Showing posts with label Dan Jurgens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dan Jurgens. Show all posts

Monday, August 2, 2021

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 4, 2021

MARVEL COMICS

FEB210665    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN MICHELINIE MCFARLANE OMNIBUS HC DM VAR    $100.00
FEB210664    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN MICHELINIE MCFARLANE OMNIBUS HC NEW PTG    $100.00
JUN210694    AVENGERS #47    $3.99
JUN210695    AVENGERS #47 INHYUK LEE AAPIH VAR    $3.99
JUN210807    BLACK PANTHER #1 POSTER    $8.99
JAN210722    CAPTAIN AMERICA BY JURGENS OMNIBUS HC HA DM VAR    $100.00
JAN210721    CAPTAIN AMERICA BY JURGENS OMNIBUS HC JURGENS CVR    $100.00
FEB210667    CAPTAIN AMERICA OMNIBUS HC DEATH CAPTAIN AMERICA DM VAR    $75.00
FEB210666    CAPTAIN AMERICA OMNIBUS HC DEATH CAPTAIN AMERICA NEW PTG    $75.00
MAY210711    CURSE OF MAN-THING TP    $15.99
JUN210567    DEADPOOL BLACK WHITE BLOOD #1 (OF 5)    $4.99
JUN210568    DEADPOOL BLACK WHITE BLOOD #1 (OF 5) HOTZ VAR    $4.99
JUN210569    DEADPOOL BLACK WHITE BLOOD #1 (OF 5) STOKOE VAR    $4.99
FEB210675    EXCALIBUR BY TINI HOWARD HC VOL 01    $34.99
JUN210601    EXTREME CARNAGE LASHER #1    $3.99
JUN210603    EXTREME CARNAGE LASHER #1 JOHNSON CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
JUN210604    EXTREME CARNAGE LASHER #1 YOUNG VAR    $3.99
JUN210806    FANTASTIC FOUR #35 POSTER    $8.99
JAN210726    GOLDEN AGE CAPTAIN AMERICA OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 AVISON DM VAR    $125.00
JAN210725    GOLDEN AGE CAPTAIN AMERICA OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 RIVERA CVR    $125.00
JUN210624    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL #1 CONNECTING VAR INFD    $4.99
JUN210623    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL #1 INFD    $4.99
JUN210644    HELLIONS #14    $3.99
JUN210645    HELLIONS #14 INHYUK LEE AAPIH VAR    $3.99
MAY210715    HELLIONS BY ZEB WELLS TP VOL 02    $17.99
JUN210689    IMMORTAL HULK #49    $3.99
JUN210690    IMMORTAL HULK #49 BENNETT HOMAGE VAR    $3.99
JUN210691    IMMORTAL HULK #49 INHYUK LEE AAPIH VAR    $3.99
APR210993    MAESTRO WAR AND PAX TP    $15.99
JUN210809    MARVELS VOICES IDENTITY #1 POSTER    $8.99
JUN210670    MILES MORALES MARVEL TALES #1    $7.99
MAY210716    NEW MUTANTS BY VITA AYALA TP VOL 01    $15.99
APR211000    NEW MUTANTS EPIC COLLECTION TP SUDDEN DEATH    $39.99
JUN210716    SAVAGE AVENGERS #23    $3.99
MAY219093    SHANG-CHI #1 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
MAY219094    SHANG-CHI #2 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
JUN210674    SILK #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUN210676    SILK #5 (OF 5) NETEASE MARVEL GAMES VAR    $3.99
MAY210495    SINISTER WAR #2 (OF 4)    $4.99
MAY210496    SINISTER WAR #2 (OF 4) BAGLEY CONNECTING VAR    $4.99
MAY210498    SINISTER WAR #2 (OF 4) FERREIRA VAR    $4.99
MAY210499    SINISTER WAR #2 (OF 4) HANDBOOK VAR    $4.99
MAY210500    SINISTER WAR #2 (OF 4) VEREGGE VAR    $4.99
JUN210610    SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE SPIRIT RIDER #1    $4.99
JUN210612    SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE SPIRIT RIDER #1 RODRIGUEZ VAR    $4.99
JUN210749    STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTERS #15 SPROUSE LUCASFILM 50TH VAR WOBH    $3.99
JUN210748    STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTERS #15 WANTED POSTER VAR WOBH    $3.99
JUN210747    STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTERS #15 WOBH    $3.99
MAY210724    STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLL ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS TP VOL 05    $39.99
JUN210736    STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS 4-LOM ZUCKUSS #1    $4.99
JUN210739    STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS 4-LOM ZUCKUSS #1 WANTED VAR    $4.99
JUN210737    STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS 4-LOM ZUCKUSS #1 ZAMA VAR    $4.99
JUN210681    TRIALS OF ULTRAMAN #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAY218765    VENOM #35 2ND PTG VAR 200TH ISSUE    $9.99
JUN210659    WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUN210660    WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #3 (OF 5) SANDOVAL VAR    $3.99
JAN210738    WOLVERINE BLACK WHITE AND BLOOD TREASURY EDITION TP    $29.99
DEC200648    WOLVERINE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 BYRNE DM VAR (MR)    $125.00
DEC200647    WOLVERINE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 JIM LEE CVR (MR)    $125.00
DEC200649    WOLVERINE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 WINDSOR SMITH DM VAR (MR)    $125.00
JUN210634    X-MEN #2    $3.99
JUN210636    X-MEN #2 INHYUK LEE AAPIH VAR    $3.99
JUN210637    X-MEN #2 NEW LINE-UP TRADING CARD VAR    $3.99
JUN210808    X-MEN TRIAL MAGNETO #1 POSTER    $8.99


