[Comics] - Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Year 2 - Week 4

[Everlost_MI]

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

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week four is Ex Machina #17 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline of entry submissions for week fouris midnight EST on Sunday, January 29th. The selection of the random winner for the January books will occur on Monday, January 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 January include:

· Down #2 ( http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=14406&HS=1)
· X-Men: Colossus Bloodline #5 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=14449)
· Ex Machina #17

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, 30-35% off of cover price (depending on the publisher), all issues are bagged and boarded and cheap* shipping on all orders (*see BCBcomics’ website (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) for the details).

In addition, the comics featured on BCBcomics home page are 50% off or just $1 if you’re a subscriber.

Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.

[Everlost_MI]

Week Four:
Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews – Year 2 - Week 4
By Everlost_MI (Brian K. Nichols), Editor in Chief

All-Star Superman #2
Publisher: DC Comics
Written by: Grant Morrison
Pencilled by: Frank Quitely
Digitally inked and colored by: Jamie Grant
Lettered by: Phil Balsman
Editor: Bob Schreck
Price: $2.99 US/$4.00 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/allstarsuperman2.jpg

In this issue, Lois is still reeling from being told that Clark Kent and Superman are the same person. This is further compounded when she’s accidentally exposed to a vapor that induces paranoid reactions from one of Superman’s labs. The combination causes the normally levelheaded Lois to succumb to her fears after deeply analyzing their relationship. The end result of her paranoia is Superman finding himself at the wrong end of a Kryptonite laser but it has surprisingly little effect on him after his overexposure to the Sun in the last issue. By the end of the issue, an extremely forgiving Superman surprises Lois with her birthday present, a suit that will enable her to duplicate his powers for 24 hours.

Grant Morrison has again weaved magic in this second issue of the series with first-rate storytelling combined with excellent dialogue and characterizations. The little touches of having the Fortress of Solitude’s key made out of dwarf star material than no one on Earth could possibly lift or their intimate dinner was held on the salvaged Titanic and was based off of the menu used on that fateful vessel makes Superman and the story truly super. The use of the campy props and storylines from various Superman stories of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s that include Superman’s robots, Batman standing in for Superman and the time telescope are used in such a way that it makes them enjoyable as if they’ve been used for the first time but comfortable as an old pair of your favorite sneakers. The use of black and white as Lois overanalyzes their relationship was a nice touch as she goes deeper than the surface of awe and wonder that is usually associated with Superman. Frank Quitely’s artwork is outstanding as it matches note by note the themes and imagery that Morrison’s story demands. In addition, the coloring by Jamie Grant doesn’t miss a beat in adding additional depth to Quitely’s work.

Bottom Line:
If you even having a passing interest in Superman, do yourself a favor and get your hands on this issue as well as the previous one. They are both worth your time and money in reading. To reiterate myself from the review of the first issue, this series brings back the awe and fun to Superman. I am hoping the Krypto shows up before the end of this storyarc.

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

Ex Machina #17
Publisher: DC Comics/Wildstorm Studios
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Penciler: Tony Harris
Inker: Tom Feister
Colorist: JD Mettler
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Price: $2.99 US/$4.00 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/exmachina17.jpg

This issue focuses on the initial fallout of Mayor Hundred permitting an anti-war march as one of his own, Journal, falls victim to an apparent gas attack during the protest. It appears those who are behind this attack are from a political/military group from Baghdad who are attempting to be proactive in possibly removing Hundred from the picture before President Bush sends him or his alter ego The Great Machine to Baghdad. This storyline does seem a bit murky with little understanding as to why this political/military group thinks Bush would send The Great Machine/Mayor Hundred to Baghdad, but time and more issues will hopefully reveal the reasons sooner than later.

Brian K. Vaughan is still packing a solid punch with his relevant storylines and intelligent dialogue. Tony Harris’ consistently realistic artwork is a gorgeous as it's matched by JD Mettler's excellent use of colors to help set and maintain the story’s mood.

Bottom Line:
This is another excellent issue in the series and provides a great jumping on point for new readers. The series mixes the political drama of the West Wing and a touch of the superhero action found in Captain America stories.

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

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=14962)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Mike Wieringo
Inker: Karl Kesel
Colorist: Paul Mounts
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/fnspiderman4.jpg

This issue is part ten of twelve in “The Other” storyline that is being told throughout the main Marvel Universe Spider-Man titles. For a full rundown of what’s occurred so far in “The Other” storyline check out the article ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_The_Other) on Wikipedia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/) In this issue, Tony Stark is running a full set of tests on Peter Parker since his rebirth and has made some startling discoveries. These discoveries include Peter’s various wounds, including his tonsils that were removed when he was four, have been miraculously healed/regrown. While other discoveries include a significant boost in his Spider Sense and the addition of stingers that are released from his wrists. In the meantime, cannibal spiders have begun to feed on and form a body made up of Peter’s husk that was being analyzed by Stark's scientists. This new creature causes Peter's Spider Sense to go into overdrive as has to cut short the heart to heart discussion he was having with M.J. as they swung around New York and forces him back to Stark Tower. Finally, Flash Thompson who recently awakened from a coma that created brain damage and gaps in his memory makes a return to Peter’s life as he is hired as the athletic director at the high school Peter teaches at. Thompson comments that he hasn’t see “Puny Parker” since high school, so this should be an interesting subplot.

Peter David is firing on all cylinders with this issue, even with the storyline being handed to him from the powers that be at Marvel. He is able to create dialogue that is snappy and witty as well as excellent characterizations. One of note is M.J. flipping off Jonah as Peter and her do a swing-by the Daily Bugle. However, I did find the response by Reed Richards in regards to him not knowing what the reference to Eddie Haskell meant felt to be too close to the character of Dr. Temperence Brennan from the series of Bones. Mike Wieringo’s artwork is clean and fun as it fits well with David’s story. However, the excellent use of color by Paul Mounts in the various cannibal spider sequences standout as sinister and foreboding.

