This is a facsimile edition of “The Flash” #123 (Sept 1961) featuring the iconic story of “The Flash of Two Worlds”DC Comics was never the same!!!
This is a facsimile edition of “The Flash” #123 (Sept 1961) featuring the iconic story of “The Flash of Two Worlds” introducing the concept of “multiverse” to DC Comics continuity. I bought a physical edition but I only found this “kindle” edition, so I used this one to make my review.
Creative Team
Writer: Gardner Fox
Illustrator: Carmine Infantino
Editorial Guidance: Julius Schwartz
ENTER: THE MULTIVERSE!!!
Obviously I haven’t original comic since I lack of $83,000, hehehe, but luckily DC Comics published this facsímile edition (that it’s somethin different than a reprint, since a true facsímile published the same advertisements used on the original issue, and even using the same kind of paper and inks (at least something really close to the original ones used back then), therefore one is able to read this iconic story that introduced the concept of “multiverse” to DC Comics, and that’s a monumental concept that changed for the better the way that DC Comics universe works.
The “second” Flash aka Barry Allen travels (by accident) to “Earth-2” meeting the “first” Flash aka Jay Garrick, before that, Jay Garrick was a “comic book character” in Barry Allen’s Earth where Gardner Fox (the one of Earth-1) claims that Jay Garricks’ adventures came to him in dreams. Barry Allen deduced that Gardner Fox, in some way, get “tuned” while sleeping to Earth-2 and in that way, he was able to know about the existence of Jay Garrick.
This “humble” meeting between those two characters (one of the called “Golden Age” of comics and the other from the “Silver Age” of comics) was the first step to a whole anual tradition of regular meeting of the Justice League of America reuniting with the Justice Society of America, evolving to Crisis of Infinite Earths and later to become something bigger with “elseworlds” stories and even ongoing alternate universes titles.
And everything born here.
THE FLASH MEETS THE FLASH
The Flash Barry Allen offers to cover the entertainment in a charity event managed by Iris West (his girlfriend) and when Barry is doing an innocent “magic” trick with a rope, he vibrates in certain frequency and suddenly he is finding himself in other Earth, no longer Central City but Keystone City and son enough he found out that this “Earth-2” was home for Jay Garrick, the “old” Flash.
I like that they didn’t do the cliché fight hero vs hero until they understand that both are in the same side, they since the beginning are cordial and open-minded.
They even join forces (since Jay Garrick was “retired”) to face a new threat made of three rogues: The Shade, The Fiddler and the Thinker.
Since it’s a very old story, maybe it isn’t that good for five stars, but due the monumental effect provoked thanks to this humble story to the way of DC Comics evolved since then, definitely it deserves a full five-star rate.
This is a one-shot comic book about Scrooge McDuck. I bought the physical edition, but since GR doesn't have coveJoin the multiverse duck tales!!!
This is a one-shot comic book about Scrooge McDuck. I bought the physical edition, but since GR doesn't have cover art for that one, I prefer to use the kindle version for my review.
Creative Team
Writer: Jason Aaron
Illustrators:
Chapter 1: Paolo Mottura Chapter 2: Francesco D’ippolito (pencils) & Lucio De Giuseppe (inks) Chapter 3: Alessandro Pastrovicchio & Vitale Mangiatordi Epilogue: Giada Perissinotto
Colors: Arianna Consonni (Arancia Studio)
Lettering: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Reprint of orginal “Christmas on Bear Mountain” by Carl Barks (Script & Art)
Cover: Alex Ross
FOR THE DUCK WHO HAS EVERYTHING
The greatest adventurer who ever lived. The toughest thing in two legs. In any universe. Duck of no duck. ‘Nuff said.
Jason Aaron, old veteran writer in Marvel Comics is a great fan of Scrooge McDuck since he began to read Scrooge’s old adventures to his son, and now he did this amazing comic book with the greatest art team of Italian illustrators ever assembled.
Jason Aaron crafted an ingenious multiverse adventure using as point of origin none other than the very first comic book adventure ever published of Scrooge McDuck (reprinted at the end of this comic book).
You’ll have obviously Scrooge McDuck here but he will face his greatest challenge so far…
…HIMSELF!!!
A Scrooge McDuck from an alternate reality is stealing “The Number One Dime” of each Scroogee McDuck (along with as many Money Bins possible!) and it’s up to our favorite adventurer to settle things.
Along with as many Scrooge McDucks that you can imagine, you’ll have all your favorite companions: Huey, Dewey & Louie, along with Gyro Gearloose and of course, Donald Duck!
And you can bet that the Beagle Boys are around here, of yes!
And while Magica De Spell isn’t in the story (bummer!), she still will contribute with a key magical artifact to the adventure.
Definitely, if you are fan of Duck Tales and/or Scrooge McDuck, you can’t miss this awesomely illustrated and crafty written comic book!...more
This is the first volume of “Le Petit Spiroy” comic book series. Originally appearing in 1987 for the first time in Watch out for Le Petit Spirou!
This is the first volume of “Le Petit Spiroy” comic book series. Originally appearing in 1987 for the first time in Dupuis Publishing.
This first volume is known as “Say Hello to the Lady”
Creative Team:
Creators, Writer & Illustrator: Tome & Janry
FRANCO-BELGIAN COMICS
The collaboration between France and Belgium in the genre of comic strips & comic books is monumental, figuring many of the most iconic examples of the genre, not only Asterix, but also The Smurfs, Tin Tin, Lucky Luke, Le Petit Spirou, and many, many, MANY others…
…generating their own inner genre named, obviously, Franco-Belgian comics, considered along with United States & Great Britain comics and Japanese manga, as one of the three most influential and relevant examples of the comic book field.
(I plan to read in the future other titles of this genre, therefore, in the first volume of each title, it will be normal to find this same general introduction.)
PICARESQUE BUT CHARMING
While this is quite recent, taking in account that other iconic Franco-Belgian comics were created in the 40’s, 50’s and so on, this is an 80s product and it shows in its picaresque tone that maybe in previous decades wouldn’t work out. This is a child version of the adult Spirou character (which I haven’t read anything) and it seems that while the adult version is proper and serious, the creators decided to give it a double-meaning and picaresque tone to the series but keeping it charming and kinda innocent due that many of the main characters are kids. One good thing is that due the creative team were already seasoned artists, the comic book begins already with the expected look of the characters, not like Tintin or Lucky Luke that you will have to wait for following volumes to find the expected recognizable look of the characters.
