Sgt. Sausagepant's Reviews

Kick-Ass #1: Director's Cut

First off, keep in mind, this is just a reprint of the sold out first issue of the comic, with some extras tacked on the end. I was just curious about what a 'Director's Cut' was.

Second. I'm of two minds about this comic. The extreme violence, almost entirely perpetrated by children, is disturbing. The language is crude at best, and terribly homophobic at times. But then, that's what Millar is aiming for here. He's showing what a budding superhero career might be like in the real world. Our world. And in our world, children are far more angry, violent, and offensive than anyone likes to admit. Children aren't saints, especially teens, and these days, the F-word IS used as a shock insult by them, a lot. That said, I'm still not sure what to think of this book. The idea of kids being bad doesn't bother me, but the nonchalance they seem to approach it with does.

Skip It.

Justice League of America #22

You know, every major comic team-up book needs a few issues here and there where they show the interplay between the heroes, and NOT the giant world-saving fights. Unfortunately, Justice League has been doing this for months now. I'd like some EXTERNAL conflict now. I was already getting bored with the emo-Vixen storyline. On top of this, there is no tie-in with the Final Crisis events at all. It's like were skipping between sections of a DVD, as if we should have gotten this issue before, but it got published out of order or something.

Skip it.

DC Wildstorm Dreamwar #3 (of 6)

Halfway through this miniseries and we are finally starting to get to the meat of what's going on. The fights seem a bit disjointed at times, simply because they are trying to show what's happening to everyone, all at once, all over the world. This issue includes an absolutely brutal and surprising fight between Batman and Zealot. It may not count towards normal continuity but it's a hell of a fight.

Read It.

Goblin's Reviews

X-FACTOR #32

The assembled mutants deal with the aftermath of Arcade's firebombs last issue in this segue issue. Val Cooper returns, which is always a plus, and tries to enlist X-Factor into the O*N*E (and surprisingly not the Initiative) and I am loving the fact that X-Factor has no home and no place in the world right now. Peter David is turning the superhero concept on its ear by leaving X-Factor as the only mutant to actually exist right now and have them go two issues without any real action - which is just fine as it's more interesting than most random books featuring a slugfest of some sort. And just when you think we've got a new status quo - BAM! - things get overhauled once more on the last page leaving me drooling for next month's issue.

READ IT

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #118

As "Sacred Invasion" continues, the God Squad must navigate the Dream World to get to the Skrull gods' domain, the only problem being that the only person who can safely show them the way through the collected unconscious of the universe is Nightmare and he's not usually one to help a guy (or god) out. Using prexisting continuity, Greg Pak does a masterful job of creating new mythologies and taking the minutia of Greek myth to weave a tapestry of storytelling that really is something to behold. He combines several religions/mythologies from around the world, Marvel's own loose association of pantheon myths and adds in his own concotions to the mix to come up with a very natural sounding history and science for the assembled gods. Mikaboshi's plan in this issue adds to his already high level of badassery and the psycholical warefare of Nightmare ups him into a new league of villain, as well. All this is capped off with one of the most unexpected and intriguing Skrull reveal/tease we've yet to see in the entirety of "Secret Invasion."

READ IT

IRON MAN DIRECTOR OF SHIELD #30

Where the hell are the Knaufs? This second part of the mini-nukes story is all well an good, but I want the Knaufs to come back and continue their stellar work on the titlel. But this issue sees Iron Man taken out by a very unexpected and unlikely person while the Helicarrier is under attack from a giant brain - no, I'm not making that up. While the flashbacks to Tony's friendship with the erstwhile terrorist is interesting, all of the Iron Man action is somewhat boring. If you're going to do a story about politis and a war-torn, terrorized country then the onus is on Stark, not Iron Man. The focus is off kilter with the plot and it hurts the overall story because of it.

BROWSE IT

Jonostarsmore's Reviews

Guardians of the Galaxy #2

Normally, I'm all up for space sci-fi when it's done right (Star Trek, Star Wars, etc). The debut issue of GotG was pretty funny and showed some promise so I decided to go ahead and grab issue #2. The problem is, I found myself glazing over what felt like half the dialogue due to, what I like to term, "techno sci-fi space babble." I can see this title working for the type of crowd that's into that sort of thing, but for me, the humor wasn't as prevalent as the first, and the story lost itself in its own seriousness.

BROWSE IT

Wolverine #66

Part I of Millar's "Old Man Logan" story arc shows a lot of promise. Millar has a knack for setting up high concept stories, but has a hard time following up on the initial excitement (see: Kick-Ass, Fantastic Four, Civil War). But based purely on this well-written intro, I'm going to go ahead and recommend you buy it. Steve McNiven's gorgeous pencils really capture the feel of the bleak future depicted within these pages. The last spread with the map of the new United States provides lots of fuel for speculation.

READ IT

Kill All Parents

This self contained story was a nice surprise in my weekly comic stash. The whole book is a clever parody based on the fact that a majority of superheroes are motivated and driven by the deaths of their parents (Superman, Batman, Robin, Spider-Man). The writing is tight, the art is stylized and enjoyable and if you want to see your favorite comic characters parodied with thinly veiled counterparts, then this book is for you.

READ IT

Y: The Last Man TPB Vol. 10 - Why's and Wherefore's

Possibly the best conclusion we could have got for this story. While ultimately I found the explanation for the plague lacking (as did Yorrik and everybody else in Y:TLM universe, it seems) they do raise a couple of alternate theories, which may as well work. The conclusions to the Beth('s), Alter, and 355 stories were amazingly well handled, and the epilogue actually almost made me cry. But I'm a sucker, so whatever.

READ IT

Ex Machina #37

Not a terribly great volume, but one that's needed for the story, I suppose. Not much really happens, but what does paint an interesting picture, so I'm still looking forward to what happens next, despite my apathy towards this particular volume.

BROWSE IT

Anna Mercury #2 (of 5)

I'm a Warren Ellis fanboy, so perhaps I'm not the most... unbiased reader, but I ate this issue up like cotton candy. While not necessarily his best work, and a bit heavy on techno-jargon, I'm loving the package. The artwork, the storyline, and the profanity laced writing makes me a happy panda indeed.. If you're into sci fi comics and/or Warren Ellis usual brand of misanthropy, then you're in for a treat.

READ IT.

Secret Invasion Fantastic Four #2

Has anyone else noticed the lack of Reed and Sue lately? First, they take a sabbatical to work on their marriage and now they get taken out before the invasion really begins? It's a shame too, because there doesn't seem to be much else to do with Ben and Johnny. The Human Torch is having old flame issues, and The Thing just loves to fight (sorry, I had that old theme stuck in my head). The bit with Lyja is pretty enjoyable though. The back and forth between being so pissed about his sister, and still caring for a lost love really shows the Torch is capable of being more then the cocky teen we all knew in the 90's. Still, the book doesn't really feel like anything more then filler until the Fantastic Four make their way into the big Secret Invasion book (assuming they do).

Browse it.

Amazing Spider-Man #563 ` Brand New Day continues with Spidey trying to find out about the bets placed on superheroes and a missing bookie. I know, with that description it sounds incredibly lame, but really it's more...average. There's some funny lines, the art is fantastic, and a continuation of a little plot thread that's been going on since BND all started. If you like Brand New Day, you're probably getting it already; if you're not, don't bother.

Browse it. (Not that I, as a comic store employee, encourage reading in shop...)

Catwoman #80 ` I know sales on this book aren't the greatest, but seriously, Catwoman is easily and consistently one of the best DC books. Catwoman confronts the man who tried to ruined her life, and unsurprisingly she's kinda pissed. She's also very much ready for him. The dialogue's great and Selina is at her best when she's cocky as hell. Most definitely a

Read it.

Ultimate X-Men #95 ` After Ultimate Alpha Flight tore apart the X-Men, the X-Men are looking for some payback. Some of it may feel like a heavy handed anti-drug thing with the banshee and how it's affecting the users, the story around it is still quite good. Which is great considering it's been kinda lackluster for the Ultimate X-Men lately. Oh, and fans of Ultimate Colossus and Northstar will not want to miss this issue. (Editor's Emphasis)

Read it.

That's all for this week, stay tuned next week for another batch of reviews from Pink Kryptonite!