ComicList Reviews

Geek Goggle Reviews: Batman The Unseen #3

2009-11-08T21:01:45Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Batman: The Unseen #3 of 5
DC Comics
Moench & Jones

Batman battles the meat man in this issue. Batman's detective skills allow him to figure out the meat man's identity and track him to his next prey. This issue pushes the villain down the trail of serial killer as his motives and back story begin to be filled in. It's a good issue that shows off Batman at a younger stage in his career allowing him to be more vulnerable with his lack of experience. Batman shows that in order to gain ultimate success you don't always win on the first try.

Batman is still trying to connect his pieces of evidence that results in his original suspect turning up dead. Batman finds himself at square one while Nigel aka meat man begins to squeeze his employer, the man with no face. Nigel isn't buying anything he's selling him as he is virtually unimpressed with his origin story. Nigel has everything he needs now. He's got the invisibility serum and the motive to commit some serious murders: revenge.

Nigel begins his killing spree as Bruce Wayne begins to unravel the source of the meat man. Yes, Bruce Wayne does his own brand of investigating. Eventually Bruce figures out who and why the meat man came about and Batman stakes a potential victim.

Bruce and Nigel collide with unexpected results. Batman fighting an invisible man shouldn't be too much of a problem, except Batman's still green around the ears. There isn't much of a fight as Batman is over-matched simply trying to pinpoint Nigel's location while taking a hit and run pounding. It's a good ending to the comic book.

This issue shines with the artwork. The coloring and style remind me heavily of the Hellboy universe of comics, not necessarily Mignola's pencils, but the full package. Obviously Batman is drawn with jagged edges and overly extended features, but the art also takes an interesting approach with the humans as they seem to have that angry, hollow look in their eyes that you might find in a depressed Gotham City. It's a beautiful comic that definitely wanders off the usual path for a Batman book.

The story has some of the elements of a standard Batman comic. He's using his detective skills to track down the criminal which typically includes a violent showdown. However, the comic does more than tell a simple detective story. It ties in motives, origins, science and allows some insight into how a man loses his mind. You don't usually find those elements in a Batman book.

While on the surface this comic seems to be just another Batman mini series, one that probably has a target audience that likes this creative team. The comic is an enjoyable story that has its own niche with the villain and construction of the villain. It's a good story and has some terrific artwork. This is worth checking out.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Star Wars Invasion #5

2009-11-08T18:14:36Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Star Wars Invasion #5 of 5
Dark Horse Comics
Taylor, Wilson & Dzioba

Star Wars Invasion wraps up the first arc with the core Solo group figuring out that the Vong are masquerading as humans while the counter offensive led by factions of Finn's family seems to be working well. The issue has some sneaking around and some level action, but for the most part it is not a big bang ending that you might expect from a finale. On the other hand the arc's ending doesn't leave any wide open cliffhanger either. Instead what the issue has is simply a gentle ending to the beginning of a much larger story. It's a perfectly good comic book, but doesn't deliver the usual Star Wars fanfare that you might expect in an ending issue.

The issue opens with the jailbreak, led by Kaye, on the Vong's ship. This part of the comic may be the best as Kaye's character advances to become a full fledged leader. It's not just that she barks out orders and people listen to her, but she has the sarcasm and snappiness that you might have come accustomed to from Leia or Han from the movies. Kaye proves herself to be an interesting character and one worth watching.

The comic moves to Finn and the Solo family as they begin to track down a smuggler that has information about the Vong's invasion. The cat and mouse game that has Finn tracking various scum around the city is okay, but nothing too exciting. The plot development when they determine how the Vong have been infiltrating humans for years is where the story really jumps off the ground.

The comic ends as the reader begins to understand how the traitors are operating while some of the new characters begin to form a more widespread plan to fight back.

