Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Weekly Rankings For 06/11/08
Here are this week’s comics ranked prior to reading them, based upon past performance and advance information released on each issue:
6. Hulk Raging Thunder #1
5. Skaar Son of Hulk #1
4. Star Wars Rebellion #14
3. Green Arrow & Black Canary #9
2. Action Comics #866
1. Green Lantern Corps #25
Here are the rankings after the first read through with a mini-review:
Barlow, Wilson & Glass
Luke, Leia, Han adds up to a very dull comic. What? Unbelievably, with all that going for it, this issue and the entire arc left me totally flat. Last issue teased a great space battle that turned out to be little more than a squad of four ships pulling out a fifth from the Empire’s pursuit. Luke and Leia you knew weren’t going to die, but their escape was dull, the characters that they have been hanging around felt indistinct and the actual strategy seemed unbelievable on a lot of levels. Plus, Luke pulls out the “force” card with his “feelings” which isn’t okay because this story takes place prior to the Empire Strikes Back, which is more or less his force coming out party. I just expect more from a story that has the entire original trilogy at its fingertips than this story that felt half thought through. I liked the art a lot, but that isn’t enough for this, the weakest of the Star Wars titles.
5. Hulk Raging Thunder #1
Parker, Breitweiser & Land
In reading this comic I couldn’t help but wonder what the point was for this story. Is Thundra going to be a major player down the line? If so, why not put her in the current continuity instead of in the dumb Hulk continuity? Why is this the Hulk story you want coming out the same week as the movie? Sadly, these questions nagged at me throughout this comic. The story was okay, but wasn’t that great. Basically, in a distopian future where men and woman are at war, the leader needs to fight a strong man out of boredom. As a side plot, she will eventually need a man to reproduce. Enter time travel to find the Hulk. You might want to know how they have they been reproducing all this time if the war has been going on for years and years. I couldn’t tell you, but they appear to be doing just fine apart from one another. The artwork is good, but the Hulk kind of looks like a mindless maniac. I would think you can pass on this unless you an absolute Hulk buff. This issue also contains a reprint from 30 years ago where Thundra battles Ben Grimm, which helps to beef up the cover price.
Pak & Garney
I was not expecting this comic to be so heavy on the Conan aspect. Clearly, Skaar is intended to fill the warrior in an untamed land bill in the Marvel Universe. Basically, this comic explains his origin and part of his rapid aging. It is also a vehicle that is used to set up his basis for all out revenge that he will eventually seek out. This comic has some interesting villains, but no new races if you followed Planet Hulk. Personally, I would think this world has more to see on it than what we saw in Planet Hulk. The artwork is good if you like your colors muted, which works out really well in this burned out planet. For the most part I liked this comic, but I don’t know how long I will be sticking with this series. I was also surprised at the time lapse in this issue. For you continuity nuts out there it will be difficult to reconcile Skaar’s trip to Earth based on the fact that at least a year has already passed for Skaar.
Tomasi & Gleason
I liked this issue, but I didn’t love it. I was happy to see the great detail with regard to the Black Mercy. This issue had plenty of graphic violence, but it also had some very difficult action to follow. Characters seem to fall in and out of panels with floating random word bubbles. It was tough to determine what exactly was happening. The issue does give a taste of another color in the spectrum getting power and we do have some Mongul, but not much. Basically this issue shows the rescue of the captured lantersn in great detail and explains the Black Mercy. It’s a fast read, but the real action will be in the next issue.
2. Green Arrow & Black Canary #9
Winick & Norton
This issue has excellent interaction with Green Arrow, Black Canary and Plastic Man. The banter is free following and funny. While this is going on Mia and DC’s Gambit are staking out a cottage. Things go badly and some bad guys enter and somebody comes to the rescue. The issue is really good except for the fact that there is no real plot we are following. I mean, we know Connor is missing, etc, etc. However, what is Mia doing in the middle of nowhere with DC Gambit? What exactly is Green Arrow and company up to? They stop the hunt just to help fix up Plas? So this is what you get when a comic has a plot and then drifts and drifts and is yet entertaining. The artwork is a true highlight in every sense of the word. Basically, this issue is fast, fun and extremely entertaining. However, no end is in sight for the main problem at hand as the heroes are sidetracked over and over again.
Johns, Frank & Sibal
An outstanding issue. Braniac on Krypton. Zod, Ursa, Kandor and all the elements of Krypton’s past are in this issue. No reader is left out in the cold for the background. Add in the outstanding moments of Clark being lame for some and a show off for others and you have some perfect characterizations. The premise of the issue is simple: inform the audience of Brainiac and then introduce him. This issue does some much more it isn’t even funny. You get a complete loop around the Superman universe and it’s told in a fast paced and entertaining way. This issue uses much of the Superman portrayal from the 1970s films for its artwork and it works really well. This issue is truly an excellent jump on point for the arc and for the character as a whole. I cant recommend this issue enough.
