Justin G is a comics addict

I think it's ironic that this book came out the same day as Spielberg's War of the Worlds opened in theatres. Both feature some of the H.G. Wells tripod contraptions. The movie boasted a vaguely interesting script with unoriginal visuals. This book just blows it away, we knew from the opening shots of Mars that we were in for something special here. Don't let the price tag fool you, this is a special pedigree well worth the price of admission considering the grand scope, craftsmanship of both scripting and art, as well as the extra features. Grade A.

Shining Knight #3 (of 4)
DC Comics

This book is getting really good. I wasn't bothered by the Arthurian bits that irked me before, in fact they've grown to be really interesting. The art remains very strong with striking panel choices. Throwing the term "antiquities" around gave it sort of a vague Indiana Jones feel in spots and I'm looking forward to the wrap up. One of the strongest supporting casts I've seen in quite a while. B+.

Albion #1 (of 6)
DC Comics, Wildstorm

Pity that Moore never got to do his follow up project to Watchmen, Twilight of the Superheroes, due to his ever festering fallout with DC. All of his projects seem to have a hint of it present which never has come to fruition. Albion feels and looks like that, like it's trying to connect with that energy, particularly with the "play within a play" feature that Moore borrowed from Shakespeare's Hamlet. While some might think having Moore's daughter Leah handle scripting is nest, it just comes off as kitschy to me - it's just not very good dialogue and I think it's in poor taste. I glossed over from the less than engaging story about half way through and just enjoyed the art which starts as an odd blend of Sean Phillips and Phil Hester, and ends up with a heavy Eduardo Risso influence. Grade C.

Young Avengers #5
Marvel Comics

Still solid superhero comics. I refuse to get sucked into the debate about the questionable sexuality of Asgardian and Hulkling. I don't care. Whether the characters are female, black, gay, or time-traveling warlords, I'm in as long as they're written in an entertaining manner, and they are. Questioning whether they belong in this medium in the first place means we haven't truly accepted them as a part of mainstream society. I'd like to believe that our beloved medium's stance of tolerance is better positioned than that. This is a great books for kids because not only is it fun superhero comics, but it doesn't dwell on issues of race, gender, or sexual preference. It just lays them out there as givens and moves forward with a good story. Grade B.

GI Joe #1
Devil's Due Publishing

Not bad at all. I'm digging the look of Scarlet and the wildly different personalities and opinions of the team members. The book also just feels really weighty, maybe it's the thick paper, the dark colors, or the Casey dialogue, but finally a $2.95 comic that I don't feel cheated by. It feels like we're getting our money's worth of entertainment here. Grade B.

Green Lantern #2
DC Comics

Reminiscent of the old 80's Green Lanterns that I grew up on. Johns has definitely found his groove and is channeling the sound and feel of the fast moving action and thoughtful dialogue that a GL book should offer. There is lots going on here to take in with all of the various sub-plots and Pacheco's solid art is very easy on the eye as it welcomes you around the page. Grade B. Solo #5, Darwyn Cooke
DC Comics

DC's Solo series is such a great idea. What a wonderful spotlight on the modern masters of the medium. Cooke pulls off a great diversity of vignettes that reads more like a really great anthology book. His pieces are also interspersed with an uncredited story about a bar scene with some wonderful background cameos. Really good stuff. Grade A.

Planetary #23
DC Comics, Wildstorm

Planetary is the best work of Warren Ellis by far. The individual story arcs that are vaguely familiar, the cover designs hosting different genres, and the superstory which seems to tie together the canon of all comic continuity is simply amazing. Though it narrowly misses the A+ grade for a laughable publishing schedule, still one of the greatest comic achievements of the modern age. Grade A.

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