Everyone has a comic in their collection which they prize above the others in their collection, right? Or maybe a Trade Paperback or Graphic Novel that you've picked up and would like to recommend it to your fellow comic-loving neoseekers. Or perhaps you own the Holy-Grail of the comics universe and would like to brag about it?

Here is the place to review your favourite comics....It can be a single landmark issue that you've read, or a Graphic Novel or Trade-paperback that you feel everyone must own. Also if there is a fresh new comic book series that isn't getting the attention you think it deserves, you can rate the series as a whole. And don't be scared to review extremely bad books. if you think there is an overhyped TPB that we should steer clear of, let us know!

To keep the reviews consistent, lets utilize a grading scale of 1-10, where 10=Amazing Spider-Man #121 (extremely good) and 1=Superman versus Mohammed Ali (terrible). If you decide to review a comic can you please make it a review of substance, and give us a general run-down on the content, and reasons why it is good or bad (no "this comic is the best i give it 10/10" please) To kick off i will review "Essential Spiderman vol.1" that i recently picked up.

Essential Spiderman volume 1.




This Trade Paperback collects Amazing Spiderman 1-20, as well as Spidermans appearance first published in Amazing Fantasy #15, and Spiderman Annual #1. As these are the tales concerning Spideys roots and origin, these issues are 'essential' for and Spiderman fan. 75% of Spidermans greatest villains ever are introduced during these issues. All the classic characters are introduced here.. Flash Thompson, J. Jonah Jameson, Dr Octopus, Green Goblin, Vulture, Chameleon, Sandman, Mysterio, Electro, Lizard...as well as cameos by Fantastic Four, Daredevil and the Avengers.

The stories are great, although newer fans of comics may not enjoy Stan lees over the top brand of storytelling. Of course the stories may seem dated by todays standards but you must keep in mind that these are classic comics, and were ground breaking for the era they were first published in.

Also in these issues we are treated to pages that describe how Spideys equipment works among other things. If you are a Spiderman fan then this collection will be a joy to read.

The only real downside is that the collection is published in black and white, on cheap paper. While this doesnt bother me greatly as i am used to reading a lot of Manga that is published in Black and white... some readers may complain the art doesnt look any good without colours. I feel the opposite, i think the lack of colour puts a larger emphasis on the art (done by the legendary Steve Ditko).

Small complaints aside, this remains essential material for any comic book fan. Theres no way you can get original prints of these comics at a decent price these days. So if you just want to read the story, the essential series is great. Its awesome value for money and the cheapest way to get so many classic stories. The only reason This doesnt get a higher score is because of the lack of colour and the quality of the paper.

8.5/10

This message was edited by Mantis on Feb 15 2004.

Excellent kickoff for this thread Mantis and a good review as well (upon seeing this thread title I was fairly certain your first review would be for a Spidey comic).

The storyline that I'm going to review first is Knightfall which ran through the Batman titles in the early '90s. Batman: Knightfall was collected in two volumes with the titles of The Broken Bat and Who Rules the Night?

Batman: Knightfall
9 out of 10

The Knightfall saga opens with one of the greatest threats Gotham City has ever faced. The mysterious new villain known only as Bane has successfully breached the walls of Arkham Asylum with the asylum's inmates escaping in the process. Many of Batman's most dangerous foes were imprisoned in the asylum and now all of them are wreaking havoc on Gotham City. Batman must contend with not only the lesser threats of the asylum such as the Mad Hatter, but he must also deal with the Joker, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, and so many of the other heavy hitters from his rogue's gallery as well. To make matters worse Batman has for the past several weeks been at substantially less than his best due to severe fatigue and exhaustion. Throughout all this Bane is merely watching and studying the Batman as he runs this deadly gauntlet of his greatest foes. To make matters worse Bane learns all of Batman's secrets and almost kills the hero. One of Batman's allies, a young hero in the making known as Azrael must become the new Batman and retake Gotham from Bane who has established himself as the most poowerful indivdual in Gotham's criminal underworld. Bruce Wayne is not able to oversee his young apprentice's work as the new Batman as he must leave the country in pursuit of the people who kidnapped Robin's father.


