GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #2 DC COMICS
An issue every week? Always an interesting idea and luckily, this is only a 4 issue mini-series. So, the chances of not being able to keep up the pace doesn’t apply. We get even more goofy schnanigans with the Sirens and their newest member White Rabbit. But no matter what the ladies come up with Punchline seems to be always one step ahead of them. Which I find a bit annoying because I never liked Punchline since day one. So I look forward to seeing the Sirens take her out in two weeks. Leah Williams’s story works well. Worth checking out. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
DEFENDERS OF THE EARTH #1 MADCAVE COMICS
Seeing as I have some of the action figure from the original cartoon series, you can imagine that I never miss a chance to check out the newest incarnation of the King Features heroes. Seeing as the have been around since the early 1930’s, they have that certain something. Dan Didio’s story starts us at the end of the Earth/Mongo War. And while Ming the Merciless might have lost his head, other issues have begun. Who is the pretender to the mantle of the Phantom? Has mankind really decided that they no longer need the Defenders? Did Flash Gordon really do that to end the war? Jim Calafiore’s classic art style add to the feel of the book. This one is definately worth the price of admission but it would help to go back and rewatch the 1986 cartoon series. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
JONNY QUEST #1 DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Even if you didn’t catch this year’s FCBD pre-issue, this issue will get you caught up enough. It will also remind you of a time when young children could have all kinds of dangerous adventures and not have to worry about televisions censors. Jonny Quest continued a trend started by such cartoons as Clutch Cargo. And writer Joe Casey not only know his Jonny Quest plotting but he also borrows an idea from the Venture Brothers. If you grew up during this generation and always wanted to take off to exciting foreign locations to fight giant spider-eye robots and creepy mummies with your best freind and your dog while your bodyguard helped strap you into a jet pack, this will bring a tear to your eye. Did I mention Dr. Zin is back! 9 out of 10 Grahams.
SPIDER SOCIETY #1 MARVEL COMICS
It seems a little late to be trying to cash in on the Into The Spider-verse movie but you can’t fault Marvel for trying. And for the effort, Alex Segura’s story does a good job of continuing the ideas from the movie and the various spin-off storylines generated in the comics. The only real problem with this is that like all the other Spider Universe titles, you simply can’t fit all the variant Spider-Man and Women in. Sure, you can work in brief cameos but that’s it. At the end of the day, you have to narrow your team down to what’s workable. And so only 7 make the cut. And then add in the multiple variants of the Sinister Squadron and it makes for panels just overflowing. That being said, if you love obscure versions of Spider-Man, this one is for you. 7 out of 10 Grahams.
KARDAK THE MYSTIC #1 ARCHIE COMICS
This is one of those times when the stars aligned just right. Does anyone remember Kardak. Maybe you remember him as The Muystic when he first showed up in MLJ’s Top-Notch Comics in December of 1939! Yep, this character’s got some milage on him. Unfortunately, his regular series ended in May of 1942. And aside from a cameo in 1966’s Mighty Crusaders #4, he hasn’t been seen a lot. However, Joe Corallo’s story is simple and gives our hero an update that makes sense and is entertaining. The story sets up Kardak’s cursed amulet and his future villain. I applaud Archie for producing this wonderful one-shot! Keep it up. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #1 MARVEL COMICS
Well, thanks Marvel for bringing back one of the most annoying comic gimmicks of the past century. So to read and review this title, I have to open the sealed bag which ruins the collector’s value and makes it unreturnable. This better be worth the five bucks I just spent by cutting the bag open! But I have been promised the return of the only real Werewolf By Night, Jack Russell. And according to the wrapper, we’ll have some blood and guts. Let’s see if Marvel can live up to the hype. And the answer is … not too bad. Jason Loo’s story has a definite 1970’s feel to it and Sergio Davila’s art is well done. We do have some blood and guts which would earn the issue a plastic bag. Jack Russell is a bit stocky than I remember but we are dealing with an older Jack so I can deal with that. My only problem with the story is the feeling I have that the Marvel Universe is going to start invading the story. If Dracula or the Monster of Frankenstein wanted to show up, I’d be cool with that. But starting out with The Hood and Deathwatch showing up as the first antagonists is worrying. I remember when Iron Man showed up in an issue of the original Werewolf By Night and it definitely had a jumping the shark moment back then. Let’s hope that the creative team can keep up on the Black and White 1970’s Marvel Magazine route. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.