Hey everyone. Welcome to Unleash the Fanboy’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your Godzilla-loving host, Daniel Alvarez. It’s the first week of December, and it hasn’t been too cold surprisingly. There are some pretty intense issues in this batch, including the nerve-racking second installment of Chasing the Dead. Why don’t we get started?

Alpha Girl #5

The crazy zombie apocalypse of the 80s finally continues here as it offers some much needed conclusions.  If you’re upset about the wait trust me fans it was an issue that was well worth it.  The characters each get some solid moments to shine as they grab some wheels and complete the first leg of what is sure to be an interesting journey (hopefully) going forward.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Black Kiss II #5

Let’s start this review off the right way, yes Black Kiss II is a comic book that’s strictly meant for mature audience members since there is an enormous amount of bodily exposure in it, but that doesn’t mean it lacks a story to tell.  Quite the opposite, since this moody series has a dirty mind but somewhat true intentions as it seeks to expose some of the darkest aspects of human nature in the most depraved ways possible.

For the fill review, click here.

3/5

Creator Owned Heroes #7

The day will come when I read an issue of Creator Owned Heroes and realize the series is no longer getting better. (It has to stop sooner or later, right?) But it is not this day. Issue 7 once again feels groundbreaking, and it’s extra-sized to boot.

For the full review, click here.

5/5

Cyber Force #2

Of all the titles coming out of Top Cow these days this series is truly shaping up to be something very unique.  Readers are sent to the futuristic Millennium City where the corporation CDI has taken control and created two classes of machine enhanced people that are somewhat at war with one another, caught in the crossfire is morality and normal human life is its casualty.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Epic Kill #7

Song continues to battle the machinations inside her mind as a government strike team is hot on her and her uncles heels, not only that there is a mysterious man who is also following close behind them. The story is told in three perspective, one in Song’s mind, one from her uncle, and one from the mysterious man following them in the sewer. What results is an issue that tries to create tension and suspense, but falls a bit short of the target.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

 

Great Pacific #2

Great Pacific is still young, but is already finding its footing. The problems it has could be handled with relative ease, and then we’ll have another Image book that’s a force to be reckoned with.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Dark Shadows Vampirella #5

When you get two good vampires in the same book taking on an ancient blood-sucker you’re bound to have a outrageous but not necessarily good read on your hands.  With that said followers of both Dark Shadows and Vampirella can rest easy because this talented creative team absolutely delivers a fitting conclusion to this chaotically entertaining jaunt.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Lone Ranger #11

After two months, Native Ground continues. This arc has been divided between the Ranger bringing Tonto to a Native American tribe and flashbacks. The latter took over the story, establishing a very interesting back-story for our Native American friend. This issue on the other hand focuses on the Ranger and his quest to find the ‘Ute Healer.’ While I have been greatly enjoying reading about Tonto, it’s good to see the Ranger back as the main character, I had forgotten what a great focus he can be. The penultimate issue is packed with a great story, very good writing, and is definitely one of the best Lone Ranger comics I’ve read.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Lone Ranger: Snake of Iron #4

Snake of Iron has reached its conclusion. It’s been a very good ride, the writing has been great and it’s just fun to see the Ranger and Tonto in the comic book world. I’ve seen quite a few episodes of the original black and white show, so it’s cool for Dynamite to be using these guys in whole new situations. This mini-series has been divided between what’s happening with Tonto in the train and the Ranger trying to put a stop to all the madness. It’s a rather simple story, it doesn’t rely on explosions or big fancy splash pages, rather it relies on the heart of the story. Issue #4 is a fine conclusion, even if the Ranger appears far too little.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Lord of the Jungle #10

Continuing the new arc, Lord Of The Jungle #10 finally sees Tarzan return to the jungles of Africa. Whilst its certainly an interesting read, with enough developments and action to keep everything going, it does raise an important question about writing such a character; is Tarzan only ever writable when he’s in the Jungle? The reason for this question is that this is the next arc from the first, which moved Tarzan out of the jungle. He’s very quickly going back. The series has always hinted at the conflict that represents the character, the idea of civilization vs primitive, yet has never really acted on it. In many ways this is a missed opportunity.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Red Sonja #72

