ComicList Reviews

Geek Goggle Reviews: Muppet Peter Pan #3

2009-11-22T19:57:17Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Muppet Peter Pan #3 of 4
BOOM! Studios
Randolph & Mebberson

The story of Peter Pan gets a little bit more complex in the latest Muppet Peter Pan issue. With Wendy missing and Hook pursing Peter and company while they are searching for Wendy you have some interesting possibilities for this issue. With just one issue left in this mini series you might guess that Hook finds Wendy and holds her captive for the finale or maybe that Peter gets captured and it will be up to Wendy to rescue him. Well, you would be wrong on both accounts. This issue throws the whole story in an unpredictable and hysterical direction. As the story gets pushed into overdrive the cast of characters is almost at full Muppet tilt. This comic has everything you could want in a Muppet story.

Wendy is found by Animal and he brings her to the band. Dr Teeth and all the rest embrace Wendy as the savior. You see, the band is terrible and there is a prophecy about someone showing up much in the same way Wendy did and looking a lot like Wendy. She picks up a guitar and is a natural. Teeth fills her in on all she needs to know about the hippie philosophy and their campsite and she seems content. However, she is a little miffed that Piggydust shows up looking for her but not Peter Pan or her brothers.

Eventually Wendy finds Peter Pan and the lost boys and lets Peter have it. She exposes him as a liar and as someone who is just too childish to be around. Peter is crushed and he turns to Piggydust for sympathy, but Piggy was ambushed. Was it by Hook? Well, he seems to be in with Wendy nowadays, so what's going on here anyway? You will have to pick up the issue to read about the twists going on in this story.

Tremendous issue. It makes use of the massive cast very well. The story departs enough from the usual Peter Pan story to keep the entire comic feeling fresh. The characters all seem to inherit enough of the their actor's personalities to make them feel familiar and so that they retain their charm. Perhaps the best characterization was that of Sam the Eagle. I don't believe I've ever seen Sam be so Sam as in this entire mini series. The voice and character is nailed in this series. I was also amazed at how easily the new characters were rolled out in this issue and are each given just enough space to breath and let their presence be known. I was equally impressed with the character's depictions in the art department.

The whole comic uses a very bright color palette with some incredible costume designs. All of the Muppets look spot as if they exploded out of the movies or their TV show. There are plenty of facial expressions that also hold true to the actors. None was more realistic than Kermit's tucking his upper lip under his lower one when he's baffled about something. The comic delivers so well on every level in the art department.

The finale promises to be a classic as all of the Muppets have been placed into position for a great confrontation. This issue introduces most of the rest of the missing Muppets while moving the story into unfamiliar Peter Pan territory. The comic moves quickly and tells a great story. This comic is funny, smart, beautiful and terrific read for any Muppet fan, young and old. I definitely recommend it.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Batman The Unseen #4

2009-11-21T19:50:13Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Batman Unseen #4 of 5
DC Comics
Moench & Jones

Round two of Batman versus the Meat Man has less than definitive results. For the most part this is Batman regrouping from his failed battle with the Meat Man from the last issue. He figures out where he was going wrong and moves back to square one to find the Meat Man. Then, Batman goes in for more. This issue calls upon some classic Batman traits to tell the story as it goes back to his roots as a detective. It's a good issue as we begin to understand why the Meat Man case is one for Batman and not the cops to solve.

The issue is divided into four chapters. The first being titled "Corpse Clued". In this chapter Batman licks his wounds. He begins to make a device to allow him to see the Meat Man when he is fully invisible. After he recruits one confidant, Alfred, to help finish the lenses he visits another, Gordon, for some clues. Gordon gives Batman some details about another victim that has washed up. Ballistics link the bullet to the same gun the Meat Man's used in the other murders which means Batman needs to figure out how the location of the body ties into finding the Meat Man. They don't call him the world's greatest detective for nothing.

"River Rushed" is the second chapter and Batman traces the steps of the dead body to figure out how to find the Meat Man. This part of the comic uses some inner monologue to reveal the thought process that goes on when Batman is tracking down his prey. It's a terrific part of the comic and yet it's just so simple. You don't get much more classic detective than in this four page sequence.

The third chapter is titled "Reasons Revealed" and this is the second confrontation between Batman and Meat Man. While Batman shows how he has learned from the first confrontation with the invisible man he also taps into the Meat Man's mind. It seems as we learn more about the character that he's really losing his mind with each injection of the invisible serum.

