Comic Panel of the Week: Santa calling Superman

The Amazing Spider-Man #649 Review

Today where going to talk about my favorite subject Spider-Man. More specifically the Hobgoblin. So let's not waste anytime, and get started. The comic opens with a South American Dictatorship being attacked by the Rodrick Kingsley the Hobgoblin. Kingsley get the money he made from the assassination, and decides to go back to the United States since Osborn is in jail. He talks to the Kingpin to get a gig, and the Kingpin agrees as long as he does whatever he says. Kingsley agrees, and goes to one of Norman Osborn armory's to get some equipment.

There he finds Phil Urich, who was once Green Goblin. He's there to find something to impress a girl he likes. Kingsley is about to kill him when Phil starts laughing like the Joker. Kingsley is hurt by this since Phil has Sonic waves called the "Lunatic Laugh" that disorienting to most people. Kingsley is hurt on the ground, and Phil takes the opportunity to go Highlander on him and cut off his head quicker then you can say "There can be only one!."

We cut to a undercover reporter who is investigating a gang that looks up to the Green Goblin. She is about to be attacked by them when she is saved by Spider-Man and Black Cat. Spider-Man makes fun of them since they idolize a known psychopathic killer.

Latter Norah, the reporter, is writing the story when Phil comes to talk to her. Phil tries to brag about how he killed the Hobgoblin and found Norman Osborn's secret lair, but wimps out. They are interrupted by Ben Urich, Phil's uncle who is wondering if Phil needs a job. Phil declines since he already has a new gig, as he pulls out the file Kingpin gave to Kingsley. Then we see Peter and Aunt May getting ready for his first day at horizon labs. When Peter leaves, Aunt May flashbacks to the 60's where the art isn't that great and teen Peter looks older then adult Peter.

Peter is having a hard time thinking of something to make when he hears a crash. Phil dressed as the Hobgoblin is attacking the lab. Peter changes into Spider-Man, and tries to stop the Hobgoblin. Peter thinks Phil is Kingsley, and Phil starts laughing again. Spider-Man becomes immobilized, and the comic ends with the Hobgoblin about to cut off his head.

This comic is pretty good. I like the story, and the art. This also feel's like a 1st issue, and is probably a good jumping on point for new readers. However I do have one problem, what's the point of bringing Rodrick Kingsley back only to kill him off. I'm not a big fan of Phil Urich either so that doesn't help. It's still good though, and I recommend it.

Rating: 4.5/5

Comic Panel of the Week: Hit-Monkey

 Awesome.

Justice League Unlimited #7

Today were going to look at something that has to do with Jack Kirby's New Gods. Essentially when the Old Gods died, there came New Gods. They are live on the twin planets New Genesis a planet filled with unspoiled forests, mountains, and rivers and is ruled by the benevolent Highfather. Then there's Apokolips a nightmarish world filled with fire pits, ruled by the evil Darkseid, who is probably one of the most evil villains in the DC universe. Anyway let's take a look.

The comic opens with Superman going to see Supergirl because she ran away from home. They talk a bit, and it cuts to various heroes in space. They're fighting against Darkseid's soldiers. Supergirl goes to help Red Rocket, and it is revealed that Darkseid is trying to use something called the X-Canon to break through the Source Wall.

The Martian Man-Hunter tells her that she should help Superman and Lightray restrain Orion. For those of you who don't know Orion is Darkseid's son, who was traded for Scott Free in a peace effort between Apokolips and New Genesis. He grew up learning how to control his rage, but he still is very impulsive. As such his relationship with his father isn't that great. Especially since it's Orion who is destined to kill Darkseid.

Anyway Orion breaks free from Superman, and is about to attack Darkseid when Supergirl stops him. Orion get's mad at her but Superman tell's him they need to stick to the plan. Supergirl, Lightray, and Orion go to stop Darkseids minions while Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Atom, and Zauriel go to stop the X-Cannon. However they can't stop the cannon, and are seriously harmed.

Orion has had enough, and attacks him. However Darkseid hit's him with the Omega Beam (which is drawn weird in this comic since it's in the shape of the Ω symbol, and I've never seen it drawn like that) which incapacitates him. Supergirl attacks Darkseid telling him that no matter who you are you shouldn't treat you son like that. She punches him into the X-Cannon destroying it. Darkseid angrily leaves through a Boom Tube. Orion telling Supergirl that now she knows what a fraction of his anger is like. The comic ends with Supergirl going back home, and reconciling with her uncle.

