Congratulations to the Doctor and the Surgeon

Those in the know, know that the Doctor (Dr. Hodge) and the Surgeon (Dr. Buzz) have finally graduated from Western Illinois. Congrats to both for surviving the ordeal. Best wishes on your future endeavors and keep posting to the Doc's Comic Blog when you have the chance.—RM

Gigantic is Mixed Bag

I really wanted to like Gigantic, a new offering from Dark Horse Comics created by writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent, End League) and artist Eric Nguyen (Strange Girl) and maybe I will eventually, but the first issue didn't grab me. The premise is similar to the film, "The Truman Show," but with a giant, Japanese-movie-style robot guy and Godzilla-like bad guys tossed in. Many aspects of Remender's script work well, particularly the stuff about Aliens creating the earth as an enormous reality TV show and the realistic dialogue between the two main Earth characters in the beginning. Additionally, the art is fine, albeit a bit sketchy in places. But the result is less a marriage of diverse influences in which the whole becomes greater than the parts, and more a hodge-podge of discordant elements that don't quite mesh. I think I'll check out issue two before passing judgment on the series but right now I'm on the fence.—RFM
2/5 for now

Loeb really f*#ks things up

Hulk #7 Review
DOC SMASH!!!!

What the hell is this book about now?

Bruce Banner is the Hulk again in addition to Rulk?

There are two different stories in one issue which seem to have no connection to each other. I mean Banner-Hilk is in Vegas and fights WENDIGOS?! Serioulsy, c'mon.

Rulk fights a bunch of minor female characters and the girls think they can take him?

The only thing good about this book was the art of Ed McGuiness but fortunately for him, he knows a bad thing when he sees it and bailed.

I think I'll give until the end of this arc to get good than it'll probably be over between me and the stupid green/red/purple/orange/lavender hulks.

2/5 stars

Bucky kicks in a new era of Cap

Captain America #43 Review
It's hard to see where Brubaker is going to take his awesomely awesome series now that the Red Skull is dead and Bucky is now Captain America. This issue marks the beginning of a 3-part arc which seems almost pointless when compared to the 40+ arc readers just went through, but if there's one thing about Brubaker's story is that seeds are sown long before they are harvested.

The biggest change is the introduction of artist Luke Ross who replaces the loss of Steve Epting this issue. Ross' style is similar to Eptings in that the colors are muddled and always seem to have a blueish hue to them. That being said, it's also the problem with his art. When someone takes the helm of something big, it's best to add your own style to whatever you're presenting. That just isn't evident in this issue. It's like editor said "Find me someone who can most closely draw like Epting G#dd#mn$t!"

It'll be interesting to see where the series goes now that the biggest event in comics is over. I wonder how long Brubaker can keep it up.

4/5 stars

"No Hero" #2 Continues Ellis' Rollercoaster Ride

A short shot: Warren Ellis' "No Hero" #2 hit the stands this past week and it continues the same high octane adventure ride only hinted at in the previous two issues (#0 and #1). Ellis' latest take on the super-hero genre shows there are still ways to craft a super-human tale in a fresh, new direction. Good stuff that is done well. Can't wait for issue #3.—RFM

4/5 stars

The good, the bad and the Watcher

Secret Invasion #7 Review
SI has been getting better and better and this issue keeps the momentum going, though it still has some strange parts (I didn't really get why the Watcher was there and didn't do anything).

The plot of the issue is pretty straight forward...it's a giant battle sequence between the Skrulls and the heroes. There are really awesome parts and some parts that I really don't understand. Let's delve further into each of the positives and negatives of the issue...shall we?

Awesome:
Bullseye taking out a bunch of Skrulls.

Bad:
At times there's weird choppy dialogue and the art doesn't match what's being said in the story.

Awesome:
Hawkeye kicking ass in an epic way. just Super cool.

Bad:
What the hell happened at the end? Wasp becomes Giant Woman and all the heroes are down and out. There was a flashback that was supposed to do some explaining but I don't follow.

That's what I call a bite-sized review. You got the good, the bad and the ugly. Next issue will make or break the series. So, we'll just have to wait and see if our money paid off.

4/5 stars

Gwen's back!!!...kinda

Ultimate Spider-Man #127 Review
So, the last issue of USM had Spidey fighting off Venom and for a short time repossessed by the symbiote until the Ultimates show up and trap the symbiote for good. In this issue, Eddie Brock finds Peter at school and threatens to reveal the secret indentity of Spider-Man if Peter doesn't get it back. Before all this though, the Triskillion is attacked and Carnage/Gwen Stacy escapes.

The entire issue is almost completely dedicated to Peter doing research on Roxxon and Trask Corporations and thinking to himself. Normally in comics this isn't a good thing, but Bendis is able to do just that and make the story interesting.

One interesting thread introduced in the story is Ben Urich spying on Peter's research. This could lead to some great interaction between Peter and Urich (as a reporter of sorts, I always enjoy reading about Urich).

The issue ends how we all knew it would...Peter comes home and Carnie-Gwen is waiting for him. Who didn't see that one coming?

But here's what I'm thinkin'. Brock wants the symbiote back, right? Peter can't get it back since it's heavily protected plus why the heck would he? Gwen was the coolest character in the book until she died very suddenly and...well...stupidly. So...BAM...Brock gets the symbiote from Gwen and we get a clone of Gwen and life goes back to semi-normal...YEAH! I really want that to happen since I'm a big Gwen Stacy lover, but it really can't since that would just be stupid (it is comics though).

I guess we'll just have to see. So, until then USM #127 gets

4/5 stars

Serenity: Better Days Graphic Novel is Solid Read

Fans of the TV show “Firefly,” which prematurely bit the dust a few years ago, are no doubt aware that show creator Joss Whedon has migrated the story of the crew of the spaceship Serenity to another medium—comic books.

