Reviews

This new trade paperback collects the first six issues of the most recent exploits of Marvel's She Hulk. I never had any interest in this character until I heard about how great this series was and I must say the rumours were justified!

I was able to pick up the first issue and get straight into the character without any knowledge of her history and Dan Slott's writing is a pure joy to read. Slott wrote Arkham Asylum: Living Hell for DC last year but has now signed an exclusive contract with Marvel and although this series of She-Hulk ended with issue 12, volume 2 is already planned for October this year with Marvel treating the book like a television series and releasing it in "seasons" rather than as an ongoing series. Slott's love for She Hulk is apparent in any interview and this passion is evident in his scripts.

The humour is great and the artwork of Juan Bobillo & Marcelo Sosa is gorgeous. To kick the series off, She Hulk is introduced into a new environment where her skills as a lawyer are utilised rather than her incredible strength. I won't give too much away but the supporting cast and general setting make for an interesting back drop and this series has real potential for longevity. The main character's connections in high places are also used with guest appearances from Marvel's finest, including Spider-Man and The Avengers. If you fancy giving something new a try then you could do a lot worse than getting your hands on this gem!

8/10

Another from Devils Due Publishing, and another great title. What is claimed to be a legal drug development lab on an isolated island is up in smoke and the insurance assesor (and CIA) arrive to see what went down...some thing odd is definately going on. Meanwhile back on the mainland the mysterious infantry superhero type guy is kicking some special forces ass. Mix in a great looking super villan (the Marionette) and you got the recipie for a great title. Well written and great art.

8/10

The idea of Ironman always seemed sweet to me - a normal guy bolting a metal suit round himself and becoming a super hero - much better than being bitten by radio active spiders! At last Ironman has been given prime time at Marvel, relaunching it with an issue 1, amazing art and most importantly for me - Warren Ellis on writing duty. From the off Ellis' trade mark styles come through strong as Tony Stark is rudely awoken by his secretary and organised into a meeting with a journalist. Stark and his technologies take a hammering in the interview, as they focus on the military applications and the killings and injuries they have caused, but Stark gets his own back when they talk off camera after and he asks what this kind of investigative journalism really achieves - "You've been uncovering disturbing things all over the world for twenty years now. Have you changed anything?" Then we get to see the new suit in all its glory. The art is something new and really amazing to see....especially the suit. We also get shown small bits of info about the person I expect to be the first to taste Ironman's ability to dish out a beating...all shaping up very nicely.

9/10

Not sure what to make of this. Always loved the look of the Green Lantern, but never convinced of his powers - always seemed over the top. Not being too clued up on the history, this first issue was confusing at times. It seems Hal Jordan - ex GL - is coming back to life in the form of a Spectre and goes around dishing out revenge/judgment/pain - but he doesn't seem in control of the entity. Some great moments in through out but too hit and miss for me. Looking forward to issue 2, hopefully it will answer some questions for me.

Rating 6/10 (so far...)

OK so, Avengers Disassembled rocked! Agreed? Good. If you haven't read it, the trade will be out soon. The New Avengers 1 kicks off 6 months after Disassembled and in short is amazing. Every page was a joy to read (even for someone like me - who is not the biggest super hero fan). It's easy to see why Marvel signed B M Bendis on an exclusive - they don't want any one else getting their hands on his amazing writing abilities.

Story wise, we see a super villan being paid to carry out an unknown assignment, then we join a super hero (in civies) crew making a visit to an island full of super villans housed in a max security island jail. Then...all hell breaks loose. I don't want to say any more, because turning each page and wowing about whats happening next is part of the fun. It may not be the most original story line so far (although the end kicks ass), but the glorious art, amazing dialogue and WOWness of it all makes up for it.

Rating 9.5/10

I'm being a right Mr Marvel today - but how good are these new releases? Very damn good...so I'm gonna keep on reading them.

