Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 27

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-seven is Captain America #9 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week twenty-seven is Sunday, September 11th. The selection of the random winner for the August books will occur on Sunday September 25th. 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 September are:

· Captain America #9


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 Captain America #9, Young Avengers #6 and Wonder Woman #220.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/capam9.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/youngavengers6.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ww220.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week twenty-seven:

Captain America #9 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Michael Lark
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Randy Gentile
Cover Artists: Steve Epting & Frank D’Armata
Editor: Tom Breevort
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/capam9.jpg

This issue is the second part of “The Winter Solider” storyline that deals with General Lukin, the man who killed the Red Skull and stole the Cosmic Cube. Lukin’s main operative is the Winter Solider who S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury believe is Captain America’s long thought deceased partner, Bucky. The only person who hasn’t swallowed this story is Captain America himself. This issue adds a bit of spice to the mix as Crossbones liberates the Red Skull’s daughter, Synthia Schmidt, from a United States re-education camp. In addition, Captain America, Nick Fury and Sharon Carter get some egg on their face as their insertion to capture Lukin backfires due to Lukin pulling the strings via the Cosmic Cube.

Ed Brubaker’s storyline is a bit cliché but between his characterization and dialogue the issue is an enjoyable read. The cover artwork by Steve Epting and Frank D’Armata is excellent; it is a bit disappointing that it didn’t continue to the contents of the issue. However, the interior work by Michael Lark does the job quite well with excellent panel layout and action scenes. Lark’s style is a bit thicker and darker as he inks his own work and has less detail when compared to Epting’s style.

Bottom Line:
Long time Captain America fans might have a problem with the whole Bucky returning from the grave storyline, but so far it’s being handled as well as the return of Jason Todd in the various Batman titles at DC. If you enjoyed Brubaker’s work on Gotham Central, Batman or Sleeper then this is a series you should be reading. Brubaker is crafting some of the better Captain America storylines in recent history.

7/10


Young Avengers #6 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer/Co-Creator: Allan Heinberg
Co-Creator/Penciler: Jim Cheung
Inkers: John Dell with Dave Meikis & Jay Leisten.
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/youngavengers6.jpg

This issue is a turning point for the series and the characters as the initial story arc comes to a close. Iron Lad/Kang sacrifices himself for his teammates and the world by going back to his timeline to repair the shattered timeline and become Kang, the bane of the Avengers. This doesn’t quite fix all the remnants of Iron Lad/Kang’s actions but it does restored the Vision back to a fully working android. In addition, Captain America strips the Young Avengers of their gear and forbid them of future heroics unless they are willing to get their parents’ consent to be superheroes. This was an odd point as a few weeks later, the team get new costumes and forgo the consequences of their parents’ and Captain America’s knowledge or consent.

Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung have re-ignited the spark of the classic Avengers in this series. The plot, pacing and dialogue for this series have been consistently excellent since the initial issue. Cheung’s artwork compliments the script and really brings the dialogue and action scenes to life. The coloring by Justin Ponsor needs to be mentioned as the lack and the sudden infusion of color really helps convey the atmosphere and energy of this story.

Bottom Line:
The issue and series is definitely worth your money and time if you’ve enjoyed any incarnation of the Avengers or enjoy team-based superheroes that make mistakes as they are trying to etch a place in the world.

9/10


Wonder Woman #220 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Greg Rucka
Pencils: David Lopez
Inks: Bit
Colors: Wildstorm FX
Letters: Todd Klein
Cover Artist: J. G. Jones
Editor: Ivan Cohen
Price: $2.50 US/$3.50 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ww220.jpg

This issue deals with Wonder Woman recounting the events of murdering Max Lord and the resulting aftermath to Batman. Some of the results have repercussions through the various secondary plot lines in the series but the biggest result is Batman’s reaction to Wonder Woman’s story. Now the question is, what will happen to Wonder Woman after the smoke clears?

Greg Rucka has been writing Wonder Woman for some time now and has a good handle on the character. He has definitely put her through the paces with the various storylines including the loss of her sight. This issue the pacing, dialogue and characterizations are excellent and the story is easily accessible to new and long time readers. David Lopez’s artwork is clean and while it doesn’t add to Rucka’s script it doesn’t detract from it.

Bottom Line:
The issue provides an interesting recap of what’s being going on and leaves a bigger question of what will happen to Wonder Woman. The story and artwork is accessible to new and long time readers. I’d also recommend this book to those who have been reading Identity/Infinite Crisis/OMAC due to tie-ins.

7/10


What else is worth reading this week…
· Supreme Power #18 – This issue ends the regular series with an interesting manifesto from Hyperion.
· Astonishing X-Men #12 – Whedon and Cassidy end their first year on Astonishing with an issue filled with great dialogue, characterization and a small cliffhanger.

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-seven is Captain America #9 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week twenty-seven entry submissions is Sunday, September 11th.

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.

[G-Man]

Yeah, I enjoyed Young Avengers this week also. I'm looking forward to see how this book fits in with the rest of the Marvel U. now that the initial arc is over.

Did anyone check out Revelations #1 this week? I enjoyed Jenkins/Ramos on Spidey a few months ago, but can they deliver without a franchise player?

[thecrazyd]

Yeah, I got Revalations. It is pretty awesome. The art is great.

[Evil Avatar]

Young Avengers? Are there zombies in that comic? I only want to read about zombies.

(Currently obsessed with The Walking Dead.)

[Dr.Finger]

Young Avengers? Are there zombies in that comic? I only want to read about zombies.[/I]

Well that explains the "I Am Legend" tag.

[Evil Avatar]

Well that explains the "I Am Legend" tag.

I wondered if anyone would figure that out. :)

I got the hardcover of the Steve Niles and Elman Brown version for Christmas.

[Kefkataran]

I'd like that I am Legend hardcover a lot.

I really loved last week's Wonder Woman issue. Did it move the plot forward? Not much. But the characterization was amazing and it really did a lot to help define what these characters are becoming.

[Dr.Finger]

I read, and loved, the short story but never read the graphic novel.

By the way, is anyone else as pissed of as I am with Batman 644? I was so bothered and offended by how they resolved "War Crimes" that the book if off my pull list. I've never been so angry after reading something as I was after that comic.
(I'm keeping vague to avoid spoilers)

[Kefkataran]

By the way, is anyone else as pissed of as I am with Batman 644? I was so bothered and offended by how they resolved "War Crimes" that the book if off my pull list. I've never been so angry after reading something as I was after that comic.

Rule #1 of the true comic book lover: avoid mainstream Batbooks or Supes-books unless they have a really good writer on them (which hardly ever happens). They tend to just throw crap writers on those titles because they'll sell anyways.