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tstarnes

tstarnes

The proprietor of the Complete Marvel Reading Order, Travis is a freelance writer from Houston, TX with a passion for technology, comics, and pop culture. Beyond cataloging comics for The Complete Marvel Reading Order, Travis writes for several other blogs.

Rouges Gallery Returns

Posted by tstarnes  News  No Responses »
May 212012
 

by Josh Starnes, CMRO Editor

The Rouges Gallery Returns to the Flash

For the next trick in their post-New 52 plans for The Flash writer-artist-colorist team Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are bringing the Rogues Gallery back into Barry Allen’s world the duo announced in an interview on Friday.

“Everything has been a build-up to where we are.  Every single beat and every single thread, even from the Mob Rule story ark,” Manapul said.

They idea of the Rogues was a natural one, he said, tying into his overall theme for the first year of the series of the Flash being “overwhelmed, physically and emotionally.”

The re-introduction will begin in issues #11 and #12 and continue on into the Flash Annual. They will begin appearing slowly at first, Manapul said, slowly gathering steam before appearing in the Annual en masse.

However, Manapul stated, not all of the Rogues will make an appearance at first, with Flash Annual #1 featuring some of the classic members of the group while others may rotate at in during other stories as needed.

As part of his remit to introduce the Flash to a new Generation, Manapul has been re-inventing some classic Flash characters, such as Gorilla Grodd. Some of that re-invention will carry over into the new Rogues Gallery as well, though many will retain their classic designs, Manapul said.

 

Avengers vs X-Men #4 Review

Posted by tstarnes  Issue Review, Marvel Reviews  No Responses »
May 202012
 

by Nick Walden, CMRO Contributing Writer

Avengers vs X-Men

Issue #4

Written by Jonathan Hickman, Art by John Romita Jr

Published: July 2012

Somehow this book has become a sort of summary issue. In case you aren’t reading all of the other books involved in the crossover (like me) you can grab this issue to get a bunch of quick updates. It is like getting Sportscenter highlights on the days’ action. First note, Jonathan Hickman is the lead on this issue backed up by the art of John Romita Jr.

The shining moment for this entire book is the interaction between Hope and Wolverine. Really this made the entire issue great to me. We finally had some honest to God dialogue with substance about what is going on and motivations. From there everything was a little hit and miss. I liked a lot of the action sequences as we bounced around the Marvel Universe getting in touch with everything that was happening. I didn’t like the overall disconnect I felt with most of the characters because we had so little time to do more than peek at what is happening. But the plot moved along very steadily and it really seems like the story is unfolding well with a good amount of tension and solid set-up for the next parts. Also there was a nice twist in the end.

Romita Jr.’s art was good but I wish someone else would have been on board to take this book to another level. He really did better than I expected but my experience with him has lead to the bar being set in the middle.

All things considered I bumped this book up to a solid 9 out of 10. If you are reading the crossover then you need to read this book. For the casual fan it comprises too many issues so you can’t just pick it up to enjoy without getting massively confused.

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CMRO Update (05/19/2012)

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May 202012
 

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Scarlet Spider #5 Review

Posted by tstarnes  Issue Review, Marvel Reviews  No Responses »
May 192012
 

by Dylan Duarte, CMRO Contributing Writer

Scarlet Spider

Issue #5

Written by Christopher Yost, Art by Neil Edwards

Published: July 2012

Writer Christ Yost deserves a lot of credit for taking a character who is beyond ridiculous on paper and turning him into not only a serious character, but a compelling one. The Scarlet Spider is nonsense from head-to-toe, and yet here he is, a legitimately interesting character headlining an equally interesting title. Not to sound pretentious, but in a way The Scarlet Spider illustrates one of the all-time great things about comic books: taking the absurd and making it believable.

It’s issue five of Scarlet Spider and our web-slinging doppleganger finds himself in Houston, Texas. It’s more than a little odd to think of a superhero in Texas, but good on Yost (or whoever made the decision) for taking a stab at an unfamiliar setting and penciler Neil Edwards for making Houston feel very much unlike New York. It only feels odd because they’re trying something new, which is something we should always embrace.

The Scarlet Spider is technically an anti-hero, but he’s really just an angry superhero. Police Officer Wally Layton and our hero are sniffing out a bomb that a right-wing radical group has planted somewhere in the city and the Spider gets plenty of opportunity to work on his Jack Bauer impression. The action is exciting and the plot compelling, but notice how I said “right-wing” group? This issue carries some pretty heavy political tones that I’m not crazy about. It has nothing to do with my political views, as I’m liberal as all get-out, but the lack of subtlety made it hard to take seriously. I realize that “right-wing extremist groups” are an actual problem, but once Yost goes into detail about them targeting abortion clinics and homosexuals, it feels a little forced.

