Friday, November 30, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Gambit #4

Gambit #4
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: James Asmus
Pencils: Clay Mann and Leonard Kirk
Inks: Seth Mann and Leonard Kirk

She’s the End of the World (Spoilers!)

This issue is the conclusion to the first story arc of the new Gambit series. Nothing significant happens in the story. Gambit and his lady open a portal to the realm of the gods to face a non-sentient feathered serpent. The story allows Gambit to show his resourcefulness and acrobatic abilities. He has an opportunity to save the damsel in distress. At one point Gambit enters the serpent and blows up its head from the inside. Where have we seen this before? Finally, Gambit gives up on trying to use the relic to close the portal and uses his powers to do the deed.

One prop that I can give the story is that it had action from beginning to the end. Gambit’s lady’s name is Joelle, and she has super powers which she doesn’t use to help Gambit. The story’s ending threw me for a loop. One minute Joelle is kissing Gambit and in the next, she’s knocking him out. If you want to break up, lets be cordial about it; there is no need for the violence.

On his return to New York, Gambit jumps into a car with a stranger. He ends up in the hands of Cich. I wonder what Cich has planned for him? Do you think he wants Gambit to steal something? A conclusion to a story arc should have a little more bang for your buck; this ended in a fizzle. The greatest challenge that Gambit faced was the hostile environment. This god didn’t wield very much power; it was just another big snake.

The art was an asset to the story. The artists were able to put large scenes in every panel. The scenes with Gambit and the serpent illustrate the size of the challenge that Gambit must overcome.

I rate Gambit #4 Read a Friends Copy. #3 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking


Bleach: End of Bond

I read Bleach, Vol. 52

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Astonishing X-Men #55

Astonishing X-Men # 55
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Mike Perkins
Cover: Phil Noto

Spoilers!
The bullets on the cover must have all been blanks, because that is what this story was shooting. I was under the impression that this title’s purpose was to give us cutting edge X-Men stories. This misses that mark completely.

The most intriguing part of the story was the flashback to Susan Hatchi’s earlier life. Hatchi turns the pressure on the X-Men to take over Madripoor. The airport is destroyed by a group of imposter X-Men. This group is so lame that they don’t have a name and the members don’t have code names. Normal humans using technology to imitate mutant powers; for the amount of effort it took the X-Men to defeat them they need to get a refund for that technology. The X-Men had them out of the picture before they could say two lines, and the X-Men had their powers taken away.

Tyger Tiger arrests the X-Men and takes them to a warehouse where Karma’s supposedly deceased father is waiting for them. Susan Hatchi shows up with a rocket launcher and blows up the warehouse. She expects to find buried bodies. They survived being buried under the rubble of a building and also survived attacks by some of the most powerful evil mutants ever. Why waste a rocket when you have nano-worms that control the X-Men’s bodies? Didn’t she threaten to kill Warbird and Northstar with the nano-worms? Am I the only one asking these questions? Who is to be held accountable for this? This is just irresponsible writing.

Overall the art is bland. The characters look roughly drawn. There is no detail in the background just a lot of pretty colors hiding a lack of effort. A few of the headshots do reveal some talent that is inconsistent.

I rate Astonishing X-Men #55 Read it in the Store. #4 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Review: NEON GENESIS EVANGELION 3-in-1 Edition Volume 1

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION 3-IN-1 EDITION, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
ORGINAL CONCEPT: khara GAINAX
TRANSLATION: Mari Morimoto, Lillian Olsen
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Fred Burke, Carl Gustav Horn
LETTERING: Wayne Truman, John Clark
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5079-4; paperback; Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
528pp, B&W, $19.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN, £12.99 UK

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese science fiction anime (or animation) television series. Twenty-six episodes of the series were originally broadcast from October 1995 to March 1996. The anime had a comic book companion, Neon Genesis Evangelion the manga, which was produced by author Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. The manga actually debuted in the manga magazine, Shonen Ace, 10 months (December 1994) before the anime as a way to introduce the series to the public.

In addition to publishing single volumes (which are up to Volume 13 as of this writing), VIZ Media recently began reprinting the series in 3-in-1 editions, which gather three volumes in one large-sized, single volume. Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 Edition, Vol. 1 reprints Neon Genesis Evangelion, Volumes 1 to 3.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is the story of humans at war with hostile beings called Angels. The human side of the conflict is led by NERV, a paramilitary organization. NERV created giant biomechanical units or mecha called Evangelions (also known as EVA and Evas) that are piloted by teenagers. The lead character is 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, EVA “Unit-01” pilot.

The first three volumes of the series introduce Shinji and reveal how he was brought into the EVA program by 29-year-old Misato Katsuragi, the NERV operations chief who plans EVA missions. Shinji is also reunited with his estranged father, 48-year-old Gendo Ikari, who is NERV Supreme Commander. Shinji meets 14-year-old Rei Ayanami, called the First Child because she was the first to pilot an EVA.

After Rei’s EVA Unit-00 is damaged, Shinji and Unit-01 have to fight the Angels. These early stories also depict Shinji’s conflicted feelings about being an EVA pilot, but two of his classmates, Kensuke Aida and Toji Suzuhara, provide comic relief in contrast.

As I’ve previously noted, I knew of Neon Genesis Evangelion the anime, but had never seen it. My first direct experience with the franchise was reading Volume 12 of the manga last year. I enjoyed reading this Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 Edition more than I did reading Volumes 12 and 13. These early chapters are simple and straight forward.

Author Yoshiyuki Sadamoto uses Shinji Ikari as the vehicle through which we are introduced into the world of NERV and the Evangelion. As a lead character, I find Shinji a bit soft and unfocused. His moody, sad boy personality gets old after awhile, but he meets so many interesting characters (like his father) that he’s worth the trouble.

Of course, the giant robot battles are good, and Sadamoto composes them with imagination, so this is not just battle for the sake of battle. Sadamoto makes this interesting, mixing intrigue and melodrama with the anticipation of another attack. This is giant robot with quality soap opera, and that’s a good thing.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 28 2012

DC COMICS

SEP120209 ALL STAR WESTERN #14 $3.99

SEP120256 AMERICAN VAMPIRE #33 (MR) $2.99

SEP120141 AQUAMAN #14 $2.99

OCT120235 ARROW #1 $3.99

SEP120228 BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #10 $3.99

SEP120166 BATMAN INCORPORATED #5 (RES) $2.99

SEP120169 BATMAN INCORPORATED #5 COMBO PACK (RES) $3.99

SEP120177 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #14 $2.99

SEP120128 BEFORE WATCHMEN OZYMANDIAS #4 (MR) $3.99

SEP120130 BEFORE WATCHMEN OZYMANDIAS #4 COMBO PACK (MR) $4.99

AUG120140 BEFORE WATCHMEN SILK SPECTRE #4 (MR) $3.99

AUG120142 BEFORE WATCHMEN SILK SPECTRE #4 COMBO PACK (MR) $4.99

AUG120250 CAPTAIN ATOM TP VOL 01 EVOLUTION (N52) $14.99

AUG120251 DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS TP VOL 01 DEADMAN CHALLENGERS $16.99

SEP120145 FLASH #14 $2.99

AUG120291 FLIGHT OF ANGELS TP (MR) $17.99

SEP120150 FURY OF FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MEN #14 $2.99

SEP120207 I VAMPIRE #14 $2.99

SEP120223 JOE KUBERT PRESENTS #2 $4.99

SEP120205 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #14 $2.99

SEP120254 LOT 13 #2 (MR) $2.99

AUG128172 PHANTOM LADY #4 $2.99

SEP128212 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #13 2ND PTG $2.99

SEP120195 RED LANTERNS #14 (RISE) $2.99

SEP120147 SAVAGE HAWKMAN #14 $2.99

SEP120159 SUPERMAN #14 $2.99

SEP120249 SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES #7 $2.99

SEP120163 TALON #2 $2.99

SEP120218 TEEN TITANS #14 $2.99

AUG120262 WONDER WOMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 03 $14.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

AUG120313 BEFORE WATCHMEN DR MANHATTAN STATUE $149.95

SEP120274 DARK KNIGHT RISES BATMAN VS BANE 1:6 SCALE STATUE $324.95

AUG120311 DC COMICS SUPER HEROES BLUE BEETLE BUST $69.95

AUG120308 WE CAN BE HEROES JUSTICE LEAGUE 7 PACK BOX SET $99.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 28 2012

MARVEL COMICS

SEP120569 A PLUS X #2 NOW $3.99

SEP120548 ALL NEW X-MEN #2 NOW $3.99

SEP120661 ASTONISHING X-MEN ANNUAL #1 $4.99

SEP120633 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BLACK WIDOW #639 $2.99

AUG120715 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY TP OLD WOUNDS $16.99

AUG120717 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND IRON MAN TP $14.99

AUG120725 DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE TP NO MORE HEROES $15.99

SEP120593 FF #1 NOW $2.99

AUG120704 FF BY JONATHAN HICKMAN PREM HC VOL 04 $24.99

SEP120656 GAMBIT #6 $2.99

SEP128135 HAWKEYE #1 3RD PTG AJA VAR $2.99

SEP128136 HAWKEYE #2 3RD PTG AJA VAR $2.99

SEP120653 MARVEL UNIVERSE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #8 $2.99

