Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #6

 

Following up on the previous issue’s cliffhanger, the Zoo Crew must save the Presdent and the world from the alien Easter eggs. I liked the premise of a former Nazi posing as a South American ambassador- that was taken from “The Boys From Brazil” and that’s a very adult reference! Kiddies in 1982 wouldn’t gotten that. That what makes Zoo Crew so smart.

 What makes Zoo Crew so dumb is character development. There’s a alien rabbit who first arrives on earth to stop it from the egg invasion and then he turns on the Crew and decides to conquer earth because he thinks Captain Carrot was rude to him. It’s a lame motivation in my book. But, look at the cover- doesn’t the alien look an awful lot like the alien species in the Invasion trilogy? That’s an amazing coincidence if it wasn’t intended.

Probably my least favorite issue of the series thus far. It’s a great first half and an okay second.

Rating 6 out of 10 stars.

“Vader’s Little Princess”

 

This sequel to “”Darth Vader and Son” is a proof that boys get away with far more stuff than girls, unless that girl is manipulative about it. Leia is far more rebellious than brother Luke and most of the gags are about her flirtation with the rebellion. The funniest jokes involve her relationship with teen heart-throb (and rogue) Han Solo. So below for my favorite panel in the entire book.

 

I enjoyed this volume. It just wasn’t as good as the first book. There’s a magical element between Vader and Luke that’s missing here. Plus, Luke is in too many of these cartoons for what I thought was a book about Darth Vader and his little princess.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #5, completed 9/25/13

This issue is a brilliantly conceived parody of Indiana Jones. Here, the son of Oklahoma Bones seeks the Zoo Crews’ help in solving a centuries old mystery: Why are there Easter Eggs on Easter Egg Island? The main bad guys are “Ratzis” which you guessed it, are Nazi mice.

So far, this is the best issue in the entire series. True, I’ve only read 5 issues thus far, but this one is very smart. I don’t feel like an adult reading a kids book. It was like reading Watership Down or Animal Farm, just starring the Warner Bros. gang.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.

Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #4, completed 9/25/13

Issue 4 offers a glimpse at the secret life of Fastback, Earth-C’s fastest superhero AND turtle! It also gives a glimpse into what life is like for Rubberduck as a movie star and Yankee Poodle’s real-life occupation as a Hollywood reporter. I enjoy it when comics focus on the everyday things instead of just fights and such. It grounds the characters and story in the real world. Ok, in this case, it’s a world filled with talking animals. But, it still elevates the story to be a little less fanciful.

The puns are still pretty weak. But, the book was pretty good. I enjoy it quite a bit. Fun for young and old.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Stars Wars: Darth Vader and Son

In this very cute picture book, Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader and his young 4-year old son, Luke do the sort of things a typical dad and son do, but with a Star Wars twist. One of my favorite scenes is when Luke wants a Jar-Jar Binks doll and Vader says “These aren’t the toys you’re looking for.” Now that’s good parenting!

Definitely not canon, but it’s a terrific all-ages read for Star Wars fans of all generations. There’s a sequel call “Vader's Little Princess” and I plan to be reading that one very soon.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

William Shakespeare's Star Wars

Fan fiction and parody is very popular these days. It's all over the Internet, and some of it can be quite pornographic, like Spock doing Kirk while eating Gorn eggs and Tribble sliders, or so I hear. In fact, it's what spawns other work of fiction, like the 50 Shades of Grey books, which were written by a woman who first was trying to write erotic Twilight fan fiction. Fan Fiction is even coming to theatres; along with 50 Shades, there's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. That means even classic books are not safe from this sort of fan worship.

   This book is something I wouldn't want to see in film, but I'd love to see it arranged as a play. It combines the iambic pentameter of Shakespeare's works with the classic George Lucas Star Wars Trilogy. This covers only Episode IV: A New Hope. Yet, I have a feeling Empire and Jedi are going to be getting the same treatment very soon.

    For someone who is a die-hard Star Wars fan and an adamant hater of Shakespeare, this was brilliant! I even loved the illustrations which combine A long Time Ago, Far, Far Away chic with Elizabethan Era costumes. (Note the cover below.) For the devoted fan of Star Wars or the fan of a bawdy good time with Romeo and Juliet, this is the book for you.