Throughout this story Batman becomes more and more brutal as his fatigue sets in causing him to make mistakes and lose his self control bit by bit. The new Batman is even more more violent. And all this increase in violence by Batman causes his long time friend Commisioner James Gordon to lose respect for the Batman while others in the GCPD support the more violent Batman more and more as does Gotham's mayor.

The good: Batman versus many of his classic foes and battles with many of his newer but still interesting foes.

This story illustrates just why Gotham needs the Batman so badly.

This is the stroyline that ushered in the Batman renaissance in the early 90's that is still going strong with the Batman series being the number one selling comic today.

As is typical with Batman comics this one has excellent art (from artists such as Jim Aparo, Graham Nolan, and Norm Breyfogle) and excellent writing (from excellent Batman writers Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, and others).

The not really Bad: The main villain throughout the story is Bane a relatively new villain at the time who disappears after his defeat, but does play significant roles in later Batman sagas.

The new Batman is a relatively new hero when the better choice would have been Nightwing, but Knightfall is the first part of the Knight trilogy so this is quickly forgiven upon reading Knightquest and Knight's End.

The story in the Batman titles had been leading in this direction for the previous few issues so it's best to read those issues before starting on Knightfall, but the opening of Knightfall does catches one up to speed and fills you in thoroughly.

I really don't have any complaints about this storyline, but keep in mind since it was originally published as crossover so the writer and artist will be different from chapter to chapter in several cases, but this storyline was so well planned out by the Batman writers, artists, and editorial staff that is causes no problems whatsoever with the quality or flow of the story.

Overall: 9 out of 10


Well that's pretty much it for my first review.



This message was edited by Mister MacPhisto on Jul 25 2003.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns



This story really needs no introduction. Its likely that most people who come to this forum have read it, but I would just like to stake the honour of reviewing it here.

The Dark Knight Returns was written in 1986 by Frank Miller, with inks by Klaus Jansen and colour by Lynn Varley. This storyline orientated the Batman character as a dark, brooding vigilante in a rough, dark and futuristic Gotham City. In other words, Frank Miller basically made the character who he is today. The feel and style of Tim Burtons 1989 Batman movie was inspired by The Dark Knight Returns. When Tim Burton read TDKR, he wanted to base his movie around that, but was told by Warner Bros that there was too much material for a movie and to do something original.

The setting of the story is Gotham City, 10 years after Bruce Wayne has retired from fighting crime as Batman. Bruce Wayne is about 60 and Gotham is an extremely dangerous place, over-run by a street gang called the Mutants. Early in the story Bruce realises that the city still needs Batman, and decides to don the cape and cowl once again.

So begins the epic story, which is often cited as the best Batman story ever told, and sometimes cited as the best comic book ever written. Along the way, Batman faces off against a supposedly reformed Harvey Dent (two-face), who has had surgery to repair the damaged half of his face, but psychologically the evil half has completely dominated him. He also battles against the demon-like leader of the Mutant Gang. The gang leader is younger and stronger than Batman, so Batman surgically takes him apart using his knowledge of the anatomy. Batman also encounters his deadliest foe, the Joker for the last time. And in the grand finale, Batman holds his own in a battle against the flying boy scout, Superman. The story also features a 13 year old girl as Robin, the stepping down of Commissioner Gordan, and the most bad-ass version of the Batmobile EVER.

I recommend this comic without reservation, and a comic book collection is incomplete without it. A true classic.

10/10

This message was edited by Mantis on Feb 15 2004.

Watchmen
By Alan Moore (writer) & Dave Gibbons (artist).
Published by DC comics.