Never was a fan of the Cap, always seemed a bit - hmmmmm silly. But then I read the post 9/11 stuff and it seemed that much more serious, with a rock hard edge, some real anger burning through. And while this latest offering is not quite as dark, it is still very real and angry, with terrorists on home soil, trying to set off dirty bombs on the subway - it has a realistic quality to it which makes it a much better read...that is until the Red Skull pops up...still not a fan of a bloke with a red skull for a head, that they have called - Red Skull. But there seems to be a new threat on the block, still an unknown and very intriguing. Oh and the end - you wont see that coming...excellent.

7.5/10

Well, general consensus of this book is excellent and quite deservedly so! For a first issue, creators Andy Diggle & Pascal Ferry did everything right! I've never read an Adam Strange story before in my life but Diggle manages to give us an introduction to the character's history that tells us everything we need to know without making it feel too complicated or forced at all.

The idea of an intergalactic space hero might seem pretty retro but the series begins with our protagonist at rock bottom and his adopted home planet Rann missing altogether! The mystery of the entire planet's disappearance is one that our hero is determined to do whatever it takes to solve! With Adam Strange's Justice League connections, it's a credit to DC that this book hasn't been marketed as a JLA tie-in, allowing it to stand on it's own obvious merit. The brief cameo from Superman fits the story and feels perfectly natural. Subsequent issues promise us space faring adventure in the DC Universe featuring the remains of the L.E.G.I.O.N (the interstellar police force) and the Darkstars (Green Lantern wannabe's).

As interesting as the lead character might be, the true star of the book is Pascal Ferry! His art is amazing (in fact, it was the entire reason I bought this book in the first place)! I've always loved Ferry's work and this issue just shines, complimented perfectly by the gorgeous colouring of Dave McCraig and fantastic lettering by Rob Leigh.

It's fair to say that this was one of the best first issue of a series I've read. The character is interesting, the story is well paced and the dialogue is sharp. I'll definitely be picking issue two up! I'm really interested to see where this story goes and the art has me hooked for the duration!

It made my day, picking up this second volume (and at a good price!). More strange tales of mystery and oddity from the mighty Alan Moore. The second instalment is at least as good as the first - the characters continue to develop, and the reader gets to know them and their (often extreme) idiosyncrasies. This helps the story to be even more involving, a story which is consummately illustrated by Kevin O'Neill

The writing is fluid and articulate, and the story is delivered with customary freakishness and humour. There is nothing better than simply being able to turn the page, and read the following part, without having to wait a month to see what happens next!

Volume II contains everything a grown lad needs - sex, violence, Martians, rivers of jelly, and all manner of japes.

Buy it now.

This title rocks big time - get it! I'll be getting fulls stock in for 24th September. For a good review see below! Thanks Mark.

I must admit, although I'm a huge fan of DC Comics, I generally tend to stay away from the annual, company-wide crossover event. I hate the way they tenuously try to involve every last character and how every regular book has a chapter forced into it, interrupting the story line you've been happily enjoying. I wasn't planning to buy Identity Crisis (why should this crossover be any different from all the others?) but it arrived on the shelf on a day when I had none of my regular titles to pick up. On days like this, my hard-earned cash seems to burn a hole in my pocket, so I decided to give the first instalment a shot.

The good news is Identity Crisis is more of an "event" than a "crossover". The story is completely self-contained and doesn't spill into DC's regular titles, leaving writer Brad Meltzer the opportunity to concentrate completely on his chosen characters without the story being diluted by tie-ins. Right from the start, Meltzer tells a story focussed very much on the human aspects of the superheros. He goes to great lengths to show that these characters actually form a society and we are shown how they pull together in times of need. What is obvious is Meltzer's knowledge of each character's history. His characters know each other intimately and refer to one another by their first names. They have real, genuine relationships with one another (whether they be friends, relatives or lovers) making them feel as human as I've ever seen them.

As the series' promotional artwork suggested, the story begins with a death. The person who actually gets killed is a real shock which actually turns out to be a double tragedy. As the tale continues into the second issue, Meltzer puts his writing skills as a thriller novelist to good use. The mystery of the killer's identity develops and we learn of a shocking secret that a handful of DC's best known characters have kept from their peers. After setting this superhero community up so flawlessly, the ramifications of this secret seem all the more poignant. We have yet to learn what effects on the superhero society this revelation will cause.

