Overall, I liked this horror anthology. It reminded me of the thick Hitchcock anthology I'd read when I was younger. Looking forward to more of this.
1Overall, I liked this horror anthology. It reminded me of the thick Hitchcock anthology I'd read when I was younger. Looking forward to more of this.
1st story - kind of like a reverse something is killing the children? But it's a little too vague. (view spoiler)[After thinking on it, I realized that all of the parents worked at a lab and if they went to work there would be a major leak because a vial breaks. Ha - a contagion to stop a contagion. (hide spoiler)]
2nd story - midlife crisis meets bowling massacre. Straight up horror.
3rd - love SiKtC, so definitely here for an Erica side story.
4th - Siren - too short. Like a 5 second horror rendition of The Little mermaid.
5th - Twilight zone like madness and karma
6th - timely and a real conversation. I'm curious about what the deal is with Nikki and why everybody tiptoes around her. I mean her being pregnant and English speaks for itself within the story's context but it seems like there's something deeper there. It's not like pregnant women can't participate in conversations. ...more
I greatly hate Amanda Waller and opted to skip Absolute Power. I have no idea what's going on but I liked the mini JLD reunion and actually appreciateI greatly hate Amanda Waller and opted to skip Absolute Power. I have no idea what's going on but I liked the mini JLD reunion and actually appreciated a lighter more comic bookish type story to break up the dark intensity of our normal run. Thank oh my F'ng Hera that Waller doesn't appear here. (I am looking forward to the October Absolutes, however.)
OMG Lizzie's backup is laugh out loudable. I love it. If only Jon and Damian sounded more like themselves, I'd buy a whole book worth these three like this....more
It's a sisterhood. I wish that hadn't gone unsaid.
Another great issue with greater insight into how/why Diana was captured. The comparisons to BatmanIt's a sisterhood. I wish that hadn't gone unsaid.
Another great issue with greater insight into how/why Diana was captured. The comparisons to Batman and the Joker, and Superman and Lex work really well, too, especially with the point about not being reduced. I would only say that WW is complex, but she can be similarly reduced to "love". Batman has justice. Superman has truth. Wonder Woman has love.
Love the Wonder Girls figuring it out. And Yara is so cool. I wish they'd reinstate her title.
The history of Cheetah is interesting. If there must be a Wonder Woman, there must be a Cheetah. Like if there is a Batman, there must be a Joker. And I'd think you could say if there is a superman, there must be a Luthor. Also thought it was interesting that there have been three iterations of Cheetah with each given brief descriptions here while comparing Wonder Woman to the other two and DC making the three Jokers canon.
For Lizzie's story, I found Damian's characterization to be the farthest off yet, but the overall story and the way those three work together is just so damn cute. I mean, Damian could be in arrogant little shit, but he's best friends with Jon and they may pick on each other but this just didn't read like *them*....more
I love Llovet's art. Her name overrides what little will power I have when buying books, so I got this tpb when it popped up in my comic preorders as I love Llovet's art. Her name overrides what little will power I have when buying books, so I got this tpb when it popped up in my comic preorders as a new release of an older title. From Faithless to Luna to this and almost everything she's done, the main character looks the same. It was different in Porcelain and might be different in Crave, but I haven't started that yet, or Eros/Psyche. But I'm a fan. I love her style and it is consistent across everything I've read.
The stories tend to make me think about them to understand the underlying message. When I finished this, I was disappointed because it feels unfinished and like not what the blurb teased. This reads more like a teaser for a larger book. And there's even symbolism weaved in as usual - Donatien means God-given and his back tattoo - et lux in tenebris lucet- means: and the light shineth in the darkness. So I was coming up with theories of angels and vampires, but there ends up being nothing there. There's nothing supernatural to it at all.
This is a story of losing morals and being bad bc you jdgaf anymore. There are a ton of lose strings and what symbology is there gets lost (I could make an argument for the caged bird, and that the ultimate moral of the story is what drives a caged bird to madness, what could've stopped the madness, and what that madness looks like when it manifests, but...).
