REVIEW DAY!
Welcome to the very first review day, where I take one issue from Dark Horse, DC, Marvel, Image, Valiant, and bonus one from one of the many publishers. Here we got some great comics, with one of them losing some points for being underwhelming in what was promise but is still worth a read, and one comic that isn't so great. Come and find out which one falls under which category!
1. Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #4 (Dark Horse)
This issue was great. In fact, this entire miniseries so far is great. To those who never heard of this one before, I would be surprised if you didn't recognize the name Hellboy though, this pretty much tells the story of Hellboy's first field mission.
And things, as they oh so usually are, aren't as they seem. What was thought to be a spirit killing people in the countryside turned out to be something wackier but in an awesome way.
I don't want to spoil anything so I will say that it involves a Hellboy villain. One that I have only seen before in a one shot story very long ago. And you will see why I recognize him despite it being years since I read a short one shot once you read this series.
It only focuses on two heroic characters, Hellboy and a B.P.R.D. vet named Archie, who work well together what with Archie helping the currently inexperienced Hellboy on what is going on and against some undead husks.
It is also interesting to see a Hellboy who hasn't yet become the badass demon Nazi-fighting monster hunter that we are familiar with today trying to get through his first field mission and still managing to out fight a monstrous husk who also happens to weird an axe.
The art is also great and sort of resembles Mike Mignola's art but still clearly its own. I love it and it fits the series perfectly.
So yeah, I got nothing to complain. With what info I have above, people can probably still get into this despite being so late into story and hopefully want to check out the other Hellboy books. The only negative I have is concern that people will be turned off by the wacky elements I mentioned and alluded to. It is not the norm for Hellboy but shows up just enough that veteran readers won't raise an eyebrow but the same can't be said for new readers.
So with that, I give Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #4 9 chain smoking monkeys out of 10. Oh, I forgot to mention there is a monkey that is smoking a cigarette. It's not really important, only there for two pages and is more of a background character, but it amuses me.
2. Green Lantern #40 (DC)
This a pretty good finale to the old ways of the Green Lantern. But it has some problems both in art and story. Not that there are any plot holes and the art isn't terrible. Not to mention, this doesn't actually give a good reason for the other Green Lantern titles to be gone.
At the very least the Green Lantern Corps could have continued and showcased several of the other minor Lanterns that aren't from Earth. I really don't spoil what happens, so I will say Hal has a plan to get the Corps reputation in good shape again.
And it involves him fighting Kilowog. Who is in on it but isn't happy that the best plan Hal can come up with is this. Kilowog and Hal talk throughout the whole fight with the former trying to get Hal to either stop this or take Kilowog with him. It is a very interesting fight and a little sad as it is basically two friends saying good bye to each other.
The problem is, and is actually the only problem with the story that I mentioned, this lasts almost half the issue and they end up repeating dialogue. The other problem is Hal's face. It doesn't look like right most panels, being too shaded in the areas of the eyes, to the point I thought it was suppose to be a clue someone is impersonating Hal Jordan. Though it is only Hal who has this problem and everyone else is great adding more to the confusion.
There are also a couple of pages dedicated to the Templar Guardians which basically just them saying "We were planning on doing something to bring up Corps morale, but Hal beat us to it and did so in a way that only he could have done." Basically, more proof that these guys were as useless as the last ones but are at least more well-intended.
So overall, good departure, just could have been spruced up a bit and you don't actually have to read the last two issues to jump into this so that's a plus. I am certainly excited for when Hal returns in a status quo this June.
I give this chapter 7 broken Lantern rings out of 10.
3. Saga (Image)
This series is still great as ever. In fact it's so great, I will say the one negative here to get it out of the way. Which is that this issue isn't as reader friendly as I thought it would be. And these reviews and the recommendations from Monday are meant for both people who follow comics are people who haven't yet read them.
So yeah, it is gonna be a little confusing and will need a good look on wikipedia to understand what is going on or whoever everyone. Or just read it from the start. That is as good a move as any.
Anyway, this is just another stepping stone in the overall story and several character arcs. We get great moments from every group, right now it is following three, and one of the villains, who is a father who lost his son and lost his sanity, is starting to realize that he is making a terrible mistake, and get a look at another villain, who is temporarily in a truce with one of the main characters, and how his own personal loss is affecting him.
