Artists Assemble! Avengers Makeover

Artists Assemble is the weekly CBNAH drawing event.

This weeks theme is the Avengers makeover. You can choose from the all new Thor, superior Iron Man or the New Captain America. As normal all the art must be your own.

Thor by Adam Bayes

Thor by Jason Graziano

Thor by Richard Chin

Iron Man by Richard Chin

Thor by Franklin O'Neal

Captain America by Richard Chin 

2 Cent Holiday Reviews - Marvel NOW & The DCnU

Hello everyone and welcome back!  This week is going to be all big two comics.  Come back in a few days for some lesser-known publisher reviews, including the newest issue of Saga.  For now, let's take a look at Avengers #2, Avengers Arena #2, Captain America #2, FF #2, Thor God of Thunder #3, Wolverine & The X-Men #22, Uncanny X-Force #35, X-Factor #249, Batwoman #15, Green Lantern #15, Green Lantern Corps #15, Supergirl #15, Sword of Sorcery #3, and Wonder Woman #15.  Let's go.

 Avengers 2:  Top quality art, top quality writing....but I'm still waiting.  Too much set up can cripple a series.  Luckily, the first two issues were released two weeks apart so my patience isn't being tested.  Yet.  If issue three doesn't take place in the present and only offers more back story then I might just drop this.  I remain to have high hopes.  In Hickman We (still) Trust!

 Avengers Arena 2:  This issue really pulls at your heart strings.  If you thought the last chapter was brutal, wait until you see the barely note-worthy/noticed death here.  The entirety of this month's production focuses on one of the new and more innocent characters unlovingly dubbed as "Deathlocket".  It's exactly in Battle Royale's spirit where we get the perspective of an innocent child trapped in this murder game, alone and filled with fear.

 Captain America 2:  It's been one year since issue one.  Cap and his young charge Ian (the baby) have been surviving the harsh wasteland of Dimension Z on instinct alone.  There are predators everywhere and worse yet, organized monsters with weaponry, armour and transport.  But Cap never falters.  He never gives up hope.  Even when captured.

 FF 2:  The machine that goes "boop boop!"  I loved that.  As expected, the mission that should have taken the official Fantastics away for four minutes is taking longer, leaving Scott and the new recruits as the permanent team.  The media takes a dump on our heroes which leaves many of them not very confident.  Mole Man shows up to get a piece but he is shut down quickly.  And Darla finally dons the Thing's body suit.  All this, plus Allred art.

 Sword of Sorcery 3:  Amaya continues her rigorous training and her aunt calls for a meeting in neutral lands.  The end of the issue also answers how/when she joins up with the JLD, something that was bugging me before.  Meanwhile, in the Beowulf back up, we learn something interesting about the current DC verse.  Something that happened in the stories past, which is our present.

 Thor God of Thunder 3:  The God Butcher story arc continues and it is magnificent!  From the art to the writing, everything is very imaginative.  I may not be enjoying the current Wolverine ATXM storyline, but this Aaron has me gripped by the short hairs.  Things get darker/more complex and Thor remembers feeling fear.

 Batwoman 15:  Strange.  I thought I had purchased Batwoman and not the Guilt-Riddled Diary of Detective Maggie Sawyer.  I hate when Batwoman does this; one, not featuring Williams' art and two, the focus of the book landing on one of its minor characters.  The creators may think it is artsy but it's just dissatisfying.

 Green Lantern 15:  Baz continues his quest to prove his innocence.  The third army is everywhere and they've just landed on Earth.  Our only hope...Lantern B'Dg?!!

 Green Lantern New Guardians 15:  Lesson 5: Greed.  And a lesson hard-won.  Someone sacrifices their life aiding Kyle's troop and it's heartbreaking.  Next:  Rayner VS Ganthet!

 Supergirl 15:  Kara and H'el, sitting in a tree.  I guess even alien chicks dig goth boys.  In this issue:  the city of Kandor, a plan to save Krypton, and super hormones!

 Wonder Woman 15:  Diana's search for her family continues and takes her to Manhattan's underground.  This particular sibling does not want to be found or involved in any more "family business"  but Lenox and Diana give him no choice.  The New God Orion however will make their job more difficult.