The issue has its ups and downs. Probably the most frustrating part of the comic is how difficult it is to distinguish the Solo children. Perhaps the majority of the audience has read the novels, but for those that have not it doesn't feel like any of the kids were established at all. To me, their dialogue is completely transferable to any other character and that's not a good thing.

The high point is the array of new characters we have and how they have been fleshed out. Whether it's the warrior, Arbeloa, Finn or the Queen, we have a bunch of new and interesting characters that are capable of supporting stories on their own. Sure, they fall into familiar stereotypes, but they have just enough uniqueness to make them likable.

The artwork is perhaps the best in this issue out of the whole series. I found the suspense and limited action to really add to the mood very well. I liked the color choices as well as I felt it turned away from the darkness of the previous issues which lends itself to some level of symbolic hope.

This mini series is just the first piece of the first act of the larger story. The comic book doesn't contain chases, huge gunfights or light saber duels. Instead it relies on laying out a long term plot using the slow burn style. It's a good comic that ties in new characters with established original trilogy characters very well. I enjoyed the story.

3.5 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Secret Six #15

2009-11-07T21:45:51Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Secret Six #15
DC Comics
Ostrander & Calafiore

John Ostrander gets a chance to play in a very familiar sandbox with this issue of the Secret Six as he pens a character he is very familiar with: Deadshot. While the character debuted in Batman in the 1950s, he’s made his bones recently in the pages of the Suicide Squad, Secret Six and various other projects. However, a case could be made that the character was never more interesting than when Ostrander was at the helm, so Ostrander takes the reins from Gail Simone for this issue and knocks it out of the park.

On the surface this comic is merely an updated origin story of Floyd Lawton aka Deadshot. In many ways, that in of itself makes for a great story. However, the comic offers a look at Deashot’s current day behavior as a pattern tied to events in his early life. As the pieces of his origin are revealed, they are cleverly reconstructed at the end of the comic to display the deeper meanings behind all of his actions. It’s a terrific story.

The setup of the issue is that Floyd seeks out Reverend Richard Craemer as he feels extremely homicidal. Floyd begins to lay out how he became who is. He walks through his strange childhood and his interactions with his parents and his first encounter with Batman. While describing the key scenes he mentions other events in passing, such as the deaths of his brother, wife and son. The comic ends with Floyd faced with a youthful punk that triggers in the Reverend’s mind how all of the events in Floyd’s life are connected.

There’s a lot to like in this comic book. The comic is violent but doesn’t rely on it. The story uses Batman as a minor supporting character instead of making Deadshot completely tied to the dark knight. This helps to keep Deadshot as his own, unique entity. The story lines up the origin, but manages to tie it to the present day, so this isn’t simply a “here’s my story” comic.

The only drawback to the issue is that because it doesn’t give the paint by numbers origin story some of the events aren’t explored enough. For example, the aspect of the deaths of his son and brother are barely touched on and yet they seem like they would have been important to final analysis of the character.

The artwork is outstanding. Deadshot isn’t in the comic book too much, but Floyd and his devilish grin certainly are. What the comic provides is great emotions and counter-emotions with the characters when they converse with each other. It has a timeless feel to it as well, where it seemed this comic could have easily been from the 1950s, 1970s or the present day.

Deadshot is an interesting character with a decently interesting origin story. However, when the story has a solid dovetail to it and uses some symbolism and subconscious actions to define the characters it’s that much better. I enjoyed the story and felt this was a terrific one shot to pick up. I definitely recommend this comic.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: End League #9

2009-11-07T18:37:54Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

End League #9
Dark Horse Comics
Remender & MacDonald

The finale of the End League leaves no stone unturned as many threads are resolved via unexpected means and other plots pieces leave the door open for a possible return to this universe down the road. The comic is packed, literally, cover to cover with story. Forty pages of story with no ads for $4 is a pretty decent deal. The third art team for this run brings a new style that gives a nice visual display of the story as well as the heavy action sequences. However, the comic excels when dealing with the complicated concept of time travel, other realms and the line between good and evil. It’s a terrific story and the finale is by far the best piece to the puzzle. This comic shouldn’t be missed.

