Category: Comics & Graphic Novels


Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #9

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — 1 Comment
May 10, 2012

btvs-season-nine-9-coverAs Spike and the Buffybot track down a former enemy, and old friend, who is responsible for Buffy’s consciousness being trapped in the robot, Xander and Dawn help Detective Dowling hunt down his former partner turned zompire, and Buffy’s unprotected body finds herself at the mercy of crazy slayer with a grudge Simone.

Although I’m still a little disappointed but the abrupt change of direction the series took in the last couple of issues, there are some nice moments here. Andrew coming clean with why he put Buffy’s mind in a Buffybot has just the right mix of misplaced generosity and foolishness that the character has always been known for.

The callback to Xander slaying Jesse in the series opener “Welcome to the Hellmouth” was a nice touch and seems to be returning to more clear-cut version of vampires taking over (instead of taking on the character traits of) their human hosts than we saw in the last couple seasons of Angel.

The final panel suggests we’re going to get to see Buffy vs. Buffy in the next issue, which certainly works for me. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

Tags:
Comment

Supreme #64

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — Leave a comment
May 9, 2012

supreme-64-coverErik Larsen does double-duty following up Alan Moore’s final Supreme story by also returning the original Extreme version of Supreme from the comic’s launch. Issue #64 is very much a transitional issue as Larsen wraps up Moore’s cliffhanger, and all it’s Silver Age trappings, to get back to the more menacing Mean Supreme.

The story picks up right where Moore’s left off with Citadel under attack by an army of Darius Daxes. Opening the portal to the Supremecy only brings more bloodshed until Supreme and Original Supreme have no choice but to release Mean Supreme. The most violent Supreme of them all decimates the villains and uses Silver Superium to strip the other versions of himself of their power.

I’ll give Larsen credit for trying to do an amazing amount of work in terms of a tonal shift in only a single issue. In places he struggles, and his art is a little rougher than the more polished version we got in last month’s issue that went so well with Moore’s story. I liked the original character enough to stick around at least a couple of issues to see where Larsen plans to take him from here. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

Tags:
Comment

Daredevil #12

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — Leave a comment
May 9, 2012

Daredevil #12Matt Murdock and a blindfolded Assistant District Attorney Kristin McDuffie finally make it out on a date. Although the latest issue may be light on action there’s plenty worthy of discussion.

Daredevil’s had his share of lady loves over the years, including a recent tease of a possible relationship with the Black Cat, but I’ve got to say I’ve been enjoying the hell out of Murdock’s flirtations with the ADA who’s so sure he’s Daredevil she’s begun taunting him relentlessly.

The story centers around the pair walking around the fair as Matt explains his relationship to Foggy and how the college roommates who didn’t get along became best friends and partners when a vengeful professor named Leopold York tried to get Foggy expelled from law school.

The story works well, and the irony isn’t lost on Kristen as Daredevil talks about how he used to be “a little bit smug” back then. The story works to allow both Kristen and new readers to gain insight into the history of the Nelson & Murdock. Worth a look.

[Daredevil, $2.99]

Tags:
Comment

Worlds’ Finest #1

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — Leave a comment
May 7, 2012

worlds-finest-1-coverOf all the comics scheduled in DC’s Second Wave (the six new titles taking the place of the first six casualities of the New 52) the one I found the most intriguing was Worlds’ Finest which centers around two DC heroines with complicated histories. I’ve got to say I enjoyed almost everything about this first issue from writer Paul Levitz with art by George Perez and Kevin Maguire.

Early on its made clear the Power Girl is the Supergirl from Earth-2 (which keeps to the most recent history of the character pre-New 52) and the Huntress in indeed Helena Wayne, the daughter of Earth-2′s Batman (although she’s recently been using the name Helena Bertinelli, the Earth-1 Huntress pre-New 52, as a cover). Through an accident both have found themselves trapped on a parallel Earth which already has a Supergirl and Robin (the identity we’re told Huntress used on her world).

Worlds’ Finest is missing the grim 90′s feel which has been far too present in most of the New 52 titles. It’s fun! And, aside from an unfortuante new costume for Power Girl, it’s really well done.

View full article »

Tags: , ,
Read More & Comment

Comic Rack

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — 1 Comment
May 7, 2012

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Archie, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Avengers Assemble, Avenging Spider-Man, Batgirl, Batman, Batman and Robin, BtVS Season Nine, Captain America, Dark Shadows, Deadpool, Demon Knights, Fairest, Fatale, G.I. JOE, Green Lantern, Hulk, Invincible, Lady Death, Lord of the Jungle, Mega Man, Memorial, Morning Glories, New Avengers, Scarlet Spider, Thief of Thieves, Wolverine, the first issues of Dan the Unharmable, Frankenstein Alive Alive, Higher Earth, Marvel Zombies Destroy!, Takio, Trio, and the final issue of Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand.

