Post by ryokowerx on Sept 13, 2011 14:35:54 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:
Green Arrow is in Paris tracking down a group of three supervillains who like to cause mayhem and post their video exploits on the internet for fame. Ollie, at the same, time is in a conference call with the acting CEO of Queen Industries (Ollie is in charge of a smaller tech R&D branch called Q-Core) while multitasking virtually with his two assistants, Naomi and Jax. The villains plan on wrecking a night club but Ollie lures them onto a yacht for a showdown that he wins. After a brief heart-to-heart with Jax about why he's helping Green Arrow and Ollie passing the buck onto a executive assistant, we cut back to the three villains in jail who are sprung by someone named Rush and his group of villains. They intend on killing Green Arrow.
THE ART:
Dan Jurgens handles the art chores for Green Arrow. As much as I like Jurgens, his art is more of the traditional comic art rather than something more artistic. I'll leave its ultimate merits up to the reader but I think I'm getting spoiled on a lot of the new DC art. The biggest thing that fans of Green Arrow will notice is the costume change. It is now much more like the one used in the Smallville television show with some differences (i.e. no hoodie). His bow is also now some high-tech piece of equipment that collapses upon itself.
THE STORY:
I think this is the first J.T. Krul comic that I was able to finish without feeling like I needed to take a shower afterwards. There are no murders of defenseless supervillains, dismemberments or blowing up small children. In fact, Green Arrow seems fairly well-adjusted. There really isn't much to the story, mind you, but it wasn't bad either. I'm not sure how I feel about liberally borrowing from a TV show but, hey, I'll get used to it in time. In short, wasn't anything spectacular but wasn't the train wreck I feared.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
$2.99 for a writer that I live in constant fear of? No thanks. I'll hold off. I won't be getting #2 but I'll keep my ears open to the buzz about this title. If it picks up and word continues to be positive, I'll consider picking up the trade paperback.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1 and Justice League International #1.
GREEN ARROW #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:
Green Arrow is in Paris tracking down a group of three supervillains who like to cause mayhem and post their video exploits on the internet for fame. Ollie, at the same, time is in a conference call with the acting CEO of Queen Industries (Ollie is in charge of a smaller tech R&D branch called Q-Core) while multitasking virtually with his two assistants, Naomi and Jax. The villains plan on wrecking a night club but Ollie lures them onto a yacht for a showdown that he wins. After a brief heart-to-heart with Jax about why he's helping Green Arrow and Ollie passing the buck onto a executive assistant, we cut back to the three villains in jail who are sprung by someone named Rush and his group of villains. They intend on killing Green Arrow.
THE ART:
Dan Jurgens handles the art chores for Green Arrow. As much as I like Jurgens, his art is more of the traditional comic art rather than something more artistic. I'll leave its ultimate merits up to the reader but I think I'm getting spoiled on a lot of the new DC art. The biggest thing that fans of Green Arrow will notice is the costume change. It is now much more like the one used in the Smallville television show with some differences (i.e. no hoodie). His bow is also now some high-tech piece of equipment that collapses upon itself.
THE STORY:
I think this is the first J.T. Krul comic that I was able to finish without feeling like I needed to take a shower afterwards. There are no murders of defenseless supervillains, dismemberments or blowing up small children. In fact, Green Arrow seems fairly well-adjusted. There really isn't much to the story, mind you, but it wasn't bad either. I'm not sure how I feel about liberally borrowing from a TV show but, hey, I'll get used to it in time. In short, wasn't anything spectacular but wasn't the train wreck I feared.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
$2.99 for a writer that I live in constant fear of? No thanks. I'll hold off. I won't be getting #2 but I'll keep my ears open to the buzz about this title. If it picks up and word continues to be positive, I'll consider picking up the trade paperback.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1 and Justice League International #1.