Post by ryokowerx on Sept 15, 2011 21:17:39 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:
A group of evil looking lizard guys is torturing some poor guy in a spaceship. They claim to be bored and need something new to bring pain to. Unfortunately for them, they get Dex-Starr, Atrocitus's cat, who goes medieval on their asses before being captured. Then Atrocitus busts in and finishes the job the cat started. Meanwhile, back on earth, a old guy is beaten to death with a brick by a thug. Back on the planet Ysmault, Atrocitus deals with insubordination from Bleez and has a moment of what passes for soul searching for a being of rage with the body of Kronus, the Guardian of the Galaxy who was responsible for killing Atrocitus's family with his manhunter robots. On earth, the sons of the dead old man confront each other and come to blows. Atrocitus swears to bring vengeance upon all who cause misery throughout the universe... except his Red Lantern Corps have turned against him.
THE ART:
Ed Benes. That should say enough - the man can take a half-dead alien bat woman and make her look sexy even with blood gushing out of her mouth (and draws one mean cat). The art is fantastic. I need to point out that the colorist, Nathan Eyring, deserves a mention in that he took a comic with almost overwhelming red and made it so that it didn't sear the readers eyeballs.
THE STORY:
Peter Milligan is writing the story and I'm honestly shocked at the quality of the story in this. The Red Lanterns were kind of a one-note villain group but that is starting to change and the emphasis on their rage is being explored and how that is changing especially in regards to Atrocitus. This isn't anything groundbreaking but was far deeper than I had expected from it.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Unlike Green Lantern #1, no previous knowledge of the GL universe is required to enjoy the story. Not something I would recommend for younger kids though as there is torture, desecration of a dead body and plenty of blood in this. I went into this not expecting to like it and now I have to say that I'm going to pony up my $2.99 and buy #2 and see how this plays out and if it continues to hold my interest. Color me pleasantly surprised.
NEXT WEEK:
Batman And Robin #1, Batwoman #1, Deathstroke #1, Demon Knights #1, Frankenstein: Agent Of Shade #1, Grifter #1, Mister Terrific #1, Resurrection Man #1, Suicide Squad #1, and Superboy #1.
RED LANTERNS #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:
A group of evil looking lizard guys is torturing some poor guy in a spaceship. They claim to be bored and need something new to bring pain to. Unfortunately for them, they get Dex-Starr, Atrocitus's cat, who goes medieval on their asses before being captured. Then Atrocitus busts in and finishes the job the cat started. Meanwhile, back on earth, a old guy is beaten to death with a brick by a thug. Back on the planet Ysmault, Atrocitus deals with insubordination from Bleez and has a moment of what passes for soul searching for a being of rage with the body of Kronus, the Guardian of the Galaxy who was responsible for killing Atrocitus's family with his manhunter robots. On earth, the sons of the dead old man confront each other and come to blows. Atrocitus swears to bring vengeance upon all who cause misery throughout the universe... except his Red Lantern Corps have turned against him.
THE ART:
Ed Benes. That should say enough - the man can take a half-dead alien bat woman and make her look sexy even with blood gushing out of her mouth (and draws one mean cat). The art is fantastic. I need to point out that the colorist, Nathan Eyring, deserves a mention in that he took a comic with almost overwhelming red and made it so that it didn't sear the readers eyeballs.
THE STORY:
Peter Milligan is writing the story and I'm honestly shocked at the quality of the story in this. The Red Lanterns were kind of a one-note villain group but that is starting to change and the emphasis on their rage is being explored and how that is changing especially in regards to Atrocitus. This isn't anything groundbreaking but was far deeper than I had expected from it.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Unlike Green Lantern #1, no previous knowledge of the GL universe is required to enjoy the story. Not something I would recommend for younger kids though as there is torture, desecration of a dead body and plenty of blood in this. I went into this not expecting to like it and now I have to say that I'm going to pony up my $2.99 and buy #2 and see how this plays out and if it continues to hold my interest. Color me pleasantly surprised.
NEXT WEEK:
Batman And Robin #1, Batwoman #1, Deathstroke #1, Demon Knights #1, Frankenstein: Agent Of Shade #1, Grifter #1, Mister Terrific #1, Resurrection Man #1, Suicide Squad #1, and Superboy #1.
