Comic report Card: Adventures of Spawn

Hey, it’s Comic Report Card. Where we look back at older comic storylines/mini-series and grade them. I grade each separate issue then I add their scores together for an overall grade. It’s not he usual way I review something, but since these stories are often at least a few months to a year or two old some of their grade depends on how the stories have aged over time and if they are still enjoyable.

That being said I am sticking to the Rokk’s Comic book Revolution style of (insert #) Night Girls out of 10 along with my grade as well as their use of Synopsis, Good and Bad then ending it with an Overall thoughts.

Today I’m grading 2 comics that tell one story.

It’s…the Adventures of Spawn! A crazy fun re-imagination of the dark world of Spawn. Some may think it doesn’t work and it’s a stupid idea, but I’ve compared it to what the Ultimate Universe did for Spider-man.

Adventures of Spawn actually started as a web comic, for free online, available HERE but 2 one-shots from the 2 issues online have been printed and I’m reviewing them, even if you can just go and read the comics for free online.

Adventures of Spawn #1

Written: Jonathan David Goff

Art: Khary Randolph

Colors: Jason Gonzalez and Joe Ferstl

Synopsis: We first get an introduction to the villains. Mammon the leader. Tiffany the Angel who was abandoned by her lover the Redeemer. Cy-Gor the cybernetic gorilla. Overt-kill the machine based man. We see see them as their plan begins and they get ready to dominate the world.

A Reporter is (shockingly) reporting and talking about what a great day it is when Overt-Kill attacks the local New York Museum. After crashing and making a big explosion Overt-kill shouts at the reporter “Where-Is-the Stone?!”

Shifting to the San Diego zoo is Al Simmons, his wife Wanda and their daughter Cyan. (Al Simmons is the hero Spawn X who is given this power from the Necro stone. He is also still a mercenary like in the original comic.) As the family visits the monkeys the monkeys are hostile shouting and looking at the Simmons family.

We cut to Omega Spawn (robotic version of Spawn from the future who went back in time) working on building his Omega Squad (basically duplicates of himself) when Redeemer walks up and tells Omega Spawn to beam him out of their surveillance satellite, that he has a meeting with the council of Light. Redeemer is soon beamed out (Scottie! I like this Spawn, it’s exciting!)

Just when Omega Spawn finds out that Overt-Kill has attacked the museum Plague demons (Mammon’s minions) have invaded the Satellite and are flooding the place fast. Omega Spawn tells the computer to turn off the Jump Drive which is where the Plague Demons are getting in from.

Redeemer gets to the hall of light to meet the council when he, in shock, finds the entire council has been murdered. Tiffany, his ex-lover, stands in the middle of their table with their blood on her sword and she grins at Redeemer. After finding out that she let Mammon into the hall of light Mammon leaves and they start fighting.

Overt-kill grabs the Awakening stone and police draw guns on him. In response he draws his chainsaw.

The monkeys attack Al Simmons, after his family gets away he is swarmed by monkeys and soon transforms into Spawn X. He takes out a few monkeys when Cy-Gor strikes, pinning Spawn down and creepily saying “Now…it’s lunch time”

Omega spawn gets the Omega Squadron online and tells them to “bust some heads” (best line in the entire comic) While the Omega Squadron take care of the Plague Demons Omega Spawn heads down to earth to take care of Overt-Kill.

Redeemer and Tiffany fight, Redeemer confused still as to why Tiffany betrayed him. She says it was because he left her to join Spawn X and that she was abandoned. Just as she gets a killing blow on Redeemer the noise “Bzz-“is heard.

Just as Cy-Gor is about to take a bite out of Spawn X he gets blasted off and they fight.

Omega Spawn soon arrives and knocks Overt-Kill down. When Overt-Kill gets agitated Omega Spawn pulls out his buster (wait, is this Megaman? I’d play Megaman even more if Omega Spawn was in it!) and warns him that it packs a big punch. Just as Spawn and Redeemer have been teleported out of their fights to Omega Spawn.

Mammon shows up and has brought Cy-Gor and Tiffany with him, the heroes and villains face off to get the Awakening Stone. Leaving the first issue off on a cliff-hanger.

Commentary

The Good: Adventures of Spawn has tons of great moments, characters and some enjoyable art. It’s a unique and fun twist on a series that never really seemed to fit with the idea of being kid friendly. Even if this entire issue isn’t suitable for younger kids.

What Goff did such a great job with this entire spin-off was he created a more all ages friendly book without dumbing it down. Not an easy task nowadays as most writers will write off an all ages comic as an excuse for simple dumb writing that doesn’t even seem somewhat interesting. Goff however does a great job of making an accessible comic and keeps it entertaining and not stupid fun.

Spawn X is a silly name I admit but the character is done nicely here. He has some great dialogue and it was really interesting to see how Al Simmons lives his life as a family man while balancing being a hero. It’s a really good spin on things and Goff also handles that nicely.