Monday, April 30, 2018

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 2, 2018

DC COMICS

MAR180226    ACTION COMICS SPECIAL #1    $4.99
MAR180254    BATMAN #46    $2.99
MAR180255    BATMAN #46 VAR ED    $2.99
OCT170396    BATMAN VS JOKER LAFF CO BATTLE STATUE    $200.00
MAR180268    BOMBSHELLS UNITED #17    $2.99
MAR180240    CURSE OF BRIMSTONE #2    $2.99
MAR180264    CYBORG #22    $3.99
MAR180265    CYBORG #22 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR180222    DC NATION #0    $0.25
MAR180271    DEATHSTROKE #31    $3.99
MAR180272    DEATHSTROKE #31 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR180326    EXIT STAGE LEFT THE SNAGGLEPUSS CHRONICLES #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAR180327    EXIT STAGE LEFT THE SNAGGLEPUSS CHRONICLES #5 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180297    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS TP VOL 01 (RES)    $16.99
MAR180286    GREEN ARROW #40    $3.99
MAR180287    GREEN ARROW #40 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180285    GREEN ARROW TP VOL 05 HARD TRAVELING HERO REBIRTH    $16.99
FEB180302    GREEN LANTERN KYLE RAYNER TP VOL 02    $29.99
MAR180281    GREEN LANTERNS #46    $2.99
MAR180282    GREEN LANTERNS #46 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR180235    HARLEY LOVES JOKER #1 (OF 2)    $3.99
MAR180236    HARLEY LOVES JOKER #1 (OF 2) VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180286    HARLEY QUINN TP VOL 05 VOTE HARLEY REBIRTH    $16.99
MAR180297    INJUSTICE 2 #25    $2.99
FEB180306    LOEG THE BLACK DOSSIER TP NEW ED    $19.99
MAR180301    NIGHTWING #44    $3.99
MAR180302    NIGHTWING #44 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180308    NIGHTWING THE NEW ORDER TP    $16.99
MAR180323    SHADE THE CHANGING WOMAN #3 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
FEB180288    SUICIDE SQUAD REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 02    $34.99
FEB180317    ZERO HOUR CRISIS IN TIME HC    $24.99

