Comics

Blackhawks #1 – Review

The first issue of Blackhawks is surprisingly successful in creating an interesting array of characters, an intriguing storyline and art that has a few really good moments.  But longtime fans of the original Blackhawks may be upset with these new characters and the modern setting.

A team of mercenaries using high-tech weaponry known as the Blackhawks stand in the way of the innocent and a new deadly enemy.  The team consists of Nikki, a sassy pink-haired vixen, her secret lover Wildman, Attila, Canada, the Irishman, and their captain, Andrew Lincoln.

Aquaman #1 – Review

Okay, first let’s get this straight: I love Geoff Johns. You love Geoff Johns. The comic world loves Geoff Johns, and that’s no surprise — he’s a great writer. But, I must admit, when I first heard that one of the comics he was writing for The New 52 was Aquaman,  I immediately thought it was going to be a failure. I’ve never read Aquaman before, but can you blame me? It’s Aquaman! So when I started reading Geoff John’s Aquaman #1, my expectations weren’t the highest, but then something happened: I was blown away. With an incredibly well-drawn, smart, dramatic, and even funny first issue, Geoff Johns has proven me wrong and shown me that Aquaman is indeed a force to be reckoned with in the DC Universe.

Batman: The Dark Knight #1 – Review

If you’re looking for nothing new, Batman: The Dark Knight will heavily supply you with overused ideas that everyone has seen before in a Batman comic.  This issue starts the series off to an okay note, but is easily overshadowed by the awesomeness that is Batman #1.  The only thing this issue does manage to do better at times is the great artwork from David Finch, who manages to draw beautiful women and Arkham’s deadly inmates well.

Writer Paul Jenkins begins Batman: The Dark Knight with Bruce Wayne making a speech about how we cannot let fear affect us.  Bruce then gets into a heated argument with internal affairs officer Forbes.  Their dispute is quickly broken up by the beautiful (and undoubtedly newest addition to Bruce’s long list of love interests) Jai Hudson.  But Bruce’s time with her is cut short when he has to rush to Arkham and stop the inmates from escaping, which includes a very changed Two-Face.

Superman #1 – Review

After reading Justice League #1 and the amazing Action Comics #1, I was very excited to see what George Perez would do with the highly anticipated #1 of good ol’ Supes. While I enjoyed the beginning, and the premise for the issue showed a lot of promise, the middle just became a mess to me, and (even with its pretty stellar artwork) what should’ve been at least a decent read ended up being what felt like a chore to finish.

The story begins with The Daily Planet being bought out by Galaxy Communications, which is owned by the corrupt businessman, Morgan Edge. From here, Perez shows us how Superman reacts to this buyout, as well as expressing some of his beliefs against the corrupt company. While this portion of the comic was interesting, what left me disappointed was… well, everything else. This issue had so much going on, from unknown alien beings blowing unknown alien conches (which we have to learn about in an issue of Stormwatch #1), to random fire beings wreaking havoc on Metropolis (which I did enjoy, thanks to the artwork). It just felt as if there was no focus on Superman in this issue, which is all I really wanted to see.

Comic Affinity’s Who’s Who Featuring Arm-Fall-Off-Boy

 In this new feature, Comic Affinity’s Who’s Who, we talk about comic book characters you’ve never heard of – and this week we have some of the weirdest characters and teams you’ve never heard of from comics you have heard of, including Arm-Fall-Off-Boy, Death Throws, Dr. Robert Doom, Elf With a Gun and Number One Fan!

Possibly the oddest characters in the history of DC Comics, Arm-Fall-Off-Boy got his powers when he held an anti-gravity metal, Element 152.  He can detach his limbs and use them as weapons.  He first appeared in Secret Origins #46 trying out for the Legion (which he failed to join).  After the Zero Hour reboot, Arm-Fall-Off-Boy was a member of the planet Lallor named Floyd Belkin.  He again fails to join the Legion.  Floyd finally got a full issue about himself in the comic Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century.  It showed his origins starting from birth when his arm falls off (undoubtedly leading to his creative name choice).  Growing up, he dreamed about becoming a Legionnaire and when he was old enough, went to Earth.  He saved the Legion and was a promising candidate for their future tryouts.  His name may ring a bell, since he was mentioned in Late Night Liars, but now you know his story.

Catwoman #1 – Review

Catwoman is back and sexier than ever.  Unfortunately, she couldn’t bring a thrilling storyline or personal narrative along with her for this somewhat bland romp through Gotham City that ends with something that would fit nicely on Skinemax.  The art and colors are some of the more enjoyable aspects of this issue.

Catwoman’s night starts out fine – a couple of guys barge into her apartment to find something while she runs away, ready to go back in the morning to collect all her stuff… until an explosion goes off in her apartment and she has to find a new place with some help from her friend, a former show girl by the name of Lola.

Optic Nerve #12 – Review

In a world where indie comic creators have migrated to hardcover editions, Adrian Tomine has chosen to go against the grain and continue releasing his indie comics on the floppy format, and after four years, Optic Nerve #12 has finally been released. With this issue, Tomine has shown that not only does Tomine still got it, but he’s at the top of his game. With two very compelling short stories, a great letters page, and even a dashed-off autobio, Adrian Tomine has released what I believe is the best comic released in 2011 thus far.

With the Summer buzz coming to an end, as well as the beginning of The New 52 and many Ultimate Comics series, Optice Nerve #12 really changes the pace from what’s been hitting the stands lately, but with Tomine’s masterful storytelling, you can’t help but keep turning the pages and just finishing off this 40 page comic. While there are two different stories in the comic, it’s hard to choose which I liked more. They were both just that good.