Spirou or Le Petit Spirou is a schoolboy wearing his trademark Bellboy outfit (I think to make him recognizable as a younger version of the character) whom is always getting in troubles due being interested in the opposite sex.
The volume started with a short story about a collection of photos left by a deceased photographer capturing indiscreet moments of many people in the town. The rest of the volume are one page gags, were you are introduced to several characters like Vert (his best friend), Suzette (his kinda girlfriend), Mr Mégot (school’s gym teacher), Abott Langelusse (main religious figure in town), Sister Mary Angelique (a beautiful nun), Pepé Spirou (his grandfather) and Mrs. Spirou (his mother), and even you get the introductory gag about Jean-Henri Masseur (which in French is language joke sounding a lot like “your sister” and used by Suzette as a misleading prank since she has a very sexy sister).
Other iconic characters still not appearing in this very first volume, but certainly the book begins with good artwork and charming gags quite hilarious.
I bought this in its printed version but I didn’t find that edition here on GR, so I had to use this Kindle edition that I found
This Doom endures!
I bought this in its printed version but I didn’t find that edition here on GR, so I had to use this Kindle edition that I found
This is a Giant-sized (64 pages) one-shot comic book.
Creative Team:
Plot, Script & Art: Sanford Greene & Jonathan Hickman
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg with Sanford Greene
Lettering: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Art: Sanford Greene & Matthew Wilson
DOOM VS GALACTUS…’NUFF SAID!
I didn’t choose to buy this comic book but actually the guy in charge of comic books in the geek local store where I buy comics, he was the one who chose it for me, he told me that I need that comic and well…
...he was right!...
…in fact the comic book became in demand getting more value, which I don’t complain at all.
The first thing that got me off guard, it was that it’s not the Earth-616 Doctor Doom, since some Doctor Doom in the multiverse, where in his Earth, all heroes and villains faced Galactus…
…and they lost!...
…even space characters like the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Nova Corps, the Shiar Imperial Guard, everybody lost too!...
…only surviving Doctor Doom and Valeria Richards (that’s why it’s impossible to think about this Doom as the one from Earth-616.
Aaah! But Doctor Doom doesn’t survive…
…Doctor Doom endures! (his words, not mine!)
Galactus is on a frenzy hunger and everything in the universe is in peril…
…and obviously the only hope to stop Galactus is Doctor Doom, whom lost the first round but he is still alive (barely thanks to his magic knowledge), but Valeria Richards looks foor him and everything is set for second round!
Something that I found kinda unfair, it's that I noticed that this comic book got so many attention due the involment of Jonathan Hickman (which obviously is one of the best comic book writers in the industry, in special about Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom) and certainly I'm sure that he indeed collaborated in the project, but I think that the real "father" of this comic book was Sanford Greene, since you can notice that he was involved in all departments to make this comic book.
This comic book is highly recommended to any fan of Fantastic Four, in special of Doctor Doom, Valeria Richards and/or Galactus. Also, I have no doubt that this one-shot was published to start to make current boost to the characters of Doctor Doom and Galactus that both are expected to be relevant in the incoming phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This is the first volume of “Lucky Luke” comic book series in its “The Complete Collection” American edition. Originally appHere comes Lucky Luke!
This is the first volume of “Lucky Luke” comic book series in its “The Complete Collection” American edition. Originally appearing in 1949 for the first time in Dupuis Publishing.
In this collected American edition are printed seven different stories: “Arizona 1880”, “Dick Digger’s Gold Mine”, “Lucky Luke’s Double”, “Rodeo”, “Desperado City”, “The Buffalo Creek gold rush” and “Lucky Luke versus Cigarette Cesar”.
Creative Team:
Creator, Writer & Illustrator: Morris
FRANCO-BELGIAN COMICS
The collaboration between France and Belgium in the genre of comic strips & comic books is monumental, figuring many of the most iconic examples of the genre, not only Asterix, but also The Smurfs, Tin Tin, Lucky Luke, Le Petit Spirou, and many, many, MANY others…
…generating their own inner genre named, obviously, Franco-Belgian comics, considered along with United States & Great Britain comics and Japanese manga, as one of the three most influential and relevant examples of the comic book field.
(I plan to read in the future other titles of this genre, therefore, in the first volume of each title, it will be normal to find this same general introduction.)
NOTHING LIKE AMERICAN WESTERN…FROM EUROPE!
It’s curious how the American Western is a genre that sometimes is better portraited outside of United States like the Italian “Spaguetti Western” and this Franco-Belgian comic book of Lucky Luke becoming easily the best known and popular “american” cowboy in comics.
I can understand that nowadays is not recommended to promote smocking (but I wonder why drinking alcohol doesn’t have the same kind of witch hunt) but it’s kinda absurd that Morris, its creator, were critized for having Lucky Luke smocking in its classic run since if he was an adult in the old American west, it’s only logical that he would smoking (and drinking alcohol) due in that era of history was normal that, you can’t (or you shouldn’t) re-write history, bad or good, history should be told or portraited like it happened.
In this gorgeous first volumen of the american edition known as “The Complete Collection”, you won’t have the most characteristic look of Lucky Luke (in fact you can appreciate how the look of the face of Lucky Luke is evolutioning during the run of this first seven tales but without still reaching his most recognizable look) but unlike the first story of Tin Tin where the artwork is just awful, here you will find gorgeous artwork in characters and scenarios. Jolly Jumper, his white horse, the “smartest horse in the west”, is without a doubt smart and even sometimes you hear him talk (like Scooby-Doo) but later you can read his thoughts.
Also, you will find an extensive information about Morris, his personal life, his inspirations for this comic book and the impact of the series.
Arizona 1880 (4 stars)
It’s the very first Lucky Luke story with a very cartoonish look in Lucky Luke and while the story is quite simple, it’s quite entertaining and a worthy beginning, where Lucky Luke without much background of his personal past, he reaches Nugget City and having to deal with an insidious criminal and his pair of minions.
