Another Weekly Webcomic Report for the week of 2/14/11 – 2/20/11.

(via ifanboy by austin)

“We All Gotta Make Tough Choices”
And here is another installment of ‘WWTT?’ I apologize for my lack of consistency, but funds have been limited and I had to make a cut back in the comics department. Nonetheless, with a new ‘ish’ of Walking Dead out this week I had to get my butt back in the shop. Another change I am making is that I will not be sticking to the original model of this segment. While I originally was planning on critiquing the bad and weird of the week’s comic issues, I am generally just going to be reviewing that best of what I’ve read each week. Primarily because I can only read so many comics a week and they are usually specific titles. So… lets jump into the goodies of this week!

**warning: this post contains some spoilers!!!**

X-FORCE: SEX & VIOLENCE (3of3):
For the past year, and then some, the re-vamped X-Force title has been one of my favorite monthlies because it’s a title that has shown deep and dark development for some of my favorite characters that I’ve grown up with. This three-issue story arc was an adventure between Domino & Wolverine as they, after some bad choices made by Domino, fight the Guild of Assassins and The Hood. Issue three, the final to the story, keeps up at being 32 pages of blood, guts, action and some sexy-time which made for a read I could be pulled away from. The most appealing aspect of this series, and was flawlessly executed in this particular comic, is the art work by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO (who also has a really cool website, where you can see more of this beautiful artwork).
The panel work and two-page spreads were done so well, it made the fight sequences feel alive and very fluid to the reading eye. Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost keep well at keeping X-Force dark and gritty while the cleverly included hilarious comedic timing between the two ass-kickin’ characters – not to mention turning Domino into the most arousing comic character in the Marvel U. This comic, if not the whole series, is a must read.

Walking Dead #77:
Wow…. OKAY… WOW… Alright, I am going to do something that I probably shouldn’t do and that is post the most amazing and powerful panel sequence in comics single issues that I’ve read in the past couple of months.It was in the end of this ish, that already had plenty of good content for this relatively slowly moving arc. I guess, out of context it wont make a whole lot of sense, but here is it at the bottom of the page. Whew. Nonetheless, this arc is finally starting to build into something that I foresee not ending well for certain members of Rick’s band of zombie survivalists.

Brightest Day #10:
For a series that I, at times, begrudgingly purchase because I am not sure which of the several stories will be featured in the issue. Luckily, issue ten focused on one of my two favorite story arcs and managed to make my least favorites, the Firestorm arc, seem very appealing. The cover showing Aqua Lad standing over and injured Deadman – so I thought that this ish would consist of my two favorite stories, but with a psyche out and keeping Deadman clear of all the stories, the mainstays were Aquamanm/AquaLad and Firestorm. They handled both very well, and in the end turned the Firestorm story into something that excited even me and left me wanting issue #11 (but, really we probably won’t see these characters until another two or three issues). Another appealing part of the Firestorm arc is the art by Scott Clark that commands the eye.

Thor #615:
I don’t read Thor, I have very little connection or knowledge of what is going on in the stories and/or the Asgardian characters. But I do know that Matt Fraction, the mind behind the mutants trials and troubles for the past year, is now ALSO penning Thor. He is one of my favorite big title comic writers and will read just about anything by him at this point. This issue was fun and Fraction again showed that he rocks. Thor now torn between a broken kingdom that has no king, there were certain elements that seemed sluggish and redundant that included a repetitive explanation to the workings of multi-verses. A fun read, for sure.

Until next week, read on!

‘ENDINGS, CLOSURE & COMFORT’
Greetings again! Welcome to the second addition of ‘What were they thinking?’ (WWTT?) where I discuss the best, the worst and the ‘why did they do that?’ of the new comics released this week and read by me.
[*This review contains spoilers*]

THE GOOD:
This week’s theme for comics was last issues and variant covers. With Marvel and DC having both released a series of oddly expensive variant covers and reprints, all eyes were affixed of three series enders. First was G. Willow Wilson & M. K. Perker’s AIR (DC/Vertigo), as well as John Ostrander & Jan Duursema’s Star Wars Legacy (Dark Horse) and lastly Brian K. Vaughn & Tony Harris’ Ex Machina (DC/Wildstorm). While I did not read Air or SWL because I am unfamiliar with those stories I did dig deep into the final pages of Ex Machina. With any good narrative, it’s always hard to see it come to an end. The sensation of turning the last page and knowing nothing more is to come of these characters, or the fear of disappointment that it will end in shite (*cough* The Sopranos *cough*). But reading the last issue of Ex Machina was amazing. With a brilliant start and finish to the issue, I felt satisfied with the closure – even after the dark path it had you walk. Brian K. Vaughn created, with the characters, the most appropriate and necessary resolutions for the characters in order for Mitchell Hundred to move on and find his own closure and the closure of the book.

THE BAD/WWTT?:
It may come as a bit of a shocker, but I was not a huge fan of this weeks comic: Brightest Day #8 (DC) that is penned by Geoff Johns & Peter Tomasi and an amazing team of artists. While I loved the Blackest Night arc, Brightest Day has done very little to keep my eyes glued to the pages the same way its predecessor had. Finding the most redeeming and interesting aspect of the arc being Deadman, with Aquaman in a close second, I was saddened to see a lack of his story and our fishy friend not appearing at all. Furthermore, (spoiler alert) I was already on the snore and bore with the Hawkman/Hawkgirl story, but this weeks issue increased my dislike for it even more with the big reveal that the Queen of Nth City is Hawkgirl’s mother? What were they thinking?

