Reviews and Comments

In a (Marvel) universe where gods are just a 'thing' (like super-aliens, 'beyonders' and incarnations of the universe itself), Black Panther has made them incredibly relevant. I'm genuinely interested in the gods' relationship with the people, as set forth in this plotline in Black Panther and I want to see where the story ends up. Riveting plotting that puts divinity in a personal perspective but doesn't shy away from people (like Black Panther) who have fought among the stars asking pertinent and often painful questions.

Reading up on these before the movie comes out. Absolutely amazing. Presents a portion of the Marvel Universe in a way that feels unique and reignites my love for what made comics great. Like Ms. Marvel, it presents issues that aren't easy to solve and -aren't- solved by the end, only set in a direction that everyone involves hopes will work out for the best in the end.

A pleasant collection of classics from Secret Origins to Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader. Since I'd read most of them, the one that touched me was a small, well plotted & beautifully inked piece about Deadman, sharing what his life is like with a young lady he's just met.

Rarely do I come across comics as timely and as amazingly relevant as Ms Marvel. This one tackles head-on the desire people have for 'normality' and a return to 'American greatness'. It is frightening in its application and offers no easy answers.

I'm fascinated with how Grant Morrison takes a relatively bland super-group (think really-depressed B-team Justice League) and forges it in to something unique and comfortingly bizarre. From delving in to inner mindscapes to battling (sort of) the forces of absurdity, Doom Patrol Book Two proved to be a fun ride from start to finish.

I admit; it was the adds for the TV series HAPPY that made me pick this one up. I'd even forgotten that I'd read it before. I had the same feeling for it. It felt more like a Garth Ennis style story and the universe was that shade of dark that I've seen too many times before. But the character arc was satisfying, as was the ending, so I did enjoy it.

Afterwards, I stumbled across a post explaining some of the symbolism and genre touches Grant was parodying and I did get a better appreciation of it. So, if you want to read it, I'd suggest doing that research first. Or watch some Serpico or The Raid or the dirtiest darkest ex-cop drama you can find. It'll be worth it.

If you've read Final Crisis, then you're familiar with the story. Mega-threat threatens all the things. Hope wins the day. Until the next time. At some points confusing, at some points frustrating, in the end, it's actually an amazing trip through the imagination, opening up the potential to a lot of stories some of us have been wanting to see for decades. It's neat and it's not afraid to just tell you to stick around for ride, no matter how you might feel about one segment or the other. So, if I'm to leave you with any impression, it should be two things: be willing to read it to the end; then be willing to read it through again. It's worth it, just to notice things you might not have spotted at the beginning.

I was going to read volumes 1-3 of this series, but the blandness of the first volume plus the beginning of this one turned me off. The meaningless quest. The blah family reunion. It left me cold. I never finished this one and I certainly didn't go on to the third one.

However... there was one genius bit that I really appreciated. Wanda decided to visit a therapist. There's twist at the end that's very amusing but even before that, the way the therapist handles her is delightful and if they'd started the series with it, I would have been hooked. It was a great look into her psyche that made me grin. If only the rest has measured up.

Sadly was frustrated by this. The art was nice but the travelogue of the world felt like someone who had Googled it. And the repetition of "witchcraft is broken" and the ever-so-snarky Agatha Harkness' ghost (who never fails to remind you of -either- trait) was frankly annoying by the end.