Wednesday Number Ones 7/27/11

Wednesday Number Ones is a weekly feature here at Top 5 Comics. We take the books that are premiering a first issue from that week and give a quick opinion on them. From time to time we may also include more than issue number ones in this feature. If a noteworthy one-shot or the first issue of a new story arc is released, we may talk about it in this feature as well.

This week, we will cover:  Amazing Spider-Man #666, Captain America & Bucky #620, Joe Hill's The Cape #1, Spontaneous #1, Terminator Robocop: Kill Human #1, and Vault #1.

Flashpoint Wednesdays 7/20/11

If the rumors are true, it seems that the mini series called Flashpoint will have some major repercussions on the DC Universe proper.  What exactly those repercussions are going to be though, it's anyones guess at this point.  What Top 5 Comics aims to do with this series of articles is take a gander at all of the Flashpoint issues and their tie-ins, giving the rundown on them, telling you which ones to check out and which ones aren't exactly up to muster.  It's obviously a big event, but will it be a good one?  Only time will tell.

This week we will cover: Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #2, Flashpoint: Legion of Doom #2, Flashpoint: The Outsider #2, and Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #2.

Wednesday Number Ones 7/20/11

Wednesday Number Ones is a weekly feature here at Top 5 Comics. We take the books that are premiering a first issue from that week and give a quick opinion on them. From time to time we may also include more than issue number ones in this feature. If a noteworthy one-shot or the first issue of a new story arc is released, we may talk about it in this feature as well.

This week, we will cover:  Avengelyne #1, Daredevil #1, Duke Nukem Glorious Bastard #1, Fear Itself: FF #1, Marksman #1, and War of the Green Lanterns Aftermath #1 of 2.

Week in Review 7/19/11

Alpha Flight #2
Writer: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Artist: Dale Eaglesham
Company: Marvel Comics

An improvement over the last issue.  The explanation of the "shock" ending, which was groan worthy at the time, is more satisfying and believable than I had thought it would be.  The result is a chunk of story, that while very traditional and old school (something that Van Lente and Pak, for good or ill, bring to the table with their work these days),  is also action oriented and fairly satisfying.  The writers handle Puck's return, his recent stint in Hell included, decently enough.  There are a few lines of dialogue during the scene that feel cold and lacking any real emotion though.

Flashpoint Wednesdays 7/13/11

If the rumors are true, it seems that the mini series called Flashpoint will have some major repercussions on the DC Universe proper.  What exactly those repercussions are going to be though, it's anyones guess at this point.  What Top 5 Comics aims to do with this series of articles is take a gander at all of the Flashpoint issues and their tie-ins, giving the rundown on them, telling you which ones to check out and which ones aren't exactly up to muster.  It's obviously a big event, but will it be a good one?  Only time will tell.

This week we will cover: Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #2, Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #2, Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #2, Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #2, and Booster Gold #46.

Wednesday Number Ones 7/13/11

Wednesday Number Ones is a weekly feature here at Top 5 Comics. We take the books that are premiering a first issue from that week and give a quick opinion on them. From time to time we may also include more than issue number ones in this feature. If a noteworthy one-shot or the first issue of a new story arc is released, we may talk about it in this feature as well.

This week, we will cover:  Captain America #1, Dollhouse Epitaphs #1, Ghost Rider #1, Ultimate Comics Fallout #1 of 6, and X-Men Schism #1.

The Red Wing #1 of 4

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Nick Pitarra
Company: Image Comics

Early on in his career, Jonathan Hickman was one of those writers that was a great idea man.  Books like Nightly News and Pax Romana and Red Mass for Mars had hooks that got under your skin, but the execution often times missed the mark.  One of the biggest issues was the wall of text that often assaulted the readers eyes and really took you out of the story.  That was then, this is now, as with things like Secret Warriors and Fantastic Four, Hickman has honed his craft to a fine point and really shown what he can do.  The ideas are still fantastic and off the beaten path, but the accessibility is so strong and the enjoyment levels are so high that for the moment, it seems that he can do no wrong.  But what about The Red Wing?  Did he finally manage to misstep and crash and burn?

