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The Walking Dead #49 [Review]

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

Rick and Carl face an uncertain future as they begin to deal with all that they’ve lost…and still, those pesky zombies abound!

walkingdead049Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

This issue seemed like a very quick read. On the one hand, that’s not so good: I’m not a huge fan of plonking down $2.99+ for something I read quickly and then have another few weeks to wait for the next segment of story. At the same time…the story is engaging, and I’m very interested in finding out what happens–interested enough to forego waiting for a collected volume to read an entire arc in one go.

We were told that “no one was safe,” and that Big Changes were in store for this title. Those promises have been delivered, and while it’s sad to see the loss of so many familiar characters, this issue is like the first issue of a whole new series. The world is full of zombies. A man and his son are on the run, seeking only to survive, both nursing the loss of loved ones. Even as they hold to each other, safety isn’t likely to be found…and life is certainly not to be taken for granted. While the bulk of this issue’s story focuses on Rick and Carl, we’re also showing a couple other characters, hinting at their whereabouts and present situation. As with most issues in this series, the individual issue seems mostly character-focused, as the characters dialogue and face the world in which they find themselves.

The art remains perfectly suited for the story, and is as instrumental in conveying the mood as the writing itself. The story without these visuals would not be the same at all.

While the impact of this issue would be greatly increased by having read the prior issues if not the entire series…I think this is a decent jump-on point if you’ve been hearing about the series or otherwise been curious, but wondered where to begin. This is certainly worth checking out!

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

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The Walking Dead #47 [Review]

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

The prison survivors continue to suffer losses as the Woodbury survivors, led by the Governor, are determined to take the prison from them.

walkingdead047Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Russ Wooton
Publisher: Image

This issue is as much fallout to the last few issues as it is forward movement of the story in general. The characters react to the brutal death that happened last issue, and everyone reacts as events keep moving with no real break for any grieving.

The Michonne/Governor interaction continues to be quite brutal and messy…an over-the-top sort of thing that simply works with this series. Lori hears from Rick about Tyreese’s death, and Rick’s decision last issue provides a solid stressor between husband and wife. Rick prepares Carl a bit for what may come, as the Governor launches yet another attack on the prison. There is further loss on both sides of the conflict…as things escalate beyond anyone’s control…and the final page leaves one wondering all the more at this “no one is safe” business.

Overall, the story continues with the strength and momentum I’ve come to expect from this title…and the cliffhanger leaves me all the more eager for the next issue. The art continues to hold true to form as well–maintaining the darkish grittiness that adds to the feeling of unease for the characters all around.

Overall, another fine issue of a great title. I wouldn’t consider this new-reader-friendly as a single issue…but for continuing readers, this is NOT to be missed.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Walking Dead #46 [Review]

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

The survivors at the prison continue to deal with having been attacked by The Governor’s group of survivors.

walkingdead046Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Russ Wooton
Publisher: Image

This issue shows the prison survivors continuing to deal with the aftermath of the assault by those survivors led by The Governor. While dealing with their recent losses, the Governor returns with a hostage to make his demands known…as he acts on assumptions of his own.
It also continues to show us that the ads have been true–that no one is safe, which helps remind us just how realistic this book is.

The art holds true, clearly showing what it needs to show and conveying the necessary mood. Testament to its effectiveness–I felt rather nauseous after reading a particularly gruesome scene in this issue.

The story is certainly moved forward, and a number of good character moments are shown.

While this is certainly not something to hand to a young’un…it continues to be a great human drama.

Well worth picking up–though as a single issue, this may not be the best point for a new reader to jump in. As a continuing reader, you won’t want to miss this chapter.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Walking Dead #42 [Review]

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

The prison group braces for impending attack while facing a new loss…

walkingdead042Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

There’s not really too much to be said about this issue that I didn’t say in my review of the previous issue. The characters react to Carol’s having gone over the edge, and deal with the increased reality of the danger that still faces them. As they continue to interact with the conflicting tension of impending attack and wondering why it hasn’t already come, we get a few more character moments before the last-page cliffhanger that promises some extra depth to this title, as if there wasn’t already.