This comic wasn't that bad story wise. However it has the same problem all DC all ages books have, the art isn't that good. It's like someone is trying to imitate the art style of the TV show but fails at it. But I did like the comic it's just not as good as it could of been.

Rating: 3/5

Comic Panel of the Week: The Question Strikes Again

Punisher 2099 #1

I'm going to be completely honest I don't like the Punisher. I think a hero should be someone you look up to, not someone who kills people. In the 90's Marvel created the 2099 line of comics, where they explore one of the possible futures of marvel universe. This is one of them. The comic open's with a man running from something. He calls the police but they will not come because he hasn't payed for the Police's Protection. He is then attacked by a gang called the Street Surgeons. However they stop when they notice someone is watching from a nearby alleyway.

It's revealed to be the Punisher who has no skull symbol on his chest in this panel for some reason only to get it back in the next page. I don't like the design in general. I mean what is the thing around his neck suppose to be a collar, and what purpose do shoulder pads have in the future where there aren't alot of people that will use a sword or bladed weapon. But what can you expect from bad 90's art. Anyway he open's fire on the gang. But he stops because shooting them "isn't enough punishment" and instead uses a bat to beat them to death. Are we suppose to be rooting for this guy?

The police are investigating him but his face his blocked out in all the security cameras, due to a face scrambler in his "armor". It scrambles his face into a skull which I have to admit is pretty cool. The only reason the police are going after him because he's helping people for free. Are there any good guys in this comic.

Anyway they call in a guy named Jake Gallows who I later realize is the Punisher. I wasn't sure because of the bad 90's art. Anyway they show him some of the recordings of the Punisher including the Punisher fighting pterodactyl people on a fly bike. This comic just got bit better. Jake flashbacks to the day he became the Punisher. He was meeting his family at the zoo.

They get attacked by a group who's leader Tron looks like Snowflame from The New Guardians. Jake tries to fight back but he get's injured, and his family are killed. Jake get's taken to a hospital, and his friend tells him the got the killers. However due to his father being an important person he get's off almost scot-free having to only play a fine. Jake goes to his collection of weapons, and get's Frank Castle's journal which he found in the police files. The comic ends with Jake becoming the Punisher after reading the journal.

I'm not to fond of this comic. The art is bad, and the characters are unlikeable. Overall this is a generic 90's comic.

Rating : 1.5/5

Comic Panel of the Week: Crazy Wolverine

Well crazier the usual.

Archie's Megaman #1 Review

Today where going to look at Megaman. Megaman is a video game created by Capcom, and probably some of the best games out there. I like the series despite the fact that Capcom is seeming to lose faith in the franchise. Anyway let's get started. The comic opens with Megaman attacking Dr.Wily's castle. He is attacked by the Yellow Devil, and it flashbacks to how this all happened.

A few days ago, Dr.Light is preparing to unveil his new Robot Masters. Dr.Wily comes in, and they discuss that since Dr.Wily helped design them he should get some of the credit. Dr.Light says that that is in possible since Dr.Wily got in trouble for doing Unethical Robot experiments, but he will still be remembered as a factor in the creation of the Robot Masters. Dr.Light goes on stage, and gives his speech. Remember how in the Sonic the Hedgehog #52 Review I said that Archie likes to make cameos in there comics, well this no different. Neige from Megaman Zero 4 makes a cameo in the crowd, which is weird since Megaman Zero 4 takes place around 200 years in the future.

Anyway Dr.Light unveils the Robot Masters. One of the guys in the crowd ask if he's planing to use them as war weapons. Light, very upset by this, says he's through building weapons. Later at his house he discusses why violence should be a last option with his helper robots Rock and Roll. While this is happening Dr.Wily sneaks into Dr.Light's lab and reprograms the Robot Masters. The next morning they discover that the robots are missing and are going on a rampage through the city.

We have another possible cameo here since the reporter is hinted to be Chun Li from Street Fighter. During the broadcast Dr.Wily comes on the screen, and tells them he wants the world leaders to surrender and he wants to be acknowledged as the greatest genius in the world. Dr.Light says their is nothing they could do. However Rock volunteers to become a combat robot in order to stop them

After a montage explaining his weapons the comic ends with him becoming Megaman. This comic is pretty good. It's good start, and a pretty good origin. The cameos while confusing are clever, and they do take away from the story. Overall this comic is good, and it get's better from here.

Rating: 4/5

Comic Panel of the Week: Spider-Island Finale

Someone tell Joe Quesada this is what a Spider-Man comic is suppose to be like.