To date, Dark Horse Comics has published a handful of mini-series featuring the continued adventures of the characters in this entertaining, quasi-futuristic space opera/western. The most recent three-issue, mini-series, “Serenity: Better Days,” was recently collected and released as a graphic novel.

With script by Whedon and Brett Matthews and art by Will Conrad, Better Days nicely captures the camaraderie and fun of the original series (as well as a subsequent movie entitled “Serenity”). Conrad’s art is solid and he does a competent job of depicting the main characters as well as the action. While the faces sometimes aren’t exactly photo-realistic, Conrad does a good job of conveying the proper emotions.

The story isn’t knock-your-socks-off brilliant, partly because not much actually happens, but Whedon and Matthews clearly like these characters and have fun. This would have made a fine, middle-quality episode of the “Firefly” series. As with all Dark Horse collections, the print quality is excellent and the pricing is affordable at $9.95.—RFM

3.5/5

'Origins' Not so Ultimate

Ultimate Origins - The Complete Series Review
Doc's Note: Instead of reviewing all five issues of Origins, we've decided to do a general review of the entire series. So here ya go.
Brian Michael Bendis can really do no wrong in the comic universe. He's a living legend. That being said, the series "Ultimate Origins," the lead in to the Ultimatum story line, was a pretty big let down.

We are able to see some of the secrets behind the biggest events in Marvel comics but there still isn't enough punch in the limited series to deliver a decent ending. It's hard to write a review of the story without giving away a lot of spoilers but the main thing you need to take away is that a certain green guy had a more profound impact on a certain wall crawlers life than we previously thought...in the Ultimate universe, of course. Oh, and apparently the Silver Surfer is some kid. That's pretty much all Bendis' giving up at the present time.

Are the issues worth getting into? If you like the mythos and sometimes entertaining little stories on how things tie together, than "Ultimate Origins" is the series for you. But if you're just looking for something to gear you up for Ultimatum, than just pick up the free "March on Ultimatum Saga" which gives a lot of back story on things that have happened since the Ultimate universe began nearly a decade ago.

3.5/5 stars

The Spirit of Vengeance...isn't the only one?

Ghost Rider #28 Review
Ole Flamehead has been getting a lot of publicity since Scalped writer Jason Aaron took the helm of the series and it's understandable. I've been reading this volume of Ghost Rider since its mid-teens and man...it was pretty god awful. Now, there's actually stories I want to read about since they seem to be going somewhere. This issue in particular answers some questions that may have been on the mind of any G.R. fan.

Have you ever wondered why the Spirit of Vengeance is only in the USA? Well Aaron answers that by depicting a Tibetan ghost rider by the name of Khrag 'Thung. Unfortunately, this version of the Ghost Rider meets his demise a few panels later at the hands of Danny Ketch, which leads to the main conflict of the issue...Blaze Vs. Ketch.

The two duke it out for a bit until we discover that Ketch has his own Ghost Rider and, undoubtedly, flaming skulls will ensue in the following issues.

There are a couple of little things about issue #28, the first being why is there a blue Ghost Rider when in the comic there is no visual of blue flames? I was really looking forward to some cool blue and red, complimentary color combos but none were to be seen. What gives? The second thing is a much bigger problem. It's cool Marvel decided to add a history of Ghost Rider to the back of the issue but it really sucks they added a dollar onto the price tag too. We could've went without the history but since the reader has no choice, we have to pay the price for the content we didn't even want.

Ghost Rider is finally getting good and I can't wait to see where it goes next.

4/5 stars

Pixie rejoins the 'Uncanny X-Men'

Uncanny X-Men #503 Review
Last issue of Uncanny introduced the Red Queen, who apparently is supposed to be a dark Emma Frost or something. This issue has almost nothing to do with that...and that makes me very angry.

We see Cyclops down in the Hellfire Cult's sex basement where the Queen is waiting but because he's Cyclops and an idiot, he thinks its Emma. Way to go.

The issues primary focus however, is to reintroduce Pixie back to the X-squad. These kind of stories are always cool. Unfortunately, Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker do it in the wrong way as new post-Messiah Complex readers have no idea why she left the group in the first place. They did manage to make a teenage girl with fairy wings pretty badass as she stabs her soul dagger in Empaths head.

The issue ends with Cyclops saying to Emma he thinks his dead wife, Madeline Pryor is alive. Who is that? Is she that Red Queen lady? All I really want are some questions answered in my comic books but that's evidently not happening so I'd better just save my money. Yeah right...comics are too fun but this issue wasn't.

3/5 stars

'New Ways to Die' ends in an old way

Amazing Spider-Man #573 Review
"New Ways to Die" began on an extreme high note. We read solid writing for Dan Slott and saw great art from John Romita Jr. It almost appeared some questions regarding a few of the stupid new villians were going to be answered.Unfortunately, nothing is resolved and what the reader is left with is a profound sense of disappointment.

I understand you can't kill off a villian. It's an unsaid rule. But the writer can explain the origin of the character i.e. Mr. Negative or Menace. It looked like we were going to get some answers as to why Menace looks so much like Green Goblin, but no. Instead, we get another villian in Antivenom and no explanation to anything. God, this is awful.

It wouldn't be as bad if it didn't start so strong. Readers thought their diligent waiting was about to payoff in the 6-part story. Nope...sorry.

The series almost seems to be going for a "Lost" story where they just keep introducing question after question. The problem is that the story for ASM is just stupid and won't keep any intelligent reader interested. There has to be some sort of storyline and not a series of events which provide no character development. All the villains are alive and well, Spidey's life still blows and there's no sign of Mary Jane.

I don't know how much longer I can go reading this. I've loved Spidey since I was a tike, but sometimes you just have to move on.

2/5 stars

Iron Man maintanes iron story

Invincible Iron Man #6 Review
Iron Man is one of those character who hasn't always been the mainstream hero. With the release of the hugely successful Iron Man movie, that just isn't the case anymore. Iron Man has become one of the flagship titles for Marvel and thankfully the comic is good enough to carry that burden (unlike a certain wall crawler and his new day).