AUG120729 MIGHTY THOR BY MATT FRACTION TP VOL 02 $19.99

SEP120683 MMW GOLDEN AGE SUB MARINER TP VOL 01 $29.99

SEP120613 NEW AVENGERS #34 $4.99

SEP120616 SECRET AVENGERS #34 $3.99

SEP120718 SPIDER-MAN MUTANT AGENDA TP $15.99

SEP120560 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #2 NOW $3.99

SEP120628 ULTIMATE COMICS IRON MAN #2 $3.99

SEP120632 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #19 $3.99

SEP120538 UNCANNY AVENGERS #2 NOW $3.99

AUG120702 UNCANNY X-MEN BY KIERON GILLEN PREM HC VOL 04 AVX $24.99

SEP120710 UNTOLD TALES OF PUNISHER MAX TP (MR) $16.99

SEP120627 VENOM #27.1 $2.99

SEP120703 WINTER SOLDIER TP VOL 02 BROKEN ARROW $15.99

SEP120672 WOLVERINE MAX #2 (MR) $3.99

AUG120724 X-23 TP VOL 03 DONT LOOK BACK $15.99

SEP120714 X-FACTOR TP VOL 17 ROAD TO REDEMPTION $16.99

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SEP120658 X-TREME X-MEN #7 $2.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for November 28 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

SEP120311 COBRA ONGOING #19 [DIG/D+] $3.99

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AUG128392 GODZILLA HALF CENTURY WAR #2 2ND PTG $3.99

SEP120292 GODZILLA ONGOING #7 [DIG/D+] $3.99

SEP120389 INFESTATION 2 COMPLETE SERIES HC $39.99

AUG128390 LOCKE & KEY GRINDHOUSE ONE SHOT 2ND PTG $3.99

SEP120355 MAGIC THE GATHERING TP VOL 02 SPELL THIEF $17.99

SEP120300 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #1 [DIG/D+] $3.99

SEP120303 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #1 COMPLETE BOX SET $24.99

SEP120320 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #16 $3.99

JUL120327 TRANSFORMERS ART OF FALL OF CYBERTRON HC $39.99

AUG128394 TRANSFORMERS MORE MEETS EYE ANNUAL 2012 #1 2ND PTG $7.99

SEP120328 TRANSFORMERS PRIME RAGE O/T DINOBOTS #1 [DIG/D+] $3.99

AUG128393 TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ANNUAL 2012 2ND PTG $7.99

SEP120358 TRUE BLOOD ONGOING #7 [DIG/D+] $3.99

SEP120387 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS WOMEN ON WAR PROSE SC $19.99



Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 28 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP120031 ANGEL & FAITH #16 STEVE MORRIS CVR $2.99

SEP120043 BPRD HELL ON EARTH #101 RETURN O/T MASTER #4 MIGNOLA $3.50

SEP120042 BPRD HELL ON EARTH #101 RETURN O/T MASTER #4 SOOK CVR $3.50

AUG120085 FORBIDDEN WORLDS ARCHIVES HC VOL 01 $49.99

SEP120022 GHOST #2 $2.99

AUG128234 JEREMIAH OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 $24.99

AUG128338 JEREMIAH OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 $24.99

JUL120063 KUROSAGI CORPSE DELIVERY SERVICE TP VOL 13 (MR) $12.99

SEP120019 RIPD CITY O/T DAMNED #1 $3.50

AUG120084 SILVER STREAK ARCHIVES ORIGINAL DAREDEVIL HC VOL 02 $59.99

SEP120051 STAR WARS DAWN O/T JEDI PRISONER OF BOGAN #1 $2.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 28 2012

IMAGE COMICS

APR120525 68 SCARS #3 CVR A (MR) $3.99

APR120526 68 SCARS #3 CVR B (MR) [DIG] $3.99

SEP128208 BEDLAM #1 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50

SEP120488 BEDLAM #2 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

AUG120504 CHEW #30 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

AUG120510 FATALE #10 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

SEP128209 MACGYVER FUGITIVE GAUNTLET #1 2ND PTG $3.50

SEP120509 MACGYVER FUGITIVE GAUNTLET #2 [DIG] $3.50

JUL120511 MORNING GLORIES #23 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

SEP120513 MULTIPLE WARHEADS ALPHABET TO INFINITY #2 [DIG] $2.99

SEP120393 NOWHERE MEN #1 [DIG] $2.99

JUL120513 PLANETOID #4 [DIG] $2.99

SEP120518 PROPHET #31 [DIG] $3.99

SEP120415 STAR BRIGHT & THE LOOKING GLASS HC [DIG] $19.99

SEP120407 WITCH DOCTOR MALPRACTICE #1 [DIG] $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

AUG121844 WALKING DEAD TV B&W ZOMBIE AF 3-PK PI



Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for November 28 2012

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
OCT120004 PREVIEWS #291 DEC 2012 CUSTOMER ORDER FORM PI
OCT120001 PREVIEWS #291 DECEMBER 2012 [DIG] $4.50

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
AUG121275 2000 AD #1807 $5.25

SEP120936 ADVENTURE TIME #10 [DIG] $3.99

AUG120761 ADVENTURES OF A COMIC CON GIRL #3 (MR) $3.99

OCT121131 BAREFOOT GEN TP VOL 02 $14.95

SEP120879 BART SIMPSON COMICS #77 $2.99

OCT120748 BILLY TUCCI A CHILD IS BORN HC $15.99

OCT120749 BILLY TUCCI A CHILD IS BORN ONE SHOT $5.99

OCT120750 BILLY TUCCI A CHILD IS BORN ONE SHOT ARTIST ED $4.99

OCT120994 BOYS TP VOL 12 BLOODY DOORS OFF (MR) $19.99

SEP121199 CENTURY 21 MENACE FROM SPACE GN (RES) $29.95

AUG121302 CHARLEYS WAR HC VOL 09 DEATH FROM ABOVE $19.95

SEP121044 CHOSEN #2 $3.99

SEP120759 COMPLETE CALVIN & HOBBES SC SLIPCASE ED $100.00

OCT120849 CROSSED BADLANDS #11 CAMPFIRE CVR (MR) $5.99

OCT120847 CROSSED BADLANDS #15 AUXILIARY CVR (MR) $3.99

OCT120848 CROSSED BADLANDS #16 AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99

SEP120850 CROSSED BADLANDS #18 (MR) $3.99

SEP120852 CROSSED BADLANDS #18 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

SEP120851 CROSSED BADLANDS #18 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

OCT120978 CROSSSTAR #5 $3.99

JUL121124 DANTES INFERNO GN (KNOCKABOUT) $18.99

AUG121067 DEAN KOONTZ ODD IS ON OUR SIDE GN $10.99

AUG121198 DELTORA QUEST GN VOL 09 $10.99

SEP121237 DER MOND ART OF NEON GENESIS EVANGELION SC NEW PTG $29.99

SEP120758 DIARY OF A WIMPY KID HC VOL 07 THIRD WHEEL $13.95

SEP120857 DICKS COLOR ED #10 (MR) $3.99

SEP120858 DICKS COLOR ED #10 OFFENSIVE CVR (MR) $3.99

AUG121180 DIOSAMANTE HC (MR) $24.95

AUG121229 DOCKWOOD HC $19.95

AUG120751 DOUBLE JUMPERS #3 (MR) $3.99

SEP121140 FAIRY TAIL GN VOL 22 $10.99

SEP120881 FUTURAMA COMICS #64 $2.99

AUG120774 GET FUZZY TREASURY TP STINKING $16.99

SEP121283 GFT SLEEPY HOLLOW #2 A CVR MYCHAELS (MR) $2.99

SEP121284 GFT SLEEPY HOLLOW #2 B CVR GARZA (MR) $2.99

AUG120759 GOLD DIGGER #144 [DIG] $3.99

JUN121047 GREEN HORNET #31 $3.99

SEP121232 GTO 14 DAYS IN SHONAN GN VOL 06 $10.95

SEP120895 HELLRAISER ROAD BELOW #2 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

AUG120779 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA #1 $3.99

SEP120854 HERO WORSHIP #5 $3.99

SEP120855 HERO WORSHIP #5 WRAP CVR $3.99

AUG121320 ICE TP $14.99

SEP121269 IS THIS A ZOMBIE GN VOL 03 (MR) $11.99

OCT120947 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #20 AUXILIARY CVR (MR) $3.99

OCT120948 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #21 JURASSIC CVR (MR) $9.99

OCT120949 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #22 HOLIDAY VIP ULTRA PREMIUM CVR (MR) $29.99

SEP121233 LIMIT GN VOL 02 $10.95

SEP120967 LOOKOUTS RIDDLE VOL 01 #3 $3.99

OCT121134 MARK TWAIN WAS RIGHT 2001 CINCINNATI RIOTS GN $8.95

SEP120970 MASKS #1 $3.99

SEP121187 MORTIFERA #1 (RES) $2.99

OCT121616 MR TOAST COMICS #3 $3.00

SEP120831 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD AFTERMATH #2 (MR) $3.99

SEP120833 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD AFTERMATH #2 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

SEP120832 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD AFTERMATH #2 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

SEP120925 PEANUTS VOL 2 #4 [DIG] $3.99

JUL121160 POWER RANGERS SUPER SAMURAI GN VOL 02 TERRIBLE TOYS $6.99

JUL121161 POWER RANGERS SUPER SAMURAI HC VOL 02 TERRIBLE TOYS $10.99

AUG121025 PROPHECY #5 $3.99

OCT120723 REMAKE 3XTRA GN VOL 03 (MR) $9.95

SEP121285 ROBYN HOOD #3 A CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99