This story has never shied away from the plot element that Thor’s hammer is the key to saving or destroying the world. From the beginning, several characters have sought out the hammer and in this issue we begin to see why they wanted the hammer and how the hammer could tilt the scales in various directions. The hammer changes hands a couple of times in this comic as good, evil and gray intentions are explored. However, the hammer becomes only a small device of the comic’s layered story.

Another aspect of this comic introduces the idea that other realms or realities that directly affect the outcome of Earth. The remaining heroes grapple with the hope of saving Earth from the villains, only to realize that the real enemy simply wants to kill some of the populace instead of the entire planet. This feeds into the moral dilemma where the heroes can save everyone by sacrificing some. They don’t agree on a solution and the line gets even more blurry between the remaining heroes and villains.

The final element of this comic book that is worth discussing in depth is the idea of time travel. This issue utilizes it heavily. It resolves scenes from previous issues as well as helps solve problems within this issue and it provides a means of escape for some of the supporting characters. The usage requires rereading and studying previous scenes very closely. Once the timeline is fully understood the time travel component of the book makes the story that much better. It could have been used as a copout but instead it’s used in a clever way to position characters in key moments in the history that we’ve come to understand as fact from previous issues. The comic book manages to give the remaining cast members multiple roles in this issue through this tactic.

The only flaw I found with this issue is that some of the characters that were built up over the length of the series were not used in that vain here in the finale. Granted, some of the characters show their true colors in this issue, but those character developments and plot twists are to be expected and welcome. However, some of the others are dispatched so quickly or simply fade into the background that they seem to have built up for no reason over the previous issues.

The artwork does a consistent job throughout. The comic assignment is a tall order because the previous two art teams were so different in their own style that it never had a chance to fully “fit in”. I was pleased to see that this style was more conducive to realistic facial details and stayed away from the jagged edged look. The artwork did have some gaps in terms of distinguishing certain characters when the pick up the hammer but they were usually resolved within a panel or two. I was happy with the action and layouts. It’s a very nice looking comic.

I’ve avoided character names the entire review for a couple of reasons. One, I don’t want anything spoiled and giving any names to match situations would do that. And secondly, this story isn’t as much about the individuals as it about the situation and about the moral line within us all. This story provides thoughts long after the book ends about what the right decision would have been for the remaining characters.

I enjoyed this comic immensely. Rereading this run will be more interesting now knowing the complicated conclusion. It’s not the Watchmen, but the comic is certainly something to pick up and read. It’s got a lot in it for people looking for a blurry line between good and evil and for those looking for a story that doesn’t just upset the status quo, but destroys it. I highly recommend this comic.

5 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Suspended Animation: The Scorpion

2009-11-07T18:25:19Z

Suspended Animation Review

The Scorpion, published by Seaboard Periodicals, 32 pages, original cover price of 25 cents, current prices vary.

In 1974, a new comic book publisher set up shop, determined not only to make a splash in the industry, but, according to some in the business, to take a bite out of Marvel Comics. And, though Atlas Comics folded in short order, their initial offerings included what some consider highly entertaining comic work, rife with potential. One such creation was The Scorpion, by none other than well-known writer/artist Howard Chaykin.

The main character, Moro Frost, was an adventurer set in late-'30's New York. By Chaykin's own admission, the character was "the first initiation" of Chaykin creations such as Dominic Fortune and Reuben Flagg. The Scorpion showed a lot of promise, and was an interesting alternative to the superhero glut of the time.

Chaykin's art and storytelling techniques were the crown jewel of the book, as his sketchy, rough-around-the-edges art style is perfect for such period crime stories. His writing and characterization were quite entertaining, as well, especially considering this was his first writing assignment.

