Review by Chris Fenn
Coming in to this issue I didn’t know what to expect. I have seen the front cover advertised in previous ‘Bat’ comics, and I read the preview from Batman #28, but in all honesty I sort of didn’t know what to expect.
I am happy to say that this seems like a welcome blend of suspense, action and mystery. I feel like I’m going to like this comic.
The beginning of the comic really made me think of Grant Morrison. Now I know I seem to say that an awful lot, but hear me out; the city being on fire with Batman at the heart of the destruction seems very reminiscent of Damian’s possible future from Incorporated. I love the disembodied voice talking at Bruce, and the intensity and pain in the eyes of the fallen Batman.
The set up with the new cop was really nice. I don’t believe I’ve seen the corrupt cop before, but he reminded me of Flass, or at least that sort of dirty, power hungry archetype. I found that despite most of the cops being new they all fit in well and felt familiar; they had enough depth and character that I could believe in them all without wanting an entire issue dedicated to the GCPD.
The obvious mystery of this story will be what happened to Jim. As the reader we saw the gun Jim saw, but seemingly nobody else did. Is this all a dream? Is there somebody manipulating perception? Does this mean that Gotham may not really be burning? I certainly don’t know; but I do intend to keep on reading and find out!
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on April 10th, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman Eternal #1 Review, Bruce Wayne, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, James Tynion IV, Jim Gordon, John Layman, Ray Fawkes, Scott Snyder, Tim Seeley
Reviewed by Chris Fenn
I just want to start off by saying I’m not a reader of Constantine. That’s not to say I dislike him, but I’ve just – well – never read any of his stuff. The Forever Evil event was my jumping in platform to the Constantine series, and to date I own a whopping two issues; so maybe I’m not the best guy to review Constantine… or maybe that makes me the best guy to review Constantine!
For those of you who don’t read the Forever Evil books and tie-ins the plot of this issue directly follows Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger #15 and is part of the Blight aspect of the Forever Evil event; which has as little focus on Ultraman and his mates as possible and instead focuses on Constantine et al fighting the collective manifestation of every humans inner evil; Blight.
This issue follows the gangs trip to Heaven to confront God; they want to know why he is allowing all of these awful things to happen and not do a thing about it. When they approach Heaven’s gates they come across Zauriel and The Spectre who try to deter them, but ultimately The Voice comes to hear them all out.
In a very Ghosts of Christmas sort of way The Voice shows Constantine what all of his friends have been subject to and why they continue to fight; but in the process of explaining how good some of his friends are he shows Constantine how much of a crap person he is, which makes Constantine flee the shores of Heaven.
When he gets back to the House of Mystery he tries to capture an Angel to fight for him, but the angel chooses to fight willingly because Constantine is fighting for Zatanna and for love (isn’t that sweet!). The final page of the issue really hypes you up to read the next instalment as we see the House of Mystery fly straight into the jaws of Oblivion – or more aptly into the jaws of Blight.
I actually enjoyed this issue, it seems quite slow paced and is more character building and inward reflection from Constantine. In terms of action this issue is minimal – we see The Spectre throw one punch and grab the Phantom Stranger and that’s about it, so if you’re reading this for an epic issue long fight you may be disappointed.
I don’t quite know what I expected from this issue, as it seemed obvious they weren’t going to kill God or anything too drastic, but it felt like a bit of filler at the same time. Enjoyable filler – like the stuff in a custard cream – but filler none the less.
Click HERE to view the Constantine series!
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on January 19th, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Blight, Constantine, Constantine #10 Review, DC Comics, forever evil, Phantom Stranger, Ray Fawkes, Spectre, Zauriel
By Kyle Coleman
ONI PRESS #1’s on Comixology!
First things first, here’s the link to the Oni Press section on Comixology. Now I’m going to list my Top Ten free comics and give you a quick sentence or two about each book.
To help you get those books downloaded and into your brain!
OKAY, HERE WE GO!!!
Lost At Sea by Brian Lee O’Malley
10. Lost At Sea by Brian Lee O’Malley @radiomaru – I really enjoyed this book and it was this book in particular that really made me understand that Oni wasn’t kidding when they said they believed comics could be used to tell any story.
Possessions by Ray Fawkes
9. Possessions by Ray Fawkes @RayFawkes – An incredibly fun comic to read! Gotta read it to believe it!
Bad Medicine by Nunzio Defilippis and Christina Weir
8. Bad Medicine by Nunzio Defilippis and Christina Weir @CWWeir – I’m a big fan of this dark and supernatural crime comic
Coldest City by Antony Johnston and Sam Hart
7. The Coldest City by Antony Johnston @antonyjohnston and Sam Hart – This is one of those comics that bring you back to getting lost in all those metal gear solid stories. SPY!
The Sixth Gun by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt
6. The Sixth Gun by Cullen Bunn @cullenbunn and Brian Hurtt @brihurtt – YOU BETTER GO BUY THIS WESTERN COMIC! It’s better than anything your great granddaddy could have ever dreamed of. Hope you’re not afraid of spirits!
Wasteland by Chris Mitten and Antony Johnston
5. Wasteland by Chris Mitten and Antony Johnston @antonyjohnston – I’ve read every issue of Wasteland and it’s one of my all-time favorites. This first issue is 50 free pages long!
Courtney Crumrin & The Night Things by Ted Naifeh
4. Courtney Crumrin & The Night Things by Ted Naifeh @TedNaifeh – What can I say… Courtney Crumrin is a character you need to see to believe. What a great creation and filled with fantastic art.
Black Metal by Rick Spears and Chuck BB
3. Black Metal by Rick Spears @RickSpears and Chuck BB @ChuckBB – Dark Metal mayhem as these twins have you laughing all the way to hell.
One Soul by Ray Fawkes
2. One Soul by Ray Fawkes @RayFawkes – One Soul is an incredibly deep book and is beautifully poetic. Loved this book!
Guerillas Issue 1 and Guerillas V2 by Brahm Revel
1. Guerillas Issue 1 and Guerillas V2 by Brahm Revel @elrevel – Guerillas takes this honor. These books are everything that a comic should be. Brahm Revel knows how to take you away and put you amongst smoking chimps trained to kill. Very little comes close to Guerillas in my book.
So there you have it! That’s my list and tweet me out with your thoughts at @comicskyle on twitter.
Posted on November 23rd, 2012
Category: KYLE'S COFFEE CORNER, NEWS & VIEWS
Tags: Antony Johnston, Bad Medicine, Ben Templesmith, Black Metal, Brahm Revel, Brian Hurtt, Brian Lee O’Malley, Christina Weir, Chuck BB, Coldest City, Comics Kyle, Courtney Crumrin & The Night Things, Cullen Bunn, Guerillas, Kyle Coleman, KYLE’S COFFEE CORNER, Lost At Sea, Nunzio Defilippis, One Soul, ONI Press, Possessions, Ray Fawkes, Rick Spears, Sam Hart, Ted Naifeh, The Sixth Gun, Wasteland
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