WORTH CONSUMING! 

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

 

 

Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #3, completed 9/25/13

 

The Zoo Crew take full advantage of a well-used Justice League of America plot-device: team up pairs of heroes to tackle multiple threats. It works when a minor super villain is used in a story that the combined might of just Superman and Green Lantern could do by thereselves while the rest of the League stayed home and watched Homeland. It works here too, but not for the same effect. Here, it gives the newly formed team a chance to bond and advance character development. I actually appreciated it.

   The main villain of Brother Hood is ---, well I won’t say due to spoilers. However, I am sure I have the villains true identity figured out.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

An all-time favorite review of mine: A review of "The Lazlo Letters" Originally dated 1/15/2008

Originally dated 1/15/2008

Dear Mr. Toth,

 I just finished your book and I must say it is the BEST!!!! Did you really write all those people? I heard you wrote more letters and books to other world leaders, but I have not been able to find them. Are they good books?

 I didn’t really buy your book, NO I DID NOT steal it. I found it at a Used Book Store and I was so outraged, I demanded that the owner carry this book new only, in order to help fund a patriot like you. Postage sure has gotten expensive. He just shrugged his shoulders and told me to pay him $2.00 Just 2 measly, but by the grace of God, wonderful dollars for this tome? It should be in the Smithsonian. As a loyal American, I refused to play less than $5.00 and that was fine with him.

I also hear you have lots of friends; like George Tuttle- did you know that was the name of Hawkeye’s imaginary friend on MASH? Weird, huh? I also hear your friends with Don Novello. He’s also father Guido. My parents wouldn’t let me watch him because he was blasphemous. But, I don’t understand why they got so upset, because my parents didn’t like Catholics either.

I just hope that man does not corrupt your morals.

Take Care, and keep writing your letters.

Sincerely,

Bob A. Shep

PS, Can I have your autograph and a picture- and if not, do you have any extra Nixon autographs? He was the Best- beside Reagan!

Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #2

 

Issue #2 of Zoo Crew takes a page out of the Fantastic Four’s handbook. With the Pluto mind-beam crisis averted and Superman having returned to his home planet, the Crew is left wondering what’s next?! Most everyone wants the team to continue. However, Pig Iron makes like Ben Grimm and wants his privacy. Being the only character that can’t change, Pig Iron is stuck being a metal monstrosity and that kinda thing tends to unsettle the town folk. It’s up to Captain Carrot and 5/6 of his Zoo Crew to help the creature decide if he’s on the side of good or evil.

 Along with this episode, there’s a secondary plot of a mysterious group who have plans to overthrow the government of the US of S (Species). I like the “cat and mouse” storyline and I am looking forward to how it will play out in future issues.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Batman: R.I.P.

 

   I really thought I had read this before. But after a quick search through my reading journal, I can’t find any proof of my having read it. Maybe I’ve read an issue or two. I don’t know, but it seemed familiar at first.

   But, as I dove into what was essentially considered Batman’s last case, I’m just not so sure. This physiological thriller has a mysterious group of millionaires pulling out all stops to drive the Dark Knight insane with a series of mental suggestions enacted during an experiment for the military. 

  I’ve read Neil Gaiman’s “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” and I thought it was very good. However, I think this is one of the few times that someone out-Gaimaned Gaiman. Grant Morrison does a fantastic job tying in some of Batman’s most classic cases during those wild and crazy 1960s. Almost the entire history of the Batman is covered here. It’s a beautiful love letter to Caped Crusader.

  I also loved the back-up feature “What the Butler Saw.” It’s so haunting and perhaps the best Batman tale ever. Plus, I love that it ties in what happened to Batman at the end of RIP to events that occur in Final Crisis.

Batman RIP is a true masterpiece.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.

Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #1

Not only does Superman star in this premiere issue of Zoo Crew, but a classic Justice League of America villain cameos as a strange beam from outer space is causing humans on Earth Prime to act like animals and the animals of Earth-C are becoming feral.