Enjoy issue #175

View full article »

Tags:
Read More & Comment

Earth 2 #1

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — Leave a comment
May 6, 2012

earth-2-new-52-1-coverI like Earth-2. I like James Robinson. I love the art of Nicola Scott. And to be honest, even with the odd costume designs for the characters (really, did they have to get New 52‘d too?), I liked aspects of this first issue. What’s troubling me is that everything I enjoyed in this issue is the set-up and the characters who won’t be appearing in the rest of the series.

The story opens with Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Robin (Helena Wayne), battling an army of Parademons who have overrun the Earth, slayed the Amazons, and killed millions. It’s unclear, in what we’re shown, if these are the only five heroes on the planet, or if all the heroes are dead (or have yet to be born).

Although Batman’s plan to save the world from Darkseid‘s minions is a success, the cost is high. Earth-2′s big three all fall and Supergirl and Robin find themselves sent into a parallel Earth. This part of the story works well enough; my problem begins with the last few pages as Robinson and Scott begin introducing the heroes who will showcased in the comic going forward.

View full article »

Tags: ,
Read More & Comment

Avengers vs. X-Men #3

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — Leave a comment
May 5, 2012

x-men-vs-avengers-3-coverRound 3 finds Hope on the run, the X-Men surrendering to the Avengers, and a big throwdown between two old friends. Cyclops and the X-Men’s surrender is a feint that allows the group to escape and begin a search for Hope. Meanwhile the Avengers split into five groups to find the young girl before the Phoenix Force finds her.

Although we get very little of Hope in this issue (she makes little more than a token appearance hiding on the streets of San Fransisco) we do get Cyclops outsmarting the Avengers and Captain America and Wolverine coming to blows over Logan’s plan to murder Hope before the Phoenix Force can claim her. We get far less story progression than I’d like, but the fight between Wolverine and Cap makes up for it.

By the end of the issue we now have three distinct groups. Cyclops and the X-Men who want to keep Hope away from the Avengers, the Avengers who want to keep Hope away from becoming the new Phoenix, and Wolverine who just wants her dead. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Tags: ,
Comment

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — Leave a comment
May 2, 2012

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9While April tries to come to terms with the fact that the four cute little turtles she named have mutated and grown up to be teenage mutant ninja heroes the foursome set out to save Splinter from Old Hob and whatever plans Stockgen has for their master.

With April and Casey‘s help, and Michelangelo‘s reprogrammed Mouser, the TMNT break into Stockgen and take down the guards and giant Mouser, but by the time they make to where Splinter was being held he’s already been kidnapped by a new (or rather old) enemy – the Foot Clan.

Honestly, the first page of April working out the story, and her reaction to them reintroducing themselves to her, is worth picking up all by itself. We also get plenty of heroes in a half-shell action. And, certainly not least important, issue #9 also finally gives us the first real shot of the Shredder, in all his ridiculous glory. Oh yeah, you know you want it. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

Tags:
Comment

Snake Eyes #12

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — Leave a comment
May 1, 2012

snake-eyes-12-coverBefore rejoining the Arashikage Clan and partnering with Storm Shadow to destroy Cobra, Snake Eyes takes a trip to the Hard Master, the clan’s former leader who helped train the JOE years ago.

While conversing with his former master (or as much conversing as a mute can do) Snake Eyes presents his reasons for returning to the clan and learns how he can be of assistance in the neighborhood as the Hard Master’s latest student, a teenage girl has been targeted by a local gang.

The standalone tale is a bit of the curiosity as it’s almost completely outside the ongoing “Cobra Command” crossover. However, the story does serve as a reminder how dangerous and honorable a man our hero is as well as give another plausable explanation for him joining Storm Shadow (other than simply destroying Cobra).

Next month gives us a new beginning as the title become Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow and the pair go after their first target – Zartan. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

Tags:
Comment

Daredevil #11

Filed Under: Comics & Graphic Novels by Alan Rapp — Leave a comment
May 1, 2012

daredevil-11-coverConcluding a storyline that begin in Avenging Spider-Man #5 and continued in Punisher #10 (two comics I didn’t read) Daredevil #11 finds our hero teamed with Spider-Man and the Punisher. His plan to lure Megacrime out into the open using the Omega Drive as bait has hit something of a snag as the threesome find themselves betrayed by Castle’s partner and surrounded by A.I.M. and HYDRA agents.

Although I didn’t read the first two issues of this arc, it’s pretty easy to get up to speed. Honestly, what I found the hardest to wrap my brain around was the fact the Punisher A) had a beard and B) had a female sidekick. Seriously, when did this happen?

As Daredevil chases down Rachel to retrieve the drive Spidey and the Punisher (who is trying very hard not to kill anyone) give the beatdown to a number of terrorist soldiers in ridiculous costumes.

View full article »

Tags:
Read More & Comment
Powered by WordPress | Theme: Motion by 85ideas.