Dick Digger’s Gold Mine (5 stars)
Dick Digger is an old man that he can’t just keep his mouth shut about having found a gold mine and the same pair of minions (but just them, the boss is still in jail I guess) are starting to look for the mine without realizing that they already have the map in a bottle of Dick Digger.
Lucky Luke’s Double (4 stars)
Lucky Luke arrives to another town and he finds out that there is a criminal in prison looking just like him (even the same wardrobe!) and the band of that criminal kidnaps Lucky Luke to interchange him in the Town’s Jail.
Rodeo (4 stars)
Lucky Luke in participating in a rodeo event, when a nefarious participant steals the money of the rodeo grand prize.
Desperado City (5 stars)
Lucky Luke arrives to Desperado City which is a very dirty and sinful town, where he soon enough will have to “clean” the town. Easily the best written tale in this first collection.
The Buffalo Creek gold mine (5 stars)
A very funny tale where people starting to think that there is gold in Buffalo Creek which is only a creek but suddenly you have train and a whole town emerging due the bunch of people arriving there to look for the gold. Easily the funniest tale (showing a true old cartoon style of narrative) of this first collection.
Lucky Luke versus Cigarette Cesar (3 stars)
The title explains much of what happens, where indeed Lucky Luke meets this character known as Cigarette Cesar and he has to face him to bring him to justice. It’s not a bad story but easily is the weakest of the collected tales in this first collection.
This is the first volume of “Tintin” comic book series. Originally published, between 1929 and 1930, in the “Le Petit Vingtième”, Rocky beginning!
This is the first volume of “Tintin” comic book series. Originally published, between 1929 and 1930, in the “Le Petit Vingtième”, a children’s supplement part of “Le Vingtième Siècle” a Belgian newspaper.
Creative Team:
Creator, Writer & Illustrator: Hergé
FRANCO-BELGIAN COMICS
The collaboration between France and Belgium in the genre of comic strips & comic books is monumental, figuring many of the most iconic examples of the genre, not only Asterix, but also The Smurfs, Tin Tin, Lucky Luke, Le Petit Spirou, and many, many, MANY others…
…generating their own inner genre named, obviously, Franco-Belgian comics, considered along with United States & Great Britain comics and Japanese manga, as one of the three most influential and relevant examples of the comic book field.
(I plan to read in the future other titles of this genre, therefore, in the first volume of each title, it will be normal to find this same general introduction.)
STILL FAR FROM GREATNESS
This is the very first comic book of Tintin but it’s not recommended only if you are truly interested about reading Hergé’s full work, since this volume is too crude in its artwork, almost without a proper plotline and not well written at all falling in cliché cartoonish jokes.
Hergé did it as a commision to do an anti-communist satire, and certainly you get that, but Tintin is barely recognizable since Hergé’s artwork here is too amateur in every sense, characters’ designs, scenarios, etc…
Also, Hergé only read a single book, written by a former Belgian ambassador at Russia, as his only info reference to make this story, and while it’s intentionally a satire, it’s obviously not properly researched to portrait a believable view (negative or positive) about the Soviet Union at the moment.
It was odd that Milou (Tintin’s dog) was able to read his thoughts, but I understand that was normal in Hergé’s first publications, eventually Milou began to behave as a more normal dog.
Tintin is a Belgian reporter commisioned to visit Moscow and he traveled along with his dog, Milou, and they have troubles all the way, beginning in East Germany, and later in Russian territory, where Tintin is assaulted by East Berlin Police and the Soviet OGPU (Secret Police), along the way, Tintin is witness of Communist government acts of opression or deceat but all this is portraited in a too childish comedy style so instead of having a smart critique, you are left with a crude satire lack of imagination.
It’s obvious that was Hergé’s first work and done under paid commision but still this is something that you may choose not to read and you won’t miss anything important about Tintin legacy....more
I bought this in its single comic book issues, but I’ve chosen this TPB edition to be able of making a better ovThe Ultimate Universe lives again!
I bought this in its single comic book issues, but I’ve chosen this TPB edition to be able of making a better overall review.
This TPB edition contains “Ultimate Invasion” #1-4 plus one-shot “Ultimate Universe” #1.” event.
Creative Team:
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Illustrator: Bryan Hitch
ULTIMATE BRAVE NEW WORLD
The original Ultimate Marvel Universe, back at the beginning of the millenium was one of the best events ever made by Marvel, and even in the whole comic book industry, becoming best-selling titles and even the model for the eventual Marvel Cinematic Universe, like the thing that Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury was before in the comic of The Ultimates.
But as all things, the original Ultimate Marvel Universe came to an end, dying that universe, erasing everything there…
…BUT…
…two characters were able to escape to the destruction of the original Ultimate Marvel Universe…
…one hero…
…one hero turned villain…
…Miles Morales…
…and Reed Richards, and it’s this last one who now known as The Maker, one of the most dangerous villains in the whole Marvel multiverse, was confined in a prison, but he ha done goal in mind…
…getting back the Ultimate Universe, but shaping it at his own desire!
The original Ultimate Marvel Universe was the Earth-1610 but it was no more, therefore, The Maker after making an ingenious escape from his prison (and even inviting Miles Morales to go with him, but that one refused), he travelled to the Earth-6160 to make crafty manipulations here and there, to avoid many heroes to born (like Peter Parker isn’t bitten by a radioactive spider)…
…but even the Maker wasn’t able to stop certain events like Bruce Banner becoming The Hulk, and he doesn’t know where is the frozen body of Captain America…
…however the Tony Stark from there (he wasn’t Iron Man but his dad), discover The Maker’s plans and tried to stop him, but only to be considered as a terrorist by the general population.
And that’s only the prologue! And certainly I didn't spoil all the stuff, plenty more to read!
Because the new Ultimate Marvel Universe is just beginning!
Essential reading if you want to engage into the new Ultimate titles like Ultimate Spider-Man (I am reading this one!), Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Black Panther, so far, but I am sure that they’ll be more.
This softcover TPB recollects “Stray Dogs” Free Comic Book Day Prologue plus “Stray Dogs: Dog Days” #1-2.
Creative TeaA worthy companion anthology.
This softcover TPB recollects “Stray Dogs” Free Comic Book Day Prologue plus “Stray Dogs: Dog Days” #1-2.