There isn't much to say that hasn't already been said about this masterpiece. This is the comic that made Alan Moore a legend. I've never read a comic like this one before, so I can only imagine what kind of impact it had when it was released in 1986.

The book is told in 12 chapters. Its essentially tells the story of an alternate reality in which superheros really did exist. In this reality, superhero activity has been outlawed by the government. Years after vigilantes have taken a back seat, someone is going around murdering the retired superheros.

The story is long, twisted and sometimes complex. The characters are particularly memorable, especially "the Comedian" and Reushuach. While the story is superb, its the execution and style in which it is done which makes this book a standout. Moore utilises metaphor and symbolism to a great degree. Some of the storytelling techniques he uses absolutely cannot be recreated in any other storytelling medium. This story wouldnt be half as effective if reprised as a novel, or motion picture. If there ever was a comic that showcased what comics are capable of, this is it.

The book also showed readers that comics didnt have to be about invincible do-gooders, and that comics didnt have to be for young kids. This comic is violent and sometimes confronting. The characters in this book are not always portrayed as good people, and good doesn't always triumph over evil.

It's best to read this story knowing as little as possible about it. It's definitly essential reading for any comic book reader. Highly recommended.

10/10


This message was edited by Mantis on Feb 15 2004.

GTO-Great Teacher Onizuka

Story/Art: Tohru Fujisawa
Publisher: TOKYOPOP
Genre: Action/Comedy. 25 volumes (18 available as of May 2004). Suggested for ages 16+ (contains violence, nudity, strong language/sexual content, crude humor).
A smash hit in Japan that spawned off an anime (with the most-watched finale of any TV show EVER in Japan), this series follows the adventures of Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old biker punk who wants to do something meaningful with his life. So he decides to return to school...only as a teacher! His goal is to become a great teacher, while perhaps managing to win the love of a fellow teacher and score a cute schoolgirl or two, all while fighting off attempts on his career, his life, and constant onslaughts by the "vice-principal of doom"...brilliantly done by textbook German Suplex I might add!
It's not only a fun story to read, but it's considered a slightly realistic look at the life of an average Japanese high schooler, with work, parties, shopping, etc. The art is quite well-done with Fujisawa forgoing the standard "wide-eyed" expressions in favor of more "open mouth" and "wrinkled face" expressions which nicely add to the humor. I can't think of anything bad about this series although some people wil find the humor a bit too gross...don't let it stopping you from putting this one together!
Rating: 10/10.

A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories



Story and Art by Will Eisner
Publisher: DC Comics (current printing)

Will Eisner is the one man who can be considered by many to have had the single greatest influence on comics. Unlike individuals like Jack Kirby, Bob Kane, Stan Lee, Jerry Siegel, and Joe Shuster whose accomplishments are more easily summed up in the characters they created, Eisner is more noteworthy for being perhaps the foremost innovator in comics. A vast amount of the concepts of pacing, storytelling, and technique that work well in American comics were developed by Eisner. Plainly speaking, Eisner has shown many that followed not only how to make comics but how to make great comics. He is also credited with being the creator of the graphic novel. This review is for A Contract with God which is simultaneously Eisner's first foray into the genre of the graphic novel and also the first graphic novel.

In this graphic novel, Eisner draws upon his memories of growing up in New York in the 1930s. A Contract with God depicts the dreams, hopes, and lives of the residents in a bronx tenement. Like Eisner's subsequent graphic novels, A Contract with God provides insight into the human condition. This graphic novel displays Eisner's immense talent and conveying emotion and mood while also presenting extremely realistic stories. Eisner populates this graphic novel with interesting characters who interact in well thought out plots and conflicts. One can't help but wonder if the character Willie is actually Eisner due to his resemblance to Billy from Eisner's The Dreamer which is an autobiographical graphic novel.

