FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON #4 IMAGE COMICS
Eddie Gorodetsky and Marc Andreyko have created an amazing down to earth look at the life of a super-hero. This storyline bounces back and forth between sub-plots but never gets confusing. From the tragic story of the crippled man to the fact that the copyright of the Nick Wilson character may soon come into dispute, we watch Nick as he learns that the real world is complicated and that friends may not be friends and that failures can actually can be successes. Always interesting and thought provoking, this title occupies its own little niche. I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
ENCOUNTER #2 CUB HOUSE
Once again the dynamic pairing of Art Baltazar, Franco, & Chris Giarrusso proves to be the hot new pairing in all ages entertainment! For this issue, the guys reach back into their memories of the silver age of comics in their creation of Cold Blaze, the Thermodynamic Shark. And while the action and humor make this a must read, the fact that plot lines are forming just underneath the surface. Unfortunately, after reading this I’m now craving ribs and ice cream. Read the book, you’ll get it. I give it 9 out of 10 Grahams.
SKYWARD #1 IMAGE COMICS
Joe Henderson’s unique concept proves to be a good read. In a world with no gravity, the sky becomes the enemy and while the new generation is up to the challenge, the older generation is faced with a whole new set of fears. And for Nate, that first day changes his life forever. The concept also brings up wonderful questions like do you just keep floating out into the universe and die from the airlessness and cold of deep space? Is the Earth surrounded by a ring of frozen dead bodies? And with all the action taking place in Chicago, it adds that home town flavor. A very good start. I give it 8 out of 10 Grahams.
ACTION COMICS #1000 DC COMICS
See! This is what happens if you stop rebooting comics and numbering systems! The best thing about this book is that it is exactly what it should be. A celebration of all things Superman. His friends, his foes, his family, his ideals all get a brief page of two of representation here. And with the who’s who of talent listed on the inside cover, it’s a smorgasborg of the talent DC has had file through their ranks. I do however want to point out two things that bothered me. First, is that the alternate covers representing the various time periods do not show Superman in the outfit he wore during that time. If I buy the 1930’s cover, I want the strappy boots. And second, with all this talent on display, can’t we find work for all these talented people? I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
MAD MAGAZINE #1 DC COMICS
As a young man growing up the the late 60’s and early 70’s, Mad Magazine was humor at it’s finest. Over the years, Mad has adapted itself to the new generations. I have not. And so I was already to bash this sign of the times rebooted #1. But the truth is I can’t. The newer, more modern features have been relegated toward the back of the magazine and old favorites and some clever takes on some old favorites were incredibly heartwarming. And so I humbly accept Alfred E Neuman flipping me the bird on the cover. You were right, I shouldn’t have prejudged. I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.