Look. It's art. And I love the art. So 4 stars for the art and the teaser of a story....more
This Gothic Opera started in issue 1062 and is expected to conclude with issue 1089 around September 2024.
I'm uneasy with this pacing if we really onlThis Gothic Opera started in issue 1062 and is expected to conclude with issue 1089 around September 2024.
I'm uneasy with this pacing if we really only have 4 more issues. Initial reports said Ram V had 30 issues for this run, but now I seeing it'll be slightly less ("by design" according to Ram V).
This issue devotes a few pages here and there to certain plot points that will come together. It's similar to how we saw Catwoman put together the rescue mission, but without the slick running commentary. We have Selina and Joker - which, honestly, their relationship is intriguing and I would love a serious Catwoman/ Joker comic that digs into their origin. We have Batman donning black grease and a bloody red barbatos bat, and also turning to criminals for help. I saw another reviewer mention the ends justifying the means, and I was leaning toward that thought several issues back with the Question's actions. So, we're seeing that with Batman now, too.
I don't know how I feel about that. Batman talks about finding peace as Bruce and becoming one with his demons. So are we seeing these villains being accepted as part of his demons? Or is it him trying to prove to a Gotham that's forgotten him that it stills needs him? I mean, he even says, maybe the city doesn't need him. Selina points out all the good things to Joker. This is a Gotham that, on the surface, looks perfect. That should be a good thing.
But we know about the people under the city in chains and under control. With a reality engine distorting real reality and the Orghams in power, perhaps the ends of Batman (and Selina) embracing their demons and resorting to extremes will be justified. I'm curious to see what happens and am willing to let it unfold, but I'm definitely nervous about how this is going to happen in 4 issues. I also wonder what's going on with Talia and if that will come back into play.
In the secondary comic, we learn what kindness from Mr. Freeze looks like. Heads up - don't accept his kindness. Don't be the one person in the city he actually likes. Then again, if you are that one person, you may be the only thing keeping Gotham safe from him. ...more
Finally we get to the heart of the matter. While I think this was a fantastic read, it was also frustrating because I've never had to stop and Google Finally we get to the heart of the matter. While I think this was a fantastic read, it was also frustrating because I've never had to stop and Google so many things while reading one comic before.
Prior to this, I knew nothing of Planetary. Had only heard of Wildstorm. And only knew about Century Babies thanks to a recent article about Jenny Sparks coming back to comics.
And then as I'm reading and the timing keeps changing, I'm noticing Wonder Woman's New 52 silver and Batman's Rebirth gold edging, which I recognized since I've been reading at least that long, but didn't need to because the time shifting is kept in the text, too. And then we get to Dawn of DC and the 2 Supermans and so forth.
Anyway - my thought about this having the potential to be a cool crisis story in my review for the last issue turned out to be fairly spot on. This is a character caught in freefall between all the changes DC has gone through, and who is the big bad here? Not the creators. The ones who read.
Σ(ಠ_ಠ)
I don't know that the issue itself is 5 star worthy, but the reading in between to figure out what the hell is happening and to understand context is. And it'll make a lot more sense if you're familiar with all these characters in the first place. I'm actually kind of sad this has been relegated to a side title like Outsiders and not a bigger title that allows for more depth because this is actually much cooler than I thought it would be, and it's a title I for sure thought I would drop after #3. Glad I didn't.
This is weird. Doesn't say much since the whole series is weird, but here we are. I think DC has done something like this before, where the 4th wall iThis is weird. Doesn't say much since the whole series is weird, but here we are. I think DC has done something like this before, where the 4th wall is essentially broken and we end up on the cutting room floor, but this doesn't quite go that far. I didn't look into all the characters, but *I think* we see the original Superman who leaps buildings (the Superman we have today didn't come about until mid-century and was retroactively called the Earth-One Superman), the Supergirl that died in the original Crisis, Cave Carson, and Richard Dragon. I wish they had dug in a bit more on who we see since these are dead characters or dead versions of characters. It would've made this excursion more interesting for those of us who haven't read all of DC Comics back to the 1930s. Besides the obvious Crisis references, this feels like it could be a cool Crisis-like story....more
First, The End is creepy. Second, cool to see the Upside-Down Man, although I wish it was more than a passing cameo. Third, who tf is Drummer?? Stars First, The End is creepy. Second, cool to see the Upside-Down Man, although I wish it was more than a passing cameo. Third, who tf is Drummer?? Stars rounding up.