The first arc of Invincible Iron Man is about Tony Stark's fued with Obidiah Stane's son, Ezekial Stane. With the not so cliffhanger ending of the last issue in which (gasp) Tony Stark's dead, this issue reveals the body of Stark to be a robot and a royal Stane butt whooping ensues delivered by the iron hands of Stark.

All I have to say about this series is thank god it isn't awful. With all the mediocre series that have hit stores lately, it's nice to see a book that actually lives up to its potential thanks to Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca.

I can't wait to see what's next especially when the teaser cover on the back page shows Iron Man and Spidey. I'm a sucker for cameos even though most of the time they suck.

4/5 stars

Rogues Revenge is Best ‘Final Crisis’ Tie-in So Far

I’m not a big fan of the multiple book crossover storylines that are in vogue at the present time. I often buy the main book, e.g., Civil War, Secret Invasion or Infinite Crisis, but can’t afford to buy the dozens of tie-in books, related mini-series, etc. that are part of the package. Case in point is the current Final Crisis company-wide crossover series at DC Comics. While the book doesn’t directly crossover in any ongoing DC series (or so the company promises), it has generated some two-dozen related one-shots and mini-series to date—with more, no doubt, to come. The main Final Crisis book has been slow in developing, so I’ve skipped just about all of the peripheral titles. However, one of the mini-series caught my eye: Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge, written by the ubiquitous Geoff Johns and illustrated by longtime Flash artist Scott Kolins. I think I was drawn to the book because it was Johns, who also wrote the Flash for many years, and Kolins together again—and it was only three issues! The third and final issue of the series was released this past week and it is fine. Johns has given remarkable depth to the Flash’s old villains, the Rogues (Captain Cold, Heatwave, Mirror Master, Weather Wizard, the Pied Piper and the new Trickster). He has skillfully created a unique code of honor or ethics—if hardened criminals can be said to have ethics or honor—that demands they get revenge against another villain, Inertia, who coerced them into killing one of the Flashes (the Bart Allen version) about a year ago. Without giving away too much, suffice to say that Johns resolves some major loose ends in the Rogue storyline in this series and sets up a new role for the group in the forthcoming new Flash series, which, it has been reported, will bring back Barry Allen as the Scarlet Speedster. Enhancing the excellent story is Kolins scratchy artwork, which, while not appealing to everyone, captures the sort of frenetic energy that should be part of any story involving characters that can run faster than the eye can follow. It’s too early to say this is the best of the mini-series related to Final Crisis, since several are still to come, but it definitely is the best to this point in the story.—RFM

4/5 Stars

Favorite Superhero poll results!!!

The votes are in and the winner of the "Favorite Superhero" poll is the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool. Thanks to all who voted and check back soon for more poll action.

City of Dust #1

With Radical Comics' latest release City of Dust, readers enter a futuristic Earth, consisting of strict bureaucracy and seemingly unjust persecution.

The City is made up of 2 different levels – the upper level, where the rich dwell, and the lower level, a place of darkness, crime and fear segregate Steve Niles’ world.

All religious beliefs and prayers are considered "curses" and reading children's books and fairy is considered pollution. Any involvement with the items above warrants one of two punishments - a life of imprisonment or death.

Our opening scene is one of the best in the book. Two fairly unimportant characters (but quite important if one views them literally as an introduction to the evil), Dirk and his girlfriend, are driving their hovercraft through the upper level and get into an accident, forcing them into the depths of the lower level.

To make a long story short, ripped limbs make this issue worth spending money on. The pictures that make up City and Dust are easy to indulge in.

A mysterious man known as Zid did the art contained in COD, and his work is quite breathtaking. It is hard to handle the physical copy of City of Dust, since it often seems as though it is sacred scripture, delicate to the touch.


Philip Khrome, our story's protagonist, is one of the pawns in this unfathomable game; he is a cop, a confused one, who wants to believe what he is doing is right. He often contemplates his past. Khrome turned daddy in for reading him a bedtime story.

And one could only imagine what Khrome turns to in times of confusion and depression - cigarettes and a hooker named Kylie.

Niles' writing is entertaining,, and his 5-part series looks quite promising. COD is book to look out for next month.

4/5 stars

The Marvel undead are back from the...dead...again

Marvel Zombies 3 #1 Review
Ok, so the zombies didn't come back from the dead because they haven't died and they haven't come back as they are non-existent in this first issue of the new series writen by Fred Van Lente and art by Kev Walker.
Unlike the first two series, this run takes place in the regular Marvel universe. The only problem with that is we're probably not going to see any big heroes become zombies, which was undoubtedly the appeal of the first two series.

The story follows Florida state intiative team, The Command, as one by one they become zombie food for the recent transdimensional traveler, the one and only Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool. Enter the Alternate Reality Monitoring and Operational Response Agence aka ARMOR as they recruit Machine Man.

First off, who the hell is Machine Man. I've been reading comics for a while now and consider myself fairly informed, but I have no idea who he is. The same goes for the Jabba the Hutt dancer turned silver on the cover. Apparently, the two have some kind of kinky, robot history, which I'm sure will be rekindled by the end of the series' run.

The issue ends with the obligatory twist and the winding path that is Marvel Zombies has begun.

The most exciting thing about this issue (besides an appearance from Deadpool) is the teaser cover at the end of the issue. The cover looks positively scary but as to whether or not the book is remains to be seen in 30 days.

3/5 stars

Garth Ennis gets 'Crossed'

Crossed #1 Review
Garth Ennis is known for his adult comic books. Crossed is yet another title to that long list, with its complete over-the-top use of gut-wrenching violence and language that could make a sailor-turned-truck driver blush.

