Not Recommended Comics List Of 4 Dour Inhumans Rubber Duckies Edition

1. Doctor Tomorrow #3 (1997) has one font mistake and several moments of characters looking off model. Though the main problem is the script being too bland.

2. Tranformers: Robots In Disguise #1 (2012) is overly crowded in the group shots. Also this issue feels like both a continuation of previous narratives and like it is "made for a trade." Finely it seems more like a "talking heads" generic political science fiction story with Transformers characters.

3. Inhumans #1 (1998) has some lettering that is too similar to the backgrounds of certain panels. Also the exposition is a bit heavy-handed. Last but not least I have to point out that except for some set-up questions nothing happens.

4. The Sentry #1 (2005) has inconsistent character designs and proportions. Also The Sentry is overpowered and labeled with mental illnesses that are not correctly displayed. Thus he is a boring and insulting character. Finally despite being the start a limited series it instead feels like a one-off issue.

Bloodshot Salvation Issue 1 Advance Review With Spoilers

Warning Of Spoilers!

    Jeff Lemire's writing continues to be exceptional in the area of characterization. Though there is a weak point involving how one of the heads of Omen acts before and during a meeting with another evil suit. As for the visuals the color palette and texture for the "Now" moments are not as good as the "soon" moments. However, on the whole I found this issue to range from stunning to relatively great. Finally the font style and positioning of the text mix with the visuals in a way that makes the reading experience (or at least mine) feel like watching a movie.

   Very Recommended!

Faith And The Future Force Issue 1 Review With Spoilers

Warning Of Spoilers!

  This is a great opening issue in-spite of how it ends in a way which will work better when collected. As for the narrative it works for those who read summaries and those who don't. (Though in this case the summary was a bit confusing regarding if Neela is now Timewalker or if Ivar was being referenced.) This first issue is also accessible as a jumping on point even if one has not read other series such as Ivar, Timewalker.

   Finally the interior art is a treat in the areas of line work and perspective. The former showcases a great balance between sharp and smooth, and the latter is amazing when Faith meets Ank.

  Recommended!

In The Name Of The Moon It Will Be Blogged Sailor Moon Sailor Stars Episode 3

  This episode feels like Sailor moon only during the transformation and due to certain elements like character designs. Otherwise this feels like some other kind of anime such as X. I mean the tone is way darker than necessary. In fact it is so dark in tone that I literally thought the first broken mirror scene would result in a bloody bit of self-harm for the generic possessed schoolgirl.

  Sailor Moon to me is and has been romantic, dramatic, goofy, and fantastical. Thus from my viewpoint this episode was made with no understanding of the franchise.

   Questions! How much worse will it get? Will future episodes start feeling episodic and not like cut up bits of movies? When do the Sailor Stars get introduced? Does anyone else think they basically okayed the wrongness of hitting loved ones in this episode when Usagi responds to Chibi-Usa after being hit?

X-O Manowar (2017) Issue 5 Review With Spoilers

Warning Of Spoilers

   There are four problems I have with this issue. Said problems involve the summary recap, the placement of the summary, perspectives during battle scenes, and a bit of dialogue. The foremost problem is how wonky the perspective choices are for each battle. For example the page after the summary suggests Aric and his troops are descending in one panel and yet they are ascending in the next panel. This problem happens on all of the pages depicting battle.

   As for the other problems they are less impactful. For example the bit of dialogue is a relatively subtle repetition in something said by the leader of The Burnt. While the summary problems are more nitpicks in that I just feel that the summary recap could have been strong at its end, and the placement feels a little disruptive.

  Despite these problems I have to say that this is still a relatively high-quality issue in every other way.

  Barely recommended!

Britannia: We Who Are About To Die Issue 4 Review With Spoilers

Warning Of Spoilers!

  This issue's supplemental scholarly essay is pretty strongly written. However, it is a bit hard to follow in certain areas. As for the actual narrative it is high quality on the whole. Though I noticed the texture is a little weaker in certain places, such as the crotch leaf of the fake Apollo. While another example of weak texture occurs with the character "Baba." Her wrinkles look a little different in each panel.

   Speaking of differences there seems to be a little bit of a color palette problem in how Elissa and her henchmen are presented. It is not so bad that I would call it intentional, or white-washing, yet it is definitely an inconsistency.

    Finally the story is wrapped up a little more neatly than I would have liked in regards to Elissa's fate.

   Recommended!
 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 Issue 9 Review With Spoilers

Warning of spoilers!

  This issue progresses the seasonal arc by only by a very small amount. By that I mean only a fight, a re-powering, and an escape happen. As for the art it is okay if you like pencils and inks that don't look fully aligned. Finally while the coloring and lettering are okay they are not enough to make this a good issue.

   Not Recommended!

Not Recommended Comics List Of 4 Rowing Ronin Rowed Edition

1. Daredevil #1 (2011) is very contradictory in how it presents the titular character. One story presents him denying being Daredevil and the other has him basically exclaiming he is Daredevil.

