Ultimate Spider-Man #118 Review

Cover: Stuart Immonen
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Lettered: VC-Cory Petit

Synopsis: Ultimate Spider-man is the best spider title out there. I love to rant about this title. The stories are fun, the dialog is great, there is a lot to love. Bendis is an amazing writer, he has a way with the characters and the stories are fun, they are what Spider-man should be (I don't know why Bendis doesn't write Amazing Spider-man, seems like a no brainer). We begin with Peter trying to read about Einstein when he flashes back to Harry's death (see previous issue). We cut to this guy (forgot his name) he is doing push-ups and thinking about how much easier if Peter adimitted that he was Spider-man and how he would date Kitty Pryde. MJ is working at the mall when Liz shows up looking very sick. Liz ducks out and complains about how she feels bad. Johnny Strom meanwhile is on a date with a supermodel and are getting swarmed by the media. He is kind of angry so he decides to ditch. Kitty freaks out at school and phases through the cafeteria, Johnny shows up at school, Peter tells him to be cool, Kitty shows up, Peter tells everyone to be cool (insert tension here), Ice man shows up (insert teenage drama) and Peter is trying to play it cool. Johnny goes asks Liz out, they all go to the beach, later around a bond fire, Liz suddenly flames up and becomes Firestar.

Comments: Bendis rocks. That sums it up. Great dialog, funny scenes, awkward teenage adventures, this is the best Spider-man series out there. The last scene was a nice throwback to win Johnny Strom accidentally light up the last bonfire. It is clear now that Liz was a mutant which explains her prejudice and her mood. She prolly has the ability to absorb others powers. Another great thing is Peter during the scene where everyone was coming in. Just him trying to avoid attention and the little stuff like the Doc Oc comments. This should be a fun little arc and so far anything Bendis does involving Ultimate X-men (see Ultimate Spider-Man 66-67) has been humorous and entertaining. This should be a quality arc.

Verdict:
GET IT

Green Lantern #27 Review

Alpha Lanterns (Part 2)
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Mike McKone

Summary:
We begin this issue with a wake-up call from OA to John and Hal. A yellow ring is looking for a new bearer. Our heroes chase this ring all the way to Jonathan Crane. They stop it before Crane gets a hold of it. The Lanterns discover that Laira murdered Amon Sur. We get to a heated debate among the Lanterns if it was justice or murder. The Lost Lanterns turn their backs on Laira and say that it was murder. Naturally, she freaks out. The guardians come out and tell her that she is suspended. They also say that they need a police force that will police the lanterns. Behold the Alpha Lanterns. These guys don't need to sleep or recharge their batteries. It is the greatest honor among the Green Lantern Corps. Many of them accept, but John Stewart doesn't because he doesn't know what he is getting into. We have a scene with a guardian recruiting someone to go find the Anti-Monitor's body. What is weird here is that the guardian has the symbol of the Black Lanterns in his eyes. The chosen Alpha's go to the surgery center, and they are being transformed. They are about to lock up Laira, when she tries to escape. The Alpha Lanterns (they look like robot-aliens) come out. Guardians end the issue by saying it is time to enact the 2nd law.

Comments:
Solid issue. This issue just sets up stuff going forward. We are treated to a new corps within the corps. This will lead to some confrontations with the GLs in the future. The Laira trial was ok, but if they put in the law, why can't she just kill him. Whatever, i don't care too much about her. Art is solid, but i want Reis and Van Sciver back. Johns does a good job introducing the Alpha Lanterns. I don't know why they made them that powerful though. Why make the people who govern the Lanterns stronger than the Lanterns, who actually have to go out there into some dangerous shit. It seems like a waste to have people that powerful just sit on the sidelines and just "police the Lanterns". But i have faith in Johns to make the useful in the broader battles. I still think this is just a filler arc for the eventual run against the Red Lanterns. It is intriguing, but the arc hasn't really done too much for me (in terms of what Johns usually delivers). Very solid though.

Verdict:
GET IT

Countdown #13 Review

Written by Paul Dini
Story consultant Keith Giffen
Scripts by Tony Bedard
Art by Pete Woods and Tom Derenick
Covers by Woods

Synopsis: We start with Earth-51. People are fighting, various superheroes fighting the Monitors. Superman-Prime and the Monarch are going out at it. They banter a little and Superman-Prime it just taking it to him. He decides to rip off the Monarch's armor and unleashes a nuclear holocaust. Basically everyone is killed and Superman-Prime just jumps out and gets ready for round 2. We see the challengers and Earth-51 Batman (recognize) chilling. Donna sees a message that tells her to go to Apokolips. Solomon has just downed Forerunner when Darkside shows up and tells him that life is like a game of checkers, and invites him to play. The monitor hears something and takes off into space and then we see Donna and Jason (word, Red Robin now) arguing over the fiery letters. Some supervillains roll up and Earth-51 Batman (recognize) jumps the Joker. Jason jumps into the fight when some alternate version of Superman caves in Earth-51 Batman (recognize). Green Lantern knocks him away and they all take off except for Jason. The Joker cracks a joke about Batman. The monitor meets up with the Challengers, tells them how the source has contacted them and they should listen. Round 2 of Superman Monarch concludes as Superman rips off more armor from the Monarch and wipes out everything except for one tree (take that hippies).

