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5 (15) 4 (91) 3 (44) 2 (38) 1 (7) 3.5 starsAverage score of 194 user reviews
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Pretty good story hurt more by mediocre artwork 2
"Batman Gates of Gotham" has been a fantastic mini-series from the minds of Kyle Higgins, Scott Snyder, and Ryan Parrott. It's been a Gotham City history lesson of sorts, looking back at the founding families of Gotham, the politics behind the city's growth and expansion, and a dark chapter from Gotham's past coming to bear in the present day. It's been a brilliant series that's continually gotten better from issue to issue. So no wonder I was disappointed to find issue #4 fell short of my exp...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Not as polished as last issue, but a good read 0
Flashpoint has, for the most part, been a cool and fun alternate world event made even more interesting by the fact that it ushers in DC's huge September relaunch. Helped by some genuinely good tie-in series, Flashpoint has taken some interesting looks at popular DC characters while maintaining an overall feeling of importance. In other words, I've enjoyed Flashpoint more than most of the recent comic book events. The main book has consistently gotten better with issue #3 starting to bring thin...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Dark and violent yet tender and complex... 0
If there's one Flashpoint issue that provided a stunning, jaw-dropping moment, it would have to be "Batman Knight of Vengeance" #2. Writer Brian Azzarello took the classic Batman and Joker dynamic and twisted it to be even darker and more disturbing than usual. I won't spoil it for you in case you haven't read it, but issue #3 brings it all to a chilling, brutal, and violent conclusion, but not an ending without complexity and heart . Azzarello's story is hands down the best of the Flashpoint ...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Average ending to a great concept 1
The first "Flashpoint Deathstroke" issue shocked me with it's interesting premise and creative flare. It went on to be my surprise Pick of the Week. While the second issue wasn't as solid it still moved the story along and was satisfying. In the third and final issue, writer Jimmy Palmiotti wraps up his story with an angle that's perfectly appropriate for a pirate book...mutiny. And while the book delivers some entertaining moments, it's easily the weaker of the three books. I suppose Deathstr...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Great art mixed with a decent story... 0
Green Arrow is winding down to the upcoming September relaunch but not before finishing up Oliver's hunt for a maniacal cult leader known as Reverend Miggs. This issue slows the pace just a tad but does an adequate job setting up next issue's conclusion. Writer James Patrick starts the story off with a bang but refrains from making this a wall-to-wall action book. Oliver and Donovan have some nice scenes together as they try and track down Miggs. Oliver also gets some help from Batman (Bruce W...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Good but not great... 0
Greg Pak's Incredible Hulk swan song continues with "Heart of the Monster" Part Four. While the series has done what Hulk books should ( feature Hulk smashing and crazy epic-scale battles) it's never felt like it's been on sure footing. It's wandered off in different directions that have never made it feel like a cohesive story. Now Hulk's anger has driven him to full Worldbreaker mode and it's left up to Umar of the Dark Dimension (and former Hulk flame) to try and stop him. Pak's story is sp...
0 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Brilliant from start to finish. 0
I was late jumping aboard with "Uncanny X-Force". While I like the general idea of X-Force, it wasn't until I noticed the fantastic choices of team members that I knew I had to give it a try. After being thoroughly impressed with both hardcovers, the current "Dark Angel Saga" story arc is setting up to be the best yet. Writer Rick Remender strongly builds upon the last issue and gives us some great moments. Throughout the series he has been subtly building relationships between the team member...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Decent story hurt by some mediocre art. 0
The first issue of " Flashpoint Project Superman" wasn't close to what I expected. It focused on a young man who gains numerous special powers through a series of brutal government tests. Treated more as a guinea pig and known as Subject Zero, he becomes something the government can't control. The problem is, he wasn't that interesting and he's not what I wanted out of a book with Superman in the title. In fact, the only glimpse we got of Superman was at the end as his capsule crashes in the he...
