Weekly Comic Reviews 9/19

By Daniel Alvarez on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Greetings everyone, welcome to this week’s edition of Unleash the Fanboy’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your host, Daniel Alvarez. It’s a pretty huge week, cause not one, but TWO Godzilla comics come out. If that doesn’t make you excited, I don’t know what will. We also have the debut issue of the long awaited Star Trek Next Gen Hive mini-series, so let’s get started on this fabulous week.

Artifacts #21

When a new character is introduced and thrust into a world that they really don’t understand, the end result is usually a perfect jump-on point for new readers and more or less a throwaway arc for faithful followers. But thankfully, the creative team behind Artifacts finds a way to satisfy both camps as they close out this romp in stellar fashion

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Peter Panzerfaust #6

The epic saga of Peter Pan continues to be retold in a World War II setting with some uneven narrative results that ultimately yield an amazingly visceral experience that represents the storied myth quite well. The latest issue follows the boys in a situation that demands maturity with some solid pathos and character interaction. What we have here is the beginnings of a strong arc where our heroes enter a rather dark era in the city of Paris.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Revival #3

If there’s one thing I like about Revival, as Revival #3 shows, is that its able to constantly surprise or entertain me. There’s never too many dull moments. Yet, on the whole, the series doesn’t feel like its forcing its themes and story across. In short, Revival #3 is a great issue. It gets things going properly, building on a lot of the plots and themes established. At any rate, the next few issues look to be intriguing; although Revival is a series that currently likes to set the questions, not answer them.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Jennifer Blood #17

After reading the previous issue, I honestly had no idea what this release would attempt to do. I thought of a few different paths the series could take, but after sitting down and reading this I’m glad that the creative took one of the more assuredly darker roads that’s sure to ring about some serious friction in the coming months. This issue is not a conversation, but an exercise in the stages of grief and that quiet honestly makes the meat of the tale more than work.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Merciless: The Rise of Ming #4

Merciless: The Rise of Ming had some great storytelling early on, giving Flash Gordon’s nemesis a level of complexity that’s rarely been seen in the character. Issue three failed in that regard, with Ming growing closer to his traditional, uninterestingly diabolical self. Merciless: The Rise of Ming #4 fails to live up to the promise of the series’ previous issues. Considering the burdens it’s under due to its status as a sequel, however, it could have been quite a bit worse.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

The Shadow #5

The penultimate issue of this arc is here, and truth be told it’s another solid outing that focuses more on plot progression rather than exposition. This is by far the tightest release yet from this creative team, as they skillfully move the pieces across their imaginary board, in a way that effectively ignites interest in next month’s conclusion.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Vampirella: The Red Room #3

The third part in this mini-series pushes the characters and the narrative into some new territory as it finishes off some lingering plot lines. As a whole, the books works well enough to entertain faithful followers but it fails to offer anything that could remotely attract uninitiated readers. Regardless of whether or not you feel that that’s a good or a bad thing, this release does succeed in elevating the story quality in its latest little romp.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris #15

Regular series artist Carlos Rafael takes a break for Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris #15, which sees the princess attempt to kill herself after the events of last issue. As usual, if you’re after a good story, there are better books to spend your money on, but if you want to look at big jugs, you’ve come to the right place.

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

Red Sonja: Atlantis Rising #2

Two issues in and this mini-series is strutting its stuff in this fast paced outing. From beginning to end this issue oozes with epicness, as Red Sonja attempts to save a devastated city from the Atlanteans while Thulsa Doom gains terrible powers unbeknownst to his would be conquerors. If you’re a fan of this character, this romp is most certainly a must buy.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Battle Beasts #3

Battle Beasts #3 does a great job at keeping things going, despite not doing anything itself. Considering how the last issues left, this issue seems to be stalling for the time for the sake of suspense. Fortunately, there are still a few good moments to be had.