The character of Red Sonja is one that can easily be written off as a rather dogmatic repetition that fulfills the idea of a tough girl while sporting a tiny outfit to cater to a predominately male fan-base.  But the unique thing about these preconceptions is the potential results born from a strong creative team taking them on.  And with these two men steering the proverbial ship the end result is a comic book that might just surprise you with its narrative depth.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Voltron: Year One #6

If someone would have told me that there was going to be a re-imagining of Voltron that played with more mature themes while embracing or evolving the campier elements of the classic series in order to create a contemporary space odyssey, I would have laughed them off.  But that’s exactly what’s happening here and this mini-series is further proof of the genius inherent in that idea.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Adventures Of Augusta Wind #2

Two weeks ago I was pretty rough on the first issue of The Adventures of Augusta Wind, mostly because of some problems with the lettering and/or coloring. While the offending text turned out to be more legible in print than onscreen, there were still some terrible choices made in the book’s production, and those persist in issue two.

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

Chasing the Dead #2

Chasing the Dead is back with a second intense issue. This mini-series is based on a novel of the same name. I’ve never read it, so I’ve been reading this without having any previous knowledge. The first issue started out normally enough, (aside from the prologue) but then got really intense in the middle act. The writing succeeds in making this Isaac Hamilton guy as scary as the most powerful of super villains, and he’s just some normal person! (As far we know anyway.) The first issue was a thriller with a few hints of some kind of paranormal zombie thing going on. That stuff comes about in this issue, you are not going to want to miss this.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

G.I. JOE A Real American Hero #185

This issue of G.I Joe: A Real American Hero is quite when it comes to actual action, but its not without its share of tension and excitement, making a calming change from the usual pacing. All in all, its still worth a read, but fans shouldn’t get excited for any action, revelations or overall surprises. This seems to be a ‘filler’ issue, something put in place to pad the pacing rather than delivering any resolution or tension.

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Color Classics Micro-Series Michelangelo #1

It’s that time of year again when comic books, TV shows and pretty much any ongoing media outlets attempt to deliver some seasonal magic by forcing a random narrative upon its dedicated audience.  A lot of these tales can be shameless cash-ins but it’s possible for them to be endlessly enjoyable when they’re done right, and TMNT fans can rest easy because this is one of the good ones.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Transformers Regeneration One #86

With Megatron destroyed, one would think that would be the end of Regeneration One. But it’s actually just getting started. This issue is the start of a new arc, finally bringing back Grimlock’s story. (We also see what’s up with Soundwave.) I will admit that it is nice to see the main parts of the story taking place back in space, it was getting slightly tiring being on the dead earth. The question is whether or not this arc can continue without Megatron as the main villain. The easy answer is yes, this is definitely one of the best issues yet.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Fly: The Fall #2

It’s hard when someone you care about starts to abuse a substance, you see how destructive it is and try as you might to help them eventually you have to let go and realize that they implicitly have to help themselves.  That may seem like a very heavy way to start a review about a comic that covers corrupt people who happen to have superpowers but its very appropriate considering their abilities are the literal result of substance abuse.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Grimm Fairy Tales: 2012 Holiday Special

You better watch out, you better not cry because at least you’re not in a locked mall after hours being forced to hear some horrific holiday tales.  Seriously, that’s the skeleton of this adventure and this creative team takes that simple idea combines it with some of the holiday season’s best and they just run with it.  The end result is a rousing success that’s easily worth your money and time.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

 

2000AD #1812

The culmination of several weeks and issues worth of storytelling and planning, three of the most interesting titles in 2000AD combine to form one interlinking finale. In short, its safe to say 2000AD #1812 is a unique and excellent issue for the magazine, and I would recommend it to anyone. Especially, of course, those with an interest for mega city one.

For the full review, click here.

5/5