Comic Panel of the Week: No way! I can't BELIEVE this!

The person who wrote that is either a really big Sonic fan or just trying way to hard.

Marvels: Book Three Review

---SPOILER WARNING---

If you have any knowledge of the Marvel universe you know the citizens will turn on the heroes faster then a bullet train. This is what today's comic is about. Written by Kurt Busiek and drawn (or should I say painted) by the incredible Alex Ross, Marvels is a four issue mini-series about how normal average day people deal with some of the big events in the Marvel Universe. We see this through the eye(s) of Phil Sheldon a news photographer. So let's get started.

The events of this comic take place during the Fantastic Fours' first encounter with Galactus which I believe started in Fantastic Four #48. The story is about the already mentioned Phil Sheldon, who has been watching the heroes(whom he calls Marvels) since World War II. Now an old man and blind in one eye after he watched a fight between the original Human Torch and Namor. He works at the Daily Bugle with Ben Urich. Various things start to happen in New York like most of it being flooded and the sky turning into fire.

Finally Galactus arrives, and everyone starts to panic. The Fantastic Four try to hold him off but it seems Galactus is to much for them. After realizing that this might be the end of the world Phil decides that he has to spend his final moment's with his family, which he has been neglecting for most of the issue. He starts to walk home, some people are getting drunk, some still hold some hope, and others flee to churches. He eventually arrives home and embraces his wife and children as it seems everything is going to end.

However the Fantastic Four manage to stop Galactus, and he is very grateful. But the next day he realizes that a lot of people think it was a hoax and that they weren't in any real danger. Phil argue with J. Jonah Jameson, who printed that it was a hoax. He eventually storms out when Peter Parker brings in some pictures of Spider-Man, and Jameson is going to use them to make Spidey look bad.

Later he is called away to the White House because of something involving the X-men. As he pass's people on the street he over hears them talking about the heroes are bad. The comic end with him saying "You people! What do you need--the world to actually end?" and the tells them to look on the bright side of things for once in their lives.

This comic is great. The characters are likable for the most part, and the story is very touching. I'll admit it's even gut wrenching at some points. The art by Alex Ross is amazing as always. Overall this is a great book, and I recommend this whole series to anyone. Especially if you are invested in the Marvel Universe or the Fantastic Four.

Rating: 5/5

Comic Panel of the Week: Everyone hates Namor

Including me.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 Review

 ---SPOILER WARNING---

So if you remember back in September I reviewed the first issue of this series. I was not a fan. So 8 issues and almost a year later did it get any better. Let's find out. This comic is a tie in to Scott Snyder's Batman, Talon's are going around attacking important people in Gotham. Alfred has send out a message to everyone in the Bat Family to help. Jason Todd of course get's the message, and goes after Victor Fries. Who many of you should know as Mister Freeze.

Mister Freeze is fighting off the Talon freezing a lot of the city in the process. Arsenal and Starfire go to save the civilians while Jason goes after the Talon. He find them, and Mister Freeze is not to happy. Jason and Mister Freeze get in to an argument, and the Talon get's away. Jason follows him while Arsenal and Starfire try to get Mister Freeze to calm down but they end up fighting. 

Jason follows the Talon to Haley's Circus where Jason finds out the Talons were brought back from the dead like him. Meanwhile Starfire and Mister Freeze fight,she thinks that a man of his genius should use his mind for something more then crime. He tells her that she doesn't know what she's talking about. However Arsenal sub-due's him by using an arrow to that shocks him.

Back with Jason, the Talon asks Jason to kill him because he wants to die on his own terms.Jason presumably does, and he goes to take Mister Freeze to the police. Batgirl is waiting for Batman at the police station, when Jason shows up. She's shock that he answered the call, and she tells him that it doesn't change the things he's done. The comic then ends with Jason, Arsenal, and Starfire leaving together.