The artwork is beautiful and is the best I have seen in everything I review so far. Including the reviews from today and the ones for the next two days. I dare anyone to find fault with it.
The story is also progressing nicely, juggling three plots very well and with a nice surprise turn at the end of the issue that shows just how dour the life of the afflicted character in question has turned.
I give Saga 9.7 broken robo TV heads out of 10. Seriously, I have nothing real to critique and it is all so great. The whole series as a whole is a 10/10 right now.
4. All-New Hawkeye (Marvel)
Another great series by Jeff Lemire! This part one of a part five story arc, and I am curious what will be coming our way. This chapter basically balances two stories. One that gives the origin of Clint and his brother Barney. And the other being about Clint Barton and Kate Bishop, both with the code name Hawkeye, having to get a weapon cache from HYDRA.
At first, I wasn't impressed with artwork. Thinking it to be too muddled. Until I learn that is just for the past, and the art being very different for the present. So, I decided it works and it actually blends well.
Seriously, at one point it actually blends with each other perfectly in a single panel, with a scene of the past being shown in a window Clint of the present is running past. I am really surprised by how well these two different art styles can work so well together. And trust me, it usually doesn't work so well.
The two different stories don't blend with each other that well though. The origin story is just an origin story. There are some elements of the past that harkens to the present and vice versa but not enough so far to justify showing it like this. But I have faith Lemire will show why in time.
I give All-New Hawkeye #1 8 soaring arrows out of 10.
5. X-O Manowar #34 (Valiant)
The solicitation lied! This is not a jumping on point! As I mentioned a couple issues ago, this is for both new readers (Whether to comics in general or just the series that is currently being reviewed) and longtime readers. And this is in no way friendly for new readers.
The recap at the beginning doesn't do enough to give all the details necessary. I honestly can't imagine someone just jumping into this and not being confused But fortunately, despite the fact that you need to read Planet Death and Armor Hunters to understand the plot, it's still a good start.
The plot is simple, Aric needing to go to space to save an alien civilization from a threat that belonged to a recent foe of his. But the enemy isn't which is to be expected since they are a offshoot of the Armor Hunters. A group dedicated to saving the universe from the Armor virus at any cost.
We get a look at other Armor Hunters and hints of even more possible confrontations with another threat. Aric shows how much he has change over the series by willingly to leave his people in charge of a friend and going off to save another civilization that he wasn't friendly with in the first place. And being shown how deadly the Dead Hand who do something very up on the oh crap meter.
The artwork for X-O Manowar is great as always, if it weren't for the Green Lantern review above you would probably think that I just think all art looks great by now, although I find it weird of a...okay I have no choice to spoil this just show my opinion. At one point Dead Hand, a group of robots designed to destroy the armor Aric of Dacia has, form into a giant planet like object with a face on it. Odd, but the artwork doesn't do that much justice as in my opinion the face looks goofy.
So yeah, otherwise the story is still interesting and good, and the artwork is great except for a single panel. I highly recommend you buy the entire series, or get it from a friend, and catch up to what promises to be another great story arc.
I give X-O Manowar #34 7.8 Barbarians in business suits out of 10. Okay, that only makes sense for the original 90's X-O Manowar series, but get off my back, the only I could think of is just a generic armor. That and the event that shows how deadly Dead Hand is and I didn't want to spoil it.
6. Cluster #2 (Boom! Studios)
So far, it's good. The opening series puts importance on our main character. And gives reason for the people in charge to look for our protagonists after they crash landed last issue.
We get a couple of action pages as they face a giant monster that is native to the planet they are on. Although, as one of them points out, it was a waste time. Especially since the government implanted a charge in all convicts that will kill in a certain amount of time if they don't return to camp.
There is also an interesting twist that shows other convicts, that aren't the main group, taking actions to get out of their sentence. Plus a bit of backstory for the characters.
You probably just noticed that I deliberately avoiding names. That is because I just read the story and I completely forgot everyone's names, even our main protagonist. Which pretty means they are forgettable, even the most interesting character who is an actual alien and not just a human like the rest of the cast.
The art is okay, not drawing my attention all that much. It could be worse, but it also could be better.
So yeah, the story is interesting, but without interesting characters to invest in, it isn't worth following. Combined with average artwork, makes me decide that this story might not have been so well deserved of a recommendation. But hey, who knows. Maybe it will turn around in the future issues.
