Wednesday Number Ones 8/30/11

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:   Angel & Faith #1, Epoch #1, The Rinse #1, Ultimate Comics Hawkeye, and Vescell #1.

Justice League #1

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jim Lee
Company: DC Comics

Well, the wait is over...Here comes the Justice League.  Much has been speculated over these past few months, these oh so long months, since DC announced a relaunch to their entire Universe.  There have been skeptical comments, hushed whispers of problems behind the scenes, so many people making fun of popped collars, and of course, the great debate of whether or not Wonder Woman will have pants or sport her more classic attire.  Now though, the wait is over and we finally get to see just how Geoff (Green Lantern) Johns and Jim (X-Men/Batman: Hush) Lee set sail in this new and magical DCU.

So, now the big question:  How was it?

Batman Incorporated #8

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Scott Clark & Dave Beaty
Company: DC Comics

Word around the internet is that this issue of Batman Inc. is in fact the weakest, and for a finale, it doesn't do the book much justice.  On both of these counts, I am going to have to disagree.  Batman and Oracle running around in a digital world called Internet 3.0, fighting evil zombie-like malware icons while trying to save a group of financial backers from being turned into brainless lumps of life.  What's not to like here, folks?  Truthfully, Morrison really is a fantastic idea man.  Fun boils up in the strangest places, and excitement and enthusiasm are things that are always so prevalent in his work.  It's true that sometimes his execution is a little off though, and while I do think there are a few rocky moments with this issue, the

Wednesday Number Ones 8/24/11

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:   Bionic Man #1, Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Tales The Legend of Drizzt #1, Superman Beyond #0, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1, and Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1.

Week in Review 8/23/11

Captain America #2
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Steve McNiven
Company: Marvel Comics

A better overall outing than the first issue, Brubaker continues his trip through Captain America's secret history while at the same time putting together a story filled with action and solid character moments.  It still feels a little less than stellar than it probably should, but being able to delve into his World War II days and see a few familiar faces certainly pops, and the reveal towards the end is fairly notable and fun.  In a lot of ways, the book exudes a very classic comic book feel, hearkening back to the Gruenwald days of yore.  McNiven may in fact be the bigger draw here, however.  His

WE3 Deluxe Edition HC

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Frank Quitely
Company: Vertigo

It had been awhile since I had delved into the emotional and slightly unnerving depths of WE3, but it was almost a forgone conclusion when they solicited this deluxe hardcover version that I had to purchase it.  Not only is Grant Morrison one of my favorite writers, the story is damn good, and Quitely's art...Well, Quitely's art is sensational, startling, and a downright blood bath of entertainment.  For those who already have a copy of the book adorning their shelves, I will say that this collection is worth venturing out and picking up.  Not only is it in the oversize format, but the additional material that's packaged inside, everything from breakdowns to insight into the many crucial scenes of the book, is impressive.  Being able to hear

X-Men Schism #3

Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Daniel Acuna
Company: Marvel Comics

What is Schism?  Tough question, as this series, which brings back the threat of the Hellfire Club and introduces some pint-sized villains that are bent on world domination, feels a little disjointed.  We've constantly been hearing that this is where the split between Cyclops and Wolverine will happen, that that is a huge issue that this book will deal with.  If that is the case, it's happening at a snails pace.  Sure, we've seen a few quibbles between the two characters as Sentinels run crazy around the world, but nothing that feels like it would mean the end for these two friends.  So again, what is Schism really about?  Well, let's delve a little deeper into the issue, Emma Frost style, and see what's what.  And no, I won't be wearing the outfit.

Daredevil #2

Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Paolo Rivera
Company: Marvel Comics

Elegantly orchestrated.  Elegantly executed.  Simply elegant.  That is what Mark Waid and Paolo Rivera have accomplished with this second issue of the new direction for everyone's favorite blind lawyer and savior of Hell's Kitchen.  The first issue was a wake up call, a blaring salvo that declared the end to the depressed and downtrodden Matt Murdock.  Those elements aren't forgotten about, nor are they ignored, but Waid returns the character to the more upbeat Swashbuckler that he was in the 90's, a turn that is refreshing and provides a point of re-invigoration. That coupled with art that has the keen ability to knock your socks off at every turn, and the notion that this is in fact one of the best books that either Marvel or DC is putting out, doesn't seem that crazy.

DCU - The End? Part 1

The end of an era is upon us as the new DCU relaunch is a mere three weeks away.  I figured that since endings are one of the hardest things to do in comics, not to mention things that have a tendency to disappoint, that it would be interesting to see how all of the different DC books closed their doors.  Did they finish up their running stories?  Did they supply closure to the characters that we have come to love over the last 25 years?  Were they fillers?  Were they satisfying?  Or did they really just flounder and feel unnecessary to the point where you have to wonder why exactly this was the way for them to say, "That's it, folks?"  Well, without further ado, let's see what there is to see.

Wednesday Number Ones 8/10/11

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:  Critter #1, Spider-Island Cloak & Dagger #1, and War Goddess #0.

Week in Review 8/9/11

Avengers Academy #17
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Sean Chen
Company: Marvel Comics

If you're seeking out a great companion piece to the Fear Itself title, and maybe a title that provides a bit more in the way of a cohesive and entertaining experience, might I direct you to a little book called Avengers Academy.  I hadn't been paying it much attention lately, but because of a friend, I went back to it and found that Gage was exploring the Fear Itself story in better ways and offering up character bits and action that felt ten times more expressive and interesting than any other book bearing the sub-title of the Event.  One of the major themes, as we see the members of this team

Flashpoint Wednesdays 8/3/11

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 #4, Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance #3, Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #3, Flashpoint: Secret Seven #3, and Flashpoint: World of Flashpoint #3.

Wednesday Number Ones 8/3/11

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:  Infinite #1, Mystic #1, Punisher #1, Rachel Rising #1, and Severed #1.

Week in Review 8/2/11

FF #7
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Greg Toccini
Company: Marvel Comics

It's obvious that Hickman is setting things up with this and the previous issue of FF.  Still, that doesn't make a book that looks at the Supreme Intelligence and the Inhumans any less dull.  This issue is a bit better than the last, though only by a small degree.  While the last one was a focus on the Kree, this one makes Black Bolt its central character.  There are a few bright moments, one where the Inhuman Emperor takes on a Cthulian monster all by his lonesome specifically.  Still, the big moments are few and far between and don't feel "big", as they should.  Part of that is due to Toccini's inconsistent art duties.  His style is a

Flashpoint Wednesdays 7/30/11

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: Hal Jordan #2, Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #2, Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #2, and Flashpoint: Project Superman #2.