Comic book reviews - June 7, 2009

I haven't done a comic post in weeks, so I have a big stack to review. I'm just going to do quick reviews this time. I'll make the next review post longer.

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #6 of 6
Really good conclusion to a fantastic story! 5 out of 5

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz #6 of 8
Flying monkeys! Yay! Cute comic, as always. 4 out of 5

House of Mystery #13 and 14
13 - Three short stories, each centered around the number 13. Really fun departure from the current story. 4 out of 5
14 - Harry and Peter are stuck "somewhere" outside of the house, and Harry finds out that he may not be real. 4 out of 5

Ignition City #2 and 3 out of 5
I'm still into the story, but something is off with the art. Something about the faces just doesn't seem right. 3 out of 5

The Unwritten #1
Very cool first issue, I'll definitely be reading more of this. 4 out of 5

Buffy Season Eight #25
Finally, we find out what happened to Dawn. Pretty good. 4 out of 5

Buffy Season Eight, Tales of the Vampires
A special issue by Becky Cloonan and Vasilis Lolos, focusing on the new world where vampires are cool and slayers aren't. Loved it! 5 out of 5

Madame Xanadu #10 and 11
10 - The conclusion to the first story arc. 4 out of 5
11 - New story, and a new artist. And a cameo by Wesley Dodds?! 4 out 5

I've also been reading The Great Fables Crossover, but I'll save those reviews for when the story is done.
Until next time!

Comic book reviews - April 14, 2009

Lots of reviews today, so lets get started!

Rose and Isabel, by Ted Mathot
Graphic novel in two parts, self published

Oh, my! I love this book. I stumbled across Ted Mathot's blog on boingboing.net and fell in love with his art.

Rose and Isabel is about the journey of two sister, trying to find their missing brothers during the Civil War. Descendants of an Irish warrior woman, they're smart, strong, and determined to bring their family back together.

I highly recommend that you get this. 5 out of 5!

Ignition City #1 of 5, by Warren Ellis
art by Gianluca Pagliarani

I haven't read much from Warren Ellis (just his online comic, FreakAngels) but the steampunk look of this book was intriguing so I picked it up. The story isn't bad. It's about Mary Raven, a pilot who's father (also a pilot) has just died. She goes to Ignition City, the last public space port, to collect his things and find out why or how he died.

Again, the story is pretty good. The art, however, is varied in quality. I love the backgrounds and the spacey/steampunk vehicles, but the characters are iffy to me. It may be the inking or the coloring, but they look stiff sometimes. I'll probably buy the rest of the mini series.

3 out of 5

Buffy, Season 8, # 24 by Jim Kruger
Art by Cliff Richards

Faith and Giles hear about a "slayer sanctuary" from a new, reluctant slayer. They go there with her and find out is isn't so much a sanctuary...

Good art and story, as usual. I really do love this series!

4 out of 5

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #5 byGerard Way
Art by Gabriel Ba

I don't want to say too much about the plot, as it would spoil the fun. Read it. Now.

5 out of 5

House of Mystery, #12 by Matthew Sturges
Art by Luca Rossi

Really good issue. We learn some more about Cress, through the side story from the mysterious Genevieve. And we see one of Fig's father's hidden talents. Weird and fun. Can't wait to see what happens next!

4 out of 5

The Wonderful Wizard of OZ #5 of 8 by Eric Shanower
Art by Skottie Young

Finally, we get to see the Wicked Witch! Skottie Young's art is what really keeps me reading this book. I love his versions of these characters. The story isn't really new, but it's cute and fun.

4 out of 5

Madame Xanadu #9 by Matt Wagner
Art by Amy Reeder Hadley

We're now in 1940s New York, and Madame Xanadu is getting really tired of the Phantom Stranger. She sets a trap for him, with the help of John Zatara (who is the father of Zatanna, on of my favorite DC characters!)

Lovely art, and a great story. 5 out of 5

Comic book reviews - March 17, 2009

I only got two new comics last week, so this post will be short.

The Wonderful Wizard of OZ, #4 of 8
Written by Eric Shanower, art by Scottie Young

I'm really enjoying this Marvel miniseries. It's charming and cute, with fun scary bits thrown in. It's adapted from Baum's book, not the famous movie.

In this issue, they've reached the Emerald City and get to talk to the Wizard. Of course he won't just give them what they want, they must kill the Wicked Witch.

Scottie Young's art is fantastic. I love his character designs, especially the Tin Man and Toto. So cute!
5 out of 5


Fables #82
Written by Bill Willingham, art by David Hahn

An epilogue to the Dark Ages story arc. Back at The Farm after Blue's funeral, everyone is dealing with the lose in their own way. Rose Red is seriously depressed and Pinocchio is hopeful that Blue will come back (like other dead Fables have before.)

The art for this issue is pretty good. Also, this is the first issue after James Jean's run as cover artist. I'll miss his covers, but Mark Buckingham isn't a bad substitute.

Not a very exciting issue, so I'll give it 3 out of 5

Comic book reviews

Today I'm starting a new weekly comic book review. I don't read that many monthly titles. I tend to like single book stories (no cross overs, no need to read other books to get what's going on in the main book) I like mini series, graphic novels, and starting from issue #1 (I don't like jumping in the middle of a story)

This week I picked up...

Hellboy #40
Part 4 of The Wild Hunt story.
Written by Mike Mignola, art by Duncan Fegredo

Hellboy and Alice follow a little creature (imp or fairy?) who says that he was sent as a guide by Mab, but its a trap! Those little guys are nuts! Great art, as usual. I really need to read all of the back issues, as this mentions some things from past stories I haven't read yet.

There's a backup story "Baba Yaga's Feast" by Mignola, with art by Guy Davis. It's excellent! I love folk tales, especially weird Russian Baba Yaga stories. Again, the art is fantastic.

4 out of 5

Buffy Season 8, #23
Written by Drew Greenberg, art by Georges Jeanty

Buffy and Andrew go on a road trip to stop Simone, a rouge slayer. This is a really fun issue. I love Andrew! Such a geek, and so lovable. He and Buffy "geek bonding" is hilarious. This issue felt like an episode of the show, with just the right combination of action and humor.

5 out of 5

House of Mystery #11
Part 1 of The Space Between
Written by Matthew Sturges, art by Luca Rossi

First, the cover is probably my favorite of the series so far. But I don't know who does the covers! I looked through the whole issue, but no mention of a cover artist. Is it Luca Rossi?

Anyway...This is a great issue. We find out more about the weird floating couple, and where people go when they leave the House. Fig's father is still an asshole, and Harry and Fig finally sleep together. Oh, and the Administrator of Ceorel is really creepy!

5 out of 5