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Jubilee is Sooo Cool

8 Jun

X-men #1

X-men #1

I wasn’t actually going to read this new X-men comic for a variety of reasons. Mostly because I try to limit my comic intake and the amount of money I spend on said comics. But I recently dumped a few DC comics, and figured it wouldn’t hurt to at least check out this first issue. And I’m glad I did. Brian Wood is virtually unknown to me and his bibliography is a long list of obscure titles that have passed under my radar. But I will say he has written a rather impressive first issue. Not Hickman or Snyder good, but much better than I was expecting. His characters are distinct and interesting, the plot remains exciting without having to fall back on old comic book formulas, and he formed an all female team without a single panel being sexist or unintentionally belittling. This comic just broadcasts good writing. Olivier Coipel also brings an interesting artistic style to the comic. The writing was good, but I doubt I wouldn’t have liked it as much as I did if the art also didn’t properly display the characters and their actions. First issues rarely impress me this much, even if they are written and drawn by people I totally fanboy over. The writing and art of this comic is solid and every mutant fan should give it a try. It even made Jubilee interesting, which I thought to be impossible.

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The End of Hal Jordan as We Know It

1 Jun

Green Lantern #20

Green Lantern #20

There are some comic book runs that are truly legendary. Frank Miller’s Daredevil and Peter David’s Incredible Hulk just as a couple examples. Well you can add Geoff Johns’ run on Green Lantern to the list as issue twenty brings his tenure to a close. Since 2005, Johns has been the creative powerhouse behind the return of Hal Jordan and has defined the Lantern universe like no one before him. So much so that I can’t imagine what it is going to be like without him. In my eyes, the Geoff Johns’ vision of Hal Jordan and the universe Johns expanded on will always be how I perceive Green Lantern and the Corps. Johns took what many considered to be an irrelevant portion of the DC universe and made it into a major player just by sheer creative will. It might be hard for older fans to admit, but the last few years we have seen Green Lantern become more important than Superman or Batman. But sadly, every legendary run must come to its end.

Issue twenty is a massive oversized book that rivals a trade paperback of The Walking Dead. And while some of the issue is padded with goodbyes and an unnecessary side story, there is still a great deal to read and take in as everything wraps up. Everything concludes, as it should, with a massive battle where every Lantern corps throws everything they have at the First Lantern. The issue is also able to keep a healthy focus on Hal Jordan to remind us that this story is really all about him. There are some major happenings here and an epic change that I didn’t see coming. Personally, I was thoroughly satisfied by the ending but won’t go too much into it as not to give it away. I’ll just say that if you’ve been following Green Lantern for at least the past few years, then you’ll probably enjoy the hell out of this book.

Green Lantern #20 - Panel

I only have one real complainant. Most of the book feels convenient and rushed. Some of the plot points just seem to conclude on their own without any real explanation to the reader. And Johns could have easily squeezed out another five issues with what was left in this story, but instead crammed everything into one issue to have one last epic battle. But maybe I’m just not used to seeing something important happen on every single page of a comic.

Still, this is an epic conclusion to an epic run. If you’ve been asleep for the past several years, or just new to comics, you’ve missed one of the best runs of recent memory. Green Lantern has been so successful it has taken Johns to the forefront of almost everything important in DC comics. We’ll probably be enjoying his writing for years to come on his major push into Justice League. However, nothing will ever stick out in our minds as much as his work on Green Lantern. It was some of the most creative and profound work ever done with the character. Before, Hal Jordan had a reputation as being the greatest of the Green Lanterns. But now, he might as well be the only Green Lantern.

Mom's Basement Comic Article about Green Lantern by Bruce Osborne

Also, in a shameless plug to myself, check out Bruce Osborne on Facebook. I post/link all my stuff there, including chapters on a book I’m working on. Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button as if you’re an addict.

I also write publish works of fiction on my Bruce Osborne Blog. Feel free to read, follow, or even hate my stuff. I don’t care if people like it, only that they read it.

There are too many movies for me to review in full, so I created a twitter account to give brief opinions on the many movies I view. If you wish to read my smart ass remarks, follow M.O.V.I.E. Reviewer @MutantOpossum.