The book is a different take on the zombie genre which seems to be the trend in comics. People have crosses burned on their faces and proceed to do the most vile things a person can think of. While nothing is really explained in regards as to how the people become "zombies," it's quite clear that the book follows a group of survivors.

We all know the interest in apocalyptic-zombie comics is in the character interaction, but it's becoming dull. The Walking Dead is the only zombie book that does this correctly but Crossed takes an a different approach. It's almost as if Ennis read TWD and thought there's not enough F-bombs or gore, so he decided to make one himself.

The book has the nastiest imagery, which I won't go into in detail as to not spoil it, but lets say a little kid gets ripped apart. My jaw seriously dropped with one of the last panels which was a two-page spread and was the most disturbing thing I've seen in comics in a long time.

I find myself buying a lot of Avatar books which I'm kind of happy about. It's interesting to see what comes out of other comic companies besides Marvel and DC, which apparently is awesome grotesquities and a whole lot of swearing.

3.5/5 stars

Change we can believe in...for real this time.

As you can see, Doc's Comic Blog has a political side and with this entry, it's evident which 2008 Presidential candidate Doc wants to see in the oval office. I know, politics on a comic blog is never a good thing but when IDW releases a comic about a candidate, isn't that fair game? John McCain's comic would have a spot on this blog but being that I'm a lowly journalist (journalism student which is actually worse), I couldn't really afford both.

The book is a heavy read. It goes through Senator Obama's entire life in 28 pages thus leading to a somewhat hurried tale. There are some interesting tidbits about Obama's life, the most prominent to me was his openness to experimenting with pot and cocaine in his high school days. The book then goes to explain his college life, his days as a lawyer, all the way to the present day when he was named the democratic nominee for the White House.

So, here's the thing about this comic. The art is really hit and miss. It almost seems as if IDW asked their artists to draw a picture of Obama and picked the best one. The problem is you have an adult Obama head on the body of an eight year-old Obama. It just looks a little strange. The cover art by J. Scott Campbell however, looks really cool.

The book serves it's purpose as a way of getting the history of Obama out to a younger generation. I know it did for me.

I tried to keep my personal political views out of this review as it may offend some readers. If we've lost some readers due to this entry we ask them to realize that either candidate is better than the one currently in office, but it's easy to go up from crap.

So, here's to the idea of change that each candidate is promoting and to the actual realization of those ideas.

Peace,
Doc

P.S. C'mon, how awful is Palin though? If she is made Commander-in-Chief, it would be a sad day for all Americans. Ohhh...you betcha it would (wink).

Finally: A Book Fit for a Superman

Geoff Johns is a frigging genius. He’s made Superman cool. Over the years, it’s the rare writer who can make the Man of Steel interesting. The problem is that Superman is so damned super. He can do so much with his powers that it’s difficult to create challenges, villains and storylines that actually make the guy sweat.

Of course, Johns didn’t make the big guy cool overnight. He began co-writing Action Comics with Kurt Busiak (starting with issue 838), and co-authored another nine or so issues with film director Richard Donner (starting with Action 844). And while those stories were fine, they weren’t particularly stand-up-and-shout quality. But then came Action 858, a story arc featuring a powerless Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes. It also marked artist Gary Frank’s (former Incredible Hulk and Squadron Supreme artist) first foray into the world of Superman. The issues were outstanding and the grandpa of all comics, Action Comics, began getting a bit of love from readers who appreciate quality work.

And all of that background brings me to the current issue of Action, #870. The finale of a six part storyline involving Superman and Braniac, this issue combines fabulous artwork, spectacular action, a great story, some major pain for Braniac delivered by the Man of Steel and a totally unexpected ending (that I won’t ruin). Johns has taken all the previous Brainiac stories, incorporated the best aspects of each and concocted a logical reworking of the story of the villain from the computer planet Colu, who collects planets and civilizations. It’s not often that when I finish a comic that I immediately flip back to the beginning to read it all over again, but I did because this one was so incredible.

Like I said, Geoff Johns is a frigging genius.—RFM

4.5/5

Gears of War #1 Review

Gears of War #1
Videogames get a bad rap for having bad stories when compared to other mediums such as books. It could be because a lot of videogames are a little lacking in the plot department, or it could be because even if a game has a great story, it is completely butchered by someone, such as Uwe Boll, who has no understanding of how to handle a great concept.

The Gears of War comic seems to follow the same trend of taking a good idea created in the videogame world and completely butchering it, knowing that even if it is awful, people are still buying the name. Sure, Gears doesn't have an amazing story in the ways the "Halo" or "Bioshock" games do, but the overly macho heroes fighting off a mysterious monster horde on a futuristic planet is still entertaining, except when transfered over to the pages of a comic book, apparently.

The art is mediocre at best. The story involves a lame search and rescue mission that ends in a fight with the Locust. The first issue in a comic arc usually are slow and get things moving for the next few issues, but this story seems to have no direction other than to rescue survivors who have gone missing and return to the human stronghold. It is possible that an exciting threat will arise, or that a new important mission will sidetrack the Gears from getting back to base, but so far it seems as if nothing is happening that couldn't be summed up in one short level in the Gears of War videogame. Hopefully the writers have something much larger planned, because if they don't, this could be a very short series.

2/5 stars

Deadpool #3 Review

Deadpool #3
This issue marks a sad truth. It's the end of the biweekly issues of Deadpool and now we have to wait a whole entire month before #4 hits stands. It is indeed a sad day. The good news however, is the issue was a nice strong finish to the opening arc.

There are two major plot points to the book but both are essential to telling the story. The first is the Merc with a Mouth's epic fight with his nemesis, the Super Skrull.

The second is 'Pool explaining how his powers work to the exasperated Skrull doctor. This allows for new readers to understand what exactly Deadpool has been through, though it still doesn't let the noobs in on how his cellular regeneration causes him to be a little crazy which is made a little evident by any book he's been in.