SEP121286 ROBYN HOOD #3 B CVR CAFARO (MR) $2.99

SEP121180 ROGUE TROOPER TALES OF NU EARTH GN VOL 03 $28.99

AUG128055 SAILOR MOON TP KODANSHA ED BOX SET #1 VOL 1-6 PI

OCT120724 SECRET ADVENTURES OF HOUDINI $6.99

JUL121177 SIXTH GUN TP VOL 04 $19.99

AUG120807 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES TP VOL 19 $7.99

AUG121296 STUFF OF LEGEND TOY COLLECTOR #2 $3.99

SEP120892 SUPURBIA TP VOL 01 DM PTG $9.99

JUL121210 TAD CALDWELL AND THE MONSTER KID GN $14.99

SEP120950 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #77 (MR) [DIG] $2.95

AUG121181 TECHNOPRIESTS SUPREME COLL OMNIBUS (MR) $114.95

SEP121023 THUNDA #4 $3.99

SEP121141 TOWER CHRONICLES GN VOL 02 GEISTHAWK $7.99

SEP120943 WAR GODDESS #11 (MR) $3.99

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MAY121066 WARLORD OF MARS #22 (MR) $3.99

SEP121170 WASTELAND #41 (MR) $3.99

MAGAZINES
OCT121609 COLOR INK DIY ART PERIODICAL VOL 16 $10.00

AUG121468 COMIC HEROES MAGAZINE #15 $17.99

SEP121330 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1328 PI

SEP121331 COMIC SHOP NEWS CHRISTMAS 2012 SPECIAL PI

AUG121463 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #20 RED ROBIN WHITE KNIGHT $16.00

AUG121464 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #21 HUNTRESS WHITE ROOK $16.00

SEP121408 LOCUS #622 $6.95

SEP120649 MARVEL SUPER HEROES #5 $4.99

SEP121320 NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 23 #6 $5.99

SEP128110 WALKING DEAD MAGAZINE #1 NYCC EXCLUSIVE COVER $9.99

BOOKS
AUG121531 ADULT MOVIE SUPERSTARS GOLDEN AGE PHOTOS SC VOL 02 EUROZONE $24.95

OCT121306 BREATHLESS HOMICIDAL SLIME MUTANTS SALE ED PI

OCT121314 BUNNY YEAGERS DARKROOM HC (MR) $60.00

SEP121395 CAROLINE MUNRO FIRST LADY OF FANTASY SC $45.00

OCT121362 CATS ARE WEIRD & MORE OBSERVATIONS HC NEW PTG (NOTE PRICE) $14.95

SEP121342 COMIC STRIP COMPANION UNOFF UNAUTH GT DR WHO IN COMICS 64-79 $35.95

OCT121371 CONSTRUCTING GREEN LANTERN FROM PAGE TO SCREEN HC SALE ED PI

AUG121520 DARK SHADOWS VISUAL COMPANION $39.95

SEP121398 EYES OF BLOOD HAMMER FILMS GN $16.95

OCT121345 FAIREST ONE OF ALL MAKING OF SNOW WHITE HC $75.00

SEP121128 FANTASTIC FOUR 100 PROJECT SC $12.99

AUG121513 GOTHIC & LOLITA BIBLE #44 $35.00

OCT121396 HISTORY OF NINTENDO SC VOL 02 1980-1991 $40.00

JUL121064 MARK TEXEIRA POWERHOUSE SC SGN ED $16.99

JUL121065 MARK TEXEIRA POWERHOUSE SC SKETCH ED $49.99

JUN121310 MATT BAKER ART OF GLAMOUR HC (RES) $39.95

JUN121311 MODERN MASTERS SC VOL 07 JOHN BYRNE NEW PTG $15.95

SEP121341 MONSTERS INC KIT $9.95

AUG121310 OWLY & WORMY HC BRIGHT LIGHTS & STARRY NIGHTS $15.99

SEP121317 QUEENS BLADE VISUAL COLL HC $39.95

SEP121084 SANTA CONFIDENTIAL HC $17.99

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OCT121375 SCIENCE FICTION UNIVERSE & BEYOND SYFY BOOK OF SCI FI HC $40.00

OCT121346 SNOW WHITE & SEVEN DWARFS ART & CREATION OF FILM HC $35.00

AUG121454 SPECTRUM HC VOL 19 $45.00

AUG121455 SPECTRUM TP VOL 19 $35.00

OCT121313 SPELLBOUND BLACK MAGIC WOMEN SC (MR) $14.95

OCT121389 STAR TREK FAQ EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT 1ST VOYAGE ENTERPRISE $19.99

SEP121415 STAR WARS ULT ACTION FIGURE COLL SC $40.00

JUN121472 TARZAN CENTURY OF LORD GREYSTOKE OFF CENTENNIAL ED $39.95

AUG121318 WRITE OR WRONG WRITERS GUIDE TO CREATING COMICS SC $16.99

Monday, November 26, 2012

I Reads You Review: THE ROCKETEER: Cargo of Doom #3

THE ROCKETEER: CARGO OF DOOM #3
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

WRITER: Mark Waid
ARTIST: Chris Samnee
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVERS: Chris Samnee with Jordie Bellaire – regular cover
Dave Stevens – Cover RI
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Mark Waid, you had me at dinosaurs. This is just another reason why I’m glad that I’m still reading The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom.

The Rocketeer is a comic book character created by the late artist and illustrator, Dave Stevens. The Rocketeer is Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers a mysterious jet pack that allows him to fly. Secord dons the pack and a metal helmet and becomes the adventurer and masked crime-fighter, The Rocketeer, whose adventures are set in 1938 and the following years, mainly in and around Los Angeles.

Rocketeer Adventures marked The Rocketeer’s return in 2011. Edited by Scott Dunbier and published by IDW Publishing, this anthology comic book featured Rocketeer short stories from some of the premiere creators in American comic books created in honor of Stevens. Now, the adventure continues in a new series, The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom, from writer Mark Waid and artist Chris Samnee.

The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom opens in 1940 and finds Cliff with troubles on his hands. The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) may take away his pilot’s license. Sally, the young niece of Cliff’s best pal, Peevy, is now working as a mechanic at Peevy’s. Sally has a mad crush on Cliff, and Cliff’s girlfriend, the bombshell actress Betty, is fuming about the crush and about Sally being around Cliff so much. Then, he falls into the clutches of The Master.

As The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #3 begins, The Master prepares to make Cliff a dino-treat. However, Cliff didn’t survive this long as The Rocketeer with being wily and using his wits. Now, can he save L.A. from becoming the valley of the dinosaurs?

As far as I’m concerned, Mark Waid is one of the few name comic book scribes who consistently writes comic books that are fun to read and also recall the free-spirited, eccentric weirdness of old comic book stories. He is a traditionalist who can take Marvel and DC Comics’ intellectual properties and brands and recall them to bygone glory. I think that makes Waid just right for The Rocketeer, which is set in a golden age, but is not a Golden Age comic book character.

Chris Samnee’s textured inking heightens the drama in the dinosaur/fire destruction scenes. Add Jordie Bellaire’s colors and the drama is heightened even more. Finally, I feel like I’m getting every penny of the $3.99 cover price

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Bakuman: Rookie and Veteran

I read Bakuman., Vol. 16

I posted a review at ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Review: SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE Volume Two

SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOLUME TWO
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: J. Michael Straczynski
PENCILS: Shane Davis
INKS: Sandra Hope
COLORS: Barbara Ciardo
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
ISBN: 978-1-4012-3196-5; hardcover (October 2012)
136pp, Color, $22.99 U.S., $26.99 CAN

Superman: Earth One re-imagines various Superman stories, setting them on a new Earth with an all-new continuity. Superman: Earth One Volume Two is the second in this series of original graphic novels that depict the early years of Superman. It is written by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by Shane Davis, the authors of the first book, Superman: Earth One.

As Superman: Earth One Volume Two opens, 20-something Clark Kent is basking in the glow from the journalistic scoop that earned him a job at the Daily Planet, the top newspaper in Kent’s new home, the city of Metropolis. This “beginner’s luck,” however, has earned him the scrutiny of fellow (rival?) Planet reporter, Lois Lane. Lane is not the only complication. Kent has moved into a new apartment, where he captures the attention of a lusty neighbor, a young woman named Lisa LaSalle, who starts turning his world upside down and inside out. Lisa awakens in Clark feelings and emotions he thought that he had tamed.

Clark is also struggling with how to use his power as Superman. How can he be effective? Can he make sure that he won’t inadvertently hurt any? But Clark isn’t the only man struggling with power. Raymond Maxwell Jensen is a stone-cold killer, but when an accident turns him into a thing called Parasite, he cannot get enough power. Only Superman can stop him, but the cost of stopping a monster for this still-new hero is a level of vulnerability he has never experienced.

Where as Superman: Earth One was like an action movie that introduced a new take on the origin of Superman, Superman: Earth One Volume Two delves into Clark Kent’s character and personality. In fact, writer J. Michael Straczynski approaches every character he places in this story from a personality/motivation point of view, even if he is ultimately vague about motivation.

