Gravel #1

Captain America #35: Its pretty incredible to think that Cap died 10 issues ago. I have been thrilled with this series since I started reading it and this issue is really no exception. While this issue was relatively slow in terms of the plot, Brubaker does a fantastic job of timing the story so that it never really feels slow. Everything feels so well thought out and meaningfully placed. Another great story building issue in this fine series. This is one of those books I really look forward to every month and rarely ever lets me down. The only thing I don’t get in this issue is how drinking water incites a riot. Unless people are really really unhappy with the quality of their H2O, this shouldn’t be much of a problem. Did the Kronos corp deionize the water and force it to stop removing removing contaminants and free radicals!? EEK! With a fairly substantial background in biology, chemistry, and pharmaceuticals I will call shenanigans on this one. OR Bucky didn’t realize it and their basketball team lost in the final 4 and a few bad eggs are getting the mob mentality going… that crap happened at MSU too many times. A good issue nonetheless. Thank you Ed Brubaker, you’re great.

Kick Ass #1:  Honestly, I only bought this because I’d heard it would eventually be worth good money.  I do have a number of problems with it which I shall now conveniently list:

1. Nobody who is into Stereophonics and Snow Patrol really likes the Goo Goo Dolls.
2. No babes teach biology.  I’ve had many, many bio-you name it classes, and not a single one was taught by a babe.  Not even TAed.  They don’t exist.  This notion is a fallacy.
3. There are no equations in a high school biology class.  Certainly not enough to cover an entire blackboard.
4. Nobody wants their mother to have died a much more horrific death than they already did.  Thats just plain morbid.
5. Very few people (0), in my experience, are really into Buffy and also read Astonishing X-men.
6. It would be nearly impossible to function in daily life with a wetsuit on beneath your clothes.  It is EXTREMELY uncomfortable to wear one outside the water anyway, unless its really cold.
7. Screwing something into the back of this wetsuit would also be horribly uncomfortable.
8. A club?! are you serious?!  Does batman use a club?!  Does Daredevil use a club?! Not even Tony Stark uses a club.  Learn to fight!
9. Graffiti is usually something limited to the night
10. I don’t think many graffiti artists are carrying knives.
11. Why, if you are tagging a wall, would you risk going to jail for MURDER?!  Why not just run?!

Other than that, it was fine.  The story was actually rather catchy, and the dialogue witty.  The art was really good too.  Its just so far-fetched that its somewhat of an abomination.  Seriously, neoprene?!  Why not just grab some under armor?

Mouse Guard Winter 1152 #3. Its finally out! It was originally supposed to be out
in December, but David Petersen got caught up in other things, I suppose. Speaking of, I have an interview I did with Petersen to post soon.

Marvel Zombies 2 #5. Final issue. I’m kind of glad its over, since it was getting a bit drawn out. But hey, Zombie Thor v. Zombie Silver Surfer on the cover? Yes please. Hopefully its a suitable ending.

Daredevil #105. I’m still saying Daredevil is Marvel’s Batman. This arch has him up against his own Scarecrow: Mr Fear. I think its coming to an end soon? Yup, this issue.

X-Men Legacy #208. I’m giving this one a read, since Messiah Complex was pretty good, and the end has me interested. I can’t really see myself sticking with it for very long, but what the hey. Also: how do you change the name of a book, but keep the numbering? Seriously Marvel, wtf?

Lazarus #3. Okay, I’m not sure how I feel about this miniseries yet, but with this, the final issue, I should probably have a good idea soon. I should do a whole write-up on it once I’m done.

Okay, for the ones I’ve already read this week, continue reading.

Gravel #1. After issue #0, I knew I wanted to read this book. Its Warren Ellis, so I guess that’s no surprise. Its his take on the occult detective, I guess. Violent (no surprise), and one scene reminded me of something out of Hellboy. Imagine if Hellboy was a British occult detective/wizard/badass, and was hunting down a bunch of dudes who fucked him over, and fighting monsters and magic on the way, but written by Ellis. That should give you a pretty good idea. Super awesome.

Batman #674. Grant Morrison, after my skepticism, I would like to apologize. You wrapped this story arch up pretty neatly, oh, and you left it open for some more AWESOME.

Seriously, he explained and dealt with the three Batmen pretty well, but I still think he’s working toward something even bigger. I wasn’t too thrilled with his run on this book, but I think (now that some of the pieces are falling into place) I’m coming around.

All-Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder #9. Longest name for a comic ever. But hey, its Frank Miller and Jim Lee, so they could call it Crapfest Shitstorm and I’d buy it.

So this story is getting better with each issue. The newly-formed Justice League (always one of my least favorites) is pissed about Batman beating the crap out of people, and how it makes them look, so they send the Green Lantern to talk to him.

(SPOILER ALERT)

So what does Batman do? He tells Hal Jordan to meet him at one of his safehouses, and he and Robin proceed to paint the whole place (and themselves) yellow. Drinking lemonade and the whole nine. Its so fucking awesome. And then Robin beats the hell out of the Green Lantern. Its great.

Captain America #35

Daredevil #105

Thor #6

Marvel Zombies 2 #5

Batman #674

All-star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #9

The Lone Ranger and Tonto #1

Gravel #1

and Zorro #1 (which came out last week but I neglected to pick up.)

-brian