EA's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 21

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-one is The Pulse: House of M, Special Edition #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week twenty-one is Sunday, July 31st. 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
· The Pulse: House of M, Special Edition #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 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) offers comic book subscriptions (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) 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 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) for the details).

Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.

The books that have been reviewed are Birds of Prey #84, Defenders #1 and Grounded #1.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/bop084.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/defenders1.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/grounded1.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Twenty-one:

Birds of Prey #84 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Gail Simone
Penciller: Joe Bennet
Inker: Jack Jadon
Colorist: Hi-Fi Design
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Joan Hilty
Price: $2.50 US/$3.50 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/bop084.jpg

For those who aren’t familiar with the Birds of Prey, the team is comprised of Black Canary, Oracle (Formally Batgirl who was left a paraplegic from a gunshot wound given by the Joker in the now classic graphic novel, The Killing Joke written by Alan Moore.) and the Huntress. This issue marks the height of the crisis involving Oracle and the sentient tumor that was left in her by Brainiac. The tumor has affected her freewill and has become so attached to Oracle that removal would paralyze her even further; to the point she wouldn’t have movement below her neck. Meanwhile, the Huntress’ quest to take down the mob in Gotham has become intertwined in the undercover work Black Canary and Wild Cat were doing to become the sole distributor of a drug lord’s narcotics. And to add to the fun, neither the Huntress or Black Canary are aware their paths are going to quickly cross.

This was my first Birds of Prey issue and it really hooked me with Gail Simone’s excellent use of dialogue, great characterizations and the Oracle/Brainiac storyline. As this issue unfolded, Simone was able to bring a new reader up to speed quickly without boring long time readers in the process. In addition, the intelligent and well-executed use of other DC characters throughout this issue was fun and refreshing to read. There was an actual reason due to the story to use these various characters as opposed to it being a marketing scheme to get new readers to buy this issue. The artwork created by Joe Bennet was quite enjoyable that was filled with tension and action even when punches weren’t being thrown due to the layouts and use of angles in nearly every panel. The inking by Jack Jadon needs to be mentioned as it really added great atmosphere to the Huntress action scenes.

Bottom Line:
This is book is worth picking up; no matter what comic universe you normally follow. It does help if you’ve read a few DC comics in your life and have a small sense of some of the history. This book has got the right mix of action, suspense combined with solid storytelling.

9/10

Defenders #1 of 5

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writers: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art: Kevin Maguire
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/defenders1.jpg

The Defenders. This was a comic series that started in the early 1970s with the Hulk, Dr. Strange and Namor as the core members and subsequent members were added later. Some of these members included Iceman, The Beast, Silver Surfer, Hercules and The Valkyrie to mention just a few. Depending on whom you talked to, some loved the series and others viewed it as a misfit comic that wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on.

In any case, the same team that most recently worked on DC’s title, Formerly Known as the Justice League, created this new mini-series. The writing style of Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis is that of making their characterization of super-heroes more human with normal flaws while injecting more humor without taking everything in the story as being deadly serious. While the artwork that Kevin Maguire creates possesses all the bluster and action of superhero stories but has the twinge of humor especially in the facial expressions to really cement Giffen and DeMatteis’ humor riddled storylines. With all of this being said, this is one of the best comic books I’ve read this year. The story pokes fun at itself and the history of the characters/Marvel Universe/Defenders in the humorous dialogue between the characters. The artwork is the cherry on top, with every page being laced with images that really accentuate the story being told. Giffen and DeMatteis did revert and tweak some of the characters’ personalities, so this may ruffle some die-hard fans’ feathers. In addition, the entire issue feels like a JLA or JLI issue, which isn’t a bad thing but it may not sit right with regular Marvel readers.

Bottom Line:
If you enjoy a fun poke at the seriousness of superheroes, especially at the characters in the Marvel Universe then pick this book up. If you’ve followed the work of Giffen, DeMatteis and Maguire then you won’t be disappointed in their latest work. I can’t recommend this book enough, but the reader should have some basic knowledge of these characters to get the full enjoyment from this issue. I literally laughed aloud when I read this issue and can’t wait for issue number two.

