Superhero comics, especially ones that have been around for decades, inevitably have stories more complex than the casual fan realizes. Writers take great pains to create a ripple effect in their work–sometimes a villain will scuffle with Batman in one issue then return punch-drunk to fight Batgirl several issues later. Continuity, when it comes down … Continue reading »
Tagged with book review …
Back to the Next Generation: All New X-Men #1
Comic: All New X-Men issue 1, written by Brian Michael Bendis When we last left Cyclops, he’d gone off the deep end a bit. Years ago, the love of his life, Jean Grey, was possessed by the Phoenix Force and wound up destroying her life and an entire planet in the process. Recently, the Phoenix … Continue reading »
Recommended Reading: Superior by Mark Millar
Teenage superheroes have always had slight handicaps to overcome, usually commonplace ones like shyness around girls, general nervousness, lack of parental support, or poverty. Superior, a seven issue mini-series by Mark Millar, takes the time-honored formula a step further by giving its hero, a pre-teen named Simon Pooni, an incurable, debilitating, tragic handicap: multiple sclerosis. … Continue reading »
Avengers Vs X-Men Recap
The long awaited moment is here. Last Wednesday marked the conclusion of the whole Avengers Vs X-Men saga and I know some fans are breathing a collective sigh of relief. In case you didn’t follow the event, or missed a few parts, here’s a short rehash. It’s been more than ten years since the X-Men … Continue reading »
50 Shades of Noir: The Book of Human Insects by Osamu Tezuka Review
Osamu Tezuka’s The Book of Human Insects stands out as one of the bleakest, blackest books ever written, not only in the world of manga, but in literature in general. It’s not that the book is gruesome, explicit, or violent that gives it this immense power to disturb. Indeed, the artwork by manga-master Osamu Tezuka … Continue reading »
Avengers Vs X-Men: Who Will Win?
When it comes to fights between superheroes, it’s important to remember the rules are a lot like soccer: even if it goes into over-time, a tie is still an acceptable outcome. Most superhero fights I can think of end in a tie, usually in the form of a truce after a long battle spread out … Continue reading »
DC’s Most Promising New Comic: Earth 2
Earth 2 answers the question that’s been nagging at me ever since DC’s New 52 reboot: whatever happened to the JSA? As it turns out, they have been living in a parallel world, and they are not yet a team. Sound confusing? It is. In the old DC Universe, the JSA were thought of as … Continue reading »
Don’t Let the Mouse Sneak By: Bubbles and Gondola Graphic Novel Review
Bubbles and Gondola, a graphic novel by Renaud Dillies, is the perfect example of why you should occasionally veer away from the Marvel and DC comics on the shelves (something I’ve been trying to get readers of this site to do for months). This book is the sleeper hit of the year in comics. I … Continue reading »
Tony Stark and The Surly Dwarves: Invincible Iron Man Fear Itself Review
Title: The Invincible Iron Man: Fear Itself, issues #504-09 Writer: Matt Fraction Penciler: Salvador Larroca Tony Stark’s drunken bender in Fear Itself follows the usual path: he get stoned, makes some friends in low places, and winds up with his face in the mud. By that, I mean he fights a villain who turns people … Continue reading »
A Clash of Kings Book Review: The Song of Ice and Fire Becomes a Dirge
I’m sure I’m going to annoy at least a few stalwart George R. R. Martin fans when I say that A Clash of Kings, the sequel to Game of Thrones, is not as good as its predecessor. I do realize that it’s unfair to judge artists against themselves, so in the spirit of fairness, I’ll … Continue reading »
