#15: 13th August 2014

Brace yourselves! Schoo... em, new posts are coming!

Book of the Week: Captain America #23

I loved this issue! Captain America once again feels light and fun. After last arc's events, Steve Rogers has been sucked out of his super soldier serum. Quite literally and now is nothing but an old man, a retired superhero. As we see on panels of Captain America #23, a lack of serum did make him vulnerable, but Steve still remembers how to fight and has his moves (if you know what I mean).

It is widely known, Falcon (who appeared recently in theatres in Winter Soldier) is to be a new Cap, but what will simultaneously be happening to Steve Rogers is a mystery. One thing is certain after #23, Steve's legacy from Dimension Z is not to be forgotten. His past actions will affect future events, Zola has survived and a couple of other characters from previous arcs, who I will not reveal, will play major roles in upcoming issues.

Artwork has been smashing, above I uploaded panels, which made this issue so outstanding. This epic moment is followed by spoiler-full events, so I will stop here, but I had shivers in this particular scene.

Overall, Captain America, as the series, is getting stronger and stronger with each single issue, unfortunately it's kinda late for it. In November Cap's All-New renumbered series is premiering and it will definitely be a very good starting point for new readers. So pick up Remender's run's trades and wait for All-New epic starting in three months!

Star Wars #20

It all began in January 2013, with a bestseller first issue, four printings published and numerous positive reviews. But month by month, gradually Star Wars was getting worse. Why? Probably Wood is just not a proper writer for a Star Wars book. Not many can handle Star Wars' adventurous essence. However, I need to admit it, last two issues felt better then previous ones.

The story focuses on a rebel spy and Leia's friend from her childhood on Alderaan, Seren Song. She carries important data, which technically are imperial geological information. It may sound stupid, but it can significantly help Rebel Alliance to find a proper world for their new secret bases. Before, Leia spent some time on this problem and definietly she will find it interesting.

Seren Song, being chased by a killer droid bounty hunter IG-88 in his IG-2000, rapidly needs to be saved by Leia and her Millenium Falcon companions. Rescue mission eventually is successful, mainly thanks to Luke in a scene strangely similar the the one, in which he destroyed a Death Star a bunch of months earlier. The ending was unfortunately fast and predictable.

Star Wars was meant to be the last flagship Star Wars project by Dark Horse Comics, and it was, but the overall quality wasn't as good as such title is supposed to be. Series finale, a four-issue arc 'A Shattered Hope' was probably the best story in Wood's run. Will I miss this series? Rather no.

Cover of the Week: Constantine #17

#14: 6th August 2014

New reviews from August! Check them out below.

Book of the Week: Moon Knight #6

The consistency of Moon Knight is incredible. Warren Ellis makes this series Book of the Week each single week. That's exceptional. But is it the end of Moon Knight's greatness? Issue 6 wraps up Ellis' and Shalvey's run on Marc Spector and was it good. I hope Brain Wood will keep up this style and our masked crusader will still have one of the best current ongoing series.

Issue 6 is probably my favourite one now. This stand-alone story is about a simple police man, Trent. His jealousy and a lack of self-satisfaction trigger upcoming events, in which he wants to take Moon Knight's place as a city protector. For now it could sound as a noble move, but he is to do it by killing Marc.

He makes numerous researches, gathers all available data about masked detective and finally, dressed as Black Spectre, Trent, having lost control of himself, begins an evil plan by detonating an IED as Spector passes near it. But come on, a super hero won't die because of a stupid explosive, will he?

An amazingly fluent storytelling with gorgeous artwork has made Moon Knight a top Marvel's series. It was darn good, highly recommended. Pick up a trade, which soon will be available and ask for issue 7 at your Local Comic Shop!

Invincible #113

Invincible has finally been beaten and is not a Book of the Week. Don't get be wrong here, it's still very good, we get loads of action-packed panels, great dialogues and, finally, Viltrumites. After a solid 100+ issue run, Robert Kirkman seems not to run out of ideas. All the time we see new threats, villains and dangers, that affect Mark Grayson's life.

After intesnse previous issues, Robert lets off steam a bit, we can rest from constant fights and bloody deaths. It was necessary, sooner or later it had to happen, but probably it's done in such a moment to incresase the wows after next issue(s)' events.