This was kind of a walk into Kate's past via Nocturna. While I love (and write) vampires, I wasn't really a fan of this turn in Kate's history when it happened. It pretty much signaled the beginning of the end for her.
As far as the story goes, I'm confused as hell. I don't know what is going on or what the ultimate goal is here. Just when it starts to get good, it seems like something is skipped over to get to the next scene. Or maybe to keep Drummer's goal a secret? After this issue, I'd love to see her and John Constantine go up against each other....more
Best issue yet. Cool and entertaining story, although it feels like pieces of it are missing in a few places. Not really sure what's going on with DruBest issue yet. Cool and entertaining story, although it feels like pieces of it are missing in a few places. Not really sure what's going on with Drummer, but finally curious enough to care about the central thread of the plot.
And yes, strive to be a decent human and leave the world better than how you found it. ✌️...more
I'm still undecided. I liked this issue better than the others, however, you need to know character history to get the full impact of the panels - at I'm still undecided. I liked this issue better than the others, however, you need to know character history to get the full impact of the panels - at least with Kate. This only makes me wish we had a Batwoman title even more.
In my last review, I said this issue would determine if I continued or not. Life has gotten in the way and I now have issues 4-7 piles up and am committed in pulls through August, which is issue 10, so I guess I'm along for the ride a bit....more
Oof. This is a sad issue in the main even though it showcases Diana's mental fortitude, capacity, and sheer will to *get through* and not get broken. Oof. This is a sad issue in the main even though it showcases Diana's mental fortitude, capacity, and sheer will to *get through* and not get broken. I love the comparison to Superman and Batman, and that got me wondering -- I have only a passing understanding of the basics of Diana's actual history in comics, so I'm curious for anybody who is well versed in this as to whether or not these pages with Trevor harken back to older stories? Is this another area where King is consolidating a muddied history and cleaning up to help build a real legacy? Especially since "Steve" keeps asking who he is. Perhaps it's not just Diana defining herself? I mean obviously this is all taking place in her head so it is about defining herself, but if these pages tie in to historical Wonder Woman, then I wonder if it is trying to re-characterize Steve's position in her life as well.
Anyway that's a bit away from the actual story itself, which as I said was sad to read the escapism needed in solitary confinement to avoid going mad or giving in. The story with Lizzie was just so needed in contrast. It was the perfect pick me up and I loved it so much. Jon and Damian maybe haven't been perfectly characterized but these three together in this story are perfect and so adorable. Lizzie herself is a fun and relatable character, and her facial expressions in this issue are priceless.
From my 1083 review: "KAPOW! Awesome! The heart of the City has returned. But will she accept him? Or see him aThis Gothic Opera started in issue 1062.
From my 1083 review: "KAPOW! Awesome! The heart of the City has returned. But will she accept him? Or see him as a transplant? (Come on, he's her heart! Of course she's going to accept him!)I cannot wait for 1084!"
How I feel after reading 1084: ಠ_ಠ hm. (But still 5 stars)
He's back! He's back! They remember his name! Kind of. Coming out of a great issue 1083, we step into a much slower and teasing 1084, and not teasing in the best of ways. This issue wants us to remember what's happened thus far and think it through. And honestly, as much as I have loved this run, I don't want to think that hard right now, so I'm looking at it as a piece of the puzzle without thinking too hard on it. We need to remember Arzen and how his attitude toward this venture changed upon learning that Bruce Wayne was Batman, the feud between the Al Ghuls and Orghams, the reality engine, the road to saving Batman, the ear worm, the azmer...all of it.
