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Post by travis on Dec 27, 2018 12:26:19 GMT -5
Spreading some Christmas cheer with a few reviews! Ghost Rider #8 - This is the first numbered issue of Ghost Rider I've read (I read the annual before it), and while it took a moment to catch my bearings, I was immediately captivated by how well Travis Hiltz captures the personalities of the quartet of Riders. Add in Druid and Salem's Seven and we have a great issue. The fight scene with the Riders and the Seven was fun and the villain reveal was unexpected but interesting to see play out. This may have been my first foray into the main Ghost Rider series, but I'll definitely be waiting for the next issue. Illuminati #1 - This is a fun concept with a great cast and even better writers. I enjoyed seeing the Illuminati form and, as always with Jake Hawkins, the action scenes were thrilling. I particularly enjoyed Namor, in all his dickish glory, and Doctor Strange. The set-up with Star-Lord is certainly intriguing although I find it very strange that, of all the people in the world, Franklin chose him to pal around with. While I enjoyed the issue, my biggest complaint has to be Emma Frost. She feels like a completely different character than the one I'm used to seeing. No sarcasm or casual self-interest, it felt wrong and, if we're being honest, a bland take compared to her usual personality. Outside of those problems, Illuminati is shaping up to be a very interesting series full of big characters and even bigger action, I look forward to more! Nero & Hannigan #6 - The current arc concludes in this action-packed issue with our dynamic duo facing down the titular hounds and their Huntsman. As with the conclusion of the last arc, Cheese fills this issue with exciting setpieces that continue to build until the conclusion. I really enjoyed getting to see Hannigan get some more spotlight this go around, showcasing how she is coming into her own by working with Nero. In the end, the Huntsman is undone by his own hounds and it looks like our duo have unofficially agreed to team-up in the future. Just in time too as it seems Nicky Bats has something planned and, thankfully, so does John Cheese. Wow, another nice review! Might have to rethink that whole 'wrapping up my run in 2019' thing. Glad to hear people are enjoying it. I was concerned that moving away from 'dark and gritty' and having the Riders not always being involved with the supernatural would lose me GR fans, but people seem to like the loose knit team thing and me mixing super villains in with the demons and mystics.
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goncet
Virgin-4-Lyfe
Posts: 96
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Post by goncet on Jan 2, 2019 11:29:13 GMT -5
New Year, new reviews!
Black Panther #8 - The hatred between T'Challa and Killmonger is one of the driving forces of Jake Hawkins' series and it begins to bubble over in this issue. I enjoyed the glimpses of the tactical thinking that both men use to try and gain advantages and how it differs. As always, Hawkins crafts an action scene like no other and the fight in the diner was fun, tense and heart-pounding in equal measure. The series has also centered around the relationship of T'Challa and Ororo, or Storm if you prefer. Their love for one another and ability to fight side-by-side gives them the edge and they're going to need it if the end of the issue is any indication.
New Mutants #4 - I've been very upfront about how much I enjoy Gavin McMahon's work and the concluding battle with the Demon Bear in this issue is a good example of why. Even in the midst of a harrowing fight, Gavin never forgets to let the characters personalities shine through. As the last three issues have shone, this group of mutants hasn't yet molded itself back into the team it was. Arguably, they might never be that team again, but it would appear we are far from finished with these folks. I want to give particular praise to the closing scene with Xi'an and Dani. It felt like classic X-Men and that's something I've been sorely missing.
Serpent Society #2 - This issue finds Dan Dolan showcasing just how brutal this new regime is. While it felt a bit taxing at times to see just how villainous these folks are I appreciated the sprinkles of character thrown in, especially for Black Racer and Cottonmouth. I enjoyed Mariah's interactions with Ophiuchus and continue to find him interesting. The closing scene gives the impression that this new Society will soon be challenged, but I'm frankly not sure if these young heroes will make it out alive.
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Post by Gavin McMahon on Jan 13, 2019 6:55:35 GMT -5
New Mutants #4 - I've been very upfront about how much I enjoy Gavin McMahon's work and the concluding battle with the Demon Bear in this issue is a good example of why. Even in the midst of a harrowing fight, Gavin never forgets to let the characters personalities shine through. As the last three issues have shone, this group of mutants hasn't yet molded itself back into the team it was. Arguably, they might never be that team again, but it would appear we are far from finished with these folks. I want to give particular praise to the closing scene with Xi'an and Dani. It felt like classic X-Men and that's something I've been sorely missing. i'm glad you're still enjoying the series as much as I'm enjoying writing it! Characterisation is important to me, I don't like series to just be action driven because the stakes are bigger when we know and care about the characters involved! The next big foe is someone who perfectly plays into the (largely) negative emotions the team have been experiencing about one another, and shows just how dangerous those can be. It's also a chance for Xi'an to step back into the spotlight which is why I wanted to have her and Dani's confrontation. It was important for me to touch on the original mission statement and the different ideologies the friends shared. It's all part of a larger plot involving Xi'an and the lengths she'll go to so she can find and save Leong and Nga. Hopefully you'll enjoy what's to come! I've been incredibly busy this month with work, uni and moving but I'm gonna work on getting some reviews done soon!