Turning Redeemer from Spawn’s biggest enemy into his ally was a very cool spin for the character. I also liked how it seems there was a deeper history to Redeemer of all people but he abandoned it all for his new role as protector alongside Spawn X. He’s a great character.

Omega Spawn was just plain awesome. Sure he’s a bit of a cheesy character, the idea of a robot from the future isn’t too original but he still is great. He’s got this very distinct personality where he doesn’t just feel like some cheap robotic stock character and he has some very badass moments. Why Omega Spawn hasn’t gotten his own spin-off series by now is beyond me.

Most of the villains are handled well enough. Mammon was a good choice at the time as he was the grand force behind the whole Spawn series in the first place but I was frustrated to see the Phlebiac Brothers pushed to the side for a mini-comic and rather Overt-kill took their place. They deserved his spot more.

I liked the idea of Tiffany as the love scorned angel who betrayed her brothers and sisters for revenge. It’s a classic idea and Goff really makes it work. Showing that in her loss of her lover she went nuts and Mammon took advantage of that.

I did like the simple premise of it and how it was handled. Goff doesn’t push himself too hard to try and make a simple fun premise into something too serious or interesting. He does well with what he’s got.

Randolph’s art is strong at times and the character redesigns are nicely handled. Randolph does a great job of telling a story with his art and packs a lot of great stylish action into his artwork here.

Though story itself is simply very well done and along with it the art fits near perfectly. Goff packs tons of great moments and tells an entertaining read from start to finish.

The Bad: Goff floods the pages at times with narration. It gets insane. While his story flow is nice, it’s so frustrating that there’s tons of text here and most of it is pointless. While the actual dialogue between characters is nicely done, this random narrator in yellow boxes is just annoying and it feels like it was Goff trying to add more to an already enjoyable and full storyline.

I am not too fond of Overt-Kill here. He’s all right, but he’s become such a C-list villain over the years that I would have preferred a more memorable Spawn villain in his place.

While Randolph’s art is good, the coloring falls a little flat. (I didn’t notice this until reading issue #2, mind you) but the coloring doesn’t really pop or give the stylish great art much definition. It’s a little disappointing when these great character designs have coloring that falls so flat and looks boring, not really complimenting the great art and even becoming a bit of detraction for it.

Overall: With good and bad to say about it, the first issue of Adventures of Spawn was a bold new attempt from TMP and overall it paid off well enough. It was a smart and fun recreation of an already enjoyable series and for that it gets good marks.

Story: 7 Night Girls out of 10

Art: 8 Night Girls out of 10

Overall: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10

Grade: B-

Adventures of Spawn #2

Written: Jonathan David Goff

Art: Khary Randolph

Colors: Avalon Studios

Synopsis: Mammon has a brief monologue then shouts for the villains to bring him the Awakening Stone. Spawn says that’s not going to happen. Mammon tells the villains that no matter what they lose it will be worth the reward if they bring him the Awakening Stone. Also that any Plague Demon that brings him the stone will be upgrade to Terror demon.

As the fight starts up Spawn tells Omega to get the Squadron there now as they can’t handle the villains and go after the Stone. Tiffany says they are not enough and Spawn wonders if she can be redeemed, but she replies that she’s already been saved by Mammon.

As Omega is pounded into the ground by Overt-Kill Spawn tells him not to worry but soon the Plague Demons have their hands on the stone. Just before he can stop them Cy-Gor punches Spawn and the 2 continue their fight, Spawn trying to out-maneuver Cy-Gor. Cy-Gor gets Spawn down ,telling him that he plans to steal

Spawn’s K7-Leetha (the suit that grants his power) and use it for himself, shouting “Imagine the possibilities” with the sight of him standing on the bodies of the heroes and villains as the world burns behind him.

Just as Overt-Kill stars digging into Omega’s shoulder with a chainsaw the Omega Squadron show up. They take out Cy-Gor and Tiffany then go to town on the Plague Demons (Damn, where can I get myself an Omega Squadron? Their this good on villains, I bet they could do wonders for my lawn)

Tiffany and Cy-Gor are back up, the heroes switch enemies. Redeemer takes on Cy-Gor, Omega against Tiffany then Spawn and Overt-Kill. Spawn quickly trashes Overt-Kill but it’s too late, Mammon as the stone and the Omega Squadron has been dismantled. (On second thought I’m going to cancel that order)

Mammon starts chanting some ancient language with the stone to open a portal and bring back his evil master Malebolgia (the roles are reversed this time I see) but Spawn stops him and grabs the stone then flees into the sky with it. Mid-flight mammon cuts him off high in the sky and grabs the stone then Spawn by the throat.

Mammon starts draining Spawn’s power from the Necro Stone, soon taking the stone out of Al Simmons body and just when Mammon almost has it Al Simmons focuses what power he has left into a giant spiked gauntlet and knocks Mammon down and grabs both Stones.

Mammon and all his demons are suddenly warped by the R-factor, a warp that randomly teleports them anywhere in the universe. Spawn is worried that this isn’t over even though the day is one, that this is just the beginning.