It’s a classic first issue. It’s actually a little brainier than I expected. I thought it would be a very childish book. While funny animals do appeal primarily to kids, one must remember that there are tons of normal sane adults who love Mickey Mouse and there are some classic adult graphic novels that use animals instead of humans. Speigelman’s Maus and Crumb’s Fritz the Cat come to mind in that latter category and both are definitely not for kids!

True, some of the jokes are staler than 4 day old bagels. But some of the puns like naming a duck action star who drives a super-fast Trans Am, “Bird Rentals” are inside jokes that a more mature reader would only get.

I think Captain Carrot’s got potential.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

The New Teen Titans #16

This issue actually marks the first appearance of Captain Carrot. In the middle of this issue, there is a 16-page insert that introduces readers to mild-mannered Clark Kent and his secret identity of Superman. Wait, What? I thought this was supposed to be a funny animal book?

   In an attempt to garner readership, the Man of Steel makes an appearance on an alternate earth ruled by walking (upright) talking animals. As a strange energy beam causes people on earth to turn into animals, Superman intercepts a meteor and somehow breaks a dimensional plan to sweep him to Earth-C.

  I’m not sure why Superman was chosen to team-up with the Zoo Crew and not the Teen Titans. I mean, this whole set-up takes place in their magazine. If you’re not going to use them, why not put the Zoo Crew preview in an issue of Action Comics or DC Comics Presents? BTW, you’ll actually need this issue as a cliff-hanger occurs that’s only resolved in Captain Carrot #1. In fact, until I stumbled upon the book in a 10-cent box, I would never have known I needed this title to complete my collection. I would have been pissed if that happened.

In regards of the Teen Titans, I enjoyed that book very much. Starfire falls in love with Mr. Right. Only he’s a HIVE mole and is using her to infiltrate the Titans. The book is full of drama and teen angst and low on action. But, that’s okay. It’s like DC’s answer to X-Men, only with a smaller cast to keep the plots tighter. I appreciated that and the George Perez art ain't bad either. I think I’ll be collecting this title real soon!

Worth Consuming.

Rating for Captain Carrot Preview: 8 out of 10 stars.

Rating for Teen Titans story: 10 out of 10 stars.

Average rating: 9 stars.

Funny Animal Comics for People Who Don't Like Funny Animal Comics

The title of this entry is what Roy Thomas used to describe his 1982 creation Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew. Many of the issues in this series are ones I remember from my childhood and when I started collecting comics again 6 years ago, Zoo Crew was one of the first titles I put on my wish list to find. It took me roughly 6 years, about a dozen comic conventions and tons and tons of long boxes, but I finally completed my hunt just this summer.
 I have about 25 issues or so to read. But, unlike most weeks were there is a theme, My readings will be spread over the next few weeks. I have a feeling I may get a little stale, especially if Zoo Crew is as childish as I was when I first read him and I may want,  no I'll need to throw in a more-serious book from time to time.

Oh, before I go, a little fun fact. I had always wondered why DC didn't just create an animal series based on established heroes like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman. Well, upon researching, I learned that DC's legal department felt that marketing such a beast (pun intended) would be a nightmare as the rights to many of their characters were now owned in some part by the creators. However, the Just'a Lotta Animals starring Super Squrriel, Batmouse and even the Green Lambkin do make cameos as the creation of Capt. Carrot's cartoonist alter-ego Roger Rabbit.

Fun Fact #2. This Roger Rabbit is not the one who'll eventually get framed in a film starring Bob Hoskins and Jessica Rabbit.

USA Comics 70th Anniversary Special (2009)

 

This anniversary special introduced me to a completely new superhero- the Destroyer. He’s essentially the Punisher, set in 1940s Nazi-occupied Poland, blasting the heck outta everybody and anybody he considers on the side of the Axis powers. He’s ultimate reveal as to the inspiration for both his actions and costume were breathtaking. It made me an instant fan.

I’m not sure how to find more books about Destroyer. I’ve never really looked, but I’m pretty sure finding back issues of USA Comics are fiscally unfeasible. But, I will be on the hunt for more. You can count on it.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.