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

Cobra #17

A much quieter issue, although not without its occurrences, G.I Joe Cobra #17 offers an interesting look at one of the lesser characters, whilst building up the plot.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Danger Girl/G.I. Joe #3

Danger Girl/G.I Joe #3 kicks things into full force in this cross over. Although they were quickly introduced last issue, this is the first issue where the cast of both G.I Joe and Danger Girl are explored and introduced fully. It may have taken three issues, but it means it hasn’t confused the reader or bombarded them with information. This is a title that takes the time it needs, whilst delivering results in the mean time.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Dorothy of OZ prequel #4

Another prequel miniseries comes to an end this week, the cleverly named Dorothy of Oz Prequel. As a rule, movie tie-in comics are not very good, but how did this one fare? While the art is good, any pleasure readers might take in the writing is completely destroyed by the shameless plugging of the movie. Here’s hoping that, in the future, Tipton and Shedd can find jobs more worthy of their talents.

For the full review, click here.

2/5

Ghostbusters #13

Erik Burnham delivers an excellent script that more than sets up the next phase for this storied franchise. Employing references, entertaining dialogue and some very workable plot threads the four originals are about to face a threat that’s been long in coming… competition. The only minor issues to be found with this little tale, come from the simplest scenes that feel a bit tacked on and wholly unnecessary. But for the most part, those rare moments are few and far between.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

GODZILLA #5

The GODZILLA ongoing has reached its fifth outing, and sadly it doesn’t rise above average territory yet again. The first issue did a pretty good job with establishing the monsters and characters, after that the story went downhill. I can write a huge editorial on all the things gone wrong in this series. Monsters get their debut and end up being one-shots. (Still haven’t forgotten Titanosaurus and his lost against an exploding building.) Boxer was once a pretty cool character, but now his dialogue is running stale and he’s pretty much nothing other than a macho man Expendables guy. This issue suffers from the same problems as the previous few. The writing aside from Harrison’s narration isn’t that great, and the monster debut is another disappointment.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

GODZILLA: Half Century War #2

Wow. That was the word I had in my head after reading this issue. The Half Century War is the latest in IDW’s Godzilla minis. These have had pretty good track records. Gangsters and Goliaths, Legends, and now this. The first issue firmly set the tone and its version of the title character. It was a great start. (Not to mention it featured the best drawn Godzilla I have ever seen in a comic.) Usually in the films it’s more fun when the big G has another monster to fight, here it’s no different. Not only that, but his opponent, Anguirus, is treated like a true fighter. Also, this series seems to understand Godzilla’s character, which the ongoing doesn’t. Issue #2 is a definite must-read and one of IDW’s best Godzilla issues yet.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

KISS #4

KISS #4 hits stores this week, wrapping up the “World Without Heroes” storyline that’s set in a barbarian era. I’ve been rough on this title in previous months, mostly due to my inability to look past KISS the comic’s connection to KISS the rock band. I’m going to make a serious effort here to look at the comic on it’s own merits. As a straightforward comic – no literary aspirations, no serious attempts to draw the reader in, no groundbreaking art – KISS #4 is pretty good. It may not be best if your looking for an engaging ongoing series, but if you’re looking for a fun read this month, you might check it out.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Star Trek #13

Fans who are eagerly anticipating the forthcoming Star Trek movie I’m sure are looking for any outlet to get their proverbial fix of the enduring space odyssey. But in the quest to sedate their cravings, some questionable stories that probably should not see the light of day get released. Sadly, this is one of those an example of one of those narrative mistakes.

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hive #1

Star Trek: The Next Generation and the original series are by far the most popular of the Trek universe. However, it could be debated which is the most popular film. Some would say The Wrath of Khan, some would say the 2009 film, and some would say First Contact. The Borg is part of Star Trek culture, when they appear, you know things are about to go down. It’s only natural that a mini-series would look to incorporate these guys with First Contact and a Next Gen history backdrop. Other than some comic stories, Next Gen hasn’t been seen since Nemesis, so this would be the story that takes place after it. The Borg has won, they have assimilated everything. Now what? Interesting, isn’t it? Hive #1 is a fantastic start to a mini-series longtime fans will really enjoy.

For the full review, click here.