Legen--wait for it---dary Comic Book Highlight for 3/4/09

Cover of the Week: The New Avengers: The Reunion #1

In a week were there wasn't really a stand out cover this cover for New Avengers: The Reunion #1 was the best out of the week. While I do not like Clint in the Ronin costume and would rather see him return to his Hawkeye costume I do like Mockingbird's new costume much better than her old one.

Daredevil #116 Highlights

This was just an amazing image by David Aja.

With all the evil stuff Wilson has done as Kingpin he is just one big softy that just wants to be happy with his own family. But........

just like what has happened to Matt over the past few storylines Wilson's past as Kingpin always comes back to haunt him and steal away the any shred of happiness he finds.

It will be a lot of fun to see how Wilson gets his revenge on Lady Bullseye and The Hand as he teams up with Matt to do it.

Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead? Highlights

Even though Guillem March's artwork was awesome in the Vicki Vale segment of this issue this whole segment felt more like I was following someone working at the Daily Planet than the Gotham Gazette.

Terror Titans #6 Highlights

While nothing of note from this issue, other than it being the end of this average mini-series, it was cool seeing Static in action to show that when he joins the Teen Titans they will have some serious fire power.

Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk Highlights

All you need to know about the first two issues that came out 3 years ago.

While pandas look cute they are some vicious animals as Wolverine learns in this panel.

1...2....3....4....5....6.....7.....8....9....10. KO! The Hulk wins?

And this is what we've all been waiting for: Ultimate She-Hulk.

War of Kings #1 Highlights

I never thought I would say this, but I feel bad for Ronin.

Black Bolt definetly knows how to pick a location of a wedding.

Coming this summer Wedding Crashers 2 starring Gladiator and the Guardsman.

Ronin shows how tough he is as it takes three Guardsman to bring him down.

The Shi'ar draw first blood in the war but now they have a pissed off Black Bolt and Medusa to deal with. Vulcan is not to smart.

X-Men and Spider-Man #4 Highlights

Who knew that Wolverine and Spider-Man and Wolverine were dating?

Ah the good old days.

Gotta love it whenever Nightcrawler uses his powers to fight the bad guy.

Just like any good hunter knows Xraven escapes the battle by combining Cyclops and Iceman's powers to make his escape as he fights a losing battle.

Just some great artwork by Mario Alberti as he did through the whole series.

Just as Spider-Man says something cool Wolverine has to ruin his moment.

Legacy Shorts: Comic Book Reviews for 3/4/09

Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead?

Creative Team
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artists: Dustin Nguyen (The Veil), Guillem March (Vicki Vale), ChrisCross (Stephanie Brown), Jamie McKelvie (Leslie Thompkins), and Alex Konat and Mark McKenna (Harvey Bullock)

Story - Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead?

Review
With this issue we officially kick off Battle for the Cowl. And all I can say is that I was a bit underwhelmed. Nothing against this story but this one-shot would have been much better served if it came out the same week as or after Battle for the Cowl #1. The only thing that we get out of this issue is that Gotham City has gone to hell without Batman around. But this is something that is not new since the past few issues of Batman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, and Robin have all explored this aspect of Gotham without Batman. At this point I am already set for Battle for the Cowl to begin since we already had type of story told. Also after the Batman and Detective Comics two-part issue that involved The Veil I still don't find the character anymore interesting than she was in that story.

Still I'll give Fabian Nicieza credit for giving a sense of were Vicky Vale, Stephenie Brown, Leslie Thompkins, and Harvey Bullock some of the spotlight as they will probably only be playing minor to no role in Battle for the Cowl. Nicieza has a nice grasp of how each character feels after all the events they been individually involved in and how each character seems to have hit crossroad in each of their careers. The only thing I found annoying is that I would have like to see Leslie Thompkins reapperance happen in another story that happened after Battle for the Cowl instead of a short appearance in this comic.