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Review: BATMAN BEYOND #1

BATMAN BEYOND No. 1 (2016)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Jurgens
ART: Bernard Chang
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Ryan Sook
VARIANT COVER: Martin Ansin
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

“The Return” Part One: “Escaping the Grave”

The animated television series, “Batman Beyond,” debuted in January 1999.  Set in a futuristic Gotham City (Neo-Gotham), the series introduced a teen-aged Batman, Terry McGinnis, a 17-year-old high school student.  A reformed troublemaker, the athletic teen had a sense of personal justice, but circumstances lead him to steal the “Batsuit.”  Eventually, an elderly Bruce Wayne accepted Terry as the new Batman and guided the teen in his exploits.

This future Terry McGinnis-Batman crossed over into DC Comics and eventually became part of its mainstream universe (the DCU).  Although he was briefly replaced as future Batman by an older version of Tim Drake (the third teen to become Batman's sidekick and partner, Robin) McGinnis is back as Batman of the future in the Rebirth relaunch of the comic book series, Batman Beyond.  This new series is written by Dan Jurgens, drawn by Bernard Chang, colored by Marcelo Maiolo, and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Batman Beyond #1 (“Escaping the Grave”) opens in Jokerz Town.  This is a downtrodden neighborhood in Neo-Gotham ruled by a gang that calls itself the Jokerz.  Terry's friend, Dana Tan, is held prisoner by the leader of the Jokerz, Carter.  He is plotting to return life to the corpse of Batman's ultimate adversary, The Joker.  Terry is ready to take on the gang, but he is ready to be Batman again.

I plan on reading future issues of this incarnation of Batman Beyond because it is one of my review assignments for the @ComicBookBin.  DC Comics provides CBB with PDF copies-for-review of most of its titles.  On my own, I am not sure that I would be a regular reader of Batman Beyond; I tried to get into the 2015's DCYou relaunch of the series (which featured Tim Drake as Neo-Gotham's Batman), but it did not intrigue me enough to make the effort to find or buy issues, beyond the first issue, which I actually liked.

I am a little intrigued by this Jokerz story line, but the story does not grip me.  Writer Dan Jurgens' script is professionally competent, but lacks imagination, so the result is pedestrian work.  Bernard Chang's art and Marcelo Maillot's colors result in unattractive art, but competent storytelling.  Honestly, if this book does not improve, it will be little more than just more Batman product.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Review: DCYou "BATMAN BEYOND #1

BATMAN BEYOND (2015) #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally published on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Jurgens
ART: Bernard Chang
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Bernard Chang with Marcelo Maiolo
VARIANT COVER: Kalman Andrasofszky
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for Teen

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Fingerprint

“Brave New Worlds”

The animated television series, “Batman Beyond,” debuted in January 1999.  Set in a futuristic Gotham City (Neo-Gotham), the series introduced a teen-aged Batman, Terry McGinnis, a 17-year-old high school student.  A reformed troublemaker, the athletic teen had a sense of personal justice, and circumstances lead him to steal the “Batsuit.”  Eventually, the elderly Bruce Wayne accepted Terry as the new Batman and guided the teen in his exploits.

This future Terry McGinnis Batman crossed over into DC Comics and eventually became part of its mainstream universe (the DCU).  An older version of Tim Drake, the third teen to become Batman's sidekick and partner, Robin, has replaced McGinnis as the future Batman.  Drake is now the star of the “DCYou” relaunch of Batman Beyond.  This new Batman Beyond is written by Dan Jurgens, drawn by Bernard Chang, colored by Marcelo Maiolo, and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

Batman Beyond #1 (“Brave New Worlds”) presents THE definitive future of the DCU (according to DC Comics).  It is, however, different from the world of the original Batman Beyond.  Tim Drake is a future Batman without Bruce Wayne to guide him.  Drake fights to keep Neo-Gotham safe from Brother Eye, which destroyed the future.