This wasn't what I expected. It was actually good. Probably because it was actually a Batman book. The artwork is good, and the story isn't bad. I only recommend this if you've been reading Scott Snyder's Batman though. Now to the characters first up is Roy. I've come to terms with Roy. This is a much younger version of the character, as such he probably wouldn't have his daughter yet. However this doesn't mean that she doesn't exist at all, she just doesn't exist at this point in time.

I still have my problems with Starfire but she has become much more like she should of been since the beginning. Then there's Jason who acts like he always does. However a lot of the plot development he had near the end of the old continuity isn't there anymore. It really jarring since almost every thing that happened before the reboot still happened to Batman. I'm still wondering where the hell Scarlet went. She was more the just Jason's partner but someone he actually cared about. But anyway check it out if your a Batman fan.

Rating: 3/5

"Green Lantern: Emerald Knights" First Thoughts

So yeah, the other Green Lantern movie that came out last year.I admit I'm a little late on this one. Green Lantern Emerald Knights is the semi-sequel to Green Lantern First Flight, the better Green Lantern movie. I have a hard time calling this a sequel since if it's in the same continuity it has to take place before Sinestro turned evil since he's still a Green Lantern and Boodikka is still alive. I also have a hard time calling this a movie since it's just a bunch of short films about various members of the Green Lantern Corp linked by a more interesting story.

Despite this however I did like all of the segments, especially the Laira and Abin Sur segments. The Kilowag one is the most lacking but even that is still pretty good, although I do have to wonder if Sgt. Deegan has been watching too much Gurren Lagann. I kind of wish there was a segment about Alan Scott, you know the actual first Green Lantern. He's so underused. But anyway the acting is pretty good, and the Animation is great. They also throw in some references to some of DC's big events like the Crisis on Infinite Earths and the Sinestro Corp Wars. Overall this is enjoyable if your a Green Lantern fan but if your not you might want to give this a pass.

Rating: 3/5

Comic Panel of the Week: Batman #9

There were a lot of good moment's in Batman #9, but I settled on this one.

"Animal Man Shorts" First Thoughts

So I've been recently watching some of DC Nation's Shorts like The New Teen Titans. However I wanted to talk about this one. I really find these pretty funny, and it has good animation. It's a very original idea. However the reason I wanted to talk about this is because the comic it's based on is probably one of the most horrific and gory comics I've ever seen.

If you think that's bad, that's just the cover.

This is what I like to call the Saturday Morning Watchmen Problem. Where company's take something really mature, and make a kid friendly version of it. I mean if any kid read this book they would be traumatized. It's bad enough most Adult's think superheroes and comics are for kids. But anyway that's my two sense on the matter, go check them out. I'm not going to give a rating this time because there is more then one short, and this was more of a rant then my opinion on the shorts themselves.

Earth 2 #1 Review

----SPOILER WARNING----This comic is recent, as such there will be Spoilers-- 

So the Avengers has come and gone. So let's look at the other side of the pond at DC. At the very first and my personal favorite Superhero team, the Justice Society of America. The JSA played a big part in what got me into comics, so I was understandably pissed when some of my favorite superheroes disappeared in the DC reboot. However DC said they would appear again in this comic. So I was looking forward to this, but does it hold up. Let's check it out.

The story starts off five years ago in the parallel Earth, when Apokolips invaded. Eventually only a few heroes remained, and this was there last stand. Superman and Wonder Woman hold off the Parademons while Batman and his daughter Helena make there way to a beacon tower in order to upload a virus which will stop the invasion. Meanwhile Supergirl is protecting some soldiers.

While they fight, Wonder Woman is shocked by the appearance of the Roman God Mercury. He tells her the Gods are dieing, and that he wanted to thank her for restoring his fate in humanity. He flies off, and Wonder Woman is soon killed afterwards. Superman becomes distraught by her death. He get's overpowered by the Parademons and is killed to. Batman reaches the top of the tower, and tells Helena that when he upload the virus the tower will self destruct killing him in the process.

Helena cry's as the tower explodes, and she is soon joined by Supergirl. They see someone going into a boom tube, and follow them through it. We cut to five years later. Most of the world has returned to normal however there are still signs of the conflict. It's here we are introduced to the young versions of Alan Scott the original Green Lantern and Jay Garrick the original Flash.