On the art side we had one artist doing one characters story each and as always a artist by committee never works and this issue is no different. While each artist did a nice job with their part of the story they were given to draw once it is all put together the art styles of each artist does not blend well for a single issue. Though I'll say each artist was able to convey the dark and chaotic setting of Gotham without Batman. The only exception being Guilliem March who drew the Vicky Vale story was a bit to bright and colorful for the type of story being told here that the beginnning of the issue felt more like a scene from the Daily Planet than a Gotham City newspaper company.

Issue Rating
Story: 6/10 - Nicieza did an good job showing how Gotham looks without Batman but the timing of this issue keeps it from being as good as it should be.
Art: 6.7/10 - Each artist did a fine job illustrating their segment of the story but when put together the different art style do not mix well with each other.
Overall: 6.35/10 - Timing aside this issue might have work better if we also had some more cameos from other major players for Battle for the Cowl since this was the first title that is a part of the event.

Terror Titans #6

Creative Team
Writer: Sean McKeever
Artist: Joe Bennett
Inker: Jack Jadson
Colorist: JD Smith

Story - One Second to Midnight

Review
It may be because I have lowered my expectations of getting anything great from most team books, outside of Guardians of Galaxy, especially when it comes to the recent portrayal of the Titans franchise but I actually enjoyed this issue for what it is: one big battle sequence with little substance. Most of my enjoyment from this issue, and this whole series, has been Ravager as she continues to be the most interesting Titan, even if she is not officially on the team, right now. It was good to see her finally take down the Clock King and get her revenge for being used. Though I don't know how I feel about the Terror Titans still being around since I find all the members to be one-note villains and would have like to see Ravager cut loose and killed each one of them.

From the looks of the final pages of this issue and the cover for the next issue of Teen Titans it looks like Miss Martian, Aquagirl, and Static are going to be on the team. Maybe with the addition of those characters we will get some interesting character interactions which is something Teen Titans has been missing for a while.

Issue Rating
Story: 6.8/10 - McKeever did nothing special but it got the job done as this series is now over.
Art: 7.8/10 - Bennett did a good job with his artwork and was the only highlight of this mini-series as he provided plenty of nice action sequences
Overall: 7.2/10 - I can only recommend this series for long time Titan fans who have been reading the current titles. Just don't come in expecting much from this story or else you'll be disappointed.

X-Men and Spider-Man #4

Creative Team
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Mario Alberti

Story - The Mutant Hunter

Review
Even though the last issue was the weakest issue in this mini-series this still has been a well told story that has explored various periods of the X-Men and Spider-Man's history. Christos Gage has done a great job capturing Spider-Man and the X-Men through the various eras and the changes each character has gone through since the start of their superhero careers.

I found myself smiling as Cyclops and the rest of the X-Men joked about how Wolverine has spent a lot of time with Spider-Man since they are both part of the New Avengers. It's just funny seeing how Wolverine gets defensive about it since it is known that he usually appears in about half of Marvel's titles right now.

The plot of Mr. Sinester creating his own mutant hunting clone using the DNA of Kraven and combining it with the original X-Men is nothing we haven't seen before in comics but like any good comic writer Gage was able to take this story and pack it with some great dialogue and action. Gage keep this issue on a nice flow as Spider-Man and the X-Men realized that they were not just fighting a Kraven clone called Xraven but also themselves as the Xraven used all of the original X-Men's powers with great proficiency.

Even though Gage did a great job with all of the dialogue it was Mario Alberti's artwork that is the real star of this mini-series. Alberti, like Marcos Martin, has done an excellent job with his artwork having a Jack Kriby feel to it. All of the artwork in this issue has a lot of energy with plenty of detail that at times while reading the issue I would just look at Alberti's artwork as the X-Men and Spider-Man try and fight off Xraven.

Issue Rating
Story: 8.3/10 - Gage does a great job packing mixing this issue with plenty of good dialogue and action.
Art: 9/10 -Alberti provides this issue with plenty of great artwork that I hope we get to see him get a run on Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men, or any other Marvel title.
Overall: 8.65/10 - If your a Spider-Man or X-Men fan I highly recommend you get this mini-series when it comes out in trade paperback as you will enjoy all the reference to the various stories in both franchises history.