2. Flash #100 (1995) has so many things wrong with it including proportions, reliance on prior issues, and lack of set-up for the conclusion.

3. Starbrand #19 (1989) is a talking head final issue that is hard to follow and falls apart when the narrative is analyzed.

4. First Strike #0 (2017) is a non-starter for this crossover of toy properties in comic book form.

Recommended Comics List Of 4 Balloon Fall Edition

1. Superman/Fantastic Four: The Infinite Destruction (1999) is a bit frivolous, but it is overall an entertaining story. Recommended for kids and those looking for a good 90s comic book.

2. Flash #74 (1993) is provides logical reasoning for how each character reacts to the return of 'Barry Allen.' The logic also is streamlined enough to keep the narrative hopeful and kid-friendly.

3. Flash #79 (1993) is a key story with good art and mostly strong writing. I say "mostly strong writing" due to there being one to two moments that I don't agree with.

4. Flash #77 (1993) has a great observation on how super speedster can be limited by physical locations. It is also a fun issue to read.

In The Name Of the Moon It Will Be Blogged Sailor Moon Sailor Stars Episode 2

  This episode is weird on a few levels. One of which is how naive and off-guard the scouts are after several weird past events have led to villains attacking people. Case in point they did not know about the rooftop mirror Nelehenias that the outer scouts fought. Shouldn't monster attacks like that be in their local news at the least? I mean multiple witnesses were there. Also the unusual behavior Mamoru exhibits after that eye problem last episode is never really thought on.

  Another bit of weird is little things like why they (the production team) lifted bits from the manga? I mean the storylines are so different at this point that it really fails to work. Take for instance the unanswered question of what happened to Hotaru's Dad? For that matter why include the Manga rapid aging in such a compressed way? It just seems like they were padding this episode while riding by the seat of their pants and maybe less of a budget to work with.

   Speaking of the production, and animation budget, Eternal Sailor Moon looks like a Cardcaptor Sakura knockoff in the design of her wings. Finally I have to scream "NO!" regarding how they are presenting the Eternal version of Sailor Moon as merely a method to defeat villains. Yes, it is a plot device in a lot of ways, but the way it is used in the manga has weight and meaning.

Secret Weapons Issue 2 Review With Spoilers

Warning Of Spoilers!

   This is an awesome work from the range of the colors to the superb characterization. In fact the characterization is so good that I have already fallen in love with the cast. As for the colors and art they very much have a realist range about them. Finally the supplemental material written by Eric Heisserer is very informative.

  Extremely recommended as something that should be purchased, read, and added to pull lists.

Rapture Issue 3 Review With Spoilers

Warning Of Spoilers!

   This issue continues with the problematic storytelling seen in the first two issues. For those that have not read either the previous issues or my reviews of them the major problem is the pacing. At times the pacing is slow as a snail in order for a long-winded backstory to be exposited and then we get a too fast action sequence. There is very little good characterization, and practically all the dialogue is exposited.

   Another flaw is the position of one caption box with one word is too seperate from the rest. This causes the whole page to feel like it is ruined since the pause is overly long. The last problem is that while the art is okay, the flashback pages look a little rushed in the area of texture and dreary choice of color palette.

   Not Recommended!

Not Recommended Comics List Of 4 Flash Meet Eobard Zoom Edition

1. The Flash Volume 8 Zoom Softcover (2016) is by and far the worst Reverse-Flash story I have ever read. It both uses the retcon of Eobard Thawne (alias Professor Zoom alias the Reverse-Flash) killing Barry Allen's mother and totally wrecks everything else. It sloppily combines the histories and motivations of Eobard Thawne and Hunter Zolomon (Zoom) while reducing Eobard to a would-be dictator. In other words it is a perfect example of why I do not recommend the majority of "New 52" stories.

2. Both the Nick Fury and Doctor Strange stories from Strange Tales #158 are not recommended. Both are too text heavy even by Silver Age Standards. Not to mention the art for Doctor Strange seems to be a little bit too static. Though the Nick Fury art is a little better it suffers from a lack of background and the text telling us what we are seeing. Finally both feel like incomplete experiences.

3. Speaking of issues that have two characters starring in seperate tales we also have The Flash #231 (1975). In the first story we have the Flash being more of antagonist than a protagonist. Heck, he actually has very little motivation to go after The Rogues in this story. But the main reason I am not recommending this story is all the wasted potential it contains as a story and a possible start to an annual tradition. Next we have the just poorly written Green Lantern story that feels very incomplete.

4. The Daisy BB gun advert found in The Flash #231 has a tiny illustration of kids holding guns and a trick question. Shouldn't it not be a trick question about gun safety since this stupid advert was aimed at kids. Also the advertisement says "(from 8 on up)" in regards to acceptable ages. What in the world were these people thinking.

