So, this is a blog, and I am a blogger that is too fucking lazy to do stuff regularly, seeing as its been a few months since I've blogged. Honestly, though, I've had stuff come up in my life that prevented me from doing this. However, it's a new year and with a new year comes me trying to blog for an entire year. Then again, SOPA may not let me do this stuff anymore. BUT SCREW THEM!!! I'll blog until they rip this thing from my cold, dead hands. Sure, I might be moving to a Tumblr soon but for the time being, Blogger is my home for randomness that I need to write about, and I'm ready to start doing that again. To commemorate this monumental moment, I'm doing a double post day, starting with a crap-load of comic reviews.
Amazing Spider-Man #677
Technically, this came out last week, but my LCS didn't put it in my pull for the week, so I had to wait until today to read this issue. Actually, I'm kind of happy that I didn't get it until this week because I was able to read this and Daredevil #8 back to back. Dan Slott got to take a break and start working on some of the future issues and Mark Waid steps in for the first part of this Daredevil/Spider-Man team-up. I'm not going to bore you with a full review, seeing as it came out last week, so I'll just jump to my thoughts about it.
I thought that this was a really well done issue. Waid comes back to Spidey like he never left in the first place as his dialogue is top notch. I loved the characterization of Black Cat in this issue, as she is instantly able to pick up on Peter's weak attempts for some booty. Surprisingly, the art by Emma Rios does not put me off like it did during the "Shed" arc. All the characters looked amazing (yes, it's a pun) and, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wouldn't be too upset if Emma got a small arc on ASM in the future. The only problem I have is that Peter is moping around about his break up with Carlie now, instead of after Spider-Island or during the Vulture arc.
Grade: A-
Daredevil #8
The second part of the Spidey/Daredevil team up, this time from DD's view. And let's just say that his view is more fun than Spidey's. Not only does he have some kick-ass moves (that helicopter move was just awesome), but he gets to do something Spidey can't: make out with Black Cat. Though Spider-Man takes a back seat in this issue, the overall quality of the issue is very good, possibly better than the first part in Amazing. The story wraps up pretty well while also setting up a few very interesting plot lines for the future.
Again, Waid brings his A-game like he always does, though he seems more comfortable in Daredevil than he did in Amazing. I really enjoyed the banter between all three of the main characters, but the Daredevil and Black Cat dialogue was outstanding. Though Spidey doesn't have as much face time as expected, the times that he was shown was good. Art for this issue was done by Kano, who I was unfamiliar with until this point. However, now that I've seen a sampling of his art, I wouldn't mind if he was the artist that takes the other artist position on this book in the place of Marcos Martin (still really miss him).
Grade: A
Amazing Spider-Man #678
Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos return to Amazing Spider-Man to kick of one of the two two-part stories that lead up to "Ends of the Earth". Now, you would think that since the big mega important arc is coming up in a few months, that the book would be a little kinder to Spidey, like the calm before the storm. Thankfully, it isn't, as Dan and Humberto knock this issue out of the park in the first part of a future two parter. Dealing with trying to stop an apocalyptic future, Spidey teams up with a co-worker from Horizon to do everything and try to stop the future but, to this point, with no prevail.
As mentioned, Dan and Ramos return after brief lay offs for both. The storytelling was phenomenal and though it deals with the possible destruction of a city, Dan still packs the story with plenty of humor (the F.A.C.A.D.E. for one) and the small little moments that make this book one of the best on the shelves (Bambi is back? I'm game). Not to be outdone, Humberto returns for his first "Spider-Man" issue of Amazing since the finale of Spider-Island. His artwork is top notch and it really makes me wonder how I doubted this guys work when he was announced during the Big Time announcement. With this rotation of Ramos, Caselli, and Camuncoli, Spider-Man has never been better.
Grade: A+
Ultimate Spider-Man #6
Now this, this here is the Ultimate Spider-Man I've loved. Though the first arc was very good, it was nice to have some Spider-Man action. Bendis answers some of the prayers of the readers and finally kicks the book into high gear with two very interesting character arcs. One deals with Miles and developing his Spider-Man prowless while also having a deep and interesting conversation with his mom not too unlike the one he had with his dad a few issues ago. The other storyline, dealing with Aaron, introduces us to the new Scorpion and introduces Aaron to the new Spider-Man.
Bendis returns to the roots of Ultimate Spider-Man with some good old fashion Spider-Man action while also dealing with his personal life. I totally love the idea that Ganke has about Miles learning the way of the Spider from Peter Parker himself, via video. Art is not by Sara Pichelli this issue; instead, it is by Chris Samnee, who did the final issue of the Death of Spider-Man prelude. Though not as clean as Sara's work, I do enjoy Chris' work, especially when it is pair with the amazing Justin Ponsor.
Grade: A-
Venom #12
Though not the book I was looking forward to the most, the latest issue of Venom by Rick Remender and Lan Medina was definitely not on to be over looked. Continuing on the Vegas storyline, this issue is the penultimate one until the Circle of Four and it finally brings the "buddies" Flash and Jack to fisticuffs. The one thing that I was pumped on seeing was the Toxin symbiote, as it's been a while since it was seen; heck, even referenced. The Venom-Jack O'Lantern fight was definitely worth the wait and the outcome from it (Flash breaking up with Betty and hitting the bottle) definitely has me pumped for the future of this book.
Kinda going under the radar by a good number of people, Venom continues to be a gem to read. Remender is telling one hell of a tale here and I am totally pumped for the Circle of Four storyline starting up. By the sounds of it, whatever Rick touches is gold so I'm happy that he is sticking with Venom for what seems like the long run. Lan Medina, the new ongoing artist, does a great job illustrating the beasted-out Venom and does a great job with the Venom-Jack fight and probably draws my favorite panel in the series so far: when Flash is chilling with the bum and the Venom shadow is behind him. Great stuff.
Grade: A
Batman #5
Finally, Batman #5 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. What can I say about this book that hasn't been said from every issue from this series? This issue was phenomenal and was one of the most trippy things I've ever read. The idea of changing the orientation of the comic, though not new overall, was a first for me and threw me for a loop when it started up. However, once I realized how it tied into Bruce's ongoing battle in his mind, I loved it. Though the story really didn't get much added to it, it may be because the entire issue doesn't happen; it's all an illusion in Bruce's mind. I loved the spread page showing everyone trying to find any sign of live from Bruce and the final page with Damian was heart-wrenching.
Snyder and Capullo have been killing it on this book. Every time I read this book, I'm happy that I decided to give it a chance. Not originally a DC guy, Batman was my favorite hero growing up and, when the Flashpoint reboot came up, I decided give Batman a chance and man, am I happy I did that. The art was jarring in a good way, the kind that makes you paranoid along with Bruce. And the way that Scott writes Bruce, fighting his mental battle, it truly is something amazing.
Grade: A+
Alright, its approaching 1:30 in the morning here and I've got a 8:25 class in the morning so I should probably get to bed. Later today when I have the chance, I'm making my official predictions for the highest grossing films in 2012. Hope you enjoy the reviews!
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