Creative Team:
Creator & Writer: Toni Fleecs
Creator & Illustrator: Trish Forstner
Colorist: Brad Simpson
UNTOLD TALES
Due the huge success of Stray Dogs, it was only logical trying to capitalize in some way a little more of that success, and definitely it was wise and worthy to publish this two-parter comic book (along with the prologue promoted during the Free Comic Book Day), and in that way, telling short tales (each can be of a couple of pages, maybe four at best) but quit enough to tell how the most of th dogs in the original story came in possession of the terrible man.
It’s interesting that at least sometimes, the man wasn’t successful in his insidious attacks, or having to choose a different victim since the originally planned was able to repel the attack.
It’s not that solid as the first TPB, since it’s a recollection of very short separated stories, but still it’s a fair and relevant companion book to any reader that reads the first TPB and wanting to know how was the lives of the dogs before meeting the awful man…
…even there is a story telling events after the ending to the original story, so it’s quite important to read too.
Creator & Illustrator: TrisShocking modern masterpiece!
This softcover TPB recollects “Stray Dogs” #1-5.
Creative Team:
Creator & Writer: Toni Fleecs
Creator & Illustrator: Trish Forstner
Colorist: Brad Simpson
NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART
This can be easily, one of the darkest stories that I ever read, specially in a comic book, while I’ve read several graphic novels oriented for adults, definitely this is one that it’s not for everybody since it can be totally understandable that it can shock the sensibility of many people, even I was shocked in several moments.
The story is cleverly showing most of the most popular breeds of dogs, obviously choosing several iconic breeds used in dogs from popular media like movies and TV, therefore even if you haven’t dogs of your own, it’s impossible that you won’t click with at least one of two of the canine characters in the story, totally fitting described like…
…Silence of the Lambs meets All Dogs go to Heaven.
Warning has been made.
MEMENTO FUGIT
I don’t know how scientific supported is the element developed here that dogs have problems with the short-term memory, therefore, they depend of routine to keep in mind what is happening around, but if something dramatically changed, they can soon enough to forget who was their previous owner and accepted the new owner as the only owner that they ever had.
However, it’s something that you have to accept in this story since it’s the key of how the narrative works.
MAN ISN’T DOG’S BEST FRIEND
This very dark story, drawn with a very cute style (giving even more shocking impact to the darkness of events here), a man has a lot of dogs, and they thought that they been rescued from streets and therefore they are grateful with their owner, since he always is giving them food and shelter.
Sophie, a new dog is trying to get used to the new environment, and she doesn’t have recollection of her previous life before being in the man’s house. Rusty, one of the many dogs in the house is self-appointed to tell her how things works in the house. Eveything is working until…
…Sophie finds a red scarf that she at once remembers as property of her true female owner…
…therefore, since that moment, you know that something really bad happened…
…and the worst of all is that Sophie’s past isn’t unique…
…but an insidous serial pattern to be feared…
…and brace yourself since not everybody will survive this story!
Don’t be confused due the cuteness of the artwork, this is without a doubt a horror story, and definitely something not easily to digest.
But definitely a daring and bold masterpiece of modern graphic novels.
This is the comic book issue #8 of the event “Batman: White Knight”, which it will be a miniseries of 8 issueBatman: White Knight comes to an end!
This is the comic book issue #8 of the event “Batman: White Knight”, which it will be a miniseries of 8 issues.
Creative Team:
Writer & Illustrator: Sean Murphy
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Todd Klein
ONE BIG EPILOGUE
Joker might have been responsible for terrorizing Gotham, but you weren’t necessarily making it better.
Due Batman: White Knight has been such a rush during the previous months, I expected something better for the final issue…
…since it was like an “automatic pilot” issue, where everything runs as expected according to how the story was left in the seventh issue…
…also it was dissapointing that the conclussion was forced to get back to the status quo, at least about The Joker…
…but I have to admit that there were some good changes in how the things were being done in Gotham City from now on (in this parallel universe)…
…and certainly, due stuff exposed in previous issues and a key sentence here, you can figure it out about what will be about, the next volume…
…since I am sure that Sean Murphy (the author) will return to his great new Batman universe, that I read that it will be included into the incoming DC Black Label line of stories.
Don’t get me wrong, since Batman: White Knight is without a doubt one of the best things that you can read about Batman.
My complain isn’t about the whole storyline, but about the necessity of this eighth issue that I think it could be fit (with some editing) and making the miniseries in a seven-issue thing.
Merged review:
Batman: White Knight comes to an end!
This is the comic book issue #8 of the event “Batman: White Knight”, which it will be a miniseries of 8 issues.
Creative Team:
Writer & Illustrator: Sean Murphy
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Todd Klein
ONE BIG EPILOGUE
Joker might have been responsible for terrorizing Gotham, but you weren’t necessarily making it better.
Due Batman: White Knight has been such a rush during the previous months, I expected something better for the final issue…
…since it was like an “automatic pilot” issue, where everything runs as expected according to how the story was left in the seventh issue…
…also it was dissapointing that the conclussion was forced to get back to the status quo, at least about The Joker…
…but I have to admit that there were some good changes in how the things were being done in Gotham City from now on (in this parallel universe)…
…and certainly, due stuff exposed in previous issues and a key sentence here, you can figure it out about what will be about, the next volume…
…since I am sure that Sean Murphy (the author) will return to his great new Batman universe, that I read that it will be included into the incoming DC Black Label line of stories.
Don’t get me wrong, since Batman: White Knight is without a doubt one of the best things that you can read about Batman.
My complain isn’t about the whole storyline, but about the necessity of this eighth issue that I think it could be fit (with some editing) and making the miniseries in a seven-issue thing....more
This is one-shot comic book title “Hellfire Gala” which is the beginning of a major comic book event about the X-Men univNothing will be the same!
This is one-shot comic book title “Hellfire Gala” which is the beginning of a major comic book event about the X-Men universe called “Fall of X”.
Creative Team:
Writer: Gerry Dugan
Illustrators: Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, Joshua Cassara, Kris Anka & Pepe Larraz
Colorists: Rain Beredo, Ceci De La Cruz, Matthew Wilson, Erick Arciniega & Marte Gracia
Letterer: Virtual Calligraphy
Cover: Phil Noto
LET’S PARTY!
