Saga #5 (Review)

To say that this title so far has been awesome would be an understatement.....Brian K. Vaughan (Writer) & Fiona Staples (Artist) have easily created the best series of 2012.  Saga & The Walking Dead are the only non-"Big 2" (DC & Marvel) titles in the Top 50 (in Sales) for the last 6 months.  Saga has been doing great in sales, with several reorders for each of the first 5 issues.  This is a title still gaining new readers every month, and boasts an impressive female reading audience as well (something most comic book titles struggle to find).

The covers for every issue have been wonderful, boasting a character from the Saga Universe, this issue having Prince Robot IV gracing it's cover.  He seems to have father issues, a bad temper, and maybe some problems in the bedroom as well.....but things are looking up, as he receives good news in this issue.

Issue 4 ended with Marko, Alana, & Hazel face-to-face with Landfall soldiers looking to "pacify" them, The Will trying to escape Sextillion with a little girl he's saved from slavery, & The Stalk still lurking about......on to the review.....

The Flash #10, #11, & #12 (Review)

Well, the "New 52" Flash is officially a year old!  Sales have been solid, Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato have proven they can write as well as do fabulous arwork, & this has consistently been my favorite DC Comics title.  "The Man" & "Booch" have introduced us to the re-imagined Rogues, Gem Cities, & Barry Allen with art that borders on masterpiece.....I cannot state enthusiastically enough how wonderfully awesome the artwork is from the first to last page in every issue done by these two creators.

The Flash is one of the most visually-influenced characters in comic books.  What I mean is, the story almost always hinges on the visual....rather than the visual on the story (i.e. Batman, Green Lantern, etc.).  DC Comics made the right decision in giving this title to Manapul & Buccellato, two artists who were new to writing.  They have progressed exponentially as writers over their first 12 issues together, all the while providing the breathtaking artwork that is needed on a title like The Flash!

Looking back over the years at wonderful artwork on The Flash.....from the talented hands of Harold Porter, Ethan Van Sciver, Scott Kolins, & Andy Kubert (off the top of my head).....it is Francis Manapul's Flash that I always see now when I think of The Flash!  He has made The Flash "Iconic" again in my eyes....Thank You Mr. Manapul!!!

On to the reviews.....

Saga #4 (Review)

This series by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples continues to impress me with mind-blowing writing & art.  The universe of Saga continues to be as unique & complex as it is simplistic & beautiful.

The covers so far have been great as well!  Each one is really like a poster featuring one (or two) of the main characters.  #4's cover features The Will & Lying Cat.  The Will appears to be smoking.....something?.....we'll pretend that it's a self-rolled cigarette.

It's been announced that the series will take a couple of months off after issue #6, while they catch up &  see how the release of the first collection in graphic novel format sells.....before they continue on.  I understand this, and want them to be rested/caught up/etc......but I hope it doesn't steal away any momentum from this wonderfully awesome series that is really turning heads and gaining new readers!!

On to the review......

Saga #2 (Review)

When you first look upon the cover of Saga: Chapter Two (or, #2), you think "What the Frak?"....weird hand and baby hands? But do not be fooled!  This is an awesome comic book through and through.

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples deliver the next chapter of this on-going series, which is quickly becoming the hottest property in the comic book industry.  The only criticism I have of #2 is that it goes by so fast!  

When we last left Marko & Alana, they were fleeing the forces chasing them, and hoping to find the mythical "Rocketship Forest"....
Now they find themselves in the "Endless Woods".

Meanwhile, The Will is tracking them and learns that another is as well...The Stalk.  The Will contemplates giving up on the quest, and we will soon find out why....

O.M.A.C. #8 (Review)

Omit, Mutilate, And Cancel.....the title of issue #8, the end of the O.M.A.C. series.....which I suppose is fitting, considering Jack Kirby's original series lasted only 8 issues as well.  It makes you wonder if it was planned that way?  Considering O.M.A.C.'s writer; Dan DiDio, most assuredly knew the orginal series only lasted 8 issues at the beginning of this venture....I find it very likely that it was planned, and smile at myself that it didn't occur to me sooner.

Issue #8 is a narrative given to us by Kevin Kho....his "last will and testament"....as things are seemingly going badly for Kho and Brother Eye.  Eye is in a strategic battle to the death with Maxwell Lord (head of the secret government organization, Checkmate), as O.M.A.C. wreaks havoc on Eye's behalf......  


