EA's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 26

[Everlost_MI]

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

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 Jack Cross #1, Teen Titans #27 and Ultimate X-Men Annual #1.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/jackcross.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/teentitans.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ultxmenannual.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Twenty-six:

Jack Cross #1 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: DC Comics
Created and Written by: Warren Ellis
Illustrated by: Gary Erskine
Colors by: Brian Rever
Lettering by: Rob Leigh
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Price: $2.50 US/$3.50 CAN

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

Jack Cross, Warren Ellis’ latest creation, is a character with an interesting conundrum of a left and right wing politics. Those results combined with the proper training have turned him into a necessary monster, a weapon to fight the internal and external wars of terrorism in the United States. Ellis takes the reader on a harrowing ride through Cross’ life in a world that is perhaps to close to ours and in the process shows that there’s still humanity under the armor that Cross insulates himself with.

The plot, dialogue, pacing and characterizations are excellent in this initial issue; the only flaw is the wait for the next issue. Ellis has barely scratched the surface of this multilayered character, and the sheer amount of intrigue and possibilities for this character seem boundless after only thirty-two pages. This is one of Ellis’ best efforts to date. The artwork Gary Erskine is decent as it gives a realistic interpretation of Cross and his cold approach to the dirty work he has to perform, especially during the interrogation sequence.

Bottom Line:
If you enjoy 24, the television series or an Ellis fan this book is worth your time and money. If this issue is any indication of what the entire series has in store, it’s definitely not going to take any prisoners.

9/10


Teen Titans #27 (An ongoing series)
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Rob Liefeld
Colors: Matt Yackey
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Joan Hilty
Price: $2.50 US/$3.50 CAN

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

Geoff Johns took two issues off of this title to focus on DC’s Infinite Crisis and Gail Simone who has been writing the excellent Birds of Prey series stepped up to fill in. Unfortunately, her writing on this issue has taken a backseat to the inconsistent and ugly artwork by Rob Liefeld. Liefeld who drew the Hawk and Dove miniseries over fifteen years ago was selected for the artwork chores on this two issue story arc. However, the only chore is forced upon the reader trying to understand if the artwork or the dialogue is correct in the various panels as more often than not they don’t match up.

The plot that is provided is decent but the dialogue and characterization do not match up with the previous Teen Titan issues. I believe Joan Hilty, the editor, should shoulder some of the blame of this lack of continuity. Whether a guest writer is in place or not, the cohesiveness of a series from issue to issue falls on the editor’s shoulders. This is not to say that the writer is not responsible, but the editor is the first and last line of defense against such problems. The artwork is just horrible. Liefeld should stick to covers and pinups, that way he can’t forget who wore what in the previous panel or how the human anatomy works. I make no apologizes to Liefeld fans, his work has only got worse over time.

Bottom Line:
If you’re a Teen Titans fan, I am sure you can’t wait until Johns returns to the title. Otherwise, save you money unless you want to send the wrong message to DC Comics that you enjoy Liefeld’s work. Don’t pick up this issue if you enjoy Simone’s work, this is a poor example of her talent.

1/10


Ultimate X-Men Annual #1 (One shot?)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencils: Tom Raney
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Gina Going-Raney
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover artist: Stuart Immonen
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Price: $3.99 US/$5.75 CAN

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

Marvel is three for three in their initial Ultimate Annual outings, with the last being the Ultimate X-Men Annual #1. This issue focuses on Gambit and Rogue who’ve been on their own since Rogue’s departure from the X-Men at the end of issue 53 of Ultimate X-Men. Gambit and Rogue steal the Gem of Cyttorak from a Vegas casino owned by the Fenris and end up facing the Juggernaut who tracked Rogue down with his recently reclaimed helmet from his days in the Weapon X program. Gambit makes a huge mistake by charging up the Gem of Cyttorak and throwing it at the Juggernaut as a weapon. The gem gets absorbed and bestows unknown powers, who knows what spin they will put on the gem’s powers in the Ultimate universe, unto the Juggernaut. Gambit makes one mistake after another that results in his death but not before transferring his essence and powers to Rogue permanently. This an interesting twist for the Ultimate universe and from the mainstream Marvel universe where Rogue absorbed Ms. Marvel’s persona and powers.

The plot, characterization, pacing and dialogue are excellent with Brian K. Vaughan, whose been writing the recent Ultimate X-Men, scripting this issue. Incidentally, my confusion over Kitty and Bobby being together after what happened in the Ultimate Spider-Man Annual is addressed in the first few pages of this issue. The artwork by Tom Raney and Scott Hanan is excellent and keep pace with Vaughan’s script.

Bottom Line:
The issue is definitely worth the money if you’re an Ultimate X-Men fan. Even if you’re burned out on the mainstream X-Men, the Ultimate X-Men is a refreshing series that is worth reading especially in TPB format.