First of all, I can’t remember a single comic with such large group of creative team, in a TPB couldn’t be such unusual but in one single comic book (even one which is a bit longer than your regular comic book issue(78 pages)) is quite…
…astonishing!
Second of all, it’s quite difficult to explain why this comic is so good and so relevant without falling in spoilers, but don’t worry since I won’t tell you any spoiler…
…just trust me that if you’re fan of The X-Men, you need to read this comic book and hopefully without any spoiler that it could ruin you the large bunch of surprises.
The X-Men universe won’t be the same after this single comic book.
The Hellfire Gala is an elegant party set in Krakoa (an island which is the new mutant nation having cutting-edge technology in teleporting, medicine, etc…) where all the VIP guests (X-Men, Avengers, important mutants and non-mutants) assist to vote and to elect the new roster of The X-Men. There has been other Hellfire Galas before and I don’t know how interesting were the previous ones…
…but you won’t want to miss this one!!!
One topic is that Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) is revealed as mutant, and since she was already an inhuman, it’s quite unusual to be both (not to mention that she died and due being mutant now, she is able to be ressurrected thanks to the uncanny new mutant technology). Cyclops and Emma Frost are quite interested that Kamala being widely recognized as mutant, while Kamala herself is still dealing with the news (being a mutant and being recently deceased).
This Hellfire Gala is where “The Fall of X” begins and I can’t tell you how, but indeed you can trust me that the X-Men universe won’t be the same and this incoming comic book event will be quite relevant to read.
If you’re gonna read this one, brace yourselves, it will be a bumpy ride. This isn't for the faint of heart.
This is the TPB collecting the issues #1-8 of the comic book event “Batman: Beyond the White Knight” plus the two-parter of “BatmIt’s Beyond Time!
This is the TPB collecting the issues #1-8 of the comic book event “Batman: Beyond the White Knight” plus the two-parter of “Batman: White Knight presents Red Hood”.
Creative Team:
Writer & Illustrator: Sean Murphy
Writer for Red Hood two-parter: Clay McCormack & Sean Murphy
Illustrators for Red Hood two-parter: Simone Di Meo & George Kambadais
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Colorists for Red Hood two-parter: Dave Stewart & Simone Di Meo
Letterer: Andworld Design
STILL A MASTERPIECE BUT…
While this third entry of the White Knight is still a masterpiece compared with many other stuff in the comic book market, and as you could see I gave it a full 5-stars rate, it’s the one that I found more stuff to critize or that I’d like to be handled differently.
This is where Batman Beyond (the Murphyverse version) enters and I was expecting that Terry McGinnis would shine to the top but the story (including the complementary two-parter) keeps wasting time on Jason Todd and frankly that doesn’t add anything of value to the main story, even you can take out Jason Todd of the equation and basically you get the same story.
On the side-story book about Harley Quinn, set between Curse and Beyond, Bruce Wayne shows that not matter he was on prison, he still keeps tabs on anything relevant happening on Gotham City, however, here Bruce Wayne is totally ignorant that Derek Powers took over Wayne Enterprise and even rename it, along with not knowing about how the lives of his “family” were doing all this time, and I felt that it was like a continuity issue, since not matter he asked that nobody would visit him anymore at the prison, he is Batman after all, and Batman always knows what is happening in Gotham City.
Derek Powers is one of the best managed characters in the story, but I didn’t need that he’d become Blight, while logical to the evolution of the character, he was more interesting and intimidating as a ruthless and smart CEO than a radioactive monster.
Duke Thomas took the mantle of Robin and while it was an idea of Sean Murphy since the first book that he didn’t implement then, I think that now in the third book where the character is way old, it’s kinda weird to be a Robin, in my humble opinion and it’s not like he is cooler just because becoming a Robin, since Duke Thomas is a cool character on his own.
And while Jackie, Harley and Jack’s daugher has a prominent role in the story, Bryce is left aside not doing anything relevant here.
WELCOME TO THE FUTURE
Bruce Wayne has been on prison for like 10 years and now the GTO is keeping the peace using police state protocols even causing a separation from the GCPD, putting Commander Dick Grayson and Commisioner Barbara Gordon in opposite sides of how to uphold the law, there wasn’t a Batman for all that time…
…and now Gotham City will have TWO!!!
Terry McGinnis is being manipulated by Derek Powers to find a special Bat-suit, the “Beyond” suit, that Powers need for “The Project”, and once Bruce Wayne found out that what was his company now it’s managed by Powers, he got out from prison using another Bat-suit (one that uses low-tech and not electronics becoming kinda invisible for the city’s futuristic sensors).
However, Bruce Wayne won’t be alone…
…since a microchip on his brain will bring it a holographic Jack Napier!!!
That it will be quite useful in this now high-tech Gotham City, since this new Jack is having one heck of hacking habilities.
In the middle of that, Harley’s daughter, Jackie found out the truth of how Jack died and she goes in a teenage rampage that it will be stopped soon enough by Derek Powers, manipulating her for his own agenda.
And Sean Murphy already set key elements for the fourth entry of this White Knght saga, expanding the Batman universe to the rest of DC universe but in Murphyverse style.
This is the TPB collecting the issues #1-6 of the comic book event “Batman: White Knight presents Harley Quinn” plus the one-shot of Noir Puddin’!
This is the TPB collecting the issues #1-6 of the comic book event “Batman: White Knight presents Harley Quinn” plus the one-shot of “Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red”. This is set to be read after “Batman: Curse of the White Knight” but before of “Batman: Beyond the White Knigth”.
Creative Team:
Main Writer: Katana Collins
Consultant Writer: Sean Murphy
Illustrator: Matteo Scalera
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Andworld Design
Covers: Sean Murphy (artist) & Matt Hollingsworth (colors)
QUALITY PREVAILS!
I was worried about this spin-off of Batman: White Knight since it wasn’t a project done entirely by Sean Murphy as in the case of the main trilogy (so far) of White Knigth, because it was clear that this saga had been something quite personal by Sean Murphy in writing and artwork…
…BUT…
…I am truly glad of telling you that this TPB is the same as good as the main trilogy, where Katana Collins developed an engaging case to be solved by Dr. Harleen Quinzel; and Matteo Scalera presents an art style quite similar to the one of Seam Murphy, but adding an aquarel-like original finishing.
Therefore, this spin-off is the same as relevant to be read as the main trilogy, and it’s enjoyed the same as much.