Commentary:

The Good: Issue #2 is a huge improvement over #1. With a bout a year to look back on #1 no doubt Goff saw what he did wrong and sought to correct his major mistake of the frustrating narration that flooded every few pages.

Narration is still there, but this time it’s from Spawn X himself which was a smart decision. Rather than some random narrator we can’t see we actually know who’s narrating and how they know what’s going on so we feel more of a reason to read the narration and the narration itself is more worth it.

The characters continue to be great. Even though I still dislike Overt-Kill it was worth it seeing Spawn smash his body and then his severed head whining about it.

I liked the little “you can do it!” moment with Spawn X nearly about to have all his power drained when he gets one last punch and takes out Mammon with it. It was a great scene and not really something we get in the main Spawn series which is disappointing as it’s so great.

I thought it was very cool when Tiffany said “I’ve already been saved” as a twist that she actually thinks Mammon saved her from herself. It’s funny and speaks loud for her character.

I liked the Omega Squadron a lot more this time around, they where great. Really badass and cool. It’s a shame they got torn apart so soon.

The artwork is it’s usual greatness, but it’s a lot better thanks to the expertise coloring. The coloring gives the art huge style and a great effect. Some incredible definition and it just looks gorgeous. Unlike last time where the coloring was just boring with the coloring here it was incredible and it proves just how important colorists really are as they turned strong great art into absolutely incredible art.

This was a satisfying conclusion to the series. Leaving more for the hopefully eventually 3^rd issue to pick up and continue the trend of greatness.

There’s also a Phlebiac brother’s short story that is basically the same panel over and over again with copy and pasted images of the demon brothers. It’s actually really funny as far as dialogue, it had me in stitches and laughing out loud a lot at how great it was but it’s also a little simple so I can only say this was a good back up story.

The Bad: While Spawn X’ narration was nice, it definitely went a little overboard at times and was a little unnecessary still.

Besides that I have no complaints about this issue.

Overall: Adventures of Spawn #2 takes what the first issue did and turned the volume up to 11. the characters contain their greatness, the issue was stuffed with great moments, absolutely incredible art and was an awesome conclusion.

Writing: 8 Night Girls out of 10

Art: 10 Night Girls out of 10

Overall: 9 Night Girls out of 10

Grade: A-

Final Thoughts: Adventures of Spawn isn’t perfect, but for what it is it’s a great spin-off that takes a brilliant spin on an already enjoyable series. For anyone who enjoyed Spawn, but wanted a less serious but still enjoyable take on the franchise this is the comic for you. Now if only issue #3 where to be made already!

Final Score

Writing: 8 out of 10

Art: 9 out of 10

Overall: 8.5 out of 10

Final Grade: B+

New Age Poll: The Best Image Comic I'm Reading?

Hey it’s time for a New Age Poll to ask all the readers out there a very simple question – what is the best Image Comic I’m reading right now? The list is

Spawn

Witchblade

Invincible

Savage Dragon

Jersey Gods

Now I’m well aware that not all the readers here read Image Comics, but I thought I’d start simple and if this poll works well then I’ll move on to a poll of all the comics I read. The poll will be up for 5 days, on the 5^th and final day when the poll ends I’ll announce the winner and then throw in my own 2 cents as to what is my personal favorite.

Also on another note, don’t forget the Exploit-a-Spawn project we’ve got going. I’ve already made a few myself, and gotten about 5 or so already over the last couple of days. So if you’ve got a funny idea then E-mail your Exploit-a-Spawn image.

You can E-mail your images to me at metalhellspawn@aol.com

Though remember, nothing inappropriate and to title the E-mail “Exploit-a-Spawn” and just in case you need it again, here’s that Spawn image to use.

So that’s all for now. I look forward to seeing the winner of the New Age Poll and your Exploit-a-Spawn images!

New Age Ideas: Brand New Addictions

It’s been a while but New Age Ideas is back and this time for the low price of $0.00 I’m stuffing it with tons of ideas.

Snap Kirby Krackle and Pop!

Don’t you hate being late to the party? Seems I’m not too late but I still missed out on the majority of the debut stuff from Kirby Krackle. An awesome Comic Book Band, claming to be the first. I’m not sure if that’s completely right but there the first I’ve heard of so I’m not going to waste time debating it.

These guys are seriously incredible. Their best song yet has to be Ring Capacity. This has to be somewhere in the new Green Lantern DVD movie or something. It’s blood-pumping and insane and I love it. Check them out here.

Click this link to see their awesomeness!

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies could be cool

As someone who’s happily avoided the often poor looking Superman/Batman series I never read Public Enemies. I know it’s the team of Loeb/McGuiness which promises something decent at least. The animation style seems to remain faithful to that and hey, Kevin Conroy is Batman! I’m officially renting this as soon as possible.

DC ahead of Marvel for once?

What’s with Marvel paying so little attention to their animated film features where DC is dominating them? Hulk vs. was the best thing Marvel has put out yet but so far no word on anything else.