9/10


What else is worth reading this week…
· Grounded #2 – A great issue in the series where the old adage of “Be careful of what you wish for” comes true.
· The Walking Dead #21 – Another dramatic issue from a remarkable series that deserves your attention.

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).

[Everlost_MI]

/grumble mode on

SPOILERS






































OK, anyone else disappointed with Wolverine #31? Millar has written some of the best Wolverine stories in the past eleven issues and then ends it with a trick out of Clash of the Titans? Whatever. I am just glad this is an exception to his normal storytelling skills but still.

/grumble mode off

[BleedTheFreak]

Everlost,

I liked it, it was clever and until it happened, I didn't see it coming and wondered how he would pull it all off.

[Kefkataran]

Like I said in another thread this weekend, I have a buddy who adores the Teen Titans series and was excited to see Gail Simone's take on it. But Rob Liefield art... oh god. He couldn't even finish reading it. What the hell is Liefield doing still being allowed a job? All I can think of when I hear his name is all the horrible X-book art he did all through the '90s and how it was one of the biggest additions to the blight all across comics back then.

As for the rest of the reviews -- total agreement. Jack Cross ruled, and I'm glad to finally have another solid Ellis monthly (and two after Fell comes out next month!). What makes me most curious is this: Jack Cross is a DC book taking place in the DC universe. I'm really wondering if it's just out of continuity completely or if it will eventually have Jack running into some other DC characters. It certainly doesn't seem like the DCU we all know and love, but there it is on the cover. Hmmmm...

[Cupelix]

What makes me most curious is this: Jack Cross is a DC book taking place in the DC universe. I'm really wondering if it's just out of continuity completely or if it will eventually have Jack running into some other DC characters. It certainly doesn't seem like the DCU we all know and love, but there it is on the cover. Hmmmm... I don't read a lot of DC titles, but I did pick up Jack Cross. Is there usually something obvious on the cover if a title is published by DC, but isn't in the canon universe? It certainly didn't seem to imply it took place in the shared continuity, and I didn't make the assumption that it was just because it actually said DC on the cover.

As for the Ult. X-Men Annual - I had mixed feelings about it. I don't have the hate for Gambit that so many people seem to (he's not the best character ever, but he's certainly not the worst). My main problem was that he was only just recently brought into the Ultimate continuity in the first place - and it just bugs me for some reason when someone shows up, stays for only a few issues, and then gets knocked off. However, I do like the take that Rogue has his powers in this continuity. Rogue usually ends up with different powers in various alternate timeline plots, but giving her Gambit's powers is a fresh take. I also wouldn't mind if they took the "I can still hear him" line kind of literally, and made Gambit some sort of ghost character in Rogue's head. It would at least be a fresh take on his character as well.

*edit* I also think it's funny that Liefield's art is identifiable even in thumbnail format due to the thigh muscles and "AHHHHHH" expression on the character's faces. Strange how Shatterstar managed to fit into Robin's costume. Or is that Cable in Robin's costume? No, neither eye seems to be flashing.

[Steve_Erhardt]

^ LMAO WRT Liefield's identifiable art even in thumbnail... my thoughts exactly!

[Justin_McElroy]

Just FYI, if you like 24, you ironically should not pick up the 24 graphic novels because they are terrible. you want plotting and pace problems? How about every page is an hour.

Simply crappy.

[Kefkataran]

I don't read a lot of DC titles, but I did pick up Jack Cross. Is there usually something obvious on the cover if a title is published by DC, but isn't in the canon universe?

If you look on DC's site for their comics listings (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/) you'll see that DC also publishes Wildstorm and Vertigo (you probably already knew this). Now, generally if a title takes place out of DC continuity completely it will end up either as a Wildstorm Signature title (like Ellis's other awesome series, Desolation Jones, as well as Ex Machina, I believe), or as a Vertigo title. Thus it's odd that this was published as a normal DC title. More telling, though, if you click on "Jack Cross" in the list, at the bottom by the price it states "DC Universe". Still it could be totally out of continuity and/or not connected to the other DC titles at all. I guess time will tell.

[Praetor-Vong]

I used to like Liefeld art...but i have to agree, it has got considerably worse over the years. He still can't draw hands and feet right, even after all these years. Oh well.

[Rommel]

I used to like Liefeld art...but i have to agree, it has got considerably worse over the years. He still can't draw hands and feet right, even after all these years. Oh well.

Rob used to be popular because his very fucked up style choices were different enough to provide interest. Then we realize that it was the only thing he could draw! And yes, he got worse as time went on. What was most frightening was how they allowed him to actually change characters because he drew them entirely different than previously had been done. How he didn't get sued over youngblood, as misshapen as it was, baffles me.