A Contract with God is the first and one of the best of it's kind and deserves a

10 out of 10

Dragon Knights

Story/Art: Mineko Ohkami
Publisher: TOKYOPOP
Genre: Fantasy (originally was a Fantasy/Comedy). 20 volumes (14 available as of June 2004). Suggested for ages 13+ (thematic elements, some violence, language, brief nudity, endless "thespian" dialogue)
One of the longer-running manga in Japan (Ohkami spent well over 5 years working on this one), this story revolves arounf a trio of knights-Rune, Thatz, & Rath. They're good-looking, clumsy, inept...and possessors of dragons with great powers, hence "Dragon Knights". Their task is to protect their realm from the evil Lord Nadil & his assorted henchmen & minions while covering their own butts the whole time.
At first this title appealed to me because it sounded like "Slayers"-fantasy with plenty of humor to go along with it. But I soon found the story tough to follow, partly because the first volume is a series of unrelated short stories, then in volume 2 the "real" story begins. It also breaks off along the way for a series of other short stories. The art's not too bad, but I was turned off by the "feminine male" style of drawing the characters-sometimes based on faces & hair, as well as body style you can't tell if the character is a guy or a girl! I don't like that at all.
I like to think of this one as "Shakesperean Slayers Ultra-Lite"-heavy on the fantasy & complex dialogue, with a light dash of humor and action here & there. If you like this thespian stuff you may get some mileage out of this, otherwise you're probably better off just taking a pass.
Rating: 7/10

Sin City



Story abd Art: Frank Miller
Publisher: Dark Horse

This is a review for the original Sin City story which is found reprinted in a collected format titled simply Sin City. Later installments of the series bore subtitles like A Dame To Kill For, The Big Fat Kill, That Yellow Bastard, Family Values, and Just Another Saturday Night to name but a few. This story follows Marv, a very strong, tough, and violent street fighter who is a little bit nuts and not very bright but is loyal and has guts, street smarts, and good instincts (especially in a fight).

Sin City is a crime drama which is very much the man's favorite genre as can be seen in several of his earlier stories which involve the likes of Batman, Daredevil, Elektra, and Punisher. The characters are all human and lack superpowers, but many are inhumane. Sin City is Marv's story and follows him as he seeks to provide protection and fails and so must seek retribution. The story and art work are excellent. The characters are complex and interact brilliantly (the spoof of Wolverine in the bar scene is amusing). At times the art seems not odd or off but changing as Miller was developing his style for the series over the course of the narrative. The narrative itself has changes in pacing while the artwork is also changing in terms of composition. All of this is due to Miller developing the cinematic style that is part of what makes Sin City interesting. The fact that this story was also originally published as a serialized feature in Dark Horse Presents and ended up "getting away" from Miller contributes, but overall this one "got away" from Miller in a good way.

So enjoy the trip to Sin City and be certain to behave in Old Town.

Overall, Sin City gets an

9.5/10

World Of Hartz

Story/Art: Terrence Walker
Publisher: Tokyopop
Genre: Sci-Fi/Action. Now available. Suggested for ages 13+ (contains fantasy violence & strong language)
One of Tokyopop's first non-Asian titles, World Of Hartz revolves around an online gaming system created by 2 buddies, Han & T. They're having no luck with gaming distribution, but when Han gets the cold shoulder from the girl, that's it. Han decides to use the game to become a cool guy, get the girl, and all that good stuff...even if it means going through his friend T to do it. Of course not all is what it seems...
At first glance this title seems to really ripoff other series like .hack in terms of storyline. It's not helped by the fact that this title suffered numerous delays (release date was pushed back no fewer than 4 times) and because of "computer problems", was shortened from 2 volumes to just 1. The only good thing really about this is a nice interview with Walker, the author of the story.
Bottom line: Save your $10 and put it towards Walker's new DVD "Anime: From Concept To Reality". You'll get your money's worth there, but not quite here. Also, this really isn't "manga"-it is American all the way.
Rating: 5.5/10

DC Comics presents:

Identity Crisis
Issue #1 of 7



By:
Brad Meltzer
Rags Morales
Mike Bair

The Comic of "Deadly Secrets and Private Hells" begins here. A 7-issue comic that features all of your favorite Super Heroes.

