Friday, October 31, 2008

"Star Trek #2 (DC Comics 1984-1989, 1st Series)"-

WORTH CONSUMING!

The confusion about why there needed to be a shuttle plus a beam out has been solved, and this storyline just keeps getting better. The dark horse of the series in Konom, the Klingon with the heart of a space hippie.

"Star Trek #1 (DC Comics 1984-1989, 1st Series)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

 Immediately after the Wrath of Khan, the Enterprise adventures continue. True, it’s apocryphal, but it makes a great read when you need a Star Trek fix. While most of the characters don’t look much like themselves, the ship looks great and so do the Klingons. Despite a few plot gaffs towards the end, Compared to the Marvel series of the early 80’s, I can already tell that I am in for a treat.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Bible: An Owner's Manual : What You Need to Know Before You Buy and Read Your Own Bible



NOT WORTH CONSUMING  

The concept for this book is brilliant: An owner’s manual to help people better utilize their Bible. Kinda like the manual I got for my stereo, only not in Korean.

  But, after the concept, it all goes down hill from there. True, this book was written 25 years ago. But, the advice in this book is all wrong. Never should you read your Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It’s essential for new readers (believers or not) to start with the Gospels. Everyone I know says start with John, but I think Luke a good alternative.

  At times this book lives up to what it intended, but once you get through the intros for each chapter, it starts to turn into a text book. There’s lots of experts and scriptures quoted, but this should not be used for a devotional. Especially, since I ended the book wondering if the author was a Christian or just a Bible scholar who researches religion for the sake of research. That ambiguity left me hating a book I really didn’t enjoy from the get go.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

"Showcase Presents: Aquaman, Vol. 1"


 WORTH CONSUMING! 

There’s some very nice gems in this book. But, sadly, several stories seem to be copies of themselves and the repetition makes this book a little tedious.

 The main problem I have with the books in this book is as such,  Aquaman has yet to have a main and recurring villain (by 1962, when this book ends). You see a few possible glimpses as a villain named Black seems an awful lot like Black Manta and a character from Atlantis seems to be Aquaman’s evil twin, and happens to make an evil presence by the mid 60’s

 Still, I like Aquaman, faults and all. And I probably will end up buying Volume 2 when it comes out.

Monday, October 27, 2008

"Star Trek #18 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

 How else to end a Star Trek Series but to explore the relationship between a (hu)Man and his Vulcan.

  I haven’t a clue if Marvel even knew what was about to happen in the upcoming movie (Wrath of Khan), but this store is very apropos. Especially since the next 3 movies deal exclusively with that relationship.

 Very good story and art, too!

"Star Trek #17 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"


Can’t really say that I remember much about this issue. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. So to be fair- I can’t really judge this book (cover or not).

Saturday, October 25, 2008

"I Watched a Wild Hog Eat My Baby: A Colorful History of Tabloids and Their Cultural Impact"


 Not at all what I was expecting! True- this is a history of the Tabloids, but it focuses too much on the 1950’s and early 60’s and not enough on the meat of the Tabs- namely 1968-1995.

  This book read more like a business book and not a history into the stories themselves. When it does spend time on those stories, this book shines, but the author spend too much time on gross sales and circulations. So much, I thought I was reading line graphs and pie charts. Plus, there should have been more pictures of celebs and covers- particularly an example of the WEEKLYWORLDNEWS.

  I’d say my like/hate ratio is spot on 50/50, so I will not rate this book in the negative or positive.

"Star Trek #16 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"


WORTH CONSUMING!

A very good story involving trolls, gremlins and gnomes. My wife would hate it! But, this story is lots of fun and very entertaining! Art is a bit off, as you obviously can see from the cover. However, this is one of the better efforts from this series. 

Friday, October 24, 2008

“Star Trek #15 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

 The art is some of the best in this series. Really good storyline too.

My favorite part of this issue is the cover. Now, plot-wise, it’s a bit misleading, but true to the meat of what happens. But, in terms of art and especially color palate- I really like it. Very clean.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

"Star Trek #14 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)”


NOT WORTH CONSUMING

This very uninspired tale of Kirk being brainwashed by an alien entity and believing that he’s some Pharaoh/ God.

 Art is poor, color is uneven, and really, that’s what you think the Enterprise looks like?

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

"Star Trek #13 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)

WORTH CONSUMING!

 This may be my favorite comic book cover of all-time! Great use of light instead of shade, powerful detail, a classic Femme Fatale/ Pulp pose. Very retro- classic 70’s Marvel!
The story’s not bad either. But, then again, anything with the Klingon’s isn’t bad. This could have been a Trek episode- worth consuming!

Monday, October 20, 2008

"What if... This Was the Fantastic Four? (Mike Wieringo Tribute, Autographed)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

 Based on a 3 issue arc in the late 80’s in which Spidey, Ghost Rider, The Hulk and Logan were temporarily the FF, this story examines what if the line-up change was permanent.

I loved it. The best What if story I have ever read and my 2nd most favorite of all-time!