10/10

Grounded #1 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer/Creator: Mark Sable
Artist: Paul Azaceta
Colors: Nick Filardi
Letters/Design: Kristyn Kerretti
Cover Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Editor: Ivan Brandon
Price: $2.95 US/$3.70 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/grounded1.jpg

The theme of this new ongoing series is or should be, “Be careful what you wish for.” The main character, Jonathan, whose childhood was firmly buried in super-hero comics, like many kids, ached to be one. However, unlike most children who can divide fantasy and reality Jonathan couldn’t and he really tried to become one through various failed attempts. The one involving the spider really showed how naïve and far he was willing to go to achieve his dream. He eventually got most of his peers to believe and become involved in his super-hero dream, however not the level of his belief. Twin bullies who were ostrosized from the mass super-hero conversion challenge his dream and Jonathan is forced to prove his super-hero powers by jumping off the roof of his house. That fateful leap caused his whole world to change as his mother, a psychiatrist, to begin treatment of his super-hero delusions. He never gave up his dream until he stumbles into the truth that he is the son of one of his super-hero idols. The truth actually shatters Jonathan’s dream and view of super-heroes as his own father wouldn’t save him from the fall off of their house.

Mark Sable’s story is nothing new, but the spin as well as the characterizations are unique and gripping enough to become enthralled with the story. The artwork created by Paul Azaceta is reminiscent of Brent Anderson’s work on Astro City and Michael Gaydos’s work on Marvel’s Alias. It’s clean and gives a great atmosphere for Sable’s story to grow and thrive in. The artwork initial pages of this issue are the ripped right from the pages one of Jonathan’s super-hero comics. Those three initial pages told in that format parallel in story, theme and images of what occurs to Jonathan in the rest of the issue and perhaps the rest of the series.

Bottom Line:
This was a really solid and interesting start in both the story and artwork to this new series. This book is worth your time and money to read and add to your ongoing pull list. If you’ve enjoyed The Watchmen or Astro City, where a more realistic view of super-heroes including all the flaws and the grittiness that life brings to humans and superheroes, then this book is definitely for you.

9/10


What else is worth reading this week…
· Wolverine #30 – Between the huge fight scenes and the never-ending twists, it’s a damn shame Millar is only writing two more issue of this series.
· Astonishing X-Men #11 – The story is ok, but Whedon really has gotten the dialogue and characterization down.
· The Ultimates 2 #7 – Arrrrghh! The worst part of this book is having to wait so long between issues. And by the end of the issue it looks like Millar didn’t want give Bendis all the fun.


The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-one is The Pulse: House of M, Special Edition #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week twenty-one entry submissions is Sunday, July 31st.

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 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) offers comic book subscriptions (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) 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 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) 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.

[lpmiller]

birds of prey is really underrated and tends to be avoided because it's a 'girl' book. Yeah, a girl book of ass kicking. One of my favs.

[Justin_McElroy]

It must have something to it, it's my girlfriend's favorite book.

Oh, I don't read it of course, I mean, it's a girl book.

[Heretic Machine]

Oracle is one of my favorite DC characters... Even back when she was Bat-Girl. I just always found her very appealing. Of course, I've always had a soft-spot for Batman sidekicks :)

I'm currently reading No Man's Land in an attempt to beef up on DC continuity (having read Kingdom Come yesterday morning.) Loving it quite a bit, it's long and I like that. I'm going to look into finally reading The Killing Joke afterwards.

[Cupelix]

· Astonishing X-Men #11 – The story is ok, but Whedon really has gotten the dialogue and characterization down.

I was annoyed with the lack of impact from the "deaths" of all the X-Men at the end of issue #10. Other than that, I've been fairly entertained by the whole "Danger" plot, since it at least feels like it could have a lasting impact on the X-Men (no more Danger Room?). Not as good as Whedon's first X-Men plot arc though.

· The Ultimates 2 #7 – Arrrrghh! The worst part of this book is having to wait so long between issues. And by the end of the issue it looks like Millar didn’t want give Bendis all the fun.

Millar is a total tease. Pretty brutal imagery at the end of the issue.

[Kish]

It's cool to see a book like Defenders end up on everybody's subscription list here (at my shop) for the next 4 months. We really didn't know how customers would take it.

Birds of Prey is a pretty solid book, goes good with something like Outsiders and Teen Titians.

Link to Q&A with Gail Simone & The Birds of Prey (http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21332), will help a little with the history.

[Kefkataran]

GREAT reviews this week!! I gotta say, I totally agree on Birds of Prey and Defenders. I added Defenders to my pull list cause it was Giffen and DeMatteis, and of course I don't regret it. As for BoP, well my mom picked up last week's issue for me on a whim and gave it to me when I came home to visit this week. I'd heard great things about it, but hadn't checked it out yet. Reading that issue sold it to me hard, and I'll be adding it to my pull list and digging up some back issues immediately. Simone is love.

I'm currently reading No Man's Land in an attempt to beef up on DC continuity (having read Kingdom Come yesterday morning.)

Of course Kingdom Come is out-of-continuity, but whatever. ;) :p I'm reading a ton of DC stuff for the same reason.

As for other Simone-related stuff, anyone else reading and loving Villains United? It's my favorite of the four Infinite Crisis miniseries going on.