Review - Micronauts #2 (2016)

Micronauts #2 - 

IDW Publishing

Written by Cullen Bunn

Art by Max Dunbar

Colors by David Garcia-Cruz

Letters by Tom B. Long

Cover by J.H. Williams III

When do you know a war is truly a war?  Could a false battle be conjured to cover up the real fight behind the scenes?  The return of the Micronauts from IDW give us a glimpse of this war inside a war with the characters you loved from the past.  After a solid first issue, it's time to find out if we know what is truly going on for Acroyear and the gang.

In the first issue we saw the Micronauts headed towards a satellite pharmaceutical station, only to find themselves in a free fall, while still under attack.  It should be know great spoiler that our heroes survive and find themselves on an unfamiliar planet in dire need of repairs.  They're also wondering if one of the people that crashed with them may know more than she lets on.  Things get really complicated, really quickly and we finally get a look at the true motive of the station that they originally went to investigate.  Plenty of action leads up to a reveal at the end of someone that Oziron knows all too well.

The underlying war between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Science is a clever device that is used by Bunn in these first two issues.  You really try to get a sense of what's real, what isn't and what is simply manufactured.  The art by Dunbar is very true to the era, and certainly makes you feel the nostalgia you want to feel in this story.  It also feels like we will slowly be introduced to more of the characters fans will recognize in future issues.  One problem is, if you are not a diehard Micronauts fan, some of these reveals may get lost on new readers.  You can easily jump into this story in Issue 1 and not be lost, but you may not feel as familiar and excited as someone who was already a Micronauts fan.  This is definitely something I want to keep reading, but must caution that new readers may find it a bit more underwhelming.

RATING:  PICK UP 

Review - Batman #52 (2016)

Batman #52 - 

DC Comics

 

Written by James Tynion IV

Art by Riley Rossomo

Additional Inks by Brian Level

Colors by Ivan Plascencia & Jordan Boyd 

Letters by Steve Wands

Cover by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki & Fco Plascencia

 

How do you follow a legend?  At the very least, how do you follow a team that has had one of the most (if not THE most) successful comic book runs of the last few years.  Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's names will forever be etched in the history of the Batman mythos...but there is a Rebirth coming.  James Tynion IV, also no stranger to The Dark Knight, is tasked with the initial process of the transition.  After the events of the last issue, and the coming changes, what lies ahead for this 52nd issue?

 

From the first couple of pages, you realize that this story is all about moving on.  A fitting theme for us readers, struggling with having to move on from something we are so familiar with.  So we get flashes of Bruce Wayne's past, combined with a heist he is trying to stop in the present day.  We quickly find out that this is no normal heist, something very important from Bruce's past has been taken.  It almost feels like an after thought, because you will easily get lost in the personal inventory of Bruce Wayne and his relationship with Alfred.  In this instance, I think you will be very satisfied with the ending (if you want to call it that) that you are given.

 

As talented as James Tynion IV is, I can't help but wonder if he felt he was given an almost impossible task.  At the same time, it was an incredible honor to be the one to bring this amazing 52 issue run to a close.  Flashbacks can be an unnecessary tool, but the mastery to which they were used here showed just how vital they can be to the story.  Rossomo did a fine job with the art, but it is going to take some time before you see Batman and tell your brain that it isn't Greg Capullo at the pen.  This did not feel like goodbye, more like "see you later."  A great job by everyone involved, and a wonderful way to pass the torch to Tom King in the upcoming Rebirth.

 

RATING:  PULL 

Review - Punisher #1 (2016)

Punisher #1 (2016) - 

Marvel Comics

 

Written by Becky Cloonan

Art by Steve Dillon

Colors by Frank Martin

Letters by VC's Cory Petit

Cover by Declan Shalvey & Jordie Bellaire

 

Ever since Daredevil Season 2 on Netflix, the popularity of The Punisher has skyrocketed.  Given the venue to do justice to the character, Marvel was able to bring a true version of the character to life for, in my opinion, the first time on screen.  With the family friendly angle that the publisher has been on early, bringing Frank Castle back to comics won't be easy.  So when I saw a new Punisher series was coming, I had to see for myself what they would do.