The fight with a super villan in issue three is written very imaginatively (although I'll never be able to swallow the fact that any fight involving a Green Lantern would last longer than a couple of seconds). It comes to a most satisfying end but as the murder mystery continues, it soon becomes obvious that this small group of heroes have a lot of explaining to do to their peers. Another aspect of their humanity is that they aren't squeaky clean by any means.

I wouldn't say Identity Crisis is the best story I've ever read but it does feel like it was written by a fan, for fans. Meltzer's knowledge of DC history seems almost comparable to that of Mark Waid. He has an obvious love for comics and he certainly knows how to write characters and mystery! Like so many other creators who come to comics from other genres, his writing style is very well suited to the art form (I can't believe this is the first time he's written comics). The story itself is well paced and each issue leaves you wishing for the next. The look of the book is also a treat. Michael Turner's covers are great and the high quality format is perfectly suited to the story.

The interior artwork of Rags Morales & Michael Bair isn't the best I've seen but it gets the job done. I do think you need a fairly neutral artist when you're dealing with a cast this big. I've thoroughly enjoyed the first three issues of this series (four more to come) and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here! It may be early days but I wouldn't mind Brad Meltzer having a crack at the JLA. Maybe a silver age flashback book like Batman's Legends Of The Dark Knight title?

First off - nice one to marvel for dropping to a new price point and knocking another 50cents off the previously lowest price. Which is great for getting new younger people into reading the funny little books we love. Unfortunately, for some reason, because the title is for younger readers, Marvel also decided to turn the art down more than a notch. It looks pretty crappy to me but...Story wise it's basic and flat. Although I need to remember where this is aimed - I'm sure it'd hit the spot for 8-12 yr olds. Well done for trying to bring comics to the next generation - bring in your kids. Or borrow some kids and bring em in!

I'm going to start by thinning out my potential audience here. If you're easily offended and/or need mummy or daddy to get "mature readership" titles for you, leave now. Seriously. Transmet isn't for you. Come back when you're older and have a sense of humour.

Still here? Good. Now I want you to leave. And go buy this book. Turn your computer off, or set it to download porn or whatever you do when you go out, stand up, go to The Great Nothing (I am getting paid per plug, right? I'm not getting paid? Typical,) and ask for, nay DEMAND a copy of this fine book. It's less than six quid, so don't go telling me you can't afford it. When you've finished it, you can come back and thank me.

Not convinced? Good for you. I like people who can think for themselves. I suppose this means I'll have to actually tell you about the book. Fine. Transmetropolitan is the story of one Spider Jerusalem, journalist extraordinaire. It kicks off with Spider being forced to return to the City after spending five years in self-imposed exile. The City itself is your typical dystopian future urban sprawl and puts you in mind of Mega-City One, but without a fascist police force running the show. Like 2000AD's finest, Transmet is far enough into the future to provide Ellis and Robertson with the opportunity to let their oh-so-twisted imaginations run riot, while being close enough to hold a darkly satirical mirror to our own existence.

Spider is one of the finest characters to flow from the pen (or keyboard) of Ellis and that's saying something. On the surface he appears much like any other unrestrained, chain-smoking, pill-popping antihero and in the hands of anyone else that is all he would be. What sets his cynical ramblings and vitriolic rants apart is that they stem from a genuine desire to get at the truth and by the end of the book you realise that he really does care. Of course, that doesn't stop him from shooting, burning, kicking and bowel-disrupting anyone who gets in his way.

The art initially appears fairly basic, functional even, but as Ellis gets into gear, so does Robertson. Every little nuance of human expression (and there are some pretty weird ones here) is captured with confidence and the larger street-scene panels are a joy and you'll be noticing new details all the time, even after repeated readings.

This first volume does a wonderful job of introducing you to Jerusalem's world. It gives you a feeling of the unknown without ever being out of your depth and at times you feel like you are being given a personal tour by the tattooed journo. It holds its own as a stand-alone story, but will leave you gagging for more.