GOLDEN AGE STARS FALLING
Two years after the events of Batman: Curse of the White Knight, Gotham City is safer as never before thanks to the GTO, but also because Azrael killed a lot of the main super criminals during his chaos spree, it’s when a mysterious character only known as The Producer is planning to fill the now empty spots of villainy with new rising criminals, and his first project is Starlet, a female murderer with the fetiche of killing golden age movie stars in melodramatic ways.
The FBI is involved and its criminal profiler, special agent Dr. Hector Quimby, is quite interested to get the consulting of Harleen Quinzel for the murders (along with the assistance of the GTO (mainly Duke)).
Harley isn’t too thrilled to get involved in the case (worrying about opening old wounds) but the pay will be useful since now she is mother of Jack Napier’s twins (Jackie & Bryce (named after (obviously Jack Napier) but also Bruce Wayne (the two main men in her life))).
Harley is struggling with her role of mother that she knows that she wasn’t cut to be a mom, but still she does her best to assume the role (along with the priceless assistance of her beloved hyenas).
In the case will be a golden age movie star that any Batman Animated fan will be thrilled to watched involved.
Harley soon enough will find out that this case is too close to her fellow partner FBI agent Dr. Quimby (for several reasons) doubting if she can trust him or not…
…and in a Gotham City without the protection of Batman, it seems that it will be up to Harley Quinn to do her best to face this new criminal menace.
This is the TPB collecting the issues #1-8 of the comic book event “Batman: Curse of the White Knight” plus the one-shot oThe Murphyverse expands!
This is the TPB collecting the issues #1-8 of the comic book event “Batman: Curse of the White Knight” plus the one-shot of “Batman: White Knight presents Von Freeze”.
Creative Team:
Writer & Illustrator: Sean Murphy
Illustrator for Von Freeze one-shot: Klaus Johnson
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Andworld Design
THE LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE!!!
After the huge success of The White Knight by Sean Murphy, opening the path to the new line of DC Black Label and fans talking about a “Murphyverse”, it was only logical to have a sequel and due the first one was so good, it was understandable if the second one wasn’t that good…
…BUT…
…it was the same as good!
Sean Murphy showed in the first White Knight his love for Batman, the Animated Series and Batman ‘89, still keeping that, in this second volume of the saga, he showed his influences of the rest of 90’s Batman films but also the 90’s comic book event of Batman: Knightfall, clearly showing his modern influences about Batman, making him a banner in a new generation of writers/artists for the universe of Batman.
Which one is better? Well, I think that’s losing time and enjoy both stories, since it’s like saying that “Empire Strikes Back” is better than “A New Hope” but you can’t have “Empire” without “New Hope”, you need one for the existence of the other, and while it’s clear that the whole Jack Napier thing in the first White Knight was managed awesome and you could say that the new antagonist isn’t that well psychologically developed, the bets in the second story are higher, Sean Murphy isn’t afraid of doing what’s needed for the whole picture of the story, taking true advantage that he has his own comic book universe, and the status quo in the Murphyverse is shaken so much that you have to recognize that Curse of the White Knight is as enjoyable and well written than the first entry of this modern masterpiece of the comic book industry.
KNIGHTFALL REIMAGINED
The Joker is back in prison and Jack Napier is inside of clown’s mind again, however Jack Napier did so much and exposed so much in the first entry of the story that Gotham City can’t be the same anymore…
…and that’s something that the rich elite can’t afford so The Napier Initiative needs to be stopped and if Batma doesn’t cooperate…
…well, he will need to be stopped too!
ENTER: AZRAEL aka Jean-Paul Valley
However, Sean Murphy reimagined this and offers a better solution to the eternal problem of Knigthfall…
…why Bruce Wayne chose a total stranger like Jean-Paul Valley as his successor over better choices like Dick Grayson?
And Sean Murphy did it quite easy, since the idea of a new Batman isn’t taken by Bruce Wayne but the very rich elite that needed a better pawn to keep Gotham City under their leash.
However, that it will the peak of the iceberh since the very existence of Jean-Paul Valley means to Bruce Wayne more than he ever imagined since in this reimagination, Jean-Paul Valley isn’t a stranger to the legacy of Gotham City!
Bruce Wayne, Harleen Quinzel, Jack Napier, James Gordon, Barbara Gordon and the entire Gotham City won’t be the same after the shaking events of this monumental story.
Also, you’ll get in this TPB a great chapter about the past of Victor Fries’ father under the regime of the Nazi Third Reich.
This softcover TPB edition collects “Alice Ever After” #1-5.
Creative Team:
Writer: Dan Panosian
Illustrators:
Dan PanosiA too dark tale about Alice!
This softcover TPB edition collects “Alice Ever After” #1-5.
Creative Team:
Writer: Dan Panosian
Illustrators:
Dan Panosian (Wonderland scenes)
Giorgio Spalletta with Cyril Glerum (London scenes)
Colors: Fabiana Mascolo
Lettering: Jeff Eckleberry
CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER
I found out about this comic book miniseries too late, so instead of getting it in single issues, I got the TPB edition but luckily I was able to get the issue #1 with variant art by J. Scott Campbell.
This graphic novel is a sequel to the events of the original book where Alice is already a grown-up woman in her twenties (I believe). She is addicted to drugs (some pills and liquid heroine) that she employs to go back to Wonderland, and once she is back to a very dark and grimm reality you can find that several “real life” characters have their Wonderland counterparts. That’s not that inspired since this is like taking Wizard of Oz and the sequel film Back to Oz merging those mentioned elements to the story of Alice in Wonderland, even you can think about Bridge to Terabithia since here Wonderland isn’t real and the story have a very sad ending.
Alice is addicted to drugs but you’ll find out that she isn’t guitly by herself for her condition since there is a very dark family secret that Alice was unlucky to find out and now she is suffering because of that.
All that said, I enjoyed the development since it was quite creative how all those new elements were used to tell this extension of the story of Alice, however I didn’t like at all how the story ends (no, I won’t spoil it, but be warned).
Maybe the ending isn’t that sad taking in account the inner desires of Alice, but if the graphic novel would have a different closure, certainly I’d give it 5 stars without thinking, but since it wasn’t the case, I thought that the fairest thing to do was taking out a star, even I was considering to give it only 3 stars, but at the end I decided not to punish it that much since only the ending was what I didn't enjoy, the rest of the story is quite an interesting experience.
