Post by ryokowerx on Sept 11, 2011 16:38:59 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree)
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
Across the planet there is a sudden die-off of animal life which, just as suddenly as it started, stops. Superman hunts down Dr. Alec Holland because of his past connection with "The Green" (the lifeforce of all the plants in the world) and his time as Swamp Thing. Alec has abandoned his previous work on his bio-restorative formula because he couldn't fit back into society after all the time of his isolation so he is working as a construction worker. In the meantime, the skeleton of a unearthed Mastodon disappears and when the scientists show back up and try to find it, they are horrifically murdered. Doctor Holland has a weird dream and wakes up to find his hotel room overgrown. He grabs the last vial of his formula and runs out to the swamp to throw it in but Swamp Thing stops him.
THE ART:
Oh Dear Lord, where do I start about the art? It is just amazing. I've been a fan of Yanick Paquette ever since I saw his work back in The Return of Bruce Wayne storyline. The amount of intricate detail is just astounding and the panel designs that resemble plant vines and growth is very cool. If there was ever a comic that you bought for the art alone, this would be it. Seriously, folks, it's that good.
THE STORY:
The writing is done by Scott Snyder and is good. However, there is a problem with the comic. It seems to build on the events of Brightest Day Aftermath and, as such, is not very well-suited for new readers. A new reader can pick it up, read it and grab what is going on but, as a jumping on point, it has issues. With that said, this is a setup issue so not a whole lot goes on but you can see where there is some creepy stuff coming into play for upcoming issues. Swamp Thing was always one of those characters that walked a fine line between being a superhero comic and a horror one and it seems that that balance will continue and that is a good thing in my book.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
As far as the price of comics go, Swamp Thing looks like it is going to be a good value at $2.99. I guarantee you that you'll spend lots of eyeball time with this title between the art and some of the ideas that Snyder will bring into play given his past comics work. I'm just happy to see DC going back to some of their older 70s characters, removing them from their Vertigo imprint and that it is in good hands.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1, Green Arrow #1, Hawk and Dove #1, Justice League International #1, Men of War #1, O.M.A.C. #1, Static Shock #1, and Stormwatch #1.
SWAMP THING #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
Across the planet there is a sudden die-off of animal life which, just as suddenly as it started, stops. Superman hunts down Dr. Alec Holland because of his past connection with "The Green" (the lifeforce of all the plants in the world) and his time as Swamp Thing. Alec has abandoned his previous work on his bio-restorative formula because he couldn't fit back into society after all the time of his isolation so he is working as a construction worker. In the meantime, the skeleton of a unearthed Mastodon disappears and when the scientists show back up and try to find it, they are horrifically murdered. Doctor Holland has a weird dream and wakes up to find his hotel room overgrown. He grabs the last vial of his formula and runs out to the swamp to throw it in but Swamp Thing stops him.
THE ART:
Oh Dear Lord, where do I start about the art? It is just amazing. I've been a fan of Yanick Paquette ever since I saw his work back in The Return of Bruce Wayne storyline. The amount of intricate detail is just astounding and the panel designs that resemble plant vines and growth is very cool. If there was ever a comic that you bought for the art alone, this would be it. Seriously, folks, it's that good.
THE STORY:
The writing is done by Scott Snyder and is good. However, there is a problem with the comic. It seems to build on the events of Brightest Day Aftermath and, as such, is not very well-suited for new readers. A new reader can pick it up, read it and grab what is going on but, as a jumping on point, it has issues. With that said, this is a setup issue so not a whole lot goes on but you can see where there is some creepy stuff coming into play for upcoming issues. Swamp Thing was always one of those characters that walked a fine line between being a superhero comic and a horror one and it seems that that balance will continue and that is a good thing in my book.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
As far as the price of comics go, Swamp Thing looks like it is going to be a good value at $2.99. I guarantee you that you'll spend lots of eyeball time with this title between the art and some of the ideas that Snyder will bring into play given his past comics work. I'm just happy to see DC going back to some of their older 70s characters, removing them from their Vertigo imprint and that it is in good hands.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1, Green Arrow #1, Hawk and Dove #1, Justice League International #1, Men of War #1, O.M.A.C. #1, Static Shock #1, and Stormwatch #1.