This exposition would normally have taken away from the story but on the next page when Fury asks what took him so long to get to where he needed to be, Deadpool's explains that he was in a "exposition-heavy scene." It's good to see that Daniel Way still allows 'Pool to break the fourth wall which he's infamous for doing.

Paco Medina's art is as always perfect for the book though he seems to struggle with giving Deadpool expression through his mask. He appears to only have two emotions: Bad-ass or surprised. While this is just a little knit-picky thing, it still is noticeable and takes away from the book.

The only thing I'm sad to see is Crayton Crain's no longer doing the covers for Deadpool starting next issue (you know, the one we have to wait 30 days for). I love Crain's work and his covers look awesome and almost seem to give the Regeneratin' Degenerate some credibility that he lacks so much of (I don't know why).

I can't wait for the next issue (30 days...booo) and to see what is in store for 'Pool with a certain leader of the Thunderbolts.

4.5/5 stars

Walking Dead #53 Review

The Walking Dead #53
TWD is one of my favorite books to read each month. The issues are always interesting and something always seems to happen, whether it be plot or character developement. Issue #53 definitely has both.

After Rick and Carl meet up with Michonne, the three luckily are in the path of Glen (my favorite) and Maggie. The five then go back to Hershel's farm where Andrea (my other favorite) and Dale (ok, they're all my favorites) are with Sophia. The next morning a clan of three strangers roll up to the farm asking for supplies. The man with the gun in the middle is Sergeant Abraham Ford, the woman is Rosita Espinosa and the guy with the radio-lookin' thing is Dr. Eugene Porter. The group reveals their plan of heading to Washington D.C. since that's where the country is most likely to be organized as well as the fact the Dr. knows how this pandemic happened.

This issue opens up a lot of potential awesome storylines. Will our group we've been with since the beginning go to D.C.? Will we find what the cause of the zombies are? Personally, I'm ready for a road trip and hopefully some urban-setting stuff (that was the coolest part in the beginning of the series).

The other interesting aspect of the book is the depiction of how the characters are dealing with the trauma. At first, we see Rick talking to his dead wife via telephone, now Michonne is talking to her dead boyfriend and little Sophia thinks Maggie is her real mom. All our characters are starting to look more and more mentally unstable. It could be within the realm of possibilty that Kirkman is getting us ready for a shift in lead characters, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if executed (no pun intended) properly. There's a lot of evidence to suggest this. Rick is constantly saying he doesn't want to lead anymore and that "As long as Carl's safe, I'm just along for the ride." Their world has been torn apart and these new characters enter to almost save the day. Part of me hopes I'm wrong but another part really wants to be right, so we can see things under a different light than we have ever previously experienced.

TWD is consistently awesome and shows no signs of letting up.

4.5/5 stars

Batman #680 Review

Batman #680
Batman #680 brings the R.I.P. storyline just one issue from its sure to be shocking ending as Batman, who is still in an altered state of mind, makes his way to face the Club of Villains at Arkham Asylum. Nightwing is about to be lobotimized and the Joker has been set free to cause mayhem.

While this issue doesn't have any truly shocking moments (the twist at the end is something most fans have probably wondered for a while) it still manages to mix things up a little bit. The Joker isn't necessarily willing to play nicely with the Black Glove's goons and even has a different attitude towards Batman after blaming him for being shot in the head a dozen or so issues back.

The art is very moody and brings the story to life with not only the great drawings and vivid colors, but also the way the panels are layed out in a way to offer fragments of all the action going on. A lot of things go on subtlely, but are not drawn causing confusion, which is very hard to do.

This arc has done a great job of slowly bringing all of the pieces together without revealing the big finish to the arc just yet. With next issue's conclusion to the R.I.P. storyline, #680 ends with everything in place and even though it offers very few answers and even more questions, it doesn't seem like a whole lot more can happen without answering a few questions, such as: who the Black Glove is, where Robin has gone off to, what part will Damien play, and just what lies ahead for The Dark Knight?

R.I.P. is so good that it is sad to see it end, but at the same time, R.I.P. is a story that solely relies on everything coming together to create one big finish. Hopefully it doesn't fail, but with such a fantastic run so far, it doesn't look like Grant Morrison has intentions on letting friends down.

5/5 stars

Doctor's Note: We apologize for the lateness of this essential review. Be sure to take two pills before bed then check Doc's Comic Blog in the morning.

I Am Become Death Review

Ok, this is going to be short and not so sweet. I just finished watching the newest episode of Heroes and all I have to say is ... what the hell happened?

There's so many things wrong with this show now, I can't even go into them all because you'd be reading the worlds longest blog.

I gave them the benefit of the doubt last season with the writers strike and all. After four episodes, the show could possibly be worse than it was last year. Last week, I gave myself a little hope due to the increased level of writing (plus no Mohinder...thank god). Sylar and Noah was the best thing the writers have done in a year and a half. Today, there was none of that, there wasn't even Noah, who is the coolest character on the show. Safe to say, I just want to quit watching the show all together.

What was the point of the episode? Why do we need to see Sylar in the future with a kid? Whose kid? Another thing, haven't we seen this whole bomb kills a lot of people storyline in the show already? Oh wait...there isn't a good idea in the Heroes writing circle anymore so they just use the same ideas over and over again.

I seriously can't believe how the writing has plummetted like it has since the stellar first season.

The show really needs to drop many of its characters and the ones they did drop were the ones they shouldn't have. They were the characters the people had a personal relationship with. We see Micah in the last episode for twenty seconds but not this time. Maybe I missed something, but isn't Nathan still married to the lady who was in the wheelchair? So, why's he with Tracy or Jessica or whatever the hell her name is? The part when she was going to commit suicide, I couldn't help but think, "Yes, give in to the sweet release and get the hell off the show. It's going to be so much better without you." Then what happens, Nathan swoops in to save her. Oops, there goes his secret again. Wasn't there a time when he didn't want anyone to know he could fly? Man those were the days. Back when the characters seemed like real people and not a bunch a crazy's.