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There and Back Again… Again

25 May

Hawaii 1

Normally you would see a comic book article this week. But for the past couple weeks I’ve been too busy staring at girls in bikinis like a creeper to read many comics. But since I had a fairly long travel time, I was able to read a few freebies thanks to an app called ComiXology. It’s an app for your phone and/or tablet that allows you to purchase and download a wide array of comics. They also have a number of free comics for download as well. Ninety percent of them are just number one issues to get your beak wet, but I hardly have any right to complain about something free. So here are my thoughts on the free samplings I enjoyed while on vacation.

Mom's Basement Comic Article about Hawaii Vacation by Bruce Osborne

Saga #1

Saga #1

You know what happens when a man swears an oath to never use his weapon again? He’ll end up using his weapon again. There is a one hundred percent guarantee of that. It’s like a universal law of physics or something. But aside from the small bit of obvious foreshadowing, this was a really great comic. It hodgepodges modern and classic literature into something that is ultimately new and very creative. Saga is one of the best first issues I’ve ever read and contains more than enough depth and complexity to build into a super great series. I’ll be sure to get the trade paperback next time I’m in the comic shop.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Infinite Comics

Guardians of the Galaxy - Infinite Comics

There are four of these digital exclusive comics that highlight a character from the guardians’ team. Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, and Groot each get a small side story that loosely ties in the main comic we have to pay money for. The comics themselves have mediocre writing and art, but they do use the idea of digital comics to create a more interesting experience. When you slide a panel, the frames use more of a stop motion animation technique instead of the panel by panel slideshow of a more traditional comic. It shows a creative way to introduce the idea of digital only comics and that they have a place in the future of the industry. So all we need now is a better story and art with a creative multi-issue story.

Fatale #1

CRIM008_cvr

I’m actually ashamed that I haven’t read this comic before. It’s one of those I wanted to wait until the trade paperback came out, but just never got around to. But thanks to the ease of free digital comics, I was able to taste the first chapter. Fatale doesn’t disappoint in any way and Ed Brubaker’s noir style satisfies all of my fanboy needs. It’s fairly a typical Brubaker affair with heavy internal dialogue and deep characterization that feels so human you would swear that you could feel a pulse in the panels. However I should warn you that you shouldn’t read this one unless you’re old enough to be legal for everything except to run for President. Fatale is bloody intense, literally.

Mom's Basement Comic Article about Hawaii Vacation by Bruce Osborne

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Justice League of Anonymous

11 May

The Movement #1

The Movement #1

I try to never fanboy about anything. I’m not saying I am never guilty of it, but I try to be aware of it when it happens. But when Gail Simone (Batgirl, Secret Six, Birds of Prey) writes a new team book about an underground crew of superhero misfits, it’s really hard not to behave like a fanboy in heat. The back of my mind tells me that there is not enough plot building or characterization to love this book to death, but then I remind myself this is a Gail Simone book and that voice is forced to shut up. I will say that this book has a lot of potential, but this first issue spends too much time creating a premise and trying to impress to be fully enjoyable. It is more than worthy to keep reading future issues, but people unfamiliar with the awesomeness of Gail Simone might not be as inclined.

The reason I think “The Movement” has such potential is because it is trying to be a superhero team comic that is relevant to today. This comic explores themes of losing faith in authority and taking matters into your own hands. It is a DC version of Anonymous or Occupy Wall Street if you will. It doesn’t do a great job introducing the characters, but it does quickly establish its gritty anti-authority tone. But this comic does one of those marketing things I hate; which is having Amanda Conner do a great cover, but have someone else do the interiors. Freddie Williams II’s art isn’t bad by any means, in fact the lackluster gritty design fits the tone of the comic, but I would be doing another fanboy flip if Conner did the panels as well as the cover.

Ultimately “The Movement” is a good comic that could turn into something great. Simone just tries to cram too much into one comic and doesn’t give the reader enough time to enjoy it. But I expect this comic to really open up down the road and give us something special outside the usual malarkey. My only concern is that DC won’t have the fortitude to let this comic take its natural progress. But they did hire Gail Simone to write this comic, and she has more gonads than anyone in the business.

Mom's Basement Comic Article about The Movement by Bruce Osborne

Also, in a shameless plug to myself, check out Bruce Osborne on Facebook. I post/link all my stuff there, including chapters on a book I’m working on. Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button as if you’re an addict.

I also write publish works of fiction on my Bruce Osborne Blog. Feel free to read, follow, or even hate my stuff. I don’t care if people like it, only that they read it.