In no. 113 Robot tries to work out his biggest problem, which is Viltrumites, by proposing them an alliance. Basically, that's the whole issue, but we see more, for example Mark's talk with Eve and some combats between Robot and his former friends.

Overall, Invincible #113 is a great addition to this acclaimed run, but used to Kirkman's dynamic style, I was a little bit dissapointed. But I still can't wait for the next issue.

Cover of the Week: Green Arrow #34

#13: 30th July 2014

Next reviews, this time from 30th of July. With next post, we'll proudly step into August releases including Moon Knight and Invincible!

Book of the Week: Outcast #2

After a successful premiere Outcast grows to soon become a star in Image's catalogue. Robert Kirkman has worked on this title many years, which were worth it. Issue by issue we are introduced to new details concerning Kyle Barnes' past. A dark past marked by a demonic menace. This menace caused suffering and introduced hatred to Kyle's life. His mission is to find out why.

It's too early to write anything more, Kirkman is one of these writers who have in their minds long plans for title's future. See The Walking Dead or Invincible. These series prove it in one hundred percent. It's hard to hide excitment for the future events in Outcast. New Kirkman's title has been creepy, mature and incredibly well written. The last one isn't a surprise with Robert.

Outcast wil be Image's flagship series, after two issues I am amazed how we are told a story of Kyle Barnes. For now, it's probably the best new ongoing series of 2015. Preorder upcoming books, highly recommended.

New Avengers #21

I will be cheating now, because I write this review having read New Avengers #22. In the post about books from 6th of August I will not include review of #22, so will mention about it here. I anicipated these books very much, because probably the whole run of Hickman's New Avengers was leading to this single moment, an ultimate incursion when a world dies. And now without kidding, it did happen! The Avengers, or rather Illuminati have destroyed an Earth from parallel universe. That's a crazy stuff. 

Hickman incredibly wrote about moral dilemmas, almost every hero from Illuminati eschewed destroing a world, to be more precise, all of them but Namor. He was the only member of this mysterious organisation who found a courage to annihilate millions of lives to save billions. It was a tough choice, which made all Illuminati members muderers and the fallen ones. It was a genocide.

What has been done, is done. No one, even Doctor Strange can change it. Earth has been saved, but there is one 'but'. One incursion was stopped, more will follow. The Illuminati have a limited time to think of an idea how to stop incursions permanently. And some of the members can do terrible things just to succeed.

Overall, issue 21 was epic, 22 a little dissapointing, but promising new fabulous adventures and a race with time. What will happen in upcoming issues? Moral talks, multiverse dying and worlds being destroyed. Hickman has given a new life to his Avengers and New Avengers run, these series are again fascinating and each single issue is a page-turner. If you are fond of secret organisations, apocalyptic prospect, cosmic adventures, parallel universes and moral-themed dialogues, it is a comic for you!

Cover of the Week: Evil Empire #3

#12: 23rd July 2014

Time for the next set of reviews, this time 23rd of July! A really good week with two pearls.

Book of the Week: Batman #33

Finally, epic conclusion to an about-year-long arc Zero Year, where acclaimed writer, Scott Snyder, accompanied by Greg Capullo redefined Batman's origin, or, to be more exact, Batman's beginning. The time has come to sum up this story, which was complex, definietly non-banal and clever. For this, thank you Mr Snyder. But there is one con, of which I need to remember and write about. I don't know if it's because series' monthly schedule or not, but there were boring moments, not many but still. And as far as I know, it's not only me, other readers felt the same.

But taking into consideration book's style and nature, it might have been inevitable. Of course there can be done long sagas, which are constantly fascinating and keep reader interested like The God Butcher saga by Aaron,  but Snyder chose another way. He focused on dialogues, willing to mix them with character building and action. He created his own mythology of Batman's origin, that after all is impressive.

The main villain is The Riddler, one of my favourites. I love his way of being and tricking other characters with his conundrums.  That's amazing. He was bitten in Zero Year, but had taken over Gotham and almost defeated Bruce Wayne. Snyder has a great feel to this villain. Can't wait to see his next appearance.  Bye Diddle Riddle!

