ComicList Reviews

Geek Goggle Reviews: Age Of Ultron #8

2013-05-16T09:14:00Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Age Of Ultron #8 of 10
Marvel Comics
Bendis, Peterson & Mounts

This comic was probably the best in the series to date. I'm not saying it's a good comic. It's an average comic, but I like the elements in the first three quarters of the book before it falls apart at the end. The comic mostly deals with Sue and Wolverine being interrogated in the new alternate timeline by the heroes of that timeline. The logic that Bendis takes to speed this up is clever and helps to explain away a lot of the churn that might normally occur when familiar faces suddenly show up when their alternate whereabouts are accounted for. It's a decent read.

Frost reads the minds of Sue and Wolverine and gives the visuals to Tony Stark and company. This helps for everyone to know what they know. It also happens to help validate their story. The alternate reality's heroes reason that if both of their memories are exactly the same then their story must be true. This helps launch the comic easily into the meat of the story.

Stark reviews the security camera footage of when Pym was killed and he goes after Wolverine. This part of the book is excellent. Stark going through the opposite side of the argument of killing Pym from the perspective that he sees all that is wrong with the reality he lives in is fantastic. This is highlighted by the fact that Stark was on the wrong end of losing half of his body in the reality where Pym was murdered. Wolverine's argument is even better. This back and forth is extremely well written.

Just as suddenly as the book launches into a compelling story the book falls apart. Out of nowhere there is an invasion and all hell break loose. It's a terrible way to end this comic book and doesn't make the final two issues look too appealing unfortunately.

The artwork was okay. I wasn't thrilled with the dramatic depiction of the prisoners and I didn't feel the art helped sell the tension that these scenes seem to include. The art clearly tells its best story when dealing with the battles and the big splash pages. This book needed the characterization visuals and they were missing.

This event is going to read very differently when collected or when read in one sitting. As individual issues goes it's about as bad as they come across the whole series. This individual is good because it provides an argument that is sound from both points-of-view where both see the opposite side as "what if". The comic had the potential to be excellent but was halted by the battle at the end. This was an average to good read.

3 out of 5 Geek Goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Uncanny Avengers #8

2013-05-11T14:11:00Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Uncanny Avengers #8
Marvel Comics
Remender & Acuna

Remender writes epics. Long, sprawling tales that break down characters and throw layer upon layer of difficult problems at them that cover roughly the same theme. He's building that in Uncanny Avengers. However, as sound and as deep as the plot is, he's not delivering the character focus that we've seen in Uncanny X-Force. At least not yet. Instead in the series we seem to have random pairings of characters that don't have the room to grow a lasting relationship for readers to understand where they are coming from. It's a tough balance, but as a result each of his issues (except the Thor centric one) has been an average read.

Remender staples include time travel and heavy science fiction. This comic book delivers those ideas tenfold. We've got the Apocalypse twins plucked from the future to create havoc in the present. However, you have Kang overseeing the entire scheme that includes traveling back in time for specific items, such as Thor's ax. This is unique in that the reader is already clued in to (what seems like) the entire plot and endgame while the heroes are still playing catch up.

The companion to this plot that is excellent is the inclusion of Thor. He understands where he screwed up and sees exactly how his choices have created so many problems. This is very similar to the X-Force plot where they kill the child Apocalypse. If future issues keep the focus on this then the Thor character growth is going to be outstanding.

The aspect of the book that drags is the character work. Even where Thor is concerned you have the inclusion of Sunfire. Without really building anything in the issue the dialogue between the two feels as if the dialogue boxes could come from any other character. Dialect aside, I find a lot the character's interactions to be very generic and I can't get a handle on any points-of-view they all must have. Each time the characters have more than light dialogue it takes me right out of the story.

The artwork is very good. Acuna's art seems to be much more detailed than in previous works I've sampled. He's got some great panels depicting Thor and the Apocalypse twins. I enjoy Acuna's pencils with the brighter color palette that is presented here. This book certainly feels alive.

Uncanny Avengers has a tremendous long story. Each issue inches things forward. Sure it's tough to simply jump on but many of the best books are that way. The cast is large and perhaps that is the issue with the character depictions. Perhaps the obscure characters involved are dragging the lot down. Whatever the reason the book just doesn't have the same emotional entanglements that Uncanny X-Force had. It's not fair to compare the books but it is also impossible not to.