With an opportunity to build a version of Superman from the ground up, Straczynski seems determined to start with Clark Kent, the man. His new Kent, like practically all the other Clark Kents, keeps secrets. Straczynski’s Kent not only keeps secrets, but he also constructs a life in which he does not stand out. Kent makes no waves and makes sure no one really notices him, so few people will realize that there is even a personality with secrets to keep. Straczynski is clever in the way he writes this new Clark Kent, but sometimes it becomes too anal and detailed. There are a few passages in Superman: Earth One Volume Two that read like fan fiction. This is balanced, however, by wonderful scenes such as the one in which Pa Kent and teen Clark have an awkward conversation about sex that rings with authenticity.

Artist Shane Davis really improves from his work in the first book. His art is not pretty in terms of style, but as storytelling, it is gorgeous. Davis doesn’t alter his style when he needs to switch from romance to drama to action. The way he draws is good for everything, so without theatrics, he authors graphical storytelling that encompasses the human drama of struggling characters and also the theatre of fantastic beings locked in struggle. I don’t think that Sandra Hope’s inking does Davis’ pencils in any favors, but Barbara Ciardo’s colors augment the subtle intensity of Davis’ art.

Superman: Earth One Volume Two is more about the man than it is about the Superman. Superman does his super things, of course, but this new version of Superman wants to dig deeper into the myth and mythology that is the Man of Steel.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: X-Treme X-Men #5

X-Treme X-Men #5
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Script: Greg Pak
Art: Paco Diaz

(Spoilers!)
When I was a little fellow, I went to a zoo that didn’t have lions and tigers; reading this issue felt like that.

This is the lineup for the two teams: Dazzler, Christmas-tree-ornament Xavier, rug-rat Nightcrawler, and mini-me Wolverine vs. full-grown-man Wolverine, Sabertooth, Colossus, Danger, and evil-boss Xavier. Based on pass performance, we know which team should win, but that’s why we play the game. Dazzler takes down some of the most formidable mutants in Marveldom without a scratch, a bump, or a bruise. Saber Tooth and Danger weren’t even factors to be dealt with.

I know Pak is building this team up to be this world-beating ultimate team, but wooo, hold your horses. We didn’t even get the tried and true Wolverine vs. Sabertooth battle. Xavier was taken down with the flick of the claw. If Dazzler has these kinds of battle and leadership skills, then keep her on this level. Put her in an appropriate superhero costume, and forget about the lounge act. I was let down by this story; I was expecting an epic battle. The cast of characters was set; all the elements of a great story were there, and the talent of the writer is undisputed. The big finale never emerged just an anticlimax.

The art really gave you the feel of the Old West from the Southwestern countryside down to young Wolverine’s shoes. Dazzler is shining through it all with various dramatic poses. The cover was the best thing about the whole issue.

I rate X-Treme X-Men # 5 Read a Friend’s Copy. #3 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking


Friday, November 23, 2012

Review: 07-GHOST Volume 1

07-GHOST, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONISTS: Yuki Amemiya and Yukino Ichihara
TRANSLATION: Satsuki Yamashita
LETTERING: Vanessa Satone
EDITOR: Hope Donovan
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4994-1; paperback; Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

07-Ghost is a shonen manga which debuted in 2005. It is also the first manga written and drawn by the team of Yuki Amemiya and Yukino Ichihara. VIZ Media recently released the first English-language volume of 07-Ghost.

07-Ghost, Vol. 1, opens in the Barsburg Empire. The opening chapter introduces Teito Klein, a former slave and orphan, who is a cadet at the Barsburg Empire Military Academy. An incident between Teito and Chief of Staff Ayanami gets Teito thrown in prison.

With the help of his friend, Mikage, Teito escapes and ends up in District 7, also known as the “District of God.” The bishops and nuns of Barsburg Church take him in and care for him, but the church is also a place of secrets. Teito learns of seven legendary ghosts, and one scary devil. Some of these secrets will cast away the shadows of Teito’s past and point the way to his place in the now-destroyed Raggs Kingdom.

That 07-Ghost is the debut work of a creative team is obvious. The story is overstuffed with characters, subplots, and back story, and the action is frantic and unkempt. The art is a maelstrom of heavy inks and chaotic page design. The composition is pure high energy, but that energy does not translate into consistently coherent storytelling. There is so much here that potential is assumed, and I’d like to see more. I’m intrigued, but right now, a lot of 07-Ghost seems like sound and fury.

Still, youthful exuberance and passion is a good thing, especially when compared to polished professionalism that results in bland corporate product

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Thursday, November 22, 2012

I Thanks You

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  We are thankful for the regular, semi-regular, and casual visitors and readers.  Thanks for buying stuff from Amazon and thanks for the donations.

Let's meet again next Thanksgiving.

Vertigo Review - SPACEMAN: The Deluxe Edition

SPACEMAN THE DELUXE EDITION
DC COMICS/VERTIGO – @vertigo_comics

WRITER: Brian Azzarello
ARTIST: Eduardo Risso
COLORS: Patricia Mulvihill with Giula Brusco
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Dave Johnson (also series cover art)
ISBN: 978-1-4012-3552-9; hardcover
224pp, $24.99 U.S., $28.99 CAN

The comic book creative team of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso is best known for the Eisner Award-winning comic book series, 100 Bullets, which was published from 1999 to 2009. The most recent Azzarello-Risso “collabo” is Spaceman, a nine-issue, science fiction comic book miniseries. Published by DC Comics’ imprint, Vertigo (also the home of 100 Bullets), Spaceman is set in a future in which the rising seas leave a significant portion of the planet a drowned world. In this time, an outcast tries to be a hero and finds fame a very dangerous thing.

Vertigo has collected all nine issues of Spaceman, plus a short story that appeared in Strange Adventures #1 (the 2011 Vertigo anthology one-shot) in the hardcover collection, Spaceman: The Deluxe Edition. The new book also includes sketches and preliminary art that Eduardo Risso executed for the series, and there are also samples of Risso’s final art for the series in pencil form.

Spaceman’s title character is Orson, a simian-like man. He was born as the result of the Spacemen program, NASA’s attempt to biogenetically engineer humans that could withstand space travel. Orson and his Spacemen “brudahs” (as he calls them) were born with expanded bone mass and flesh density so that they could withstand the zero gravity of prolonged space travel. Orson and a few of the Spacemen did travel in space, but once the public became aware of the program, the Spacemen were basically tossed aside.

Now, a hulking, lonely loser, Orson lives in “the Rises,” a Venice-like community of broken buildings still standing in areas flooded by seawater. Orson spends his days in a small boat, trawling for scrap metal and dreaming of a better life. Meanwhile, like the rest of the country, Orson finds entertainment in “realtee” (reality television shows), and the most popular one in the world is “The Ark.” This realtee focuses on wealthy couple, Marc and April, and the orphaned children who compete for a place in Marc and April’s adopted clan.

One of the children, Tara, a Filipino girl, is kidnapped. Fate brings Orson and Tara together, but money and fame bring together a coalition of self-serving factions, all vying to retrieve Tara. Suddenly, Orson’s need to save Tara has put his life in danger and also dug up a dark part of his past, which goes by the name of Carter.

Brian Azzarello has some good ideas in this series. Some may seem obvious, such as the notion that the Internet and hand-held devices will be the engines that drive television entertainment and not televisions and broadcast signals. Azzarello creates a future English language full of strange colloquialisms and slang. It is as if a Jamaican, a black kid from the streets, and Anthony Burgess formed a poetry-slam/rap trio. Spaceman is a richly conceived world, but I do question the series as a whole. In terms of the execution of this concept as script (or series of scripts), it is probably three issues too long, which hampers the overall narrative development. Spaceman is interesting, intriguing, and thoughtful, but somewhat flawed.

You can make an argument that the star in Spaceman is artist Eduardo Risso. Practically every page is a narrative painting, with panels imbedded in the pages like bejeweled drawings in a tapestry. Risso makes Azzarello’s gaggle of ideas practical as a graphical narrative. Suddenly, the theoretical and eccentric are actual, and the unique voice Azzarello designed is given full throat through Risso’s pencils and lush inking.

Of course, Spaceman: The Deluxe Edition is the best way to read this original science fiction vision. It is the best way to see this unique, but surprisingly possible future.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Review: LOVELESS 2-IN-1 Volume 1

LOVELESS 2-IN-1, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Yun Kouga
TRANSLATION: Ray Yoshimoto
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Lillian Diaz-Pazygyl
LETTERS: James Dashiell
EDITOR: Hope Donovan
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4990-3; paperback; Rated “T” for “Teen”
446pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Yun Kouga, the pen name of Risa Yamada, is known for creating such manga as Crown of Love and Gestalt. One of her other popular titles, Loveless, a fantasy/drama series, has a new North American publisher. Tokyopop had the license to publish the series in English, releasing eight of the series’ graphic novels before going out of business. VIZ Media now has the license and resumed the English-language publication of the series with the ninth volume.

VIZ Media will also republish the first eight volumes in 2-in-1 editions, which has a single graphic novel edition containing two volumes. Loveless 2-in-1 Edition, Vol. 1 collects Loveless Volumes 1 and 2.

Loveless, Vol. 1 introduces 11-year-old Ritsuka Aoyagi, a troubled sixth grade student who is still grieving the loss of his older brother, Seimei, who was murdered a few months earlier. Ritsuka meets Soubi Agatsuma, a 20-year-old man who claims to have been a friend of Seimei’s. After a little while, Ritsuka learns that Seimei and Soubi acted as a fighting pair.