Every Super Hero has had their identity figured out. Everyone knows who they are and what they do. It may not sound bad, but coming to think about your safety might get you worrying. When your a Super Hero, someone in the world is going to hate you. They will throw a tantrum when they hear your name. There's a good percentage that one of the people who hate you, or also know as villians, will do something to get back at you. They know you, so they know your family. And if they know your family, they'll to the worst to them.

Ralph Dibny starts out the comic by saying he loves his wife more than anything in the world. But he also says that her safety is in danger just because he is known to the world...


This comic will keep you wondering, and will keep you talking about it to your friends and family!

Wizard says "#1 Buzz Event of 2004" and I give it 2 thumbs up. Premiering in June 2004.

10/10

RED, WHITE AND BLACK

I have just recently become a grendel fan and its really just superb. Although ive only got parts 3 and 4, (4 parts) im loving it and highly recommend it.

Before you start reading Grendel, make sure you get some knowledge about Hunter Rose and whats happened otherwise you will be confused. The RED, WHITE AND BLACK series is not the first Grendel story so you will need some background. Im happy to post info about Grendel so NeoPM if you wish.

Basically, these 4 issues don't follow an actual story line throughout the series. They don't even follow a story line throughout one of the issues. Each comic has about 5 mini-stories in them about Grendel and several events that take place.

This series, the Red, White and Black, is done in those three colours. At first it seemed pretty stuffed up but believe me it is absolutely crazy.

My favourite thing about this series is actually the art. All comics are written by Matt Wagner (the creator of Grendel) except each comic has 5 artists, one for each mini-story. This means you get a different artist for every story which personally i think is awesome.

Overall, it is money well spent and Grendel is now my favourite comic book.

10/10

Superman: Secret Identity
By Kurt Busiek, Stuart Immomen and Todd Klein



Amazing. There really isn't any other way to describe it. It takes a special kind of book to make the idea of a 'Superman' seem entirely plausible. I've seen the phrase "Best Superman story ever" thrown around, and I think I'd agree with it.

Clark Kent is a fairly normal kid living in Picketsville, Kansas. Despite the fact that his family and fellow school students find it hilarious, he hates having the name of the world's most famous comic book character. He is constantly picked on at school ("What'cha got in here, Superboy? Luthor's secret plans?") and receives Superman-related gifts at every birthday and Christmas that he just isn't interested in. All that changes one night when, after one of his regular camp-outs, he wakes up high above the ground, tangled in his sleeping bag. He can fly. Clark Kent has Superman's powers.

Each chapter of 'Secret Identity' is a separate story that takes place at different parts of Clark's life. In Smallville, he discovers his powers and the interest the media and government has in them. More than anything else, he feels alone. In Metropolis, Kent is an young journalist in Manhattan who ends up meeting the love of his life. Who, funnily enough, happens to be named Lois. In Fortress, Lois and Clark have been together for a while and Clark is a seasoned 'hero'. The government is after him more than ever, and he realises he has to be more careful when he finds out Lois is pregnant with twins. In Tomorrow, Clark is getting old. His twin daughters have grown up and his powers are weakening. There's a surprise in the last chapter whn Clark finds out he isn't as alone in the world as he thought.

The one thing that stands out more than anything else in the book is Clark's inner monologue. There's more of this throughout the story than dialogue, and his loneliness, happiness and gradual maturity shine through brilliantly. Something I'm surprised I haven't mentioned yet is Stuart Immomen's spectacular art. If you've seen his other work, you'll see this is very different. He has coloured his own pencils in a way that resembles painted art, and it gives 'Secret Identity' a very unique look. Clark's appearance in each chapter gradually changes, from a kid full of wonder to a young adult and eventually a bearded, elderly man, but he is always easily recognisable.