Outside the safe confines of the city, Drake is about to meet a mysterious, but familiar ally who might be able to help Batman in the fight to raise humanity from an opponent that has already won.  Meanwhile, Terry McGinnis' younger brother, Matt, wonders if, under different circumstances, his older brother would have given him the Batsuit.

I had misgivings about this new Batman Beyond series; I don't know why.  However, the series is in safe hands with Dan Jurgens, who was one of the writers on The New 52: Future's End, the weekly event miniseries that was the precursor to this new Batman Beyond.  Artist Bernard Chang offers solid storytelling, eye-pleasing compositions, and sharp graphic design that looks even better with Marcelo Maiolo's coloring.  I think I will add Batman Beyond to my reading list.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



Friday, July 24, 2015

Review: BATMITE #1

BAT-MITE #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Jurgens
PENCILS: Corin Howell
INKS: Corin Howell and Andres Ponce
COLORS: Mike Atiyeh
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Corin Howell with Mike Atiyeh
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

“Transplant”

Bat-Mite is a  DC Comics character that is part of the Batman line of comics.  Bat-Mite was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Sheldon Moldoff and first appeared in Detective Comics #267 (cover dated:May 1959) in the story, “Batman Meets Bat-Mite.”

Bat-Mite is an “Imp” character that is similar to Superman's adversary, “Mister Mxyzptlk.”  However, Bat-Mite idolizes Batman, but is a nuisance to Batman because of his impish activities.  Bat-Mite's appearance is that of a small, child-like man, and he possesses seemingly near-infinite magical power.

Now, DC Comics has a new thang going on, and it is a publishing initiative called “DC You.”  It's all about us, the readers... actually, the fans.  June 2015 alone sees the launch of over 20 new titles.  One of them is a new comic book feature Bat-Mite.  It written by Dan Jurgens, drawn by Corin Howell and Andres Ponce, colored by Mike Atiyeh, and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Bat-Mite #1 (“Transplant”) begins with the banishment of Bat-Mite, presumably from his home dimension.  When next we see him, Bat-Mite is interfering...err... helping Batman foil two criminals.  Things aren't what they seem, as Bat-Mite learns when he meets Doctor Trauma.  And Doc Trauma's latest Frankenstein-like scheme is positively... savage.

I laughed in derision when I read that DC was launching a Bat-Mite comic book, but I have to admit that I was curious about this new series.  I have loved Bat-Mite since I first encountered the character on “The New Adventures of Batman” Saturday morning cartoon series (Filmation, 1977).  I was later surprised to see that this new Bat-Mite comic book was only a six-issue miniseries, which makes sense, I guess.  I doubt that Bat-Mite is a character that can support an ongoing series.

Now, I won't be fake and claim that Bat-Mite 2015 is a great comic book, but I do like it a lot.  Dan Jurgens is an underrated comics creator.  Someone once described Jurgens as the kind of creator whose steady output of professional work kept the comics business operating in between brief but outstanding bursts of greatness that guys like Frank Miller dropped in to offer once a year or so (not the writer's exact words).

Well, Dan Jurgens – Mr. Professional – strikes the right tone for Bat-Mite as a character.  He is a pest, a confidant nerd.  He is funny because of his know-it-all superiority and sarcasm, but not necessarily because he is silly.  That is why I think that Jurgens could do much with this character if he were given the chance to produce a series of Bat-Mite miniseries.

Corin Howell and Andres Ponce make a good art team.  Howell's storytelling strikes the right tone because she maximizes physical comedy, especially facial expressions.  Howell makes Bat-Mite a character with believable motivation, attitude, and personality.  That is not necessarily easy.  Bat-Mite is always on the edge of being nothing more than a plush toy.