They were involved in battles in which the fighting involved spells composed of carefully selected words. Soubi was the “sentouki” or “fighter unit.” Seimei was the “sacrifice,” the one who bears the damage inflicted upon the fighter. When the sacrifice gets worn down, the fighter loses. Through Soubi, Ritsuka learns that Seimei was killed by a mysterious group called Septimal Moon.

In Loveless, Vol. 2, Ritsuka and Soubi grow closer, while more pairs of fighters come forward to challenge them or Soubi, specifically. Yuiko Hawatari, Ritsuka’s classmate, falls deeper in love with him. Ritsuka’s therapist, Dr. Katsuko, tries to unravel the mystery of his apparent dual personalities.

Apparently, Yun Kouga does not consider her creation, Loveless, to be boys’ love manga, although the series does depict romantic, committed, or intimate relationships between pairs of boys and young men. There are no scenes of fleshy entanglements between naked young men, as may be found in the boys’ love subset, yaoi manga. But there is the kind of lusty hugging between fully-clothed young men that one might find in the non-explicit-sex subset of boys’ love called shounen-ai.

That’s how Loveless is. It takes on the characteristics of many genres. It’s part battle manga, and I must admit to being intrigued by its verbal, word-based skirmishes. Call Loveless a battle rap manga. It is also a high school romance with a love triangle (Ritsuka, Soubi, and Yuiko) that threatens to keep adding romantic interests (a fellow student and possibly a teacher). It is a family drama complete with a psycho mom and a largely absent dad.

Loveless is not too much of a good thing, but rather, too many good things. I like Loveless, but I’m not in love with it.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 21 2012

DC COMICS

JUL120217 52 OMNIBUS HC (N52) $150.00

JUL120219 BATMAN JUDGE DREDD COLLECTION HC $29.99

SEP120181 BATWOMAN #14 $2.99

SEP120185 BIRDS OF PREY #14 $2.99

AUG120247 BLACKHAWKS TP VOL 01 THE GREAT LEAP FORWARD (N52) $16.99

SEP120217 BLUE BEETLE #14 $2.99

SEP120183 CATWOMAN #14 (DOTF) $2.99

SEP120149 DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #14 $2.99

SEP120258 FABLES #123 (MR) $2.99

AUG120283 FAIREST TP VOL 01 WIDE AWAKE (MR) $14.99

SEP120193 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #14 (RISE) $2.99

SEP120260 HELLBLAZER #297 (MR) $2.99

SEP120137 JUSTICE LEAGUE #14 $3.99

SEP120140 JUSTICE LEAGUE #14 COMBO PACK $4.99

SEP120222 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #14 $2.99

APR120274 MAD ARCHIVES HC VOL 01 $59.99

APR120275 MAD ARCHIVES HC VOL 02 $59.99

APR120273 MAD ARCHIVES HC VOL 04 $59.99

SEP120186 NIGHTWING #14 $2.99

SEP120187 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #14 $2.99

AUG120295 SAUCER COUNTRY TP VOL 01 RUN (MR) $14.99

AUG120261 SHOWCASE PRESENTS WORLDS FINEST TP VOL 04 $19.99

SEP120162 SUPERGIRL #14 $2.99

SEP120199 SWORD OF SORCERY #2 $3.99

SEP120267 UNWRITTEN #43 (MR) $2.99

SEP120143 WONDER WOMAN #14 $2.99

SEP120252 YOUNG JUSTICE #22 $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

JUL120274 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BANE BY KELLEY JONES $99.95

JUL120269 BEFORE WATCHMEN COMEDIAN STATUE $149.95

JUL120270 DC COMICS SUPER HEROES STARFIRE BUST $69.95



Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 21 2012

MARVEL COMICS

SEP120621 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #698 $3.99

SEP120662 ASTONISHING X-MEN #56 $3.99

SEP120610 AVENGERS #34 $4.99

SEP120573 CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 NOW $3.99

SEP120634 CAPTAIN MARVEL #7 $2.99

SEP120637 DAREDEVIL #20 $2.99

SEP120617 DARK AVENGERS #183 $2.99

SEP120603 DEADPOOL #2 NOW $2.99

AUG120741 ESSENTIAL WOLVERINE TP VOL 06 $19.99

AUG120737 FEAR ITSELF TP DEADPOOL FEARSOME FOUR $19.99

SEP120643 HAWKEYE #4 $2.99

SEP120531 INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #1 NOW $3.99

SEP120557 IRON MAN #2 NOW $3.99

SEP120641 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #646 NOW $2.99

SEP128011 MINIMUM CARNAGE ALPHA #1 2ND PTG MEDINA VAR $3.99

SEP120625 MINIMUM CARNAGE OMEGA #1 $3.99

AUG120714 OZ TP MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ $24.99

SEP128016 RED SHE-HULK #58 2ND PTG ALVES VAR NOW $2.99

AUG120705 SECRET AVENGERS BY RICK REMENDER PREM HC VOL 02 AVX $29.99

SEP120629 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #17 $3.99

SEP120631 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #18.1 $2.99

SEP120664 UNCANNY X-FORCE #34 $3.99

AUG120730 UNCANNY X-FORCE TP VOL 05 OTHERWORLD $19.99

SEP120665 WOLVERINE #316 $3.99

SEP120660 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #21 $3.99

SEP120668 X-FACTOR #247 $2.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for November 21 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

SEP120285 ADVENTURES OF AUGUSTA WIND #1 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120381 CONTROPUSSY GN $19.99

SEP120317 DANGER GIRL DANGER SIZED TREASURY ED #3 $9.99

JUL120293 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FORGOTTEN REALMS #5 [DIG/P+] $3.99

MAY120372 FRANKENSTEIN ALIVE ALIVE #2 [DIG] $3.99

SEP120376 HAWKEN TP $19.99

SEP120280 JUDGE DREDD #1 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120281 JUDGE DREDD #1 SUBSCRIPTION CVR $3.99

SEP120298 KISS #6 [DIG/P+] $3.99

JUL120377 LOAC ESSENTIALS HC VOL 01 BARON BEAN $19.99

SEP120370 ROCKETEER CARGO OF DOOM #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120313 SNAKE EYES & STORM SHADOW #19 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120344 STAR TREK ONGOING #15 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120324 TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE ONGOING #11 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120326 TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ONGOING #11 [DIG/P+] $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 21 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL120045 ANGEL & FAITH TP VOL 02 DADDY ISSUES $17.99

SEP120040 BALTIMORE PLAY ONE SHOT $3.50

JUL128220 BETTIE PAGE RULES TP (NEW PTG) $22.99

SEP120041 BPRD 1948 #2 $3.50

SEP120029 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SPIKE #4 FRISON CVR $2.99

SEP120020 DARK HORSE PRESENTS #18 $7.99

SEP120039 EDGAR ALLAN POE CONQUEROR WORM ONE SHOT $3.99

AUG120056 GOON #43 $3.50

AUG128026 GOON TP VOL 00 ROUGH STUFF REVISED ED (NEW PTG) $16.99

JUL120060 MARKED MAN HC $14.99

JUL120027 NEXUS OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 $24.99

SEP120021 NUMBER 13 #0 $3.99

SEP120052 STAR WARS AGENT O/T EMPIRE HARD TARGETS #2 $2.99

JUL120062 TRIGUN MAXIMUM OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 $19.99



Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 21 2012

IMAGE COMICS

OCT100465 ART OF TODD MCFARLANE DEVILS IN THE DETAILS HC $64.99

OCT100466 ART OF TODD MCFARLANE DEVILS IN THE DETAILS HC S/N ED $99.99

SEP120390 CLONE #1 [DIG] $2.99

SEP120392 COMEBACK #1 (MR) $3.50

AUG120506 DARKNESS #108 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

SEP120500 GLORY #30 [DIG] $3.99

SEP120508 IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #4 [DIG] $2.99

SEP120511 MIND THE GAP #6 CVR A ESQUEJO [DIG] $2.99

SEP120512 MIND THE GAP #6 CVR B OBACK $2.99

SEP120411 RETROVIRUS HC (MR) [DIG] $12.99

SEP120519 REVIVAL #5 [DIG] $2.99

MAY120504 SAVAGE DRAGON #183 [DIG] $3.50

SEP120416 SPAWN #225 OBAMA $2.99

SEP120417 SPAWN #225 ROMNEY $2.99

SEP120420 SPAWN ORIGINS DLX ED HC S/N VOL 03 $150.00

SEP120419 SPAWN ORIGINS DLX ED HC VOL 03 $100.00

SEP120449 WALKING DEAD TP VOL 17 SOMETHING TO FEAR (MR) [DIG] $14.99

SEP120442 WITCHBLADE REBIRTH TP VOL 02 [DIG] $16.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

AUG120544 DARK KNIGHT RISES ROGUES HINES WARD AF PI

AUG120545 HALO 4 SERIES 1 5-PK AF SET PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for November 21 2012

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

SEP128109 BRAVEST WARRIORS #1 2ND PTG $3.99

AUG121291 ALICE I/T COUNTRY CLOVER CHESHIRE CAT WALTZ GN VOL 03 (MR) $13.99

AUG120790 AN ELEGY FOR AMELIA JOHNSON HC LEATHER BOUND $29.95

AUG121292 ANGEL PARA BELLUM GN VOL 02 (MR) $11.99

AUG121197 ANIMAL LAND GN VOL 06 $10.99

SEP120791 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #235 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120793 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #207 [DIG/P+] $3.99

AUG121354 BOKURANO OURS GN VOL 07 $12.99

SEP121192 BOOK OF FIVE RINGS GN $14.95

SEP120930 BRAVEST WARRIORS #2 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