Not an altruistic hero, Frost coined what might have been his catch-phrase in the last panel of issue two; "The Scorpion is not a charitable institution." One of the oddities of this character (which was never explained) was that he had lived an inordinately long life, having been involved with the Union Army and as a pilot in World War I.

All in all, The Scorpion was a fine beginning to what could have been one of the great adventure comics of the modern age. Unfortunately, the first two issues were Chaykin's only work, as the third and last installment saw the character transplanted into a modern-day, superhero setting, complete with spandex and Marvel-esque look and feel. Again, an effort to steal some of the big dog's thunder.

The Scorpion is recommended for all but younger readers, and will appeal to lovers of adventure and period stories, and those generally interested in comics history. It remains quite affordable, and can be found comics shops, comics conventions, or online auctions and catalogs.

Review by Mark Allen

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Wednesday New Releases: Buffy, Old Man Logan, Criminal

2009-11-05T10:48:49Z

by Elisabeth@TFAW

New Reviews of This Week's Releases!

This week's Wednesday New Releases is especially exciting, with looks at Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love #1, Psylocke #1, Buffy Season 8 #30, Doom Patrol #4 with the Yellow Lantern ring, the Criminal Omnibus, and the Wolverine: Old Man Logan Hardcover. Watch the video below to hear more!

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Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Dark Reign The List Punisher

2009-11-01T20:10:19Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Dark Reign The List: Punisher #1
Marvel Comics
Remender, Romita Jr, Janson, White

After the events of the Punisher #10 we find Frank to be regrouping in a major way. He's alienated Henry, left The Hood's deal to die on the table and is wounded and bloody. Norman Osborn unleashes holy Hell on Frank's hideout. It fails and he dispatches Daken to kill him old school style.

Frank and Daken battle for a good portion of the comic. Sure, the fight contains some interesting dialogue, but that's mostly window dressing. It's a bloody, messy battle. You might wonder how someone with no super powers can kill an assassin that has a mighty healing factor and is virtually indestructible. Well, the obvious guess is that Punisher and Daken fight to a standstill and then something happens to break them apart before a real resolution occurs.

This is where those not interested in spoilers need to stop reading because I am going to spoil this issue in every possible way.

If you are familiar with the next story arc for the Punisher then you know it's called Frankencastle. That title implies that Frank will have some level of patched up parts that may or may not contain bolts jutting out of his neck. This issue shows you how that comes about.

Daken gives it to the Punisher real good. Not just stab marks, but lost limbs, defacing and decapitation basically. The Punisher goes down like Rocky when he faces Clubber Lang the first time in Rocky III. The Punisher looks completely defenseless and hopeless in this issue.

There is a good reason for the way the Punisher is completely unprepared for the battle. In the previous issue he lost his soul. The man that gets cut to pieces in this issue is simply a husk walking around in the Punisher's costume. It's pathetic, and yet, spectacular to watch.

The comic book is a massive success because of the artwork. Romita Jr delivers perhaps his most gruesome work, including most of the Kick Ass issues, to date. I have no idea how a regular Marvel title could be this violent, but it was outstanding. Page after page of clear action coated with blood and guts. The fight simply couldn't be illustrated any better. The artwork also uses colors perfectly as the shading helps to support the mood of the book as things get worse and worse for Frank.

While I can't say I am thrilled with the direction the Punisher seems to be taking, it was nice to see a fight actually have a conclusion for a change. What makes this comic work though isn't the storyline or the direction of the character, but the entertainment within this comic. From a strict entertainment standpoint this comic has an excellent fight, terrific artwork and a fascinating setup to reach the ultimately odd conclusion. I enjoyed this comic book very much and I definitely recommend it.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Punisher #10

2009-11-01T19:49:13Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Punisher #10
Marvel Comics
Remender, Huat & Loughridge

Frank Castle's soul dies in this issue. Castle squares off with The Hood in a battle in which you know going in that neither is going to die. This comic explores aspects of their lives that would allow them to battle and escape but still present more of a psychological confrontation. It's a very good issue because it brings Frank to a gut-wrenching decision, even if the events leading up to moment are very sketchy. The final result appears to be the mental defeat of Castle. This comic ventures down a path we don't normally see the Punisher take.

