FCBD 2013 Kaboom Summer Blast!

This 2013 Free Comics Book day offering is full of great short stories featuring an all-star cast- with Snoopy, Regular Show, Jake and Finn from Adventure Time, the cast of Ice Age, Garfield and much, much more.

Adventure Time takes up the most real-estate with a lengthy Choose Your Own Adventure style story. It’s cute, but I just don’t see why people think that’s such a great show. I must be old. The story I enjoyed most is a title I can’t remember, but it involves a little boy with a teddy bear that comes to life. It’s a little like Calvin and Hobbes but with illustrations out of The Snowman. I wish I could remember what it was called.

Anyways, the whole book was lots of fun and I am glad I found this gem at this year’s Free Comic Book Day.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Iron Man: Season One

WORTH CONSUMING!

With the success of its myriad of films, Marvel has decided to reboot the origins of many of it’s most important characters. With Iron Man 3 coming out recently, I decided to go with the origin of Tony Stark.

There’s a few changes, mostly having a former college bro turned Muslim extremist be the captor that results in Stark needing a metal chest plate to prevent his heart from being damaged by shrapnel. Oddly missing is Obadiah Stain. He figured so prominently in the first Iron Man film, yet he’s nowhere to be found trying to oust Stark from being the head of Stark Industries.

I liked the painted art-style and thought the story itself was very good. I understand why Marvel felt it needed to reboot its character's origins to reflect the films, but why omit key figures from these origins themselves. Doesn’t make sense.

Still, aside from that oversight, this book is Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Will Eisner's The Spirit: The New Adventures #8

The Spirit is on the trail of a brother and sister team of con artists. The woman is a stunner, who mysteriously seduces men to a speedy nuptial and then suddenly dies before the ink on her life insurance policy has time to dry. Oh, and this woman has a tendency to rise from the dead.

A really good final act to a series that paid tribute to the work of Will Eisner. Sadly, this issue didn’t go on to issue 9 as promised in an add in the back of the book. It would have been a Christmas themed issue and from the cover shown, it looked awesome!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Will Eisner's The Spirit New Adventures #7

In this supposedly Halloween inspired issue, the Spirit’s been overworked and Dolan gets him to go out for a round of golf. At the same golf course, Dolan’s daughter is targeted for death by the Octopus. It’s up to a weary and very unaware of his settings Spirit to save the day.

 

There’s another good Spirit tale. But it doesn’t have any memorable villains and I don’t see where it was any more of a Halloween story than the golf yarn was. The only thing in this issue that is in the spirit of All Hallows Eve was a classic splash page by Spirit creator Will Eisner from the early 40s.

A good issue that doesn’t quite live up to the promises on the cover.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Will Eisner's The Spirit: New Adventures #6

This issue contains two good stories that mix noir, humor, and superhero action all into one. The only thing keeping these New Adventures from becoming instant classics is that there isn’t really any memorable foils for Spirit to combat. This issue could’ve used a Sans Serif or an Octopus, or even the odd Nazi baddie.

The plots were good and the art exceptionable. They just lack that “ummph” that came with an Eisner inspired villain or femme fatale.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Will Eisner's "The Spirit" The New Adventures, #5

The Spirit gets drawn into a murder case that’s a little too much like the films Body Heat and Against All Odds. When a wealthy doctor with a shady past is found dead, it’s up to Spirit and Dolan to weed out prospective patients for the true culprit.

Like I said, the plot has been done to death (forgive the pun) in many film noir pictures. There’s also quite a bit of adult themes, double entendres and sex. It’s not for kids.

One of the more serious takes on Will Eisner’s classic character. Very enjoyable but not 100% what I was expecting either and that’s coming from someone who thought the Frank Miller film was oversexed.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Last Hero Standing #5

Issue 5 is the perfect ending to a series that took a while to find it’s feet. Loki arrives on earth for final retribution against the Avengers. While he says he’s willing to find till the “Last Hero Standing”, it appears that Loki has placed a curse that will doom Midgard (earth) if only one drop of heroes blood is spilled. Thus, all eyes are on killing the Hulk! It’s crazy to think that the Hulk would be the easiest to kill, but it makes for some really great action scenes with half the heroes out to kill him and the other half running defense on his behalf. Though I had problems with the early chapters of this series, it ending on a very satisfying note. The ending is bitter-sweet. But, I was pleased with it.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Last Hero Standing #4

With Loki finally identified as the instigator of the Last Hero Standing war, a small group of heroes led by Captain America venture to Asgard to seek the help of Thor.

This chapter is awesome. The scenes of Asgard in the future are breathtaking and how Asgard would be governed and ruled in the future is smartly plotted. Plus, you can see glimpses of the foundation that was to be laid for the Thor revival and movie that came out a couple years after this mini.