 Wolverine & The X-Men 22:  I'm not enjoying this circus arc at all.  Did Aaron's brain take a vacation?  Or is he reserving all his creative fluids for Thor: God of Thunder?  Either way, it's a silly, childish and I hate to say it, stupid arc so far.  I really want it to end.  Also, the new characters Eye-Boy and Shark-Girl are super lame.  You have a generation of students to work with but you invent two of the most ridiculous characters in comics?  Hell, one of the New X-Men kids is even an Atleantan, what was the point of creating Shark-Girl????  Waste.

 Uncanny X-Force 35:  Final Issue.  Remdender tries to end things on as much as a positive note as a book of this nature will allow.  Not a mind blowing ending and some of the character personalities felt a bit forced (Deadpool) but I guess they needed to set up the title for its next version.  I however will be getting off at this stop.

X-Factor 249:  Think I'm starting to lose interest in this book. Once it was a favourite I thought could never do wrong, now I'm just bored.  I was expecting it to get more interesting after its haircut (the shedding of half the cast) but it really hasn't.  The art is always bad which the writing typically saves but it wasn't enough this time.  I'm getting tired of the same formula each issue:  Madrox doubts himself, M is a bitch, Longshot is dumb, Layla is mysterious, Shatterstar is brave, Rictor is whiny, Pip is vulgar, etc etc.  Next month is the title's 250th issue and the last chance it gets.

2 Cent Post-Weekend Reviews - Everything second week of December

Welcome back to another instalment of Oz' 2 Cent reviews.  Come back after Wednesday for a massive pile o' goodies for third-week of December books.  Today, I'll cover Avengers Arena #1, Fantastic Four #2, Archer & Armstrong #5, Green Lantern Corps #15, Demon Knights #15, Batman & Robin #15, Stuff of Legend Volume 4 parts 1 & 2, Clone #2, and Rachel Rising volume 2.  Let's dig in eh?

Avengers Arena 1:  Cover of the year!  Arcade is back and this time, he's taking no prisoners.  Unless you count the 16 youths he's placed (against their will) into Murder World.  Someone read Battle Royale over their summer break and now he's using it as a business model for his typically low-murder rated, profit free practice.  Intense from the first panel, glad I picked it up.  I'm here to stay.

 Fantastic Four 2:  Why are we still in the introduction faze?  I thought the Four took off last issue?  Let's get a move on already.  It's been far from Fantastic.

 Demon Knights 15:  Three armies gather on the soil of Avalon and our Knights are stuck in the middle.  The issue felt a bit rushed as it is Cornell's last, but he finally got to the place he wanted to be, showing the clear connection between Storm Watch and our Knights.  Next issue is entitled "30 years later" and that should be cracking!

 Green Lantern Corps 15:  The "All Guy Gardner" issue.  He's my favourite lantern so I really liked this month's installation   It's hard to get your groove back when you fall from the top and Guy just proves that can get you into trouble.  Meanwhile, the Guardians are still fucking shit up in outer space and Salaak is their latest victim.

 Batman & Robin 15:  Death of the Family part 7 million.  Robin is on his own and decides to search for the missing Alfred.  What he ends up finding is the Joker who quickly incapacitates him.  The rest of the issue plays out like a psychological chess match.  Joker is sick of the bat family, he wants Batman all too himself and he'll do anything he must to be rid of them.  All this plus Joker Vision!

 Stuff of Legend - The Toy Collector Part 1:  This book doesn't come out very often so when it does, it's a nice surprise.  The story so far.  A human boy is kidnapped by The Boogeyman into the strange dimension known as The Dark.  He is followed by his dog Scout and 7 of his most loyal toys who all have a different physical manifestation in The Dark .  The present; the toy soldier is dead. Quackers and Harmony lead a small band of rebels. Scout has stayed behind with the recently crowned King Max and his subjects.  There's no trace of the Jester or Percy.  And The Princess remains with her people in the Indian territory.  The boy is still accompanied by the deceptive Boogeyman (disguised as a child himself) and the ex-mayor of Hopscotch who is seeking redemption.  This first chapter is all set up.  The Boogeyman has plans in motion and Max relieves himself of his new throne to continue his original mission:  find the boy!

 Stuff of Legend - The Toy Collector Part 2:  Max, Monty and Scout reach the Deep Dark.  The boy and his companions find Percy, about to be spit-roasted by a handful of savage toys.  The Princess discovers a broken half of the Jester's mask and fears the worst.  The Jester himself is a few meters away, hidden in cave on the same shore and grievously injured.  And finally, Harmony loses all hope for her quest as she finds Max' domain empty.  Quackers calms her down with his new found wisdom.  The adventure continues!!!