Bottom Line:
For those who’ve been following “The Other” storyline, this will be an issue you’ll have to pick up. While others, like myself, who’ve been waiting out the storm before picking up any of the Friendly Neighborhood series should reconsider. The work David has done even with the story he’s been forced to tell is excellent and it feels like the Spider-Man of the late 70’s/early 80’s even with what they are doing to Spider-Man.

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


What else is worth reading this week…

· Infinite Crisis #4 – More madness as Superboy goes wild and the Flash legacy will never be the same.

· The Walking Dead #25 – An interesting cache is discovered and there's a possible ray of hope at the end of the issue.

Special thanks to Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/) for the Spider-Man: The Other synopsis. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_The_Other)

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week four is Ex Machina #17 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week four entry submissions is Sunday, January 29th.

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.

[bardockkun]

As much as i want to get into the whole hype of The Other storyline it just sounds, well, ridiculous. Like it really feels like somewhat of a rip off of the whole Alien costume storyline except done terribly. I've also heard how Joey Q keeps hinting at things like Spider-man passing the mantle, so it better not be something like Flash Thompson becoming Spider-man in a "shocking" turn of events.

Also great call on All Star Superman, exact same thing i was thinking.

[Deadend]

I went back into the comic book store for the fist time in almost 2 years. I seem to have missed 4 issues of Planetary. I went back in for All-Star Superman. I love the series, best Super-man ever. The best part is, the storyline will end at some point. I love conclusions.

[agentgray]

If you even having a passing interest in Superman, do yourself a favor and get your hands on this issue as well as the previous one. They are both worth your time and money in reading. To reiterate myself from the review of the first issue, this series brings back the awe and fun to Superman. I am hoping the Krypto shows up before the end of this storyarc.
Now I get it. It's campy fan service. Of course, it would make no sense to me if I've hardly ever read any Superman before.

[Moatman]

I am liking All Star Supes quite a bit, the second issue really knocked it out of the park with the old-school silver age style storytelling. Superman carrying around a million ton key, portals to other worlds and times, alien viruses, an army of super robots doing various things, and just campy superman going full steam ahead.

This is what made the series Tom Strong fun in the beginning, very comic-booky storylines that have very little basis in reality but have, but fun characters that you enjoy seeing what happens next. No haunted pasts, no rapes, no heinous murders or gruesome deaths, it's just fun and very tongue-in-cheek. They used some of this in the superman movies and cartoon series, but neither completely gave in to the retro/campy style.

Ex Machina is always good, Spidey with the Other storyline has been ok-ish, part of the arc I would have liked totally re-written(especially aunt may and mary jane borrowing suits of iron man's armor and heading going out to try to find doctor doom with spidey, kinda crazy) Infinite Crisis was a pretty big issue, a bunch of third-string deaths, the speed force thing with the flashes was pretty big(if they stick with it), and the ending...definitely looking forward to 5. Walking dead is good, as usual, and I'm glad I can start getting the regular issues, I was lagging behind with the collected, but now it's fully caught up in tpb form(besides this issue)

[Kefkataran]

Great reviews as always, although I'm a bit bummed you didn't do Infinite Crisis #4. What a goddamned stellar issue. Best one yet.

I am hoping the Krypto shows up before the end of this storyarc.

Fuck yeah!

For those who’ve been following “The Other” storyline, this will be an issue you’ll have to pick up. While others, like myself, who’ve been waiting out the storm before picking up any of the Friendly Neighborhood series should reconsider. The work David has done even with the story he’s been forced to tell is excellent and it feels like the Spider-Man of the late 70’s/early 80’s even with what they are doing to Spider-Man.

Yeah, I was extremely surprised at this issue. I mean I adore Peter David. I think he's one of the best writers in the business right now. But I still didn't know what to expect here. Even in the middle of this story he's being forced to write, he really spins some golden stuff. Very impressive and cannot wait for his liberation from the mandatory Other storyline starting next issue.

I've also heard how Joey Q keeps hinting at things like Spider-man passing the mantle, so it better not be something like Flash Thompson becoming Spider-man in a "shocking" turn of events.

While Flash did just return to the Spidey storyline, I *think* that was merely for Peter David to set him up as a once-again-recurring character in Friendly Neighborhood. With Peter already dying and coming back to life once and him slated to be a big part of Civil War this summer, I don't see a "passing the mantle" coming any time soon. Of course I also haven't ever heard Joe Q say this, so who knows. :p

I went back in for All-Star Superman. I love the series, best Super-man ever. The best part is, the storyline will end at some point. I love conclusions.

Potentially, at least. From what I understand, Morrison is doing a 12-part arc, so it'll be a long one. Beyond that, though, if he wants he could easily keep going. It's just that they're self-contained stories that are seperate from current continuity.

Now I get it. It's campy fan service. Of course, it would make no sense to me if I've hardly ever read any Superman before.

That's more on the right track, although even that's not quite correct. Much closer though. Still, I've hardly read any Superman before and I'm still loving All-Star.

part of the arc I would have liked totally re-written(especially aunt may and mary jane borrowing suits of iron man's armor and heading going out to try to find doctor doom with spidey, kinda crazy

Basically everything written by Hudlin. I'd love if they'd just retcon his comic-book-writing career. :p

the speed force thing with the flashes was pretty big(if they stick with it)

Well, we still don't really know what "it" is. The issue was very vague as to what actually happened to the Flashes and/or the speed force, so...