The story is definitely good–and this issue at once wraps another arc while firing stuff into high gear for the next arc. The characters are all believable and acting in-character, and nothing seems to–in retrospect–be outta thin air or anything…it all makes sense in context of the characters’ lives and such.

Visually, another good job by the art team, maintaining the visual style/consistency we’re used to on the title. Other than feeling–as even the collected volumes have–too short, I have no complaint with this issue.

If you’ve not checked the title out before, you’re better off checking out any of the first 6 collected volumes before coming to the current arc (and this is the final issue of what I believe will be in the 7th volume, due out before too long here). If you’ve been following the current arc, I see no reason for you to not pick this up.

And the title in general, I certainly recommend, particularly if you’re looking for something character-driven with realistic human beings rather than over-the-top action and idealized characters.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Walking Dead #41 [Review]

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good

The gang at the prison continue to prepare for an attack they feel is imminent from a neighboring group of survivors…

walkingdead041Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

Except for the final page of this issue, in a way it doesn’t seem like much happens. The survivors are all relatively safe (given they’re living in a post-zombie-apocalypse world), and a couple major plot points have recently been dealt with, and the next major bit isn’t quite here.

But that’s the beauty of this title…it’s NOT full of all-out, non-stop action. The characters have all had their shares of trauma and horrible experiences and seen things no human should rightfully ever have to see…but they’re still human. They haven’t (generally speaking) degraded to mindless beasts or anything. They live, they love, they talk, they eat, they have relationships…life goes on, just changed by the obvious zombie presence that has–41 issues in–become more a backdrop to the human drama than an in-your-face action-filled focal point.

Rick and Lori discuss the state of their life–and that of their son–at present, as well as an improving relationship with Carol. Others in the party spend some time practicing with guns and live ammo, preparing for the invasion they feel is coming from Woodbury, and find themselves in a potentially lethal situation with zombies hanging around. A new guest is taken on, and Carol finds that her new friend isn’t going to judge her on her past.

All in all, this is another fine issue of an enjoyable series. The story moves forward–however slowly–and we continue to see the days march on for the characters living at the prison, while zombies continue to exist outside the protective fences. This feels less like a “chapter” and more like a “segment”–it picks up right where the previous issue left off with no real break (just the “previously:” blurb on the inside cover) and the ending will presumably lead right into the first page of the next issue the same way.

The art may not be terribly iconic or poster-worthy and whatnot…but it holds its own with the words of the story, showing what isn’t said, and playing its integral role in the overall storytelling. The black-and-white/greytones work well, and bring the standard, integral tone to the book–it doesn’t feel sketchy, and it’s far from some bright/colorful thing (which would take away from the mood of the book). I have no problem with the art in this issue, that’s for sure.

It might be sorta tough to simply “break in” on this series, with 40 issues’ stories already played out, and not a lot of exposition. At the same time, it’s more an issue of time having passed for the characters than deep intricacies and revelations from the past and future converging on the present or anything. Assuming the standard 6-issue arc(s), this is the penultimate chapter to this particular arc, so not exactly an ideal point for a new reader to jump in.

I’d encourage you–if you’re at all interested in zombie stuff, or just a very well-written human drama to consider checking out the TPBs for this series (6 volumes are already out), and if you like those, jump in with the next arc.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

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Thor #1 [Review]

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Average, but there’s still potential.
Story Title: Untitled

Thor returns.

thor001Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Pencils: Olivier Coipel
Inks: Mark Morales
Colors: Laura Martin
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Asst. Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Editor: Warren Simons
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada
Cover Art: Olivier Coipel, variants by others.
Publisher: Marvel Comics

This issue–and by extension, the series–holds a lot of potential, and seems to have some good ideas to give us, as readers. The execution seems a bit off, though, and despite some good conceptual ideas, just doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.