 

The story is based around a drug operation that could change the landscape of military operations and crime forever.  We're quickly introduced to the ground level thugs and their crazy boss.  When I say crazy, this guy just keeps dialing it up, and the reveal at the end is crazy.  You know that The Punisher will be all over an operation like this, but what he didn't expect was to run into someone from his past.  You also know that the government will play a role in this, which we also see throughout the issue.  We also get the classic "who is responsible for all this" type of ending to this first issue.

 

So did Marvel hold back?  No they did not.  You see The Punisher as he's supposed to be, and Steve Dillon is a major reason for that.  His art is spot on, matched very well with Frank Martin's colors.  Cloonan's writing is good, and she definitely sets the stage with the supporting characters, but wasn't really able to take her new Frank Castle toy out for a spin personality wise in this issue.  Given what we have so far, I'm confident she'll be up to the task.  This book definitely isn't a "penny and dime," but is a worth addition to your pull list.

 

RATING:  PULL  

Review - Vikings #1

Vikings #1 - 

Titan Comics

 

Written by Cavan Scott

Art by Staz Johnson & Richard Elson

Colors by Rodrigo Fernandes

Letters by Rob Steen

Cover by Shane Pierce

 

As the first scripted series for the History Channel, Vikings burst onto the scene as a breakout hit.  Ragnar and his group are now in their 5th season, and there have certainly been some changes.  Those characters now come to the page with this new series from Titan Comics.  Now let's see if this book should pillage your pull box.

 

The story centers a lot around the relationship between Ragnar and Floki, who seem to have different ideas on where their focus should lie.  We also see Queen Aslug struggle to rule the people of Kattegat while her husband is away.  In both stories, something happens that could have a big impact on what may happen to certain alliances going forward and the strength of leadership.  It's hard to go into too much detail without revealing major plot points, but we see something happen with Rollo that certainly is a catalyst for the "quest" that will being in the second issue.  There's no real mystery, we know who they're looking for and why, the mystery is in what they might find.

 

Scott was clearly wanting to set an unease tone here, and he definitely accomplishes that.  While some time is spent in the first few pages explaining who the key characters are and setting the stage, everything from the middle of the story to the end feels a bit rushed.  I also felt like the male characters were definitely written better than the female characters, and failed to capture the strength of Lagertha and even Queen Aslaug.  The art was fairly average, but was quite strong in the pages of Queen Aslaug's story.  True fans of the show may feel a bit more attached to this story, but as someone who is not an avid watcher of the series (yes I have watched and am familiar with the characters), the second issue really needs to give me a significant reveal to stick around for more.

 

RATING:  PICK UP 

Review - I Hate Fairyland: Vol. 1

I Hate Fairyland Vol. 1: Madly Ever After -

Image Comics

 

Written & Illustrated by Skottie Young

Colors by Jean-Francois Beaulieu

Letters by Nate Piekos of Blambot

 

Ever wanted to go to a magical place where all of your hopes and dreams become a reality...then, when you get there, it's a complete nightmare.  I Hate Fairyland from Image Comics is the most twisted story ever told about a girl driven mad by a quest she has been on for what seems like an eternity.  So, is this a volume worth a journey to your local comic shop?

 

Since this is an entire volume, I am going to need to be vague, as to not give away any key plot points.  We follow Gertrude, who wished to go to a amazing world of wonder, but started by falling through a hole right on her face.  Every visitor to Fairyland is sent on a quest to find The Key before they can return home.  Little did Gertrude know, that after 27 years, she would be unsuccessful in this mission.  When she finally snaps, Queen Claudia wants nothing more than to get rid of her guest.  Throughout the volume we see Gertrude have to cut and slash her way through many challenges, even if most of those were self created.  By her side the whole time is her Guide, Larry, who provides a sarcastic and defeatist tone that just raises the comedy to a new level.  When the Queen is unsuccessful in ridding her world of Gertrude, she too starts to be driven mad.  Towards the middle of the volume there is a HUGE plot twist that accelerates the story forward to a very dramatic and surprising finish.  We finally find out if Gertrude's impulsive and violent temper get the best of her.

