Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 34

[Everlost_MI]

Welcome to week thirty-four of Evil Avatar’s Weekly Comic Book Reviews.

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week thirty-four is Army of Darkness #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week thirty-four is Sunday, October 30th. The selection of the random winner for the October books will occur on Sunday October 30th. 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 October are:

· Captain America #10
· Cable & Deadpool #20
· Goon 25 cent comic (A reprint of Goon #1)
· Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos #1
· Army of Darkness #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</p><p style=) 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</p><p style=) for the details).

Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.

The books that have been reviewed are Ultimate Fantastic Four #24 and The Walking Dead #22.
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ultimateff24.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/walkingdead22.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Thirty-four:
Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 34
By Everlost_MI (Brian K. Nichols), Editor in Chief

Ultimate Fantastic Four #24 (An ongoing series)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Greg Land
Inks: Matt Ryan
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Ralpha Macchio
Price: $2.50 US/$3.50 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ultimateff24.jpg

This issue focuses on the reason behind the sudden return of Sue and Johnny’s mother, Dr. Mary Storm. Dr. Storm’s reported death was a cover story for her disappearance into a top-secret project searching for Atlantis. Now the only reason for her return is to tap the powers of her children and the rest of the Fantastic Four in going where no human can explore. The drama and tension between Sue and Mary is so thick it could be cut with the same knives they throw at each other through the entire issue. The subplot of the Fantastic Four zombies from the last story arc is the bright spot in this issue. The dialogue between the two Reed Richards and the threats given by the infected Reed are chilling are bursting with great storyline potential. Marvel is exploring the zombie world the Ultimate Fantastic Four stumbled across in a series entitled Marvel Zombies this December. Robert Kirkman whose work includes the Walking Dead series is the writer while Sean Philips the artist from DC/Wildstorm’s The Sleeper series is performing the art chores. The gory details can read here in an interview with Kirkman ( http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Zombies/MarvelZombiesKirkman.htm ) at Newsarama. ( http://www.newsarama.com/) This issue ends with the introduction of the Namor, the Prince of Atlantis exploding to the surface in a surge of rage from the depths of his obliterated home.

Mark Millar did an excellent job on dialogue, characterization and pacing in this issue while leaving the reader begging for more. Greg Land’s artwork is pretty and polished, maybe too pretty and polished for some, but nonetheless his work sucks the reader into the story Millar is weaving. The coloring by Justin Ponsor accentuates Land’s work and adds the right amount of atmosphere, especially in the underwater scenes.

Bottom Line:
If you’re a mainstream Fantastic Four or Ultimate Universe fan, this issue is worth the time and money. If you’re new to the Ultimate Fantastic Four, this would be a great jumping on point.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e4_5.jpg


The Walking Dead #22 (An ongoing series)
Publisher: Image Comics
Creator/Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciller/Inker: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Artist: Tony Moore
Price: $2.99 US/$3.65CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/walkingdead22.jpg

This issue takes no prisoners as tensions mount and people snap under pressure in a world overrun by the living dead. The strength of this series is the struggle of humanity to not only survive but also attempt to live their lives in the midst of a tragic and horrific world. That aspect of really shined in this issue where the zombies took a backseat to the exposed ugly underbelly of the human condition.

Robert Kirkman has created a world where each character and subplot consistently gets better with each issue. The dialogue and characterization causes the reader to invest a little of themselves into the lives that are taken or changed as the story unfolds. Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn stark work excellent use of light and dark helps solidify Kirkman’s storytelling.

Bottom Line:
If you’re not squeamish about zombies and a touch of horror, then you should be reading this series. There is gore and horror but the focus of the series isn’t on how many brains can be splatters but humanity and the need to live and survive.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e4_5.jpg

What else is worth reading this week…
· Justice #2 – Gorgeous art and great story. It’s going to be hard to wait until December for the next issue of this series.

Thanks to Newsarama (http://www.newsarama.com/) for the link to their interview with Robert Kirkman ( http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Zombies/MarvelZombiesKirkman.htm ) regarding the Marvel Zombies series.

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week thirty-four is Army of Darkness #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week thirty-four entry submissions is Sunday, October 30th.

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.

[Kefkataran]

I agree about Justice #2. Very, very spectacular. I'm digging it lots.

And I don't read anything in the Ultimate U, but I'm very excited to hear they've finally introduced an Ultimate version of Namor, who is by far one of my favorite Marvel characters of all time. I hope he's as cool there as he is in the normal Marvel U.