Where DC is dominating, a new Superman/Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman DVD’s all coming out in a fairly close order. DC is really dominating with some quality movies here like usual but man their just crushing Marvel. Maybe Marvel is just too busy with their ongoing cartoons like Spectacular Spider-man but man it’s time they pick up the pace.

Green Lantern First Flight looks like pure awesome.

Seriously is this out yet? I can’t wait to check this out. This looks absolutely incredible. What perfect timing that this comes out right alongside the biggest Green Lantern story in forever.

I feel bad…

I still haven’t seen the Wonder Woman DVD. I’ve been meaning to rent it but I’ve been lazy. I feel so bad about this.

Time to set up a rule for a character’s Second Ongoing

All right, with Merc with a Mouth officially being a gigantic waste of 3.99 I think it’s time I set up some rules if you’re going to make a second ongoing for a character.

1. Fans want something different. If you’re going to make a second ongoing make it unique from the first ongoing so it stands out and fans could read both and enjoy both.
2. If it has to be radically different to make it stand out and be a unique cool experience, do it! Don’t be afraid to try something different from what the other guy is doing!
3. Don’t go with the same obvious clichés of the character. Mix it up.

These 3 rules have already applied to books like Wolverine: Weapon X. Proving they work. Now if I could only get the new Deadpool series writer to see this…

Twittering! My new Addiction…

Hey Kids, follow your good ol’ Uncle Andrenn on Twitter. I most tweet about comic stuff which is funny as some of my friends would expect me to tweet about politics and religion. Oh no. that’s too easy. Comics and video games are much more fun to Twitter.

Terminator vs. Transformers

See, IDW has both properties to make comics with…why the hell not? It’s a perfect marriage. Set it in the future, past, present. Whenever. Come one IDW it would be awesome to see the T-1000 go up against Optimus Prime.

Oy-Bama

You know I like Obama as much as the next guy who doesn’t watch Fox News but man comics are using him more than News Networks. It’s nuts. He’s fighting zombie with Ash, talking to Nick Fury after being attacked by the Green Goblin. And the Leifiled guns…god help me the Leifield Guns.

I can forgive all of that though for this one, single, awesome image that will never be trumped ever. Nothing in the history of man-kind will be this over the top crazy and awesome again. Thank you, Erik Larsen.

A not so-event-less year

You know for promising that 2009 would have no big events, it seems 2009 is Marvel’s biggest year ever. First there’s Dark Reign and all the tons of ongoings and mini-series that it’s reached, then there’s War of Kings which while may not be on a massive scale is still a cross-over. The Dark Avenges/Uncanny X-men crossover Utopia is still an event of sorts even if it ties in more to Dark Reign and of course there’s Captain America Reborn. An event that may lack any tie-in books but is still a major moment in Marvel history just as was Steve’s Death.

So yeah, for a year that promised no events to stop from the event fatigue this year has had anything but no events. This year makes Secret Invasion look like a miniscule story arc in New Avengers by comparison really.

While I may be complaining about that I must admit that there does seem to be a lot of awesome stuff coming from Marvel this year because of these major happenings in their universe, so I can be a little more easy on them for it.

2009’s Best Event?

Speaking of events it seems there’s quite a lot of competition this year between Marvel and DC, even more so than last year really. Blackest Night is DC’s real big even this year with War of Kings, Utopia and Reborn competing against it. Though honestly I think Blackest Night is going to blow the competition out of water.

Sure, I wish this event would have stuck to a more cosmic level and not invade the entire DCU but I have serious faith in Johns that we’ll be getting a great read this summer.

Exploit-a-Spawn

I want to leave you off with a fun project to anyone interested. You see the image with the removed words from Spawn’s speech bubbles. Well I’d really like to see you guys come up with something funny or cool to put in there. I know it’s not Grade A stuff to work with but I can still hope. For all the images I get (if I get any at all, fingers crossed) I’ll post them sometime on my blog (and at the Revolution!) for the whole internet world to see.

So I look forward to your submissions, you can send them to me at my E-mail. I know I shouldn't have to say it but, nothing inappropriate.

Also I don’t have a due date for the images. When I feel I have enough though I will post them here and at the Revolution. Though until then there is no deadline.

*edit: Already getting a couple of images, very good. To make sure I know it’s an E-mail about the Spawn image title the E-mail: Exploit-a-Spawn so that I know. This is because one of the E-mails was, for some reason, in my spam folder.

metalhellspawn@aol.com

Week's End - July 5th 2009

Week’s End is back to set all you kids straight. We’ve added 2 new things, runner ups for each award and the “whoa” of the week. A countering to the “ugh” where I point out one really awesome from the week. It can be anything, a specific cover, a moment or something about a comic in general.

Last time on Week’s End though I was reminded that I should give a Spoiler Warning often for Week’s End. Yes for those reading, you should know that just about every edition of Week’s End will come with spoilers of some kind.

Comic of the Week: Spawn #193

To repeat a statement from the last edition of The Week Begins, some decisions are just too easy. Just about everything in this issue was great, and this is the best issue of Spawn in quite some time. The series has been on a steady rise over the last few months. Definitely the best issue of Endgame for sure.