I give Cluster 6 exploding convicts out of 10.
I wish I read The Woods instead. That is a series I highly recommend to readers. That is a good book from the same publisher.
1. Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #4 (Dark Horse)
This issue was great. In fact, this entire miniseries so far is great. To those who never heard of this one before, I would be surprised if you didn't recognize the name Hellboy though, this pretty much tells the story of Hellboy's first field mission.
And things, as they oh so usually are, aren't as they seem. What was thought to be a spirit killing people in the countryside turned out to be something wackier but in an awesome way.
I don't want to spoil anything so I will say that it involves a Hellboy villain. One that I have only seen before in a one shot story very long ago. And you will see why I recognize him despite it being years since I read a short one shot once you read this series.
It only focuses on two heroic characters, Hellboy and a B.P.R.D. vet named Archie, who work well together what with Archie helping the currently inexperienced Hellboy on what is going on and against some undead husks.
It is also interesting to see a Hellboy who hasn't yet become the badass demon Nazi-fighting monster hunter that we are familiar with today trying to get through his first field mission and still managing to out fight a monstrous husk who also happens to weird an axe.
The art is also great and sort of resembles Mike Mignola's art but still clearly its own. I love it and it fits the series perfectly.
So yeah, I got nothing to complain. With what info I have above, people can probably still get into this despite being so late into story and hopefully want to check out the other Hellboy books. The only negative I have is concern that people will be turned off by the wacky elements I mentioned and alluded to. It is not the norm for Hellboy but shows up just enough that veteran readers won't raise an eyebrow but the same can't be said for new readers.
So with that, I give Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #4 9 chain smoking monkeys out of 10. Oh, I forgot to mention there is a monkey that is smoking a cigarette. It's not really important, only there for two pages and is more of a background character, but it amuses me.
2. Green Lantern #40 (DC)
This a pretty good finale to the old ways of the Green Lantern. But it has some problems both in art and story. Not that there are any plot holes and the art isn't terrible. Not to mention, this doesn't actually give a good reason for the other Green Lantern titles to be gone.
At the very least the Green Lantern Corps could have continued and showcased several of the other minor Lanterns that aren't from Earth. I really don't spoil what happens, so I will say Hal has a plan to get the Corps reputation in good shape again.
And it involves him fighting Kilowog. Who is in on it but isn't happy that the best plan Hal can come up with is this. Kilowog and Hal talk throughout the whole fight with the former trying to get Hal to either stop this or take Kilowog with him. It is a very interesting fight and a little sad as it is basically two friends saying good bye to each other.
The problem is, and is actually the only problem with the story that I mentioned, this lasts almost half the issue and they end up repeating dialogue. The other problem is Hal's face. It doesn't look like right most panels, being too shaded in the areas of the eyes, to the point I thought it was suppose to be a clue someone is impersonating Hal Jordan. Though it is only Hal who has this problem and everyone else is great adding more to the confusion.
There are also a couple of pages dedicated to the Templar Guardians which basically just them saying "We were planning on doing something to bring up Corps morale, but Hal beat us to it and did so in a way that only he could have done." Basically, more proof that these guys were as useless as the last ones but are at least more well-intended.
So overall, good departure, just could have been spruced up a bit and you don't actually have to read the last two issues to jump into this so that's a plus. I am certainly excited for when Hal returns in a status quo this June.
I give this chapter 7 broken Lantern rings out of 10.
3. Saga (Image)
This series is still great as ever. In fact it's so great, I will say the one negative here to get it out of the way. Which is that this issue isn't as reader friendly as I thought it would be. And these reviews and the recommendations from Monday are meant for both people who follow comics are people who haven't yet read them.
So yeah, it is gonna be a little confusing and will need a good look on wikipedia to understand what is going on or whoever everyone. Or just read it from the start. That is as good a move as any.
Anyway, this is just another stepping stone in the overall story and several character arcs. We get great moments from every group, right now it is following three, and one of the villains, who is a father who lost his son and lost his sanity, is starting to realize that he is making a terrible mistake, and get a look at another villain, who is temporarily in a truce with one of the main characters, and how his own personal loss is affecting him.
The artwork is beautiful and is the best I have seen in everything I review so far. Including the reviews from today and the ones for the next two days. I dare anyone to find fault with it.
