"Reviews of Current Comic Books"

Reviews....I promised Reviews.

Well...if the upcoming adaptation to film of Frank Miller's 300 limited series (which was published by Dark Horse Comics) is as faithful as was "Sin City", it'll be one hell of a flick! Indications from the preview of the movie appears that scenes are right on the panels shown in the series. It'll be somewhat dark n' gritty like Sin City, but in a historical and classical sort of way. If you've not read this series, you really should before seeing the flick. Looking at current prices for a full set of the 6 issues in on-line auctions makes me believe you'd come out better for a reading copy by just purchasing the over-sized (10" x 13") hardcover published Dark Horse Books for $30. Written and drawn by Miller with a great coloring job by Lynn Varley. (An A+ rating.)


I've already mentioned something before about DC's 52 Week 37, but if you're following this series, #37 is a definate issue to buy just because of the number of things from previous storylines being in it. I'm going to just stop reviewing this title until the whole thing's over with; there's too many things changing around all the time that make previous reviews useless. I will say, as I've said before, that this is an important series in the current history of The DC Universe, and characters will definately be changed around by the time it's over. (Rating A+.)


All Star Superman is a fun title, with some great art by Frank Quitely, and of course, written by Grant Morrison, and the current issue I've picked up (#6) continues with an excellant story revolving around the circumstances of the death of Jonathan ("Pa") Kent. It's also a "Krypto" appearance. By this book; you'll like it! (I missed #3, but will definately go back and pick up that issue.) And the next issue will have Bizarro! (Rating A+.)


Robin is up to #157 now. I've never, until now, bought a single issue. Just not a big fan of the character, although I've always been a fan of the silver-age character in association with The Batman. But this issue drew me to it because of a promise of an appearance of one of Jack Kirby's old characters from "The Demon", which is Klarion the Witch Boy. We don't get to see as much of him as we do Klarion's familiar (cat), "Teekl". Even so, it was a fair read and future issues have Klarion more in the current storyline. The Frazer Irving art is nice, but Adam Beechen's script is a bit sparce (Rating B.).


In JLA Classified #32, we see a new storyline starting involving the villian "Destiny", but he's really more of a sub-plot to another character in this who wants to control all points of existence. Destiny, of course, convinces him he ought to just rule the world, the universe, (whatever). It's an "alright" script for JLA characters as far as that goes (by Dan Slott), and Dan Jurgens' art is still looking somewhat like a fair Neal Adams imitation at times. Still if one wanted to get in on this series, this issue would probably be a good starting point. (Rating B.)


Justice Society #2 is the first issue of this I've picked up, but only because it's the first one I've seen available. I've always been a fan of the Golden Age DC heroes, but can't say I'm overly-enthused about this title from reading the single issue. It has a really nice Alex Ross (with assists) cover, Geoff Johns script, and Dale Eagleham/Ruy Jose' art, but nothing in this issue really grabbed me. Plots revolved around the death of "Mr. America", the end of the "Steel", blood line, as well as the illegitimate son of "The Wildcat". All of these individually would make fine reading perhaps, but there's just too many spoons in this bowl. Maybe I'll give it an issue or two more just to see if John gets a decent handle on the characters. (Rating C.)


Also a disapointment was Green Lantern #16, which I picked up just for the Alan Scott GA G.L. app. For one thing, he made almost no app. in the title; the JLA was shown even more and they weren't headlines on the cover. Dunt know...maybe Johns is spreading himself out a little thin. (Rating C-.)


Superman #658 was an interesting issue, whereas The Man of Steel gets a glimpse of events that could or could not occure in the future. The character "Jimmy Olsen" gets a fair amount of fleshing out in this issue (Kurt Busiek, writer), and Carlos Pacheco's artwork is more than "passing". (Rating B+.)


And finally...Superman Confidential #3, which begins with this nearly mono-chromatic cover. I really like Tim Sale's artwork, and honestly, that's what's been getting me to come back for issue after issue, because the story (by Darwyn Cooke) really isn't all "that" interesting. Also, I really wish that DC wouldn't put a distracting two-page center-spread advertisement for Nintendo right in the middle of their books. I can't give this title more than a B- Rating, although I DO like the art.


And that's it. As you can see, nary a Marvel (or anything else save for the "300" series) in this lot review; all DC's this time.



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