Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 38

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week thirty-eight is Books of Doom #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week thirty-seven is Sunday, November 2th. The selection of the random winner for the November books will occur on Sunday November 27th. 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 November are:

· Ultimate Secret #4
· Fantastic Four Iron Man: Big In Japan #2 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=13845&HS=1)
· Books of Doom #1


The month of December will mark a month full of signed copies of Athena Voltaire #1 being published by Speakeasy Comics (http://www.speakeasycomics.com/index.asp). For those unfamiliar with Athena Voltaire check out the following press release (http://www.speakeasycomics.com/news/news_72805b.html) and the official Athena Voltaire website. (http://www.athenavoltaire.com/) In honor of this BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) is offering an addition 10% off all Speakeasy comics until November 30th, bringing the total discount to 30% off! Use the code, EASPEAKEASY.

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.

[Everlost_MI]

Week Thirty-Seven:
Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 38
By Everlost_MI (Brian K. Nichols), Editor in Chief

All Star Superman #1 (An ongoing series)
Publisher: DC Comics
Written by: Grant Morrison
Pencilled by: Frank Quitely
Digitally Inked and Colored by: Jamie Grant
Lettered by: Phil Balsman
Edited by: Bob Schreck
Cover Artists: Frank Quitely (Primary) and Neal Adams (Variant)
Price: $2.99 US/$4.00 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/allstarsuperman1.jpg

This is the second title to launch under DC’s All Star banner and it surpasses its Dark Knight counterpart in story and art. After a one-page synopsis of Superman’s origin, the story shifts into a modern setting against the backdrop of the Silver Age of DC Comics. The Silver Age is where Lois was unaware that her boyfriend Superman was actually Clark Kent and when Jimmy Olsen was Superman’s number one fan with the various accessories such as the Superwatch to prove it. The story is a common one where Lex Luthor is trying to kill Superman. However Luthor has had a realization, he’s getting older while Superman is not. So Luthor believes it’s time to get serious about killing the Man of Steel. The twist is that Luthor’s turned the very source of Superman’s powers into his means of destruction, by staging a suicide bombing of a scientific mission on the surface on the Sun. The overexposure to the Sun during the rescue mission initiates celluar death while unlocking more of Superman’s powers. After the rescue, the head scientist in charge of the mission to the Sun begins to work on a way to cure or replace Superman. In passing, the scientist mentions his development of Bizarro worker drones and other super beings in case anything did happen to Superman. The issue ends with the classic save of a boy and a dog by Superman before Kent reveals his true identity to Lois.

Grant Morrison has created a modern, gripping, emotional story from one of the simplest and commonly used Superman stories. Morrison treatment of the characters adds a certain touch of class and reverence to the legacy of Superman. The story is pregnant with possibilities with the various creations being created by the head scientist and the sinister plan that the cold and calculating Lex Luthor has yet to completely unveil. The dialogue, pacing, slight humor and characterizations are top notch. Frank Quitely matches the strong story with his clean, strong artwork that fits well with the Silver Age theme that is being used. The initial twelve issues of this title are going to be crafted by Morrison and Quitely.

Bottom Line:
For long time Superman fans, I believe this issue and series will be something that will be truly enjoyed. And for those who don’t follow the Big Blue Boy Scout, this issue is worth the time and money. This issue brings back the awe and fun to Superman. This is truly something, as I can rarely stomach a Superman story aside from his involvement in the Kingdom Come or Justice series.

Rating: 5 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e5.jpg


Marvel Must Haves: Spider-Man & The Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #1-3
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Script: Kevin Smith
Pencils: Terry Dodson
Inks & Colors: Rachel Dodson
Letters: Richard Starkins & Comicraft
Editor: Axel Alonso
Price: $4.99 US/$7.00 CAN

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

This bloated issue contains the first three extremely tardy issues as well as a preview of the fourth issue in the Spider-Man and Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do series that started back in 2002. Kevin Smith, of Clerks and Mallrats fame, is the writer and the cause of the delay in this mini-series. According in various websites including Smith’s own, the scripts are in for the remaining three issues and should be shortly. With that being said, this issue is a steal for five dollars. The story provides a fun read as the Black Cat integrates herself back into the superhero community after the one of her friends end up missing. Peter Parker is drawn into the mix after the mysterious death of one of the honor students at the high school he teaches at. It doesn’t take long for the Cat and the Spider to get tangled up again, and in more ways than one, as the missing woman and the mysterious student’s death are related. Hopefully the issues are truly in the can because it appears the story is only getting better with the preview of the fourth issue.