THE PICK OF THE WEEK!!!:
This read was, in my opinion, the best read of the week. Personally still affected by the events of The X-Men: Second Coming arc, and the loss of so many characters that I held close to my nerdy heart, Jason Aaron & Davide Gianfelice’s Wolverine: Weapon X #16 provided a one-shot that x-readers needed. It’s old news now, but in the Second Coming arc Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler died, along with many others, while protecting Hope – the mutant messiah. Having been brought to tears by his death, and later the eulogy/funeral issue, I couldn’t help but read on that Wagner’s best friend (Wolverine) was having the most difficult and emotional time with this loss. This special issue took Logan on task to deliver by hand a piano to a mountain top church in Venezuela via Nightcrawler’s last will and testimony. While on this long and rugged journey Wolverine thought back onto the history the two had shared in an attempt to find closure and comfort that his friend is in a better place. In the end, Logan finds his peace with Kurt’s death, and most importantly – so does the reader.

This is a new weekly column where I take a look at the weird, the bad and the oddly cool in comics this week. While this is the first of many to come, it is rather light. While I don’t review all the new single issues that I read, these are the highlights of that stood out as graphic oddities. Keep in mind I am one man with a small budget and buy what I can. I don’t read everything that comes out each week. Going off of what I got –

VAMPIRES!?! Are we really still so obsessed with vampires? And even the Twilight lore?

First off, we have X-MEN issue #2. Have just finished up one of the most culminating and devastating story arcs ever, vampires arrive in the wake of their tragedy. My biggest problem with this is, well, vampires… I like vampires, but to have their newest foe being the follow up to Bastion in the ‘Second Coming’ arc seem so weak and – irrelevant. While I understand Marvel’s use of a less threatening group of villains of giving the readers a break from the week-to-week emotional draining intensity of each chapter, I’m still looking for more answers and resolution to SC. Regardless, I shall remain, always, a reader of the X-Men – but really, what were they thinking?

Next, is Archie & Friends #146 as the gang have a two-part Twilight-esq special. While it might be a bit of a parody… really? What were they thinking?

[*SPOILERS AHEAD*]
Lastly, for the first post of WWTT?, is X-Force: Sex & Violence #2. And WOW. This is not a negative critique, by any means, but a ‘what they thinking’ by not making this happen sooner? In this issue we learn why the guild of assassins are after Domino and why! Aside from the development of this fun miniseries, we finally get to see Domino and Wolverine give into the sexual tension that has been building between the two since she joined the mutant black-ops crew. Yeah, for one full page of this -ish, we see hot, steamy and rough sexy-time between two of the most dangerous mutants alive. Not to mention the witty banter, violence and a lot of really bad assassins…

THIS WEEKS MUST READS:
Walking Dead #76
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #1
Unwritten vol. 2 TPB

Until next week, keep on reading!

I believe my writings for this site have made it apparent that I enjoy a fine spirit and refreshing ale. But it’s not just the booze that is fun, most of it is the meeting and drinking with friends. Whether we congegate at our local pub or keep it at someone’s house, a good drinking buddy is very important. Here are the top five (six, really) comic book characters, with a history of boozin’, that would make the best drinking partners:

5) Tony Stark:
He is Marvel’s playboy with a drinking problem. He is one high-roller that could get you into some pretty a-list parties, take you out to fancy dinners and get expensive scotchs – and probably pick up the tab every time. The only draw back to getting tipsy with Tony would be his ego; and I’m pretty sure I would get sick and tired of him getting ALL the girls – every time. For the best (and, really worst) example of Tony Stark stuck on the bottle read: The Invincible Iron Man #120-128; “Demon in a Bottle” arc. W: David Michelinie, A: John Romita Jr.

4) Aaron Stack (of Nextwave):
A robot that loves beer, and is written by Warren Ellis. Maybe this is my subconscious trying to tell you that I want to drink with Warren Ellis (oh yeah, I have). Any robot that frequently says “My robot brain needs beer,” seems like a good candidate for a drinking comrade. Imagine being on your couch, you run out of beer and are feeling a bit lazy. Guess what? Keep your patoot planted and allow Aaron’s extending robot arm to get it.
For the best moments of Stack sippin’ beers, read Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. Written by Warren Ellis, art by Simon Immonen

3) Logan aka Wolverine
Logan is a man that is good at two things: Kickin’ ass and drinkin’ beer. Either on Utopia with a stock of beers in the fridge or at a dive bar ordering round after round, the man can put ‘em away. He would be a great drinking pal because he’d have your back (doubting anyone would want to fight us) and he’s got connections to The Avengers. In Wolverine: Origins he is even seen sippin’ a beer with Spidey (which also seems like a good time).

2) Jesse Custer & Cassidy:
An Irish vampire and a southern boy with the voice of God, and both like to get tossed. While I might not be the fightin’ type, their enthusiasm for a good bar brawl, on top of a lot of whiskey, would be enough for me to throw a couple of good licks. Even if you only drank with them once, it would most likely be the craziest night of gettin’ your knickers wet. While I could go on and specify certain examples of them drinking, I would rather just say, if you haven’t read Preacher – DO IT!

1) Bacchus:
He might be a bit of a curmudgeon, but he is THE GOD OF FRAKIN’ WINE AND REVELRY!!! ‘Nough said. While the books are out of print you can find copies of them on the floor at Cons and shops ’round. Read Eddie Campbell’s Bacchus.