Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: The Duel Dragons

I read Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, Vol. 3 (Yu-Gi-Oh! (Graphic Novels))

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free comics).

Albert Avilla Reviews: Batwoman #0

Batwoman #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer/Artist: J.H. Williams III
Writer: W. Haden Blackman

(Possible Spoilers)
Sometimes a story becomes more than a comic book or even a graphic novel and becomes just good literature. I have stated before that I like the old-fashioned fisticuffs in my comics, but if the creators have real talent I can be moved by words. This is a fine example of one of those stories. This story makes you believe that these fictional characters are real and that we are privy to one of their secret moments.

The writers do an incredible job of illustrating the changing dynamic in Kate's relationship with her father. Williams and Blackman give us a fresh take on the training of a Bat-character. Her training does not come from Batman; it is directed by her father's own military background. Batman may have inspired her name and costume, but Kate's father is the inspiration for her life. Batwoman's origin is told in a message to her father that she leaves on her computer to let her father know his importance to her. In Kate Kane we see a powerful self-reliant woman who is able to resist falling into the abyss that is Gotham. Some writer once made the quote that we do not judge great literature; it judges us. Let this story judge you.

With a story like this, there is no need to make a comment about the art. We all know that Williams has made Batwoman his character.

I rate Batwoman #0 Recommend It To A Friend.

The Story of Saiunkoku: Cheaters Rule

I read The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 8

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free comics).

Albert Avilla Reviews: Catwoman #0

Catwoman #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Ann Nocenti
Pencils: Adriano Melo
Inks: Julio Ferreira

This is a story about nothing. We have no insight into Selina Kyle. The story jumps around so much I don’t think it gives itself a chance to tell us anything. I get the feeling that Nocenti tries to do too much without really revealing anything. It's understandable that there is a mystery to be solved, but the story does not motivate me to find out what the answers are. I cannot find words to continue writing about this story much less persuade anyone that they should read this story.

I rate Catwoman #0 Don't Waste Your Time and Cash.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Captain America #17

Captain America #17
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Ed Brubaker & Cullen Bunn
Pencils: Scot Eaton
Inks: Rick Magyar

“New World Orders Part 3” (Spoiler Alert)
A Brubaker story, where can you go wrong? Cap is fighting an army of super-powered villains. Anarchy is raging across the U.S.A. Cap is leading his crew to destroy the MNN satellite that is broadcasting a mind-altering signal. Diamond Back is trying to throw that stuff on Cap, but Cap don't play that. Cap is going to sneak on Hydra Island, but every Discordian on the planet is waiting for him.

Sharon Carter and Dum Dum Dugan are destroying the satellite; Baron Zemo shows up shooting and stabbing. Zemo is ready to cut Sharon down. Falcon and DBack are on the ground working the streets, ready to clean up once the signal is stopped, but that is a no go because the signal is being broadcasted by these big clunky robots.

Brubaker does what he's good at, giving Cap a world-threatening enemy to defeat. Cap has supporting characters that give Cap depth as a character, not just as a soldier fighting to save the world. He does have a little personal drama to deal with. This is the issue that builds up to the issue that we don't want to miss. I call it the good old set up.

Just average comic book art, nothing to go on about. The art is mostly character driven, not much on the background details.

I rate Captain America #17 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Astonishing X-Men #54

Astonishing X-Men #54
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

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

(Spoiler Alert)
The story starts with the X-Men buried under tons of rubble. With the super-human effort of Cecilia Reyes, the X-Men escape. The moment the X-Men are free, Hatchi shows up and infects them with nano-worms. She blinds Northstar to demonstrate her power over them. She orders the X-Men to take over Madripoor for her or she'll infect New York City. The X-Men find their way to Madripoor. Wolverine arrives on the island in his Patch persona. The X-Men meet with Tyger Tiger in a steel mill. Northstar and Iceman get into an argument about whether they are taking over Madripoor. Iceman ends up falling into a cauldron of molten iron.

The story flows well, and it is eventful with mild action. The big shocker of Iceman dying at the end is interesting. Eagerly anticipating finding out how Bobby will escape this predicament. Liu does a good job of handling the group; all of the characters make a contribution to the storyline. No one seems to just be along for the ride.

The art is uninspiring. It's hard to distinguish any facial features. I had to look closely at times to tell which character was speaking.

I rate Astonishing X-Men #54 Read a Friend's Copy

Albert Avilla Reviews: Birds of Prey #0

Birds of Prey #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Pencils: Romano Molenaar
Inks: Vicente Cifuentes
Cover: Stanley "Artgerm" Lau

“First Flight” (Spoiler Alert)
The story opens up with action, and that’s always a good point to start on. Black Canary is kick-ass to another level. She is trying to infiltrate the Penguin's organization to try and stop Basilisk from getting the components to create a mutation bomb. When the deal is going down, Batgirl shows up. Of course, Black Canary and Batgirl have to throw down. Canary lets Batgirl know that she's undercover. Canary takes charge of the situation and the Birds of Prey are born.

If you like female-on-female action, then this is the story for you. Black Canary is the total package as a super-heroine. She has the hand-to-hand skills and a cool meta-power, and she's a natural leader. In this incarnation, she also has the covert operative skills. With Batgirl and her skill-set, the two make a formative team. There is a rotating cast that allows the team to change to meet the challenge. There are a lot of bad B's in the DC Universe that need a place to shine. Birds of Prey will only be limited by the reins put on them. It's the New 52 letting the Birds soar to new heights.

The writing job was solid; Swierczynski handles the character of Black Canary well and the action flows smoothly. He did not let the one issue format restrict his storytelling. The whole creative team gave us more than what they were paid to give us. The art only heightened the pleasure of reading the story. The action scenes were bloody. The characters combat movement was natural. Black Canary was quite pleasing to the eye.

I rate Birds of Prey #0 Buy Your Own Copy.