#10: Batman's Day 2014

Recently there was the 75th anniversary of Batman's first appearance in Detective Comics #27. Willing to make this moment memorable, DC Comics decided to establish a new annual event - Batman's Day. It is surely something big in US, but not necessairly here, in Poland. And that's the reason of me being surprised while reading that in my country there will be something due to this occassion. And that's Batman's Day 2014 in Poznań organized by website BatCave ( http://www.batcave.com.pl/ ) and Poznań University's Library ( http://lib.amu.edu.pl/ ). I'd like to congratulate these organisations. They have made an incredible and amazing work on this one-day event. <clapclap>

It was my first appearance on such event/convention, so my excitment was a little bit increased. There were many interesting lectures and drawing lessons! The latter ones were smashing, led by professional artist (I got two sketches from him of Bats and Daredevil!). Awesome guy.

Beyond that, there were many stands where everyone could buy comic books, graphic novels and other comic-related stuff. Hopefully, my retailer also arrived and I finally got to meet him in person. Because of numerous ultra discounts I was 'forced' to buy maaaany books from sieged book shelves and comic book boxes.

Here are my additions to the collection (sorry for not turned pictures, but in Picasa they look normally :/ ):

 Reviews will be back soon!

#9: 9th July 2014

For past three weeks I was overdue with new posts. Now these dark times are gone with this very post you're looking at. New three reviews are below, enjoy!

Book of the Week: All-New X-Men #29

This week's Book of the Week is... All-New X-Men #29! Brian Michael Bendis is doing an excellent job on this title. From the first issue it has been an enjoyable read. He has a nice feel to these characters and knows how each single one of them should be written like. That's not easy considering how many heroes we get in each issue of All-New.

No. 29 continues with a fight between future Xavier's team and All-New X-Men, who finally win, but that's not most important for me. I always get very excited when Jean Grey appers an the panel, especially using her powers, which issue by issue get stronger and more advanced. It is nice to see her talent developing once again and this time in completly another direction.

This issue's Xavier's failure could be considered as his end, but that's a terrible mistake. It's only a beginning. He will return from the future again, stronger than ever and knowing X-Men's weaknesses. I can't wait to see that happen. He was stopped this time only by Jean Grey. Will she be able to do it again? I'm not sure.

All-New X-Men thanks to great Stuart Immonen's artwork and Bendis' script is an awesome series. Definietly worth picking up.

The Walking Dead #129

New issue of The Walking Dead was unsurprisingly good. All Out War aftermath continues with new ideas for the series, new characters and, what is most important, new order of things. Rick cooperating with his companions has done a tremendous job. Survivor's society looks like an organized creation. Everyone has something to do and everything gets only better and better.

Reading this series after #126, I spotted an irony. Roles have switched. Through the whole run Rick's group has encountered and joined numerous societies. Now they are a group, which rules. They make new laws, hold Negan in prison and control their terrain. It's nice to see this change.

I always said, it was a mistake not to kill Negan. Earlier or later will he escape and then will definietly seek revenge. But does it change anything? Rick will not kill him as long as Negan is a prisoner. That's a shame.

Issue no. 129 still builds a background for the latter arc. New members of the society have spotted Negan, who tried to fool them. I am quite certain, they will eventually free him. Also, our two core characters, Rick and Carl, have started their journey to Hilltop, where Carl may stay for a longer time. Before their departure, Carl got a letter from a lovely lady, whose name's Anna. I loved how Rick was slightly touching this subject during his and Carl's talk (a sample above!) during the trip. That was hilarious.

Overall, it was a solid issue, high quality of writing with exceptional Charlie Adlard's artwork. Can't wait for the next book.

Avengers #32

When Infinity #6 was published, I somehow stopped reading all Hickman's titles. Last week I changed it, having read all published and remaining issues of both Avengers and New Avengers and I really enjoyed them. Especially New Avengers, but let's focus on the latest Avengers book.

Issue no. 32 continues this strange time travel stuff of Captain America. This time, accompanied by Starbrand and Black Widow, Steve 'lands' in +5045 years and meets Franklin Richards, Reed and Susan's son. Cap seeking answers to his questions, thanks to which he could stop Stark and Illuminati, starts talking to him. I love how Hickman leads all this kind of dialogues. Everything is so deep and informed.

World is about to die, we know it and Hickman reminds us about it all the time with his "Everything dies." stuff. It's inevitable. In my opinion Steve can talk with many other future Avengers, but he will never understand what they are saying. He's blind to the information he receives. That's simultaneusly sad and fascinating.