Young Allies Comics 70th Anniversary Special (2009)

Bucky Barnes and Toro are joined by the Liberty Legion, a group of patriotic boys who look an awful lot like another Jack Kirby creation, the Boy Commandos, who in turn look an awful lot like the Newsboy Legion. You’ve got your athletic leader, your fat kid, your brain with coke bottle glasses, and your token black character. If Jack Kirby didn’t phone in at least 2 of the for mentioned teams, I’ll eat my hat.

The modern story adds a spin to the Liberty Legion mythos. It appears towards the end of the war, the boys grew into young men and enlisted in various branches of the service or using their past crime fighting experience, join the OSS. Very creative way to modernize the characters. I also enjoyed the Ton Tehn pact between the Legion, now elderly men and the newly revived Bucky, now wielding the shield of Captain America. It’s a heartwarming and smartly crafted story.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

Captain America Comics 70th Anniversary Special

Captain America is my all-time favorite superhero and it’s a thrill to see him kickin’ Nazi butt and to read some of his classic battles. They’re the ultimate patriotic comics of World War II and there’s just no comparison to them.

The modern tale is classic Captain America. But, it’s a real shame that the legendary Stan Lee wasn’t called upon to write that story. The reprint Capt. Story was written by Lee, so that’s something. But to not let Stan The Man tackle such an iconic Timely/Marvel character was a missed opportunity.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters

I knew that this limited series was for mature audiences. But, I expected 1987 mature audiences stuff to be full of violence and blood. While the Longbow Hunters has that is spades, there’s also tons of drugs, adult language, sex, nudity, even Ollie’s doodle. (I’m not talking Green Arrow with a pen and sheet of paper, folks.) This is R-rated stuff!

I liked most of the book. Green Arrow’s always been grittier than most super heroes in the DC corral. However, there’s some flash backs that are disjointed, probably to reflect the damage mind of some of the villains. Creator Mike Grell does some “Kirby”-level experimentation with panels and sequential art. So, the reader should be aware because trying to read the book from tradition left to right and then down and back to the left doesn’t apply in this mini-series at all!

Enjoyable, but very hard to read.

Rating 7 out of 10 stars.

Sub-mariner Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1

 

Sub-Mariner is one of my all-time favs. Like Aquaman, yet different. This is an awesome homage to the Avenging Son. I like the format a lot and I’d like to read more comics like this. Sadly, they don’t make comics like this anymore.
  The modern tale has Namor questioning his allegiances to the Allied powers during World War II and he goes off finding Nazi spies in order to weigh which side is the more honorable to align himself and his Atlantean brothers with for the remainder of the war. This question of conscience is in the true Marvel style and I was very surprised that Stan Lee didn’t write it.

The 1940s tale was a reprint of the very first Sub-Mariner story. It was reprinted already in  the Marvel Comics 70^th Anniversary Special. So, I was rightful confused in wondering if I had read this tale before or not. Guess what? I had!

Worth Consuming!

Rating 10 out of 10 stars!

Mystic Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1

This issue introduced me to yet another Timely character that I had never heard of. Well, actually, I have heard of the Vision, but brother, this isn’t the Vision I grew up with in issues of the Avengers. This Vision is an other-dimensional alien who can enter this world through smoke and flame. He’s powered by those very elements and often appears to his victims but is invisible to the naked eye of other observers. So when a baddie has a grisly demise, it looks like a suicide.

This vigilante hero is very gritty. His modern story was pretty gruesome with visions of rape, mutilations, and gore. I had to remember half way through this story that this is the modern tale, and not the 1940s version. But the 40s story was just about as violent.

I actually liked this issue. It’s definitely not for kids under age 13 though. It’s like Rob Zombie and Quentin Tarantino got together and created a noir supernatural comic book. Very unusual stuff. But who ever said unusual was a bad thing.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1

 

I’ve never heard of this super hero before this special. She’s apparently Timely’s answer to Wonder Woman. Anyway, in this issue, the hero discovers a plot to use mind controlled zombies by the Nazis and that brings her to a naval shipyard, where she goes undercover.

It’s a pretty decent tale with her enemies looking like Wonder Woman’s actually. All dressed in leather, portraying various German stereotypes, like a Bavarian Beer Girl with deadly pretzels, and very S&M.