Archer & Armstrong 5:  The all out action issue, it's none stop fisticuffs from page one to page twenty two.  Double A are chased by Armstrong's ancient brother.  He is the eternal protector of Earth's Geomancer (who btw,  was murdered last issue), he is the honourable and noble Gilad.  Not to say that Gilad is a bad guy, it's just that he's bonded to his sacred duty.   Not even death itself can retire him from his job.  He's stuck until he avenges the murder and unlucky for Archer, the target has landed on his head.  The only thing that can stop his savagery is to locate the next Geomancer.  Will the boys make it in time?

 Clone 2:  This is such a cool freaking book, I'm really glad I gave it a chance!  We get a little bit more insight on the clone program and, OF COURSE, like anything structured and evil, it's connected to the government.  We discover in this issue that it is an experiment that has been active for over 30 years in silence.  Until it met its ultimate whistle blower, Facebook.  I'm not even kidding here.  This is just a small part in the overall bizarre awesomeness.  You must check out CLONE!  It's fast and fun, political without the bore and it even has time to be packed to the brim with violence.

Rachel Rising V2 - Fear No Malus :  Nothing I say can do this book justice.  It's my pick of the year.  But without mangling the plot or giving away spoilers,  I will simply use the quotes at the start of each issue to give you an idea of how it rolls.  Issue 7:  "Death is not a game that will soon be over.  Death is a gap you can't see, and when the wind blows through it, it makes not a sound."  Issue 8:  "Fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal."  Issue 9:  "Hell is empty and all the devils are here."  Issue 10:  "Lilith wanders about at night, vexing the sons of men and causing them to defile themselves."  Issue 11:  "Let my enemies devour each other."  Issue 12:  "You never realize death until you realize love."  Some pretty grim shit right?  This book has it together so damn well and this second volume ups the stakes and reveals a lot!  If this isn't picked up and made into a movie, then I really have no faith in human kind left.

2 Cent Reviews Pre-Weekend: Everything first week December

Today, I'll take a look at my entire pile for the first week of December.  These include Avengers #1, X-Factor #248, Dial H #7, World's Finest #7, Earth 2 #7, Animal Man #15, Swamp Thing #15, Great Pacific #2, Storm Dogs #2, and The Hypernaturals #6.  Come back after the weekend for another helping of reviews for the second week of December releases.

 Avengers 1:  This book is dripping epicness.  I don't want to get into it too much, but the story is VERY reminiscent to Giant Sized X-Men #1.  The last page knocked me off my socks.  In Hickman we trust!

 X-Factor 248: So remember a few issues ago when Pip the Troll got shot in the head?  Well umm...no, I better not say anything or else I'll find Peter David at my door with a baseball bat (he hates people spoiling his books).  The team gets set up for something big and it all leads to their milestone issue, #250.

 Swamp Thing 15:  Rotworld, The Green Kingdom part 3.  The final War against Arcane continues as Holland makes his way to Gotham City with the aid of Deadman.   But not without resistance and not without a price.  Alec finally arrives to the batcave to find a very familiar face, one that has taken a shocking manifestation.

 Animal Man 15:  Rotworld, The Red Kingdom part 3.  Buddy Baker continues to build alliances and a crew of insurgents in this chaotic future.  A certain classic monster shows up to lend a hand and tips the gang off to the location of a powerful being who can help the crew stand a chance against Arcane.  The location is Metropolis...but it's not who you THINK!

 The Hypernaturals 6:  The rookies shine in this one.  The storyline is getting so complex and multi-layered that a re-read for better comprehension is in order.  Still, it went by fast which is always an indication of a good book.

 Great Pacific 2:  Lots of big ideas, lots of intelligent and interesting real-world concepts.  But is it entertaining?  Maybe one day when I'm older and I spend half my time sitting in front of the news channel.  But for now?  Not really.  Dropped.

Storm Dogs 2:  Hine is amazing at world-building.  Never thought I'd enjoy a comic with 22 pages of talking heads.  Yet every sentence was fascinating.  This will satisfy your sci-fi fix without a doubt.

 Dial H 7:  How is that a book with such sub-par art keeps me entertained so much each month?  As a comic fan, I am more of a visual-reader but I do recognize and enjoy good writing and this book has that in spades.  The hunt for a new dial continues and takes our two mismatched heroes on a quest out to sea.  Meanwhile, we meet the next antagonist in the series and he has some pretty funky powers.