Kevin Smith is one of the better modern dialogue writers and his craft shines in this issue. The storyline and characterizations are enjoyable as is his various pop culture references, but it’s really the artwork by Terry and Rachel Dodson that push this book over the top. The clean, energetic artwork bursts with action while the appropriate use and lack of colors add to the atmosphere and storytelling. In addition, the panel layouts are well used and add another layer of energy to the action scenes.

Bottom Line:
Buy this book. It’s a steal. Even if you’re a casual Spider-Man reader it’s worth the time and money. The artwork is top shelf, even if it’s a cheesecake. The only problem with the series is waiting to see if it will take another three years to get a hold of the final three issues.

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

Books of Doom #1 of 6
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Penciler: Pablo Raimond
Inker: Mark Farmer
Colorist: Brian Reber
Letterer: VC’s Rus Wooton
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/booksofdoom1.jpg

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby have touched upon the origin of Victor Von Doom since the initial issues of the Fantastic Four in the 1960s, but it took until now for Doom to retell his life starting from his childhood in his own words. The story shows how the cold touch of Doom’s mother from dabbling in the Dark Arts marked his life forever as he eventually lost both parents to the Baron while in return he gains power over the mystics, science and his Father’s gypsy clan. The story depicts Doom as someone whose life was carved out of loss and despair rather than an innate bloodthirsty desire for power that Doom is often depicted as in later his career as a super villain. However, some previous writers have seen this side of Doom and depicted him as someone whose arrogance and blind desires of his heart ended up causing him be misguided. The issue ends with Doom acquiring his own form of cold touch as he commits murder as his mother did, only to awake the next day to use those same hands to seal his fate in America.

Ed Brubaker has created a story worth reading for even those who only have a cursory interest in Dr. Doom and the Fantastic Four. Brubaker goes beyond the superhero battles and has created a connection between the reader and Doom as he deals with the grief of losing everything while trying move forward and piece together what’s left. The dialogue and characterizations are gripping, as the reader is pulled in deeper to the life of Doom. The strong detailed artwork created by Pablo Raimond is an excellent fit for this story as the tone and the facial depictions accentuate Brubaker’s script. The inking and coloring are used to create stark or subdued backdrops as the world seems to implode upon Doom.

Bottom Line:
This issue is worth reading even if there is cursory interest in Dr. Doom and the Fantastic Four. It doesn’t involve any superhero fights, just the internal struggle and the reasons behind Dr. Doom.

Rating: 4 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e4.jpg

What else is worth reading this week…
· Runaways #10 – The New Avengers stop by and it’s not a lame cameo either!

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week thirty-eight is Books of Doom #1. The deadline for week thirty-eight submissions is Sunday, November 27th.

The month of December will mark a month full of signed copies of Athena Voltaire #1 being published by Speakeasy Comics (http://www.speakeasycomics.com/index.asp). For those unfamiliar with Athena Voltaire check out the following press release (http://www.speakeasycomics.com/news/news_72805b.html) and the official Athena Voltaire website. (http://www.athenavoltaire.com/)
In honor of this BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) is offering an addition 10% off all Speakeasy comics until November 30th, bringing the total discount to 30% off! Use the code, EASPEAKEASY.

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.

[Evil Avatar]

The writing on these reviews is really fantastic. You are doing a great job with this article every week!

[Kefkataran]

Great reviews this week. I read and loved All-Star Superman and Books of Doom. I'm a huge Dr. Doom fan, so I'm pleased to see his life story being committed to a nice mini, and Brubaker's a friggin' fantastic writer. As for All-Star Superman, well, couldn't've said it better than you. A+ work here. It's a lengthy start (a twelve issue story!), but the first one has me pretty convinced that I'm in for the long haul.

I'm waiting to hit up the Kevin Smith Spider-Man/Black Cat thing in trade. I'm sure the writing's great (Smith knows how to do his comics), but I just can't take the uber-long waiting.

[Deadend]

Best comic reviews ever!

That said... I am now intersted in the Superman and the Doom book. I have gotten away from comics as they are a money sink like MMOs can be. But stories with endings... well, those are diffrent.

[Everlost_MI]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. I appreciate it. It was nice to write about something this weekend besides firewalls and network security for my research paper.
Deadend, make sure you submit an entry for the November giveaway if you want to try and win a copy of the Books of Doom.

