CRYPT OF SHADOWS #1 MARVEL COMICS
A tragic shame that this book didn’t live up to my expectations. While the original Crypt title featured reprints from early on in Marvel/Timely’s history, there was a certain charm about them with classic art topped with new exciting covers. So perhaps I raised my expectations too high when I saw that this would be featuring new stories by Al Ewing. And while his stories weave in and out rather cleverly, the actually scariness isn’t there. Perhaps it’s just me, maybe as I get older, I’m losing the ability to get really scared. Either way, it’s just there. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
WAR IS HELL #1 MARVEL COMICS
Marvel’s war comics were an institution on their own. Led by Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandoes, Marvel’s war books blazed a trail through Timely/Marvel history. And while this one-shot tries to recoup some of the glory days, it just doesn’t get to the bar. Even with Howard Chaykin at the helm, the stories told here are average at best. Even when they try to sneak in a Twilight Zone ending. I was hoping for a lot more. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
DIE KITTY DIE HEAVEN & HELL #4 CHAPTERHOUSE PUBLICATIONS
The final issue in this current run and everything is revealed. And while I will admit to being surprised as to the identity of the killer, the zany ending kind of takes away from the mystery. Dan Parent’s art still proves that the girls of Archie could be super sexy if the right artist were to draw them. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
SHAZAM! #2 DC COMICS
As much as I hate to admit it, I’m starting to really like this title. Sure, I’m not happy with Billy’s new extended family not only popping up all at once but also that they have to all go on the adventure. The good news is that Geoff Johns’ tale can even overcome the multitude of kid characters. He also appears to have done the research on the Shazam universe. Marco Santucci’s art shines like a gem especially when he is drawing the interior of the Rock of Eternity. Mr. Mind and Doctor Sivana are here plotting together and a new and bizarre missing 7th family member is introduced. And the best part is he appears to have been based on the old Dial H for Hero character of King Candy!And just for fun, throw me an homage cover to the early Fawcett version of X-Mas Comics and a visit from the Lt. Marvels! Good Stuff! I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
FREEDOM FIGHTERS #2 DC COMICS
Finally! A big thank you to writer Robert Venditti for doing his homework and not only giving us the Freedom Fighters but including other Quality Heroes as well. Not only are we given an evil Plastic Man and Bozo the Robot (!!!) but our heroes are transported out by the Blue Tracer. It did this old heart good to see that! Meanwhile, Eddy Barrows’ battle scenes between the Human Bomb and the giant Bozo the Robot are nothing short of epic! While I’m still waiting for the return of the JSA elsewhere in the DC Universe, this title will most certainly fill that void. I give it a big 10 out of 10 Grahams.