Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 28

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-eight is Ghost Rider #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week twenty-eight is Sunday, September 18th. 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
· Ghost Rider #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 Fell #1, Ghost Rider #1 and X-Men: Colossus Bloodlines #1

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/fell.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ghostrider.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/xmen-colossus.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Twenty-eight:

Fell #1 (An ongoing series)
Publisher: Image Comics
Written by: Warren Ellis
Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith
Lettered by: Chris Eliopoulos
Price: $1.99 US/$2.40 CAN

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

Warren Ellis has created a new series set in the detective genre with the premise that each issue is a complete story. Ellis states that he wants the reader to get the whole story without having to buy additional issues to understand what fully happened in the whatever issue is purchased. The series revolves around Detective Richard Fell, who views himself as a decent detective that believes everybody’s hiding something. Fell has been reassigned to Snowtown, a section of town that that cops who work there think is hell and the problems there outnumber the cops.

Ellis and Ben Templesmith have created a moody and interesting world with Fell at the centerpiece. The core of the book’s attraction is the dialogue, characters and art that are really cause the main and secondary storylines to shine. The artwork is contains great depths of detail and unabashed atmosphere as it makes great use of colors and angles to expose every ugly layer of the story, the backdrop and characters. This theme is something that Ellis and Templesmith emphasize by revealing that everyone’s ugly, inside and out, no matter how hard one tries to cover it up.

Bottom Line:
Long time Ellis fans and those of detective genre stories will definitely enjoy this issue and series. For those uninitiated to Ellis’ work should check out this issue as it really showcases his talent.

9/10


Ghost Rider #1 of 6
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Clayton Crain
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Axel Alonso
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ghostrider.jpg

This initial issue involves a ton of back-story and setup as Garth Ennis restart this latest incarnation of Ghost Rider. The Ghost Rider in this series revolves around Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider and forgoes the second reincarnation of Ghost Rider with Danny Ketch that was used during the early 90s.

The storyline is typical but long-time readers of Garth Ennis will feel his touch on the plot as well as the dialogue and characterizations. The pacing is a bit slow, as the setup takes longer than needed but the tradeoff is being exposed to some breathtaking artwork created by Clayton Crain. Crain conveys the horror and supernatural scenes with great skill and excellent coloring. However, some of his character interpretations are a bit off and which causes these panels to stand out against the other work.

Bottom Line:
This issue provides great eye candy and a somewhat interesting storyline that sets up great potential for the second issue. If you’re an Ennis, Crain or Ghost Rider fan that I am sure you’ll enjoy this issue, otherwise at least leaf through the issue to see if it and the rest of the series piques your interest.

7/10


X-Men: Colossus Bloodlines #1 of 5
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: David Hine
Artist: Jorge Lucas
Colors: Tom Chu
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artist: Chris Bachalo
Editor: Mike Marts
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ xmen-colossus.jpg

This mini-series focuses on Colossus and his extended family after his return to from being perceived to be dead. Long story short for those who aren’t familiar with the history of Colossus, he was thought to be dead after injecting himself with the Legacy Virus cure. In the Astonishing X-Men series, Colossus was later found being held captive by Ord and subsequently rescued by the X-Men. In addition, the romance between himself and Kitty Pryde has been re-ignited.

The major problem with this issue is that David Hine has telegraphed the entire mini-series in the first issue leaving little suspense for the next four issues. Hine does create some decent dialogue and interaction between Kitty and Colossus. Jorge Lucas’s work favors heavy inking and is somewhat reminiscent of early Mike Mignola’s artwork in that manner. However, the lack of detail and varying inconsistencies result in the artwork having the look of an amateur artist.

Bottom Line:
The issue adds nothing to the mainstream X-Men titles or to the character of Colossus. So, unless you are a die-hard fan of Hine or Lucas I’d avoid this issue and series, especially if you enjoy Colossus.

2/10


What else is worth reading this week…
· Serenity #3 – This issue ties up some loose ends from the series and perhaps explains why certain characters could be missing from the movie.

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week twenty-eight is Ghost Rider #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week twenty-eight 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.

[Bushido]

nice books... i love collosus

[Cupelix]

I picked up issue #1 of Ghost Rider because flipping through it was a pleasure to look at. Once I read it though, I quickly realized I probably wouldn't pick up the other 5 issues. I just can't find the appeal of the Ghost Rider story or character.

