Reviews

Deadpool/GLI Summer Fun Spectacular #1 — Writers: Fabian Nicieza and Dan Slott; Artists: (1st story) Nelson; (2nd story) Paul Pelletier/Dave Meikis; (3rd story) Clio Chang; (Interludes) Kieron Dwyer All the stories are played for laughs (as the title of the book should tell you), so whether you like this depends on your tolerance for Deadpool and the GLI’s brand of tongue-in-cheek humor (they’re the “GLI” instead of the “GLA” because they’re now called the “Great Lakes Initiative,” and if that seems funny to you, then you’re the audience for this book). There’s one good bit where Squirrel Girl confronts the … Continue reading →

Runaways #27 — Writer: Joss Whedon; Penciller: Michael Ryan; Inker: Rick Ketcham with Jay Leisten Here’s why I like Joss Whedon: at the beginning of this episode, the main characters have been transported back to New York City in June, 1907, and they verify this by buying a newspaper off a street kid. Now, a lot of writers would have tried to fake whatever headline the kid is crying out, but Whedon took the time to research just what news event would have been front-page material at that time (the hunt for Typhoid Mary) and so what the kid’s saying, … Continue reading →

Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #5 — Writer: Jeph Loeb;  Art: John Cassaday Cap’s actual funeral takes up only half of this issue’s 22 pages — the rest is a series of single- and double-page pinups of various stages of his career (plus a few panoramic shots of the funeral itself). If you’re a Cassady fan, this will be worth it for the pretty art; if you’re looking for any kind of actual story, you won’t find much. This would be a nice tribute book if Steve Rogers actually stayed dead, but I think we can all agree … Continue reading →

Thunderbolts #115 — Writer: Warren Ellis; Artist: Mike Deodato, Jr. End of the first big story, as the T-Bolts fight three minor heroes in Phoenix, Arizona. Lots of action, as alliances shift and agendas are advanced, and the story comes to a satisfyingly non-grim conclusion (well, unless you’re Bullseye). As with last month’s issue, though, I’m obligated as a Phoenix resident to point out that the setting and buildings are East-Coast generic, with water towers and TV antennas on the rooftops, and look nothing like the Phoenix area (there aren’t even any local landmarks or visual references thrown in). Since … Continue reading →

Countdown #44 — Writers: Paul Dii and Adam Beechen; Pencils: Carlos Magno; Inks: Jay Leisten You know, the thing about 52 was that we knew it was telling a complete story — the story of that missing year — and so had a beginning, a middle and an end. That left room for satisfying character arcs: the Dibnys, Montoya, Isis (well, OK, that deathbed philosophical reversal was really stupid), the Steeles. With Countdown, though, we’re moving toward a beginning, so whatever happens to the characters is only a start; nothing’s going to be resolved. Is this worth 51 comics? Well, … Continue reading →