EA's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 25

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-five is Jack Cross #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week twenty-five is Sunday, August 28th. 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
· Supergirl #1
· Jack Cross #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 DragonLance: Chronicles #1, Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 and JSA Classified #1.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/dragonlance.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ultspideyannual.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/jsa.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Twenty-five:

DragonLance: Chronicles #1 of 8

Publisher: Devil’s Due Publishing
Story: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Adaptation Script: Andrew Dabb
Pencils: Steve Kurth
Colors: Djoko Santiko of IFS
Letteres: Steve Seeley
Editor: Mark Powers
Price: $2.95 US/$3.95 CAN

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

This is a faithful adaptation of Dragons of Autumn Twilight, the first book from the classic DragonLance Chronicles Trilogy that was written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman over fifteen years ago. For those who aren’t familiar with the DragonLance saga and want to get the synopsis ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonlance ) can view it at Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page).

The first issue does a decent job of staying true to the original storyline as well as the characterizations and dialogue. However due to migration of the story from a novel to a comic, many of the smaller details and scenes have been omitted. Thus, the pacing will appear a bit rush for those who have read the novel. The artwork created by Steve Kurth is adequate but it’s the coloring by Djoko Santiko that really make the pages come alive.

Bottom Line:
If you’ve read the DragonLance series, this issue is worth looking through to take you down memory lane. If you are new to the DragonLance series spend the three dollars on the literary novel, your money and time will be better spent that way.

5/10


Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 (One shot?)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Mark Brooks
Inks: Jaime Mendoza & Scott Hanna
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover artist: Mark Bagley
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Price: $3.99 US/$5.75 CAN

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

It appears Marvel has struck gold again with the re-launching of their Annuals, the latest one being Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1. This issue tells the parallel stories of Kitty Pryde, Shadowcat from the X-Men, and Spider-Man dealing with their feelings of being loners and how they ended up resolving these feelings with each other. This story fleshes out and enriches the Ultimate universe with strengthening the characters as well as the ties between the various characters in the different titles.

The plot, pacing and dialogue are superb with Brian Michael Bendis, who’s been writing the Ultimate Spider-Man since day one, scripting this issue. The only odd thing is in the last Ultimate X-Men TPB that was released a few weeks ago, Iceman and Kitty were together so I am not sure how that played out and where this story sits in the continuity. The artwork created by Mark Brooks is excellent and is similar enough to Mark Bagely’s that it didn’t drastically change the look and feel of the characters. In addition, Brooks’ interpretation of the Ultimate Rhino is great. The coloring in this issue needs to be mentioned as Dave Stewart’s work really shines at the end of the issue with the look over New York.

Bottom Line:
The issue is definitely worth the money if you’re an Ultimate Spider-Man fan. If you’re not reading Ultimate Spider-Man then take the time and money to catch up on the various TPBs, they are definitely worth it.

9/10


JSA Classified #1 (Second print and an ongoing series)

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Amanda Conner
Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti
Colorist: Paul Mounts
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Editor: Stephen Wacker
Price: $2.50 US/$3.50 CAN

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

This issue was first released in the middle of July and it immediately sold out. DC reprinted the issue and offered a pencil sketch variant cover to tell the two prints apart. This is the initial issue of a four-party story that sets the stage to expose the true origin of Power Girl. Power Girl is trying to come to terms with the knowledge that she is not Superman’s cousin due to Supergirl’s sudden appearance and the fact that she doesn’t know who she really is or where she belongs. And to make matters worse, her powers are being inconsistent usually at the wrong time. Power Girl tells the majority of this issue’s narrative until the last segment, where those who truly know who is reveal themselves to the reader.

Geoff Johns, who is the DC equivalent of Marvel’s Brian Michael Bendis in the form of being behind some of the current best told stories and crossovers in their respective publishing houses, does a great job bringing new and long time readers right at home with Power Girl and her history. The dialogue and characterizations are excellent as is the dialogue and visuals created by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti. Conner’s artwork and layouts are energetic and in some scenes Power Girl’s look borderlines on cheesecake. This only accentuates the dialogue and characterization Johns is trying to bring across.

Bottom Line:
The issue provides an interesting story and enjoyable artwork that is accessible to new and long time readers. I’d also recommend this book to those who have been reading Superman/Batman, Supergirl or JSA due to tie-ins.

9/10


What else is worth reading this week…
· Birds of Prey #85 – This issue ties up quite a few loose ends and opens an interesting can of worms in the final panel of the issue.
· Defenders #2 – Another hilarious outing with the misfit team of Marvel superheroes.

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-five is Jack Cross #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week twenty-five entry submissions is Sunday, August 28th

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.

[LouisWu]

Definitely going to pick up Dragonlance. I've had a huge soft spot for that series every since I started reading fantasy.

/feel like digging out an ol' Gold Box game...

[Kefkataran]

I'm with Louis. I loved Dragonlance through high school, so I think that will convince me to pick it up again.

