Weekly Comic Reviews 2/13


Hey everyone. Welcome to UTF’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your Godzilla-loving host, Daniel Alvarez. It’s a pretty exciting week, here we have the start of the hotly anticipated new Ghostbusters series and the end of Godstorm. So without further a do, let’s kick it off with America’s Got Powers.

America’s Got Powers #5

The conclusion Ross brings us to at the issue’s end is odd; it feels like we’re a single battle away from wrapping up the series, and yet there’s enough uncertainty surrounding the choice Tommy made  that things could still get worse before they get better. As great as the art from Hitch, Neary, Paz, and Mounts is, the story is so much political sound and fury, with very little in the way of a message. Hopefully, in the issue it has left, the series will find a way to say something meaningful.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Cyber Force #3

Whether you’ve bought this comic book series in its prior iterations or not it doesn’t matter, because this version of Cyber Force is certainly made for both the dedicated or the uninitiated.  Unlike other relaunches this one is more than solid as it offer a unique take on both the storied characters and the world they inhabit.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

End Times Of Bram And Ben #2

So far I have to say this mini-series has been one of the most enjoyable rides I’ve taken in 2013.  From start to finish each issue is imbued with a plucky spirit that simply ebbs and flows through its murky and potentially depressing waters.  The thing that sets this tale apart even as it faces the apocalypse now is its very clear purpose set forth by the creative team.  And to their credit the people behind this succeed in making their select audience laugh more often than not.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Fatale #12

When it comes to reviewing this monthly comic book, it never ceases to amaze me at how easily this team emulates the noir genre while offering their own unique spin.  This latest release is much of the same and even though it’s not as good as it can be it was still an exceptionally enjoyable ride.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Hoax Hunters #7

Manhattan Projects #9

Overall, this is another great issue of The Manhattan Projects. The ending is so elegantly accomplished, it feels like Hickman did a magic trick right in front of us, before we even knew it was happening. Pitarra’s layouts and depictions, along with colorist Jordie Bellaire, of the various outlandish characters make this one of the most visually engaging issues to date.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Morning Glories #24

Morning Glories #24 is without another strong release in a sterling series. It would be easy to complain and say that not enough was answered in this specific piece but the revelation on the final page successfully peaked my interest.  In short, if you’ve been following this tale this latest bit of the growing puzzle is absolutely for you. Highly Recommended.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Peter Panzerfaust #9

The continuing adventures inherent in this absolutely engaging series continue to astound me even in this latest outing.  The simplicity of the ideas and the complexities brought forth from their execution make it apparent to any and all curious readers that what they’re reading is something unique.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Spawn #228

When dealing with a longstanding franchise it can be difficult to find new or creative ways to make a world and its storied characters fresh enough to keep a dedicated audience entertained.  If the latest slew of issues are any indication than the people behind this current barrage of Spawn are more than up to that task.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Garth Ennis’ Battlefields #4 The Fall and Rise of Anna Part 1

Garth Ennis has handed in something the feels like an honest account of a difficult war.  You don’t need to be a historian or a fan of the time period to get the sense of honesty and integrity that’s simply oozing forth from this script.  From the struggle of gender equality to the realities of faulty equipment leaving you adrift in a desperate moment the author finds away to make each proverbial beat feel natural and cosmetic.  My one gripe is the fact that early on the transition from one language to another is poorly handled and it may confuse readers for a second or two.

For the full review, click here.

 4/5

Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin #2

In it’s second issue, Ghoul Goblin still has some problems but is improving steadily. Cooper’s art, with colors by Mohan, is a highlight, and if writers Butcher and Powers can break loose of the pattern they’re in, they’ll have a great series on their hands.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Red Sonja #73

If you’re already a fan of the She-Devil with a sword than at this point there’s little I can say that would detour or push you to buy this latest issue. With that rather defeatist sentence out of the way, don’t worry the creative team has turned in something rather special with this latest release.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Red Sonja: Unchained #1

From start to finish Peter V. Brett does an excellent job building up and characterizing this world along with the title’s lead via the use of some carefully placed inner-dialogue.  The script is solid as it methodically works toward whatever endgame the author has in store, but my compliments must go to the smartly written interactions that yield entertaining moments.  There was one scene in particular that had some excellent wordplay right before some deliberately decisive blows befell some unworthy foes.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Ghostbusters #1

These new Ghostbusters have come together and they are certainly going to be going through some serious growing pains for the foreseeable future.  But fans should take heart because the plucky spirit that made the previous volume such an uproariously fun read each and every month is still intact.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Popeye #10

From start to finish, Popeye #10 is a simple, yet delightful story that focuses that entertains and keeps you reading. Even if the ending is slightly obvious, the charm and humor found within is enough to warrant picking this issue up. Its a good example of Popeye, and younger audiences will also appreciate the simple, family appropriate messages about friendship.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Transformers: Regeneration One #88

Regeneration One is back with perhaps its biggest issue since the battle between Optimus and Megatron. Here’s what’s happening currently…Scorponok has unlocked a gene making Autobots go berserk  Grimlock has made a deal with him, but deals with villains never go well, do they? That’s the main thing, but there are a few other plots going on at the same time. A minor complaint I’ve had in the past is that a plot will start but disappear for a few issues, that’s nonexistent here. Somehow this issue balances pretty much everything Regeneration One is all about.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

 

Charismagic: The Death Princess #2

Whether you’ve been enjoying Charismagic up to this point or not this little tale is good enough to warrant your attention.  Sure there are some rough spots here and there but for the most part this is an absolutely engaging ride from beginning to end.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Executive Assistant Assassins #8

This event has been from the get-go a masterwork of over the top action surrounded by all the normal story tropes usually associated with this rather straight forward franchise.  There haven’t been many deep moments along the way but this latest issue attempts to move all the pieces forward so they at the very least have to deal with one another.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Godstorm #4

Godstorm comes to a close with this issue. While not as good as writer Pat Shand’s Robyn Hood series, it’s been a pretty interesting ride. Originally going into this story I had expected big god battles, Olympus, and dialogue straight out of a Thor comic. Turns out it went a different path. Called ‘Grand Theft Auto meets gods,‘ it followed a guy named Julian in the streets. In essence, it wasn’t quite as epic as  I thought it’d be, but was still a pretty good read minus the exaggerated females. This issue is a pretty good conclusion, although the story looks to continue in the near future.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Grimm Universe #3

It’s not a completely original idea to take a villain that’s been despised and humanize them by offering some sort of emotional back story.  But on occasion this type of narrative is handled in a way that feels far more genuine than people might expect.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

2000AD #1819

Its another week, so here’s another issue of 2000AD. This week in 2000AD #1819 we have Judge DreddSavage,  Ampney Crucis InvestigatesThe Red Seas and Strontium Dog.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

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