I’ll be one of the first to stand up and complain about “decompression” and generally dragging stories out unnecessarily across multiple issues…but this issue felt like it actually should be at least 2, if not 3 or 4 issues in length.

The issue’s story–boiled down–is fairly simple: we as readers are introduced to Thor, his alter ego, shown how he returns, and follow his alter ego into a “new neighborhood,” so to speak.

The way the title character is first encountered seems to go against his last appearance, from what I recall (given 2 1/2 years’ separation from my last reading of that story). The way he returns has the potential of some epic, legendary thing that could bring a lot to the character…but is over so quickly that one may wonder why it’s taken so long (both in real time and comic-time) for this to happen. There’s some good setup that leads me to assume we’re meeting some new supporting cast, and we’re introduced to what solicitations lead me to believe will be the new regular locale for the book, which will nicely separate it (I hope) from being “just” another super-powered entity operating in New York City.

The art is good…I have no real complaints with it. I like the look of the characters, and can follow what’s going on visually. I also really, really like Thor’s new get-up. It has a much more realistic look, more practical for a “warrior” and somehow evokes more of a feel that Thor has Norse ties (if only through popular cultural depictions of Norse stuff). To me, it also makes the “classic” costume look fairly hokey.

This issue moves quickly along, going from lack of a title character to his return to setup of a new status quo, all in one issue–something that almost seems a feat in itself, in an age when title characters sometimes don’t show up until the final page (if even at all) of their own debut issues.

This is far from a perfect issue…and taken alone, I’m not entirely enamored with it. However, there’s still a lot of potential that I can see…and so I’ll give a couple more issues for Straczynski to kick his magic into gear and really hook me before I bail on this title.

Ratings:

Story: 2/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 3/5

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Tales of the TMNT #69 [Review]

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: Dark Shadows

Shadow seeks out her old sensei as her world falls apart around her.

talesofthetmnt069Script/Art: Dan Berger
Letters: Eric Talbot
Frontiespiece: Michael Dooney
Cover: Dan Berger and Steve Lavigne
Published by: Mirage PUblishing

Continuing the usual format of the book–with stories from all different points in the TMNT timeline–this story picks up sometime in the future. Shadow, now a young adult, fights her way through the Foot to confront her Sensei. Upon reaching him, the two exchange bitter words as hints abound as to some major stuff having gone down, leading this girl and a mutant turtle to the point they find themselves at in this issue.

In many ways, the story is quite cliche. We have an enormous global disaster that leads to the in-story “present” being a sparsely populated wasteland with the Big City nearly deserted, and what remains of destroyed/fallen-apart buildings is covered in plants, with survivors operating on a fairly gang-like means of living…survival of the fit.

We’re given vague glimpses at things–cryptic comments and hints at what’s gone down during the time between this issue and the last chronicled point in the Turtles’ timeline; the family falling apart and what drove them–and kept them–apart.

The art itself seems both familiar and yet slightly “off”–as a story that seems pretty core to the TMNT mythos, I’m used to seeing Jim Lawson‘s depiction of characters here. Berger provides visuals that are not entirely dissimilar to Lawson‘s, and more than holds its own in establishing a tone for the story and getting across what’s going on. He gives us a rather brutal panel toward the end, that seems to indicate that a certain disfigurement is practically a “given” for a particular turtle, as I’m pretty sure this is the third time (across the various comic continuities/universes) this has been a point the character’s wound up.

Shadow is pretty much the youngest of the extended TMNT cast. She was introduced in the final story of the original TMNT series, and has been a firm fixture ever since–on a level very similar to her father Casey and characters like April or Splinter. Seeing her as an adult lends to the fact of much time having passed, and experiencing the world through her eyes–glancing back to events that have unfolded particularly in the main “Volume 4” TMNT series–makes her “present” that much more real and believable in this story.