Runners up: Savage Dragon #150, Batman and Robin #2

Moment of the Week: the Show Must Go On (Batman and Robin #2)

The best part of Batman and Robin #2 was this conversation following Damian’s running off. It’s conversations like this that remind me why Alfred is such an imperative character to the Batman mythos and it’s this twist on Dick as Batman that is making me finally like the transformation.

Runner Up: Captain America on D-Day

Cover(s) of the Week: Captain America: Reborn #1 (all covers)

This was a very tough decision, trust me. This week had some seriously excellent covers and to pick one was impossible. Looking at all the great covers for Captain America: Reborn #1 I had to choose them all. I couldn’t pick just one. Each one has something great and unique about it.

The Hitch cover has an awesome dynamic pose and the scene of war behind Cap looks cool as all hell. The Ross cover (the one I got) has a great use of the two light colors to display a warp like image. Cassidy’s image was just very bold, especially with the colors. The Quesada variant was just very imposing and it looked badass as far as Cap is concerned.

So yeah, 4 awesome covers that win the award since their of the same comic.

Runner Up: Witchblade #128 Luke Ross variant.

Character of the Week: the New Batman

Another tough decision, Clown would have won this award if it weren’t for the final panel of Dick saying “the show must go on” that line just cemented him as the new Batman for me and finally made me really accept it. Morrison has been doing very well on Batman and Robin, not quite perfect, but still strong work and he’s doing a great job with Dick Grayson especially.

Dick’s new take on being Batman is just brilliant. To treat it as a role that he’s acting and that he’s a performer. It makes for an interesting twist on Dick playing Batman rather than just copying him.

Runners up: Clown (Spawn), Sara Pezzini (Witchblade) , Overlord (Savage Dragon)

Artist of the Week: Greg Capullo (Spawn)

Another easy decision. Capullo’s long awaited return to Spawn was well worth it. The man’s brilliant artwork graced issue #193 and he made every page, panel and character look great. Sure there was some minor problems with the coloring, and Capullo did have an odd moment rarely but those can easily be overlooked for the incredible artwork we where treated to this week.

Runner Up: Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade)

The “Whoa” of the Week: Savage Dragon #150 100 pages!

When at my LCS this week I was shocked to see that Savage Dragon was like a TPB, for the cheap price of 6 bucks (it is for a TPB) rather than a comic. That was so awesome. Erik Larsen has to be one of the smartest guys in comics today, first #144’s awesome style of several days on a page, then #148 was for free, now this.

Runner Up: Sara Survives (Witchblade)

The Comic I Wish I Got: Marvel Divas #1

A really good looking comic that’s seemingly getting mixed reviews. Some people love it and call it a quirky great read, others seem to hold a lot of disdain over it. I personally wish I could at least check it out, but with only 10 bucks on me this week I had a limited budget. Oh well, there’s always the collection.

Runner Up: Destroyer #4

A final note, there doesn’t seem to be any comics this week coming out for me, maybe one I’m not noticing, so I probably won’t have a The Week Begins this week.

4th of July Comic Reviews

I’m as surprised to be writing this as surprised as you must be to be reading this. I was sure I was going to be dropped with how my box was filling, but I found some spare cash and was able to get down to the LCS and pick up 4 comics, 2 from this week, 2 from prior weeks.

So I’ve also dropped a bit more, Wolverine: Weapon X is officially off the list sadly. Though I guess I can keep trade waiting it for now and it’s fine.

But hey it’s the 4^th of July and to celebrate the first comic we’re reviewing today is Captain America: Reborn #1 since the sentinel of Liberty fits perfectly with such a big day in America.

Captain America: Reborn #1

Written: Ed Brubaker

Art: Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice

Opening Comments: It seems that the return of Captain America has been getting a lot of mixed reviews. Some love it, others thing it’s a weak start. I seem to fall somewhere in the middle as I was very entertained but I was hoping for a lot more.

Story Comments: We open with an awesome scene of Cap leading the army on D-Day and it just sets the perfect tone for the book. We’re getting narration from someone unseen, I’m going to assume it’s Sharon Carter. Though wow this was such a great way to open the comic, it reminds me why I personally like Cap in the first place.

The Narration basically sums up the events up to this point and it does a good job of recapping the death of Captain America, making this book nicely available for new readers. When we switch to Bucky Cap and Black Widow invading a H.A.M.M.E.R facility which is a nice scene to give us some good action.

We switch to Sharon, Falcon, Vision and Wasp (Hank Pym version) all talking. Sharon confesses that she’s the one that delivered the killing blow to Steve. We then go over how Red Skull was using Sharon in an odd machine for his evil plots and how she thwarted it. Again, a nice recap.

We find out it was Doom-tech and that it’s being held by H.A.M.M.E.R. so that’s why Bucky and Black Widow are invading the new hellicarier to get it. We find out that Bucky and Natasha met up with Nick Fury prior to this.

