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Archive for the ‘COMICS’ Category
X-Men Noir REVIEW
Where Spider-man Noir was a Superhero origin story set in a dark and gritty Dick Tracy-like world, X-Men Noir is a pure crime/mystery story set in the real world with the characters just a shadow of themselves…
X-Men Noir takes place in a very real world. Missing are the over-the-top villains and the sense of hope that were found in Spider-man Noir. You are thrust right into the story, with the death of one of the X-Men. No origin story here… just pure straight up crime/mystery fiction. Many of the characters stay true to their original selves yet with a very gritty and realistic twist to each of them. Not to give anything away but it’s very much a “The Brotherhood vs The X-Men” story so you will see the familiar faces like Magneto, Quicksilver, Wolverine, Cyclops and the other original X-Men. The one main flaw… X-Men Noir just has too many characters in it that very few of them actually ever get fleshed out. Unless you know your X-Men and their vast history, you will find it hard to truly know the characters that are set before you. Oddly enough, Wolverine is an afterthought in the story.
The art is very good and almost reflects a very Jae Lee (Dark Tower) look to it at times. Unfortunately that is also its downfall as some of the characters become hard to distinguish as they do not wear their “colorful” costumes but instead the trench coats and suits of the time period. Coupled with the fact that there are probably 20 X-Men (and 1 Golden Age) characters in the book, you can find yourself lost and unsure who is getting shot or beat up by who (or was that another character they just introduced?!?). Not good for what one would call a visual crime/mystery novel where keeping up with what is going on is a priority.
All in all, the X-Men Noir world has some promise and is worth taking a look into if you are a diehard X-Men fan or love crime/mystery novels. Don’t come expecting “super-heroics” as the only way anyone is heroic during these times is with a pair of fists and/or a gun. With that said, it is nice seeing someone’s realistic take on the X-Men, as if they were NOT mutants and living in the 1930’s, so it will be interesting to see where this story goes from here.
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Spider-Man NOIR Review
With all of the Secret Dark Crisis of Final Invasion stories we have been hit with over the past few years, it is nice to see Marvel flesh out with a few interesting ideas every once and awhile. Even though this is more “Elseworlds” than anything… Spider-man Noir still has enough to make it interesting…
To be honest, there is very little in the current Spider-man world that we have found interesting. We miss the days when we could have a cool Spider-man story that isn’t effected by some story-line altering crossover every year. Sure Peter revealing his identity will change the status quo and sell a bunch of books and him rewriting everything and not being married will piss off about 90% off Spider-man fans… but when do we get some true Spider-man fun and excitement?!? Don’t even say that Ultimate Spidey is the way to go for what we want as it is so “written for the trade” that Marvel Age Spidey is more fun. How we miss the days of the Romita drawn stories.
Well good news as marvel is starting to take some risk and introduce their characters in more alternate worlds/timelines that feel fresh. Sure we have 2009, 1602, Earth X, and even the Fairy Tale stories but now we have what we call “Ultimate Elseworlds” of Marvel characters. The first UE to explore? Marvel NOIR.
As any definition for NOIR, Spider-man Noir takes place in a bleak urban environment with dark and corrupt characters all around. This time it’s during the Great Depression and features Peter as a young activist with hate and rage inside and no way to express it. Lucky for him he meets Ben Urich and away he goes to be introduced to such characters as “The Goblin” and his circus freaks (Kraven, Vulture, and one more we won’t spoil). In addition, you are introduced to this world’s “Black Cat” which introduces a new take on the classic character.
The story is very good (if you like Superman Red Son then you have an idea what you are getting into story and character wise… albeit in a non-russian/cold war setting) but suffers a little from this being an “origin” story. It does however do well in creating very noir inspired characters who are truly dark and corrupt. If someone can actually take The Vulture and make him someone to be feared then the book must be worth a read, right?
Come for the story and stay for the art… as the art is not to be missed. If you are a Kaare Andrews (Spider-Man Reign) or Frank Miller (Dark Knight Returns) fan then the art will satisfy you. No it does not surpass either of these extremely talented artists but it does a good job in portraying the world that Spidey finds himself in.
