Filed under: 7 stars, Billy Tan, Brian Ching, Brian Haberlin, Christina Z, Clarence Lansang, Dan Fraga, Dave Finch, David Wohl, Francis Manapul, Keu Cha, Louis Small Jr, Matt Broome, Michael Turner, Michael Zulli, Paul Jenkins, Randy Green, Rick Veitch, Steve Nelson
I was really attracted to the concept of this novel where in the future some evil corporation has spliced human and animal genes to make super soldiers. The main story artwork is a bit muddy, simplistic and Dark but it does the Job. The Cover artwork inside the book however, is really good and was what I was expecting for the whole collected edition. I found the story to be a bit disjointed but interesting enough to keep you reading. The low for me was the “Howard Stern” Shock Croc story which I think was pretty much filler. I have read lots of negative comments about the Captain Stoneheart “Pirate” story but I actually thought it was OK. The stories are often introduced by some sort of quotation that vary from some really interesting Science and political stuff to the overly long biblical quotes. The book is printed on really good quality paper stock and is good value at $16.99. [ISBN-13: 978-1582409344]. 6/10
Garth Ennis takes on the survival horror genre and brings artist Jacen Burrows along for the ride. Garth Ennis is my favorite comic book author and Jacen Burrows is probably my favorite artist, so I had high hopes for this deluxe hardcover collecting “Crossed” issues1 to 10. This book definitely isn’t for the squeamish or the easily offended. It has violence and gore off the scale and portrays acts of intense human depravity. Its probably Ennis’s most shocking work which is really saying something for him (Just look at the punisher or Wormwood for instance). I do wonder if he might have gone a little too far in this book to shock his readers and might suffer a backlash as a result.
Jacen Burrow’s artwork is absolutely fantastic and even if you didn’t like the story it is an absolute joy to behold. The artwork and colors jump of the page and the “Crossed” are very inventively crafted to repulse. The poster panels, Splash pages and covers are truly top rate. Fortunately I think the story is pretty good and although it follows the familiar formula of “bunch of people running from Zombies and trying to survive” it has a nice little twist in that the “Crossed” seem to have some sort of evil intelligence behind them.
I imagine this book will really polarize people and reading the reviews on Amazon this seems to be the case. Personally I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it and I found it a very entertaining read. It is not a very original idea and it lacks some of Ennis’s usual sick sense of humor but I can recommend it if you are into stuff like “The Walking Dead” or “30 days of Night”. [ISBN-13: 978-1592910915]. 8/10
Filed under: 7 stars, Carlos Ezquerra, David Lloyd, Garth Ennis, Gary Erskine, Kam Kennedy
Collects the contents from the Clerks, Chasing Dogma and Bluntman & Chronic books together with one new story and a 15-page, never before reprinted story. I am a big fan of the Jay and Silent Bob movies and some of the same style of humor comes across here. A good book for Kevin Smith fans but nothing special. [ISBN-13: 978-0936211787]. 5/10
Filed under: 7 stars, Chris Weston, Dave Gibbons, David Lloyd, Garth Ennis, Gary Erskine
Filed under: 7 stars, Greg Capullo, Haunt, Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, Todd McFarlane
I am a Robert Kirkman fan and a Todd McFarlane fan so I had to pick this book up. This TPB collects Collects Haunt issues #1-5 and it was only $9.99 (great value). The book has the look and feel of a cross between a top cow TPB like Witchblade or the Darkness and of course spawn. Tod McFarlane’s artwork looks great printed on nice quality glossy paper stock and really jumps off the page. The rest of the art is nicely done too.
Haunt is based on two brothers that just don’t get along, one is a less-than-perfect priest, the other is a government agent. When the agent brother is killed he comes back to haunt his brother to avenge his killing and protect his wife. The possession takes the form of a creature pretty much like the Witchblade but with hints of spawn. The first collected edition does a good job of setting the plot and establishing the heroes and villains. The main plot is about a strange scientist trying to develop super soldiers, his missing notebook and the struggle to own that missing book. It flows nicely and has plenty of action although at times I had to turn back pages as the plot jumped around a bit and I though I had skipped a page. A good read. [ISBN-13: 978-1607061540]. 7/10
In the introduction to this book it states that it plays homage to the great British war comics of the past. In reality it is a great send up of those stiff upper lip British style war stories where the boys from Blighty fight the filthy Bosch. It is over the top in many ways with a bunch of characters that are beyond belief but very funny. I particularily enjoyed the section near the beginning where the rifle brigade were introduced. Carlos Ezquerra’s artwork is great and some of the splash pictures are amazing (I especially like Brian Bolland covers). If you enjoyed “Black Adder Goes forth” , “Jeeves and Wooster” or “Dads Army” then this book will probably appeal to you. Just be warned that is is a little more R rated than any of those TV programs. My only real gripe about “Adventures” is that I find the fact that several of the characters say nothing but their catchphrase wears a bit thin after a while. Both stories in this collected edition are good and the second story about Hitlers missing love spud is particularly funny. Shame there seems to be no plans for any more. [ISBN-13: 978-1401203535]. 8/10
Garth Ennis really has a gift for bringing old war stories back to life. This book is based upon the legendary World War I German fighter pilot Hans von Hammer, a.k.a. the Enemy Ace, brought back out of retirement to fight in World war II. “War in Heaven” collects the two part mini series and has the flying ace battling it out in the skies and battling with his conscience as he grows to resent Hitlers war machine.
Chris Weston’s art work in the first half of the book is absolutely fantastic. Each frame is meticulously detailed and manages to capture the essence of war in the skies in an almost cinematic manner. Russ Heath’s artwork in the second book is very good but it just lacks Chris Weston’s magic and this coupled with a change to jet aircrafts hurts the books continuity a little. Great Book [ISBN-13: 978-1563899829]. 8/10.
Volume 4 of the Boys has the story of the super hero “G” teams and the Boys attempts to deal with them. Hughie ends up going under cover with the most unbelievably depraved teen G team with nasty consequences. Just like the rest of the series it is filled with profanity, nudity, disgusting acts and outrageous violence. It has a few laughs but is generally a little more serious than the previous 3 novels. “We Gotta Go Now” is a little slow at times but it has some great character development and builds up to a really good ending. Darick Robertsons art is really good and some of the extras drawn by guest artists are really well drawn too. Volume 4 isn’t quite as good as the previous 3 Volumes but it is still a great read and if you enjoyed the first 3 you will enjoy this one. [ISBN-13: 978-1606900352]. 7/10
