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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

Filed under: Classic Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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

Filed under: Classic Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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

Filed under: Classic Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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

Filed under: Classic Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Marvel Zombies: Dead Days [Review]

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: Dead Days

The Marvel heroes assemble to take down a threat to the entire universe…aw, who’s kidding who? Marvel Heroes become Marvel Zombies, and there’s lots o’ good eatin’ going on!

marvelzombiesdeaddays001Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Sean Phillips
Colors: June Chung
Letters: VC’s Rus Wooton
Production: Marvel Bullpen
Zombie Food: John Barber
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
Cover: Arthur Suydam (after Jim Lee)
Publisher: Marvel

I assume that if you haven’t heard of ’em, you’ve been hiding for the last couple years, or just ignoring everything Marvel. Otherwise, who hasn’t heard of the Marvel zombies? (No, not the readers…the zombified Marvel heroes!) When I first heard of the concept, back when the 2006 mini-series was announced, I thought the idea sucked.

I couldn’t see how there’d be any point, or any fun, to the concept. Fifteen some months later, that mini is on an extremely short list of series that I’ve read one issue, and could not stop myself from reading every other issue that I had in my possession.

What’s that got to do with THIS issue, you ask? This is a prequel to that series, that shows us pre-zombified versions of the characters…how certain ones came to be bitten, and even some gruesome scenes of them eating loved ones or trusted butlers and all that…stuff mentioned or alluded to in last year’s mini.

Does it live up to the hype, and the quality, of that series? I’m not sure it does. While good…for me, this was just lacking something; though I can’t quite put my finger on it.

The story itself is really straight-forward as stated above. It cuts from one scene to another, as we see the rapid progression of the super-powered zombie plague. The scenes jump around a bit, with little time spent in any one space, though certain characters receive much more time than others in the spotlight. Even though this is a larger-sized issue, it’s still just a single issue, and it packs in what could fairly easily drawn out into a 6-12 issue series, if not more. Dense content means lack of deep characterization. But in the end, when you get right down to it, it seems that the point of this issue is the "fun" and the random gore and gruesome zombified heroes depicted on the page…if you want deep characterization, there’re six volumes of the writer’s other zombie series available, and loads of other superhero books with more room for characterization.

On the art-end, we’ve got some good quality stuff from Phillips…in and of itself, I really have no complaints visually. Where there might be some complaint would be the amount of visible gore and all that…this is not a comic to hand to the target audience of a Marvel Adventures book, and well deserves its "parental advisory" note on the UPC box.

The cover is an homage to 1991’s X-Men #1-E…the version with the double-gatefold/4-panel cover. While yet another cool zombified piece, it’s not my favorite.

I’m not sure exactly where in the Marvel Zombies timeline this fits, with the still-running Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness, so perhaps more will be made clear with that in the grander tapestry. Taken alone, this issue offers key scenes that impact Crossover and the original Marvel Zombies mini, and provides an extra-sized issue’s worth of violence, gore, and hero-eating-hero action. If that’s not your thing, don’t bother with this. If you do enjoy the concept (or enjoyed prior exposure,) this issue’s well worth getting.

Besides…there’s far worse (and less ‘fun’) out there you could give up your money for.

Ratings:

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

Filed under: Classic Reviews, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, Marvel Zombies | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Spawn #200 [Review]

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Walt


Full review posted to cxPulp.com.

 

Story: 3/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

Filed under: cxPulp.com, Image, Spawn | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Invincible #73 [Review]

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Walt

Full review posted to cxPulp.com.

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

Filed under: cxPulp.com, Image, Invincible | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Haunt #2 [Review]

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Walt

Co-creator/Writer: Robert Kirkman
Layouts: Greg Capullo
Pencils: Ryan Ottley
Co-creator/Inks: Todd McFarlane
Color: FCO Plascencia
Lettering: Richard Starkings/Comicraft
Cover/Variants Artists: Todd McFarlane, Ryan Ottley
Publisher: Image Comics

I’m actually enjoying this series. We’re only two issues in, and there’s still a lot of questions about the main characters, and I still have to look back into the issue to remember character names and such. But it’s a pot brewing a good deal of potentil to come.

The brothers from the previous issue must literally work together to stay alive and protect their friend–the dead brother takes control of their “merged” body and explains to the living brother that he can do what needs done, but needs to not be fought.

Father Kilgore–the surviving brother–is none to pleased at the current state of affairs and wants to be left out of things. As his brother makes clear, though, he’s already involved. They wind up fighting a mercenary who seems to almost be played for dark humour more than actual threat. Finally, the brothers–as “Haunt” (though I don’t think the name’s been given yet for their merged form) begin to move toward some answers, with a fairly cliche sort of cliffhanger.

As said, there’s a lot of potential here. Backstory to both of the brothers and their friend will be interesting to discover in coming issues. Seeing how the cliffhanger will likely add greatly to the status quo, and that development will be cool.

And whether the visual style and tone or something else, I can’t help but be reminded somehow of both Spawn and Spider-Man; though this character seems like he’s much more at home in a Spawn world, obviously. He could also almost work in an Invincible sort of world. (Though as yet, I don’t believe there’s anything to say this takes place in one, the other or either).

Taken as a whole, the writing and visuals make for an interesting issue, and I find myself intrested in and planning on pickin up the next issue to see how that one is.