Couldn't agree with you more about the 9/10 for JSA #1. That was one of the books that made me start realizing just how much and why I love Geoff Johns. For those interested, issue 2 (part 2 of 4 of the Power Girl origin storyline) should be shipping Wednesday.

[Cupelix]

I picked up the DL comic being a fan of the books from long ago as a curiousity. It's funny how in the comic setting characters are forced to do a lot of stating the obvious to get the reader up to speed with things that I know where narrated in the original book. Yes, the set up to the DL stories is classic cliched D&D, but it feels even worse when the dialogue must be clunky to compensate for the lack of a narrator. I don't think I'll be picking these up in further issues, despite the pretty decent art (aside from the rendition of Tasslehoff, who looked slightly unnerving to me).

The USM Annual was good work from Bendis (not that that is much of a surprise). For the record, it does fit into continuity, as Bobby and Kitty recently split in the comic - I'm not sure what the latest trade was, but the two have been fighting for quite a few issues now. I thought Kitty's sudden desire to re-meet Peter was kind of odd, seemingly out of nowhere. I also fear that having Kitty and Peter date is going to lead to unnecessary UX-Men cameos in the pages of USM, but that remains to be seen.

[AspectVoid]

I'll admit that I'm not fully up to date in the Ultimate line of comics, but from what I remember, it was shown that Kitty was a fan of Spider-man before she met Peter, and in some of the issues I've seen of UXM(somewhere in the 50s I believe), her room has at least 1 Spidey poster in it. So, honestly, her suddenly wanting to see Peter again isn't too far out there.

*sigh* I need to get back into the Ultimate Marvel line. They're too good to ignore.

[Monroeski]

Iceman was going out with Rogue, then they kind of broke up when Rogue took off with Gambit, but Iceman still sends love letters back and forth with her through email, which totally pisses off Kitty. So that's what's happening.

[Liquidize105]

I hear DC's trying to cease and desist Chamberlain's gay batman (http://www.artnet.com/artist/424157172/mark-chamberlain.html).

Damnit batman can be gay if he wants to!

[Kefkataran]

I also fear that having Kitty and Peter date is going to lead to unnecessary UX-Men cameos in the pages of USM, but that remains to be seen.

Well, depends on how you define unnecessary. They'll be necessary insofar as those two are an item now.

Man, though, I really do wish I could love Bendis as much as a lot of people seem to. There's so much about his stuff that I want to love, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

Anyone up for some of Chamberlain's batman? This is racy stuff!

I, uh... damn. Just damn.

[mister_slim]

I forgot all about Jack Cross. Damn.

Hey, KT, does your shop have a copy of the Promethea #32 special edition laying around?
I hear DC's trying to cease and desist Chamberlain's gay batman (http://www.artnet.com/artist/424157172/mark-chamberlain.html).

Damnit batman can be gay if he wants to!
I would think that would be parody (compare Warhol's Marilyn Monroe). Midnighter is sexier, anyway.

[Kefkataran]

Jack Cross #1 isn't even released yet till next week, I believe, so no panicy yet, Mister Slim.

[Everlost_MI]

Jack Cross #1 isn't even released yet till next week, I believe, so no panicy yet, Mister Slim.

Jack Cross #1 is due out this Wednesday, August 24.

[Kefkataran]

Weird. I could've sworn last time I checked DC's site it was set to come out next week. But sure enough, now it's set to this week. Oh well, one more comic for me to pick up this week. No complaints here.

[Liquidize105]

I would think that would be parody (compare Warhol's Marilyn Monroe). Midnighter is sexier, anyway.
Yeah the shot of batman and robin kissing is a parody.

The idea of batman being gay strikes me as original. A gay superman or gay capt. america just wouldn't work as well.

[Superunknown[GP]]

Ultimate Rhino was already in Ultimate Spider-Man #28 (the first issue in vol. 3 of the hardcover).

I've caught up on a lot of the Ultimates universe. Not having a girlfriend gives you extra free time.

[Kefkataran]

The idea of batman being gay strikes me as original.

Well, I'm not sure what you mean by "original" here, but the idea's been around for a long time. Part of the driving force behind the comic McCarthyism of the '50s was the accusation that the Batman/Robin relationship had obviously gay undertones and was as such subversive to the morals of America's children.

[Everlost_MI]

']Ultimate Rhino was already in Ultimate Spider-Man #28 (the first issue in vol. 3 of the hardcover).

I've caught up on a lot of the Ultimates universe. Not having a girlfriend gives you extra free time.

I stand corrected, thank you. I'll change the review.

[Liquidize105]

Well, I'm not sure what you mean by "original" here, but the idea's been around for a long time. Part of the driving force behind the comic McCarthyism of the '50s was the accusation that the Batman/Robin relationship had obviously gay undertones and was as such subversive to the morals of America's children.
You sure know a lot about comics.

[Kefkataran]

You sure know a lot about comics.

:p I've just done a lot of reading into comic book history lately since getting into the books themselves. Reading Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon and Miller/Eisner didn't hurt either.