Legacy Shorts: Comic Book Reviews for 2/4/09

Adventure Comics #0

Creative Team
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manpul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Story - Adventure Comics #247 (reprint); Origins and Omens: Lex Luthor

Review
The first part of this story is a reprint of Adventure Comics #247 telling the first team-up of Superboy and The Legion of Superheroes. It is a nice story to set up the Legion's return to being part of Adventure Comics when it relaunches with the first issue and I am sure many Legion fans will enjoy reading this story again by Otto Binder and Al Plastino.

The back up story is an Origin and Omens story that is going to be running through most of DC's books and this one is about Lex Luthor. This story confirms the fact that the Guardian Scar is working for the Black Lanterns and it will be interesting to see were Johns takes this story over in Green Lantern.

It was an interesting story that sets up a Luthor/Brainiac team. I kind of hope that this forced team up leads to the becoming one being like in JLU cartoon. Though that probably wont happen.

Though probably the big development to come out of this issue is the fact that former Superboy Conner is returning most likely from the dead. I am actually mixed on his return since I think he had the perfect heroic death and he should stay dead. But if he returns as a zombie Black Lantern I may be fine with that since it will add nice drama to Superman, Cassie, and Tim without having to actually to being alive again.

Issue Rating
Story: 8/10 - Geoff Johns did a nice job setting up some of the plotlines for Superman and Blackest Night in the Origins and Omens back up story.
Art: 8/10 - Francis Manapul did a nice job creating a dark mood with his artwork in the Orgins and Omens story.
Overall: 8/10 - With the reveal of Connor's return later in the year and the Adventure Comics #247 reprint this was a nice read from $1.

Amazing Spider-Man #585

Creative Team
Writer: Mark Guggenheim
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colorist: Dean White

Story - Character Assassination: Part 2

Review
Guggenheim gave us two "surprise" reveals with finding out the real identities of the Spider-Tracer(s) killers and Menace. Though the reveals weren't at all shocking it did a nice job rapping up the two storylines that have been going on for the past year in ASM. While fans like me have seen these endings happen many times in ASM many casual fans will still enjoy the multiple endings.

The writing wasn't anything spectacular but what really made this issue great was the fantastic art by John Romita Jr. Romita's is one of the best artist when it comes to letting the art tell the story. The Spider-Man and Menace fight was a crazy battle that has a lot of energy to the pages.

Issue Rating
Story: 6/10 - Gruggenheim did nothing spectacular with the dialogue but he did advance all the various plotlines that have been running through ASM since the start of Brand New Day. It will be nice to see all these plotlines come to an end since they have run there course.
Art: 8.8/10 - When it comes to storytelling ability Romita is one of the best artist to do that as he puts a lot of energy to the pages that jump out at the reader.
Overall: 7.4/10 - While this issue was nothing fantastic it will be interesting to see how Spider-Man escapes being arrested (again) and how the reveal of who is Menace affects Harry.

Terror Titans #5

Creative Team
Writer: Sean McKeever
Artist: Joe Bennett
Inker: Jack Jadson
Colorist: Rod Reis

Story - The Great Destroyer

Review
After 4 issues of senseless gore and a short appearance of Static we finally got a good issue. Even though I have had a problem with all the senseless gore my biggest problem with this mini-series has been the lack of progress with the plot. For the past four issues all we've had is a bunch of teenage superheroes fight one another only to become mindless slaves for the Clock King to use as part of his army. But now we see that complete and the plot finally gets in gear as we see Ravager finally get tired of being one of Clock Kings puppets. Hopefully now that Ravager is done with being part of the Clock King's Terror Titans she doesn't continue to be the drug addict she was in this series and when she was with her dad.

Issue Rating
Story: 7.3/10 - McKeever finally gets the story going though his characters outside of Ravager are all one note villains.
Art: 7.8/10 - Bennett provides some nice dependable artwork that is still inconsistent at times.
Overall: 7.55/10 - With only one issue left in this mini-series all I am expecting is a bloody fight between Ravager and the Terror Titans.