There are too many movies for me to review in full, so I created a twitter account to give brief opinions on the many movies I view. If you wish to read my smart ass remarks, follow M.O.V.I.E. Reviewer @MutantOpossum.


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Free Comic Book Day!!

4 May

Free Comic Book Day

The holiest of comic book nerd days has come once again. Free Comic Book Day! The first Saturday in May of every year the God of comic books, Archie, bestows upon us a selection of free comics so fans, new and old, might take in the wonder that is comic books. And as an extra added bonus, Archie has aligned the stars so that Iron Man 3 is released on the same weekend. So go see Iron Man 3 and swing by your comic book shop afterwards. You can get some free stuff while you engage in a healthy discussion about the movie. And give thanks to Archie.

I’m going to ignore the fact that Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day collide once again, and just list off some of the free comics that may be available at your local specialty shop.

Bongo Comics Free-For-All

Layout 1

The Simpsons comic icon Bongo brings us a collection of four stories and games. It looks to be a worthy pickup for any fan of the show.

Superman: Last Son of Krypton #1

Superman - Last Son of Krypton

This is a reprint of the comic by Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, and Adam Kubert. It is the epic story of Superman fighting General Zod and his Phantom Zone cellmates. It is also going to contain a special preview of the upcoming Superman movie, Man of Steel.

Star Wars

Stars Wars - Free Comic Book Day

This is a Star Wars Dark Horse comic staring Darth Vader and Boba Fett to serve as a gateway drug to the rest of Dark Horse’s comic line.

The Walking Dead

TheWalkingDeadFCBD2013_Corrected

What we have here is a collection of short stories featuring Tyrese, Michonne, The Governor, and Morgan. A must have for fans that contains stuff that you won’t find in the trade paperbacks.

Marvel: Infinity

Marvel - Infinity

Marvel brings us a preview issue for Jonathan Hickman’s megastory Infinity.

Judge Dredd Classics

Judge Dredd Classics

Feel the love of the law in this reprint of old Judge Dredd stories.

The Tick

The Tick - Free Comic Book Day

Sppooooooonnnnnnn!!!!!

Mom's Basement Comic Article about Free Comic Book Day by Bruce Osborne

Also, in a shameless plug to myself, check out Bruce Osborne on Facebook. I post/link all my stuff there, including chapters on a book I’m working on. Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button as if you’re an addict.

I also write publish works of fiction on my Bruce Osborne Blog. Feel free to read, follow, or even hate my stuff. I don’t care if people like it, only that they read it.

There are too many movies for me to review in full, so I created a twitter account to give brief opinions on the many movies I view. If you wish to read my smart ass remarks, follow M.O.V.I.E. Reviewer @MutantOpossum.

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Age of Bendis

27 Apr

Age of Ultron #6

Age of Ultron #6

“Age of Ultron” might be some of the best stuff Brian Michael Bendis has done in a long while. I loved his run on Avengers, but the longer it dragged on the more it seemed he was running out of ideas. And this Ultron comic feels like the Avengers story Bendis always wanted to write, but never got the chance to. While some of the ideas don’t feel totally original, they are blended together in a way that makes everything look fresh and engaging. My own doubts about it involve the needless tie-ins and wondering if this story is going to remain in elseworld or is it going to affect Marvel Universe proper by the end of it. But you don’t have to buy the tie-ins, and I suppose we’ll find out if anyone is going to die and come back to life two weeks later by the end of the series.

Issue six doesn’t have as many surprises as the first five comics, but still remains entertaining and doesn’t suffer from feeling like filler. We’re six issues into this twelve part series, and I’ve barely noticed a trace of fat on it. This particular issue follows two story lines as the Avengers split up and tackle this Ultron problem in different ways. Everything is paced extremely well and ties together better than I anticipated. The ending is even surprising by crossing a line I didn’t expect to cross. But the beauty of writing in elseworld is that you don’t have to worry about how it’s going to affect the other comics. And I would want to sit down with Bendis and ask how long he has been planning this series. I’m willing to bet he had to write the draft over a dozen times before it reached this level of craftsmanship. “Age of Ultron” is a very well built story and this will probably be the most fun you’ll have with mainstream comics all year.

Mom's Basement Comic Article about Age of Ultron by Bruce Osborne

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