Keith Giffen's artwork is top-notch, and I'm personally glad that he stayed on till the end of this series. Giffen's art paid homage to the Kirby's style, and really made this title AWESOME!

Saga #1 (Review)

Chapter One; written by Brian K. Vaughan with artwork by Fiona Staples, was extra long and had introductions, action, and the beginnings of a deep plot....everything a first issue should have and more.  Generally, I'm happy with a #1 if it just has introductions.....but Saga goes much further...

...We are introduced to Alana, Marko, & Hazel, the three main characters of this ongoing title.
...We are shown in explicit detail the basis of the plot for the entire series
...We get background history on both Alana's & Marko's races, and many other alien races as well, and how they all fit into the war that spans the galaxy.

....all of THAT in a #1 issue is amazing!

The "New 52": Six Months Later (The Flash #6 Review)

One of the most highly anticipated titles of the "New 52" was The Flash. It was also one of the most criticized prior to it's release, because of untested writers Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato.  Issue #1 showed us right out of the gate that this title was going to be AWESOME! The artwork is the main hook for this title, both beautiful and intricate....even if there were no words, I'd still collect The Flash just for the artwork!

Manapul and "Booch" have proven that they are not only astoundingly talented artists, but that they can write as well. The opening arc centered on Mob Rule, and was entertaining and interesting.  The beginning of the second arc featuring the"new" Captain Cold is "off the hook"!

Sales are up from the previous Flash title, and it's been a Top 10 seller since the "New 52" began, it boasts the best artwork in DC Comics right now, and the writing is good as well, so Citizen's Grade: AWESOME!

On to the review of issue #6.....

The "New 52": Six Months Later (#6 Reviews: part one)

It's six months later....and time to grade the "New 52", and how it's going so far.....I started the "New 52" collecting 11 titles, but have dropped a few (BM: Dark Knight, Mister Terrific & I, Vampire), one is being cancelled (O.M.A.C.), and a few have been relegated to Graphic Novel collecting (Aquaman, Green Lantern, GL Corps, GL: New Guardians, & Justice League), to save $$$ or just have in book form.  Overall, that puts me at -1, but that number will probably go up as a few of the titles are on the fence for various reasons (possible cancellation, financial concerns, or just not interested in where the title is going).  The drop is largest for me in the monthly category (-4 when O.M.A.C. ends), with Image Comics quickly filling 3 spots & Conan The Barbarian (Dark Horse Comics) the other.

In Part One, I have #6 reviews and 6-months-later grades for Deathstroke, Green Arrow, O.M.A.C., & Red Lanterns.......I also have further thoughts about how DC Comics is doing so far at the very end of the post as well.

O.M.A.C. #1-3 (Review)

Right from the get-go, this title is entertaining & exciting, with an "old-school" feel & plenty of action.  "Kirby-ish" in style and story, it is one of the most enjoyable reads in the "New 52".  Written by Dan DiDio (DC Comic's Co-Publisher), with artwork provided by Keith Giffen.

Issue #1 introduces us quickly to Kevin Kho, although we don't actually see him until toward the end of the issue. He works at Cadmus Industries, along with his girlfriend Jody Robbins. But Cadmus Industries has secrets and secret research and secret employees and secret "no longer employed" sentient computer satellites orbiting the earth.....a.k.a. Brother Eye*** (known henceforth as just "Eye").

The "New 52": Week Four.....(Review)

After skipping "New 52": Week Three, I am posting my picks for Week Four.  This week actually had the most pulls on my list, so I was excited and eager to Dive in to Aquaman, Race through The Flash, read something New in New Guardians, & Savagely tear through Hawkman! (puns ALL intended).....they did NOT disappoint!

Due to time and financial restraints, I wanted to collect no more than 10 DC Titles, so I was a little worried when I decided to drop Superman & Batman, to make room for Red Lanterns, New Guardians, Hawkman, Aquaman,  & Mister Terrific (who was subsequently dropped for Deathstroke)....but All is Well, as all the new pulls have impressed......and now Week Four's reviews:

The "New 52": Week Two.....(Review)

As "Revamp" Month continues, another week of great titles has been shipped!  This week I picked up a few, and enjoyed them all.....though some more than others.

My LCS was sold out of Green Lantern #1, and OMAC #1 (which I'd heard good things about and wanted to pick up from the previous week).....but here are the ones I purchased and here is my favorite quote of the week.....

"I think there is no 'up-and-coming'. There's only competition. And I don't work with it."