Week in Review 7/12/11

Fear Itself #4
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Stuart Immonen
Company: Marvel Comics

Too little too late.  This fourth issue of Fear Itself finally picks up the pace, something that Fraction seems to be able to do in his Mighty Thor book with ease, and sets up the main story.  Other things that it does is finally explains who the bad guy really is, and has some solid, well drawn action by Immonen.  The reveal of who The Serpent is makes sense in the grand scheme of things, but exactly how he's regaining power, by instilling rampant fear across the globe, is poorly executed on the page.  There are actually several ideas that Fraction throws down that really feel cheesy or

Red Robin Volume 1: The Grail

Writer: Chris Yost
Artists: Ramon Bachs & Marcus To
Company: DC Comics

Summer continues to rage on, especially here in Texas.  So what should be done to escape such certain death and dehydration?  How about reading some comics, which let me tell you, is always a good idea no matter the temperature outside.  As with a lot of people my age out there, Tim Drake is the Robin that we grew up with.  He is the ultimate Detective, one of the only people to have every figured out who Batman and Robin and Nightwing were, and he just happens to know a thing or two on how to expertly use a bo staff in a fight, thanks to Lady Shiva.  Chuck Dixon cemented the character into Batman history and really made the book he starred in a title that was always enjoyable on multiple levels.  He made Tim human and a hero to root

Flashpoint Wednesdays 7/6/11

If the rumors are true, it seems that the mini series called Flashpoint will have some major repercussions on the DC Universe proper.  What exactly those repercussions are going to be though, it's anyones guess at this point.  What Top 5 Comics aims to do with this series of articles is take a gander at all of the Flashpoint issues and their tie-ins, giving the rundown on them, telling you which ones to check out and which ones aren't exactly up to muster.  It's obviously a big event, but will it be a good one?  Only time will tell.

This week we will cover: Flashpoint #3, Flashpoint: Abin Sur the Green Lantern #2, Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance #2, Flashpoint: Secret Seven #2, and Flashpoint: World of Flashpoint #2.

Wednesday Number Ones 7/6/11

Wednesday Number Ones is a weekly feature here at Top 5 Comics. We take the books that are premiering a first issue from that week and give a quick opinion on them. From time to time we may also include more than issue number ones in this feature. If a noteworthy one-shot or the first issue of a new story arc is released, we may talk about it in this feature as well.

This week, we will cover:  Elric the Balance Lost #1, Fear Itself: Wolverine #1, Marvel Universe versus Wolverine #1, and Witch Doctor #1.

Blast From the Past: Danger Girl The Ultimate Collection

Writer: J. Scott Campbell & Andy Hartnell
Artist: J. Scott Campbell
Company: Wildstorm Productions

With some time to spare over the last few nights, I began to prowl my bookshelves in search of something that caught my interests.  I wanted something fun and action oriented, something that had style and panache.  Danger Girl called my name.  I remember this collection was actually one of the first really expensive graphic novels that I bought as a teen.  It was thirty bucks, a rather considerable amount of cash, but when I flipped through the pages at the bookstore, saw the art inside, and that there was a bookmark built into the book (yeah, that was somehow a selling point), I just had to have it and happily handed over my money.  I had no idea what I was getting into, but the hardcover format really spoke to me and pretty

Week in Review 7/2/11

Avengers Children's Crusade #4
Writer: Allan Heinberg
Artist: Jim Cheung
Company: Marvel Comics

I wish Allan Heinberg was able to hit the target for a monthly book.  I know that Children's Crusade was never meant to be that, as there was no way that such a thing could happen with Heinberg, but he's so talented and has so much respect for these characters.  That kind of writing is an asset that I would love to see more of.  This issue, which sees the return of Scarlet Witch proper and sees her try to make sense of her life, is extremely good.  I love the back and forth between the different characters. The banter is fresh, youthful, and Heinberg just infuses

Batman Incorporated # 7

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Burnham
Company: DC Comics

Say what you will about Grant Morrison.  I know for a fact that a lot of people haven't cared for his run on Batman, that they feel that his version of the character doesn't work and the weirdness that he's known for just feels wrong in the superhero context.  I can see that to some extent.  Morrison does bring the strange and throughout his run he's had Batman lose his mind, kill a god, die, travel through time, save the world from total annihilation, and out Bruce Wayne as Batman's financier.  I can see how some people might think that these things compromise a character who's essentially supposed to be the greatest detective and battle thugs and villains on the streets of Gotham.  These are strange, very out there ideas, no doubt