The story is also progressing nicely, juggling three plots very well and with a nice surprise turn at the end of the issue that shows just how dour the life of the afflicted character in question has turned.
I give Saga 9.7 broken robo TV heads out of 10. Seriously, I have nothing real to critique and it is all so great. The whole series as a whole is a 10/10 right now.
4. All-New Hawkeye (Marvel)
Another great series by Jeff Lemire! This part one of a part five story arc, and I am curious what will be coming our way. This chapter basically balances two stories. One that gives the origin of Clint and his brother Barney. And the other being about Clint Barton and Kate Bishop, both with the code name Hawkeye, having to get a weapon cache from HYDRA.
At first, I wasn't impressed with artwork. Thinking it to be too muddled. Until I learn that is just for the past, and the art being very different for the present. So, I decided it works and it actually blends well.
Seriously, at one point it actually blends with each other perfectly in a single panel, with a scene of the past being shown in a window Clint of the present is running past. I am really surprised by how well these two different art styles can work so well together. And trust me, it usually doesn't work so well.
The two different stories don't blend with each other that well though. The origin story is just an origin story. There are some elements of the past that harkens to the present and vice versa but not enough so far to justify showing it like this. But I have faith Lemire will show why in time.
I give All-New Hawkeye #1 8 soaring arrows out of 10.
5. X-O Manowar #34 (Valiant)
The solicitation lied! This is not a jumping on point! As I mentioned a couple issues ago, this is for both new readers (Whether to comics in general or just the series that is currently being reviewed) and longtime readers. And this is in no way friendly for new readers.
The recap at the beginning doesn't do enough to give all the details necessary. I honestly can't imagine someone just jumping into this and not being confused But fortunately, despite the fact that you need to read Planet Death and Armor Hunters to understand the plot, it's still a good start.
The plot is simple, Aric needing to go to space to save an alien civilization from a threat that belonged to a recent foe of his. But the enemy isn't which is to be expected since they are a offshoot of the Armor Hunters. A group dedicated to saving the universe from the Armor virus at any cost.
We get a look at other Armor Hunters and hints of even more possible confrontations with another threat. Aric shows how much he has change over the series by willingly to leave his people in charge of a friend and going off to save another civilization that he wasn't friendly with in the first place. And being shown how deadly the Dead Hand who do something very up on the oh crap meter.
The artwork for X-O Manowar is great as always, if it weren't for the Green Lantern review above you would probably think that I just think all art looks great by now, although I find it weird of a...okay I have no choice to spoil this just show my opinion. At one point Dead Hand, a group of robots designed to destroy the armor Aric of Dacia has, form into a giant planet like object with a face on it. Odd, but the artwork doesn't do that much justice as in my opinion the face looks goofy.
So yeah, otherwise the story is still interesting and good, and the artwork is great except for a single panel. I highly recommend you buy the entire series, or get it from a friend, and catch up to what promises to be another great story arc.
I give X-O Manowar #34 7.8 Barbarians in business suits out of 10. Okay, that only makes sense for the original 90's X-O Manowar series, but get off my back, the only I could think of is just a generic armor. That and the event that shows how deadly Dead Hand is and I didn't want to spoil it.
6. Cluster #2 (Boom! Studios)
So far, it's good. The opening series puts importance on our main character. And gives reason for the people in charge to look for our protagonists after they crash landed last issue.
We get a couple of action pages as they face a giant monster that is native to the planet they are on. Although, as one of them points out, it was a waste time. Especially since the government implanted a charge in all convicts that will kill in a certain amount of time if they don't return to camp.
There is also an interesting twist that shows other convicts, that aren't the main group, taking actions to get out of their sentence. Plus a bit of backstory for the characters.
You probably just noticed that I deliberately avoiding names. That is because I just read the story and I completely forgot everyone's names, even our main protagonist. Which pretty means they are forgettable, even the most interesting character who is an actual alien and not just a human like the rest of the cast.
The art is okay, not drawing my attention all that much. It could be worse, but it also could be better.
So yeah, the story is interesting, but without interesting characters to invest in, it isn't worth following. Combined with average artwork, makes me decide that this story might not have been so well deserved of a recommendation. But hey, who knows. Maybe it will turn around in the future issues.
I give Cluster 6 exploding convicts out of 10.
I wish I read The Woods instead. That is a series I highly recommend to readers. That is a good book from the same publisher.
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