my future home?

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Justin G really didn't read many comics this week

I really want to like this book, but Johns and Pacheco are making it difficult. Pacheco's art is beautiful in terms of individual panels. They are simultaneously very clean with smooth like work, while boasting some impressive details. Some of his panel to panel storytelling makes my head hurt though. I had to repeatedly go back and study how one panel transitioned to another and try to comprehend which character was taking what action and how that subsequently got us to the next panel, not very intuitive at all. At a macro level, I really like how Johns is setting up this run of GL. I like his social commentary with the citizens of Coast City, the tension and big reveal between Hal and General Stone, the sad demise of the lone Manhunter, and seeing the Manhunters as an organization gear up for what promises to be a big showdown. That last panel is really exciting. But some individual moments just leave me scratching my head. The Manhunter slams into the cockpit canopy and then the two of them just stand there? Super powers or not, wouldn't the speed of say, mach-whatever, blow them right off? The Raptor is a supersonic jet with alien hybrid technology after all. Then, right when GL's power level reaches 0% and he's most vulnerable as regular Hal Jordan, the Manhunter conveniently leaps off the plane instead of just killing him? Next scene, when the Manhunter sends a blast of energy at the plane to destroy it, he conveniently hits himself on the head with a chunk of aircraft shrapnel which distracts him long enough for Hal to recharge the ring on the guy's face? Ooookay. Being generous here, Grade B.

Godland #2
Image

It's just campy fun! I find myself smiling a lot when I read this book. So hokey, but so enjoyable. Some really nice nods to the Fantastic Four and other 1960's Marvel tropes, as well as Kirby's 70's DC work with Mister Miracle and The New Gods. The depth of self-awareness that this book demonstrates makes it thoroughly entertaining. It's almost as if it is so intensely and deliberately representational of the genre that it borders on satire or self-parody. I nominate Basil Cronus as the villain of the year! Grade A-.

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more comic reviews by Justin G

I literally winced in pain when I saw the damage that had been inflicted to Tony's hand and leg underneath the Iron Man armor. I'm really eating up the way Ellis is portraying Iron man as being quite vulnerable here and still working out some problems with the different iterations of the suit. It really makes the super-soldier-biological-compiler-as-villain concept that much more menacing. Adi Granov's art is also "beautifully dirty" for lack of a better term. Beautifully smooth and soft lines with a very used and worn in feel that seems just right in capturing the dichotomy of high technology ideas with very base motivations and altercations. I'm afraid that with all of the tomfoolery going on in the Marvel U right now, not to mention this title's lackluster publishing schedule, this book will be overlooked as a real hidden gem. Perhaps the smartest superhero comic around. Grade A.

Supergirl #1
DC

Gosh, I don't know. My confusion started when I saw a #0 issue right beside #1 on the rack. Why would DC release both on the same day, I asked myself? Why wouldn't they price a #0 issue cheaper? Oh, it's a reprint of the Superman/Batman ish that intoduced the new Kara Zor-El. Then why didn't they clearly label it as a reprint? Then, just when I think I'm sold on Ian Churchill's art, he goes and adds these wacky bell-bottom wings to Power Girl's boots and makes her look like an over-muscled man in some panels. Just when I think Jeph Loeb has mastered the voice of Supergirl, she says that the whole "Girl of Steel" thing prevents her from getting a piercing. Really? Why? How does she cut her hair or her nails then? Doesn't make sense. Assumably she does it herself with super-strength or a power, which would be the same way she could inflict a piercing. On top of that, there just seems to be too much crammed in here, JSA, Lex Luthor, Superboy, etc. Also seems that Power Girl and Superboy aren't terribly helpful (which is out of character) and serves only to create conflict to advance the plot. I guess I can buy the "suspended animation" while-stuck-in-a-clump-of-exploding-planet line explaining why Supergirl has just now shown up on Earth when her ship was launched from Krypton at the same time as Kal-El's, but couldn't quite swallow the explanation of "two positives" offered by Mister Terrific - and how the heck would he of all people know this anyway? My guess is that Power Girl may not make it out of Infinite Crisis alive, but I doubt I'll stick around with this title that long to find out. Grade B-.