Comments:
This was a solid issue. The negatives is Superman-Prime (should be boy but thank you legal lawsuits). He sounds like such a little bitch, someone should fix his retarded dialog. I'm liking how Darkside is coming back, he has been jobbing for a while now but now he is getting the push he deserves. Red Robin is also pretty bad ass. He crushed the Jokers' head in with a rock which is top 10 bad ass moments, I'm glad hes getting up there. I hate the Monarch and am glad Superboy-Prime took him out. The dude is a terrible villain, I mean why, seriously, why? Superboy can stick around because he is written well by certain writers and I believe in Grant Morrison. The art varies and sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't, its mixed. Countdown is getting better and hopefully if they fix the dialog, get a villain, and start pushing Jason, it should all be good.

Verdict:
A very weak GET IT

Batman #673 Review

Joe Chill in Hell
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: Tony Daniel

Summary:
We start with Morrison explaining a meditation that simulates death and rebirth. Batman ends his little hallucination in the 13th day. Batman is back in the Bat-Cave, where he comments on how he records everything he does. I am not sure if its real or not, but Batman is talking about his parents death, and instead of a guy shooting his parents, we see a batman with the gun. We go to the house of this crime boss. He is telling his goons about how hard it is to run a crime organization, and how a batman is haunting him and making his life a living hell. He says that he should have shot the boy when he had the chance. After the goons say that they'll take care of the bat, the batman shows up and kills the goons. We go to a with the batman, who says Gotham has never seen someone like him before. We go back to the mediation. 23rd day now, and now he is thinking of when he was a kid looking down the well. He says that that was the time he realized that his parents are going to die, that we are all going to die. Now he is at his parent's funeral, and the little disfigured batman is telling him to make friends with the dark. This one guy at the funeral says that you keep too many of your emotions in you, that you are keeping Tim at arm's length so he won't end up dead like Jason. We go to a scene with Batman volunteering to be in an isolation chamber. Bruce says that he wanted to know how the Joker thought. Robin said it's dangerous to do that and that he needs to stop thinking about the Joker so much. We go back to the scene with the guy that killed his parents. Joe finally figures out who he is and says "OH MY GOD..... I MADE BATMAN". We see Bruce being brought back. The meditation ends at 49 days. He says that Thogal (the meditation) ended a year ago, and the isolation chamber ended 3 years ago. He finally remembers that he had a heart attack on the top of the GCPD building. He wonders who brought him back. It was the evil Batman.

Comments:
Wow. I don't even know what to say about that book. Morrison absolutely did a number on me. I was confused and mesmerized throughout the book. I didn't know who was who, if it was real, or when he was in meditation. I just knew that it was great. We get a real different look at the history of Batman. We get a little bit of his childhood, his days of vengeance, his emergence as Batman, and his grievience of Jason. Grant Morrison's dialog and narration was very good. Grant Morrison shows how complex Batman can be, and why this is why we love him so much. He is not some fluff, but he is some real deep gravy. If you analyze Batman, you can write a book on it. Batman is by far the most complex character in comics, if not in modern literature (seriously). Grant Morrison attempted to get inside that mind, and he did a solid job of it. Of course, Morrison continues this seemingly incredible story with the revelation that the evil Batman saved Bruce Wayne on the top of the building. As you know, the Bat-Cave loves us some Batman stories, and this one has the chance to be up top with the best. We are very excited for this story arc.

Verdict:
OWN IT

Captain America #34 Review

Written By: Ed Brubaker
Drawn by: Epting,
Guice
D'Armata

Synopsis: A new era begins as the mantle is passed from all star to rookie. We begin with Bucky watching over the city. He comments on how fragile life in the US is and how it can fall apart if we let it. We see news reports saying how the Dow Jones is tanking and the new Kronas CEO has raised oil prices sky high (very politically charged Brubaker). The Kronas company is also foreclosing on mortgages through loopholes in the contract the average person did not read (very politically correct). People across the US are rioting about getting shafted and you see the police riot squad laying the beat down on hippie candy asses (not really, but I don't like hippies). Black Widow asks Bucky if hes ready to roll and Bucky says hes down. They banter in the chopper and essentially explain Bucky's role as the new Captain America and his chain of command (nothing). Widow asks why he won't wear the traditional uniform and Bucky comments that he won't pretend to be Steve and that is why he designed a new suit. Bucky suits up and its off to the ass kicking. Some Red Skulls minion are attacking the Wall Street gold reserves when Bucky shows up and layeths the smackethdown on their candy asses. He breaks out the gun and starts popping knee caps (had to mention it). We cut to Stark explaining what the hell is going on to the prototypical politician about how the Red Skull is doing all this and this is part of the grand master plan to take down America (USA, USA). The Skull is talking to some minion who is like a TV about the plan. We see people in front of the white house and Fatus unleashes a post hypnotic suggestion that makes them fire into the crowd.