JUL121073 CASTLE WAITING VOL II #18 $3.95

AUG120770 CAVEWOMAN 2010 HEROES CON SKETCHBOOK SGN ED PI

SEP120872 CRITTER (ONGOING) #6 $3.50

SEP120871 CRITTER TP $14.99

MAY121049 DARK SHADOWS #10 $3.99

AUG121096 DF VAMPIRELLA #24 RISQUE RED EXC $14.99

SEP120877 DIGESTATE GN (MR) $19.95

JUN121273 DPD DOKTORMENTOR JAIL BABE SURGEON #8 (MR) $9.95

SEP120873 ELECTRIC YOUTH SPECIAL ONE SHOT $3.50

AUG121210 FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET HC $14.99

MAY120883 FATHOM KIANI VOL 2 #4 CVR A NOME $3.50

JUN121024 GAME OF THRONES #11 (MR) $3.99

AUG121435 GFT BAD GIRLS #4 A CVR LILLY (MR) $2.99

SEP121291 GODSTORM #2 A CVR SPAY (MR) $2.99

SEP121292 GODSTORM #2 B CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99

SEP121293 GODSTORM #2 C CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

MAR120751 GRAND DUKE HC $24.95

SEP121289 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #79 A CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

SEP121290 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #79 B CVR CUMMINGS (MR) $2.99

AUG121293 HAGANAI I HAVE NO FRIENDS GN VOL 01 $12.99

SEP121225 HARBINGER (ONGOING) #6 SUAYAN CVR $3.99

SEP120893 HELLRAISER #20 MAIN CVRS (MR) [DIG] $3.99

AUG121072 HENTAI PRINCE AND THE STONY CAT GN VOL 01 $12.95

JUL120783 HEROES OF THE NORTH MISSIONS ONE SHOT (MR) $5.99

AUG121074 HONEY SMILE GN $12.95

SEP121270 INTERVIEW W/T VAMPIRE GN VOL 01 CLAUDIAS STORY $19.99

JUL120976 KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #14 $3.99

FEB120746 LAST DAYS OF AN IMMORTAL HC (RES) (MR) $24.95

JUL120727 LAST ZOMBIE BEFORE THE AFTER #2 [DIG] $3.99

SEP120876 LEGEND OF OZ THE WICKED WEST ONGOING #2 $3.50

SEP120875 LEGEND OF OZ WICKED WEST TP $17.99

MAY121196 LOVE HINA OMNIBUS TP KODANSHA ED VOL 04 $19.99

AUG121073 LOVEPHOBIA GN VOL 02 $12.95

JUL121134 MILES EDGEWORTH ACE ATTORNEY GN VOL 03 (MR) $10.99

MAY121288 MODESTY BLAISE TP VOL 22 LADY IN THE DARK $19.95

OCT121249 NEON GENESIS EVANGELION TP VOL 13 $9.99

SEP121002 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #3 $3.99

AUG128054 PLANET O/T APES CATACLYSM #1 (2ND PTG) $3.99

JUL120704 PRINCELESS SHORT STORIES FOR WARRIOR WOMEN #1 $3.99

SEP120729 RACHEL RISING TP VOL 02 FEAR NO MALUS $16.99

SEP121402 RAIDERS STORY O/T GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE HC $25.99

AUG121356 REAL GN VOL 11 $12.99

AUG121357 SATURN APARTMENTS TP VOL 06 $12.99

SEP120987 SHADOW #8 $3.99

OCT120993 SHADOW HC VOL 01 FIRE OF CREATION SGN ED $49.99

SEP120880 SIMPSONS COMICS #196 $2.99

AUG120806 SONIC SUPER SPECIAL MAGAZINE #5 [P+] $9.99

SEP120804 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG LEGACY VOL 02 $14.99

SEP120805 SONIC UNIVERSE #46 [P+] $2.99

SEP121277 SOULLESS MANGA GN VOL 02 $12.99

SEP120913 STEED AND MRS PEEL ONGOING #3 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

SEP120828 STITCHED HC VOL 01 (MR) $27.99

SEP120829 STITCHED SIGNED LTD HC VOL 01 (MR) $49.99

SEP120827 STITCHED TP VOL 01 (MR) $19.99

SEP120889 SUPURBIA ONGOING #1 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

AUG121034 THE SPIDER #6 $3.99

APR121344 THEATER TP $15.99

SEP121279 THERMAE ROMAE HC VOL 01 (MR) $34.99

SEP121107 TUNE VANISHING POINT SC $16.99

JUL121233 UPSIDE DOWN A VAMPIRE TALE HC $9.95

JUL121015 VOLTRON #9 $3.99

JUL121272 X 3-IN-1 ED TP VOL 04 $19.99

SEP121229 X-O MANOWAR (ONGOING) #7 $3.99

AUG121294 YOUNG MISS HOLMES COLL TP VOL 02 CASEBOOK 3-4 $16.99

MAGAZINES
AUG121467 BACK ISSUE #61 $10.95
AUG120887 BLEEDING COOL MAGAZINE #1 (MR) $4.99
SEP120651 CARS MAGAZINE #10 $4.99
SEP121329 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1327 PI
SEP120650 FAIRIES MAGAZINE #10 $4.99
SEP121355 HORRORHOUND #38 $6.99

BOOKS

SEP121351 AGATHA H & CLOCKWORK PRINCESS GIRL GENIUS NOVEL SC $15.99

AUG121478 AHISTORY UNAUTH HIST OF DOCTOR WHO UNIVERSE 3RD ED $49.95

AUG121444 ART AND MAKING OF PEANUTS ANIMATION HC $45.00

SEP121306 ART OF HALO 4 HC $34.95

AUG121479 CHICKS UNRAVEL TIME WOMEN JOURNEY THRU EVERY SEASON DR WHO $19.95

SEP121332 DANGEROUS CURVES COMICS SEXIEST BAD GIRLS SC $8.99

SEP121343 DOCTOR WHO DOCTIONARY HC $15.99

SEP121308 DR SEUSS CAT BEHIND THE HAT HC $75.00

SEP121360 DRAWING COMICS LAB SC $24.99

AUG121525 HOLY FRANCHISE BATMAN BRINGING CAPED CRUSADER TO SCREEN HC $19.95

SEP121716 LEGO NINJAGO BRICKMASTER FIGHT POWER OF SNAKES HC $29.99

AUG121492 LORD OF TREES NOVEL $9.95

JUL121245 LOU SCHEIMER CREATING FILMATION GENERATION SC (RES) $29.95

MAY121305 MODERN MASTERS SC VOL 03 BRUCE TIMM 5TH PTG $15.95

SEP121116 OVERSTREET GUIDE TO COLLECTING COMICS SC VOL 01 JUSKO CVR $19.95

SEP121117 OVERSTREET GUIDE TO COLLECTING COMICS SC VOL 01 NEWTON DM CV $19.95

AUG121542 STAR TREK KLINGON BIRD OF PREY HAYNES OWNERS MANUAL HC $28.00

SEP121414 STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC HC ANNIHILATION $27.00

SEP121338 SUPERMAN IS JEWISH HC $25.00

AUG121378 TEN BILLION DAYS & ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS NOVEL $14.99

SEP120731 TERRY MOORE HOW TO DRAW SC $16.99

Monday, November 19, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Teen Titans #13

Teen Titans # 13
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Story: Scott Lobdell
Script: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Ale Garza

The Origin of Wonder Girl (Spoilers!)

Cassie Sandmark is a cat burglar who runs afoul of the law and is saved by a muscle-bound guy named Diesel. She falls in love with this bad boy who takes her on a joyride through the dark side. During this time Cassie is traveling around the world with her mother going from archaeological site to archaeological site.

They end up at a site in Cambodia where Diesel decides to steal some buried treasure. Diesel gets attacked by the living armor; Cassie saves Diesel by taking on the armor herself. Diesel is angry and wants the armor back; then, bam, the mountain falls on him. Wonder Girl is born. Back in the present, Cassie, Red Robin, and Superboy are flying to Cambodia to find some answers.

I am a Titans fan, so I am reading this issue, trying to keep up with what the gang is doing. The story is not impressing me very much; I am feeling disappointed by Scott Lobdell, who’s been handling his business of late. Then, bam, the mountain falls on me. I didn’t know this was one of those stories where the shocker comes at the end. The story is made worthwhile with the words “the mark of Trigon.” It’s on now; time for the big boys to get in the game. Mother-shut-my-mouth Trigon is in the works. I can’t wait to see The New 52 Raven. That’s how you leave them wanting more. Okay, give us a little more; the new, fine-ass Amanda Waller is sending one of her boys to bring the Titans in. Mouth watering foreshadowing is what this issue is about.

The art is good. Garza’s talent shines when Wonder Girl is taking the armor. The costume is visually appealing, and the armor is hardcore. When you see it, you know someone will receive more than their fair share of pain and misery. Red Robin is a bad boy in that flying apparatus.

I rate Teen Titans # 13 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) Al-O-Meter Ranking


Sunday, November 18, 2012

I Reads You Review - MARVEL MUST HAVES: Wolverine #20-22


MARVEL MUST HAVES: WOLVERINE #20-22
MARVEL COMICS

WRITERS: Mark Millar
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Klaus Janson
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: VC’s Rus Wooton
ADDITIONAL ART: John Romita, Jr. and Richard Isanove
COVER: John Romita, Jr. with Paul Mounts
80pp, Color, $3.99 U.S., $5.75 CAN

Rated: PSR+

I was going through a stack of comic books that I found in the comics graveyard that part of my house has become. I came across Marvel Must Haves: Wolverine #20-22. I remember reading it or at least some of it some time ago. I do remember why I bought this comic book: it collected a hot story arc.

