Ozamataz's 2-Cent Reviews: Set to Love Music... Episode 3...

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.

Why I Buy: One Nerd's Pull List Part 5

Every Monday I share my 48 issue pull list, justifying why I buy each comic and throwing in some interior art. This week is the final instalment, as i look at X-Factor, Wasteland, Fables, Hellblazer, Saucer County, Sweet Tooth, The Unwritten, and three books I've recently added to my list - Alabaster Wolves, Ragemoor and Smoke and Mirrors.

Back of the Bin Wednesday Reviews..! (a little delayed)

Back of the Bin Reviews
by Chris Grisby

Aaaaaaahahahahalrightythennnnn. It’s the religious edition of Back of the Bin. Wolvie’s included because fanboys treat him like he’s Jesus… and Batman is God… As always: Dig equals “buy it now”, Sift equals “buy cautiously”, and Bury equals “IT’S A TRAP!”…

This stack:
Guardian Line Preview Issue #0 (2006)
X-Men: Wrath of Apocalypse #1 (1996)
Avengelyne #14 (1997)
Hercules: And the Heart of Chaos #1 (1997)
Marvel Comics Presents Wolverine #50, 86 (1990)
Mortal Kombat: Blood & Thunder #1 (1994)
Married With Children #1 (1990)


Guardian Line Preview Issue # 0
This black and white indie preview of the Guardian comics line of “faith-based” comics featuring black characters, showed real promise. It’s a shame it wasn’t in color as the color cover art was dynamic enough to draw even my heathen ass in. With comic characters from kid and his super-powered buddy-angel to a John Constantine-type, this line covered the superhero comic bases and seemed to execute them interestingly and effectively. I’m giving this a Sift due to its lack of color and subject matter. If you happen to run across this it is not a guarantee you’ll like it but it wouldn’t be a sign of the Apocalypse if you did…


X-Men: Wrath of Apocalypse # 1
Actually a collection of X-Factor issues 65-68, this is a must read for current X-readers. So much great characterization is on display here and a lot of elements of today’s books. Including Cyke playing a calculating military leader to a tee and getting called on it by Bobby (look who used to stand up to him). Bobby even uses ice drones in ish 67 (recently seen in Wolverine and the X-Men). While Claremont uses too many “YOW!”s his scripting and analysis of these characters is superb. Coupled with great art and cameos from the Avengers and the Inhumans this book could only get a Dig…


Avengelyne # 14
For never having read an Avengelyne comic this was a new reader friendly issue. Though for being from the “Extreme” line of comics this was pretty tame, albeit entertaining. The Lobo-esque bounty hunter, Blood Wulf, is front and center and likeable but I didn’t get a real sense of the title’s main character. Going to have to say… Sift. This ish was kind of fun but lacked any depth and promise for future issues…


Hercules: And the Heart of Chaos # 1
This limited series pits Herc against Ares and is a fair showing from Marvel’s Prince of Power (and fair showing of skin on the cover art). A fair amount of Greek lore is used while still very much in the modern world. I’d have to rate this comic as…fair. Not essential but if Greek myth, fair super heroics and story, or shirtless Hercules tickle your fancy this’ll do if you run across it… Sift...


Marvel Comics Presents Wolverine # 50, 86
You all should know of my almost absolute hatred of Wolvie, by now, but I couldn’t resist picking up these issues at a bargain price. A collection of 4 serial styled stories about a variety of Marvel characters with some great characterization, MCP is a great afternoon read. While issue 50 was actually a bit of a letdown, 86 was almost perfect. 86 featured stories with Wolvie, Firestar, Beast, and Paladin. Sift for this title and check the back cover to see who’s in the other stories to help pick out a good ish…


Mortal Kombat: Blood & Thunder # 1
This adaptation of the video game classic published by Malibu comics was sure to be horrible but I was pleasantly surprised. The interior art has eye-popping color with a mix of ‘toon and superhero style (without all the hokeyness). If you’ve seen the movies, you’ll actually recognize some scenes which endears the movies to me all the more. Going to have to say… Dig for this title. There’s plenty of humor, martial arts, mysticism, super powers and a splash page of Raiden, God of Thunder…


Married With Children #1
The Now Comics published version of the 90’s TV show mimicked much of the show’s biting humor but too noticeably lacks the delivery of the actors. This comic is too dated and light to get a recommendation unless you’re a superfan… Bury…

Review: X-Factor #230

My goodness, do we seriously need more wolverine? What were you thinking Mr David?! Having said that, X-Factor continues to be a blast to read, and this issue doubly so, with Emanuela Lupacchino on art duties. The dialogue is quick and witty, while the story itself is fun and fresh.

While Madrox is off in another dimension, Layla is back at X-Factor Investigations guarding his frozen dead body.
Meanwhile, M and Siryn argue about Guido’s lack of soul right in front of him, which makes for some fun reading. Wolvie decides to put X-Factor Investigations on retainer, offering them some new leadership in Jamie’s ‘absence’. You all know who it is. The last page didn’t really come as a shock. Marvel has been plugging this one for ages.

Lupacchino provides some strong art, something the book has been lacking of late. She nails the characters, and tells the story without distraction. Her Siryn looks absolutely amazing and the look on Shatterstar’s face when Guido offers to do a thousand one handed pushups is priceless. X-Factor hasn’t been this fun in a long time. If you dropped the book for whatever reason, now would be a great time to pick it back up. It’s one of Marvel’s best.

X-Factor 229 Cover

After Peter David was quite vocal about their being a death in X-Factor 227, readers were dissapointed to find out that none of the deaths (there were 4) actually meant anything at all. With the release of the cover for issue 229, one must ask - is Peter David poking fun of himself with this one?

Nice one, PAD.

Oz's 2-Cent Reviews

This week, Oz reviews X-Factor #227, Red Hood & The Outlaws #3, New Mutants #34, Justice League #3, Green Lantern Corps #3, X-Men #21, Legion of Super-Heroes #3, Generation Hope #13 & Wonder Woman #3.

Issue in 5: X-Factor 227

This week on issue in five we look at X-Factor 227. Peter David had been advertising a major death in this issue, and while we got one (more than one, actually) it was kind of weird. Weird, but awesome! check it out with the read more button!