This is only the penultimate issue–there’s one more to go–of this series. But the way this issue unfolded, we get a sense of history for the characters; a sense of destination for where they’re going to wind up, and yet there’s also a sense of hope, that the future is ever-changing with every choice we make.

The initial read-through is quick, particularly with the action sequences…but sitting back and thinking about what was going on…this is very much an issue for the long-time fans, and particularly those willing to consider deeper stuff between the lines and not simply taking the story at its surface/face-value.

Not exactly a timeless classic or other “instant classic,” nevertheless, this issue would serve as a fine cap to the entire Mirage continuity even if there were no more issues due out.

Ratings:

Story: 3.5/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 3.5/5

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Tales of the TMNT #67 [Review]

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: Schooled

Shadow starts at a new school, and must resist the urge to tell everybody about her mutant “uncles.”

talesofthetmnt067Script: Dan Berger
Pencils and Tones: Dario Brizuela
Inks: Andres Ponce
Letters: Eric Talbot
Cover: Dario Brizuela and Steve Lavigne
Frontispiece: Michael Dooney
Published by: Mirage Publishing

Unfortunately, this series has what I can only describe as a “lame duck” feeling about it. There are just a couple more issues due out before the series goes away completely. And being the sole presence of the TMNT in comics for the last few years, there are no other books for these characters to show up in, or co-feature in, and so on. With the property having been sold off, and zero word on any new comic series and whether any of the existing/ongoing continuity would be maintained or if the entire property would be restarted if comics are done…it makes the long-term effect of this issue seem pretty low-key and like it has little point to it. Of course, taken by itself, this is quite an enjoyable story.

This issue sees Shadow–the adopted daughter of Casey Jones and April–getting into a new school, and everyone dealing with that. At the same time, Mikey and Don are out and about on the streets, keeping each other focused as to what’s right and wrong. When Shadow’s first day at school arrives, her family is excited and proud, though they warn her of the danger that would come by her talking about her “uncles” and whatnot…which of course leads to trouble. Still, the resolution is mostly satisfying…at least in keeping with the nature of Casey in particular.

I’ve realized throughout this series that despite the differences in the various visual styles of the artists involved, each largely has something to really like. For example, this issue reminds me of the recent TMNT animated series–particularly Casey’s appearance. The turtles themselves look quite different in detail but still seem like they’d fit in rather well with the animated series’ visual style. My only real gripe is that I don’t think I’ve ever pictured Shadow as a blonde–and I don’t know if that’s me simply never noticing, or what the deal is–but other than that, the art’s good stuff.

As with many issues of this series, this is a done-in-one tale, so you don’t really need earlier issues to follow the story (though they’ll add plenty of context). You can pick this up by itself and enjoy it as a one-shot thing, or as another untold tale from this period in the Turtles’ lives.

It’s just unfortunate that this doesn’t seem like just the latest untold tale to add context to a present-day story…nothing’s really going to come of this or refer back to this.

Recommended for TMNT fans in particular…and whether this issue or most of the prior issues, this series in itself is well worth reading, and its lengthy run these past 6 years is second only to the TMNT Adventures series from Archie back in the 1990s.

Ratings:

Story: 3.5/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 3.5/5

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Tales of the TMNT #64 [Review]

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: The Burning Man

The turtles race all over the city to deal with a number of threats, and ultimately, a demon-from-a-bottle released in a botched attempt to stop the Foot from stealing its container.

talesofthetmnt064Script: Tristan Jones
Pencils: Jim Lawson
Inks: Steve Lavigne
Letters: Dan Berger
Cover: Jim Lawson & Steve Lavigne
Frontispiece: Michael Dooney
Editor in Chief: Peter Laird
Managing Editor: Dan Berger
Design: Eric Talbot
Published by: Mirage Publishing

Michelangelo narrates this issue, as we find out that he and his brothers wound up fighting some sort of demon. This demon was released after Leonardo accidentally broke an urn the Foot was trying to steal. We go from the turtles’ lair as Leo chews Mikey out for stuff going wrong; then see Mikey’s side to things. With the urn broken and the demon having disappeared, there wasn’t much for the turtles to do, so they went about usual business; these distractions led to Mikey being the one to come across the demon again first, and thus Mikey confronts it alone. The others are brought into things in their own way, as the motivation of the demon is determined and attended to. While Mikey won’t take the blame for everything that went down, we do find out at the end of the issue the one thing that he WILL take responsibility for.