A tribute to the late Mike Wieringo, who was working on this story when he died suddenly. This issue is a limited edition book that is available only at select Comic Book Conventions and is autographed by 17 artists and writers who collaborated on finishing the work of Wieringo 

Thursday, October 16, 2008

"Star Trek #12 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"


NOT WORTH CONSUMING!
Janice Rand marries a brain inside of a pyramid shaped jar, Jar goes crazy and endangers the Enterprise, and chaos ensues!
 What is this, a MST3K movie or Star Trek?
 I absolutely hate- Hate- HATE this issue. Worst comic book story of all-time (oops, I mean ever!)
NOT WORTH CONSUMING AT ALL! (and yes, I am yelling!)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

"Star Trek #11 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"



 NOT WORTH CONSUMING
I just don’t like storylines that focus on Scotty! Sorry! He’s a great secondary character, but he’s just boring in the lead role. I hated “Wolf in the Fold” and I hate “Relics”. Call me a traitor if you must, but this story just isn’t worth consuming!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

"Star Trek #10 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"


WORTH CONSUMING!

The cover is misleading. I thought Spock was gonna go primal like he does in “All Our Yesterdays”. Instead, it’s more like an ethical dilemma with Prime Directive aboard the “Galileo 7”.Very good story though. Art is a little choppy. Can’t anyone draw a decent Starship Enterprise?

Monday, October 13, 2008

"Star Trek #9 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

A derelict Ship, Ghosts Haunt the Enterprise, and a glimpse of the horrors of the early days of Transporter research abound in issue 9. It’s a really good story that I liked it a lot. The cover, not so memorable as I got this issue confused with one I really hate a while back!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

"Top 10, Book 1"


WORTH CONSUMING!

This was very fresh, funny, gritty, and fun! I really enjoyed this book. It takes awhile to straighten out who’s who- but if you can overlook that, you’ll in for a real treat. With lots of twists, turns, and chills andlot like CSI run by Super Heroes this is already a favorite title of mine! Be sure to examine every panel, as there are tons of inside jokes/ easter eggs, especially with the billboards. It’s like Lost or the Naked Guns with all the sight gags and DC/Marvel cameos!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

"Star Trek #8 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

This issue was very confusing! The characters on the cover are bad guys, then they aren’t bad guys, then they might be bad- oh no, now they are good, thanks to some giant shrimp. It was really confusing. Now, the were some endearing characters in this, so I didn’t give it only 1 star. However, I did not find this issue worth consuming!

 

Friday, October 10, 2008

"Star Trek #7 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

I feel like I have seen this episode- I mean issue before! Although, for some reason, I found myself enjoying this story very much. The last 3 panels are a bit open ended, but the twist of having a statue of the Enterprise’s 3 highest ranking officers being on the planet for 100s of years, made this story very intriguing.

"Star Trek #6 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"


WORTH CONSUMING!

I really liked this one. It had a great mystery and excellence back story into the life of Cadet Kirk. Lots of great twists and turns. It’s a lot like what made Star Trek VI so go, with the search of the Chancellor of the Klingon’s killer.

The best story in the series…. so far!!!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

"Star Trek #5 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

An archivist has a broken heart, monsters run amok on Enterprise, and the conflict with the Klingons in resolved.

While this issue has some good moments, the storyline is more of Marvel Superheroes and not Star Trek. Plus, many plot devices have been used plenty of times before on the Classic series and gets old pretty quick.

"Star Trek #4 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"


WORTH CONSUMING!

The Klingons are on the prowl, an escaped prisoner is returned, and the Enterprise crew gets the fright of their life.

The first new storyline issues begin with this take on Kirk vs. a haunted house. Not the best nor most original idea, but still good.

Monday, October 6, 2008

"Star Trek #3 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

A machine looks for its creator, Earth’s future is in peril, a secret identity is revealed, and two lovers reunited permanently.  This issue was really well done both visually and storyline-wise. The only thing missing is the Devil Went Down to Georgia guitar riffs during the away team to V’ger.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

"Batman: Under the Hood, Vol. 1"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Really great story- but some high bits of confusion, like why Batman doesn’t trust Oracle anymore. The Joker revenge scene is powerful. Never have I wanted Joker to get what’s coming to him and yet feel like he’s had enough than I have after reading this book.

Cannot wait to get my hands on Volume 2.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

"Star Trek #2 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"


WORTH CONSUMING!

V’ger attacks, Ilia gets computerized, and a really cool spacewalk scene occurs differently from the movie.

"Star Trek #1 (Marvel Comics 1980-82)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Where the movie lags on and on and on and on, the comic removes all of those tedious parts and really gets to the meat of the story. Art is awesome!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

"God: The Evidence", by Patrik Glynn





 
 
WORTH CONSUMING!
God: The Evidence is another example of how the facts stated are much more interesting than the argument. It may have something to do with the author’s doctorate and the immense affluence that comes with such a honor.

"X-Men: Excalibur Classic, Vol. 4 - Cross-Time Caper, Book 2"


WORTH CONSUMING!

The Cross Time Caper is beginning to lose its welcome. With Kitty Pryde out of action, Excalibur is still enjoyable with characters like Nightcrawler and Meggan. But Kitty is the pride of the comic and makes the series very much worth consuming! With Kitty out of action for 80% of the book, it loses some of its appeal!

Also, has anyone notice how much Alistar looks like the current Doctor of Doctor Who (David Tennant) in both look and style? What’s more- Al keeps making references to Doctor Who. Is this a coincidence or did David Tennant read Excalibur as a lad and that’s where he came up with his version of the Doctor?

I really would like to know.