaining fresh and as timeless as possible. These are books that DC hopes, will pull people in who maybe haven’t read a Batman or Superman story in a while – if ever. These versions and stories, while not “dumbed down” at all, will bring to the page what’s pure about the character – the iconic characteristics.” The other All-Star series that is being launched later this year is All-Star Superman with Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely on board as the writer and artist.

In this initial issue, the origin of Robin is explored with the death of Dick Grayson’s parents. Bruce Wayne is already involved with Vicki Vale who is introduced as she parades around in a bra, panties and high heels while dictating her thoughts about Batman, Superman, Gotham and Metropolis. While this and the subsequently artwork, that felt as if it came out of some romance comic from the 1960, showed her getting ready for an unexpected date with Wayne was really out of place in the scheme of this issue. The central plot didn’t deviate from the classic Robin origin but Miller did deepen and change some of the details. As long as the reader will have an open mind to the slight changes in characterization and dialogue from the classic characters, the ride should be quite enjoyable.

Lee’s artwork has always been full of energy and action with great layouts and sequences, and he didn’t disappoint in this issue. However, the artwork is some places are too clean for a book that requires a darker mood and I believe it’s due to the inking by Scott Williams, who is Lee’s standard inker. If another inker was assigned to Lee’s pencils with a fresh viewpoint, it could really strengthen Lee’s artwork. Here’s an idea, why not have Miller do the inking?

Bottom Line:
If you’re a regular or occasional Batman reader, this book is worth the money. It has a great writer and artist on board for at least twelve issues.

9/10

What else is worth reading this week…
· Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 – Mark Millar definitely knows how to throw a curveball with the way this issue ends.
· Hawkman #42 – Hawkgirl kicks major tail in this issue that followed the shocking events in Hawkman #41.

Thanks to Newsarama ( http://www.newsarama.com/) for the quotes from their interview ( http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29023 ) with Seth Green and Hugh Sterbakov and the All-Star DC article. ( http://www.newsarama.com/DC/AS/AS_Batman.htm)

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty is Serenity #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week twenty entry submissions is Sunday, July 24th.

If you’re tired of missing out on your regular or new comics then you’re in need of a reliable comic book subscription provider. Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway provider, BCBcomics offers comic book subscriptions with many fringe benefits including no hidden costs, 20% off of cover price, all issues are bagged and boarded PLUS free* shipping for orders over $14.99 and cheap* shipping for orders under $14.99 (*see BCBcomics’ website for the details).

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.

[Cupelix]

By the time I got to my comic store on Thursday, they were sold out of Serenity. Kind of annoyed, I wanted to pick these issues up to feel "complete" on the whole Firefly experience.

I thought Miller's Batman and Robin was decent, but it didn't really hook me until the very last panel. In a perfect world, I'd be hooked by page 2. The cliche filled thoughts of all the characters, on top of the cheesecake of Vale prancing around in her underwearmade it feel very Sin City-esque. I thought that this was both a good and bad thing, for some reason that I can't really articulate.

U-FF was lots of fun too, the whole crossover thing amuses me greatly. Twist at the end was definitely a kick in the pants. New Avengers pleased me this week too - I enjoyed the fight scene between most of the Avengers and a classic member of the Wrecking Crew. I like that Bendis takes some obscure characters who you'd just pass off as being cheesy and makes them into actual threats.

[Kefkataran]

I'm with Cupelix: I thought Miller's new Batman romp was only okay. That said, I'm not as down on it as I've heard a lot of people being because I still have very high hopes for where it goes from here. I recognized it as an origin story (about the 50th damn retelling of Robin's origin with only a few minor changes) and realized it would be a slow start. Still, I'm on for the whole series, as well as All-Star Superman.

And I guess I'm not complaining about the near-pornography in the first five pages, but I hope that doesn't become the focus of the series.

[Justin_McElroy]

I haven't read that new UFF, but the idea of a crossover horrifies me. That's whole idea of the Ultimates universe people...continuity free.

[Cupelix]

I wouldn't say the Ultimate universe is continuity free...its just got less continuity to worry about since it is new. So far, the Crossover has been minor. Essentially young Reed from the Ultimate universe got in touch with Reed from the main universe. Or actually, I guess it happened the other way around. Old Reed is apparently gathering the brightest minds from across the multiverse for some as-yet-unknown purpose. Of course, something goes wrong when Young Reed attempts to enter the main universe. I think its been really well done and definitely has me waiting for the next issue.

[Kefkataran]

I believe Bendis and Quesada said at Comic Con that there will be no major Ultimate universe/616 universe crossover. The most we'd have is little minor things like this. So I guess as long as they're in charge, we don't need to worry about that (although I wouldn't be surprised at them changing their mind if they think they'd be able to make some cash off it... still, I think they'd save it for a "Big Summer Event").

But Justin is right to a point. I mean Bendis has kept saying how he wants Ultimate universe to some stay continuity free. Like, he's said they're not planning to have Peter Parker age, for example. Personally, I think that sounds weird and possibly a little boring, but if they can pull it off... not sure they can though, since, yes, the Ultimate U does have its own continuity now and it's building quickly.