Bucky and Black Widow are looking for the machine when Ares and Venom ambush them. A cool scene promising for an excellent brawl next time.

We finally get an explanation as to is Steve alive or not, turns out he is, but he’s stuck in Time and Space. It’s an interesting and creative twist. Sure I would have liked some more realistic attempt at bringing Steve back but it’s comics, the most realistic we’ve ever gotten is guys swinging on webs.

The final scene shows Cap jumping through time and space and being freaked out by it. A nice scene to show just how this is affecting him and it leaves off with an all right cliff-hanger, but nothing too exciting.

Overall Brubaker did a fairly good job here. The characters all had something to say and it was never boring reading about them and this issue set up the series very well. But there in lies the problem, it only sets the series up. This easily could have been a 0 issue as nothing really happens as far as accomplishing things or really getting them going. As I’d feared, we just get the set up and not much else.

I do really like how Brubaker is pulling in some really familiar faces like Hank Pym and the Vision, it was smart of him to do that then just go with the most obvious of faces like Reed Richards. Brubaker has a great hold on all these characters.

Though really things won’t get going until next issue and that’s a shame as I was hoping for a lot more.

Art Comments: I’ve mentioned often in the past that I am not a really big fan of Bryan Hitch’s artwork. It’s not that I find it bad, just not all that appealing to me personally in my taste in artwork. He’s awesome but he simply doesn’t fit what I like.

Even with that aside, the artwork here was absolutely incredible. I really recommend this book just for the art alone. While there where some ugly spots here and there, I can’t deny it, Hitch still did a really great job on this issue. The best parts of course whenever Cap was on page.

I also really like some of the panel lay outs and page designs. It was very cool stuff.

Final Comments: Reborn is not something I recommend for every body. If you’re a hardcore Captain America fan you’ll probably love it, and if you’ve wanted to get into Captain America for a while like myself then this is a pretty good place to start thanks to the excellent recaps. That along with great art makes this a worthwhile read.

Writing: 3 out of 5

Art: 4 out of 5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Check It

Savage Dragon #150

Written and Art: Erik Larsen and Various Others

Opening Comments: Wow, just…wow…this is a comic, really? I could have sworn I picked up a new TPB (see Week’s End tomorrow for more on that) but wow this was a really good issue. For the sake of time, I’ll only go over the main issue of Savage Dragon, and briefly mention the other stories that where packed into this awesome comic.

Story Comments: We recap just how Overlord ties in to the current status quo of Savage Dragon. We find out the suit was responsible for the explosion in #145, then we see later and find out that it was being remote controlled by 2 of Dragon’s old foes. A great twist to start off.

When another villain shows up, he steals the armor for some apparently old character from Dragon’s past. We see him acquire the armor then kick all kinds of ass.

I must say that through the whole of this story Larsen does an incredible job of fleshing out the new Overlord. First time I’m ever seeing him and I like him a lot. I hope he’s the main presence in the series from now on so we can see more of him really soon.

We see Dragon’s kids caught up about Dragon losing his original body which was a nice twist on things and I can tell Larsen is really building this plotline into something really big to happen. As to what though I’m not all that sure.

We find out where Dart went from last issue from her fight with Dragon, Daredevil found her in the sewers and saved her. She doesn’t remember anything. Much to my surprise, DD and Dart are building a relationship, already having had sex and from the looks of it growing really close. This is a very cool twist on things from Larsen and he’s making me like Daredevil finally which I thought was impossible.

When Dragon meets the new Overlord they have a great discussion. While I do think that there where some moments that dragged just a bit, this was really top notch writing from Larsen as he continues to build the greatness of our new Overlord and his offer to Save Dragon was great. I loved how they referenced the first Spider-man movie, hilarious. It ends of course in a fight and Dragon is seemingly vaporized, his DNA left for Overlord to make an army with.

Seems Dart is still her evil self, she kills one of the Wise Guys (thank god, can she kill the rest now please? I hate them.) but cleans up and everything seems fine. Another great twist that should be interesting to see develop.

Overall I’d say check out this issue for the awesome storyline alone. Larsen has had some weak plots even with great characters over the last few issues but wow he did a really great job here.

The story about Vanguard, not much to say on it really, fairly entertaining. We soon catch up with the Thunder God invading Mr. Glum’s house, only for Glum to find that he and the Thunder God form an unlikely alliance. Another nice interesting short story. The best of these short stories is a hilarious few paged G-man/Savage Dragon team up.

We see the absolutely crazy origin of Daredevil. I don’t even know how else to describe it other than insane. We end the issue with the origin of Savage Dragon, and boy is it something. Savage Dragon, prior to this, was a violent murderous emperor who kills a girl just by having sex with her and wants to wipe out all of earth. It goes against his people’s religion, so they wipe his mind and drop him on earth. A nice addition to this awesome comic.

Art Comments: Larsen is great here but really every artist turns in a great job and its an awesome looking issue.

Final Comments: for 6 dollars you can get 100 packed pages of greatness that I give a very high recommendation.