 

To say this book is brilliant may be a huge insult to the insane and creative mind of Skottie Young.  The world he created here is just as unique as it is violent and hilarious.  The book is also self aware, breaking the fourth wall many times and coming up with ways to censor itself that will keep you laughing the entire time.  It's almost like something you would see inside the mind of Deadpool, but amplified by a million sharp axes and fire.  You'll be shocked and amused by Gertrude, love Larry to the point of wanting him to get his own spinoff and get an ending with some serious WOW factor.  The colors by Beaulieu help things really jump off the page and round out this perfect blend of demented violence and spot on satirical fairy-tale humor.  You'll be stunned, sure, but you'll be entertained from start to finish.

 

RATING:  BUY (...and add the upcoming Issue 6 to your pull box NOW!)

 

Review - Goldie Vance #1

Goldie Vance #1 - 

Boom! Studios (Boom! Box)

 

Written by Hope Larson

Art by Brittney Williams

Colors by Sarah Stern

Letters by Jim Campbell

 

It didn't matter if you were a boy or a girl, you grew up with some sort of a detective story.  Whether it was through the pages of Nancy Drew or the Scooby-Doo mysteries, you have childhood memories of those types of stories.  Now we have a new sleuth ready to add her name to the list.  So let's find out if Goldie Vance has the skill to be worth of your pull list.

 

Goldie is a 16 year old girl, who works along with her father at the Crossed Palms Resort hotel in Florida.  We get to see a lot of different characters and personalities in this first issue, from the astronaut loving front desk clerk to a street racer with skunk hair.  The main story centers around a missing necklace, which a guest says is priceless, that Goldie and her partner/boss need to find.  Along with tracking down the missing item, Goldie also has other responsibilities at the hotel.  Oddly enough, that leads to a major discovery and adventure.  Without giving too much away, there is a reveal at the end that may tell us that not everything is as it seems.

 

The way that Larson write this comic really captures exactly what young adult readers would be interested in.  There is a lovable mix of very likeable characters, not so likeable characters and those couple that just make you face-palm because they're boneheads.   Pair that with the illustrations by Williams with the pop of color by Stern, and it takes you right back to those classic stories that have just been waiting to be brought back to life.  Being able to create something new and exciting in this genre is a just another example of how Boom! is taking the lead in trying to get young people into comics.  This book would be a great start for kids and young adults who are really into reading, or if you're just looking for some nostalgia for yourself.

 

RATING:  PULL 

Review - Rough Riders #1

Rough Riders #1 -

AfterShock Comics

 

Written by Adam Glass

Art by Patrick Olliffe

Colors by Gabe Eltaeb

Letters by Sal Cipriano

Cover by Patrick Olliffe & Gabe Eltaeb

 

You think politics are tough now, think about late 19th into the early 20th century.  The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, the rich were getting richer and the poor were in more peril than in years past every time they set foot on the job site.  In Rough Riders #1 by writer and creator, Adam Glass, one man set out to change that piece by piece.

 

Theodore Roosevelt may have been the closest thing the American people have ever had to Batman in a political figure.  He had money, he had confidence and there wasn't a man alive that didn't know he was a badass.  In this first issue, we see Teddy trying to do it all himself, which created quite a burden on his shoulders.  Everything changes when he's called into a meeting with some very familiar and influential faces.  I'm not going to spoil anything, but I'll tell you that there appears to be a secret to one of the events that was the catalyst of the Spanish-American War.  They want Roosevelt to get to the bottom of things, but he knows he can't do it alone.  He begins to assemble a team, and the issue ends with him finding his first and teasing who will be the second.

 

One of the things I really liked about this issue is how they didn't rush the formation of the team on the cover.  The linear story structure by Glass really allowed the story to flow in the right order, and the way the book ended tells me that both the writer and publisher are behind this story for the long haul.  The portrayal of Roosevelt himself was done very well, from his personality to the gritty visuals by Olliffe.  You could read this book and say that there may be some inaccuracies concerning some of the other players involved in this issue from history (when you read it, you'll know who I'm talking about.)  Do not go into this book with that mindset, this is not the History Channel.  Remember that this is a story, and for my money, it's off to a great start.  Shining a new and different light on a major event in American history, with some of the most recognizable names of the time period, definitely makes Rough Riders a must read.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY