Goblin's books ...

Firebreather #1

An Image book? Being reviewed by Goblin? Surely this is a mistake, He only does Marvel books we all know that.

Yes, well, normally I do Marvel books because a lot of the other stuff doesn't interest me (DC), works better in trade (Dark Horse) or I end up not reading until months after it's actually been published (Image). Odd system? you betcha. But it seems to work for me, so I go with it.h

Anyway, this week saw a new Firebreather #1 from Image. This is the second volume of the book, the first have been back in 2005. The book didn't light up the sales charts and so was put on the backburner. Since it was Image, it was never really canceled but the the artist couldn't afford to turn down higher paying gigs to do this book. Honestly, I kind of wish the book would have continued on without Andy Kuhn (the artist). His style seems to have worsened in the three years. While it was always this sort of edgy animated style, it's become much more loose and free in the years ... and not in a good way. It seems too High Schoolish and amateur for my tastes. don't know if he changed his style for this or it's usual way now since it's been a while since last I saw his art.

The writing by Phil Hester is as spot on as ever. The book is at once funny as it is sad. The relationship between Duncan and his father is just heartbreaking, bu then he makes a reference to divorcing Duncan's mother and you can't help but laugh. No, I'm not a cold hearted bastard (okay, I am, but still ...), Duncan's father is a 3,000 year old dragon. And we're not talking Savage Dragon here either, we're talking big as a mountain with a tail and breathes fire. Duncan meanwhile is trying to sustain a normal life with his mother in suburban Utah. And that, ladies and gentleman, is what we call a premise.

I'm aware the impetus of the book may seem odd and put some people off, but it isn't so wacky you can't connect with the characters. It's funny to be sure, but there is just as much heartache when you see Duncan continually try to please his father by human standards, only to be rebuked that he isn't monster enough. I'm sure that's something we can all relate to. This is definitely the heart of the book and while the humor grabbed me at first some years ago, I stick around for the deeper stuff. Even if you missed the first volume (which you can get in trade paperback) give this #1 a shot. There's a recap page explaining the background and the story fills in the rest seamlessly.

BUY IT

1985 #1

I'm not going to lie, I'm a little sad that they didn't go the Fumetti route that was originally planned for this book. It would have been an interesting experience to be sure. Ah, well. It's hard to argue Tommy Lee Edwards, right?

So in 1985 we have Mark Millar's newest reason to proclaim himself the best writer on Earth even if most wouldn't agree with him. I'm not saying the man is a bad writer, I enjoy most of his output on one level or another, but he has definite faults as a writer that always seem to crop up. One such shortcoming that is more than evident here is Millar's (lack of) ear for dialogue. While a lot of Millar's in-panel words seem clunky and too heavy-handed, this is never more apparent than a scene here taking place in a comic shop. I'm sorry, most writers should not try to write dated discourse from the industry they write for. They're too close to the inside and can never get it right. From what I recall of that time period (in full disclosure I was in direct market shops a little after 1985, but still close enough to it) no one talked like that. Of course, my memory could be even more faulty than Millar's and I'm just talking out of my ass here. But hey, I'm writing this and Millar isn't so I win.

So the story goes that a young boy is dealing with the divorce of his parents, a new step father, a broke father, no friends at school and apparently one hell of a bitch for a mother. She comes off as a pretty mean person who doesn't really care much for her son. She won't be winning Mother of the Year any time soon if I'm the judge. After an introduction that's fairly innocuous, our young protagonist begins seeing marvel supervillains about town - the Red Skull in an attic window, the Vulture in town, Dr. Doom and the Mole Man burning down a house. He eventually runs into the Hulk as well, but that will payoff next issue it seems. What's strange about all this is that the story takes place in the real world.The kid buys marvel comics from his local comic shop and everyone knows Doc Doom is fictional - well, he was.

I'm not sure how this is going to play out and quite honestly that's what I like the best. It's an interesting way to start a story that isn't terribly original (Powerless, anyone?), especially in comics. It's rare these days that the blurring between creators and comics works well, one notable exception being the death of Ben Grimm in Mark Waid's Fantastic Four run a few years ago. But so far Millar and Edwards have set up an interesting start that I'm looking froward to continuing. Don't get me wrong, this could end in a horrific way the likes of which we haven't seen since Ant-man got microwaved some years ago, but it also has the opportunity to tie together rather nicely. Let's read and find out together, shall we?

BUY IT

The Immortal Iron Fist #15

What the - ?! Where's my damn Brubaker? It seems Fraction is going solo on the writing front this issue. I believe Bru is gone for good, but I thought Fraction was leaving as well. Since this is a done-in-one story about one of the sixty-six Immortal Weapons, the new writer may begin next issue. Either way, let's take a look at this book.

The first fourteen issues were some of the best writing and art Marvel has produced this decade. Now that the big finale was last issue, anything to follow would surely pale in comparison. Smartly, Fraction opts to jump out of current continuity
to tell the story of Bei Bang-Wen (1827 - 1860). He's an interesting Immortal Weapon as he uses his mind as his weapon. He's constantly referred to as the smartest man and the best strategist. While he can certainly hold his own in a fight, he'd rather organize and take precision hits than just jump into he fray kicking and punching.

Also of note is the introduction of another Immortal Weapon - only this one hails from the Indian sub-continent. The Brahman operates in a similar fashion to our Immortal Weapon but gains his strength from Shiva, the Hindu deity. I am all for expanding the pantheon of faith-based characters from all over the world. Diversity is always a plus. Not to mention that the Brahman kicks some major ass down in Burma.

All in all this issue does not hit the same highs as the previous arc, but it really couldn't. Instead we get a smaller, personal story about one of the previous Immortal Weapons. It's just as gorgeous to look at and maintains the high quality that Brubaker and Fraction started.

BUY IT

Ultimate Spider-Man #122

If you're not buying this book, are you going to start with the one hundred and twenty-second issue? Probably not, so I'll make this review brief. The Shocker has been a thorn in Spidey's side for a while now, constantly returning to rob a new bank and annoy our web-slinger. Now he finally gets his revenge by torturing Peter. We get some history on the Shocker and it's kind of sad. We get some more dirt on Roxxon and I'm excited to see things come to a head sometime soon. MJ and Kitty work together (!) in one of the most awkward and uncomfortable team-ups in recent memory (which is a good thing as they kind of hate each other). Immonen's art is as spectacular as ever, but there's really no surprise there. If he can't be doing Nextwave, this is right where he belongs.

READ IT

Thor #9

Remember last month when I said we finally had a plot for this book - well now we have more ! Faked you out, huh? You thought I was going to say we didn't have one anymore. But we have several now. Loki is trying to turn Balder against the newly not-dead Asgardians. Volstagg is in search of action, but can't seem to make sense of just who the Avengers are anymore (a common problem these days). Kelda stars getting it on with an Earth boy. Biggest shock for a while - does Thor have a brother with a blood right tot he throne of Asgard? Chew on that for a while.

READ IT

Young Avengers Presents #5 (of 6)

This issue signs the spotlight on Stature, who I thought wasn't even a Young Avenger. Anyway, she apparently almost kills her stepfather (though it was legitimately an accident) and understandably freaks out a bit. Problem is, when you have psychological issues and the ability to change your size tings aren't so simple. Cassie starts to shrink uncontrollably until they need a microscope to see her. Eli talks her down and, well, that's it.

It's not that I expect huge happenings from this series as all of the issues are one-shots, but the others all had revelatory happenings for the characters. Yes, it's nice that Cassie doesn't hate her stepfather anymore, but frankly, I don't care. The only thing I found interesting about her was her relationship to her father and that's pretty much a dead issue now (what with Lang being dead and all, thank you Jack of Hearts). While I've enjoyed most of this series and while Stature fans may dig this one, I'm officially announcing my dislike for her.

SKIP IT

Sgt. Sausagepants' books ...

New Avengers #41

This month New Avengers shows us Spider-Man coming face to face with the residents of the Savage Land, learning some of the backstory to the invasion, but still no real revelations, as that will come in the Secret Invasion book itself.

Read it - if only for some snappy Spider-Man lines that we really need more of.

Green Lantern #31

Hal's Origin story continues with his first days of training on OA, and his first encounter with my favorite Lantern, Kilowog. It looks like this storyline will conclude with the first Sinestro showdown, effectively relegating Green Lanterns involvement in the Final Crisis and upcoming War of Light to the pages of Green Lantern Corps and Final Crisis.

Read It

Final Crisis #1

So it's finally here. 52 weeks of godawful Countdown, and we're here. And as far as I can tell, even the characters in this book have forgotten what happened in that series.

Fine by me.

Pretend it never happened, and start over. So people who lived die, people who died live again, and we discover that the Green Lantern Corps has a police-style code for when a god is killed.

Buy it - It's a crisis event.

Oraclechele's books ...

Huntress Year One #2

Since I missed the chance to review issue one, this weeks review is a two for one. Written by newcomer Ivory Madison with art from Cliff Richards and Art Thibert the new limited Huntress Year One series is yet another origin story for Helena Bertinelli and Huntress. Currently issue #1 and #2 are available.

Using Greg Rucka's Cry for Blood as a basis for the story Madison does a good job of roping the reader in from the very first panel. She has captured Helena's fierce independence and strong will in a way that should be especially appealing to fans of the character. Some are arguing that there is an over use of internal dialogue on Helena's part. It in no way detracts. Not only does this technique fit the story, any complaints of over use should probably be directed at DC Comics. Lately many of their books are being filled with "thoughts" from characters to help move the stories along and in a limited run, that lays out a character origin, this is necessary.

Not wanting to give away any of the plot points, which serve as the building blocks for what the reader knows will soon be Huntress, I will say that fans of ruthless mobster stories will be especially happy. For female readers it's also nice to see a female character being shown in that world stepping up and making her presence known. Victims might surround Helena but she is in no way one herself.

As for the art, it serves the story very well. The brutality of Helena' world breathes on the page but still manages to feel like a comic book which I appreciated. Due to the violence, especially one very devastating sequence in issue 1, things could have very easily gone from tasteful to grotesque. Instead a lovely balance is reached which leads to some very strong panels throughout both books.

The 'Year One' titles are a good tool for DC that should be used more often. Not only do they draw in long time fans of some of their B characters, but could easily serve as gateway titles to other books that feature said characters more prominently. My only complaint about Huntress Year One is that such a well-crafted book, with great art, is only a six-issue run. If only Birds of Prey could be showing such promise these days.

BUY IT!

Giant Sized Astonishing X-Men #1

To review Astonishing X-men #1 as well as it deserves would require me to get all the Astonishing run out of boxes in my closet and start from the beginning. Why? Because once again a promising run of a book from a great writer is harmed by inconsistent release schedules. Remembering everything that happened since we last saw an issue is like trying to think back to the last episode of Lost nine months after the last one aired. (Why ABC, WHY?!)

But I digress.

As for the issue itself - it is certainly filled with the angst and action one has come to expect from the Whedon/Cassaday collaboration. The sequences featuring Kitty and Emma are especially strong and the subplot with Beast is a nice touch. And who can't appreciate the chance to hear Whedon's words coming out of other Marvel heroes who aren't part of the X-men team? But was I the only one who was a tad confused with the final resting place of the 'bullet'?

Next time a high profile writer gets on a Marvel project I think I am just going to wait until the trades come out so I can read the story in a single afternoon.

BUY IT - but dig out the back issues before you do!!!

Jonostarsmore's books ...

Batman: Gotham After Midnight #1

I picked this up because I saw that Steve Niles (of 30 Days of Night) fame was writing this maxi-series that included the Scarecrow (always cool, right?). You would think that the combination of Steve Niles and Scarecrow would be win-win, but then I also thought that George Lucas and a new Star Wars movie would work as well. Lesson learned. Not only is Kelley Jones' are ugly, but it's wildly inconsistent: one minute I'm looking at a lithe, shadowy Batman and the next I'm looking at a Batman that looks like he just won a bodybuilding championship. The Scarecrow is used ineffectually as well, and I don't get any "frightening" (as the cover of this issue reminds us) aspects whatsoever. And the ending? Really? Do we need another "oh no, it looks like Batman will die for sure!" storyline?

Burn It

Angel: Revelations #1

This book came with little warning and almost zero marketing. I wonder if that was on purpose? Apart from being a very slow-paced story, this is actually a pretty dark (it's a Marvel Knights book) origins story for Angel of the X-Men. Similar to last month's Colossus "Year One" story, here we get Angel's revised origin, and man is it &%*-ed up.
The book is much more overtly religious than any other Angel story that I've read and the art is so surreal that it sort of gives the story an otherworldly vibe. Both of which aren't a bad thing at all. I'm interested to see where this promising title goes and if it has any ramifications on the current character.

Read It

New Warriors #12

It's sad to see potential squandered. Such is the case with the latest New Warriors. I keep expecting this title to drop its blandness and surprise me with some sort of innovation or at least some emotional gravitas. It's particularly disappointing for me on a personal level because the team includes two Generation X characters (Jubilee and Chamber) that I used to enjoy. Instead of working the anti-registration act angle, the book falls on tired clichéd supervillains and suspense. In this issue, some generic robot fights the equally generic team. That's all, really. So sad.

Skip It

Ms. Marvel #27

This issue wasn't as enjoyable as last month's. In fact, I don't think it resonated at all with me. The humor that permeated last issue is noticeably absent in this one and that's a shame. All this issue serves, ultimately, is to have it set up chronologically with the events of Secret Invasion #1. Oh and Carol totally has sex with Simon Williams (Wonder Man)...yawn.

Skip It

1985 #1

The art works. The story works. The premise works. Mark Millar and Tommy Lee Edwards have fully enraptured me with their story of super-villains invading 1985 Earth--the real world Earth, mind you. At least that's what it seems like at first. From this issue, we see that somehow Doctor Doom is and will be connected to all of Millar's Marvel books (as evidenced by his appearance at the end of the latest Fantastic Four issue). Mark Millar has said that his meta-story could be divided into three parts: 1985 represents the past, Fantastic Four represents the present, and his upcoming run on Wolverine represents the future (Kick Ass will be making a cameo in 1985). I really enjoy it when a writer is able to create such high concept projects with a big company's stamp of approval (a la Bendis).

Now, can Millar ultimately deliver (no pun intended)? That remains to be seen, as we have five more issues to go, but so far, I'm sold.

Buy It

Batman #677

Phew. I'm really happy that this book is more accessible than the first part of RIP. Now I know that I'm not supposed to know who the Black Glove is (are?). Now I get some context as to Batman's current relationship. It all sort of starts fitting together and the story is that much more powerful because of it. The issue is packed with a lot of key moments and I'm really enjoying the seeds of doubt that are being planted everywhere. I have a feeling that once this story is over, we may see the death (or retirement) of Batman or Bruce Wayne, but not both.

Read It

Giant Sized Astonishing X-Men #1 (second take)

I hate Breakworld. I hate Ord. I hate all of this space mumbo-jumbo that Whedon has thrown at us during his run. I don't care much for the prophecy involving Colossus.

Strip that all away, and you still get pretty spectacular character portrayals and moments. As weak as I find the space elements of his run, Whedon does a fantastic job in making us care about these X-Men. Oracelchele is right in that Astonishing suffers from its inconsistent schedule, but knowledge of everything is not required to enjoy this issue. I jumped in not particularly remembering what was going on, but was quickly able to follow the general plot.
In this issue we potentially lose a major cast member (if you've been following Whedon, you've probably figured out who as he sticks to his "kill off the darlings" credo) to the voids of space. There's a wonderful sequence of panels that mimic a key moment from early on in the series. This is a book worth checking out. Not for its ridiculous set-up, but for its wonderful examination of characters and the way they interact with each other.

Buy It

Final Crisis #1 (second take)

Godammit DC! Just when I start to understand your universe you throw some esoteric plot elements and characters into the mix and I have to go and Wikipedia them. I like Libra, that part is good. I liked the two deaths that happened within the pages of this issue (well technically one was already dead). That works. But I don't like the stuff with the monitors as it tends to make my head hurt. The issue is promising, but please get rid of the monitors and the whole multi-verse stuff.

Read It