Last thing, why...oh why...did they bring Adam back. He sucks.

Guess this wasn't short but it definitely wasn't sweet. I really want Heroes to be good but there isn't really an indication that it's going to be. Let's hope the big return next episode will steer the show in the right direction...but probably not.

.001/5 stars

Witchblade #121 Review

Witchblade #121
As I mentioned in my Broken Trinity review, the current Witchblade arc features a threat to the Orthodox Jewish community in New York. And let me just say this issue is so much better then the previous one (even though there is still no indication whatsoever that the Broken Trinity crossover has any bearing on this series).

We are introduced to a grisly crime scene in which an Orthodox Rabbi has been brutally murdered in a way that no normal human being can do. After a witness tells her story of how she saw a monstrous beast just prior to the death, Detective Sara Pezzini and her partner/boyfriend Patrick Gleason go hunting for something that goes bump in the night. Pezzini runs into a journalist who has put the pieces of the Witchblade together and is in need of some proof to give her story some legs. So, the clingy reporter follows Pezzini into the den of what can only be a Golem.

A Golem is apparently a Jewish creation which is a creature made of mud and other natural things then given life to do the bidding of the one who raised it. I remember watching an episode of "The X-Files" (best TV show ever), in which a Jewish woman raised her dead husband from the dead as a Golem. It's interesting to see another take on the mythology of the Golem.

This issue brings another idea to the table. What if Pezzini's secret weapon became not so secret via a newspaper story by a certain nosy reporter. That's what I hope writer Ron Marz is thinking also. It would certainly allow for a lot more storylines to open up which Marz could really use since he's agreed to write 'Blade until at least issue #150.

Sejic's art is as always amazing. Sometimes I think his drawings are real life faces put in a comic book. He does an awesome job of creating a mood with his various shades of color.

While this issue is hands down better than issue #120, I still wish it had something to do with the crossover like First Born did. That reason really brings the rating down but I can only hope that Marz has some plans as to how he's going to work in Broken Trinity into the regular Witchblade series.

3.5/5 stars

No Hero #1 Review

No Hero #1
Elite writer Warren Ellis seems to be the only guy writing for Avatar Comics. He has at least four different series that I know of and No Hero is his newest story in the mix.

The book is almost a take-off of Wanted. A guy gets into a special club, in this case "The Front Line" and becomes a freedom fighter (except there is no murder or rape and the main character doesn't become a bad guy like in the aforementioned series...so it's not really like Wanted at all). Anyway the story follows Josh Carver as he tries his hardest to get noticed by Front Line boss, Carrick Masterson, the creator of a superhuman drug that can make any human...super. After finally grasping the attention of Masterson via a royal ass-whooping of some goons in an alley, Carver is invited to join the Front Line.

The most noticeable aspect of the book is its attention to detail in the art. Juan Jose Ayp's pencils are some of the most precise in the industry even if they are a little cartoony. I especially enjoyed the half eaten corn dog in one of the panels. There is just so much to look at when gazing upon Ayp's work that studying the art is almost as fun as reading it. That being said there are some problems with this issue. The first being that Ayp seems to have trouble drawing men. When the only female is introduce, The Operator, she is drawn so much better than the two men. Carver looks like an adult Chris Griffin from Family Guy while Masterson appears to be modeled after the vampire Lestat; with his flowing blonde hair.

The other problem, which maybe will be explained later is what the hell are those little popcorn-looking things that appear when a character hits something. It's actually distracting from the art which is never good. Each time something or someone is hit, there appears to be a small foam party. It's small but it bothers me.

Ellis' writing is as always excellent but you have to wonder why he seems to be working strictly for Avatar. Does he own the company or does he just like the creative freedom? I wish I could ask him but I'm just a lowly comic blogger who gives this...

4/5 stars

Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse #1 Review

Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse #1
Last year Marvel released the comic book adaptation of the Laurell K. Hamilton vampire crime novel called "Guilty Pleasures" featuring Hamilton's famous main character, Anita Blake.

Blake is an Animator, a person whose job it is to raise the dead for a short period of time and for a fee. Her more well known job is that of a vampire hunter. She is a court-appointed vampire slayer who has earned the nickname within the vampire world as "The Executioner."

Now she's back after a brief hiatus for another adventure which undoubtedly will be featuring zombies.

Issue #1 of "The Laughing Corpse" is every first issue; there's a lot of exposition, a little action and the main conflict is introduced. Like the previous arc, Blake has more than one problem in her life and watching her cope and deal with these problems is the best part about an Anita Blake book.

There are two main storylines in this first issue. The first has Blake meeting a potential client who wants her to raise a 200 year-old corpse. She refuses as the client offers to supply the "white goat," which we come to find out is animator lingo for a human sacrifice. Hopefully, we'll see a lot more of this since she's never raised anything that old.

The second storyline takes place at a murder scene. The reader only knows as much as Blake does which makes the crime all the more mysterious and gruesome. This is my favorite part of the Anita Blake series; going along for the ride as she tries to solve the case all the while attempting to keep some semblance of a real life.

For those who are wondering why she is wearing an ugly pink dress on the cover, it's because of the third storyline. Blake is a bridesmaid at her friend Catherine's wedding. As to why she's looks like Rambo with a small armory, one can only hope she's gonna kick some ass at a red wedding. Oh man...I'm hilarious. Red wedding...white wedding...blood...get it...Oh, nevermind.

Good read and I can't wait for the next issue.

4.5/5

Deadpool #2 Review

Deadpool #2
Those who know me, know that Deadpool and I go way back. From the Joe Kelly days to Fabian Nicieza's Cable & Deadpool run, I've read nearly everything that's featured Deadpool as a prominent character. It's that background which allows me to say that Daniel Way's Deadpool is on its way to being one of the best.