Visually, this is the version of the turtles I tend to enjoy most, and the visual style that I’ve come to primarily associate with them over the past 7-8 years or so. It is a bit stylistic, and detail seems to vary a bit, as dictated by the story and what we’re to focus on as the story progresses.

The story itself is quite good, and I really enjoyed a lot of the verbal and visual cues provided by having the story from Mikey’s point of view. I could almost hear the voice of the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series Mikey recounting these events, and that just made it all the more fun.

Jones has written some of my favorite issues of Tales, and I find it a real shame that this will be his last issue, given the change of ownership of the TMNT property and uncertainty of where things go from here.

This is not a dense book…the story is a nice little done-in-one, mainly focused on Mikey but still involving the other turtles such that it is by no means a solo issue. If you can get the issue, it’s very much worthwhile.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

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Tales of the TMNT #61 [Review]

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good
Story Title: Sometimes They Come Back

While helping to investigate the destruction of several buildings in the city and rising violence of an ongoing gang war, the turtles find more of their past back to haunt them.

talesofthetmnt061Script: Tristan Jones
Art: Andres Ponce
Letters: Eric Talbot
Cover: Andres Ponce & Steve Lavigne
Frontispiece: Michael Dooney
Editor in Chief: Peter Laird
Managing Editor: Dan Berger
Design: Eric Talbot
Publisher: Mirage Publishing

This issue picks up on a story thread that’s been touched on at a few points in recent years. The introduction on the inside front cover provides a quick recap to give context, and then we launch into the story. One of the turtles makes contact with a police detective investigating a collapsed building. As we continue on, the turtles all find pieces of the “puzzle” that comes together in a fairly fast-paced piece of action before quickly winding down as the turtles find themselves facing the small–but terrifyingly plentiful–mousers they’d faced years ago.

It might just be the immediacy of having just read the issue, with its enjoyment fresh in my mind…but this is one of the most enjoyable TMNT reads I’ve had in awhile. Jones builds a story that is both fresh and yet drawn from existing continuity. The result is that the reader is provided not just a peek into a random moment in the turtles’ lives, but a growing story, and (dare I say it) continuity within the “gap” presented when TMNT vol. 4 launched nearly 8 years ago.

The story moves at a pretty quick pace…in some ways, I’d certainly like to see more build, as we do largely just get snippets of stuff as the scenes move along from one turtle to another with the occasional moment from the police throughout. At the same time, the story in this one issue could probably be stretched to at least 2 and maybe 3 issues without feeling padded…but rather than have to buy 3 issues, we get the entirety of the given story right here. Reading through the issue, I get a distinct feel of the turtles being older and rather independent (no Splinter found nor referenced), and the way they’re shown interacting throughout the issue shows where they’ve grown up from the earliest TMNT issues.

Ponce‘s art gives me the impression much of this book takes place at night–there’s a certain feel to the imagery with shadows and overall tone giving that feeling. Unlike a lot of other black-and-white books, where the art looks like it’s ready for color, here it almost appears to have been done in color and printed in greytones. The overall style puts me in mind of the animated series–this certainly does not duplicate that series’ style, but is somewhat similar, and that works very well for me here, as I can easily see the action of this issue being animated.

Probably because this issue is the latest of a several-part ongoing “arc,” newer readers may not get much from this. I think this issue is more for longer-time readers (whether just of this volume of Tales of the TMNT, or going back to the 1990s or even the mid-80s when the turtles first appeared). As one of those longtime readers, this issue was a blast, and very much worth its price.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

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