The issue concludes with "Meat Morphed" as Batman loses his advantage.

The comic is a solid Batman story. It doesn't use any of the classic villains. It doesn't have any complicating capers. It's just a mad scientist that's gone off the rails just enough to warrant involvement from Batman. The story is very good and this issue may be the best in the series. Watching how Batman doesn't always win makes this story all the more enjoyable.

The artwork is great again. The characters have a menacing, creepy look to them. As always, Batman has exaggerated features, including a ridiculously long cape that he uses to wrap around the invisible Meat Man in what may be the best scene in the comic. The art also excels very well as it shows the various layers of the Meat Man becomes gradually visible. The artwork is on top of its game, but it definitely is an acquired taste.

Batman just can't seem to get a hold on the Meat Man, but nobody can track an invisible man like Batman. The question now is about whether or not the Meat Man has any other victim on his list. Is the Meat Man now just a villain on the run or does he even have a next step for Batman to solve? The finale should be a good one.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Adventure Comics #4

2009-11-21T19:41:38Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Adventure Comics #4 (507)
DC Comics
Johns, Gates, Ordway & Wiacek

The fourth issue of this series ties into Blackest Night. The comic focuses on Superboy Prime and relies heavily on satire. The issue manages to raise a smile or two but adds little to the Blackest Night mosaic and doesn't establish what this title is really about. The issue also contains a backup about the Legion of Super-Heroes that seems to provide a story with a theme but does little to clue the unengaged reader about the characters involved making it rather hollow. I'm not sure this issue provides much to anyone other than the hardcore fan.

The comic starts off well enough as we check in on Superboy Prime. We get some background about the character as he sits there reading DC Comics. He's essentially interfacing with the readers as just another reader of the very same comic books he's appearing in currently. While the comic (the actual one, not the one in the story) does give some information it's still littered with references to Earth Prime, Earth-2, etc. It seems this information is relevant and if you haven't read some (or perhaps all) of the various DC Crisis comics over the years you'll be hard pressed to have this all explained to you here. I suppose most reader understand what this all means but why scare off new readers unnecessarily?

One of Superboy's dead buddies gets a black ring and seeks out Superboy. It seems they are on different Earths and somehow he (and some friends) shows up on Superboy's Earth to kill him.

This comic is a mess. Forget the oddities like Superboy needing a ride from his parents to the comic book store when he seems to have super powers. Or does the Black Lantern give him his powers? It's not clear and it's not explained. More than likely you needed to read some other unrelated story from years ago to know Superboy is missing his powers. Or is that it that in some obscure issue of Blackest Night it was determined a Black Lantern can give out super powers? Either way I missed that one.

Sarcasm can be a powerful device for obtaining laughs. Satire is also a great way to get some chuckles from the hardcore, in-the-know fans, but this comic is over the top. Page after page of sarcasm and satire makes Superboy a complete joke by the sixth page and by the twentieth page you'd have to start to wonder if Johns is just laughing at the people who will purchase this comic. If it's inside jokes among the creators then why charge $4 to the general public for it? This comic mocks the reader by making the characters within the story utterly silly derivatives of themselves.

Finally, the comic book series is in its fourth issue. It's a young series. It's taking advantage of the major DC event to bring in new readers. Yet, it seems it's using unrelated characters for the crossover. How do you expect to keep readers when you use a non-regular character in your crossover issue? How will a new reader really understand what this series is all about? It could be a great series but you wouldn't be able to judge it with substitute characters.

The saving grace of this issue is the artwork. Both in the main story and the backup story you have terrific art. From the color palette to the heavy line detail, this comic provides an incredible display of a visual story.

The good news with this comic is that many stores offer you one of the colored rings with this issue's purchase. More good news is if you are a hardcore DC fan and know all of the ins and outs of the DCU then you might love the satire and the heavy handed jokes as Superboy gets kicked around by Earth Prime (or is it Earth-2?) characters. However, I found this issue to be confusing at best and a wasteful mess at worst in the story department. I'm simply baffled that this issue hopes to gain some new readers with this type of material.

2 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Suspended Animation: The Dome Ground Zero

2009-11-21T18:15:57Z

Suspended Animation Review

As in any entertainment medium, experimentation within the field of comics is important. And, while a handful of computer-generated comics were produced in the 80's and 90's, for my money, DC's graphic novel entitled The Dome was one of the most worthwhile.