It's all starting to tie together, but I don't think we get enough to see the emerging picture. We do get a nostalgic Batman story with punching, downtime with Jim, and more "evidence" handed to the Question, along with backstory full in of Bruce's time in the desert after reuniting with Talia (not crazy about the art there). And then we get a secondary story where Cass celebrates Festivus with her mother (It's time for the airing of grievances!). Ok, seriously, the secondary shows us how Cass is punishing her body out of her desperation to keep Batman alive in her memory and a reunion with her mother at the docks that ties into the "package" Talia received in the desert.
All in all, it's still telling the story, but we're at the beginning of the end, so it's setting the pieces up and definitely a few steps down from an amazing 1083. I do have theories, but want to see what 1085 has to say before I devote too much energy to them....more
I am happy to read any John Constantine that sounds like John Constantine, so even though I didn't care much for the varying art styles or anthology sI am happy to read any John Constantine that sounds like John Constantine, so even though I didn't care much for the varying art styles or anthology stories, I still enjoyed reading John.
The stories themselves aren't bad. They aren't great either. Past stories have really stuck with me, but these don't have enough meat to them for them to stick anywhere. They basically try to start a conversation by pointing to a problem and then expect the reader to carry on and continue it, which won't happen because there's not enough there to care to continue. (And I hate saying that, because these issues truly deserve a voice beyond being comic fodder.)
I don't know if this is the look for this series moving forward with the three mystery women in play or not, but I do look forward to reading more of the actual story with an occasional sidequest. ...more
It's Resident Evil. People turn into zombies and get shot in the head a lot. Starring Leon S. Kennedy.
The art's good for a comic, but I would've likeIt's Resident Evil. People turn into zombies and get shot in the head a lot. Starring Leon S. Kennedy.
The art's good for a comic, but I would've liked to see a more handsome Leon. The story is easy to follow but jumps all over the place like everything happens within 15 minutes. There's a sense of urgency there, but it's hectic as hell. Guess that also works for RE.
That one page panel of Pam is phenomenal. The rest of this isn't anything new. This 3-part mini series was hardly a "secret" origin and it all seemed That one page panel of Pam is phenomenal. The rest of this isn't anything new. This 3-part mini series was hardly a "secret" origin and it all seemed too easy and rushed in the end. There are so many times where she has feared and hated what Woodrue did to her, and, yes, emotional abuse certainly played a huge role, but she volunteered, he injected something (would've been nice to know what it was) into her, ran away, and the rest is history. Given what we've seen in the past, and what's happened in her previous origin stories, I expected far more experiments, secret experiments even, from Woodrue. Pam is so strong and so confident now that the levels of fear we've seen in her when it comes to The Floronic Man don't line up with what he did. I mean, one injection and he ran away like a scared child? Pam has had Superman under her control. I expected more out of this....more
Reading 18-21 back to back, so coming off what I learned for #19's review, I'm still feeling like we're treading old water. Adding Bella freshens it uReading 18-21 back to back, so coming off what I learned for #19's review, I'm still feeling like we're treading old water. Adding Bella freshens it up a bit and opens the door the future HQ relationship, at least, but even that feels a bit...been here, done that. I do appreciate that we're back to this art style and meant to mention that in my review of #19.
(view spoiler)[Also had an eye roll at Ivy's whole "I could see the madness in his eyes" moment because, wtf, is she books to his*plant body*?? Fuck the madness in his eyes. He's clearly insane. (hide spoiler)]...more
I was wondering if this changed Woodrue's origin, and if it messed with Swamp Thing, too. I read up on his history because I wasn't crazy about Alec sI was wondering if this changed Woodrue's origin, and if it messed with Swamp Thing, too. I read up on his history because I wasn't crazy about Alec showing up here, but this parallels a big change to the histories of both men made by DC in 1988. And now that I know that, this feels kind of uninspired....more
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