I want to mention (that I think it can be considered as part of my problems with the ending) that I don’t like that taking in account that the story have a lot of villains, not single one pays for their crimes, and I don’t find that fair, maybe real life isn’t fair but this isn’t a real life story, this is a book (actually a comic book) therefore I would like to see the criminals to be accountable for their sins and the victims to find justice.
Still, the comic book is quite well written and wonderfully illustrated, so if you’re fan of Wonderland stuff, you might find worthy to take a look to this graphic novel.
This softcover TPB edition collects “Godzilla vs. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” #1-5.
Creative Team:
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Illustrator:It’s kaiju time!
This softcover TPB edition collects “Godzilla vs. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” #1-5.
Creative Team:
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Illustrator: Freddie E. Williams II
LOST IN TRANSLATION
Before I have read several Power Rangers comic book stories but so far, it has been thanks that my brother lent me his comic books, but this one is my first Power Rangers material that I bought for my own comic book collection.
I am fan of Godzilla since I was a kid and recently I became Power Rangers fan, so it was logical to get this story involving both franchises.
I think that while Godzilla is well managed in the story, you lose some impact of it since it’s a comic book and not a live-action film where you can hear his roar and watching moving the monster, because since it’s a kaiju that you don’t know what he is really thinking or hearing his thoughts, watching him in a comic book is quite less impacting.
A WORLD WITHOUT POWER RANGERS…BUT…
Rita Repulsa, archnemesis of the Power Rangers got a gemstone called the “Multiversal Focus”, letting her to go to any alternate reality that she wants, and obviously she is seeking for an universe without the existence of the Power Rangers…
…BUT...
…she got a world where Godzilla exists!
I don’t know you, but I would prefer to stay in the universe where she only has to deal with Power Rangers and not with the King of Monsters!
In the story, the creative team cleverly uses the Xilliens that they are an enemy alien race featured in the Japanese live-action film Godzilla: Final Wars and it’s indeed a great idea, since they are an alien race able to conjure kaijus to cause havok for their world conquering goals.
However, the Xilliens can’t control what the kaijus would do, and that’s something that Rita Repulsa finds quite inneficient once she makes a forced alliance, since obviously her monsters, small or big, always are under her control.
Obviously at the beginning of the story, it’s the usual crossover clash where heroes don’t know each other, so the Power Rangers asume that Godzilla was just another enemy monster to beat, and Godzilla thinks that the Power Rangers’ Zords are just other kaijus to smash.
Usually I don’t make review of a comic book sSuperman saves Costa Rica!!!
Creative Team
Writer: Mark Waid
Illustrator: Dan Mora
COSTARRICAN ARTIST
Usually I don’t make review of a comic book single issue unless it’s a self-contained story but not matter that this particular issue is part of a larger story arc, I wanted to make a review since it’s drawn by a comic book illustrator born in Costa Rica, which is also my native country, but also, in this comic book issue…
…SUPERMAN SAVES COSTA RICA!…
…since in a part of the developed story here, Superman along with a trainee hero, they go to Costa Rica, specifically to the Arenal Volcano in San Carlos, and stopped an eruption.
This event in the comic book issue was national news in my country where in two of the three major newspapers, appeared a full page article about it and even in one of them, there was a mention in the front page.
You may think that it’s something silly, but honestly, it’s not often when a super-hero, and not any super-hero, but Superman, the Man of Steel, appears in a Costarrican location, making a super rescue.
Mark Waid is the writer and Dan Mora was responsible to the art and Waid let him to choose which volcano to portrait in the issue, and obviously since Dan Mora is from Costa Rica, didn’t hesitate to choose a volcano from my country. There are other known volcanoes, even Poas Volcano is the same as relevant but Dan Mora explained in one of the newspaper articles that he chosen Arenal Volcano since it was visually more recognizable.
Dan Mora in this run of Batman / Superman: World’s Finest had include even Costarrican coffee in scenes where Bruce Wayne is visiting some Gotham City coffee shop.
Dan Mora is already a top name in the comic book industry, he won the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award at San Diego Comic-Con's Eisner Awards.
Dan Mora has been working with DC Comics and Marvel Comics on several major titles as inner work penciller along of being a fan-favorite cover artist too.
Dan Mora has been working with Boom Studios in titles such as Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (where he co-created the Pink Slayer) and also he is co-creator of Klaus along with Grant Morrison.
Dan Mora since he works from Costa Rica, he attends some comic book events here, and I’ve been lucky to get signed all stuff that I’ve been able to buy of his work, including this very comic book issue. My brother knows him personally better than me, since my brother works in one of the comic book stores organizing events, but I was able to chat with him once and I can tell you that he is a wonderful human being.
NOW ABOUT THIS COMIC BOOK
In this issue (which is the second part of a story arc titled “Strange Visitor”), you have Boy Thunder, the sole survivor of a doomed parallel Earth, where superheroes there only exist on comics, TV and movies, and he was the only superpowered persone there, and now he is being trained by Superman and Batman.
I think that this character is very much like Superboy Prime and since Wonder Girl has a bad feeling about him, I wouldn’t be surprised if Boy Thunder ends very much like Superboy Prime, but next issues of this story arc will tell.
The Teen Titans has been participating in the training along with choosing his super-hero name.
Superman, Supergirl, Batman and Robin have been close to the training of Boy Thunder.
Right after saving Costa Rica from a volcano eruption, Batman calls Superman and Boy Thunder to give assistance at Gotham City since it’s suffering a city-wide attack from the villain known as The Key.
The comic book issue is quite exciting, with an incredible roster of heroes and villains (some of them I am not mentioning to avoid spoilers) and certainly I am truly glad of being able to get it.
This harcover TPB edition contains “Batman ‘89” #1 - 6.
Creative Team
Writer: Sam Hamm
Illustrator: Roberto Quiñones
BATMANIA
BaBatmania is back!!!
This harcover TPB edition contains “Batman ‘89” #1 - 6.
Creative Team
Writer: Sam Hamm
Illustrator: Roberto Quiñones
BATMANIA
Batman from 1989 was a pop culture revolution that year, people made lines to buy a t-shirt with Batman logo and certainly was the most popular movie then. People read articles in newspapers, months before its premiere, telling about the development of the film.