3 out of 5 Geek Goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Batman #20

2013-05-11T14:10:00Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Batman #20
DC Comics
Snyder, Capullo & Miki

Batman wraps up the mini-arc involving Clayface. It's a solid read but when you churn out epic after epic as Snyder has, the normal arcs tend to feel very average. The comic book does have a very odd explanation about the reveal of Batman's identity that I wasn't sold on. Overall, you can't go wrong with this comic book and it is worth checking out.

Clayface gives Bruce Wayne a beating and he's been disposed of much in the same way that Lucius Fox has been. The pair work together to escape the death trap, but Bruce takes special care to not break out of the Bruce Wayne mold too much in fear of tipping off Lucius to his alter ego. It's cleverly done; both the trap and the escape. There is a sense that some of it is rather convenient, but it's written and depicted well which is what really counts.

The story gets a little lazy towards the end. Clayface touches Batman and therefore learns his identity is really Bruce Wayne. This occurs in a room full of people. Snyder provides the excellent idea that Batman had placed a special filament over his face to give Batman Bruce's DNA. This is all done well. That is until the very end when Clayface taunts Batman with the death of Bruce's son.

After the careful placement of Batman's apparent identity reveal Snyder follows it up with Batman reacting violently towards Clayface's mocking of Bruce's son. This doesn't make any sense at all. Any other character in the room would have to start connecting the dots that Wayne's son is dead, Batman's kid-Robin is gone and there was just the reveal and fake-out that Batman and Bruce are one on the same. It's just not pulled off very well.

Capullo delivers excellent art as always. The Clayface in this comic is a departure from the previous versions and I like the way Capullo illustrates the transformations. I particularly like the expressions he gives Clayface when he is completely switched to some other persona. It's a very good illustrated comic book.

Snyder is creating too many epic Batman tales. That is the main failing point in this comic in terms of making it memorable. The comic does end with a touching couple of pages but it still doesn't make this issue stand out among Snyder's many great ones. This was a solid but average read.

3 out of 5 Geek Goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Walking Dead #110

2013-05-11T14:06:00Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Walking Dead #110
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard & Rathburn

Walking Dead trucks on as the impending war seems to draw closer and closer. This issue moves more of the players around but the issue only excels when it deals with Michonne and Ezekiel as the pair grow as characters while interacting with each other. Beyond that the comic is very average.

The comic book opens as Jesus hunts down the man who is apparently going to warn Negan about the comic battle. After some bickering, some of Negan's crew shows up and more of the usual happens. They rough up Jesus and there is a lot of tough guy talk from Negan's men while Jesus sort of plays opossum. The tension in the beginning of the book proves to be short lived and doesn't seem to provide anything we haven't seen several times over.

Then, Rick and company go to meet Ezekiel. Obviously, everyone except Rick has the same reactions that Rick had when he first met the character. Shock, awe, eye-rolling and head shaking are the general reactions the cast gives upon seeing Ezekiel for the first time. There is a lot of sizing up and mistrust and eventually Michonne and Ezekiel find themselves alone.

Over the final five pages Kirkman shows his strength: character depth. Unlike so many books I've read, Kirkman has the ability to get the reader to connect with the characters. He does this to perfection with Ezekiel as he tells his story to Michonne. Each panel brings more of the humanizing story home to the reader. It's wonderfully done. If Kirkman could achieve this for a bunch of other characters I think the overall series would be better served.

Adlard doesn't have a lot to work with in terms of action in this comic book. His best work occurs over the final pages as he visually shows the transformation as Ezekiel lets down his guard and peels away his king persona. Adlard always brings his A game and this is no different.

Walking Dead is consistently one of the best books each and every month. This issue is no different. There is tension and there is a lot drama, even if short lived. The book doesn't provide anything particularly memorable but it does entertain. There simply aren't enough comics that entertain month after month.

