Throwback Thursday 2/6/14

    Over the past few weeks I have not been doing a whole lot of comic reading that would fall into the “Throwback Thursday” mold. It has been a lot of recent books. I have been catching up on some series like, The Unwritten, Mind MGMT, and Lobster Johnson. Or reading current books like Umbral, Sex Criminals and All New X-Factor. But I decided that even if I haven't been reading older material I could still write something up. Today I present to you some of the recent trades I have picked up that are older material. I will give a brief explanation on why I picked them up and hopefully in the near future you can look forward to me disusing them.

    First on the list of books is “The Creature Commandos”, which collects a ton of stories from “Weird War Stories”. If you don't know who the Creature Commandos are, they were an elite fighting force created by the Allies to take down the Axis Powers in World War II. Each member of the team resembled and took on the characteristics of a monster. There was a Frankenstein monster who was the leader, a werewolf, a vampire, a Medusa, and later G.I. Robot joined on a few missions. I have read a few of these stories before and they are a ton of fun. And with the later half of this trade being written by Bob Kanigher it should be a blast.

    Next up is “Green Lantern Sector 2814”. This collects the last Green Lantern stories before and during “Crisis On Infinite Earths”. I've been told it is a fairly sprawling epic that focuses mainly on John Stewart. I've been a GL fan for many years and always enjoy looking back on older stories as they are collected. Just flipping through the pages of these trades and seeing all the Lanterns that are involved with the story makes me giddy. This is one I really hope does not disappoint.

    Marvel has recently started publishing a trade line called “The Epic Collection”. These trades are a big chunk of issues of a series that has been so far uncollected or uncollected as a whole. I recent;y picked up “Fantastic Four: All In the Family” which picks up right after John Byrne's legendary run. I am not really too familiar with this time on the FF. I did see that Johnny and Alicia get married, or do they? The trade also includes that wonderful “Fantastic Four vs The X-Men”. FF VS X-Men, is something that already had a release but I assume it folds into the story of this group of issues.

    The last book I want to bring up is “Swamp Thing, by Brian K. Vaughn”, it's no surprise why DC/Vertigo released this trade, with Saga being the hit that it is. Right now BKV is a hot commodity, so why not reprint a book that no one read in the early 2000s. I don't remember hearing much fanfare about the book when it came out. But I was also did not have much interest in Swamp Thing at the time. Sampy has since become one of my favorite characters. And while I did hear from someone in another group that the story was a bit boring. I still have hopes that it will at least be entertaining and engrossing.

    There you have it. Four books I am looking forward to reading and hopefully reviewing in the near future. I have stacks and stacks of other books I am ready to read for this column. But these are just some of the newest books to throw on the pile. So here's to looking gleefully toward the future and reading some older comics that I love or missed over the years.

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.

Back of the Bin Wednesday Reviews..!

by Chris Grisby

Its a cosmic themed 'Back of the Bin', this week. Don't space out its a short stack this week... Dig, go buy it. Sift, search for key issues. Bury, do not read, even with your worst enemies eyes...


This stack:
The Saga of Swamp Thing #1 (1982)
Power Girl #1 (2009)
Marvel Premiere featuring Doctor Who #'s 59, 60 (1981)
Action Comics #815 (2004)
Warlock and the Infinity Watch #'s 1-4 (1992)



Swamp Thing #1
Story: Martin Pasko Art: Tom Yeates
Expected a lot more out of this for some reason. Strictly set up and origin story but nothing of any real interest happens. If you though 'Red Lanterns' could be read while listening to the 'Dawson's Creek' theme, try this and the 'Doogie Howser' theme. Swampy is as in his head as Atrocitus, probably more so, he just has a better vocabulary. Bury this... in a swamp, if you must...


Power Girl #1
Story: Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti Art: Amanda Conner
Actually, promising, lol. I know she catches a lot of flak for the tits on display but she certainly displays some solid super heroics, as well. She's an interesting as a superhero and in her secret alter ego. I have to say, though, given the history and "use" of her breasts the new DC version will lose some points (and cup sizes) if they tone down her look and "I have breasts, hear them roar." attitude. I'm going to say Dig...


Marvel Premiere featuring Doctor Who #59, 60
Story: Wagner and Mills Art: Dave Gibbons
Truly a spot on adaptation of a Doctor Who adventure. The humor at times was a little... "whomp-whomp"-corny but overall enjoyable. Doctor Who is the king of the hopeful yet pyrrhic victory ending and is so here. Though the sometimes dark tone of danger is not as prevalent as in the more recent shows. Still... a Dig...


Action Comics #815
hmm, I kind of liked a Superman book, weird... First, let me say that the Clark and Lois bit of the book was almost insufferable. Him whinging about his job was painful, believable and well written, but unappealing to read. The rest, his fight with the issue's baddie and some of the Teen Titans was quite good. There hasn't been much to "write home about" art-wise, this week, but Supes looks damn good here and the depiction of the fight almost completely makes up for his lack luster alter ego... almost... Sift this title. If it truly seems to be an "action" heavy book or feature a good cameo, it may be a good read. Avoid anything with Clark Kent talking...



Warlock and the Infinity Watch #1's 1-4
Story: Jim Starlin Art: Angel Medina
I don't want to compare it to the last incarnation of 'The Guardians of the Galaxy', which has become a bit of a "sacred cow", but that's the closest comparison I have. I think it only lacks in the overall action department. Despite a strong unfamiliarity with the main characters I was drawn into the story and enjoyed the ride. Warlock and the Infinity Watch offers a lot of headiness and humor. be prepared for a lot of Warlock back story but otherwise if you need a little "space" in your life... Dig...

Review: Swamp Thing #5

If you were to ask me who the three best writes of horror comics today were, I’d tell you Joe Hill, Jeff Lemire, and Scott Snyder. If Animal Man weren’t so awesome, Swamp Thing would the best storytelling DC has to offer. And If JH Williams III wasn’t such an amazing freak, Yannick Paquette’s art would be most exciting. The story that Snyder has been weaving really comes to a head in this issue, and points to things to come.

Alec Holland gets his green on in this issue, as William rides in with a herd of reanimated animal carcasses in tow.

Review: Swamp Thing #5

If you were to ask me who the three best writes of horror comics today were, I’d tell you Joe Hill, Jeff Lemire, and Scott Snyder. If Animal Man weren’t so awesome, Swamp Thing would the best storytelling DC has to offer. And If JH Williams III wasn’t such an amazing freak, Yannick Paquette’s art would be most exciting. The story that Snyder has been weaving really comes to a head in this issue, and points to things to come.

Alec Holland gets his green on in this issue, as William rides in with a herd of reanimated animal carcasses in tow.

Issue in 5: Swamp Thing #4

Want to know what happens in Swamp Thing #4 but don't want to read the whole thing? Well here it is, summarised in just 5 of the comic's pages! Alec Holland and Abigail Arcane are on the hunt for William, Abigail's little brother, who Walked out of a hospital after killing pretty much everyone. He also happens to be an agent of 'The Rot'...