Kinda querky, kinda fun, kinda sad story about a little girl who tries her best to look after he pets, but they seem to die on her. Just like her mum. Despite the cuteness of this comic (it's by Sam Keith) there is definatly some sadness going on. You really feel for the little girl as she buries another pet. But things do get better (at least for now) when she finds a gribbly little monster that she managed not to kill. Things could go wrong when she goes to find his mum - she's that bit bigger...

I'll start with a quote on this one - just because it made me laugh out loud, while on my own, oops. Bear to Looshkin after he brought a freaky bear voodoo doll to life "This isn't cool at all Looshkin!! These are dark forces you're titting about with!!" Well maybe you have to read the build up - it made me laugh.

Bear is a comic full of craziness. A talking bear with odd history who's head gets huge when you push his nose (he doesn't like that). Looshkin, a psychotic pet cat that has visions and thats about it. Fun filled sillyness, just what we like/expect from SLG publishing.

"EEE!! It's all balled up!! Satan ripped me off!! I want my soul back!!" Looshkin while being chased by freaky voodoo bear.

He He He

Solid first issue.

Covert Vampiric Operations. The US Government has enlisted vampires to carry out special forces operation. Their speed, strength and capacity for violence is far great than any human, add to this keener senses and an ability to shape shift and you have yourself a near perfect soldier.

This one shot issue follows a team of CVO agents as they join forces with a human team to take out a nuclear weapons factory in Mongolia. But when they get to the factory - not everything is as it seems...

Brilliant concept - executed really well. If you enjoy this - check out the other CVO story : Artifact (3 issues)

High hopes for this title since it is a spin off of the amazing Supreme Powers - initially I was worried when I saw Strakzynski is not on writing duty, but fortunately Barnes has harnessed the same feel and style and it works really well. Although it jumps around a bit, you know where you are and what's going on (New Invaders take note).

The story revolves around Joe Ledger - an off shoot of the Hyperion project explored in Supreme Powers - and begins by him testing an alien crystal of unimaginable power. But it kicks his ass into a coma and give him vivid flashbacks to key moments of his life.

A great looking comic, well written and with lots of potential. For those who have read Supreme Powers it's good to see what happened to Joe - to those who haven't you can always check out the trade!

Maybe it was because I didn't know the old invaders, maybe it was me being stupid, or maybe its because it was rubbish. Didn't seem to flow - no decent introduction of characters...let me know if you want further issues of this, because it'll be standing order only. At least it didn't take long to read.

Man how long have we waited for the new Aspen Studio's to get this thing released...must be getting on for a year now. We've had previews and issue zeros and press released and sneak peaks - all of which looked awsome - now at last we get the real deal.

Ok the first 3 pages have got me hooked - thats how to write an intro, very nice. Then we go into the standard young lad hero thing for this futuristic fantasy adventure...might not be much to write home about yet, but - it's full of dragons and odd angel winged peope. It's got my vote.

NB : 6 varient covers is just plain bad. Aspen, stop it - now!

After reading the 12 Cent Adventure I was more than looking forward to checking out what happened in it's aftermath, but for me, not enough happened in this follow up issue. Just seemed to plod forward. And the action sequences seemed clunky and slow. Story is definitely a good one - just not pushed hard enough in this issue. New thing for this section - I'm gonna rate it...see above for the score

OK, here we go...another new title from IDW. This time Mr Templesmith takes control of all aspects of creation, picking up both the writing and the artistic duties. And what a great job he does.

Nanites come to earth and find a host, who becomes as near to a god as possible - the ability to control everything on a molecular level. With all this power and him being a human, it doesn't take a genius to figure he will stray from a path of perfection - "4 billion people disassembled on a molecular level..." - nice.

There are a few that are immune to the nanites - the specials - who's bodies can't be disassembled. These are the few that will fight back. And what a motley crew they are!

The whole thing smacks of The Matrix in no small way - black leather clad group of people immune to the invasion, fighting back with guns and nano-samuri swords...

If you like The Matrix, or have ever liked anything good at any time in your life - get this comic. Twisted, intriguing, funny, sick, weird and generally kick ass entertainment. Definitely my cup of tea.

IDW - I salute you.