So, I am in with Bat-Mite for the long haul, or whatever kind of haul six issues make.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Tuesday, March 31, 2015

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 1, 2015

DC COMICS

SEP140315     ABSOLUTE GREEN ARROW BY KEVIN SMITH HC     $99.99
JAN150310     ARKHAM MANOR ENDGAME #1     $2.99
JAN150325     BATMAN AND ROBIN ANNUAL #3     $4.99
JAN150304     BATMAN ETERNAL #52     $3.99
JAN150320     BATMAN SUPERMAN ANNUAL #2     $4.99
JAN150341     BATWOMAN ANNUAL #2     $4.99
JAN150218     CONVERGENCE #0     $4.99
JAN150367     DC COMICS ZERO YEAR TP (N52)     $24.99
JAN158100     DEATHSTROKE #3 2ND PTG     $2.99
JAN150247     EARTH 2 WORLDS END #26 (NOTE PRICE)     $3.99
SEP140317     FLASH A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC     $39.99
FEB150242     FLASH SEASON ZERO #7     $2.99
JAN150313     GOTHAM ACADEMY ENDGAME #1     $2.99
JAN150337     HARLEY QUINN #16     $2.99
FEB150283     HINTERKIND #17 (MR)     $2.99
FEB150268     LOONEY TUNES #224     $2.99
FEB150285     NAMES #8 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150227     NEW 52 FUTURES END #48 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
JAN150380     NEW TEEN TITANS TP VOL 02     $19.99
JAN150351     SINESTRO ANNUAL #1     $4.99
JAN150294     SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #17     $3.99
JAN150296     SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #17 COMBO PACK     $4.99
JAN150279     TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1     $4.99
FEB150289     WOLF MOON #5 (MR)     $3.99
JAN150281     WONDER WOMAN #40     $2.99
DEC140384     WONDER WOMAN HC VOL 06 BONES (N52)     $22.99
JAN150375     WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 05 FLESH (N52)     $16.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
NOV140354     ARROW DARK ARCHER AF     $24.95
NOV140353     ARROW DEADSHOT AF     $24.95
JUL140294     BATMAN ANIMATED BAS MAN BAT AF     $24.95
JUL140291     BATMAN ANIMATED BAS ROBIN AF     $24.95
JUL140292     BATMAN ANIMATED BAS THE JOKER AF     $24.95
AUG140388     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY FRANCIS MANAPUL     $79.95
SEP140361     DEATH ANKH NECKLACE     $69.95


Thursday, February 27, 2014

I Reads You Review: SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #1

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Jim Lee, Dustin Nguyen
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair, John Kalisz
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Lee, Bruce Timm, Dave Johnson, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Neal Adams, Jerry Ordway, Dan Jurgens, Lee Bermejo, Brett Booth
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2013)

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Last year, DC Comics unleashed a new ongoing Superman comic book series to coincide with the release of Man of Steel, the 2013 relaunch of the Superman film franchise.  Superman Unchained is from burning-hot writer Scott Snyder and superstar-for-over-two-decades artist Jim Lee with his longtime inker, Scott Williams.

Superman Unchained #1 (“The Leap”) opens with a brief (kind of) prologue that takes place in Nagasaki, Japan on April 9th, 1945.  We move to the present (which seems like a near-future) and find Superman trying to stop a space station called the Lighthouse from causing an epic catastrophe when it crashes to Earth.

Superman has suspects for the Lighthouse event, which include Lex Luthor (on his way to prison) and a cyber terrorist group known as Ascension.  The Man of Steel is probably wrong on his suspects, and there is a lot that he doesn’t know.  But Superman doesn’t know what he doesn’t know.

Superman Unchained #1 is one busy comic book.  Scott Snyder, obviously in love with his dialogue, packs this first issue with so much talk and exposition.  This first issue is like a box of “Raisin Bran” (or one of its knock-offs) infested with raisins – just too much of a good thing.  The story is a slick piece of sci-fi-lite, complete with digital displays and shiny tech.  The story, however, doesn’t really get hot until the last page of “The Leap.”  Of note, there is also a two-page epilogue drawn by Dustin Nguyen.

