Post by ryokowerx on Sept 13, 2011 13:50:46 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:
Joseph Rock is a career Corporal in the U.S. Army. He is called into a meeting with his superior officer and a unknown sergeant. It turns out that Rock isn't very keen on becoming a NCO and does stuff to make sure he never advances up the ranks. The sergeant recruits him into a mission to retrieve a diplomat who is being held hostage in unknown enemy territory. They parachute in only to have their target destroyed by a unknown superpowered being. Said being then proceeds to trash the nearby town which Rock's team had taken cover in. The story ends with the sergeant dying and field promoting Rock to sergeant. The backup story deals with a team of SEALs who come under fire and one of their own is hit and in need of medical extraction. The problem is that the sniper is likely to have a RPG to take down any helicopter that comes in. They charge the building to take out the sniper only to be surprised at who the shooter is and then an even deadlier trap is sprung.
THE ART:
Tom Derenick does the art and I have to say that I'm impressed. While the art style isn't anything like the old Sgt. Rock comics by Kubert, it feels like it with the earthy tones and the muted colors - even fire and explosions seem pale. The only real nitpick that I can tag against the art is the Derenick seems to have problems drawing modern army helmets correct consistently. His research into military weapons, vehicles and uniforms are spot on otherwise. The art in the backup story is done by Phil Winslade and there really isn't much to say about it. It is average and is good enough to get across the story that is being told.
THE STORY:
Ivan Brandon is the writer for the main Sgt. Rock story and he really does run with it. The idea of mixing up a military comic with superheroes is one that has been done before and I haven't really saw any of them that really got me to be interested in them. Men of War might prove to be the exception. The first thing we get is Sgt. Rock stating that he is not his father's image and that he is his own man. Throughout the grilling, Rock maintains his stoicism and honor. When things go to hell, Rock isn't the one taking charge, he follows orders and only reluctantly is he forced to take command to save their team. Basically, a more realistic Rock. When men are hit, they bleed and die - Rock is no exception. He is injured pretty badly rather than gritting his teeth and slapping a bandage on. The backup story is only average so far but it is also only part one of a three part story.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Oh, DC how you pain me so. Adding in a back-up feature jacked the price up to $3.99. I would have happily paid $2.99 for this but the backup story is only okay and not worth the extra $1 so far. I'm still on the fence about this one. I want to support war comics but the price hurts. I'll probably end up buying this one digitally from this point out after the initial thirty days has passed so I can get it for $2.99 instead. Great comic brought down by a mediocre extra feature.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1, Green Arrow #1, and Justice League International #1.
MEN OF WAR #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:
Joseph Rock is a career Corporal in the U.S. Army. He is called into a meeting with his superior officer and a unknown sergeant. It turns out that Rock isn't very keen on becoming a NCO and does stuff to make sure he never advances up the ranks. The sergeant recruits him into a mission to retrieve a diplomat who is being held hostage in unknown enemy territory. They parachute in only to have their target destroyed by a unknown superpowered being. Said being then proceeds to trash the nearby town which Rock's team had taken cover in. The story ends with the sergeant dying and field promoting Rock to sergeant. The backup story deals with a team of SEALs who come under fire and one of their own is hit and in need of medical extraction. The problem is that the sniper is likely to have a RPG to take down any helicopter that comes in. They charge the building to take out the sniper only to be surprised at who the shooter is and then an even deadlier trap is sprung.
THE ART:
Tom Derenick does the art and I have to say that I'm impressed. While the art style isn't anything like the old Sgt. Rock comics by Kubert, it feels like it with the earthy tones and the muted colors - even fire and explosions seem pale. The only real nitpick that I can tag against the art is the Derenick seems to have problems drawing modern army helmets correct consistently. His research into military weapons, vehicles and uniforms are spot on otherwise. The art in the backup story is done by Phil Winslade and there really isn't much to say about it. It is average and is good enough to get across the story that is being told.
THE STORY:
Ivan Brandon is the writer for the main Sgt. Rock story and he really does run with it. The idea of mixing up a military comic with superheroes is one that has been done before and I haven't really saw any of them that really got me to be interested in them. Men of War might prove to be the exception. The first thing we get is Sgt. Rock stating that he is not his father's image and that he is his own man. Throughout the grilling, Rock maintains his stoicism and honor. When things go to hell, Rock isn't the one taking charge, he follows orders and only reluctantly is he forced to take command to save their team. Basically, a more realistic Rock. When men are hit, they bleed and die - Rock is no exception. He is injured pretty badly rather than gritting his teeth and slapping a bandage on. The backup story is only average so far but it is also only part one of a three part story.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Oh, DC how you pain me so. Adding in a back-up feature jacked the price up to $3.99. I would have happily paid $2.99 for this but the backup story is only okay and not worth the extra $1 so far. I'm still on the fence about this one. I want to support war comics but the price hurts. I'll probably end up buying this one digitally from this point out after the initial thirty days has passed so I can get it for $2.99 instead. Great comic brought down by a mediocre extra feature.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1, Green Arrow #1, and Justice League International #1.