Monday, November 17, 2014

Review # 155: "Daredevil by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Vol. 2"

The second part of Frank Miller and Klaus Janson's epic "Daredevil" run is without a doubt its zenith. It is within these pages that the two really start to push the envelope artistically, relying a lot more on the images to tell a story. For a company that spent decades using words to over-describe its own action, it's a marvel - pun intended - that this art team was able to break that mold.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Review # 154: "Uncanny Avengers - 'The Apocalypse Twins' and 'Ragnarok Now'"

The first volume of "Uncanny Avengers" played at having a mix between "Avengers" and Remender's previous "Uncanny X-Force." Now that mix is pretty much out the door: this is "Uncanny X-Force" with a new title.

And I am not complaining one bit.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Review # 153: "We3"

"We3" is like "Terminator" meets "Homeward Bound." If that alone doesn't make you curious about this story, I don't know what will.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Review # 152 - "Guardians of the Galaxy - 'Cosmic Avengers' and 'Angela'"

Who would have thought that "Guardians of the Galaxy" would become a new banner franchise for Marvel? Better yet, there isn't a comics series that stands to benefit from its newfound commercial success as much as this one.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Review # 151: "Daredevil by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Vol. 1"

I've gone at length before about how Frank Miller's work on "Daredevil" does not get enough recognition, mainly due to the name value of the title character. But it's worth saying again: he may have done his best work on that property, particularly when you consider that he was great from the start.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Review # 150: "X-Men by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee Omnibus Vol. 2"

The second "X-Men by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee" omnibus is a piece of history as it redefines the series and sets it on the path to its greatest era of commercial success. Most of what happens here is an extended, gradual reset as Professor X, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman and Archangel are brought back into the fold and the team returns to the X-Mansion.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Review # 149: "The Days Are Just Packed" and "Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat"

"The Days Are Just Packed" is a landmark book for "Calvin in Hobbes" as it's the first to be printed in a wide format to accommodate Bill Watterson's new, uncompromising Sunday style. Watterson pushed hard for years to be able to break away from the traditional panel numbering and format which allows for the removal of the top two frames. He disliked it, saying the method stifled creativity. When Watterson won the war, he made the most out of it and created the best Sunday strip of the latter half of the 20th Century.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Review # 148: "Deadpool vs. SHIELD" and "The Wedding of Deadpool"

Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan have been gradually pushing "Deadpool" back into Joe Kelly territory. Wade is still funny, but there's less emphasis on his humour for the sake of a corny joke and a lot more placed on his continued insanity.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Review # 147: "War of Kings"

"War of Kings" is a bit reminiscent of "Operation Galactic Storm" in that it's about a war between Marvel cosmic superpower races the Kree and the Shi'ar. However, there's a noted difference. While the classic Avengers tale was about manipulation and conquest, this piece written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning is more about ego. Ultimately, it's a clash between Inhuman King Black Bolt and Shi'ar Emperor Vulcan who who both appear willing to doom their species in the name of what they think is right. Neither man is.