[Heretic Machine]

I'd really suggest picking up Ultimate Fantastic Four, really great stuff. Though yes, the Ultimates Universe should stay seperate... that's the point. It was supposed to be a seperate multi-verse.

[Kefkataran]

I actually think Quesada's exact words were that he'd sooner close down one universe or the other before having a crossover event between the two.

[Cupelix]

I actually think Quesada's exact words were that he'd sooner close down one universe or the other before having a crossover event between the two. Can you imagine them actually _ending_ the 616 universe and continuing on with just the Ultimate universe? Man, how fantastic would that be? Well, maybe not fantastic, but at least ballsy.

[Kish]

By the time I got to my comic store on Thursday, they were sold out of Serenity. Kind of annoyed, I wanted to pick these issues up to feel "complete" on the whole Firefly experience..

Cupelix: I think we have maybe one or two copies left of Serenity #1. Think just the Cassaday (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8396) and Jones (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8398) cover. We also have Serenity #3 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8008) up for pre-order.

[Cupelix]

I don't know if I can get up the nerve to spend the money on shipping for a single comic - considering the shipping probably ends up being more than the issue itself. Plus, I live in an apartment, which means I have a mailbox the size of my pinky. That translates to either things all get curled up to fit in my mailbox, or I have to make trips to the post office to pick stuff up. I think I can beg my local shop to order me an issue.

[Kefkataran]

Can you imagine them actually _ending_ the 616 universe and continuing on with just the Ultimate universe? Man, how fantastic would that be? Well, maybe not fantastic, but at least ballsy.

With the way the 616 universe is going currently, I don't think I'd mind. Heh. Not that I'm THAT much more impressed by the Ultimate U, but still -- a fresh start is a fresh start.

[Heretic Machine]

Can you imagine them actually _ending_ the 616 universe and continuing on with just the Ultimate universe? Man, how fantastic would that be? Well, maybe not fantastic, but at least ballsy.

As much as people bitch about the 616 comics, I still enjoy it most of the time. Then again, even if they ended it my favorite comic would still be running: Exiles!

I think some comic fans just get -way- too jaded a lot of the time, because I can read just about any Marvel comic and find somthing to enjoy about it.

[Kefkataran]

As much as people bitch about the 616 comics, I still enjoy it most of the time. Then again, even if they ended it my favorite comic would still be running: Exiles!

I think some comic fans just get -way- too jaded a lot of the time, because I can read just about any Marvel comic and find somthing to enjoy about it.

I actually agree with you completely. The statement I made was way out of the ordinary for me, and I agree, too many comic fans get jaded. Either they don't want anything to change and they want the comics to be just like they've always been or they bitch because the creators aren't changing enough and it seems like nothing's happening.

Of course I'm more loving DC right now than any Marvel stuff, but that's just because DC has a large number of better writers. Marvel's got some good stuff coming though. I'll be picking up Defenders #1 this week, my first Marvel title on my pull list, because Giffen and Dematteis are amazing. Likewise, anything Dan Slott writes you can sign me up for. And if Stephen King is going to be writing something for Marvel, as has been rumored, I'll almost definitely check that out.

[mister_slim]

Can you imagine them actually _ending_ the 616 universe and continuing on with just the Ultimate universe? Man, how fantastic would that be? Well, maybe not fantastic, but at least ballsy.
Maybe they'll do what they did with the 2099 universe, and let Warren Ellis do whatever he wants with it. That would be interesting.

[Kefkataran]

I'd buy ALL of it. Heh.

Oh, yeah, that's the other big news out of the convention this weekend -- Ellis will be writing an as-of-yet unnamed team book for Marvel. Holy crap. They also said that they have as-of-yet unnanounced plans for Peter Milligan's X-Statix characters. What if Ellis took over them? That would be ridiculously cool.

[mister_slim]

I'd buy ALL of it. Heh.

Oh, yeah, that's the other big news out of the convention this weekend -- Ellis will be writing an as-of-yet unnamed team book for Marvel. Holy crap. They also said that they have as-of-yet unnanounced plans for Peter Milligan's X-Statix characters. What if Ellis took over them? That would be ridiculously cool.
Didn't X-Statix come about because Marvel turned over some books to Ellis and he choose Milligan to write it? I think they also gave him X-Man and a couple other books.

[Kefkataran]

Didn't X-Statix come about because Marvel turned over some books to Ellis and he choose Milligan to write it? I think they also gave him X-Man and a couple other books.

Possible. I dunno the history behind it that well, only that I absolutely adore the Milligan TPBs I've read so far (Almost all of them) and that the characters suit Ellis's batshit craziness style. I wouldn't think Marvel would ever have given Ellis that much power over any of their properties though? I mean as far as I understood, Ellis has just started to become a big name with a bigger fan following. It's definitely possible I'm wrong though. My housemate is a Milligan/X-Statix fanatic, so I'll ask him about it tonight.

[Evil Avatar]

Isn't there also a "Next" Universe from Last Hero Standing and Amazing Fantasy?

[Kefkataran]

I know they had another universe that contained, for example, Peter Parker's daughter becoming Spider Girl and a new version of the Fantastic Four (called the Fantastic Five, I think) in which Franklin Richards was the new leader. As far as I can tell, though, most the titles published in that universe have sucked.