A very good chapter that is full of great art, storytelling, and butt-kicking action.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Last Hero Standing #3

We’re at the mid-point of Last Hero Standing and nobody’s fallen. In fact, the heroes kidnapped in the first two issues have returned. However, the plot has finally gotten interesting at these returned heroes have been brainwashed by Loki to kill anyone affiliated with the Avengers. Thus, all Marvel heroes must die!

It took a while, but the whole idea of a fight to the death amongst superheroes is finally happening. It was my initial expectation when I bought these mini-series and now it’s finally happening.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Trek Into Darkness

Into Darkness hits a little close to home with the acts of terrorism conducted by Benedict Cumberbatch’s character. Even more relevant is how Starfleet has become like our government when the long-range torpedoes developed to kill Cumberbatch are like the drones of today. What right does any government have to kill someone, even a known terrorist without a trial? It’s a question that not only Spock asks in the film, but the average Joe on the streets in the 21st century.

Besides being preachy, a few scenes seem like they were made only for being added to a video game- or to make the 3D version more exciting. But, those action scenes are too far fetched and not needed, really.

The acting is great. Abrams did a fantastic job getting actors who look and act like those of the Original series. I must admit, I liked the first Star Trek a little bit better, but in no way did this film not leave me wanting a 3rd film, either.

I am waiting for the director’s cut, because several actors are listed in the credits that do not appear in the film, like Chris Hemsworth's George Kirk and whoever Heather Langenkamp of Nightmare on Elm Street fame played.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Last Hero Standing #2

So, it’s chapter 2 and by issue’s end, I’m still not sure where this series is going. It’s making me a little frustrated. We still have heroes being kidnapped and I guess that’s where we get the title “Last Hero Standing.” but like I mentioned with the first issue, it’s not anywhere close to what my initial expectations about what’s really happening in this story.

The art is still very good and there are some great action sequences. That’s pretty much what’s kept me from tossing this in the trash. It’s just barely good enough to keep me reading. Maybe it’ll get better.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Last Hero Standing #1

 

Taking place in the near future or a tangent universe, the same one that houses Spider-girl, the Next Avengers, J2, and the Fantastic Five; someone is kidnapping earth’s heroes, young and old.

It’s not quite what I was expecting. With a title like 'Last Hero Standing', I was expecting something on par with Secret Wars, where an entity like the Beyonder was making superheroes fight each other to the death (or near incapacitation) for the future of planet.

It’s an okay story, but the verdict is still out for the entire mini-series. Like I said, it’s not quite what I was expecting. The art is really good and thankfully, Marvel includes a roster sheet at the issue's beginning, as there are lots of faces that I am not yet familiar with.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Justice League International, #68

Chapter 3 of 'Return of the Hero' finally captures the humor and excitement of the 90’s Justice League. Triumph has finally convinced a couple of remaining Leaguers to assist him destroy that pesky alien menace once and for all. It’s a lot of madcap fun and a little sad as this is the final issue of Justice League International.

  Well, at least the series went out on a very high note!

  Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Franklin Richards, Son of a Genius: Not-So-Secret Invasion #1

I know that the Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius books are geared for kids, but they are funny! Drawn like Calvin and Hobbes, there’s a sort of C&H magic/ banter between Franklin and his robot nanny and bodyguard H.E.R.B.I.E.

In this issue, there are 3 short stories involving the boy and his android. First, the cover tale in which a young Skrull tries to assume Franklin’s persona. But he acts like a perfect gentleman and that makes everybody weary. Then Franklin is summoned to the deep to help his buddy, Squid-boy.  

Finally, another one of Franklin’s attempts to become a super athlete using one of Mr. Fantastic’s inventions goes awry.

All ages fun that has a little something for everyone.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Justice League Task Force #16

Triumph is like a bad penny- he just keeps showing up. And, he’s brought back the strange alien menace from the revised Justice League origin (See Justice League America 92). Only this time nobody’s willing to trust Triumph and his claims of alien invasion and founding of the JLA after the recent decent by Max Lord and the U.N. Plus, Triumph’s recruitment drive is in shambles because Leaguers are quitting in droves.

There’s just too much going on here. Triumph’s more annoying in this 2nd chapter of 'Return of the Hero.' He’s a poor man’s Guy Gardner and nowhere near as entertaining. It’s a very negative vibe going on here with everyone fighting everyone else. What is this, Marvel?

If not for a few entertaining barbs from Ralph Dibny and Crimson Fox, this issue would suck rocks.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Justice League America #92

   

 Relive the very first adventure of the Justice League with The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Superman, Black Canary, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and their leader, Triumph!

  Don’t feel bad if you don’t remember him, because basically nobody does. In this mind-bending tie-in to Zero Hour, Triumph must convince his fellow superheroes that the only way to defeat an alien menace is to follow his instructions to the letter. Only, this group of heroes is too green to work as a team much less take orders from anybody.

  It’s twists and turns like in Return of the Hero, part One, that has made DC Comics a leader in alternate history/ multiverse storylines. The ending helps to bridge the gap as to why nobody (readers included) remembers Triumph. The art is very good. Overall, a very enjoyable read.

  Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Justice League Task Force # 15

No matter what you threw at the Martian Manhunter, he was always the rock of the Justice League and it’s many incarnations. Now with the League in absolute shambles, the faith of the Last Martian has been tested to beyond belief.

Allies turn enemy, friends depart, and stuff explodes.

A very powerful issue that focuses on perhaps the most vital but underappreciated member of the League.

Great storytelling. Fantastic art.

  

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

First X-Men

 In the ever changing/ adapting/ retconning origin of the X-Men, we have Wolverine and Victor Creed playing the role of political advocate/ frontline warrior in the coming war on mutant-kind. Having a kinder, gentler Wolverine is kinda odd and despite his protests, he’s really like a teddy bear for most of this book. We also see some of Prof. X’s earliest forays into his discovery of becoming a mutant. But, for the most part, this book is Wolverine’s show.

  I was having trouble placing where in the X-Men’s history this takes place. By miniseries end, you could say this is what the final act of Wolverine Origins would be like.

  My biggest problem was the art. I love Neal Adams and think he drew the definitive Batman. But, his work in this looks more embellished, like that of EC Comics artist, Jack Davis. I’m not sure if the art was intentional in this style or if Adams in his later years just isn’t able to draw in that crisp, commercial style of his of the early 70s.

  Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Justice League International #67

In this, the penultimate issue of Justice League International, the Justice League is this close to reemerging as a full-fledged team after the betrayal of Max Lord and the UN and the death of Ice, when it appears that Max’s League Busters have come to finish the job they attempted to do on Mount Everest, during the Overmaster debacle.

The ending is very shocking on two very different fronts and sets up for both the final issue of this series and a 3-part Zero Hour tie-in that begins in Justice League America #92.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Tick: The Naked City

 

The Naked City is a collection of the earliest Tick comics ever published. Now reprinted in startling color, marvel at how Tick escaped his mental institution hum-dum existence and became the hero he is today. From meeting with a certain reporter who looks an awful lot like George Reeves to teaming with a samurai named Paul and eventually gaining a side-kick named Arthur, who looks like a moth, a comic legend is born!

  The best part has to be the Ninja shrubbery (Nothing to see here. Yes, I’m a shrub) I so want that T-shirt.

  Classic stuff, very hard to find, but worth every minute of searching.

  Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

DirtPony Presents: Cap-Gun Cavalcade

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I'm not sure where I found this mini comic. But I'm glad I did. It's funny, it's fun, it's bizarre. As far as I know this is the only issue but that's okay. It's got a charm that works in small doses. I think if this book was any longer or if I had further issues it might get a little repetitive and dull.

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare #60

   Here it is- the final issue of Marvel Fanfare Volume 1. Filled with 3 awesome tales, this issue starts out with a Black Panther tale that involves a strange store clerk and the mysterious apples he refuses to sell to anyone! Then Rogue and Mystique team up with Pyro to free a young mutant from genetic testing that would render his powers null.

   Finally, the series come full circle with a Daredevil tale that is actually a sequel to the Daredevil story found in the back pages of Fanfare #1. Using the same writer/ artist, this final story is a heartwarming Christmas-themed tale that reminds the reader that after 60 issues and 10-years of publication that something old is new again.
 
    A great ending to a really good series.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare #59

   

   Shanna’s multi-issue arc concludes with a thrilling conclusion that involves the She Devil being some sort of reincarnated Egyptian animal goddess. 

   Ok, the action is thrilling, but the story is just plain silly. It’s also a big 180-degree turn from the B-list Hollywood assassins plot of the past 3 issues. Turns out that this story’s writer had the first 3-chapters in the bag in 1977, but it was 10+ years later before he got the green light to finish it. What a difference a decade makes. 

   The second story is a very good romantic romp involving Patsy Hellcat Walker and her return to her hometown having gone from teen dream to superhero. It’s a great (and intentional) tribute to Marvel’s romance books of the 50s and 60s.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare #58

There’s plenty good and bad about this issue of Fanfare. In part 3 of the Shanna the She-Devil story, Shanna keeps failing at saving people from assassination. Yet, each victim mysteriously turns up alive with no signs of trauma. Even the blood has disappeared! It’s pretty captivating up till the writer decides to turn this chapter into his crusade against porn. I’m not arguing pro or con, it’s just all of a sudden the story shifts from these botched murders to having the villains mount a soap box in a thinly veiled attack on Larry Flynt.

The same goes for the backup feature. It starts off as a good story about a neighborhood’s prejudice against the interspecies marriage of Scarlet Witch and the Vision. Then it changes course into this weird zombie tale in which the center of the town’s evil is a church. Plus, the villain starting off as an alien and then becoming a malevolent spirit comes straight from left field.

Great starts to both tales, they both just have awful second acts.


Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.