Overall, Zero Year has been a massive project created to be read in trade, not monthly. It's a long story and enables us to look at Batman from another perspective. Scott, Greg, congrats! This is a highly recommended book for the fans of very good comics.

Star Wars: Legacy #17

Dark Horse Comics is preparing to say good bye to Star Wars license with its last official publication. From all recent projects from George Lucas' galaxy Legacy is surely the best, serving us an intelligent, consistent writing with gorgeous artwork by script co-creator Gabriel Hardman. With him, in the creative team there is Corinna Bechko,  his long time partner in comic industry.

Issue 17 has been smashing. Action-packed dynamic panels and great storytelling are the reasons why fans love Legacy. So much happend on these 22 pages! Ania Solo were to rescue her friend, ex-Imperial Knight, Jao Assam from hands of a sinister Sith lord, Darth Wredd. To accomplish this mission, Ania, her friends and a squad of Imperial troopers under her command had to land on a rogue planet, which is surely well known for all Legacy readers from the very first issues of the series. All these event could fill the story of a single issue, but Gabriel and Corinna served us much more! Including Sith army, Imperial invasion and Jao fighting arm-to-arm with Ania and... Wredd! How did it happen? Read Legacy #17.

Unfortunately all good series eventually at some point end. This month issue 18 will be released - a grande finale of Ania's adventures. It's a shame, wish Legacy lasted longer. Be sure to pick up trades of Corinna's and Gabriel's creation. If you enjoy it, pick up their next project, a brand new, creator owned series from Image, Invisible Republic. Shipping in 2015!

Cover of the Week: Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives #5

#11: 16th July 2014

I was out for some time and have fallen behind with 3 weeks of reviews. I'll try to post them as soon as possible and get back to my normal schedule.

Book of the Week: Original Sin #6

This year's Marvel event, and apparently not the only one (Axis starts probably in September or October), is Original Sin by Jason Aaron. I have always been sceptic about such events, which are made only for one reason - publisher's financial benefits. That's why I limit myself only to core series, all special tie ins are probably not that good and necessary for the story.

Original Sin no.6 continues Jason Aaron's intriguing work on Watcher's death and its aftermath. Writer suggests us it was Nick Fury who killed him, but I do not believe it. In my opinion some greater forces are at work here and will be revealed soon, rather in #8, series finale. According to Original Sin's events, almost all storylines about Nick were lying about his nature and motives. It was risky for Aaron to completely reboot a character of such importance and history in Marvel universe, but I would consider this manoeuvre as successful, it's series' merit, which keeps readers interested.

Artwork was done by Mike Deodato, incredibly consistent and talented artist, whose style perfectly fits Marvel's vision of recent events. When you look at these panels, you feel this story is supposed to be big. Mike is great, but I would exchange his realistic art to a little bit more artistic and dark by for example Gabriel Hardman. The whole event would have completely another feel, maybe, but necessarily,  better.

There are many other questions to be answered on the horizon. Who? Why? How? How Jason will handle them will be crucial for how Original Sin will be remembered in fan community. For now, it has gathered many positive reviews. In my opinion it has been a solid book from #1, but still I am not amazed and feel, after Thor, Jason can do better.

Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir #3

Son of Dathomir is the last Dark Horse's Star Wars miniseries and the very first addition to the all-new canon, which was established not that much time ago. Is it a miniseries worth reading? Not necessarily,  I would recommend it only to The Clone Wars animated series fans. For other readers it will be incredibly boring and mediocre.

What's so bad? Jeremy Barlow do not know how to write Star Wars, all characters are soulless. They are a MASS, not CHARACTERS. We have fights on Ord Mantell, alliance between Maul and Dooku, Sidious, lightsaber fight, but narration makes all these, theoretically interesting events static and impossible to enjoy.  Each two pages I was checking how many more are left and after the last one was this big: "Uffff, finally".

Son of Dathomir can defend itself only with artwork, which also wasn't remarkable, however, some panels were impressive. If only Randy Stradley chose another writer to this series... its potential could be used in 100%. I hate reading a book with a feel of wasting my time. That's unfortunate, but true. I hope at least finale will be better than previous issues. Dark Horse should make us miss him as Star Wars publisher.

Cover of the Week: Original Sin #6