0 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
While the idea is silly the issue is a lot of fun! 0
Spider Island is here, goofy name and all and "Amazing Spider-Man" #666 serves as the prelude to this much talked about storyline. In Spider Island, people of New York suddenly start gaining super powers, particularly spider powers. So far this has only been hinted at and we haven't been given much detail. Here, writer Dan Slott sets up the event and introduces his main characters in 30 pages of well written fun. Slott begins this issue in a much different way than I expected. Instead of jumpi...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Decent story that's going through the motions... 0
"Gotham City Sirens" # 25 is the second to last issue in series that will not be part of DC's New 52. The last issue felt like a good place to end the series but apparently two more books were needed to fill in the allotted space. So after having Harley and Ivy taken into custody and the story arc seemingly over, writer Peter Calloway had to come up with something to fill up two more issues. So Ivy breaks out yet again after being offered a chance to kill Catwoman by a mysterious guard. As for...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Emotional, tender, and engaging... 0
Even though I've read a lot of Captain America, I never knew much about Bucky. In "Captain America & Bucky" #620, writers Ed Brubaker and Marc Andreyko dive into Bucky's past starting from his early childhood up to where he joins Steve Rogers. It's the first issue in a five part story and just another example of Brubaker's masterful handling of these characters. The writers start in 1935 and carry us through various key moments in Bucky's life. It almost feels like we are reading Bucky's d...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
A very average issue that should have been better. 0
After a strong start, Matt Fraction's "The Mighty Thor" has been stuck in mediocrity. And while many have enjoyed the series, for me it's never had the pop that a Thor and Odin versus Silver Surfer and Galactus story should have. Issue #4 features some entertaining moments but ultimately it's an overloaded book that never establishes itself. Fraction deserves points for being creative with his storytelling. While Thor and Silver Surfer battle it out, Odin and Galactus find themselves engaged ...
0 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
A giant step up in quality from the first issue... 2
Consider me surprised! The first issue of "Flashpoint Lois Lane and the Resistance" toyed with some good ideas but overall was a muddled mess. In fact I had no interest in continuing this tie-in series. It wasn't until I saw Eddie Nunez's cool cover featuring Grifter that I decided to give it another chance. I'm really glad I did. Talk about a huge shift in quality. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning tried to set things up in issue #1 but the result was a rushed and disjointed story that didn't feel ...
0 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Masterful storytelling! 0
No one can deny that Scott Snyder has a pretty good idea of how to write dark, disturbing stories. Snyder has crafted a terrific arc that employs elements from detective dramas as well as creepy, almost macabre, criminal violence. He's taken these classic Batman characters and immersed them into a nightmarish world that's made even more frightening by it's twisted realism. Snyder constructs the issue with the same tension filled cinematic flow of the previous books. There is a genuine feeling ...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Rock solid but a lot of storytelling left. 3
I loved "X-Men Schism" #1 and even though it was a table setting issue it had some great character interactions and placed the pieces for what feels like an important X-Men event. Issue #2 builds on the first book but in slower more measured steps than I expected. While writer Jason Aaron advances his story it still feels like he's putting things into place. It doesn't feel like it's fully taken shape yet and with only three issue left, it seems like there is still a lot of story to develop. B...
5 out of 6 found this review helpful. -
Overall, this book is pointless 0
Many of the Flashpoint tie-in books have been fun, exciting, and add to the scope of the Flashpoint event. Then you have those that are dull, silly, and basically pointless. Without a doubt "Flashpoint Hal Jordan" falls into the second category. Issue #1 offered very little in terms of Flashpoint relevance but had just enough question in it's ending to bait me in for issue #2. But after reading the second book, the story feels even less important and does nothing to make me even care about what...
1 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Preposterous main story smothers out the good elements... 0
The Invincible Iron Man has been one of the few "Fear Itself" tie-ins that has interested me. But while this has been a fun read, issue #506 spends to much time on the flat, off the wall Tony Stark angle and less on the stories that are actually interesting. Writer Matt Fraction picks up with Tony sacrificing his sobriety to get Odin's attention and hopefully his help. This leads to a drunken Tony leading a group of foul-mouthed, short-tempered "dwarves" in building weapons to slow down the Se...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Satisfying ending but it should have been more. 0
X-Men #15 brings the conclusion to Chris Yost's roller coaster "First to Last" story arc and while the ending is fairly good, it's not completely satisfying. The last issue ended with a riveting cliffhanger of sorts found in the question "What have you done" directed at Cyclops. Unfortunately that question's answer isn't as profound or controversial as the buildup and neither is this finale. Yost should be given credit for his creative approach to telling his story. He's telling two stories th...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
An interesting and fun futuristic tale! 0
I'm a pretty big fan of Jonathan Hickman and this futuristic Top Gun styled time travel story is right in his wheelhouse. This four part mini-series from Image Comics uses a lot of proven formulas but with a scientific twist that Hickman is known for. Hickman gives us a futuristic military story that follows life-long friends and now cadets Valin and Dominic. They arrive at a space station called Valhalla in hopes of qualifying to fly the military's TAC II fighters. Time travel has been incor...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
Better than normal post-event book. 0
Many people weren't that impressed with "War of the Green Lanterns". I really enjoyed it probably because I read it after collecting all of the issues therefore I wasn't annoyed by the delays and out of order release dates that turned off some readers. Reading it all together was a satisfying experience which made grabbing "War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath" #1 a no-brainer. The series ended with a rather startling event that is going to lead right into DC's upcoming relaunch. The Green Lant...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
What a refreshing take on a classic character! 0
I've been anxious for "Daredevil" #1 since hearing an interview with writer Mark Waid about his new direction for the character. Well the issue is finally in my hands and after reading it, it's hard not to smile. There's so much to like about this issue and if this creative team can continue to churn out this kind of high quality fun, there's plenty to look forward to. Mark Waid has said that he has new plans for Daredevil and that's very evident in this first issue. For several years the Dare...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Another great chapter to a great mini-series 0
It's hard to keep finding new ways to describe how good "Gates of Gotham" is. Issue #3 is another well constructed and highly entertaining book that dives further into the history of Gotham city. But even more interesting is the look we're getting into the lives of the "first families" of Gotham in particularly the Waynes. So often the Waynes have been portrayed in strictly positive light but here we see that their first interests in expanding Gotham may be based more on personal gain. I'm lovi...