My biggest problem is that in the 1940s Miss America story, she’s blond, curvy, and doesn’t wear glasses. But in the modern story, she’s brunette, stick thin like Olive Oyl, and she wears bat-wing glasses. Why the change?

By the way, the reprint story was actually a very good mystery and the art wasn’t half bad either.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1

 

The cover looks almost exactly like the cover of the first Marvel/ Timely comics that started it all. This was actually the first book I read in this series, and the only book I paid full price for the day it came out in 2009. Now that I think about it, I think this issue came free with the purchase of 2 other Marvel 70^th books. So, I paid full price for them.  But for some reason, I never reviewed this book upon completing.

  IT IS a reprint of Marvel Comics #1. The stories are very good but the plotting is choppy and art is rough as most 1939 comics were in those days. However, upon reading other Marvel 70^th specials, most of the material in this book is also contained elsewhere. So, I am glad I didn’t pay full price after all. There’s a second cover to this book that has a more modern looking cover. But why would anyone want that one? I’ll stick with my replica cover, thank you.

Worth Consuming- but remember, most of this material is reprinted in other anniversary specials.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Mystery Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1

The original Marvel super heroes of the Human Torch, Sub-Mariner and Angel team-up in a never before revealed tale that pits the trio up against Nazi terrorists. It’s a very adventuresome tale but the pissing match between Torch and Sub-Mariner is sub-par. People tell better “You Mama” jokes on the subway than these two guys.

There’s also a preview of The Marvels Project. It looks awesome and it’s a series I’m going to have to get my hands on very soon.

 

Plus, I just love the bizarre cover of a gigantic Sub-Mariner and Torch destroying a fleet of Nazi subs. It’s executed it the true Marvel style!

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

Human Torch Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1

 

The original, android, Human Torch stars in this one-shot celebrating the 70^th anniversary of Marvel Comics. In the new story, the Torch has just recovered from a horrible accident and uses his recovery time to woo a new lady love. The obvious white man dating a black woman in 1940s New York is poignant, but underling this mixed couple relationship is that she’s human and his is a robot. Marvel brings social issues to the fore-front with such subtle grace! Brilliant!

There’s also a classic Torch tale which for the period is pretty good and we get the origin of Toro, the Torch’s mutant kid sidekick. That is a fun tall that answers lots of question I had had about Toro.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

All Winners Comics #1 70th Anniversary Special

The tribute story takes place during that brief period of time that All Winners was still published and the very end and just after WWII and contained Capt. America and Bucky as members. It explains that those heroes were replacements created by the government to prevent people from losing hope upon hearing that those symbols of freedom had “died” at the hands of the Nazis.
This is all said and good. However, when a zombie horde attacks NYC, the All-Winners are faced with a dead Capt. and Bucky. Both of which weren’t dead but in suspended animation. Did the writers and editors of this anniversary special forget that?
The reprint tale is quite good and the Simon/ Kirby art is awesome! I loved it. Not a bad issue, but there are some serious plot nits in the tribute tale.
Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Celebrating the Marvel Comics 70th Anniversary- 4 years late...

In 2009, Marvel Comics celebrated 70 years as a publisher. Starting out as Timely Comics in 1939, the company floundering against the DC Comics powerhouse until the mid-sixties when editor Stan Lee changed the company's name to Marvel and introduced us to the "Marvel Age of Comics."
   Much has been made of the Fantastic Four, Spider-man, Thor, Iron Man, and their flagship myriad of titles starring the X-Men. So, for this anniversary, Marvel decided to focus on the original line-up of heroes and titles that started in 1939. Sub-Mariner, the original Human Torch and the original Vision are amongst the most well-known heroes of this period. But, in order to boost sales on familiar heroes, Marvel decided to include some titles starring Captain America, who wasn't created until 1941.
   In these one-shot editions of Timely Comics, I'm looking forward to new stories, classic reprints and hopefully a revelation or two. With almost a dozen titles to read and review, it looks like it's going to be a busy week.

Tales of the Bizarro World.