Avengers #32 was well written. Hickman's clever and intelligent style is special thanks to long-term planning of the plot. When most of writers create many five issue arcs, he creates sagas consisting of 50 issues, where arcs are just single parts of the whole.

Summing up, newest issue of Avengers by Jonathan Hickman is a great read. Next month Steve Rogers will be alone in the future. But will it bring him any answers? We'll see.   

Cover of the Week: The Walking Dead #129

#8: 2nd July 2014

Here we go, new reviews from 2nd of July 2014! I added two new things to the blog: Book of the Week and Cover of the Week. Suppose there is no need to demystify what these phrases stand for.
Reviews from this week, 9th of July 2014 should be posted soon, up to Monday, I hope.

Book of the Week: Moon Knight #5 

In what ways is Moon Knight different from other superhero solo titles? It feels like an early bronze age Marvel book - just one hero, one mission, one issue. There are no team-ups, a plot focuses on a single character and delivers to the reader a pure action and enjoyment. I am a fan of many-issue-arcs and epic sagas like the God Butcher one, but recently I started to miss that old school feel, when a story needed to be concluded in one book. The action advances really fast, and unfortunately this is a thing I started not to see in many other series.

But Ellis is proficient. Our central character, crazy, possessed, god-like Moon Knight is awesome. We get here a real page turner. Sometimes literally, because of not that much dialogues. Issue no. 5 focuses on the kidnappers of a girl, Scarlet. Mark's mission is, of course, to save her, what he eventually does, but the way it was shown, was stunning.

Almost the whole issue was an action packed fight between Spector and his enemies. Drawn by amazing Declan Shalvey (check out this guy above!) this book is unbelievably good. I love the way how Mr Knight is shown - a fearless warrior dressed in white. Cause he's not afraid of anybody. He even wants his opponents to see him coming.

Moon Knight #5, as all previous issues, was great and gets a new on this blog title - Book of the Week. Once again, smashing book. Most of this run's issues are now probably sold out, but a trade consisting of first 6 books has been solicited last month, unless I'm wrong!

Rocket Raccoon #1

I love this character, he's hilarious and Scottie Young's artwork makes him even more adorable. Rocket is a badass raccoon killing everyone, everywhere and having fun from it. His unrealistic nature is so strange, I got confused, when I heard about him for the first time. And I'm glad I did.

Picking up first issues of brand new series, I always try to be cautious about what I choose. But after all thinking-stuff, I decided to give Rocket a chance and I don't know if i regret it or no. It was a really good book, but there is a chance, I will drop this title after #2 or #3.

And do not get me wrong here, this series will definietly have loads of fans, but there are better books, and, unfortunately, my time is limited. I can not allow myself to read comic books all day long, 24/7.

Rocket Raccoon from All-New MarvelNOW is an experiment. A successful one. The whole plot and artwork is done by a talented artist Scottie Young, who previously did a bunch of Baby and Animal variants for this publisher (I have Nova and Superior Spider-Man #1s :P ). I was a little bit worried about the quality of the story, but it was funny, and light, so in artwork's style.

If both artwork and plot suit each other, the book is good, and so is Rocket Raccoon #1. I'll definietly check out #2 and then I'll decide, if I will drop this title or not. Overall, solid issue, nothing spectacular and special, but enjoyable. 

Thor: God of Thunder #24

This issue concluded an epic - The Last Days of Midgard (aka Earth) arc and was it good! Thor: God of Thunder, I'll write it again, is currently the best ongoing series. Each time I pick up a new issue of this title, I am amazed how Jason Aaron redefined Thor as a commited to Midgard god, willing to help people and loving this planet. Aaron shows us how his character has changed after time, writing about three different Thors.

No. 24 wraps up many strands of the story. The most important ones are Asgardians leaving the city of Broxton, agent Solomon cheering up Thor and Dario Agger victoriously planning next movements of his company, Roxxon. Not willing to spoil anything, I will stop now writing about the plot and focus on the artwork, which is very good.

Esad Ribic is out for some issues (he did 2 pages here, but forget it :) ) and #24 was drawn by Agustin Alessio, who we know, for example, from amazing Haden Blackman's Dark Horse miniseries published under the title Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison. Above is a single panel of agent Solomon. This guy is darn good, isn't he. But I couldn't stand to look at his artwork through the whole Aaron's run. For me it's just too intense - perfect for one shots, single issues and up-to-5-issues miniseries, but nothing above that.