Writing: 5 out of 5

Art: 5 out of 5

Overall: 5 out of 5

Must Have

Now let’s end with two Open Fire! Reviews both of 2 awesome horror comics.

Marvel Zombies 4 #3

Written: Fred Van Lente

Art: Kev Walker

A fairly enjoyable read is the best way to describe this issue. We move the plot along nicely and we get some really great character moments but this issue was still just fairly enjoyable. I’m just not feeling the real major excitement in this series that I have in prior series, and while there is obviously suspense I just can’t help but not worry as much.

I do enjoy the characters and Man-Thing was awesome in here but sadly it looks like he may have bit the bucket. Zombie Deadpool was continuously funny.

Kev Walker’s art was great, he really fits this book perfectly and I hope he and Van Lente collaborate again some time.

Overall though it’s just a good read. Really by now you should just wait for the collection if you’re interested.

Writing: 3 out of 5

Art: 4 out of 5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Check It

Scarlet Veronica #4

Written: Robert Barry, Jason Moody, Josh Ruggles

Art: Jason Moody

I think the best way to describe Scarlet Veronica is an awesome Indy Horror film. Sure it lacks the big Hollywood flash and effect, and it may not be all that amazing but it doesn’t need any of that to be an awesome story. It’s got great characters, stylish art and some really cool action.

My only real complaint with this issue is 2 characters I liked died (won’t spoil who) but hey, it’s comics, maybe they’ll return.

The story caps off very nicely but leaves lots of room for the second series to continue the fun.

Veronica’s character has developed nicely along the way and by now she’s become a great character and she has lots of great moments. The action also is really stellar.

While it may be a little late, if you can, I highly recommend you pick up this entire series if you like horror and good crazy fun.

Writing: 4 out of 5

Art: 4 out of 5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Must Read

So that’s all from me, happy 4^th of July everyone!

Comic Reviews for July 2nd 2009

It’s a good/bad day here at New Age Comics with Andrenn. On one hand I got my comics. On the other my pull box is filling more so I had to cut off some of the books I’ve been reading. Utopia is out, Blackest Night is in. Reborn is on the chopping block as are a few other books such as Sinister Spider-man.

But hey let’s forget about the bad and focus on the good. 3 good comics this week. Let’s review them now.

Spawn #193

Written: Todd McFarlane

Art: Greg Capullo

Opening Comments: The issue that all the Spawn fans have been waiting for. Capullo’s long awaited return to the title he helped make famous. While I can’t deny the art is the main attraction for this issue, the story was surprisingly on the same level of greatness.

Story Comments: Picking up right from last issue with a shot of Violator divulging that he knows all about Spawn. Just as Spawn goes over to take out Violator Freak warns him not to do so. This is the first thing that caught my eye, how Freak is warning Spawn and seems to want to help the new Spawn. It could lead into a very interesting change of pace from McFarlane.

After Violator plays a game of furthering lies, he pretends that Clown beats him up and Clown shows up asking if Spawn is all right. From here the two talk and it’s a very interesting conversation. Much to my surprise Spawn isn’t going to be enemies with Clown but rather it seems Clown is looking to make an alliance with our new Spawn.

The dialogue all through this scene is very well done. McFarlane is finally giving Jim a more active and interesting voice and making him stand out more as a character more and more. Clown is great, a character who’s had his up’s and downs is finally excelling and is really great here.

We switch over to Sam and Twitch where they take on the case of a murder that happened back in issue #189. They take center stage for most of the issue here and as expected from McFarlane he has a strong grip on these characters. Twitch did sound a little odd at one moment but that was a short moment.

When they nearly hit Clown as he’s walking down the street, Clown takes a piss on Sam’s hood and gets himself arrested.

We return to the detectives in Virginia who have been looking in to the suicide from issue #185. It’s the one moment I was bored with this issue. McFarlane wants this to feel more big and important but really it’s just a blind goose chase for now so it’s not holding my interest much.

The issue ends with Clown thrown into a cell with other guys. He sits down with a young man named Claudio who is vampire. Clown wants his boss to team up with Clown and Spawn to form an unholy trinity. The issue ends there.

I continue to love how McFarlane writes the Clown. He’s such a great villain and really while I know there are other forces at work I just want to see more and more of the Clown. He’s too great to ignore.

I do feel this issue cut out of nowhere, like McFarlane had a little bit more to write but he was out of room so he cut it there with next issue to pick up but that’s my biggest complaint. This was an awesome and stuffed read.

Art Comments: All right, the real reason all of you Spawn fans wanted to read this issue so bad wasn’t even to read it. Capullo’s art and boy is it something.

Though first 2 minor complaints. The coloring doesn’t always fit, it has some good moments but it also has some weird moments. Most of the time it’s just fine though but early on there was a moment with Spawn’s eyes that just looked really weird with the darker green they went with.

Also there was a couple of odd moments, for Capullo at least, that felt a little oddly done. In the end it’s a very minor complaint though.

