Reviews

Phil’s reviews — Stuff I Bought #205

Lots of books this week, kids, so let’s do short reviews on each one. Before we get to all those DC first issues, though, there are a few other comics that deserve your attention: Casanova: Avaritia #1 (of 6) — Writer: Matt Fraction;  Art: Gabriel Ba Marvel’s Icon imprint having re-presented the earlier issues of this, Fraction’s indy manifesto, we now get the first new story, in color. Cutting-edge in both the visuals and the plotting, with freeze-frames, multiversal dimensional destruction, and lots of intriguing pretty people, this makes more sense if you’re already familiar with the characters, but if … Continue reading

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Fresh Eyes on Old Books #30

And we’re back. No seriously folks, I’ve done 30 of these things. How ridiculous is that? Eventually I’ve gotta run out of comics, but not yet. Let’s do this! Batman #240 from 1972 I’m not gunna lie folks, I grabbed this based purely on the cover. It’s hilarious. It turns out that this “head-in-a-jar” story is really a Ra’s and Talia Al Ghul story, which isn’t surprising with Denny O’Neil writing. It’s a trippy sci-fi story that really doesn’t advance any stronger plot, but it’s a fun little one-shot story. In addition there are two back-ups. First, A Robin story. … Continue reading

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The Latest and (Mostly) Greatest #30

All right folks! After a brief hiatus due to unforeseen circumstances, not my fault, we’re back in business! Now that I’m done refusing to take blame, let’s do this! Justice League #1 Writer: Geoff Johns Artist: Jim Lee C’mon folks, did you really think I’d start my reviews and NOT talk about this? Really? Well guess what, this is the flagship title of the entire DCnU, it’s pretty much the only comic that really matters this week, and how do you think it all went down? It’s a great big “meh” ladies and gentlemen. I had my dad read it … Continue reading

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Phil’s Reviews: Stuff I Bought #204

Batman Incorporated #8 — Writer: Grant Morrison;  Art: Scott Clark with Dave Beaty Bruce Wayne is showing off his “Internet 3.0” to a bunch of super-rich investors via virtual reality, and cyberterrorists attack, so he and Oracle team up to kick their digital butts. Very very cool graphics, typically dense Morrison concepts (sample dialog from page two: “The city of numbers is on fire! All must kneel to the worm captain!“), a striking cover, and a comic that delivers an actual beginning, middle and conclusion, all in one issue. I’m sorry, but there’s something wrong with you if you don’t … Continue reading

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Phil’s Reviews: Stuff I Bought #203

Sergio Aragones Funnies #2 — Writer/Artist: Guess who Just as entertaining, wide-ranging and well-produced as the first issue, with a combination of the one-page gags that Mad readers are so familiar with, plus a trio of longer (five and seven pages) stories, including a fascinating autobiographical piece about the first time the schoolchild Sergio ever got paid for his drawing; like the other longer works, it’s colored by Groo‘s Tom Luth, and looks wonderful. Throw in a couple of puzzle pages, and this continues to be one of the best comics on the stands. DMZ #68 — Writer: Brian Wood; … Continue reading

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