This issue shows the..."interesting" methods Deadpool utilizes when teaching his new Skrull students in the ways of combat. From cutting their own hands off to telling knock-knock jokes, the Merc with a Mouth provides a wide range of hilarity as he trains the Skrulls to kill each other then their superiors.

Way has caught a lot of flack for his writing previously with titles like Wolverine: Origins but it would seem he just hasn't found the right book though it would seem the right book found him.

Paco Medina's art is still colorful and expressive. His characters help to tell the story almost as much as the words on the page.

After the surprise ending of issue #2, it's quite clear Deadpool is going to be integral with the Secret Invasion storyline. Finally, some respect for the character everyone thinks is a joke...though that would probably be 'Pool's preference.

4.5/5 stars

Ultimate Spider-Man #126

Ultimate Spider-Man #126
So, this is Brian Michael Bendis' 126th issue of Utimate Spidey and can I just say that when this book hit stores way back in 2000, right when Tobey donned the wall-crawler's iconic blue and red duds, I thought this book wouldn't make it to issue #13. Boy, was I wrong.

Bendis continues to write Ultimate Spider-Man with a love that is not seen with most writers. Issue #126 while eventful (Spidey-Venom kicks the crap outta most the Ultimates...except Thunder God, Thor) seems to serve as only a stepping stone to a greater storyline that one can only imagine to be "Ultimatum."

With the revelation revealed in "Ultimate Origins" last week, it would seem that Nick Fury has known Peter Parker for more time than previously thought. Without giving away any spoilers, lets just say that I heard what happens in Origins #4 and I now want to read it.

#126 is a good Ultimate Spider-man issue but the art of Immonen seems to have become increasingly muddled. I'm speaking mostly of the apparent butchering that is Nick Fury's face. To put it lightly, Fury looks to be modeled after a dump that someone decided to draw a face on, give it a goatee and make it blind in one eye (hence the eye patch). The same could be said for most of the other characters but I feel Fury looks the absolute worst.

Bendis has consistently delivered on this book and deserves a little leeway with these last few issues. It must be hard to keep all the stories straight when you write 11,174 books for Marvel at one time.

4/5 stars

This Solomon Kane May Be Too Mysterious

Solomon Kane #1

Dark Horse’s new Solomon Kane series is the latest attempt at a comic book based on one of author Robert E. Howard’s (creator of Conan) lesser-known characters. Solomon Kane is a 17th century Puritan wanderer who apparently travels to the dark corners of the world seeking to vanquish evil in all its forms—usually in the name of God. Howard’s Kane always dresses in black, wears a cool, black slouch hat and carries various weapons, including a sword, dagger, musket and a pair of flintlock pistols. His adversaries tend to be those who traffic in magic as well as monsters, vampires and pirates.

For the first issue of the new series, writer Scott Allie selects a story fragment written by Howard in the late 1920s or early 1930s, entitled “The Castle of the Devil.” The original story does little more than introduce Kane as well as John Silent, a fellow Englishman who he befriends, and tells of the two cutting down a young man from a gallows and heading to the local castle to confront the Baron apparently responsible for the hanging. And that’s it. Perhaps wisely, Allie builds on this whisper of a story and introduces the German Baron, his Persian wife, the fact their castle was built atop a former abbey that once housed a Satan-worshiping priest and other juicy details that would appear to set up an interesting longer tale, although it’s too early to tell.

A main complaint about this first issue is the fact that the reader is thrown into the story without much explanation about Kane—who is he? Why is he wandering? What’s an Englishman doing in Germany? Etc. Allie seems to assume that the reader has some kind of previous knowledge of the character, which is a huge assumption since Kane only appeared in several dozen stories, mostly in Weird Tales, between 1928-32. His adventures also were collected and reprinted in books and paperbacks in the 1960s (I bought them), and there were a few Marvel comics adaptations in the 1970s and 80s. A Solomon Kane film has been completed, starring James Purefoy (Mark Antony in the HBO series, “Rome”). It’s to be released later this year or early next year and is the first part of a projected Kane trilogy.

Additionally, the art by Mario Guevara is so sketchy that sometimes it is hard to tell exactly is happening. He seems to be trying to channel the legendary Joe Kubert, who provided a variant cover (John Cassidy drew the regular version—and it is a beauty). His style doesn’t do much for me.

All-in-all, this a book with some promise but it might be better to wait for the series to be collected and reprinted because, presumably, an introduction would include more information about the character.—RFM

3/5 stars

'Embrace' funny advertising

It's been a while since I last talked about and ad in comics (check the All American Rejects post). Marvel's genius advertising people have decided to promote their event "Secret Invasion" with some light-hearted fun. The following made me literally LOL:

Finally, some advertising that actually pokes fun at itself.

Well done Marvel.

That is all.

Captain America #42 Review

Captain America #42
It's been over a year and a half since Ed Brubaker did the impossible by killing American hero, Steve Rodgers from the regular Marvel series. Since then there was a long period in which there was no Captain America in his own book. Then readers were shocked and disappointed when James "Bucky" Barnes took up the mantle of Captain America. Issue #42 is the final chapter in a saga which will most certainly go down as monumental in the world of comics.

The book begins with the new Cap, Bucky, saving the life of presidential candidate Gordon Wright; deflecting a snipers bullet from The Red Skulls daughter, appropriately named Sin. Meanwhile, long-time friend of Steve Rodgers, Falcon and SHIELD agent, Black Widow attempt to rescue Sharon "Agent 13" Carter.

This carefully crafted epic by Brubaker has been so deliberately paced and has unfolded with a grace not seen in comics for a very long time. That being said, there is one problem with the concluding chapter. These last two chapters of the saga seem a bit rushed compared to the previous twenty issues.

