Comic Reviews for December 11, 2002
Well, I'm in the thick of final exams right now. I got this little break here and six books to review, so let's get to it.
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Captain America 6
Warlords Part Three - By John Ney Rieber and John Cassady; published by Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights imprint
First of three Marvel Knights offering for the week, and clearly, this begs the questions 'What?'. Captain America goes and fights a generic villain lost somewhere in Silver Age times (though I never saw them before) while giving speeches about government, politics and terrorism.
Right...
Let me just get to the point by saying that this really doesn't explain anything about America. In fact, it goes and tosses half a century of America history away in some meaningless drivel (trust me, I'm a history major). I really can't find much of a redeeming factor here, besides the art. But when were these reviews ever about the art in the books anyway?
Score: 4/10
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Dragon Arms 1
Blood and Steel - By David Hutchison; published by Antarctic Press
First, let me just say that this was released last week, though that doesn't really matter. And next, something that I imagine will happen to me when Core sees this book...
Core: *WHAM!*
Fred: OW! What was that for?!?
Core: This! *points to Dragon Arms*
Fred: So?
Core: You're spending too much money.
Fred: Point?
Core: You don't need to collect another book!!!!!
Fred: Well...it really isn't that bad! Honest!
Core: ... *glares*
Fred: I mean, there is a nice premise to the book, though really unoriginal.
Core: Explain.
Fred: Um...there's a war, and these five heroes are gathered together to end it.
Core: ...So, something like Record of Lodoss War?
Fred: You actually watched that?
Core: No! *gets Brooklyn accent* I haven't freakin' watched it yet!
Fred: Oh...well, you kinda on track with that.
Core: Okay...I should ask Joe...
Fred: Do that. Anyway, this guy, Lord Stone, who leads his small troop of Evil People to destroy this samurai town called Oasis.
Core: I see.
Fred: Yeah, and this guy, Anrack, gets his bunch of heroes together, some of which I have no clue as to what their names are. Hell, they're a very eclectic bunch too.
Core: How so?
Fred: One of the warriors is a cyborg woman in a kimono type outfit with those fan blades as weapons.
Core: Strange.
Fred: Tell me about it. And so, it all sets up, as the heroes teamed with Anrack is about to do battle against Lord Stone's Evil People.
Core: Interesting. How's the art?
Fred: Pretty nice. It's black and white, and the guy, I think, is an American manga artist. I mean, look at his name.
Core: I see it, I see it. So do you like it?
Fred: Yeah, I like it so far. I'll give it another couple of issues; see how it goes.
Core: Yeah, that's great. Hopefully it'll teach you not to spend so much freakin' money on a single book!
Fred: Hey! 5IL3NC3!
Yeah...that's my life...
Score: 6/10
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Elektra 18 *Co-pick of the week*
Everything Old is New Again Part One of Four - By Greg Rucka, Carlo Pagulayan and Danny Miki; published by Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights imprint
Beginning of a new arc, and lo and behold! A cover that actually might have something to do with the story content! (Last week's cover was simply appalling) Essentially, Elektra's new teacher gives her a six page monologue about her past, and it isn't boring either. There's a good amount of stuff explained that I really didn't know about. Also, the Hand is stirring in the shadows, and they have a pretty cool evil looking costume design now too. The stuff with Elektra is really good though, and it's an interesting way to get her away from her previous character.
Score: 9/10
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Project Arms 1:4
No. 7: Groveling; No. 8: Contact - By Ryouji Minagawa and Kyouichi Nanatsuki, English translation by Lance Caselman; published by Viz Comics
Takeshi Tomoe, the third ARMS teen, arrives at the high school and promptly puts a beating on the local high school gang. Hmm...lot's of high school gangs in these mangas, huh? It's pretty much the same stuff as before. I likey, no complainy.
Score: 7/10
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Punisher 19 *Co-pick of the week*
Of Mice and Men - By Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon; published by Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights imprint
Punisher, after a two page inner monologue setup, arrives at the home of Joan the Mouse, a character back in the last Punisher series (written by Ennis). Rather contrived, you say? Besides that, this is really an excellent issue. There is some things happening here that we haven't seen Ennis do before, all the which I enjoy. Note the little scene with the dogs and the accidental shooting of Joans ducks. Some funny stuff.
Is it me, or has this book really been too good as of late?
Score: 9/10
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Transformers: The War Within 3
By Simon Furman, Don Figueroa and Elaine To; published by Dreamwave Productions
Well, the 'War Within' part gets explained a bit. *Flip, flip* My bad, something about the 'war hiding the stragety within' or whatever. It's easy to understand, so nothing to worry about there. Eslewhere, Optimus Prime wonders around underneath the Decepticons HQ until he confronts Megatron. Nothing wrong, really. Turning out much better than the 'G1' mini, simply because this is only dealing with the Robots in Disguise, and not with any other plot devices.
Did I mention that I'm having a very geeky christmas? Oh yeah...
Score: 7/10
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Ever since I put that counter up, a decent amount of people have stopped by to see. I guess it's with the link I have up at fanfiction.net. It's good to spread the word. And before anyone gets confused, Core is my sister. She has her own author name (Disturbed Courtney), and her own web page. If you care to read her cynical reviews, go back one page and click on the full length reviews link. That should take you to her page, at least to her reviews.
Next week should see some X-books and other items. I think there are a couple DC/Vertigo books coming out, which is nice. Can't think of anything else for the moment. Until then, peace.