For now, especially if you can still get ahold of the first issue, I recommend this for fans of McFarlane, Spawn, Kirkman, or Invincible…and casul fans somewhere in between.

Story: 6.5
Art: 8.5
Overall: 7.5

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, Haunt, Image | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Haunt #1 [Review]

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Walt

Co-creator/Writer: Robert Kirkman
Layouts: Greg Capullo
Pencils: Ryan Ottley
Co-creator/Inks: Todd McFarlane
Color: FCO Plascencia
Lettering: Richard Starkings/Comicraft
Cover/Variants Artists: Todd McFarlane, Ryan Ottley, Greg Capullo
Publisher: Image Comics

OK, so call me a sucker. This is a first issue, yeah. And I recently missed out on the debut of Chew, which had seemed interesting from an ad or two I’d seen. The Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman co-creation Haunt also seemed like a sorta interesting thing–again, from an ad. I’d pretty much forgotten about it entirely, though, until I received an email yesterday (the day before the comic’s release) about its release. I don’t know what landed me on this particular email list, but at least it was targeted, and did its job very, very well. Take these factors: two big names–creators whose books I’ve enjoyed recently, and a cheap-in-today’s-market cover price (this book’s only $2.99 cover price)–and combine them with “notice” or “attention” and you have a combination sufficient to get me to pick the book up. (Unfortunately, though I should’ve realized, there is the taint of variant covers, which I didn’t even consider…I wasn’t paying attention and am not particularly thrilled with the cover I wound up with).

So…what’s this Haunt thing all about? It’s only the first issue, so there’s plenty to wonder at. We’re introduced to a handful of characters and how they’re related to one another…and find out that one of them is actually dead, apparently a figment of his brother’s imagination. Only, there’s something more to it than “imagination.” When the surviving brother looks in on a woman both brothers had been involved with in the past–he’s got some less than wonderful history with her, it seems–he doesn’t think there’s anything to protect her from, though is soon proven wrong. When a couple of armed individuals enter the scene, a bit of a transformation occurs, and we meet the title character of the series.

I doubt much of it will stick as interesting to me long-term. But for the moment, there’s something interesting about the title character to me–the relationship between the brothers and the transformation that leaves one facing “Haunt.” I was put in mind of the Kevin Green transformation into Prime (for those few of you who remember the character). There’s also the slight twist on a quasi-archetype that I won’t get into as it’d be pretty serious spoiler territory.

The art team’s pretty familiar, and yet brings something new to the table. There’s a difference in visual style from Invincible and Spawn, but also a similarity to both…sorta like it has the grittiness of Spawn softened by the brighter style of Invincible. And honestly…works very well to me.

On the whole–for both the story and the visuals–this feels very much at-home in the same universe as Spawn (it remains to be seen if it is, actually) while not entirely out of place in a universe that has Invincible in it. With or without the comparisons…it’s got a fairly generic premise mixed with an intriguing twist sufficient to hook me and leave me interested in seeing what the next issue brings.

I bought this issue thanks to the initial hype/marketing and the names attached to it.

The package itself–the story, the hook–will bring me back for another look-see.

As something new, to get in at the beginning of what’s likely a major project with either Kirkman or McFarlane, this is well worth checking out…if only for this first issue.

Story: 7/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 8.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, Haunt, Image | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Invincible #65 [Review]

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Walt

Conquest Epilogue

Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler: Ryan Ottley
Inker: Cliff Rathburn
Colorist: FCO Plascencia
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Editor: Aubrey Siterson
Cover: Ryan Ottley & FCO Plascencia
Publisher: Image Comics

This issue provides the wrapup/epilogue to the Conquest story arc. As such, this issue is pretty low-key action-wise (though the visuals don’t hold anything back). Invincible wakes up in a hospital room where he finds out how Atom Eve survived. We’re then moved along to the funeral of Rex Splode, who actually did die, and see the reactions of key characters (and there are plenty of other Image characters to be spotted in the crowd attending the funeral). Invincible gets some closure as he sees the mangled body of Conquest, and we also see some ominous foreshadowing of what’s to come. The issue closes out with Invincible stating an official change in personal policy regarding his dealing with supervillains…one that makes plenty of sense, and should be interesting to see explored in coming issues.

The story itself is solid as usual. No real complaints there…it’s what I’d expect of an epilogue. While a couple of scenes seemed a bit drawn-out, it’s the same sorta thing I found charming/enjoyable in early issues of Ultimate Spider-Man, so I don’t have any real issue there. I’m not chomping at the bit for the next issue…but I’m suitably engaged, and can’t see just arbitrarily stopping here. This story came out of the single-issue Invincible War, which was a point I decided to try “jumping on” this title. I’m interested to see where the next arc goes, as I expect it to tell me more on whether I’m enjoying the title in and of itself, or just enjoying seeing direct follow-up to an issue I decided to try.

The art’s also quite good. Things look as they should, and probably my only complaint is that the remains we’re shown of Conquest are quite…gory. That’s fitting in the story, but none to pleasant to look at (even though being such is the point and so the intent of the art seems achieved).

I don’t see this issue being a great jump-on point for new readers; though just because it’s an epilogue is no time to jump off for newer/continuing readers. A good issue that continues to be worth its cover price.

Story: 7.5/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 8/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, Image, Invincible | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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