Ultimate Fantastic Four #22
Marvel

Lots of jibba-jabba here about alternate universes and infected vampire-like hero dudes that wasn't terribly interesting. It all just felt like a bunch of white noise that is inconsequential. And once I figured out that they lured Reed into their world only to open a portal to the Ultimate U, it got even more boring waiting for that to play out. Will probably read better in collected format. Based solely on Greg Land's luscious art, Grade B.
(Dan's note: They're not vampires, they're Marvel Zombies!)

Zatanna #3
DC

Though I can kind of see the overarching Seven Soldiers story beginning to coalesce here with the Sheeda appearances and Castle Revolving references, this is still pretty obtuse and non-linear. In other words, typical Morrison. I dig some of this concepts, like "obsolete thoughtforms," but the rest feels a little inaccessible. Breathtaking cover and interior art from Ryan Sook. Grade B.

Hero@Large
Speakeasy

Pretty insightful commentary on the industry embedded in the narrative and sort of mildly entertaining in random spots, but not particularly funny, which is what I think the creators were going for. Grade C+.

The Winter Men #1(of 8)
DC, Wildstorm

I was really enjoying the high concept of this book and the regretful tone of the first few pages, then it turned all dialogue heavy and became really dense. The who's who and what are their motivations foothold became a bit convoluted in spots, but overall I'm intrigued as to where this is going. Really enjoyed the representational art of John Paul Leon that seemed to intentionally lack detail off in the distance. Grade B.

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rubber band man

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RIP Augie the doggy

A couple of days ago my dog was hit by a car and killed. I had a dream about him last night where he was alive and happy and had somehow cheated death. I think that's how I'll try to remember him. Anyone who ever met him loved him, and he was the sweetest, most gentle dog I've ever known. I'll miss him a lot.

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Justin G. and the comics factory

I'm so happy that this book won an Eisner for Best New Series and Best Writer (for Vaughan) at the recent San Diego Con, hopefully generating more buzz and sales ensuring it will be around for a long time. Vaughan's ear for dialogue, crafting of interesting plots, and unique characterization continues to impress. Some may question the plausibility of the Mayor of NYC actually making it past the voir dire phase of jury selection, but suspending that disbelief aside, this is a rockin' book. Top-of-his-game pencils from Tonny Harris and beautiful coloring and panel rendering. Also some interesting commentary on the industry embedded here with the comic shop, Clark Kent style reporter, and some of the archetypes of the supporting characters going against type. Anxiously anticipating the wrap up of this 3-issue arc with The Automaton. Grade A.

Astonishing X-Men #11
Marvel

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is the absolute best and only X-Men comic I've bought and thoroughly enjoyed for at least the last 10 years. Cassaday's pencils are their usual hauntingly beautiful selves, and we must mention the brilliant coloring of Laura Martin. The amber and violet hues in a devastated Genosha cityscape and the subtle striations in the X-costumes are a sight to see. The overall plotting, dialogue, humor, and personal relationships (Kitty and Peter!) are wonderfully presented by Whedon. Grade A.

JSA Classified #1
DC

The long awaited origin story of Power Girl finally arrives and there is some really entertaining stuff here. Johns pulled off a real dichotomy of tone. There are some hilarious and fun beats and there are also some very insightful and introspective remarks in the narrative. Dig the cover logo. I dig that Power Girl is not presented as a dimwitted blonde bombshell here, but she is very self-aware regarding her looks, abilities, and how to play those strengths against the perceptions of others. Amanda Conner's pencils are amazingly strong here, the looks of some of the JSA members (Dr. Mid-Nite, Sand, and Stargirl to name just a few) and particularly the Legionnaires are breathtaking. I haven't seen a cuter rendition of Saturn Girl. Continuity-laden, but not inaccessible. Johns has a knack for "cleaning up" projects like this, so I'n on board Grade B+.

Conan #18
Dark Horse

The boys at "Cheval Noir" sure know what they're doing with this title. Allowing Cary Nord some space to get ahead on the art chores, they enlist veteran and top end talent like John Severin and Bruce Timm for the fill-in issues so they don't even feel like fill-ins, are portrayed as special treats. The two for one approach with the comical back up story was quite a riot also. Pleased to see that a second hardcover was recently solicited. This issue also solidly delivers a wonderfully thoughtful letters column. Grade B+.

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