3 out of 5 Geek Goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Star Wars #5

2013-05-11T13:09:00Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Star Wars #5
Dark Horse Comics
Wood, D'Anda & Eltaeb

Brian Wood writes a lot of comic books. Some of them are immediately excellent, such as Conan, while others seem to cook a little longer before turning into something great. Star Wars hit the right spot this week and suddenly raised itself above so many of the other Star Wars series that have come before it. This series just became very good.

Wood has been juggling a lot of subplots. The Darth Vader one is moving so slowly I can't possibly see it delivering any kind of payoff in the near future. It's virtually a waste of space. The Han Solo and Chewbacca one has had its moments but this issue jams in the tired set of bounty hunters we've seen so many times. I get that they are popular but it's a little tiring to think that Boba Fett works for Darth Vader and Jabba the Hutt and he keeps running into Han and Chewie (and Lando) at every turn. It's kind of ridiculous.

The Leia plot has been center stage and it's been excellent. Leia trying to find the spy within the ranks, while manning an X-Wing and scolding Luke along the way is all great stuff. The character developments for Leia have been some of the best I've ever read for the character so far.

This issue also made the Luke subplot something to watch. He's been hearing Ben's voice in his head. He's not sure what to make of it. Well, one of his new X-Wing pilot friends not only can hear the voice, but she can see him as well. This idea is a great one and hopefully will be a long running subplot that gets explored deeply.

Wood's character work is terrific regardless of the subplot concepts. He nails the banter between Han and Chewie, which is amazing when you consider one speaks without a translation for the reader. He captures Luke's innocence and, at times, depressing feeling of having lost everything he ever knew and loved very succinctly as well. Wood is really proving to have a great handle on the characters as seen through the lens of the original film.

The artwork is fantastic. Detailed, lively and colorful are the pillars of this comic book and it works on nearly every single level. Chewbacca is the only misstep but the bulk of the characters and their body language are perfect page after page. Star Wars typically gives a dirty and gritty impression and while this book shies away from that it doesn't lose any of the Star Wars feel.

This comic book is taking off in a great way. Star Wars has so many books, comics, video games and stories that tend to bury away the core of the original movie. This comic book is standing out from the pack. If Wood can master the Han Solo subplot and give Darth Vader more of an in depth look he's going to be involved in a true classic.

4 out of 5 Geek Goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.

Geek Goggle Reviews: Ten Grand #1

2013-05-04T12:38:00Z

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Ten Grand #1
Image Comics
Straczynski & Templesmith

Ten Grand is a dense read that introduces a lot of concepts that don't completely come together in the first issue. There is a ton of dialogue but the book still manages to pull off some surprises. The book dances around the timeline but doesn't clue the reader in which makes for a tough, but not unmanageable read. Overall, the book was a decent start but it needs to make its intentions more clear for me to hang around much further.

The book is basically about a hit-man that seems to have turned into some sort of private investigator. The book introduces his latest case and he finds that the person he is looking into is someone that he's previously killed. The book then drifts into the supernatural aspect of the story that reveals why this character is doing what he is doing.

The plot is fairly standard. A girl goes missing and a family member thinks of a suspect and wants someone outside of the law to find out what they can. The mystical aspect of the book is a little confusing until the end reveal. However, the end reveal comes at a price. Based on what we learn about the main character it seems so odd that he would just be sitting around waiting while he should be working every second to do what he was tasked to do as we find out in the end of the book.

This plot development takes away from the character and his attitude that Straczynski spent many panels and pages trying to establish. I'm not sure what to make now of the character or his motivations. It was an odd reveal that simply didn't line up with what learned about him through the entire book.

Templesmith is an extremely gifted artist and he helps to carry this issue during the heavy dialogue scenes. His style lends itself towards the occult and creepiness. Even with the light line work and the heavy shading he still presents a very detailed story. The art taste is not the standard super hero (or any comic book) style and that might scare some folks away but this is precisely the kind of book you want him on. Templesmith's art definitely raises the enjoyment of this book.

Ten Grand has some ideas here in the first issue. The story doesn't feel too original but it doesn't feel completely tired either. The plot isn't fully cooked but there is enough in here to show the main character's general motivation. I'm not sure this book gets a second look without the creators attached but I am definitely willing to see where this is going. This is a decent read.

3 out of 5 Geek Goggles

Original post blogged on ComicList.