EA's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 23

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-three is Justice #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week twenty-three is Sunday, August 14th. The selection of the random winner for the August books will occur on Sunday August 28th. 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 August are:

· Giant Size Spider-Woman #1
· Justice #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 1602: A New World #1, Justice #1 and Hellboy: The Island #2.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/1602.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/justice.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/hellboy.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Twenty-three:

1602: New World #1 of 5

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Greg Pak
Penciller: Mark Morales
Inker: Morry Hollowell & Will Quintana
Colors: Todd Klein
Letters: Sergio Toppi
Editor: Nick Lowe
Price: $3.50 US/$5.00 CAN
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/1602.jpg

This is the sequel to the Neil Gaiman’s vision of Marvel’s heroes and villains set in the Elizabethan period. Gaiman’s story provided a well worn but still enjoyable and slightly interesting take on the classic Marvel characters. So in an effort to milk the cash cow a bit more Marvel tapped Greg Pak, whose previous writing credits include X-Men: Phoenix End Song, to carry on the story. The first issue was a slight recap in an effort to bring new and familiar readers up to speed. Speed, perhaps is the wrong word because the story went nowhere fast. Pak was handed a story that really didn’t need to continue and had to create something to pad out five issues. While the original story had a decent plot with great characterizations and dialogue, the sequel is seriously lacking all three areas. The artwork provided by Mark Morales is rather unremarkable but he does draw dinosaurs rather well.

Bottom Line:
Save your money.

1/10

Justice #1 of 12

Publisher: DC Comics
Writers: Jim Krueger & Alex Ross
Artists: Doug Braithwaite & Alex Ross
Letters: Todd Klein
Cover artist: Alex Ross
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Price: $2.99 US/$4.00 CAN

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

WOW. That’s the only word that can describe this first issue of Justice by Jim Krueger, Alex Ross and Doug Braithwaite. The story takes a reader back to the Silver Age of the DC Universe, where the superheroes are portrayed as wholesome and borderline perfect. The era where the lines between good and evil were clearer, a time before Aquaman’s child was murdered and Lois Lane was still Superman’s girlfriend. The twist is how naïve the superheroes are to the destruction they leave in their wake as they help mankind. This results in the supervillians, led by Lex Luthor, having to save the world from the superheroes. A slight reminder of the theme in the Lex Luthor: Man of Steel mini series DC is producing right now.

The story, pacing, characterization and dialogue are top notch, especially in the final panel of the issue. The combination of the writing and the breathtaking realistic artwork created by Ross and Braithwaite causes this book to really fire on all cylinders. There is a level of fun of seeing the various villains in their civilian environments and trying to figure out who is who. The added bonus of the Batman’s files at the end of the issue shed a bit more light on the characters and provides gorgeous sketches that are the icing on the cake.

Bottom Line:
This is a must buy for any casual or die hard comic book reader. If you don’t want to pick up the individual issues, I am positive they will collect this series into a TPB with some added features. I don’t recommend waiting for that and after reading this issue I don’t think you’d be able to wait for the next issue let alone 14-16 months until the TPB is released.

10/10

Hellboy: The Island #2 of 2

Publisher:Dark Horse Comicsg
Story & Art: Mike Mignola
Letters: Clem Robins
Colors: Dave Stewart
Editor: Scott Allie
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

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

I know I reviewed the first issue only five weeks ago but the second issue was so damn good it deserved another shot in the limelight. This issue revealed more of Hellboy’s mythology in the midst of Mike Mignola’s extremely atmospheric artwork. The story starts to fill in the some of the blanks for the long time Hellboy readers. The results of this miniseries will not only spill over into the next Hellboy series but is also sending ripples into the B.P.R.D. series.

For the uninitiated, this miniseries is a bit daunting and one will lose themselves quickly. So if the movie or leafing through this or any other Hellboy issue piques your interest then I suggest you go back and read the trade paperbacks (TPBs) in order to get the whole story.

Bottom Line:
If you’re a Hellboy fan, get both of these issues. If you’re not familiar with Hellboy or have only seen the movie, I suggest you take the time and read the first two TPBs (Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil); they greatly exceed what they tried to do in the movie. And if you’re hooked in to Hellboy’s world then take a look at the B.P.R.D. series that’s been written by Mignola. It already has three TPBs under its belt with a new miniseries starting this month.

9/10


What else is worth reading this week…
· The New Avengers #8 – I heard a really interesting rumor about Sentry which I won’t spoil here but if you are interested check it out here (http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/rage/112223889650552.htm) at the All the Rage column at Silver Bullet Comic Books. ([url=http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/)
· Serenity #2 – The limited series just keeps getting better and the movie draws near.

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-three is Justice #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week twenty-three entry submissions is Sunday, August 14th.

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.

[Cupelix]

I concur on the reviews of 1602 and Justice. 1602 was a big snoozer - I picked it up hoping there would be a hook to get me to buy the next issue, but there just isn't one.

Justice was indeed fascinating - and Alex Ross' art is always a treat.

There was also a great issue of Y: THe Last Man out this week; after all this time we get to pick up with Beth and find out what has happened to her.