I happily completed the short Serenity trilogy this week, even though I was somewhat disappointed in the trilogy as a whole. Everything seemed a little rushed. (Minor spoilers ahead) I couldn't recall who the guy with one eye was, or if I was even supposed to remember who he was from an episode of the show. And is it me, or did this comic kill off the two most apparently evil characters from the TV series in a rather anti-climactic moment? Pretty much everything in these issues will be summed up in the movie by someone making an offhand comment about how tensions aboard the ship have been increasing...and that's about it. The only good character development was in Sheperd Book wanting off the ship; him stating that he was becoming a little numb to the violence actually had some meaning. I will be a little disappointed if we don't find out more about the Sheperd in the movie since there have been so many hints through the series that there is much more to Book than meets the eye.

[Heretic Machine]

I finally caught up with House of M over the weekend... I'm pretty interested in how it's going to turn out now. Anyone know if there are any plans to maybe bind the House of M chronologically like they're doing with Age of Apocalypse?

[agentgray]

Is Fell really graphic? Compare it to Sin City...is it as graphic as that?

[thecrazyd]

Is Fell really graphic? Compare it to Sin City...is it as graphic as that?
No, it is not nearly as graphic as Sin City.

[Kefkataran]

I finally caught up with House of M over the weekend... I'm pretty interested in how it's going to turn out now. Anyone know if there are any plans to maybe bind the House of M chronologically like they're doing with Age of Apocalypse?

It seems doubtful, at least in comparing the size. I mean Age of Apocalypse was huge and epic and even then it's taken them quite a while to do the chronological release. (What are they up to, vol. 2 now?). Meanwhile, House of M is a fairly small, standard summer event that will likely be wrapped up without too major remaifications within a couple months.

Is Fell really graphic? Compare it to Sin City...is it as graphic as that?

Like crazy said above, not even close. It is, however, extremely freaking great. I was very pleased with the overall quality, and I can't express how excited I am to finally have a non-mainstream Ellis monthly going on again. Desolation Jones is great too, but the two-month wait between books is harsh.

[Blade]

I hate that Marvel keeps tossing more and more dirt on Danny Ketch's grave.

Bring back Ghost Rider and Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance! Put Adam Kubert back on it and let's relive the golden days of 1992!

It was a great book until Kubert left after #13.. and then it spun itself into obscurity on its way to a premature death at #23. (with Ghost Rider taking a back seat for a large part of the last 10 issues)

I think too many crossovers killed it. The whole Midnight Sons thing was fine, but the mega-crossover around #18 was just unnecessary. I'd really enjoy a more mellow Swamp Thing-like book where the Danny Ketch GR and John Blaze go on little adventures to middle-of-nowhere towns to vanquish evil. You can throw in a Demogoblin or Mephisto encounter or two.. but they're at their best when the stakes are low.

[BigJonno]

New Ellis stuff AND an Ennis-penned Ghost Rider? Sounds like a good week to me.

[Kefkataran]

Speaking of Ellis stuff and me mentioning Desolation Jones, I'm surprised that I forgot to scream:

DESOLATION JONES #3 COMES OUT THIS WEEK! WOOOOOOOOO!

[Heretic Machine]

Meanwhile, House of M is a fairly small, standard summer event that will likely be wrapped up without too major remaifications within a couple months.

Possible spoiler ahead (my theory behind what's going to happen)...

Magneto killed Xavier somehow as he forced Xavier to tap into everyone's minds to find out what they wanted in an ideal world, and then had Xavier push that information into the Scarlet Witch. When the House of M ends, they will execute the Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and -possibly- Magneto. Just my opinion... but I haven't read issue #6 yet.

Not exactly something that can be wrapped up without some major effect on the universe.

[Kefkataran]

Not sure how to do the cool spoiler thing, so any one concerned, watch out.






----



Anyways, first of, Xavier's been killed several times before. He'll probaby end up back alive. And Quicksilver *probably* won't end up dead since he's apparantly the start of the Son of M mini-series they just announced that starts in December.

That said, I haven't kept too up to date on House of M, either. Just not that interested. The Infinite Crisis stuff going on next door seems much more interesting.