In the 1950s, DC Comics ran a feature in the back of about 15 issues of Adventure Comics featuring the residents of Bizarro World, filled with a strange imperfect copy of Superman, Lois Lane, and friends.. There’s tons of crazy stuff happening on this square shaped planet, from a law abiding Mr. Mxyzptlk whose spending his time happily in prison to sane people being put in a lunatic asylum. It all because of the Bizarro Code- Ugly is beautiful, perfection is a crime. It’s pretty much the opposite as what happens on earth.

But, that doesn’t always happen. See, if Bizarro World is the opposite of earth, then hello is goodbye, black is white and right is wrong. Yet sometimes a Bizarro will say “Hello” to a person who approaches them. I don’t know if it’s done to prevent reader confusion or if the writers who created the Bizarro Code forgot the very rules and regulations they created for this madcap series.

I love Bizarro and he’s always been one of my favorite Superman characters. But, the zany stories that finish on paper thin plots and the constant broken Bizarro version of English is enough to make someone go crazy or should I say in this case, sane?

A fun series that has some major plot problems. A fun read, but only in small doses.

Rating 7 out of 10 stars.

Indestructible Hulk, Volume 1: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

In Marvel’s Marvel Now restructure of their line of comics, the publisher is trying to make their books resemble the films more closely. I was skeptical it would work, but from what I have read thus far, I am very agreeable with it.

In this new Hulk title, Bruce Banner has discovered that his affliction of turning into a giant green monster is incurable and as a result, he’s learned to be at peace with that. Wanting to be known for his contributions to society and not for his rampages, Banner offers Maria Hill a deal- to become a member of SHIELD! In return for a lab, unlimited funding, and a staff of scientific experts, Banner will occasionally Hulk-out and conduct special missions that don’t need a delicate touch.

I love this series. It’s fresh, original, and more importantly, it made Hulk comics fun again! Don’t get me wrong, the Hulk as a movie or cartoon character works. But, as a book, he’s gotten too moody and too violent for the sake of destruction and mayhem. Here, he’s got a chance to make a difference and be used in creative ways unseen since the early Peter David days.

This series is also very similar to the new Disney XD cartoon, Hulk and the Agents of SMASH. I would love it if in like the show, Hulk would be joined by She Hulk, Red Hulk, and A-Bomb. This is only the first volume, so it should just keep getting better, hopefully.

A great opening act to a dynamic new series. Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors: Volume 1

Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors: Volume 1

The concept of a school to teach the children of super villains the tricks of their parent’s trade is an extremely creative idea. But, there’s one very big problem- nobody has informed these students that a secret peace between the superhero and villain community. That peace might be broken after some of the students decide to seek revenge on a superhero who bested all of their parents and go way too far.

Unfortunately, this series ends on a cliffhanger and I’m not sure if there’s even a 2^nd volume of Gladstone’s School in the works right now. Whatever the case, I take the creators of this series cause and ask readers young and old to get their hands on this volume and demand, beg, or hold your breath till you turn blue until a second volume can be produced.

Very much Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

#Gladstoneschoolforworldconquerors

Destroyermen: Iron Gray Sea by Taylor Anderson

 

The marooned crew of the World War II destroyer Walker and their Alliance with the Lemurians face its greatest challenge. While their leader, Captain Reddy, has gone off in search of a rogue Japanese battle cruiser that’s recently transported from our world, the Alliance holdings in India is hit with a new variety of Grik warriors. Ones who are less primal, more collective, and just as aggressive. Plus, the enemy has unleashed some newer and more deadlier weapons to destroy the Alliance once and for all.

Just when you think all is lost, Anderson turns the switch and allows a brief glimpse of hope that the Alliance will finally conquer the Grik and their Japanese allies. This was perhaps my favorite book in the series since book three, Maelstrom. I love how technical he can get with weapons design and life inside a platoon. However, there are tons more action in this book than I feel the last two books combined have been.

I’m not totally happy with how the series is playing. Anderson keeps killing off characters I really like. Plus, he’s added a new character from America’s Intelligence office in “our world” to this alternate earth.  He’s very snarky and I just feel like he’s going to but serious heads with Captain Reddy soon enough in the next book or two.