When the U.S. military detonates its' latest experimental bomb…,the Quantum Bomb…, the after-effects are wholly unexpected. An ancient alien spaceship is activated, and an age-old plan is re-activated. Is the Dome of evil origin? Does the plan threaten humanity? And how will the story's protagonists find the answers before the military destroys the Dome entirely? These questions are the linchpins of an entertaining plot by long-time comic book professional Dave Gibbons. His characters, if not terribly original, have convincing motivations and believable dialogue. The story hits an intriguing pace early on, and holds it nearly all the way through, creating a fun ride for readers.

A combination of painted art and computer-generated graphics, much of Angus McKie's work is quite striking, even beautiful. However, as computer technology improves on pretty much an annual basis these days, the 1998 graphics will likely seem stiff, and even antiquated to some. Still, the art never distracts from the story. And who knows? It may even be a draw for older readers who were more into video games during the 90's.

Adding to the total experience is a short interview with McKie concerning the challenge of producing a computer generated graphic novel. I can see this appealing to other artists, and even fans of comics history.

All in all, The Dome is a solid sci-fi thriller that fulfills the promise on the back cover of "a new kind of graphic experience with all the punch of a blockbuster action movie."

It's recommended for older readers, and fans of science fiction and thrillers. Find it at comics shops, conventions, and online auctions and retailers.

Review by Mark Allen

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Wolverine Weapon X #7

2009-11-21T16:59:56Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Wolverine Weapon X #7
Marvel Comics
Aaron, Paquette, Lacombe & Fairbairn

Wolverine is still in the asylum, struggling to figure out who he is or how he ended up in the nuthouse. The issue goes over similar ground as the previous issue with a couple of differences. For the most part this issue attempts to make Wolverine's situation seem even more dire than in the previous issue. The issue contains solid writing and artwork to make the comic good, but as a concept it's almost run its course with two issues of much of the same material.

The issue opens with Wolverine getting some therapy. In the loony bin, the doctor hits patients with water and cattle prods when they refuse to let out their aggression. This brings up an interesting question about the intentions of the doctor. Does he know he holds an assassin? If so, why is he trying to get that genie out of the bottle by nailing him with water and making threats to him? The mystery that exists in this story arc is a good one, but as we get to know the doctor more in this issue I'm starting to think he has no method to his madness or madhouse.

As Wolverine goes through the daily motions of campus life in the asylum he witnesses some bullying that gets resolved with hands being removed. He also has some nightmares that help get those little claws to poke through his skin. Its clear Wolverine is Wolverine but he just has a mental block of some kind at work here. If the intention was to make Wolverine someone's personal killing machine they are going to great lengths at suppressing his instincts.

The issue switches gears as a couple of mobsters show up at the house looking for a patient to borrow. Apparently psychopaths make great killers to take the rap on a murder. Who knew? When the mobsters discover a new, slightly nuttier doctor is in charge of the place they find themselves on the chopping block.

In the end, Wolverine sees too much hurt, feels too much pain and gets beaten on just once too much.

The issue is doing two primary things here. First, it's trying to build up the nut-job doctor. It does a good job of displaying some sick ideas on how to torture people. He has a lot of the Joker in him in the way he acts overly pleased with his ability to dish out pain but by the end of the issue its clear what the character is all about. The second theme in this issue is to show a threshold for Wolverine. What is the breaking point for Wolverine's inner animal to show itself? We find out in this story.

The artwork is very good. The tone of the entire issue is very bright, almost to the point that it seems like all of this is a dream. Wolverine looks like a greasy, tame man that is genuinely afraid and it actually seems to work very well for this story. I can't say I'm a big fan of the always grinning doctor because of the comparisons to the Joker, but that's such a small complete for otherwise beautiful and disturbing visual story.

This comic book is a good story, but it will be good to get on with this arc as I think the whole asylum setup has reached its limit. I'm glad we are seeing some variance in the Wolverine stories that have smart writing and solid ideas behind them. This series has been very good so far and this issue falls right in line with what we've come to expect in the early going here.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Dark Reign The List Amazing Spider-Man

2009-11-21T16:08:21Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Dark Reign The List: Amazing Spider-Man #1
Marvel Comics
Slott, Kubert, Morales & White

Spider-Man against the Iron Patriot doesn't sound like an epic comic book at all. However, when it's Norman Osborn in the armor and a ton of baggage is dragged into the fight and you add Adam Kubert as your artist with some clever quips and you have a heck of a comic book one shot. If you have a passing interest in Spider-Man and the Green Goblin then this issue is a can't miss book.