[Kefkataran]

There was also a great issue of Y: THe Last Man out this week; after all this time we get to pick up with Beth and find out what has happened to her.

They had a small section with Beth in an earlier issue. not sure what issue exactly, I just know it was the fifth trade that just came out. :)

Your review of Justice #1 makes me jealous. I'm not a huge fan of Ross artwork in comics (love it as cover art, but that's about it), but I tend to love his writing. I decided to pass this one up and wait for the trade, though. It will be a long wait, but I think I'm committed to doing so. Unless I win issue #1 at the end of the month of course... ;)

clicked that link you provided about the NA arc, Everlost, but just ended up spending most my time staring at the Fell art. Jeez I'm excited for that. Looks absolutely gorgeous and the concept is stellar.

[agentgray]

I think the trade will be a really long wait...Isn't Justice bi-monthly?

[TrackZero]

Great, now I have to wait until whenever the next Hellboy TPB is out (since I've sworn off individual issues).

[Kefkataran]

The trade will be a long wait because it's bi-monthly, yes. 12-issue series, so it'll be a good couple years before it's finished up.

[Cupelix]

The trade will be a long wait because it's bi-monthly, yes. 12-issue series, so it'll be a good couple years before it's finished up.
Holy crap, is that what I just got myself in to? There should be a disclaimer on things like this. "WARNING: STORY WILL TAKE FOREVER TO FINISH" *cough*SecretWar*cough*

[Everlost_MI]

Great, now I have to wait until whenever the next Hellboy TPB is out (since I've sworn off individual issues).

I did too until I found out that some of the miniseries like The Third Wish has yet to be collected. I just picked up the Hellboy/Batman/Starman miniseries off of Ebay pretty cheap and found out there was a Hellboy/Ghost miniseries too. Gah!

[Everlost_MI]

Holy crap, is that what I just got myself in to? There should be a disclaimer on things like this. "WARNING: STORY WILL TAKE FOREVER TO FINISH" *cough*SecretWar*cough*

Yeah but Secret Wars sucked.

[Dr.Finger]

The trade will be a long wait because it's bi-monthly, yes. 12-issue series, so it'll be a good couple years before it's finished up.

At least it was announced as bi-monthly as opposed to all the other books that just end up as bi-monthly or worse, quarterly.

[Cupelix]

Yeah but Secret Wars sucked.
The current, unfinished Secret War series? I've thought that it was pretty damn cool. The only thing that has made it stumble is the continual delays. And I have to assume those are art delays and not writing delays. Such are the dangers of fully painted artwork, I guess.

[Evil Avatar]

Yeah but Secret Wars sucked.

Hang your head in shame, my son. Secret Wars was the pinnacle of 80's Marvel comics. How can you resist a comic book with an issue titled, "Amid the Chaos... A costume!"

Even William S. Burroughs couldn't have outdone that turn of the phrase.

(Though, I haven't seen many Marvel comics with pedophilic insects, so Burroughs still has a bit of an edge. ;) )

[Kefkataran]

Yeah but Secret Wars sucked.

The man has a point.

At least it was announced as bi-monthly as opposed to all the other books that just end up as bi-monthly or worse, quarterly.

Oh, yeah, no, I have nothing against it being bi-monthly. Was just pointing it out for those who were unsure. I mean, hell, I can't get enough of Desolation Jones and that's bi-monthly without anything even coming close to a guaranteed ending at this point, so... I actually read several bi-monthly titles.

Though, I haven't seen many Marvel comics with pedophilic insects, so Burroughs still has a bit of an edge.

You keep saying things to make me love you. I daresay you're trying to seduce me, Mr. Evil.

[Everlost_MI]

The current, unfinished Secret War series? I've thought that it was pretty damn cool. The only thing that has made it stumble is the continual delays. And I have to assume those are art delays and not writing delays. Such are the dangers of fully painted artwork, I guess.

Yes, the same one that killed the Pulse as well as my interest in an interesting story that went nowhere fast due to the artwork.

[Everlost_MI]

Hang your head in shame, my son. Secret Wars was the pinnacle of 80's Marvel comics. How can you resist a comic book with an issue titled, "Amid the Chaos... A costume!"

Even William S. Burroughs couldn't have outdone that turn of the phrase.

(Though, I haven't seen many Marvel comics with pedophilic insects, so Burroughs still has a bit of an edge. ;) )

Ah, I didn't not mean the origial Secret Wars which I own the single issues as well as the TPB. That was written by the man, Jim Shooter and most of the issues were drawn one of the better Marvel artists of the 80's Mike Zeck. It was great! The Hulk get his leg broken, Venom was born, The Absorbing Man got a girl and Colossus ruined his relatonship with Kitty/Shadowcat. :)

I meant the extremely late Secret Wars written by Bendis.

[mister_slim]

Fell is pretty.

Edit: And apparently there's a new Sonic comic coming, Sonic X (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=40119). It is adorable.

[Kefkataran]

Fell is pretty.

Word is that a lot of people are really excited by the fact that each issue is a self-contained story and they're only $1.99 a pop. Ellis himself seems really excited about this one too, like he's really onto something. I expect it will be quite good.