Hopefully this issue was the end of that problem. It’s still a good issue in a solid series.

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Wolverine #306 Review

Posted by tstarnes  Issue Review, Marvel Reviews  No Responses »
May 192012
 

by Dylan Duarte, CMRO Contributing Writer

Wolverine

Issue #306

Written by Cullen Bunn, Art by Paul Pelletier

Published: July 2012

There’s a reason Wolverine is such a popular character and Cullen Bunn knows that reason. It’s the darkness and maturity that surrounds the character. People read Wolverine for two different, but equally important reasons: to see Logan struggle with his inner demons, and to see that inner demon win and tear people to shreds. It’s a simple but effective concept. Issue 306 continues the Rot storyline, in which Wolverine finds himself up against a foe who makes his barbaric indulgences look like child’s play. And not only has Dr. Rot been on a villainous murder spree, killing innocent people and removing their brains, but Wolverine has been framed for the crimes.

Bunn doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the nitty gritty. We see Wolverine’s healing effect in full force here after he suffers some devastatingly brutal injuries at the hands of some Deliverance-esque hillbillies. There’s also some fairly graphic content involving someone’s exposed brain. And yet none of this is done for shock and awe or to appease gorehounds. Bunn uses this imagery (wonderfully displayed by BLANK and BLANK) to illustrate the morbid nature of Dr. Rot and the lengths in which Wolverine is willing to go to stop a killer.

There’s the fugitive subplot involving the law enforcement looking for Wolverine, and while it isn’t poorly done, it’s nowhere near as exciting as the Dr. Rot plot thread. How could it be? In one you have law enforcement agents questioning Logan’s ex as to his whereabouts, in the other you have Wolverine, fully embracing his berserker rage and stalking deranged hillbillies. Wolverine is the best at what he does, and what he does is brutal murder in the most entertaining fashion. I’m greatly anticipating the conclusion to the Rot storyline, if only to see Rot get torn to pieces.

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CMRO Update (05/18/2012)

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May 192012
 

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Hulk #2 Review

Posted by tstarnes  Issue Review, Marvel Reviews  No Responses »
May 192012
 

by Charlie Brooks, CMRO Contributing Writer

Hulk

Issue #2

Written by Jeph Loeb, Art by Ed McGuinnes

Published: February 2008

Hulk #2 continues the mystery of who the red Hulk is and actually presents it as a mystery rather than a typical Jeph Loeb plot for a change – at least for the most part.

We don’t find out yet what General Ross and Doc Samson got out of Bruce Banner at the end of last issue, because this one takes place back aboard the SHIELD Helicarrier where we find out that SHIELD has a gun big enough for the Hulk to use. The reason is never explained, but there we have it.

The talking bits don’t last long before the red Hulk attacks. He proceeds to trash the She-Hulk and leave her nearly dead before disappearing. He runs into General Ross and Doc Samson, apparently beating them up off-panel. Then he pummels Iron Man before escaping. And that’s pretty much the entire issue.

On the bright side, the fight is entertaining and well-depicted by Ed McGuinness. So if not a lot is going to happen, at least there are pretty pictures to look at.

In terms of the mystery, Loeb actually gives us a few hints here that are real hints and not just red herrings. For example, the red Hulk only growls when he attacks Iron Man, but She-Hulk states that he was capable of speaking. We find out for sure that he was indeed able to speak at the end of the issue when he confronts Rick Jones. And speaking of Rick, who apparently is now the gamma creature known as “A-Bomb,” we find out that he knows the red Hulk’s human form enough to talk with him in a familiar tone outside of Gamma Base. (How Rick got from Alaska last issue to New Mexico this issue in what is apparently a day or less is a mystery that will remain forever unsolved.)

Hindsight is kind of a pain, though, and reading this story with the knowledge of who the red Hulk actually is really highlights how thoroughly Loeb cheated in this one. Not to ruin things just yet, but the red Hulk’s human form is somebody on-board the Helicarrier. And apparently, that somebody has magically regenerating clothes, because he appears in his human form moments after being in Hulk form, torn up pants and all, without any hint that the reader can pick up on as to the change. The biggest weakness of Loeb’s mysteries is that he cares too much about tricking the reader, and will resort to cheap tactics like this, removing hints where they should be in hopes that the reader won’t pick up on it.