War of Kings: Darkhawk #1

Creative Team
Writer: C.B. Cebulski
Artist: Harvey Tolibao & Bong Dazo
Inkers: Harvey Tolibao & Joe Pimentel
Colorists: Jay David Ramos & Rain Beredo

Story - Haunted

Review
With War of Kings fast approaching I am just eating up everything related to War of Kings. I have always thought Darkhawk had a cool costume and enjoyed it whenever he appeared back in the 90s New Warriors series. Cebulski did a nice job exploring the various parts of Darkhawk's life and how he is trying to maintain a nice home life with his mom and brothers while still doing his superhero thing at Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S and his relationship with his former Loners (underrated series) members. All of this was done in a new reader friendly for those not familiar with Darkhawk's character.

The whole issue did a good job showing why Darkhawk will part of War of Kings and it will be interesting to see were Cebulski takes the sudden appearance of another Darkhawk and a cosmic threat. Also the first issue of Darkhawk series that told his origin was a great extra and it was a fun read to get familiar with how Chris was before he was Darkhawk.

Issue Rating
Story: 8/10 - Celebulski did a good job building up Darkhawk who is sure to be a major player in War of Kings.
Art: 7.4/10 - Tolibao and Dazo did an alright job with the art though it was inconsistent at times. Though I did enjoy how they drew Darkhawk's cyborg armor.
Overall: 7.7/10 - This was a good issue that helps readers not familiar with Darkhawk who will be part of War of Kings. Also the re-print of the first issue of the first Darkhawk series was a nice extra to help justify the $3.99 cover price.

Legen--wait for it---dary Comic Book Highlight for 1/7/09

Cover of the Week: Trinity #32

While I am not reading Trinity I have to say that I have enjoyed some of the covers for that title. Jim Lee continues to draw one of my favorite versions of Batman. Now only if he and Miller would go back to working on All-Star Batman and Robin we can see more of Lee's version of Batman.

Invincible Iron Man #9 Highlights

Only Tony would go this far in order to protect everyone's secret identity while allowing all his peers to continue to hate him.

One of the things that I like about Marvel's "Dark Reign" direction is that they have returned Norman Osborn to being Marvel's version of DC's Lex Luthor.

I think this is the first time I have seen Maria Hill kick some ass. She definitely pwned these H.A.M.M.E.R before she is outnumbered and captured (though she later escapes).

Norman declares war on Tony. With Norman, H.A.M.M.E.R, heroes, and villains hunting him down Tony will have to pull off his best Jason Bourne impersonation just to stay alive long enough to be the hero again.

Secret Invasion: War of Kings One-Shot Highlights

The Chamber of Devices was a cool addition to the Inhumans and gives them the fire power they needed in this issue and in War of Kings.

Pelletier provided this issue with some great artwork and this spread of the Inhumans turning their lunar city into a space station was incredible. I love the little touch of Earth being in the background with part of the planet covered in the Moon's shadow.

The Skrulls learned first hand that you do not mess with Black Bolt.

With the Kree behind him Black Bolt and the Inhumans are one serious superpower not to be messed with.

Terror Titans #4 Highlights

Seeing how power Static is gives me a small hope that when he joins the Teen Titans they will have at least one character I am interested in.

Terror Titans #4 Review

Creative Team
Writer: Sean McKeever
Artist: Joe Bennett
Inker: Jack Jadson
Colorist: Rod Reis

Story - Terror Titans Part 4: Shock and Awe

Review
This mini-series continues to be just as of a shallow of a read as its father title, Teen Titans. Every character in this title continue to be just one note characters. The worse part of it is that all the characters fall under three categories: mind-controlled, manipulated, or evil.