 Worlds' Finest 7:  Damian continues guest starring and it's a pleasure.  Not a bad issue, but as typical of the title, not much happens.  Still entertaining enough to warrant another issue, but my patients does grow thin.

Earth2 7:  The slow process of the book can be quite boring but I have to admit that I am excited about upcoming characters.  Mr. Terrific.  Red Tornado.  Sandman.  Doctor Midnight.  Add those to the already "gathered" Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, The Flash and The Atom, and you've got a start to gathering the JSA.  I just wish they would get together faster.  All this politics is doing my head in.

2 Cent Reviews: Marvel NOW!

This batch, I take a look at a few of the Marvel NOW books released for the last 2 weeks of November   Next, I'll do some DCnUs.  But for now, X-Factor 247, Captain America 1, Fantastic Four 1, FF 1, Thor God of Thunder 2, and Uncanny Avengers 2.

 X-Factor 247:  Mr. and Mrs. Madrox.  I like the ring of that.  X-Factor takes a rest with this issue as Layla and Jaime go on their honeymoon.  And of course, that means zombies and decapitation.

 Captain America #1:  Great insight to Captain America, his past, his personal life, everything.  Very interesting fact, Cap turns 90 in this issue.  Impressive.  Top that all of with my favourite obscure villain Arnim Zola and you've got yourself a pretty good first issue.

 Fantastic Four #1:  In this issue: Matt Fraction makes me not hate him.  He fits nicely with the traditional aspects of the Four.  Everyone plays their role perfectly.

 FF #1:  Basically, Future Foundation here correlates with Fantastic Four for a twice a month experience.  All by Fraction except the difference being; while the first is more traditional, this iteration is astoundingly original.  It's trying new things in the Baxter building.  From the cast (which includes a few of my favourites) to the always-amazing Michael Allred pencils, this one is the obvious winner.

 Thor God of Thunder #2:  The story keeps growing as an epic.  We are privy to witness Thor at 3 points in his life, his past, present and future as he fights against the God killer.  The art is great and the writing is wonderful.  Jason Aaron really knows how to tell a good story, no matter the character or property.

Uncanny Avengers #2:  I can already tell that this is going to be a quality book.  Red Skull's plans are revealed.  And they're dark as fuck.  Issue one had me unsure as to whether this title would live up to the hype, but after reading issue 2, I'm convinced.

Renaldo's Reviews: Saga, Hardcore, Justice League, AvX, Avengers, X-Men, Dancer, Conan, Saucer Country and More!

Saga #3 –

Brian Vaughan continues with his contemporary twist on an intergalactic space mission whereby two renegade parents struggle on a desolate planet to survive with their newborn. Throw in a bounty hunter here and there…and a huge target on the parents’ heads…and being on the lam when drawn by Fiona Staples…is an extraterrestrial treat. Wood continues a flowing storyline and there’s drama and underlying suspicion built up. The tension is pent in when Izabel enters the fray with her ghostly attitude and the apparition proved a key element here.

Renaldo's Reviews: AvX #0-1, AvX Infinite, Avengers: X-Sanction #4, New Avengers #23, Avengers #24.1

AvX # 0 –

Bendis and Aaron didn’t raise my pores and give me what I needed to know. Basically, this a long PSA for Scarlet Witch still being hated and Hope being…an enigma. Cho’s art is a nice reprieve from some lax storytelling but one thing ropes me in…the final page. The effect of the Phoenix and the ties between it and Hope…and Wanda…seem a bit too mouth-watering to avoid. Also, having an Iron Fist tie-in later on is enough fodder to have me interested. I think I’ll be partaking but with low expectations. (6/10)

Renaldo's Reviews: Fury's Big Week #6, Avengers Assemble #1, Battle Scars #5, Superior #7

Avengers Prelude – Fury’s Big Week #6 –

Yost/Pearson are simple but effective on story/art. Here we get insight into what became of the Destroyer and Samuel Sterns as well as gain leverage into the further machinations of Barton and Widow. It’s all about SHIELD and it’s quite prudent a tie-in. It continues to fill in gaps and lend towards potential HULK/THOR sequels and it’s a tapestry of cut-scenes/after-credits from the movies. Like I said…simple, short and sweet. Delectable! (9/10)