Speaking of busy, that’s Jim Lee’s pencils.  Lee draws so much anemic line work and so many scritchy-scratch lines that we should be thankful for Scott Williams ability to rein in Lee’s excesses and eccentricities.  As usual, Alex Sinclair’s colors turn the art into comic book eye candy.  I have to admit that I’ll be back for future issues.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 15 2012

MARVEL COMICS

DEC110645 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #679.1 $2.99

SEP110623 ANITA BLAKE CIRCUS DAMNED SCOUNDREL #4 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

DEC110744 ANNIHILATORS TP $19.99

DEC110705 ASTONISHING X-MEN WHEDON CASSADAY ULT COLL TP BOOK 01 $29.99

DEC110604 AVENGERS #22 $3.99

NOV118185 AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 2ND PTG DELLOTTO VAR (PP #1006) $4.99

SEP110637 AVENGERS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 JRJR CVR $99.99

SEP110638 AVENGERS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 KIRBY DM VAR ED $99.99

NOV118182 AVENGERS X-SANCTION #2 (OF 4) 2ND PTG MCGUINNESS VAR $3.99

DEC110633 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #4 WITH DIGITAL CODE $3.99

DEC110750 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY DAN JURGENS TP VOL 03 $29.99

NOV118187 CARNAGE USA #2 (OF 5) 2ND PTG CRAIN VAR (PP #1006) $3.99

DEC110647 DAREDEVIL #9 $2.99

DEC110754 DAREDEVIL REBORN TP $16.99

DEC110622 DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER WAY STATION #3 (OF 5) $3.99

NOV118183 DEFENDERS #2 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR (PP #1006) $3.99

DEC110758 ESSENTIAL HULK TP VOL 01 NEW ED $19.99

DEC110724 FEAR ITSELF DEADPOOL FEARSOME FOUR PREM HC $24.99

DEC110599 FEAR ITSELF FEARLESS #9 (OF 12) $2.99

DEC110624 FORMIC WARS SILENT STRIKE #3 (OF 5) $3.99

DEC110683 GENERATION HOPE #16 XREGB $2.99

DEC110621 HALO FALL OF REACH INVASION #2 (OF 4) $3.99

NOV118142 INCREDIBLE HULK #3 2ND PTG SILVESTRI VAR (PP #1005) $3.99

DEC110607 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #513 $3.99

DEC110755 MARVEL ZOMBIES SUPREME TP $16.99

DEC110610 NEW AVENGERS #21 $3.99

NOV118186 SCARLET SPIDER #1 2ND PTG STEGMAN VAR (PP #1006) $3.99

DEC110718 SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-ISLAND COMPANION HC $39.99

NOV110665 STAND NIGHT HAS COME PREM HC $24.99

DEC110659 THUNDERBOLTS #170 $2.99

DEC110727 ULT COMICS SPIDER-MAN BY BENDIS PREM HC VOL 01 $24.99

DEC110627 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #7 WITH DIGITAL CODE $3.99

NOV118184 UNCANNY X-FORCE #19 2ND PTG RODRIGUEZ VAR XREGG (PP #1006) $3.99

DEC110743 UNCANNY X-FORCE TP VOL 02 DEATHLOK NATION $15.99

DEC110670 UNCANNY X-MEN #7 $3.99

DEC110719 VENGEANCE HC $24.99

DEC110641 VENOM #13.2 $2.99

DEC110592 WINTER SOLDIER #2 $2.99

DEC110667 WOLVERINE #301 $3.99

DEC110675 X-FACTOR #232 XREGG $2.99

DEC110735 X-FACTOR SUPER UNNATURAL PREM HC $19.99

DEC110742 X-FORCE NECROSHA TP $19.99

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The New 52 Review: GREEN ARROW #1

GREEN ARROW #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: J.T. Krul
PENCILS: Dan Jurgens
INKS: George Perez
COLORS: David Baron
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Dave Wilkins
32pp, Color, $2.99