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goncet
Virgin-4-Lyfe
Posts: 96
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Post by goncet on Jan 15, 2019 13:10:34 GMT -5
The final reviews before I put 2018 to rest are here!
Max 2000 #49
John Cheese continues to tell the story of Guillotine in this new installment. A lot of this issue feels like set-up for the rest of the story, but Cheese keeps it interesting by having various plates spinning all at once. I particularly enjoyed the appearance of Doctors Trufaut and Dorcas. Their plan is to attract Namor, but they might have just attracted a different breed of hero.
New Warriors #36
Speaking of set-up, this issue of New Warriors is largely that as well. Closing out the "Search for Franklin" saga and moving our team into new adventures both in and out of their costumes. This is Tobias Christopher's wheelhouse and part of what I enjoy with his writing, just letting the characters interact with one another. The focus has been almost exclusively on Franklin for much of the last year so, I'm excited to see some of the other Warriors get more time in the spotlight. Here's to a new year and to more New Warriors!
Project Hades #10
This is my first foray into this title and I was immediately impressed with how quickly I was able to pick up on the situation. Most of this issue consists of two separate battles, but Daniel Ingram adds in bits of character that makes the conflicts mean more. Ingram has a firm control not just of action scenes, but of pacing them as well. Every blow feels earned and makes both parties look better, even when one of them is being brutally murdered by a handful of teeth. Creative and thrilling action with a splash of character work makes this issue a win.
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Post by johncheese on Jan 16, 2019 13:51:58 GMT -5
The final reviews before I put 2018 to rest are here! Max 2000 #49John Cheese continues to tell the story of Guillotine in this new installment. A lot of this issue feels like set-up for the rest of the story, but Cheese keeps it interesting by having various plates spinning all at once. I particularly enjoyed the appearance of Doctors Trufaut and Dorcas. Their plan is to attract Namor, but they might have just attracted a different breed of hero. Firstly thanks for the comment it's most appreciated. In all honesty this is meant to be a follow up story to Daughter of the Waves, but then it subsumed another MAX story and slithered out of the Seine and kept rolling. This issue is indeed set up, as is the next part (albeit one where we get to see the humanitarian side of heroics) but then its ready for a splash down...into zombie infested waters.
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Post by Daniel Ingram on Jan 19, 2019 16:35:12 GMT -5
Project Hades #10This is my first foray into this title and I was immediately impressed with how quickly I was able to pick up on the situation. Most of this issue consists of two separate battles, but Daniel Ingram adds in bits of character that makes the conflicts mean more. Ingram has a firm control not just of action scenes, but of pacing them as well. Every blow feels earned and makes both parties look better, even when one of them is being brutally murdered by a handful of teeth. Creative and thrilling action with a splash of character work makes this issue a win. Thanks for the review, man! That scene was fun to write, if only because I had to research what kinds of teeth were going to go flying
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Post by Tobias Christopher on May 5, 2019 20:32:00 GMT -5
New Warriors #36 - Yay Franklin’s back and there are reprucussions. Honestly it felt like the end of a book, not necessarily a bad thing considering the length of the last arc, and one handled in a mature manner, especially regarding the reunion scenes and Juston’s annoyance regarding recent(ish) events. Then again this is what Tobias Christopher excelled at, so are any of us surprised about that. The upcoming arc looks interesting, possibly bleeding into other titles containing young heroes, which hopefully will lead to a nice meaty crossover in the near future. All that’s left to say is... Rating - 8.75/10 (Wah...lcome home Franklin) Also thank the goddess that’s behind us... Unfortunately there's no real crossovers planned (at the moment) but the new big bad's plans will be far reaching, culminating in... well you'll just have to see. And while Franklin's back, he's going to take the backseat storyline wise for a few arcs to give everyone else a chance to shine. The next issue will see the girls some major screentime.
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Post by Tobias Christopher on May 5, 2019 20:34:17 GMT -5
New Warriors #36Speaking of set-up, this issue of New Warriors is largely that as well. Closing out the "Search for Franklin" saga and moving our team into new adventures both in and out of their costumes. This is Tobias Christopher's wheelhouse and part of what I enjoy with his writing, just letting the characters interact with one another. The focus has been almost exclusively on Franklin for much of the last year so, I'm excited to see some of the other Warriors get more time in the spotlight. Here's to a new year and to more New Warriors! Yeah, I let the Franklin love get way out of hand, so for the next few arcs we're going to see Franklin and Juston fade into the background so guys like Cannonball and Rawhide Kid can get some time to shine.
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