This is the most apparent by the sudden and drastic change of sides by Dr. Faustus. He was at a time comparable to the evil that is The Red Skull, then he abruptly changes sides and attempts to free Sharon. There was no recognizable explanation as to the sudden shift in allegiance. I can only suspect Brubaker did this with the intention of setting up future storylines now that this story has concluded.

The art of Steve Epting is and has always been consistently well drawn. His style, while dark and muddled, brings a certain grittiness to the policical action comic.

Brubaker and Epting's run on Cap will become stuff of legends but one has to wonder where the series will go now that there is officially a new Captain America and The Red Skull, for the time being, is out of the picture. However, I'm sure Bucky and the gang will still go great places in the hands of the Nathaniel Hawthorn of comics, Ed Brubaker.

4.5/5 stars

Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #10

All Star Batman and Robin #10
Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder has caught flack since its beginning for breaking the mold of the respectable Cape Crusader and deploying the ultimate, scruffy-faced badass.

But for those willing to truly indulge in the power of Miller's words, the ASBR series has done its part to help slack the jaws of the faithful, emitting poetic character interactions and thought bubbles. ASBR #10 does not just contain good writing, it contains GREAT writing, perhaps the best of the series.

There have been multiple threads strewn across the Internet completely bashing #10. The reasons behind that are hard to fathom, let alone dissect, since the issue does far more for the series than one might think.

Perhaps the pacing of the plot-lines are a bit slow, but one has to appreciate the depth Miller is trying to achieve. Remember, this is MILLER'S UNIVERSE, fully disjointed from the D.C. spectrum. ASBR #10 is simply the downward force on the springboard, one that will launch the series into comic book history as a truly great piece of fiction. An epic culmination is inevitable, as the characters inch closer and closer to each other.

Small clips of the characters' progression throughout Gotham provides a back-story filled with sadness, revenge and violent justice that simply hints of a complex future.

#10 introduces the spectacled lieutenant James Gordon as he walks the shores of Gotham City, contemplating the past and not-so-certain future of the gloomy, city streets. The opening scene screams noir, something one would expect to read in a comic based off a Raymond Chandler novel. Perhaps Miller's style is frustrating for the impatient adrenaline junkies out there waiting for the next flesh-ripping beat down or cold-blooded murder. One should recall the old saying, though - patience is a virtue. There is no doubt that those who wait for the series to really explode will be surely rewarded.

The Black Canary makes an appearance as the red-hot crimefighter, literally burning down scenes with her almost psychotic presence and will to damn evil to hell.

Batgirl continues on her journey, although this issue features a run-in with a foe that falls a lot closer to home - the police. But Batgirl knows that certain "connections" will get her out of the dog house soon enough.

The Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder are used primarily to help flex Jim Lee's artistic muscles. Batman and Robin are the main focus of the best scenes in the book visually. Their time to bash the skulls of evil will come soon enough. Remember, be patient.

4.5/5

Hulk #6 Review

Hulk #6
After my all-out bash-fest of Jeph Loeb's Ultimates run, I feel (and apparently I'm the only one) Loeb's writing style works well with an over-the-top character like the Hulk.

The story concludes the series' first arc where all that's been happening is Red Hulk kicking everyone's ass. From Thor to The Watcher, no hero is safe from Rulk's wrath, even Hulk himself, until this issue.

By the way, the whole Watcher getting punched in the face thing was hilarious and perfect for this book

We finally get to see Green Hulk finally not act like a three-year old girl who just gets his ass handed to him by a big, red killing machine. The issue also throws in a twist at the end, which isn't all that surprising, and it was cool to see Green Hulk and Thor talk about what happened with all the Planet Hulk, World War Hulk business.

The art of Ed McGuiness is a perfect match to Loeb's story. Everything is over-exagerrated and cartoony, just look at the cover to the left for cryin' out loud. It's exactly how the book should be drawn. It takes me back to the Joe Kelly-Deadpool days. Ahhh...how sweet those days were.

People are missing the point of this book. It's supposed to be thoughtless and crazy. Do you really want all your comics to be something you have to sit down and focus on for 30 minutes? Shouldn't there be some books that just try to have fun and throw in as many cameos as possible. Some people take their comics to seriously and to those people I say, "You're reading a 32-page book with pictures everywhere. It's not a novel. Give it a rest."

Anyway, a majority of comic critics absolutely hate Loeb's take on Hulk. They feel Loeb can do nothing right. However, this is the guy who wrote "Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory." The guy obviously knows how to write some good stories. I think he just needs to come back to Earth a little and stay away from anything with the word "Ultimates" in the title.

3/5 stars

X-Force #7 Review

X-Force #7
After the amazing conclusion to "Angels and Demons," the X-Force team is back for its newest arc entitled "Old Ghosts."

The book starts out very strong as we see the reaction Rahne has to seeing Angel. It's pretty cool to watch and read without giving away too much. From here however, the book takes a turn for the worse.

The main problem is the new readers of X-Force or any X-Men comics have no idea who some of these characters are. Who is the little golden boy named Elixir, what's his power and what did he do that he wants to forget so bad as to call upon Emma Frost's freaky space girls? Who are those girls anyway? They clearly have some sort of telepathic power but for those of us who are new, we have no idea.

The book then decides to bring back the old "Mutants are bad and must be destroyed" senator. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but it's a little exhausted in X-books. From there it ends with X-Force's new target, a guy named Vanisher. Once again, who is this guy? I can understand why the team wants to go after him but give the readers a little character background.

Lastly, the biggest problem with the book is the arrival of new artist Mike Choi. The most exciting thing about reading X-Force each month was to see the visuals Clayton Crain used to tell the story. Now, we have some dude who draws kind of like Crain but doesn't deliver that visual punch one expects to see when reading X-Force.

I'm not excited about this issue but I have a feeling it will explain itself in the end. Until then, I guess I'd better read up on my X-characters and drool over Crain's art in issue #6.

3.5/5 stars