And thus ends the cycle of stories around Mark, aka Invincible. It was a fantastic run, another triumph for Kirkman and his team. I liked the plot twiAnd thus ends the cycle of stories around Mark, aka Invincible. It was a fantastic run, another triumph for Kirkman and his team. I liked the plot twists here and how we get a relatively smooth landing for the many characters. As a reader from the beginning of this series, I felt I got closure from most for the plot lines that interested me the most.
What I enjoyed about the whole Invincible universe was how it never took itself too seriously even with all the pastiches of various superheroes and cinematic universes. Mark remained a multi-dimensional character inside a universe of changing alliances and we got to see him grow as a human from a confused teen to a mature, wise adult who (naturally) saves the universe yet once again. The art is always spectacular with full-page graphics, two-page layouts of 32 boxes each...just a variety of formats with brilliant colors and homogenous artwork throughout. Highly recommended for fans of superheroes, sci-fi, and fantasy....more
Saga is back! As usual, I loved the graphics and the zany story. Things are darker than before, but the protagonists remain fascinating and the tensioSaga is back! As usual, I loved the graphics and the zany story. Things are darker than before, but the protagonists remain fascinating and the tension barely hidden beneath the surface. I think this is truly one of my favorite comics of all time because each of the characters is well-drawn and 3-dimensional. Can't wait for Vol 12!...more
What makes Spawn epic is that it uses all the traditional superhero tropes but gives them all a new spin. The artwork is absolutely fabulous and I lovWhat makes Spawn epic is that it uses all the traditional superhero tropes but gives them all a new spin. The artwork is absolutely fabulous and I loved how McFarlane was joined by comic legends such as Frank Miller(!) for some of the episodes. It isn't always easy to follow, but then, comics rarely rely on strictly linear narratives. The gore is far more than your run-of-the-mill Batman or Daredevil but, again, drawn in such a fantastic manner. I'll need to read some more of these volumes....more
I thought this was one of the better conclusions to an epic and incredibly creative comic book series. I felt that it gave a punchy and satisfying endI thought this was one of the better conclusions to an epic and incredibly creative comic book series. I felt that it gave a punchy and satisfying ending to many of the outstanding questions and gave us closure on the destiny of our protagonists. Well-done!...more
Our favorite bike-riding teens have been jettisoned into their future and things are starting to go sideways. But, the reader wants to see what happenOur favorite bike-riding teens have been jettisoned into their future and things are starting to go sideways. But, the reader wants to see what happens next as s/he enjoys the great artwork and fantastically creative ideas stemming from this amazing comic series from the creator of Saga, Volume 1...more
This might be the first Green Lantern book I have read, but I enjoyed it a lot. I read the Stone Sky series from N K Jemisin and wanted to see what shThis might be the first Green Lantern book I have read, but I enjoyed it a lot. I read the Stone Sky series from N K Jemisin and wanted to see what she would do with the legendary DC character. The artwork is fantastic and the story engaging. In a nutshell, it is about whether human society would be better or worse off without emotions. I felt the theme was educational without being too dogmatic and left me thinking about the wider implications of the ideas in the book. 4 stars....more
I had high hopes for this one having read in various places that it is considered a real modern classic and the origin story for Harley Quinn. I was nI had high hopes for this one having read in various places that it is considered a real modern classic and the origin story for Harley Quinn. I was not enamored with the artwork which felt like stills from the Batman Animated Series, and the story while interesting was actually not all that engaging. Plus, I bought the Deluxe edition hoping to get some stories before and after this one to contextualize it, but the edition only brought tons of alternative drafts of the final version. Oh well......more
This was my first approach to Grant Morrison's Batman and I have to say I enjoyed it. There is a refreshing mix of slapstick and joking around that ruThis was my first approach to Grant Morrison's Batman and I have to say I enjoyed it. There is a refreshing mix of slapstick and joking around that runs parallel to the overall narrative. The idea of Batman having a kid and making Robin jealous was well-done. I am interested to see how these characters evolve in Batman: The Black Glove but especially in the apparently epic Batman: R.I.P....more
And, one again, I was disappointed by this legendary comic. I thought that Batman RIP was going to be as emotionally charged as, say, Batman: A Death And, one again, I was disappointed by this legendary comic. I thought that Batman RIP was going to be as emotionally charged as, say, Batman: A Death in the Family with Damien and Tim mourning the death of the Dark Knight. Instead, I got this messy narrative with a criminal organization which I found less daunting and scary than Batman, Volume 1 : The Court of Owls. The "death" of Batman / Bruce Wayne is a real anticlimax in this book and once again, Damien seems to be completely absent. I really don't quite get the hype around this comic. It was well-drawn, but it did not meet my expectations which were retrospectively put too high based on what I had heard about it beforehand....more
I was expecting a lot more of the second Grant Morrison Batman series. The art here was good, but the story jumps all over the place. Also, I never feI was expecting a lot more of the second Grant Morrison Batman series. The art here was good, but the story jumps all over the place. Also, I never felt that The Black Glove was all that formidable an adversary to the Batman. Maybe I'll have to read it again, but I was a little disappointed. It felt like Damien just disappears completely from the story whereas he was so important in the previous volume Batman and Son...more
And so yet another majestic cycle ends here. I liked this ending and found it most satisfying. I am a little sad that this is most likely the end of tAnd so yet another majestic cycle ends here. I liked this ending and found it most satisfying. I am a little sad that this is most likely the end of the stories from both the Descender and Ascender universes, but I do feel like I got my money's worth storywise as well as with the character arcs. Thanks Jeff Lemire for such a fun ride....more
I was expecting a little more from classic from Brubaker. I am by no means a Batman expert, but was mistaken in thinking that this comic would cover tI was expecting a little more from classic from Brubaker. I am by no means a Batman expert, but was mistaken in thinking that this comic would cover the Red Hood -> Joker conversion story. I still don't know where that one is located in the massive anthill of Batman comics. This one has a rather scary Joker and a decent Batman, but lacks the gravitas of the Scott Snyder and Frank Miller universes....more
Please BUY this book - do not let the xtian right push it into oblivion. Maus is a critical masterpiece in its portrayal of the author's father's struPlease BUY this book - do not let the xtian right push it into oblivion. Maus is a critical masterpiece in its portrayal of the author's father's struggle to survive Nazified Poland and Auschwitz based on his father's recollections. It has been banned from libraries and schools in many red states (along with The Diary of a Young Girl for the same disgusting anti-semitic, racist reasons) and yet is a powerful and unique testimony to the horrors of the Holocaust. The tale is both gripping and funny and portrays the Jews as mice (thus the title), the Nazis as cats, etc. I would recommend this to anyone because it does such an excellent job of talking about such a horrific period without skimming on details, but with no interest in voyeurism or exploitation. It should be seen as a critical, pivotal text concerning one of the darkest moments in human history and a monument to both the dead who are lost forever and the strength of those few who survived to tell the tale....more
This fifth volume, which collects Archie comics #23-27, continues the drama following the car crash at the end of Vol 4 in which Betty is injured afteThis fifth volume, which collects Archie comics #23-27, continues the drama following the car crash at the end of Vol 4 in which Betty is injured after the ill-fated drag race between Archie and Reggie. As always, the art work is great, the story a delicate balance of pathos and teen humor. I really like the Toni character and, of course, the Archie-Betty-Ronnie love triangle plus the ever-popular Jughead Jones. The classic Archie themes of friendship, loyalty, love and integrity are treated here in an even-handed fashion. The teaser for The Archies series about the band was also fun - can’t wait to grab that and for Archie Vol 6 to drop!...more