[bardockkun]

I'm suprised you went for Books of Doom as opposed to the big X-Men event known as Deadly Genesis.

[agentgray]

The writing on these reviews is really fantastic. You are doing a great job with this article every week!
No doubt. I'm a casual comic book reader, but the Supes review just about convinced me to pick this one up.

Good reviews.

[Kefkataran]

That said... I am now intersted in the Superman and the Doom book. I have gotten away from comics as they are a money sink like MMOs can be. But stories with endings... well, those are diffrent.

Yeah, the Doom one is a mini, and it's just retelling his life, so there's a solid end in sight. And The Superman one is an ongoing, but it's out-of-continuity, so at the very least it's a lot easier to pick up and read.

[Spigot]

Don't you mean, "stellar (or cellular) death" in the Superman review... cellar death doesn't seem that bad...

All hail the spelling police!

Otherwise, awesome reviews. I really must pick some of these up.

By the way, how far are they in that new Ghost Rider series? I loved the first issue.

[Kefkataran]

I'm sure 'cellular' is what was meant. Heh.

I'm pretty sure the Ghost Rider series is almost finished, but maybe I just saw one of the last issues solicited for February. :p

[bardockkun]

Last issue was #3 for this month and i think it's 6 issues long.

I'm rather disappointed by the series so far honestly. In ways I feel it's a bit too similar to Garth Ennis's earlier (and far superior) series, Preacher. Just the whole heaven and hell themes and dark humor (the KKK lynching where Ghost Rider is freed comes to mind).

Though the art is the only thing keeping me intrigued and will probably make me finish reading it.

[Everlost_MI]

Don't you mean, "stellar (or cellular) death" in the Superman review... cellar death doesn't seem that bad...

All hail the spelling police!

Otherwise, awesome reviews. I really must pick some of these up.

By the way, how far are they in that new Ghost Rider series? I loved the first issue.

Fixed. Thanks!

[Kish]

I would love to see a Superman origin story that has him jumping all over Hulk style. Kinda like he did way back in the day before the writers thought it was better that he could fly.

btw we do have a few All Star Superman #1 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=13835) still left in stock.

[Cupelix]

I'm suprised you went for Books of Doom as opposed to the big X-Men event known as Deadly Genesis.

Minor Maybe-Sort-of-Spoilers to follow:

I picked up Deadly Genesis this week, and god I hope the 2nd issue is more interesting than the first. Issue 1 had some ok character moments with Colossus and Nightcrawler, but that was pretty much the high point. Why did the X-Men only send 3 heroes to investigate an "omega level" mutant? And if it turns out that the big bad guy of the mini-series is someone that actually comes from the results of Giant Size X-Men #1, which is way before my time, so I potentially will have no clue what is going on, I'll be very pissed off.

[Kefkataran]

I picked up Deadly Genesis this week, and god I hope the 2nd issue is more interesting than the first. Issue 1 had some ok character moments with Colossus and Nightcrawler, but that was pretty much the high point. Why did the X-Men only send 3 heroes to investigate an "omega level" mutant? And if it turns out that the big bad guy of the mini-series is someone that actually comes from the results of Giant Size X-Men #1, which is way before my time, so I potentially will have no clue what is going on, I'll be very pissed off.

It's sort of interesting that Books of Doom and Deadly Genesis are both being written by Brubaker. Anyways, he's a pretty talented guy, so I'd trust him to explain whatever does end up happening... hopefully.

[bardockkun]

It's sort of interesting that Books of Doom and Deadly Genesis are both being written by Brubaker. Anyways, he's a pretty talented guy, so I'd trust him to explain whatever does end up happening... hopefully.
Same thing i thought, though i have to say the art is rather hideous looking.

[agentgray]

Ok. I picked up All Star Supes at lunch. Figured what the heck.

Everlost, have you ever reviewed Batman and the Monster Men? Wondering how that is?

[Everlost_MI]

Ok. I picked up All Star Supes at lunch. Figured what the heck.

Everlost, have you ever reviewed Batman and the Monster Men? Wondering how that is?

No, I didn't pick up that issue. But check out The Fourth Rail (http://www.thefourthrail.com/)'s review of it (http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/critiques/111405/batmanthemonstermen1.shtml). The site is usually dead-on in their assessment of books.

[Kefkataran]

Everlost, have you ever reviewed Batman and the Monster Men? Wondering how that is?

I've heard good things. Haven't read anything of Wagner's before, but I've been hearing so much hype that I'm really considering digging up this issue and adding it to my pull list.