If you're at all interested in Superman, you'll love this. Even if you know nothing of the character at all, you'll still love it. This Clark Kent isn't Superman, but you'll grow to care about him as much as the original.

10/10

Kingdom Come

Author: Mark Waid
Editor: Bob Kahan
Illustrator: Alex Ross
Publisher: DC Comics

An Elseworlds look at one possible future in the DC Universe. Painted by Alex Ross and written by Ross and Mark Waid, Kingdom Come portrays what might happen to the world if Superman and his classic comic book companions leave their legacies to unfit heirs. This book is a treat for even the casual comic reader with beautifully illustrated characters and scenery alongside believable, moving, and superheroic dialogue.

quote SenorZorro2000's Synopsis (spoilers!)

Superman retires and other old characters follow because common people favor the new generation of metahumans. The new metahumans are more ruthless and less concerned with the problems of the world. Their only concern is with their own personal gratification and glory. They wiped out their rogue adversaries years prior. An atomic disaster caused by the desperate Parasite lashing out against Captain Atom destroys Kansas and irradiates land in surrounding states. The old superheroes emerge from retirement to stop the new metahumans.

Lex Luthor assembles a group called the Mankind Liberation Front to bring humans back in control of the world by forcing national officials to exterminate the metahumans. He makes the problem seem worse than it is by arming former criminals and repackaging them as troublesome metahumans. Captain Marvel is in his thrall. Batman’s faction aligns with Luthor’s as a ruse to determine Captain Marvel’s allegiance.

The superheroes build a gulag in the middle of Kansas to imprison any metahumans that cannot be reformed. The metahumans try to fight their way out as the superheroes stand outside preparing for battle. Captain Marvel arrives and releases the metahumans with a bolt of lightning. All engage in battle. Batman admonishes Wonder Woman for impaling Von Bach, a metahuman, and she fights him. As they battle above the clouds, they see three approaching U.N.-sent military aircraft equipped with nuclear bombs. They stop two but one gets through. Superman detects the falling bomb and tells Captain Marvel to decide between the humans and superhumans/metahumans. Superman flies after the bomb but Captain Marvel throws him away, grabs the bomb in midair and uses his lightning to explode it above ground zero. All but a dozen or so of the old heroes and five or six of the metahumans, including Magog, die.

After witnessing this act of perfidy, an enraged Superman flies to the U.N. building, intending to kill everyone inside. Norman McCay reasons with him and convinces him to spare them. All the heroes, both old and new, discuss their issues face to face with the members of the U.N. and agree to solve their problems together without masks. Lex Luthor and the rest of the MLF are forced to help heal the survivors of the nuclear blast and are fitted with containment collars that administer an electric shock if they attempt to escape. In the end, Superman impregnates Wonder Woman and they ask Batman to be the godfather so the child will have as much of a human as superhuman perspective.

Hey. Felt like adding to the board since no one has put a review up in awhile.

Fray.
Written by: Joss Whedon
Art by: Karl Moline
Publisher: Dark Horse

Set 200 years afer vampires were thought to be extinguished, Fray follows the arrival of the newest slayer in the long line of chosen ones, Melaka Fray. Day job as a 'grabber' a.k.a. a theif without a conscience, Fray has never heard of the slayer, nor knows that the hideous 'lurkers' are what we call vampires.

Though some of the same elements are there - reluctant slayer, stubborn mentor, uber-power vampire - this isn't Buffy. Whedon does his normal fantastic job with the dialogue and timing, keeping the most horrific moments from becoming stale.

Great art, Moline does a fantastic job with Whedon's characters. Bright colors give the book's dark tale more then a little life.

In the end, you don't need to be a die-hard Buffy fan to get Fray. Granted, it helps, but not needed.

Only down side? It all ends too quickly.

10 outta 10