Aside from the mystery cheating and the fact that the book has very little content to it, this is not a bad comic. It’s basically one big fight scene, true, but the fight scene is at least well-drawn. There are some legitimate hints about the nature of the red Hulk, even if his identity is deliberately obscured. And now we have the question of why Rick Jones is a gamma creature again. Two issues in, the red Hulk storyline isn’t great, but it is enjoyable.

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The New Avengers #26 Review

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May 182012
 

by Nick Walden, CMRO Contributing Writer

The New Avengers

Issue #26

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Art by Mike Deodato Jr

Published: July 2012

One word summary – interesting. This series continues to impress me. Part of it has to do with it being abnormal in some respects to the other Avengers series. Brian Bendis has done a nice job with the story and cast of characters to really pique my interest even with a story line that arcs a little bit further out from what was expected with the AvX cross over.

In this book we get more of Master Yu Ti and his quest to deal with the Phoenix Force. Part of the plan ends up being DaVinci showing up to help. Now I like the DaVinci character as it has older roots in the universe and whenever a story brings in concepts from earlier times I get a little excited. Fongji, Shao Lao, and the Phoenix Force make for an interesting power triangle especially when you consider that the power of the Iron Fist is in play as well.

To go with the interesting story (note: this means other people might not like the lack of real Avengers in the book but I think it is a great change of pace) we have the outstanding art of Mike Deodato. Honestly you can’t get much better than what this guy brings to the table. His big scenes are always fantastic with tons of details. Honestly I think he is in the top 2 or 3 comic artists for his ability to create an amazing scene especially when given the space to work.

The final review is a beefy 9 out of 10. I think some fans will be miffed about the lack of Avenger action but the story line does tie into AvX and it is a cool bit of variety that I think works as part of the crossover and also by itself. Pick up the book and enjoy it!

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CMRO Update (05/17/2012)

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May 182012
 

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First Trailer for CW’s Arrow Released

Posted by tstarnes  News  No Responses »
May 172012
 

by Travis Starnes, CMRO Editor

CW Releases the first trailer for the Arrow

Following their success with superman on the small screen with Smallville, DC is sending another of its storied characters.  This time it is the lower profile Green Arrow getting the TV treatment, as the character is set to take center role in his own TV show on the CW.  The show features Stephen Amell in the title roll.  The trailer gives us a quick look at his archery and athletic prowess, but shows little of what the show will be.

 

CMRO Update (05/15/2012)

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May 172012
 

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Kirkman Gets Fourth Printing

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May 162012
 

by Travis Starnes, CMRO Editor

Robert Kirmans’ Thief of Thieves Gets Fourth Printing

Robert Kirkman, best know for his two smash hits The Walking Dead and Invincible, looks to have another hit on his hands.  Once again writing under the aucpices of Image Comics, Kirkmans’ new offering follows a recent trend of crime centric comics to show up on the shelves.  All three of the first issues have been selling fast and are each scheduled to get their fourth printing, while his lattest issue in the series heads for its third printing.

While the latest runs of the title are off to the printers, the third printing of issues #1 – #3 are on their way to stores this month (the 16th for issue #1 and the 23rd for issues #2 and #3), along with the second printing of issue #4 and the latest issue, #5, set for June.

Working with Nick Spencer, recently of Morning Glories, and Shawn Martinbrough, this series follows Redmond, a thief who decides to leave the life of crime behind him in order to spend more time with his family.  Things do not work out as smoothly as Redmond, aka Conrad Paulson, would like as he finds his home life not the tranquil retirement he wanted.

Not surprisingly, due to the popularity of his Walking Dead based TV show, AMC has optioned this title for a TV run as well, attaching Chic Eglee of Dexter to helm the project.  Kirkman holds his raining place as the current golden boy of the comic industry.

 

 

CMRO Update (05/14/2012)

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May 162012
 

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4 Minute Amazing Spider-Man Trailer Released

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May 152012
 

by Travis Starnes, CMRO Editor

Newest Look at the Amazing Spider-Man

Good 4 minute long trailer released for the Amazing Spider-Man.  Lots of shots of Cumberbatch in civies and as Spider-Man, and a lot of action shots.  Still only flashes of the Lizard.  Best guess says that they will hold him back until release to try and build anticipation for the film.  The Amazing Spider-Man is scheduled to release on July 3rd.

 

CMRO Update (05/13/2012)

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May 142012
 

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