Jay is dumped by Joan who want's someone more mature. He goes to look at the stars, and starts to wonder if she is right. Then he notices a shooting star, that crashes near by. The comic ends with him investigating and it's revealed the shooting star was Mercury who warns of another threat.

Alright I'm going to have to start with some good things. For one the art is great, the story and characters are good. In the first part. After the five year time skip, I started to dislike this book a bit. Mostly cause these aren't the characters that got me into comics. Alan Scott is cocky and Jay Garrick is a slacker. I don't have a big problem with Alan since this is before his accident, and I think I remember him being cocky before the accident in the original story too.

However Jay is not Jay. For one he was a scientist in the original story. I know he was a jock but he was still smart. Also it seems to insinuate that he's going to get his powers from Mercury, which I have mixed feelings about since every Flash was based in science and didn't have a lot of magic in it. Also how did the whole Flash running backward in time to stop himself from stopping Zoom, which somehow created the New 52 affect a different Earth. The science of the whole thing is bad already but now it's affecting other Earth's in the multiverse? What kind of sense does that make.

Anyway my problems are a bit nitpicky. I know I might be coming off as a bit of a fanboy. I mean it's still a good book and I will buy the next issue to check out how they handle the Flash. I just think these characters should be handled with more respect since they are some of the first superheroes ever made.

Rating: 4/5

Comic Panel of the Week: Fury Max

"The Avengers" First Thoughts

Today was a long day for me. It was Free Comic Book Day, plus I had to go to the Video game store. Then I had a one hour break, and had to go to see the Avengers. But you probably don't want to hear this. Your here for my thoughts on the Avengers. What can I say, it was great. After 3 or more years of build up it was well worth the wait. The actors do a terrific job, especially Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. However Loki was a bit downplayed in this movie, but I don't want to go into to much detail since I don't want to spoil the movie. However someone who I wasn't expecting to be great was Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner. He was really good.

Everyone gets there character development in the movie. Yes even Hawkeye and Black Widow. After seeing this I really would like a Hawkeye movie. Also I should talk about Captain America for a second. During the movie he doesn't seem to upset about being frozen for 70 years. After the beginning it's only ever mentioned again for jokes. However they did change his costume, which I like since I hated his costume in his movie.  

I did see it in 3D. It was the first and last time I saw a 3D movie. The only reason I saw this in 3D was because the 2D showing was sold out. It's just a crappy gimmick that only makes you pay more money. So i recommend seeing this in 2D, your eyes will thank you. Well that pretty much raps things up. I recommend seeing this, and remember to stay after the credits!

Rating: 4/5

Avengers #1 (2010) Review

As you know, or should know, The Avengers came out today. As such I felt that it was fitting to review an Avengers comic. So let's check it out. This comic is about Steve Rogers (AKA Captain America) trying to make a new Avengers team. Inviting various heroes such as Spider-Man, Iron Fist, and Hawkeye, to name a few. Some of the heroes have there doubts since to them some of the big problems that happened in the last few years was the Avengers fault.

During a meeting they are interrupted by Kang the Conqueror who tells them that there offspring will cause an end to reality.Which probable has something to do with them killing Immortus at the beginning of the book. Kang tells them to go to the future, and stop there children or else he will use a Dark Matter Accelerator to destroy the world. The comic end with Kang returning to his own time, and the reveal that he was sent back by a future version of the Hulk.

There isn't a lot of story in this issue, mostly just set up. However there are some good character moments between Steve and Ironman as well as Wolverine and Spider-Woman. The art is a bit lacking. Some panels are great, but others are pretty bad. It's as if it were drawn by two different people. Over all it's a good start but it could of been better.

Ratings: 2/5

Comic Panel of the Week: The Beginning of the Avengers

As you may know the movie based off the comic the Avengers is going to be released this Friday. So it's time to celebrate. Also I know this isn't technically a comic panel, but I just couldn't help it.