Is it wrong to be attracted to a character on the front of a comic? I imagine it is, so lets get on with the review...

A pretty good first issue - always liked the inner turmoil Rogue is subject to, and they definately play on this. Scenes with the mutant girl (especially from the air) look sweet as. Looking forward to seeing where this one heads...

Wow...although I'm a little late reading this - it was definitely worth getting round to. In this first issue see the origins of Doc Oc and the problems he had in his childhood...at times is pretty disturbing (check out his dad's shadow). Initially I wasn't so keen on the art work, but after reading it through, it fits well and is actually a nice style. Well written, good dialogue and a great introduction...off to read issue 2 now

Brilliant. Loving this title. Doc Oc is a genius nutcase - perfect. Give me the next issue...now

How can one company release so many great titles? Yet again IDW have published a master piece. Cool old guys with great weapons kicking mythical creatures ass'. Throw in some humor from a curious young guy, a small twist of love interest, another shake of humor, nice art work and you have a great read with a solid, intriguing end. And what a cover...

What do you get if you mix John McClane with Fox Molder?

Cal McDonald!

Cal McDonald is one of Steve Niles' (30 days of Night) most amusing characters. Written as a 4 part miniseries Cal is a cop and a drunk who, with the help from his big green dead partner Mo'lock, investigates monsters and the paranormal.

When presented with a teen foaming at the mouth both wind up in more trouble than they had bargained for, mostly due to Cal's immense bad luck.

This time round Niles has teamed up with Kelley Jones (Crusades) and they seem to be the perfect concoction. Jones really seems to understand Niles visions and has illustrated them perfectly.

Last Train To Deadsville is what comics should be all about, funny, gruesome, and totally entertaining.

As good as ever. Part one of a new story arc. Not too sure why he's been the option of killing his target, but it's a big hit. Not sure if it was just because I'm tired, but the ending confused me a little. Looked great and sets up a great next issue, but confused me none the less. Love this artwork, and as always - dialogue is spot on.

Looks the part. SLG through and through. Especially like the map in the centre spread. Story wise - not sure. Seems a little choppy and odd. But I guess thats what SLG do best!

Nice art work. Nice style and great concept. What would the Marvel hero's be like without their powers. Works pretty well. Intriguing and the end kicks ass. I'll be reading the next issue.

Back to an old favourite for me. I'd always enjoyed the previously Image published version of Powers, reading the Trades as they came out. After hearing of Icon, Marvels 100% creator owned publishing wing, I wasn't too worried the title would sell out, and thankfully it hasn't - not even a little bit (the language putting it in with the Max titles!).

The story follows two homicide detectives in a big city - no biggy you think - fortunately there is more of a twist when you find out the city, as well as being populated my mere mortals, is also full of super heros/villans. Or to put it another way - those who have powers (get the title now?!). The two detectives only deal in cases that invovle powers and thus things tend to get crazy/wierd/interesting pretty quick...and tend to stay that way.

This issue we find out the President has made using powers illegal so the law abiding super hero's have stopped, while the less than law abiding super villans (they're villans for a reason!) decided to ignore this new law and thus - the city has turned into super villan central, with only the powerless police left to hold the tide. To make matters worse a super villan turf war has broken out...it's gonna be one hell of a ride.

As ever Bendis' dialogue is fast paced and spot on and the story is sounding promising. Art wise I don't think this is as good as the first few trades from Image, but is still well styled and good looking.

Been out a while now, but it's so great and the second trade is coming out soon so...This is a brilliant pairing of Victorian style and fiction's greatest characters hooking up as the original super-group. Set in 1898, the mysterious M, head of the British Secret Service, has been tasked with creating a group of indivuals capable of combating an insidious threat that will decide supremacy of the London skies. There is no shortage of action, suspense, intrigue, mystery and terrific wit that all contribute to an indispensable read.

O'Neill's art is truely incredable. He creates a period looking London full of vivid, magnificent architecture along with a malevolent atmosphere thats ripe with thrills and danger - some of the page turning events are jaw dropping. And Moore's writing is...well it's Moore. Amazing sums this title up. Go read. Now.