Peter Parker is sick and tired of Norman Osborn taking over the world and having the world fall in love with him in the process. If you have no idea what Dark Reign is then just read the recap page or the Peter Parker narrative in the beginning to be filled in on everything you need to know about Osborn as Green Goblin and as the Iron Patriot.

Parker decides to take some initiative and steal something that will expose Osborn as a fraud to the public. This occurs at the same time that Osborn makes his way to Spider-Man's name on his list. Spider-Man intruding on Osborn forces his hand, and though unprepared, Osborn welcomes the confrontation.

They fight. It's a great fight, but the dialogue is what makes the fight interesting while the artwork makes the comic book nudge its way over the top.

As Osborn and Spidey battle we find that Osborn's armor has some design flaws that Spidey exposes. Osborn also talks a lot about how much of a terrorist Spider-Man really is and how the public will finally find out once and for all who the real hero is. It's a convinced set of dialogue as it seems Osborn has convinced himself of his hero status. Spider-Man ends up hitting Osborn with some of his own little bits of surprises as he begins to get under his skin by outsmarting him. The whole battle is packed with great action but it's the intricacies of their mind battle that makes it stand out.

The art isn't just detailed. It's picturesque. However, it pops in other areas besides the amazing pencils. It's eye-catching because of the layouts as well. Double page spreads with nine panels that read across both pages help frame the action in such a unique way. While the double page horizontal splash page brings more depth to the scene. The comic book represents some of the best usage of page layouts, colors, focus variance and details I've seen in a while.

The comic book doesn't do anything crazy like resolve the Dark Reign conflict, but it does provide the face-off that you would expect to get from these two characters. It's an oversized story with a decent reprint of a Bendis and Bagley comic from a few years ago. There is a lot to offer in this comic book for $4 which is not a common thing to find these days.

4.5 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Wednesday New Releases: Amazing Spider-Man, Blackest Night, Buffy

2009-11-19T03:12:44Z

by Elisabeth@TFAW

New Reviews of This Week's Releases!

Hey everyone! We're back for our weekly video blog, Wednesday New Releases! On deck this week: Fall Out Toy Works #2, Amazing Spider-Man #612, Adventure Comics #4, Outsiders #24, Batman Battle for the Cowl Hardcover, and Eaglemoss' Buffy and Angel figurines:

CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S ARRIVALS

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Questions? Comments? Post them below!

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Batman And Robin #6

2009-11-14T23:53:41Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Batman & Robin #6
DC Comics
Morrison, Tan & Glapion

Batman and Robin contend with Jason Todd while the Flamingo makes his grand entrance to take everyone out. The issue has some good elements within it but ultimately it's an average Batman and Robin comic, except the artwork doesn't help to elevate that status, but rather works against it.

The issue begins strong enough as Batman and Robin are tied up with a webcam about to broadcast their identities. The interaction between the two is as clever and witty as ever. The comic book doesn't build much on this early dialogue as the two don't interact much the reminder of the issue. This is doesn't mean other interactions don't pick up on this vibe though.

Jason and his partner are attacked by the Flamingo. This distracts Jason enough to allow Batman and Robin to escape. They even manage to intervene between the Flamingo and Jason. The Flamingo is eventually neutralized as everyone seems to scatter at the end of this issue. However, the last piece to the comic that works very well is the interaction between Jason and Dick.

Jason doesn't come off as a lunatic in this issue. Sure, he gets whipped by Flamingo, but that doesn't stop him from verbally assaulting Dick in a very touchy area. He accuses Dick of not doing everything he could to save Bruce. He brings up some valid and interesting points and it clearly gets Dick thinking as the end of the comic book shows. However, these high points don't balance out the low points.

The Flamingo is barely explored in this issue. Not only are his motives completely unknown but so are his methods. After a great introduction last issue when he massacred a plane full of people, this issue just doesn't build on that creepiness at all. At one point he begins to tear off Scarlet's mask while cackling like the Joker, but this quickly ended and never explored again. The Flamingo comes off in this issue as just another masked Batman villain and that's unfortunate.

The artwork is just plain inconsistent. It ranges from the generally detailed faces with heavily inked line work, as seen in previous issues, to shaded faces that appear cloudy and unpolished, almost un-inked or colored. There are times where it's difficult to tell Flamingo apart from Scarlet and while there is a certain level of symbolism I'm not sure that's the intention. It just seems like the art and its direction didn't quite compliment the story.