Polemic risen about if Michael Keaton should portrait Batman…
…and then the movie opened…
…and the polemic died and a pop culture icon was born.
I was lucky to watch that movie at theaters twice in a week. A friend got me from USA, the original soundtrack in cassette (yes, I still have it) and eventually I got the 90s Batman’s film collection first on DVD and later on blu-ray.
When I bought this TPB I thought that it was a following from the first film only, but it resulted that Batman Returns also ocurred, so the graphic novel is set after the events of the first two films giving an alternative continuation keeping Michael Keaton as Batman and Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent/Two-Face.
In the case of Pat Hingle’s James Gordon, you’ll find a dramatic change, showing a haircut and moustache to make him to look more like a comic book James Gordon. I would preferred having him to look more like in the live-action films, after all, the whole idea reading this kind of comic book projects is to watch the characters to look like their movie counterparts.
HOLY ROADS NOT TAKEN, BATMAN!
A real treat for this story is having Sam Hamm as writer since he was the screenwriter of precisely the first two Batman films, and he wrote this graphic novel adapting ideas that he discussed with the very Tim Burton and those ideas could be indeed a third movie if Tim Burton would remain as director, so this TPB is a priceless chance to read what may looked like.
In this story is introduced an adult Barbara Gordon who is a GCPD Sergeant Detective (that at least in my opinion she has the lookalike of Sean Young (who was initially casted as Vicky Vale for the first movie but she had to quit due an accident while filming an early scene)) but it seems that the thought model for the character was Winona Ryder. I don’t know, the drawing for me still it looks like more like Sean Young.
Also, you have Robin, but it’s a new character named Drake Winston and drawn to look like a young Marlon Wayans. I think that if they were creating a new Robin, they should think in a whole different name (like Miles Morales in the case of Marvel’s Spider-Man). Tim Drake is the comics’ third Robin and even he was created in 1989. I don’t know, maybe, just maybe, it was initially a joint project, but since Robin didn’t get to appear in the first Tim Burton film at the final cut, the two ideas took different paths.
At the end, this TPB is highly recommend to all fans of Batman films since it’s a priceless opportunity to read an elseworld scenario of how may looked like a third Batman film if Michael Keaton and Tim Burton would remain for a third entry in the film saga.
This harcover TPB edition contains “Superman ‘78” #1 - 6.
Creative Team:
Writer: Robert Venditti
IllustratoYou’ll believe that a man can fly…again!!!
This harcover TPB edition contains “Superman ‘78” #1 - 6.
Creative Team:
Writer: Robert Venditti
Illustrator: Wilfredo Torres
MY FAVORITE MOVIE
Good stories are never behind you, Jimmy! They’re out front!
Superman the movie is the film that I watched always on my birthday (at least always since I got it on DVD and later on Blu-ray) and definitely is the movie that impacted me as a child since I was lucky of being able to watch it on theater when I was like 6 years old, and since I was a kid in an age where there weren’t much special effects movies around, my experience wasn’t to watch an actor performing a role in the middle of a fx scene, oh no, when I watch Superman for the first time in live-action, I was convinced that I was watching a man flying able to catch with ONE HAND a freakin’ helicopter while having rescued a woman with the other hand…
…for a 6 years old, you can’t give him something better than that.
I kept loving the movie during my childhood, and when I became adult I was able to appreciate his final speech to the prison warden showing a priceless moment of humility, which is Superman’s best trademark.
After all that, it was obvious that I was going to read this TPB.
The events are after of Superman the movie but taking a different path where next adventure of Superman isn’t battling against thee three super-villains from Kryptong but facing the menace of Brainiac which is cool since he’s one of the major villains of Superman but still lack of a live-action appearance in theatric films (not matter of having appeared on TV at least in Smallville and Krypton)…
…and while I enjoyed a lot the story in this TPB…
…I would love even more, if this concept of introducing Brainiac to the Christopher Reeve’s Superman could be made after the events of Superman II and instead of Superman III (since after all that film was about a super computer anyway) but also doing what it was originally meant where Helen Slater’s Supergirl would be introduced in the third film of Superman original saga…
…Christopher Reeve and Helen Slater together in the same movie…
…could be the only thing to be better than the first two movies of Superman,… still the story is cool and interesting and a fair divergent road after the first film of Superman.
However the artwork could be way better (at least it wasn’t something that I particularly liked) since while the characters are drawn showing recognizable enough facial features of the live-action actors, still looks like a tie-in comic book adaptation from the 80s or 90s, that it could be acceptable in those decades but in the new millenium one is used to have better artwork in this kind of tie-in illustrated adaptations.
BRAINS V. STRENGHT: DAWN OF DOUBLE MORALITY
Harm’s way is what I do.
I always find ridiculous that people never doubt that Lex Luthor or Brainiac are certainly super-smart but Superman is only about strength and physical power…
…sorry but Superman has the scientific acumen and the knowledge of dozens of worlds in the 28 known galaxies…
…in the movie he was educated while he was traveling as a baby aboard of the rocket ship and even if that all information kept dormant while he was a kid and teenager, certainly all that knowledge was re-activated during his 12 years on the Fortress of Solitude preparing him for his adult life.
I don’t know compared to Brainiac, but easily Superman should be far better instructed than Lex Luthor. Even Luthor not matter he was kept telling about brains over strenght, he admited that only he was able to have smart talks with Superman.
However, writers kept showing other characters like Brainiac and Lex Luthor (and here, there is another surprise character) that they are the smart ones and not Superman. I guess that people can’t deal with someone who can be as good in the physical area than in the brains area…
…but amusingly that seems to apply only with Superman since it seems that nobody finds objectionable that situation with Batman, since everybody loves that the Dark Knight is as intelligent than an Olympic-level athlete but when it’s about Superman is like people is terrified of that scenario. (and don't get mistaken, I am fan of Batman too (I have a shelf with action figures of Superman and Batman) but I can't ignore the irony about it)
At the end, not matter that I could love to have Helen Slater’s Supergirl in the story and also I would prefer a better illustrator for the comic, I definitely recommend this TPB to any fan of the Christopher Reeve’s film run of Superman....more
Loading...
