It’s still early days with this new Tomb Raider franchise for Gail Simone, so these opening issues still hover over the dark chasm of make-or-break territory. While I loved the opening comic for this new series, others complained that it was exposition heavy and left both Lara’s and Simone’s charisma at home. If you are in that camp of thinking, then this might be a much more satisfactory issue. We have action, character-development and some stunning artwork from Nicholas Daniel Selma.
The Freeless Defenders return to exact their revenge! They discuss Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D, 52, Winter Soldier and the Sandman. They also look at their best and worse of the week. Will the Defenders finally disagree? Will there be more bad segues? Do they care about the latest comic book news? All will be revealed!
Hopefully issue #4 could be the turning point for the Harley Quinn series. Up until now, it has been played mainly for laughs, enjoying the idea that there is such thing as a comic series made for Harley Quinn, but this issue, while it keeps the same style of comedy and fun, tackles themes and plot, making it one of the most impressive issues yet. The story revolves around Harley, trying to fit into her workplace.
This feels like the beginning of the end. I don’t mean that as a jab at the quality of the issue, but the entire book just felt like a culmination of a career. This is a retirement promo, a season finale. This is the end. The slideshow of Dick’s life was quite insightful; it showcased some of the recent New 52 stories, some pre-Flashpoint events and an alternate future of Gotham’s last Grayson.
Sovereign is an intriguing mythological world, with many different factions all occupying the same time. Issue 1 follows numerous groups throughout this fantasy world, shedding light on the different kinds of people that share the lands.
This week, Jack and Dan are joined once again by Mathew Wilmot. The trio discuss the latest casting news, argue about Magneto #1, recap 52 #9 and #10 and finish things off with their most surreal dramatic reading so far. Finally, they reveal their next Comic Book of the Month!
Hello, welcome, good day and how the fuck are ya doin’? Welcome to another Papercuts and Inkstains, and it’s the second of our special treats for you as this time around, we are talking with one of comics most shocking, sensory overloading, sublime artists, Mr Darick Robertson!
Approaching Gail Simone’s Tomb Raider comic book companion to the award-winning game was a little like putting a toe into a warm bath. I was apprehensive, unsure if Lara Croft could survive the leap from a game that was still rubbing up fans the wrong way with such a thorough reboot of the character, and into the pages of a comic. However, as Lara always does, she made the jump not only safely, but with the finesse of a trained gymnast.
Written by Sinestro, Deadpool and Sixth Gun writer Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Gabriel Hernandez Walta who has worked on Thunderbolts and Astonishing X-Men, this comic straight away sets the tone of what’s to come. Walta’s art is darker, grittier and much less superhero-y than tradition Marvel comics. What Bunn and Walta are doing is carving the way for a disillusioned Magneto to renew his vendetta against those who oppose mutantkind.
The team welcome a new member and travel back in time to 1996. They watch on in awe as the Marvel and DC heroes fight. And they peer into the cosmic abyss to find a place called The Amalgam Universe! Once their mission is over they will be know as The Challengers Of The Fantastic.
The penultimate issue of Forever Evil has arrived, and yet again I am impressed and eagerly awaiting next month. This issue really impressed me in a number of ways, so instead of a typical plot overview; I’m just going to tell you the bits that I loved. For the sake of this particular review I’m going to start with the ending first, so spoiler alert if you’ve not actually read the comic and intend on doing so.
I don’t know about you, but as a child I loved Flash Gordon. I loved the film, the concept, the idea of a man taken to another Galaxy and tasked with saving it, defending it and bringing peace to it, all whilst wearing a rad spacesuit. But what happens after the wars are won, peace is restored and McDonalds offers the olive branch of peace whilst opening a store on deepest, darkest Mongo?
This week, Jack and Dan are joined by Rob Richardson from expertcomics.com. The trio discuss the Guardians of the Galaxy trailer, Fantastic Four casting news, their best/worst comics of the week and 52 Week 8. Lastly, they treat (subject?) the listeners to Knightfall: The Musical.
Now last issue I know I said I wasn’t looking forward to this and if I wasn’t obsessed with completion I would have stopped subbing to the series. I can safely say that this issue was much better than I expected, and a complete shift in tone from most of the other Forever Evil stories. Most of the issue is a flashback told by Dr. Magnus; the creator of the Metal Men. Now as I said last week, I know very little about Cyborg and I know even less about Magnus and the Metal Men, so this origin flashback is new stuff to me!
I know last week I really praised Batman and Two-Face but I’m finding it difficult to word how much I enjoyed this issue. This issue just seemed to have everything; action, drama, suspense. I think I can say, without lying or exaggerating, this is probably one of the best comics I have ever read. This is the closing issue of the Two-Face story arc and it begins with a courthouse inferno. The interesting thing is, despite this being a highly tense action scene; complete with fire and guns, the main focus is on the dialogue between Two-Face and Batman.