Regardless, I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I totally devoured the last 100 pages in two days. It was so very worth it and so very much Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Batman: Gotham Nights II: #4

It took the final issue of this mini-series for it to finally resemble the winning formula of Gotham Nights. The series focuses more on the citizens of Gotham and Batman is more of a footnote. There’s tragedy and there’s victory abounding in this chapter. And, unlike their first storyline, this one doesn’t end on a sappy high note. It’s very fitting- It just took a total of 2 mini-series and eight issues to finally happen.

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.
Overall series rating: 7.25 stars.

Batman: Gotham Nights II: #3

The first half of this issue returns to the original premise of Gotham Nights; to focus on the city and its residents, NOT Batman! But, somewhere in the middle, Batman takes center stage again as he comes ever so close to the finding out who’s been sabotaging the rides at the local amusement park.

I’m very torn. I love the art in this series and the story itself is great. It just doesn’t fit the mold of the original Gotham Night mini-series and that is a serious crime.

Rating 6 out of 10 stars.

Batman: Gotham Nights II: #2

Gotham Nights II has gone from an examination into the lives of another group of Gothamites  into a full scale Batman-led investigation of criminal mischief at an amusement park. As ride after ride keeps falling into tragic disrepair, the Dark Knight searches for the saboteur.

  In turning this into a Batman featured story, the series has essentially lost its essence. The city and its people are supposed to be the stars of the story for once, NOT the Caped Crusader.

If this was told as a regular Batman or Detective Comics story, it would work just find. But, in this format, it’s an epic fail. Still, this art is fantastic and as I said, it is a good story. It just isn’t meant for this plot structure.

Rating 6 out of 10 stars.

Batman: Gotham Nights II: #1

As with all great works, when something sells and is popular, they make a sequel of it. There are very few exceptions as to a sequel being better than the first film. Empire Strikes Back is probably the greatest example of this. Sorry, but Gotham Nights II is no ESB.

The first series focused on Gotham City as a whole entity. In Gotham Nights II, the focus is on tragic rollercoaster crash at an amusement park somewhere off the City’s shoreline and the people who work there. Something just seems lacking in this tale. Maybe it’s the confinement to an artificial island. Maybe it’s because there’s way too much Batman in this series as opposed to his brief encounters in the first mini.

  What is as good as it was in the first series is the art. Penciler Mary Mitchell returns and this time, she is joined by the legendary Dick Giordano as her inker. He does not disappoint.

The verdict is still out on this.

Rating 7 out of 10 stars.

Batman: Gotham Nights #4

This amazing series ends with a sniper taking out their frustrations on the citizens of Gotham. It works to help bring all of the subjects of this mini-series together from the dying elderly couple to the ex-con, as well as the Dark Knight himself.  I thought how most of the ending was handled was superb. Mind you, this book was published 20 years ago before mass shootings became an almost every day subject on the national news. God, then you got that Colorado shooter at the Dark Night Rises premier to think of.  I don’t think you’d have this sort of ending happen in a Batman title today.

  I did not think every ending was perfect. The very last plot thread was tied up just a little too neatly. It was like the ending to a Capra film.

Regardless, this series was nearly flawless. A true reflection of the times and oddly, it had me reminiscing of better times, despite the tragedy and despair that occurs in the pages of this series.

Worth Consuming.

Rating for this book 9 out of 10 stars.

Overall series rating 9.74 out of 10 stars.  

Batman: Gotham Nights #3

I want to talk about artist Mary Mitchell, the penciler for this mini-series. From what I can tell, this is her first major work and she doesn’t seem to have done very much else after finishing Gotham Nights II. That’s a real shame. Here work is very 90s. However, she doesn’t overemphasize the human physique as many of the Wildstorm artists did around this time period. None of these characters, including Batman, look like they’ve been on steroids with tiny heads. It’s a classic commercial 90s style, with dress and haircuts to match.

What I also like about Mitchell is that her work can adapt in order to reflect a motif. For example, in this very issue, when the lonely donut maker dreams about marrying Batman, the art looks cartoony, in the style of the classic 90s Animated Series. It’s very beautiful, clean work that doesn’t disappoint.