Comments: USA, USA, USA, USA.... ok enough of that. This was a fine issue. It was meant to establish the role Bucky plays as Captain America. The whole fight scene was meant to establish what type of Captain America Bucky would be as well as the direction of the serious. It is clear that Bucky isn't going to live up to Steve and doesn't have Steve's same sense of justice which is what this issue meant to establish. This issue was very well done, it laid the plot out there, and the characters involved. This issue is a character study of Bucky and sets up this the direction of the comic book, it essentially sets the foundation for Captain America for years to come. Brubaker does incredible character work, the issue sports solid artwork. Brubaker is at the top of his game and hopefully he keeps this up. This is the best Marvel series out there, pick it up.

Verdict:
OWN IT unless your a commie

Daredevil #104 Review

Without Fear (Part 5)
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Michael Lark


Summary:
We start with Lily getting in a Taxi while mumbling about how she is sorry. We go to a flashback with Lily and Mr. Fear. He has his gas floating around, and says that if Lily does what he says, he will cure her. Among these requests is releasing Milla from custody. He tells her that if she does what he wants, she can have what she has always wanted: Matt Murdoch. We go to Daredevil torturing Ox about the location. He does this cool thing where Ox thinks that he is being burned (Matt knocked his vision out so he can't see), but Matt is really just poking his nerves. He eventually cracks and tells him the location. Daredevil says he should be disgusted, but he enjoyed it. Exit Daredevil, Enter Hood. Hood says that he will help Ox. Matt breaks into the Cranston Suite, knocks out the body guards, and proceeds to Cranston's bedroom. He only finds a hooker and a note that says "You are too late.... You will always be too late". Matt goes back home to check on Milla, and finds that she beat up the nurse. Matt gets all protective and tells her its not her fault. The police come and take away Milla, while Matt goes back to thinking. He finds out that there was a smell in the house that he knows all too well. Of course, Matt goes to Lily's house to scare the shit out of her. Lily basically tells all, and that she was to meet him at Hell's Kitchen at midnight for her reward. Matt = pissed. We get to a scene at the Kitchen where Fear is going in with 2 guards to meet Hood. Hood just shoots the guards, and ends the issue by telling Fear that they need to come to an understanding.

Comments:
That was a really good issue. Brubaker is an incredible writer. His character work is incredible. He has turned Daredevil into a serious badass. Daredevil doesn't have any remorse now, as shown by the scene where he tortures Ox (and admits he likes it). This arc has been off and on, but i think this was one of the better issues. All the scenes with Matt were really good, and incorporating Lily into a heel-tweener was a nice step. I liked how Lily has been at the side of the Murdocks the whole time, but Fear was able to get her to go against that, just to get what she wants, which is Matt. The reader wasn't sure if she would do it, but we get the answer later in the issue when the nurse got knocked out. We end the issue with Fear and Hood. This scene was just used to get Hood over and to set up the final part of this Without Fear arc. The art isn't special, but it works with this title. This issue looked a little worse because Lark really made Matt's face look like a bunch of pencil marks.

Verdict:
GET IT

Captain America #33 Review

Written By: Ed Brubaker
Drawn by: Epting,
Guice
D'Armata

Synopsis: We begin with the Red Skull talking to Fatus about their plan and the role Sharon Carter (Caps baby's mama) in their plan. They decide to fake their death because it will give them an advantage of being invisible and allow them to pull the strings more covertly. We cut to the Shield base where Bucky is in an interrogation room smiling. Scientist attempt to disarm his disembodied arm (the metal one) but then it takes them out and goes into the vents. SHIELD then starts to mobilized to get ready to take down Bucky. Iron Man suits up when Bucky jumps him. They throwdown before a bit (well a lot longer than that) when Iron Man basically tells him about the letter Cap sent him. They have a sit down, read the letter, Bucky agrees to be Cap and then the issue ends.

Comments: This was a good issue. A setup issue but still good. Brubaker is a beast of a writer and it shows in Cap. I'm looking forward to the Bucky as Cap. Bucky has got a serious drive to take down villains and avenge Cap which means lots of action and collateral damage and thats fine by me. I'm glad they ended his beef with Iron Man because I didn't see the logic of blaming Tony, people need to lay off the guy, pretty soon Marvel will make global warming his fault (if it's real). With issue 34 comes the new era featuring a new Cap and hopefully Marvel intends on keeping Steve dead or else in retrospect this will be one giant waste of time (this goes into my hatred of death in comic books since it absolutely means nothing). This was a solid issue even though not too much happened. It isn't to crucial and you could survive if you didn't read it but it was good nonetheless.

Verdict:
It earns a solid GET IT