Capullo is a masterful artist and that shines through here. Every panel, every page, looks great. The opening shot of Violator alone proves that he hasn’t lost any of the greatness that he held during his run on Spawn. To put it simple this is the best Spawn has looked in quite some time.

Final Comments: Endgame continues to increase my enjoyment of Spawn. While this issue wasn’t perfect, it had it’s fair share of issues most of them where minor enough to where I can give this issue a very high recommendation.

Writing: 5 out of 5

Art: 5 out of 5

Overall: 5 out of 5

Must Have

Witchblade #128

Written: Ron Marz

Art: Stjepan Sejic

Opening Comments: War of the Witchblades has been an interesting storyline, just when I though things where finally getting intense last time we have more of a down time issue again that sets up for things to get wild next time. While this was an enjoyable read as the series has been I can’t help but feel disappointed.

Story Comments: Sara’s sister gets out of jail but Sara isn’t there to pick her up. A nice quick scene but at the same time a little pointless in the long run as the most important thing to address happens a page later, with the dead Sara.

We see Sabine the Angelus members all talking when Gleason shows up with Hope threatening to use the baby’s untapped powers to destroy them. Sabine gives Gleason a choice on which of the passed out bearers she’ll take, Gleason chooses Sara. Minutes later Sara gets up.

I must admit I’m actually surprised that Marz didn’t kill off Sara. If it where any other writer or comic I wouldn’t be shocked but with him and Witchblade I was almost sure that Sara was dead. So while I’m relieved, at the same time I’m still very shocked that he didn’t kill her.

The best scene in this issue is Gleason trying to get some sense into Sara. When he isn’t enough he gives her Hope (the baby) but it almost works but Sara insists she has to go. I really love how Marz has been enforcing this darker violent side to Sara. It’s a radical change but it’s flowed so well that Marz has done an excellent job.

Dani wakes up later surrounded by Angelus members. Sabine tries to get her to work with them as she wants an alliance. Dani refuses but their still backing her up. An interesting turn of events and it is giving this War more of an epic feel.

We then see the shop-keeper (whatever his regular nickname is I keep forgetting) and the man who tricked Sara talk. It’s an interesting moment as we find out these two have a deep history but it’s really just more hinting.

Honestly while this issue had lots of good moment and nothing I can really be all that critical on I am rather disappointed with how War of the Witchblades is really lacking on the War. Last issue promised that things would finally get going so I forgave the prior 2 chapters for lack of action but over halfway in it’s time to give us something than simply moving things along.

Art Comments: Sejic is always turning in great stuff on this book. While the one month delay was frustrating as all delays are I can easily forgive it mostly for the awesome art her turns in. It’s, as usual, incredible.

Final Comments: Marz has no more excuses to hold off on the action. All the pawns are in place and it’s about damn time for some action. This was a well written issue at least but no more laying back next time.

Writing: 4 out of 5

Art: 5 out of 5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Must Read

Batman and Robin #2

Written: Grant Morrison

Art: Frank Quitely

Opening Comments: After a strong debut issue I can’t deny that my excitement for this series has dwindled a bit as this issue was a bit weaker than what I was hoping for.

Story comments: Batman and Robin show up at the police station as Gordon called for them. Some police comment on how they look different. I admit I hope Morrison doesn’t make too many obvious statements that they look different, it could get old fast.

After the circus people show up and storm the police station to save Toad Batman and Robin start taking them out. Robin fights a guy with who is 3 men combined and Batman soon takes him out.

Robin goes after a fat lady and Batman soon needs him. Batman gets angry, shouting for Robin as Robin is interrogating the fat lady and he gives her a concussion just as the police get back into the precinct. Batman stops robin and Toad is found to be dead.

This was a nice action scene, the art worked well here mostly as the action was great and Robin’s interrogation scene was great. The argument Batman and Robin have was great, especially how rude and evil Robin is being, Batman himself put it best when he said that he has an evil snide to him.

The best scene is the after-discussion that Dick and Alfred have after Dick removes the mask. Really this is more of what I like seeing from Morrison. As crazy as he can get h never loses the great voices these characters have. The final line “the show must go on” just showed how interesting this change has been.

The final scene shows Robin getting abducted by Pig. A nice way to close the issue for next issue to pick up and conclude this opening story arc.

While I did really enjoy this issue I can’t help but feel that Morrison may be sacrificing great character moments in favor of action. He needs to find a better balance like he almost had in this issue which hopefully he will in the future storylines

Art Comments: I really hate to say this but Quitely’s is a bit lacking in this issue. While the panel lay out for the action is amazing half the time the art just doesn’t look all that good. While some moments he does a really great job and hits some good emotional levels his biggest problem seems to be Robin. His head just keeps growing at times and is often misshapen, it’s odd. Though the art never gets downright bad or poor.

Final Comments: Batman and Robin is a continuously enjoyable read despite it’s flaws and weaknesses. Recommended to those looking for fun action but not much else.

Writing: 4 out of 5

Art: 3 out of 5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Must Read