Mark Millar started writing Wolverine (Vol. 3) around 2004. His first story arc was “Enemy of the State” (Wolverine #20-25), which was drawn by John Romita, Jr., with inks by Klaus Janson and colors by Paul Monts. Because the early issues of “Enemy of the State” were selling out, Marvel Comics collected the first three issues in a “Marvel Must Haves” edition. For a time, Marvel re-offered portions of hot story arcs for readers who wanted to catch up on those stories without having to wait for a trade collection in “Marvel Must Have” comic books.

I can only remember reading part of “Enemy of the State,” but I do remember really liking what I read. I can say, after having recently read the entirety of Marvel Must Haves: Wolverine #20-22, “I gots to read da rest!”

In Wolverine #20, our hero, Wolverine/Logan, arrives in Japan to help an old acquaintance recover his kidnapped son. Instead, Logan finds himself battling ninja, before falling into the clutches of Gorgon, some kind of mutant, ninja-master. This is all part of plot involving three groups: Gorgon’s Dawn of the White Light, The Hand (a ninja outfit), and Hydra. Guest-stars include Nick Fury and Elektra Natchios.

In Wolverine #21, Logan infiltrates a S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft carrier in the South Atlantic Ocean, where he takes on Elektra. Guest-stars include Kitty Pryde and Storm of the X-Men. In Wolverine #22, Logan infiltrates the Baxter Building for a battle royale with the Fantastic Four. Dr. Henry Pym and Tony Stark also guest-star.

I think that Mark Millar is one of the best superhero comic book writers to emerge in the last two decades. I’d place him in a group just behind Alan Moore and Grant Morrison. Who else is in that group with Millar? Later for that is what I’ll say for now. Millar has a knack for creating these rousing stories with great action and suspense set pieces that turn his comic books into potboilers. He can do it without developing character relationships in a meaningful way or offering emotional resonance; his work is action movie comics.

I think this is one of those stories in which Millar’s script is more than just a guide for the artists. His writing dominates, and just about any comic book artist with strong storytelling skills could have done a good job with “Enemy of the State.” Janson’s inking streamlines Romita’s chunky compositions, and Mounts coloring makes the art pop off the page. Still, this is Millar’s show, and it’s a good show.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Rin-ne: Shinigami Rivals

I read RIN-NE, Vol. 10

I posted a review at ComicBookBin (which as free smart phone apps and comics).

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Talon #0

Talon #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Plot: James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder
Writer: James Tynion
Art: Guillem March

The Long Run (Spoilers!)

When I first looked at the cover, I was thinking, what is this corny B. S.? After reading the story, that is a faded memory soon to be completely lost in the recesses of my mind. No, my thoughts are that Talon is the best new character to come bursting on the scene this month. Everything that I saw as a joke is now awesome in my sight.

In the opening scene, we find eight-year-old Calvin Ross, Talon, locked in a dog kennel by his sick father. His flair for the art of the escape emerges and an escape artist is born. Talon tells his origin during his own failed assassination. Young Calvin escapes to Haly's Circus to become an apprentice to an escape artist and eventually becomes a star in his own right. Calvin is taken by The Court of Owls to be trained to become a Talon. Calvin is won over by The Court of Owls with promises of fighting evil. To become a Talon, Calvin must kill the present Talon. Calvin is quilt ridden after killing the Talon. He continues to amaze The Court by being the first to escape their Labyrinth and becoming the new Talon.

On his first mission, Talon is ordered to kill a twenty-three-year-old heiress and her two-year-old daughter. Instead, Talon rescues Casey and Sarah Washington and once again performs an amazing escape. He is now a target of The Court. The Talon sent to kill Calvin makes the mistake of testing Calvin's skills by locking him in the trunk of a car and dumping it in the river. Calvin once again escapes and defeats the Talon. Now a man on the run, Talon must continue to escape The Court of Owls.

Talon has the potential to be the next big thing. Snyder and Tynion have overcome my prejudgments by creating a fresh new character. Talon’s unique skills take him from being a circus act to an assassin to a hero. Calvin Ross's heroism is demonstrated by his ability to rise above evil's influence throughout his life. Talon does not allow himself to become a victim of circumstance, but fights to forge his own path into heroism. A hero arises from The New 52.

The art is an integral part of the story. It does its part to demonstrate the enormity of the forces arrayed against Talon and the difficulty of the tasks he must accomplish. The immensity of the structures in comparison to Talon is symbolic of the position that Talon finds himself in his struggle against The Court of Owls.

I rate Talon # 0 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) on Al-O-Meter Ranking

Friday, November 16, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Secret Avengers #33

Secret Avengers # 33
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Andy Kuhn

Rise of the Descendants (Spoilers!)
We have good comic book stuff going on here, and we have bad comic book stuff going on here. We are left with no doubt that Black Ant is a despicable piece of slime. This is revealed in his thoughts about dying a hero and his murder of Max Fury. Heroes are measured by the villainy that they face. I like to hate my villains with a passion. This leads to his betrayal of the Avengers when he teleports the descendant onto the Lighthouse Station.

Hawkeye and Captain Britain have their hands full facing off against the Avengers of the Undead and the Undead Celestial to regain the Orb of Necromancy. At the Lighthouse Station, the Descendant Wasp uses Hank Pym’s guilt to defeat him. The other Descendants get the jump on Valkyrie and Venom, who are about to have relations. If I was Venom, and I was about to have a sexy blonde goddess have her way with me, then, these mother-shut-my-mouth Descendants stop that. You know he’s ready to rain his wrath down on some life model decoys. They kidnap Hank, leave Valkyrie and Venom adrift in space, and destroy the Lighthouse Station. Oh, yeah! There is some payback coming for the Descendants. That’s all the good stuff.

I know that writers take some liberties to tell a good story, but damn. Hank Pym, one of the greatest intellects in the Marvel Universe, Giant-Man tries to defend himself with a scalpel and is taken down with one punch. He used to slap the Wasp around on a daily basis, and now he’s crying like a little bee. The Descendants enter the Lighthouse Station without some defense system to at least impede them. You would think that the Avengers would have defense systems that backup the defense systems that backup the defense system.

The art doesn’t help matters at all. When I said that Valkyrie was a sexy blonde goddess, it wasn’t the art that put the image in my mind.

I rate Secret Avengers # 33 Read a Friend’s Copy. #3 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Shinji Ikari - A Boy's Life

I read Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 13

I posted a review at ComicBookBin.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Justice League #13

Justice League #13
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Tony S. Daniel
Inks: Richard Friend and Batt

The Secret of the Cheetah (Spoilers!)

Johns is getting me interested in the League. Superman and Wonder Woman continue the Kiss. Where is this going? Do we want Superman running around all frustrated? We don't linger long on the love story. The next scene is a throw down between Wonder Woman and the Cheetah. Awesome splash page gets the action started. After a few good rounds, Cheetah knocks Wonder Woman the f.... out. Batman and Aquaman question Trevor about Cheetah to give us a little background information.

Back at the satellite, Superman gets some time alone with Wonder Woman. Yeah! he wants some of that Amazon loving. Who's going to be the artist for that Scene? Cyborg admits to not having a life. He needs to go out and find his own archenemy or two. All the other superheroes don't have enough time in the day to put all the criminals in jail and he's sitting around moping. The team tracks Cheetah to the Congo where she proceeds to throw down on the whole team. She bites Superman in the process, and we end up with Cheetah Superman.

We get a Justice League of America and the Superman crossover H"El on Earth preview. Man, I need a better job. I can't afford all of these books.

Mr. Johns is earning his spot on the flagship of DC Comics. Action, mystery, exotic locales, and sexual tension: what more can you ask for in a story? Not a dull moment and hot chicks kicking that ass.

If Jim Lee is not the artist anymore, then, Tony Daniel is the next best thing. The fight in Central Park and the waterfall in the Congo were worth the price of admission. The cover had me before I saw a page. Tony Daniel is a premier artist.

I rate Justice League # 13 Buy Your Own Copy.  #2 (of 5) Al-O-Meter Ranking


Rosario+Vampire: Season II - Fortress Fairy Tale

I read Rosario+Vampire: Season II, Vol. 10

I posted a review at ComicBookBin.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Avengers #32

Avengers # 32
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Brandon Peterson & Mike Mayhew

Big time spoiler alert. Yeah! Yipee! Horay! I’m giddy with excitement.

The Wasp is back; I like when things go my way. She didn’t die; she just shrunk down to the Microverse. She’s on the run from the local godfather and doing it in a style all her own. The Avengers that go to rescue her are the old school team: Cap, Thor, Iron Man, and Giant-Man; Bendis should have dug up the real Hulk and made Cap stay home. Let’s pay homage to the original team.

Then, here comes bipolar Wonder Man trying to go on the mission, but the Avengers don’t trust him. The old school crew shrinks down to the Microverse and in no time, they find the Wasp. Pym recognizes her at first; I guess he knows that slamming body. Everyone gets a kiss, and Cap enjoys his the most. Cap the red blooded American knows what to do with a hottie. The godfather makes his entrance; Lord Gouzar is going to get some Avenger beat down.

