The Quick and the Read #9 - Final Crisis Edition

Its been a while since I have done one of these, I have just been busy working on the book.  I decided to take a break and clean my writing “pallet” and write some reviews focused around Final Crisis and its tie-ins.

Final Crisis #4 - Up until this issue, this series has been practically impossible to figure out what was going on.  I know I am not alone on this.  After reading this issue, I think I finally understand what is going on now.  I have to say that this has been the best issue of this series so far, with some good scenes (even if some where a little cliché) that are just the kind of thing that reminds me of why I love comics. Overall the whole series has been a big disappointment when compared to the hype that followed it.  So far I have enjoyed all the “tie-in” series\one-shots with the “Final Crisis” banner a lot more.  Hopefully this will get better by the end, but somehow I doubt it, considering the drama that seems to be going on behind the scenes on this book.

FC: Submit #1 - I liked this issue, and I think it was a mistake not to convey somehow that it takes place before Final Crisis #4.  I read Submit after that issue, not knowing any better, and it would have made my reading of Final Crisis #4 a lot more enjoyable.  Even though this was a good story, some of the dialogue seemed a little cheesy at times and I think Morrison made Black Lightning sound a little bit too preachy. The only other thing that kind of bugs me is the idea of the newspapers, and heroes running around delivering them.  Having someone like the Ray do that I can understand, he can travel pretty fast, but having BL running around on foot with Justifiers everywhere is just kind of silly.  A little bit of a plot hole if you asked me.

FC: Revelations #3 of 5 - I really have been enjoying Greg Rucka’s work on this series, and I think the art really fits the overall tone of the book perfectly.  I am glad to see more being done with the new Question, I enjoyed what Rucka did with the Crime Bible series and I was happy to see that story continued here.  It was also good to see a new character like Radiant be introduced last issue.  It makes more sense to have another entity like the Spectre around but be sort of his opposite number.  I am looking forward to the next issue of this and see how things turn out.

FC: Rouges’ Revenge #3 of 3 - What can I say?  Johns delivered an excellent end to another awesome story. I am so glad things ended the way they did (trying to stay spoiler free here), but I don’t see how they could have ended any other way.  Regular readers of my blog know I love John’s work, so no need to go on about it here.  I will however say I would like to see more of Scott Kolins work, I didn’t appreciate it enough until I saw it again in this title.  He has a very gritty style that fit perfectly for this book.  This was one of the Final Crisis tie-ins that was definitely worth every penny.

FC: Legion of 3 Worlds #2 of 5 - Holy shit, this is the greatest comic I have read in a while.  Which is pretty much a given for me considering its 1) Johns writing, 2) Perez doing the penciling, and 3) its about the Legion.  This is like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one.  The obvious care and hard work that was put in this title just pours off the page.  I LOVE IT!!  I hate it when books are late, but if they need time on the next one, then so be it.  I am willing to wait for this kind of quality in this one case.

FC: Resist #1 - Here is another book I liked better than the series that it is tied to.  Rucka did a good job with this one, I really like the interaction with Mr. Terrific and the rest of the characters.  I have to admit I was beginning to wonder how the heroes were going to pull their asses out of the fire up until this issue, and I am actually looking forward to seeing one hell of a battle come out of this.

FC: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1 - Wow this comic is really something.  There is a lot of going on here, some of it might be lost on you if haven’t been reading the Secret Origins arc in Green Lantern, but it might not be too bad if you are picking this up cold.  Once again, Johns delevers a great Green Lantern story that I really enjoyed.  I am really looking forward to watching this play out in the GL titles, it should be a lot of fun.

Well that is it for now.  Next time I will either cover the New Krypton or Batman R.I.P. stuff I have read so far.

The Quick and the Read #7 - ACCCKKKK!! More Comic Reviews

Ok, I know it has been a while, but I have been crazy busy.  As well as the book starting up again, the Wife and I have a house guest for a while, my good friend Mike.  We worked together for a long time back in Washington St when I lived there, and have been friends ever since.

I helped him get a job where I work, since we had an opening that would be working with me, and I trust him more than anyone that isn’t family.  In fact, he is one of the few people on this earth that I would trust with my life.  That kind of friendship is very rare, and I am very glad that things worked out like they did.

We are a lot alike, and even call ourselves a “brother from another mother”.  This was his first week on the job, and I know that we are finally going to make some progress at work in making things better.  He is also a really great writer, so check out his blog if you get a chance.

Well enough about me, let’s get on to the reviews.  A lot of these have been out in a while, but the two of you that read this blog might be interested in my “unique” view on them.  Here we go.

Final Crisis #1-2: I have REALLY been disappointed in this series so far.  It seems really disjointed to me, and I had to read the first issue again to try to figure out what was going on in the second issue.  The whole New Gods rebirth thing and the way they are doing it, seems silly to me in a “jump the shark” kind of way.  This has been commented on a lot in other blogs, so there is no need to rehash it all.  The Martian Manhunter’s death was CHEAP and UNECESSARY.  As much as I liked the Barry Allen Flash, I think bringing him back is kind of cheap too, just something to sell books.  I cheered when they brought back Hal Jordan, and Oliver Queen, but their deaths weren’t good deaths and needed to be fixed.  Barry Allen’s death was a GOOD death.  He died saving the multiverse, for crying out loud!!  I know that the relaunch of the relaunch of the Flash character isn’t going like they planned, but I’m not sure bringing back Barry might not fix it if they don’t WRITE GOOD STORIES!!!

Trinity #1-8: I am little behind on this title since I am getting comics in the mail again, I have really been enjoying it.  I have always been a fan of Kurt Busiek since I read his Astro City stuff, and this series shows exactly why.  This series is already 100 times better than the mess that was Countdown.  I like what they are doing with the backup stories as well, I think it is a really good idea. Keep up the good work guys!

Astonishing X-Men #25 - I was a little disappointed with this issue after Whedon’s great run on this title.  Way to chatty for me, and it seemed that Ellis was trying to capture that dry wit that Whedon is so good at and failed miserably.  Not sure if I will keep getting this one.

Uncanny X-Men #500 - Now this was better than Astonishing X-Men #25, in my opinion.  Brubaker and Faction got me hooked on Immortal Iron Fist, and they might do the same here.  I like the “new direction” that Marvel is taking with the X-Men, I think it should’ve been done a while ago.  This should be interesting in the coming months.

Well that’s it for now, turn in for more soon!!