3 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
Pointless and poorly perceived 0
After Ultimate Marvel's "Death of Spider-Man" I felt that they had to address the impact that such an iconic character's death would have on his loved one's and the universe. "Ultimate Fallout" #1 was a needed introspection but also an emotionally satisfying issue. Unfortunately issue #2 doesn't have near the heart or interest as the first book and comes across as totally unnecessary. The issue is basically broken down into three segments that focus on Captain America, Thor, and Rogue. Brian Be...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Not your typical X-Men vs. Juggernaut 2
"Fear Itself" hasn't really lived up to it's potential and the tie-ins have been bigger letdowns. Uncanny X-Men is one of the few exceptions. In the last issue the table had been set as the Serpent possessed Juggernaut prepares to "cleanse" San Francisco. Issue #541 has Cyclops and his X-Men coming to meet him in an attempt to save the city. It's basically an action issue but one that really amps up the stakes. Kieron Gillen has been hit or miss with his storylines. That said I really enjoyed t...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
A violently quirky character study... 0
With Flashpoint: The Outsider #2 I still don't feel as though I know the purpose or intent behind the series. It has only been vaguely tied to the greater Flashpoint events and it stars a character that we've never seen before. I'm not sure of the reasons behind this book but one thing is for certain, I really love the series. In Michael Desai, writer James Robinson has given us a violent yet complex villain whose unlimited intelligence and resources can only be conquered by his insatiable self...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Feels more like CliffsNotes than storytelling... 0
The Flashpoint Wonder Woman and Emperor Aquaman books have basically been telling the same story but from different perspectives. Each adds a little more information to the bigger story of the war between the Amazons and the Atlanteans. In "Wonder Woman and the Furies" #2 we do get some new information but it's mostly a book that relays things we've already figured out. Abnett and Lanning handle the writing in an issue tha feels more like CliffsNotes than storytelling. It's a decent story but i...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Still good, but a casualty of "The New 52" 0
Tony Daniel's Batman work has been met with mixed reviews. While he has hit some bumps in the road here and there, I've enjoyed most of his work.The latest Two-Face storyline is a prime example why. Batman #712 wraps the arc up while maintaining that old school, classic Batman book feeling. But you can tell Daniel had more in mind. I love Daniel's art but it seems as though his best writing is done when he has help with the pencils. Maybe that's one of the reasons this arc has worked so well. T...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
What a mess... 0
"FF" has been my favorite current Marvel series. That's why it pains me to call issue #6 what it is - an unmitigated disaster. The series has been in the middle of the stellar "War of the Four Cities" storyline but it's completely pushed aside for an issue focused on Black Bolt and the Inhumans. Now I love Black Bolt and love the idea of his return. But why do it here and bring the feeling of accomplishment and momentum that the series has gained to a screetching halt? Hickman has a knack for h...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
Surprisingly better than the first issue... 0
In the background of the main Flashpoint story is a vicious war between Wonder Woman and Aquaman. This war has impacted more of the Flashpoint tie-ins that the main book and at times has been more intriguing. "Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman" #2 continues the story but from Aquaman's slanted perspective. Writer Tony Bedard not only moves the story along to the inevitable climax but also dives into Arthur Curry's backstory (no pun intended). Bedard's Aquaman is a violent, angry Aquaman driven by r...
3 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
Beautifully written and emotionally charged. 2
Brian Michael Bendis continues to cause me to rethink my dislike of Marvel's Ultimate Universe with "Ultimate Fallout" #1. Following the events of the "Death of Spider-Man", this issue focuses on the impact of Peter's death on the people in his life and the people of his city. Bendis beautifully captures an assortment of emotions such as sorrow, confusion, and rage. Early on I felt Bendis was trying too hard to evoke a cheap emotional response from me. But before long I found myself gripped b...
