Sunday, November 26, 2006

Quick Take Reviews for November 26


X-Factor 13
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

After a week on the East Coast, Jim and I are back at home. We had a very nice time visiting his family, and enjoyed a change of scenery. With that in mind, I didn't get to look at my new comics until last night, so bear with me if I am a bit rummy. It is snowing here like crazy, and I shoveled with a head cold.

Wonder Woman #3- Finally, this book hits the shelves. While I find the premise interesting and inventive, nothing about this book is so special that it screams "3 month delay" to me. The book is okay, but it didn't knock my socks off. Grade B-

The Boys #5- Now this is a book worth talking about. The Boys is classic Garth Ennis goodness with a new school twist put on it. I love Darick Robertson's interpretation of Ennis' daring script, and would really like to see this become a longtime partnership. Filled with creamy goodness, The Boys is the freshest title on the shelves. Grade: A


X-Factor #13 (cover pictured)- Peter David brings Doc Samson back to interview the team for psychological purposes, and it works very well. After the last time around in X-Factory #87, I didn't think David could top himself, but he actually does it here. I laughed and shrieked, enjoying every last minute. This is THE X-title to read. Grade: A.

Ultimate Spider-Man #102- Now this book is out there, big time. The plot is far-fetched as heck, and the multiple things going on are a bit hard to track, but I find myself liking it anyway. It's got to be the... well, I don't want to spoil it other then to say "opposite sex clone". Yikes! Grade: B.

Daredevil #91- This is a book that lives up to the Wizard hype of getting named title of the year. With Matt in Europe hot on the trail of Foggy's "murderer", the plot gets even thicker in this issue. This is incredible. For great reading and consistently excellent art, Daredevil is an easy pick. Grade: B+.

JSA Classified #19- part one of a two parter focusing on Dr. Midnite. Written by Scott Beatty with art by Rags Morales and Michael Bair, this book works well all the way through. Dr. Midnite interacts with the DC universe to solve a crime involving metas being robbed of crucial body parts that their powers hinge on. Creepy but interesting. Grade: B.

Connor Hawke: Dragon's Blood #1- The reason I picked this book up can be summed up in two words: Eddie Fyers. Sometime nemesis and sometime friend to Oliver Queen, Eddie played a seminal role in Connor's turn as Green Arrow. He is a great second tier character, and the fact that he was popping up here was enough to sell me. That aside, I quite enjoyed the first issue, and look forward to seeing Lady Shado as this six issue mini-series continues. Good stuff. Grade: B-.

Uncle Sam & the Freedom Fighters #5 (of 8)- This book is trippy but interesting. Pitting old school Freedom Fighters against new characters is a great way to go. The surprise return of a character long forgotten gives this comic that extra something special. Grade: C+.

Jack of Fables #5- the end of the first story arc is here. Jack must escape from the home he has been captured and brought to. There is so much irony and wicked humor in this book that it is almost impossible to digest it all in one reading. This is a great spin-off of Fables, and I am enjoying it greatly. Grade: B-.

That's it for the week. Have a wonderful Sunday evening and great week back at work!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Boys has become one of my favorite titles out there. I love it! This issue was really good too, actually giving the characters some depth. I'm so glad you recommended it. And of course I love Daredevil. Have you tried Walking Dead? If you're worried because it's a zombie comic, don't. I'm not a fan of zombie movies, comics or books but this comic is so much more than that. It's got some of the greatest characterization out there. All three of these comics plus 7 Brothers came out this week...it was a really good week for comics.

Carl said...

Where's the review of Civil War #5 and Punisher War Journal #1? Did I miss them?

Welp, I picked them up last week (I was broke until Thursday). While I still dislike CW, The Punisher's entry was so overdue and needed, it was water to a man dying of thirst. And proving us right, the characters that went out of their characters were expressing regret and finally acknowledging that they may have made mistakes and done the wrong things. Well ----ing DUH!!! That means we have been right all along. The person I felt the most sorry for was Spider-Man, he has screwed up his life beyond repair, at least at this point. And Daredevil in the last page got the best line off in this whole bloomin' mess. I shall never call Iron Man nothing else but the "J" word ever again.

And over in the War Journal, finally he's back in the Marvel Universe with a vengeance! The first issue of the new WJ was so good, the only other good thing (besides his appearance in CW) to come out of this debacle. Now all we have to do is get the next two issues out and on the road away from this cluster---- and hope there is not going to be another one...

Heidi Meeley said...

John, I am so glad that you are enjoying The Boys as much as I am. It is a great book!

I haven't read Walking Dead since the first three issues came out. Strangely, the timing kind of killed it for me, with 28 Days Later hitting theaters around the time the book came out. I really should give it another shot- so many people whose opinions I value tell me it is a good read. Thank you for the heads up.

I got 7 Brothers, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. Hopefully I will get to it by the weekend.

It definitely was a great week for comics. My pile was heavy and thick, so there is lots of good reading.

Take care!

Heidi Meeley said...

Loren- Connor Hawke: Dragons Blood #1 was a great read to be sure. Dixon has an excellent grasp of the character, and I had really enjoyed his take on Connor and Eddie in his run on Green Arrow.

As for Dixon's politics, I can't rightfully say I know what they are. It is a credit to him that his writing can transend such an important topic.

The first issue really did a nice job of filling in the readers on the story being told, but in true Dixon form, I am betting he has an ace up his sleeve to be shown later!

Take care!

Heidi Meeley said...

Carl, I have to confess to not having looked at Punisher War Journal #1 yet. Yikes! Being out of town really set me back. I am glad to hear that it is a good read. I will check it out for sure.

As for Civil War #5, after the lambasting I took for last issue, I figured I would lay low for a bit before coming back out with guns blazing. I will say that the Punisher's appearance was desperately needed, and that I can hardly wait to see what he does next. As for ole' Spidey, ouch.

Thank you for the heads up about Punisher WJ- I will check it out soon!

Have a great night, Carl!