Green Arrow is a superhero appearing in DC Comics publications. His secret identity is billionaire Oliver “Ollie” Queen. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 (cover date November 1941). Green Arrow dresses like Robin Hood, and he was originally an archer who invented trick arrows with various special functions, such as net arrows, explosive arrows, boxing-glove arrows, etc. The various series writers have toned down the trick arrows over the last few decades.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” a younger Green Arrow is back. Green Arrow #1 (entitled “Living a Life of Privilege”) re-introduces billionaire Oliver “Ollie” Queen, who is also the green-garbed archer and superhero, Green Arrow. He tracks celebrity criminals and has targeted three in Paris: Supercharge, Dynamix, and Doppelganger. Back at Queen Industries, the CEO is demanding that Queen spend more time in board meetings, while Green Arrow’s weapons designer, Jax, is having second thoughts about his career.

Thanks to the art by Dan Jurgens and George Perez, Green Arrow looks like a traditional superhero comic book that could have been published in the 1980s. On the opposite side of that, writer J.T. Krul immerses the series in corporate boardroom melodrama and international intrigue, or at least the superhero version of it. Green Arrow is a modern superhero who relies on technology and communication as he does on his paranormal physical and mental skills – traditional and new.

I’m curious to see where this goes, especially because Green Arrow seems to have a fascistic streak or at least a penchant for acting like Big Brother or Dick Cheney. Hopefully, Krul explores the dark side of Green Arrow, while the Jurgens/Perez team keeps churning out neo-soul art.

B+

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
ANIMAL MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/animal-man-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
OMAC #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/omac-1.html
STATIC SHOCK #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/static-shock-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html
SWAMP THING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/swamp-thing-1.html

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The New 52 Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Dan Jurgens
PENICLS: Aaron Lopresti
INKS: Matt Ryan
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: Aaron Lopresti and Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $2.99

After Justice League of America was re-launched in 1987 as Justice League, it would later become Justice League International. With DC Comics’ currently re-launching it superhero comic book line, “The New 52,” Justice League International is back.

Justice League International #1 (“The Signal Masters” Part 1) introduces Andre Briggs, the Head of United Nations Intelligence. Briggs convinces a number of U.N. member nations to allow him to form a version of the Justice League that works under the authorization of the U.N. to eradicate whatever threats arise.

Briggs shapes an international roster of superheroes including Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Vixen, and Rocket Red. Briggs picks the P.R. conscious Booster Gold to lead the team. Booster Gold has reservations about taking this gig, and so do some of his teammates. Batman enters the picture just as a U.N. crisis forces the team into action before they get to know each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this new Justice League International and will follow it at least for awhile. It may be a re-launch, but it thankfully avoids the flashiness that would mark it as the latest “kewl” thing. In fact, this comic book, except for the glossy paper and coloring, would fit right in with books published as far back as the 1970s.

Back in the 80s, a comic book reviewer (whose name I can’t remember) described Dan Jurgens as basically not a superstar but the kind of reliable creator upon which comic book publishers needed to maintain their business (not his exact words). After three decades of comic book creating, Jurgens, who is both a writer and an artist, probably has comic book scripting down to a science. In 22 pages, Jurgens brings together a large cast of characters, gives the reader a small sample of their personalities, introduces some lines of conflict, plants the seeds for later conspiracies, and begins the introduction of the adversary/villain for the storyline. It would take many current comic book writers (like Brian Michael Bendis) three issues to do that… at least.

Jurgens is not alone in delivering this quality first issue of Justice League International. Aaron Lopresti creates solid storytelling through his pencils, which are inked with smooth precision by Matt Ryan. Without bells and whistles like crosshatching and other squiggly lines, Lopresti even manages to create eye candy art that sparkles under the coloring by Hi-Fi.

Justice League International #1 is not perfect. Some of the dialogue comes across as forced, especially when Jurgens is trying to quickly define a character or establish a scene. That is easy to overlook. Justice League International seems like its going to be a consistently fun comic book to read.

B+

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html