Also: sign me up for the Marvel Zombies series. I'm definitely checking that out.

[Heretic Machine]

Ok, I'm gonna be a fan-boy for a second.

Robert Kirkman is the king, yes oh yes he is...

[bardockkun]

Goddamn the Marvel Zombie series looks pretty sweet. But not to be a downer or anything, but wasnt there a fan made comic that came out around last year where it was the X-Men versus abunch of zombies (with casualties of course)?

And speaking of the dead, this reminds me, does anyone know when the Deadgirl Special comes out from Marvel?

[Spigot]

I still want an Ultimate Sleepwalker... Sigh. I remain the only fan of that series, I do believe.

Those various zombie books look very cool. I've never been a big Fantastic Four fan aside from when they're guests or window dressing, but the description of that issue of Ultimate FF may convince me to pop out to the comic shop and see how they are.

[Everlost_MI]

I still want an Ultimate Sleepwalker... Sigh. I remain the only fan of that series, I do believe.


You are not alone, I loved the Sleepwalker series.

[Kefkataran]

Robert Kirkman is the king, yes oh yes he is...

Aw, yeah.

And speaking of the dead, this reminds me, does anyone know when the Deadgirl Special comes out from Marvel?

January, I believe. You'd better believe I'm getting that. Anything with X-Statix and Milligan has me sold.

[bardockkun]

January, I believe. You'd better believe I'm getting that. Anything with X-Statix and Milligan has me sold.
Damn January?! Ive heard about this project for awhile now and it isnt due until January? Was hoping it'd be out next month or something. Favorite Marvel series (especially X series) id say in awhile, even better then Whedon's X-Men (blasphamous i know, but it was a new take on things).

Also let's not forget Mike Allred, X-Statix couldn't be what it was without his awesome pop art.

[Kefkataran]

Damn January?! Ive heard about this project for awhile now and it isnt due until January? Was hoping it'd be out next month or something. Favorite Marvel series (especially X series) id say in awhile, even better then Whedon's X-Men (blasphamous i know, but it was a new take on things)

Well, Marvel hinted at it all summer, for sure, but it just got solicited this month. Either way, I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.

Also let's not forget Mike Allred, X-Statix couldn't be what it was without his awesome pop art.

Indeed. You know, it's a damn shame that from what I hear Milligan's X-Men run isn't very up to snuff.

[bardockkun]

Indeed. You know, it's a damn shame that from what I hear Milligan's X-Men run isn't very up to snuff.
Yah i was disappointed too. Then again the whole premise of X-Statix cant exactly be brought as easily to another X book, especially with being as quirky as it is and out of the mold of other X (and Marvel) books in general.

Also do you know or know a link that had the original script for "Di Another Day" before Milligan had to change it? I've been curious for a long while now how it couldve been since Milligan seemed to have such confidence and fun with it when he was talking about it.

Oh yah this is out of the blue, but in Infinite Crisis no one brought up that in the past Batman issues, the Red Hood stole all the supply of kryptonite from Wayne Industries. So have to see how that unfolds too.

[Kefkataran]

Also do you know or know a link that had the original script for "Di Another Day" before Milligan had to change it? I've been curious for a long while now how it couldve been since Milligan seemed to have such confidence and fun with it when he was talking about it.

I do not, but I have a friend who is a total X-Statix fanatic on a much deeper level than me. He very well might. I'll ask.

Oh yah this is out of the blue, but in Infinite Crisis no one brought up that in the past Batman issues, the Red Hood stole all the supply of kryptonite from Wayne Industries. So have to see how that unfolds too.

That was one of the big mysteries during Countdown right? Who stole it?

[bardockkun]

That was one of the big mysteries during Countdown right? Who stole it?

I dont think so. I thought it was answered during the whole Judd Winick Red Hood fiasco thing. More i thought the mystery was who did he sell it to.

Not sure though since Judd Winick in my opinion, TERRIBLE writer. Speedy HIV positive? *groooan* just because his Real World friend died of AIDS i didnt see the point of that and having everyone realize that she maybe the strongest character because of it.

[Kefkataran]

Not sure though since Judd Winick in my opinion, TERRIBLE writer. Speedy HIV positive? *groooan* just because his Real World friend died of AIDS i didnt see the point of that and having everyone realize that she maybe the strongest character because of it.

Yeah, I haven't read anything of Winick's, but I've heard nought but badness. Good thing he's becoming a smaller and smaller writer for DC post-Crisis.