After two issues of building my anticipation, it is time for the major throw-down. We have gotten to the make-it or break-it point of the story. Bring it home, Mr. Bendis. Did I say that I’m pleased to have the Wasp back? Once again, Mr. Bendis has written a more than adequate story. The characterization is above par; these are real people and they behave as I expect them to. They are not out of character. Bendis gives this team a camaraderie that is believable; we get the feeling that they have been through rough times together. This is a tight-nit group. The Avengers will miss Brian Michael Bendis.

This is some of the best art in comics. The characters really look great; the head shots are comic masterpieces. The art is as enjoyable as the story.

I rate Avengers # 32 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) on Al-O-Meter Ranking


Albert Avilla Reviews: Avengers #31

Avengers # 31
Marvel Comics

Review by Albert Avilla

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artists: Brandon Peterson & Mike Mayhew

Spoilers!
This is the kind of Avengers story that I like – an elegant blend of action and drama. We open with an unknown Avenger (Could it, please, be the Wasp?) being chased by some alien types on individual flying apparatuses. This is one bad lady taking out the aliens with blasters and in hand to hand combat.

Back at the tower, the Avengers are chilling, except for the paragon of virtue, Captain America; he’s up and at them ready to face the bombardment from the media in the wake of the Phoenix Five crisis. Wonder Man shows up acting all bipolar and, of course, Cap is willing to help him. Then, the Red Hulk sneaks Wonder Man and the battle ensues. Wonder Man gets the Red Hulk in a sleeper hold and then it’s nighty-night, big Red. The mysterious Avenger (I hope it’s the Wasp) finds a way to broadcast her signal from inner space to the Avengers. The Avengers are going on a road trip to the Microverse.

Bendis has a great grasp of these characters; their personalities shine through. The touch of humor that Bendis adds to the story is refreshing. All around great action and exotic locales make for a good read. Avenger family drama satisfies our craving for the soap opera. Add in a mystery to complete the tale. Mr. Bendis is doing his best to go out with a bang.

The art is breathtaking. The alien landscape is awe inspiring as is the New York skyline. I’m amazed at how the artist can do such a spectacular job on both environments. The characters have a great look. Overall, the art was quite pleasing.

I rate Avengers # 31 Buy Your Own Copy.  #2 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking

Naruto: The Five Kage

I read Naruto, Vol. 59: Nobody (Naruto (Graphic Novels)).

I posted a review at ComicBookBin.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 14 2012

DC COMICS

SEP120224 AME COMI GIRLS #2 FEATURING BATGIRL $3.99

SEP128014 BATGIRL #13 2ND PTG (DOTF) $2.99

SEP120180 BATGIRL #14 (DOTF) $2.99

SEP128013 BATMAN #13 2ND PTG (DOTF) $3.99

SEP120170 BATMAN #14 (DOTF) $3.99

SEP120173 BATMAN #14 COMBO PACK (DOTF) $4.99

SEP120179 BATMAN AND ROBIN #14 $2.99

SEP120225 BATMAN ARKHAM CITY END GAME #1 $6.99

SEP120227 BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED #8 $2.99

AUG120246 BLUE BEETLE TP VOL 01 METAMORPHOSIS (N52) $14.99

SEP128012 CATWOMAN #13 2ND PTG (DOTF) $2.99

SEP120210 DEATHSTROKE #14 $2.99

SEP120206 DEMON KNIGHTS #14 $2.99

JUL120247 FABLES WEREWOLVES OF THE HEARTLAND HC (RES) (MR) $22.99

SEP120204 FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #14 (ROT) $2.99

SEP120191 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #14 (RISE) $2.99

AUG120252 GREEN LANTERN SECTOR 2814 TP VOL 01 $16.99

SEP120248 GREEN LANTERN THE ANIMATED SERIES #8 $2.99

SEP120211 GRIFTER #14 $2.99

SEP120253 HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #4 $2.99

AUG120288 HELLBLAZER TP VOL 04 THE FAMILY MAN NEW ED (MR) $19.99

SEP120221 LEGION LOST #14 $2.99

SEP120197 PHANTOM STRANGER #2 $2.99

SEP120262 PUNK ROCK JESUS #5 (MR) $2.99

SEP120220 RAVAGERS #6 $2.99

SEP120263 SAUCER COUNTRY #9 (MR) $2.99

JUL120253 SCALPED TP VOL 10 TRAILS END (MR) $14.99

SEP120215 SUICIDE SQUAD #14 (DOTF) $2.99

SEP120161 SUPERBOY #14 $2.99

JUL120210 SUPERMAN HC VOL 01 WHAT PRICE TOMORROW (N52) $22.99

SEP120212 TEAM 7 #2 $2.99

AUG120274 YOUNG JUSTICE TP VOL 02 TRAINING DAY $12.99


DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

AUG120314 AME COMI HOLIDAY CATWOMAN VINYL FIGURE $69.95

AUG120315 JUST US LEAGUE SER 3 ALFRED AS BATMAN AF $22.95

AUG120316 JUST US LEAGUE SER 3 ALFRED AS JOKER AF $22.95

AUG120317 JUST US LEAGUE SER 3 ALFRED AS ROBIN AF $22.95

AUG120307 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID DELUXE AF $89.95

AUG120306 JUSTICE LEAGUE WONDER WOMAN AF $22.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 14 2012

MARVEL COMICS

SEP128092 ALL NEW X-MEN #1 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR NOW $3.99

SEP120542 ALL NEW X-MEN #1 NOW $3.99

SEP120620 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #697 $3.99

SEP120605 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #9 NOW $3.99

AUG120719 AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS TP VOL 03 $24.99

AUG128337 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY YOUNG POSTER $8.99

SEP120721 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY JRJR POSTER NOW $8.99

AUG120698 DEADPOOL MAX HC (MR) $34.99

SEP120586 FANTASTIC FOUR #1 NOW $2.99

AUG120732 FEAR ITSELF TP HULK DRACULA $24.99

SEP120723 FF BY MIKE ALLRED POSTER NOW $8.99

SEP120670 FIRST X-MEN #4 $3.99

SEP120655 GAMBIT #5 $2.99

SEP120722 INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK BY LEINIL YU POSTER NOW $8.99

SEP120724 MARVEL NOW AVENGERS POSTER NOW $8.99

SEP120654 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES #8 $2.99

SEP120618 MARVEL UNIVERSE VS AVENGERS #2 $3.99

JUN120710 MMW FANTASTIC FOUR HC VOL 14 $69.99

SEP120612 NEW AVENGERS #33 $3.99

AUG120700 NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 04 AVX $29.99

SEP120639 RED SHE-HULK #59 NOW $2.99

AUG120697 SPIDER-MEN HC $24.99

SEP120562 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #1 NOW $3.99

AUG120711 TOY STORY DIGEST TP TALES FROM TOY CHEST $9.99

JUN120709 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN DOSM OMNIBUS HC $75.00

SEP120630 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #18 $3.99

SEP120725 UNCANNY X-FORCE POSTER $8.99

SEP120624 VENOM #27 $2.99

SEP120659 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #20 $3.99

AUG120727 X-MEN CURSE IS BROKEN TP $19.99

SEP120580 X-MEN LEGACY #1 NOW $2.99

SEP120657 X-TREME X-MEN #6 $2.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for November 14 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

SEP120362 BORDERLANDS ORIGINS #1 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120364 CHASING THE DEAD #1 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120340 CLASSIC POPEYE ONGOING #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120369 DOROTHY OF OZ PREQUEL TP $17.99

SEP120335 GHOSTBUSTERS ONGOING TP VOL 03 HAUNTED AMERICA $19.99

SEP120305 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #184 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120307 GI JOE DEEP TERROR TP $19.99

SEP120294 GODZILLA ONGOING TP VOL 01 $17.99

SEP120289 LOCKE & KEY OMEGA #1 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120379 OPUS COMPLETE SUNDAY STRIPS FROM 2003-2008 HC $39.99

SEP120341 STAR TREK ONGOING TP VOL 03 $17.99

SEP120349 STAR TREK TNG DOCTOR WHO ASSIMILATION #7 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120378 TORPEDO TP VOL 01 $17.99

SEP120288 ZAUCER OF ZILK #2 [DIG/P+] $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 14 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP120034 BILLY KIDS ODDITIES & ORM LOCH NESS #2 $3.50

JUL120061 BLOOD BLOCKADE BATTLEFRONT TP VOL 03 $10.99

SEP120027 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #15 NOTO CVR $2.99

AUG120096 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS SERIES 2 #5 IRON MAN $49.95

SEP120046 CONAN THE BARBARIAN #10 $3.50

SEP120036 CREEP #3 $3.50

JUL120075 CRIME DOES NOT PAY ARCHIVES HC VOL 03 $49.99

SEP120056 DRAGON AGE THOSE WHO SPEAK #3 $3.50

SEP120038 EX SANGUINE #2 (MR) $3.99

JUL120055 LOBSTER JOHNSON TP VOL 02 BURNING HAND $17.99

SEP120059 MASSIVE #6 $3.50

SEP120024 MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS THE VICTORIES #4 (MR) $3.99

SEP120023 MIND MGMT #0 $2.99

JUL120033 SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 12 $19.99

SEP120053 STAR WARS LOST TRIBE O/T SITH #4 SPIRAL $2.99

AUG120052 TARZAN ONCE & FUTURE TARZAN ONE SHOT $3.50