While writer John Ostrander has crafted a masterful work, it’s Mary Mitchell and her take on Gotham City that is the clear star of this show. I cannot wait to see how the writer and penciler both complete this instant classic in what is sure to be an epic final issue in Batman: Gotham Nights #4.

Worth Consuming

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.

Batman: Gotham Nights #2

 

Issue two of this monumental series is not sophomore slump. The everyday lives of a half-dozen residents of Gotham City go from bad to worse as life gets in the way. A terminal disease, a fear of an unfaithful spouse, a broken promise, and a day dream that turns into a deadly obsession are the stars of this issue. Who needs Batman or any of his partners for this to be a fantastic Batman story?  In fact, I’m not even sure Batman even appeared in this issue exception in passing.

Great stuff.

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.

Batman: Gotham Nights #1

As the Dark Knight pursues a kidnapper through the subway tunnels of Gotham City, its residents are living their everyday lives above ground. The main scene is at Grand Central Station. There, a young donut maker obsesses over her best customer, an ex-con struggles to go straight, an elderly couple struggle with some bad news, and a pair of friends with commitment issues struggle to stay friends.

This is perhaps the best Batman story I’ve ever read. And it’s only chapter one. And the Caped Crusader only appears in perhaps twenty panels max! It’s rare when a comic tries to do something meaningful and artistic without being too commercial or going the independent route. Kudos to the writing and artistic staff at DC for this opening act.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.

Lonely Days…Gotham Nights…

 

Over the next few days, I’ll be reviewing the limited series Batman Gotham Nights and Batman: Gotham Nights II. While the Dark Knight does appear in these series, he’s a very minor character. The stars of these tales are the residents of Gotham. I’m not talking about the folks you know, like Commissioner Gordon, Alfred the Butler, or Dr. Hugo Strange. No these inhabitants of Batman’s domain are average people with extraordinary problems. It’s their story, not Bruce Wayne’s, which makes Gotham, uh well, Gotham.

House of Mystery, Volume 8: Desolation

 

The House of Mystery starring Fig Keele comes crashing down in a reality splitting epic. Fig finally learns who’s behind the Conception, a mysterious race of people who want Keele to save their race from extinction. I had mentioned in my journal after reading volume 1 that this series reminded me of the Prisoner TV. I couldn’t have been more astute in my observation.

While these twists and turns were confusing, I enjoyed this volume immensely. Everything fell in place nicely and I was happy not only with the ending of Fig’s story but the final tale “Three For the Road” was very satisfying as 3 possible endings to the House of Mystery are presented and the reader is granted permission to decide which outcome was the true one.

A brilliant ending to a brilliant series. Very much Worth Consuming!

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

House of Mystery Volume 7: Conception

Spinning out of the cliffhanger of volume 6, Fig and Cain find themselves trapped with the house as it is regressing in on itself. It’s a little metaphysical and confusing, but it made for an interesting plot line. Her former co-inhabitants of the House are now taking up residence in the House of Secrets with Abel, playing mystery dinner theatre. Plus, Fig’s father, brother, and grandfather escape death in order to find someone who might just bring an end to the Conception. The pieces are set for the final chapter set in volume 8, Desolation.

This was a much better chapter that volume 7. The storylines were more streamed-lined and more of Fig’s origin is revealed, helping to let more pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

House of Mystery Volume 6: Safe as Houses

Honestly, if you live in the House of Mystery, are you really safe? Having escape from the Conception but having to give up further contact with her soul mate, Fig finds herself even more trapped in the House than ever before. Then when a kingdom of witches comes to the House asking for her help, maybe Fig’s finally found a place in this galaxy.

 The Witch War is great. If not for the goblins, this issue would completely blow. There are elements of Fig’s attempts to move on with her life after her fateful deal with the Conception that’s just very weak. Plus, the anthology tales in this volume are some of the weakest of the entire series and I just can’t place how and where they fit in with the plot at this point. Art is still very good but this next chapter in Fig Keele’s life is literally going nowhere. Just barely worth reading.

Rating 7 out of 10 stars.