This issue contains three points that are worthwhile: Batman and Robin's dialogue in the beginning of the issue, Jason's confrontation of Dick and the surprise ending. Beyond that this issue doesn't really shine as the others have in this series. I have extremely high expectations for this series and this issue fell short of even the most modest ones.

2 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Star Wars Purge Seconds To Die

2009-11-14T21:01:01Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Star Wars Purge #1
Dark Horse Comics
Ostrander, Hall, Lei & McKenna

This Star Wars one shot picks up on a concept that was explored at the end of the Star Republic ongoing series in a story titled "Purge". In that story, Vader is led into a trap by seven or eight Jedi shortly after the events of Revenge of the Sith. He emerges, but doesn't quite "beat" them all. In this issue we have a similar idea where a lone Jedi leads Vader into a confrontation at worst or a successful trap at best. It's a good issue and for those that missed the original Purge issue a few years ago will find this issue to be very fresh.

Plo Koon, a Jedi from Revenge of the Sith, had a niece, named Sha Koon. Weary from various battles during the Clone Wars she takes in some downtime at the Jedi Temple. She's sworn off the war, but is given a special assignment by her Uncle. She is to track down the hidden Sith by scouring the Jedi archives looking for clues. She embraces this role during the wrong time.

While in the library, her Uncle is killed on some other world as Order 66 is executed. Shortly after that event the Temple is filled with Clones and Anakin Skywalker. She spots Skywalker and decides to flee.

Later on she attempts to lure the Sith into a trap by contacting the Emperor directly. The Emperor dispatches Vader for the confrontation.

The issue allows Sha Koon to grow as a decent character very quickly. It explores the aspect of her personality mixed with her Jedi skills where she can see the future, present and the past as one collage. It's a good twist to set her apart from the dozens of Jedi that we've seen float in and out of these comics. While her motivation is clear for the confrontation it seems that even she isn't clear of her own desired outcome. This comic does a good job of establishing how confused surviving Jedi must have been after Order 66. This is a story that could have definitely been explored further in the Dark Times series.

The artwork is terrific. There isn't a lot of fighting in it but there are a ton of scenes from multiple points in the Star Wars film timeline and the character depictions are spot on. Vader looks as menacing as you would hope he would and the Emperor looks more creepy than scary, but it works here. He reminded me of the witch in Snow White which seems fairly accurate.

This is a good comic book for a Star Wars fan looking for a bit of a continuation of the Revenge of the Sith film. The story is good with good characters and it picks up threads of what Vader's mindset must have been like after he lost his confrontation with Ob-Wan. This is a comic book that fits nicely in with the movies and the comic book series'. This one is worth reading.

4 out of 5 geek goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Suspended Animation: The Twilight Experiment

2009-11-14T20:49:09Z

Suspended Animation Review

The Twilight Experiment, published by Wildstorm Publications, 36 pages, $2.99 cover price.

Michael is a young man who grew up on a space station, and whose primary care giver was an artificial intelligence. As if that wasn't enough to make him stand out, his mother was one of the world's most powerful superheroes. She was also murdered. Now, having inherited her powers, Michael is anxious to avenge his mother.

This six-issue miniseries begins with a stimulating plot, and a character with whom readers can sympathize. I mean, what if YOU were watching life, including dire events that involved the person you loved most, from afar, unable to intervene? The scenario sets up quite a recipe for emotional loose ends in need of tying. One of the most important and emotionally resonant moments comes when Michael finally leaves his orbiting home for Earth. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray lay some heavy characterization on readers, as well as plot twists which are, for the most part, unforeseen. I say, "Thanks for that."

With artwork that is not steeped in realism, but contains a wonderful grasp of emotion, as well as ample fluidity which serves the action well, Juan Santacruz adds another well-deserved feather to his artistic cap. This book is as fun to look at as it is to read.

Perhaps one of the best things about The Twilight Experiment is that it delivers a clear beginning and end, in addition to all that has been mentioned. In this, the day of the ongoing mega-event that Marvel and DC both seem so enamored with, and which threatens to further bleed the wallet of the average comics fan, a six-issue tale containing action, thrills, great characterization, and a climactic ENDING is that much more attractive.

The Twilight Experiment is suggested for older fans of superhero action and intrigue. Find it at comics shops, conventions and online auctions and retailers.

(Got any comics work you would like reviewed? Send it to Mark Allen, P.O. Box 394, Keyes, OK, 73947.)

Review by Mark Allen

Original post blogged on ComicList.