All in all, Spider-man Noir is a good read that is a must own for any Spider-man fan and a must read for anyone looking for something unique but can’t break the addiction to the mainstream heroes. At just over $13, for the Hardcover, this is a great deal for anyone looking to see what the Marvel Noir-verse has to offer. Plus it gives a little tease as to who you can expect in a future story-line…
P.S. Don’t worry too much about the gun that Spider-man is holding as his Aunt gives him hell for it…
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Guardians of the Galaxy
This is a series where you wouldn’t be surprised if the team’s leader was yelling “Yippee kay-yay” as the talking Raccoon was leaving signs on the fallen bad guys that read “Now I have a machine gun”. In a day and age where comics are full of doom and gloom, Guardians of the Galaxy harkens back to the days of yesteryear where over the top action and adventure filled the pages. If you are a fan of Star Wars, Buck Rogers, or even Police Academy… then this series is for you.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 1: Legacy
Product Description
Launching out of Annihilation: Conquest, Marvel’s sci-fi heroes unite to protect the cosmos! Back-to-back Annihilation wars have weakened the boundaries of our universe. Dark gods and monsters are seeping through the cracks, reigning horror upon those still reeling from the recent calamities. In the face of terror, who stands to defend a desperate universe? Star-Lord and his squad of butt-kickers – the modern day Guardians of the Galaxy! You’ve heard that Annihilation: Conquest rocks – the guy at the comic shop keeps telling you to try Nova – well, now’s your chance to experience the glory that writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and artist Paul Pelletier can unleash! All this…plus a wise-cracking raccoon and a telepathic dog! C’mon, people, time to lock and load! Collecting Guardians of the Galaxy #1-6.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 2: War Of Kings
Product Description
A new line-up! And Star-Lord… missing! The shocking revelations made at the end of their Secret Invasion adventure have ripped the team apart! Is there anyone left to continue the task of guarding the galaxy? Who are the new additions to the team? Is this volume going to be packed full of shocks and surprises? This is DnA and Pelletier…so what do you think? Join the book that has IGN.com raving: “It’s witty, it’s fun, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite monthly titles from Marvel.” Collects Guardians of the Galaxy #7-12.
Star Wars Legacy
As we begin to grow and add new features, we thought we would take this time to explore more into the comic side of entertainment. Star Wars has been around for generations and will probably be around until the end of time (or at least until God and Death duke it out with some lightsabers… which we are hoping is possible in Scribblenauts*). If you are a hardcore Star Wars fan, you have heard of the excellent comic series over at Dark Horse Comics. If you are not a hardcore fan, then there is a chance that you missed out. But don’t worry… we are here to get you hooked!
Broken (Star Wars: Legacy, Vol. 1)
Product Description
The Jedi Temple is attacked, an Emperor is betrayed, and the Sith are born anew! A lot can happen in a hundred years, but that’s just the beginning of the story! Not since Luke Skywalker first stepped aboard the Millennium Falcon has the galaxy seemed like such a vast, exciting, dangerous place! Readers will meet a host of new characters, see fleets of new spaceships, and visit scores of exotic locations – some new and some familiar. This is a perfect jumping-on point for any reader – an epic beginning to an untold chapter of the greatest adventure in the universe!
Shards (Star Wars: Legacy, Vol. 2)
Product Description
Cade Skywalker returns to the place of his father’s last stand against the Sith and finds far more than ghosts in this volume filled with revelations about the future of Star Wars! Discover how the Empire joined forces with the Sith to defeat the Galactic Alliance in the war to dominate the galaxy – only to have Darth Krayt and his legion of followers usurp ultimate power for themselves! Follow the fate of an Empire divided, with battles pitting stormtrooper against stormtrooper, and Sith assassins bent on taking the life of deposed Emperor Roan Fel! Witness a galaxy in turmoil, and the decisions that will shape its future forever!
Claws of the Dragon (Star Wars: Legacy, Vol. 3)
Product Description
“Claws of the Dragon” – one hundred years after the events in Return of the Jedi, Luke’s descendent Cade Skywalker is captured by the Sith, Emperor Darth Krayt unveils his true identity, and a secret chapter in the life of Obi-Wan Kenobi is revealed. When Cade attempts to rescue the Jedi he turned over to the Sith during his days as a bounty hunter, the last Skywalker soon finds himself in the clutches of Darth Krayt. There, Cade must confront his past and decide once and for all: will he remain the Emperor’s prisoner or become his thrall? Learn whether the Skywalker line lives up to the triumph of Luke or returns to the tragedy of Anakin!
*Please contact them (http://www.scribblenauts.com/) to request lightsabers and maybe even chain lightning as we all know how cool it would be to take your character and slice away at vampires, zombies, and school children oh my!
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