Overall, Thor gets better and better, if you haven't read it yet, issue #25 should be a perfect starting point for you!  

Cover of the Week: Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #4

#7: 25th June 2014

Hi there! Unfortunately, again with overdue reviews. 25th of June was amazing. Best week this year. We got four issues, which could easily be named on other release dates as 'Books of the Week'. At first I planned to post five new reviews, but because of my trip to other city, tennis tournament and some other things, I did only three (skipped Legacy #16 by Dark Horse and Batman #32 by DC). But still, three reviews of remarkable issues. You can read them below.

Invincible #112

Let's start with Image. All Robert Kirkman's series are for me Image's flagship titles. Kirkman's my favourite writer. What he's doing with Invincible recently is amazing. There is so much action, twists and unpredictable events, each time I read this series I feel stunned. 

Invincible #112 focuses on Robot and he's plan to take over the world. I was slightly dissapointed we didn't see what's going on with Eve, Mark and Viltrumites. But I can understand it, after all, so much happened on these 22 pages. Robot's actions have taken their harvest. We saw some major deaths. Whole issue was incredibly brutal. Times when Invincible was a family title has gone away forever.

The main part of the plot was a conversation between Robot and his lifelong love - Amanda. These panels showed us who Rudy really is - a monster seeking for revenge. An intelligent and genius monster. Is there any more dangerous mixture? I don't think so. He will not stop until he becomes a ruler of planet Earth and kills all enemies. Exactly like in that other dimension, where he lived for many years. But there were weak creatures up there, here we have humans, Viltrumites and... Invincible.

I am sure many characters will die soon, there will be a massacre, which will change Mark's life forever. Invincible and al Kirkman's titles are like wine. The older, the better. This series is smashing. Check it out, you won't regret it.

Outcast #1

I waited sooo long for this issue! New Kirkman's title - knowing only this, I momentally preordered Outcast. When for the first time I read what it will be about, I got confused. Usually I am not a fan of horror stuff - especially demonic possesions, exorcisms, demons etc. But I decided to give it a chance. First double-sized issue was only for $2,99, which is a great price. Now, having read Outcast #1, I can say that if issue's price was estimated by its qualigy worth (plot, artwork...), this one would cost at least $10. It was this good.

Our main character's name is Kyle Barnes. Through the whole life he had a contact with some kind of demonic posession. Poor guy. His past is shown as many short backflashes. Surprisngly, he's not this issue's only star. We have a young boy, Joshua, a posessed one. His mother asks a local priest, an exorcist, to do something with it. Having met earlier Kyle, he goes into Joshua's room accompanied by Barnes, to face demon. As we see on the panel above, a demon knows Kyle, it has plagued all his life and a mission of our character is to find out why.

It is only the first issue, so I can't say if this series will be good or not. What I read was promising and I believe in Kirkman. Upcoming issues will show how Robert used a potiential of Kyle Barnes.

Also I need to mention about gorgeous artwork and even better cover art. I was amazed by it. Robert chose artists perfectly.

Outcast #1 was sold out in the release day. It proves that this comic is a great read.

Superman #32

I've never been a fan of Superman. I always considered him to be lame and camp - a superhero running and flying everywhere with his pants on the suit. When I read on Comic Book Resources that Johns is going to work with Romita Jr on one project, the Superman one, I thought, I'll give Kent Clark a chance. Could there be any better opportunity?

Do I regret it? I'm not sure. It was a tremendous issue. Written really well with dynamic drawings and fun dialogues, but Superman is still that man, of whom I've never been fond of. Hopefully, Kent isn't the main character here. We are introduced to Ulysses, a guy possessing powers strangely and suspiciously similar to Superman's.

Superman #32 ia a really fun read, we have an enjoyable team-up, an origin story and some talking. Usually it's enough for the issue to be well regarded. Unfortunately, because of my prejudice to Kent Clark, I didn't find #32 as good as I should have. I hope my attitude will change after 2-3 more issues. That would enable me to enjoy Johns' and Romita Jr's Superman run in 100%.

I mentioned earlier how good the artwork is. Maybe it's not very realistic, or full of details, but Romita Jr is one of the most talented artists out there, who can draw everything dynamically. John definietly was aware of it and knew how to panel each page to use his talent at maximum level.

Overall, issue no. 32 of new Superman run is a beginning to a cooperation between Clark and Ulysses. I'm sure Johns and JRJ will serve us a great story. Maybe I wouldn't recommend to buy this series in single issues, but trades seem to be a fair idea here.