Sean McKeever continues to fail when it comes to develop any of the characters in this title. And while it was great seeing Static in action again, since I was a fan of both his comic and cartoon, he is the best example of McKeever's lack of character development. With the recruiting arc going on over in Teen Titans this title is a wasted opportunity to develop some future Titans. This mini-series could have been a great chance for McKeever to give some underutilized characters like Zatara and Aquagirl some much needed character development since non of the Terror Titans aren't very interesting

One of the only things I am enjoying in this series is that Ravager is in this title. Ravager continues to be my favorite Titan and McKeever is at least doing a decent job showing she is still a badass character. Hopefully after this mini-series is over Ravager will return to the Teen Titans.

The other thing that I continue to enjoy about this mini-series is Joe Bennett's artwork. Just like Eddy Barrows art over in Teen Titans, Bennett continues to improve with each issue. His fight scene were some great visual and he was able to convey how powerful Static is in his fight with Ravager. Static will be a series powerhouse when he joins the team. I wouldn't mind seeing Bennet and Barrows switch off every other arc since both their art styles are very similar.

Issue Rating
Story: 3.6/10 - McKeveer work continues to lack character development and all of the characters are one dimensional.
Art: 7.7/10 - Bennett's artwork was one of the only positives of this issue. He did some great work when it came to all the action scenes.
Overall: 5.65/10 - This mini-series continues to be a shallow read but I have stuck with this series until now and I will see how this story ends with this issue.

Legen--wait for it---dary Comic Book Highlight for 12/3/08

Cover Of The Week: Amazing Spider-Man #579 (Villain Variant)

Nice variant cover of one of Spider-Man's more underused Rogues.

Amazing Spider-Man #579 Highlights

Even though we have seen Spider-Man in a disaster setting hundreds of times before Waid did a nice job making this story feel fresh. Plus it doesn't hurt having a Jameson, in this case Sr., part of this story.

And you thought you had rat problems.

Batman #682 Highlights

Even in Medieval times Batman and Joker are fighting one another.

Batman has a few problems with his partner(s).

This is were Morrison can either erase everything he has done in his Batman run, which would suck, or make it into one of the best twist to Batman.

Terror Titans #3 Highlights

There is no love lost between these two former Titans.

Static Shock finally makes his appearance in the DCU which should please many Titan fans who have been asking for this for years.

Legen--wait for it---dary Comic Book Highlight for 11/5/08

Cover of the Week: JSA #20

While I am not a big fan of Alex Ross interior artwork but their is no denying that Ross is one of the best cover artist in the business and this cover for JSA #20 proves it.

Final Crisis: Resist Highlights

Even with Darkseid taking over the world and the heores forced to go into hiding at least Snapper Carr was able to find one bright moment by banging Cheetah.

Finally after being stuck in a cave the whole issue Mr. Terrific and what remains of Checkmate and the OMACs finally decide to do something other than talk

Iron Man: The End Highlights

See this is why Batman has three different Robins to make choosing his successor a much simpler task.

Even though it took a while Tony was finally able to pass down the Iron Man mantle and he can move on to the rest of his life outside of Iron Man, at least in this alternate world.

Terror Titans #2 Highlights

Right now Ravager is the most interesting Titan out of all the three Titan books being published right now. And this spread only shows why McKeever needs to put Ravager back in the main Teen Titans book.

At least DC remembers that these characters exist but the appearance of all the these teen heroes was just space filler. The issue might have been a better read if McKeever choose to give some time to develop these underutilized characters. Oh well!

Ultimatum #1 Highlights

The Day After Tomorrow meets the Ultimate Universe.

Out of Hanks three different hero costumes/identities his Yellow Jacket identity is still the best and hopefully, if he survives this event, he keeps wearing this costume instead of the Ant-Man one.

At least we don't have to wait two or three issues for the heroes to team up and Loeb quickly got all the heroes fighting on the same side.

Shouldn't we all have a throne to sit on, and Thor's hammer, when we get home.

X-Men/Spider-Man #1

Ah, the memories of the original X-Men.

There was no love triangle better than this one, seriously what guy wouldn't want a hot blond and redhead as your love interest.

We must all beware Kraven's nipples of doom.
I was not expecting this ending and I wonder what devious plot Mr. Sinister has planned involving Kraven in the next issue.