3 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
Still an entertaining Flashpoint tie-in 0
This is normally not the kind of book that would attract my interest. In fact, I skipped the first issue on release day only to pick up the book on a later visit to my shop. Much to my surprise, it was a fun and interesting look into the supernatural element of the Flashpoint world. In issue #2, Jeff Lemire's story follows Frankenstein and his team of eccentric creatures as they try and piece together the strange world around them. While this issue isn't as strong as the first book, it still fe...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Brubaker & McNiven - 'Nuff Said! 0
As a long time Captain America subscriber I kinda rolled my eyes when reading that his series was being split up into two titles including a renumbered book. But once seeing that Ed Brubaker would be teaming up with Steve McNiven, I was instantly intrigued. In this first issue Brubaker gives us what feels look a classic Captain America story. We get some fantastic moments between characters and a story which perfectly blends everything from touching emotional moments to flashbacks to cinemati...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
An overlooked but fun series... 0
Booster Gold may be the most overlooked hero and book related to the events of Flashpoint. He and the Flash are the only two that realize the timeline is out of whack so you would think he's a pretty important character. Yet his entire involvement in Flashpoint seems confined to this one book. This issue continues Booster's battle against Doomsday and for my money it remains a really fun series. Dan Jurgens has put together a nice tight knit Flashpoint tie-in story. Doomsday was turned into a ...
1 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Take note "Fear Itself", this is what an event should feel like! 0
After all the hype and all the buildup X-Men: Schism, the story that's supposed to change the very landscape of the X-World, has arrived. After reading the first issue, this story is already feeling weightier and more important than Marvel's flagship event "Fear Itself". Jason Aaron's first issue is in many regards exactly what you would expect. It's a setup issue that puts all the pieces together for the greater story while enticing you with the series' potential. Aaron lays everthing out fo...
12 out of 12 found this review helpful. -
Going to the well to many times? 4
I've loved Jason Aaron's run on Wolverine and his "Wolverine's Revenge" arc has been rock solid. But issue #12 may be an example of "going to the well one to many times". The last few issues have had the same structure: Wolverine fights one of the Red Right Hand's enforcers while we are introduced to members of their secret group through flashbacks. This structure has worked great in previous issues but I'm starting to want something a little different. Aaron's flashback story in this issue is...
3 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
Never gets beyond the coolness of the concept. 0
I wasn't that impressed with "Flashpoint Citizen Cold" #1 but for some reason I decided to pick up the second issue. After reading it I quickly recognized the same flaws that plagued the first book. The Rogues have escaped from Iron Heights Penitentiary each driven by their own reasons for revenge against Citizen Cold. It's an interesting idea and it's fun seeing Mirror Master put legs to their plan. But Scott Kolins' story never goes beyond the coolness of the concept and it never feels that...
0 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Another strong and rock solid issue... 0
"Detective Comics" #878 was a phenomenal book in nearly every regard. Not only did it feature stellar writing and a picture-perfect tone, but it packed one of the most jaw-dropping endings you'll find. So naturally I had high expectations for issue #879. But even with Scott Snyder's amazing ability to construct a story and put together great dialogue, this solid issue wasn't what I was expecting. I'm running out of adjectives to describe how great Snyder's run has been on this book. This issue...
4 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Not as polished as issue #1 but still a lot of fun! 0
"Flashpoint Deathstroke" #1 was by far the biggest surprise of the Flashpoint tie-ins. I loved everything about it from it's sharp contrast from the mainstream continuity to the crisp, detailed artwork. Issue #2 doesn't pack the same punch but it maintains the same sound structure and tone that I loved in the first issue. Jimmy Palmiotti's story gives us tastes of Flashpoint Aquaman's sheer brutality as he and Ocean Master attack Deathstroke and crew after his ship ventures into Aquaman's occu...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Fun, exciting finale made better by a strong ending! 3
Many people lost interest in the "War of the Green Lanterns" storyline but I've had a reasonable amount of fun with it. I think my enjoyment is due to reading it after I had all of the issues. I can see where reading it according to the release schedule could be taxing. Green Lantern #67 brings the conclusion to the arc but also the first major setup to DC's September relaunch. As with most of these issues, Johns' focus is much more on action than dialogue but considering this is the big final...
5 out of 8 found this review helpful. -
Good, but still doesn't feel as big as it should... 0
As I've said before, it seems that Marvel is great at promoting their huge events but often times fall short on the execution of the event. "Fear Itself" is feeling a lot like that. You can't deny that there is tons of potential with the concept. But here we are at the half way point and the series just doesn't carry the weight it should. Matt Fraction doesn't give us a bad issue here. It's just lacking in certain areas. Last issue we were left with a pretty dramatic and emotional ending. For ...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful.
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