The comic book's major story can't be discussed without spoiling some of the surprise so this is your final warning to stop reading if you don't want anything spoiled.

The Hood's lackeys battle Frank. Eventually they capture Frank and bring him into the depths of the Hood's plan. Frank is reunited with Microchip, who stands by the side of the Hood. The Hood reveals he isn't really interested in killing Frank. Instead he offers relief for Frank of the life as the Punisher. All Frank has to do is murder GW Bridge, his cop friend, and in return his whole family is to be returned to life, as would be Microchip's kid.

The comic presents an interesting question about what drives Frank. Is Frank so accustomed to feeling fire and revenge that he is simply fueling his vengeance with the hate from the previous people he's killed? Or is he literally avenging his family's deaths with each person he kills. If it's the former than he no longer has a connection to the deaths of his family and this deal won't come close to fulfilling the mark. On the other hand, if all he wants is family back then this is the answer. Just kill one more person and it all ends. Albeit he would have to kill a good guy, but it would be the final death.

Secondarily, could Frank return to the life of father and husband with all of the blood on his hands from all of the years of killing? Can Frank be Frank anymore or is there only the Punisher left?

Frank's solution isn't shocking at all, but it is something that is difficult to watch unfold. This is where the issue is at its strongest. Frank is forced to make a difficult choice and he makes his choice as the Punisher and not as Frank. In this moment though, the Punisher seems to kill Frank and by default, kills off everything the Punisher was. When the comic concludes it appears the Punisher no longer has a soul.

The artwork is good. There are some good action scenes that the art plays up well, but the comic excels the most when it deals with the final decision at the conclusion of the issue and Frank's reactions. It's a horrific scene and the artwork depicts it masterfully.

I can't say this is among the very best Punisher comics I've ever read because I find the whole magical aspect of raising the dead to be a little too out of the ordinary. However, the moral questions and the solution presented here makes for a very compelling story. I definitely recommend it.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Dark Reign The List Wolverine #1

2009-10-31T17:04:37Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Dark Reign The List: Wolverine #1
Marvel Comics
Aaron, Ribi, Palmer & Wilson

Breaking tradition with the rest of this series of one-shots, this issue has Norman Osborn's objective not to kill Wolverine, but instead to infiltrate a facility called The World. Marvel Boy falls out of favor with Osborn and warns Wolverine that Osborn is after this one time Weapon X program and Wolverine pursues. This is everything that a one shot should have in it. It's got an interesting story, good characters, great characterizations, a real conclusion and threads left open for later usage. This is a very good comic book.

Marvel Boy finds Wolverine and explains to him Osborn's plan. Wolverine, unimpressed with Marvel Boy, then orders him to team up with him on foiling Osborn's plan. This interaction not only manages to level-set Marvel Boy and his involvement, but it also manages to provide some great banter that is subtly funny and entertaining. However, the team up is short lived.

Upon arriving at The World, Marvel Boy is attacked by zombies and Wolverine. The mindless creatures chase Marvel Boy into the arms of Fantomex, another variation of the Weapon X program. Fantomex and Marvel Boy manage to create their own interesting dynamic as they become the team up in the comic. Their personalities are established immediately and the characters become familiar quickly and remain interesting throughout the comic.

Wolverine and the other zombies are victims of The World's weapon, which preys on their victim's belief in a deity. Marvel Boy and Fantomex don't believe in God and are therefore immune to it. The comic manages to flow very well considering Wolverine is absent for a good portion of it. Eventually, Marvel Boy and Fantomex figure out how to switch the weapon off and Wolverine returns. He provides a few more great moments as he interacts with the others.

The comic book is great for a number of reasons. First of all, the comic doesn't fall into any of the usual Wolverine trappings. He doesn't go berserker while screaming how he's the best at what he does. Instead, the dialogue has a level of humor to the point that Jason Aaron lets you know that he gets how funny the Wolverine clichés actually are. He uses them to his advantage. For example, the three characters have thought bubbles as they fight and Wolverine's is "Snikt, Stab, Repeat" It's hysterical and plays right into all of the overuse of the character and the standard writing for him.

The artwork is great. The line detail is subtle with the faces, which works well when dealing with the mindless zombies. However, the close-ups of Marvel Boy's expressions capture every emotion perfectly as he reacts to all of the insane things that Wolverine or Fantomex say to him. It's a terrific comic book visually.

Obviously this is not essential reading, but the sketch pages, reprint of Jason Aaron's first Wolverine story and the two entries from the Marvel Encyclopedia help justify the $4 cover price. The story is very good and opens up the potential for a greater cast and storylines to come. If you appreciate a good, but different Wolverine story that has some humor in it and is light on the assassin stuff then this story is for you. You even get some laughs out of Norman Osborn's scenes. This is a great one shot and Wolverine story.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Blackest Night #4

2009-10-31T16:31:59Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Blackest Night #4 of 8
DC Comics
Johns, Reis, Albert & Prado

Flash, Atom and Mera continue to run around Earth attempting to hold down the fort while more Black Lanterns sprout up all over the place. The comic loops in some more DCU characters and reveals the master behind the Black Lanterns as their power gauge reaches 100%. The comic is essentially well executed filler that feels more like a JLA tie in than the main series. It's apparent that this comic is aimed at the hardest of hardcore DCU fans as it deals solely with the Black Lanterns as seen on Earth rather than even attempting to involve any of the Green Lantern cast or bulk of any of the colored corps war. This comic really just isn't essential reading nor is it memorable.

If a comic solicitation read: Barry Allen aka the Flash, Mera and The Atom attempt to fend off zombies until someone else, somewhere else (in another comic book) figures out how to shut down the zombies, would you buy this comic for $4? I wouldn't have. Yet, this series is supposed to be the main Blackest Night story that would lead you to believe it's the core title for the event and it simply is not. How can it be when focuses on the Flash?

Flash races around the globe trying to round up the Golden Age Green Lantern and other heroes to try to keep the Black Lanterns from killing everyone. He's stalling in hopes of the real Green Lantern Corps figuring out a way to stop the Black Lanterns somewhere off in space. Flash finds various obscure heroes to help out. Some turn into Black Lanterns, some don't. He gives a lot of clichéd speeches and pep talks. While it makes the issue move along it sounds hollow. I felt like the dialogue could have come from any hero except Batman. It was all a little too corny. Is the objective really to prop up Barry Allen in hopes of gaining some new fans for the character?

Eventually enough people die, the power level reaches 100% and the master arrives. Barry Allen races off to Coast City where everything is going down in a big way. I'd don't know what the real payoff here is. I guess Barry Allen and company fight more Black Lanterns for three more issues and then Hal Jordan kills off the Black Lantern battery in the Green Lantern title and shows up on Earth to end the threat in issue eight. At this point there aren't too many heroes left on Earth to help out.

As far as the art goes, it's good. There are plenty of detailed battle scenes with many, many characters. For the major DCU fan you should have a blast trying to figure out who's who on each page. The gruesomeness of the Black Lanterns is not subtle here at all. This comic definitely delivers some disturbing, dark images.

This comic is a Flash vehicle and to a lesser extent, a JLA tie in. If you are looking for the meat of the war of light or the plot behind the Black Lanterns then absolutely skip this issue. Just because the master is revealed in this issue doesn't mean this issue is a must for the storyline. If you like Barry Allen, Mera, The Atom, and some others like Atom Smasher then you might like this issue. Otherwise there just isn't much in this comic book to justify the price tag or hype.

2.5 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.