Buffy: The High School Years: Parental Parasite Review With Spoilers

Warning Of Spoilers!

    Anyone who remembers the season three 'Gingerbread' will see this graphic novel as a poorly done copy of that story. I say "poorly done" because of the thread-bare characterization and generic execution of everything in this narrative. For instance the color palette would be fine if we hadn't seen it used in the two previous graphic novels. Not to mention the visual continuity error of how the demon can be revealed. To put things simply this is not recommended even for fanatical followers of the Buffyverse.

   Not Recommended!

In The Name Of The Moon It Will Be Blogged Sailor Moon Sailor Stars Episode 1

  This episode feels like a badly edited movie. I mean the animation is good enough, but the way the focus shifts was very offsetting. Not to mention this is the first episode where a villain is not completely defeated. Sure some of the mirror Nelehenia's are defeated on the roof, but there is still the real deal to defeat, and we never saw the regular cast fight. Speaking of that fight I feel cheated that Haruka is saved from an awesome death fall with an enemy and from falling at all with no explanation. Finally I really feel that this will be one of the better episodes in this final season/series.

  Questions! So does Usagi expect to get married at 16? Was anyone getting a lesbian vibe from how Usagi and Minako were looking and acting during their talk of "make-up exams?" Why does Queen Nelehenia not doubt or truly question the voice? For that matter why does she not freak out when the seal is broken? Cause she should be worried about aging when the seal is breaking. Shouldn't Usagi be more freaked by Mamoru's eye? If the mirror shards were falling like meteors shouldn't Mamoru be blind or more dead?

Mulan Revelations Issue 4 Review

  This issue has too many plot threads active on each page and it causes severe confusion as to what is going on. Also the colors are muddy in several places, and the palette as a whole is too reliant on a limited range. Finally the story feels like it is being stretched out for another issue, which is highly unlikely to happen since this issue was published in 2015 and no other issues have come out.

   Not Recommended!

Not Recommended Comics List Of 4 Team Titans Gone Edition

1. Team Titans #1 (1992, Redwing Origin Edition) is not recommended due to how it divides up the team members origins into separate versions of this issue. Meaning that while I read about Redwing's origin I learned nothing about the rest of the team. Also the writing is heavy-handed in both stories. Finally there are some weird facial expressions in the origin.

2. Jupiter's Legacy Vol. 1 (2015) is mostly fine on a technical level, but reads like a movie pitch featuring generic de-constructions of superheroes. Enjoyable to read, but lacking real substance and reeking of wasted potential.

3. The Zatanna story "The Boy Who Never Smiled" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #132 (1973) has Zatanna's spells being said with additional details happening for no reason. Also she apparently does one bit of magic without speaking. Not to mention that the child in question does not talk like any "average nine-year old" would. There is also the fact that the narrative ends rather abruptly.

4. The Lois Lane feature called "The Second Superman!" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #132 (1973). It has Superman acting like an idiot, a weak plot, and finally a messed up ending. The final reason is how Lois Lane is in this tale apparently a nurse part-time when she isn't a reporter. So essentially this story, and the issue as a whole, is a proverbial train wreck.

Not Recommended Comics List Of 4 Supreme Buttons Edition

1. So Buttons #1 (2013 on digital [ComiXology]) has a table of contents that one has to ignore due to how differently the stories are sequenced. Though the real reason that I am not recommending this issue is due to how racist and sexist several of the stories are.

2. Supreme #55 (1997) has the lettering problem of the caption and font colors being too similar and dark. Also there is the problem of being told events that will have little consequence to the actual story after the end of the issue. In other words it is a poorly done one off issue.

3. Supreme #56 (1998) is dated in several ways, and there seems to be some issues involving the inks not working well with the pencils and colors.

4. Supreme The Return #1 (1999) is also dated. Though its main problems are that it wraps up events too quickly and is too reliant on reading Supreme #56 (1998).

Harbinger Renegade Issue 5 Advance Review No Spoilers

  The art could be a little more consistent when it comes to character models throughout the story. Though I still think it is pretty on target in this area for the most part. Also the action scenes are epic, especially in terms of graphicness and character expressiveness. However, various parts of the narrative will upset people to one extent or another based on certain things found in this issue. Yet I can say that not all the same things will upset the same people. Finally I have to say that the lettering, coloring, and writing are all top-notch despite some nitpicks I have with all three.


   Extremely Recommended!

 

In The Name Of The Moon It Will Be Blogged Sailor Moon Super S Episode 39

  This final episode of Sailor Moon Super S is annoying for several reasons: The Japanese is arguably worse in how they made Queen Nehelenia uncertain of what was happening when carrying Chibi-Usa up the stairs. Also Sailor Moon should easily have caught up to the queen on those stairs due to the former running and the latter just walking. Not to mention both versions completely screwed up Nehelenia's backstory. I also think the animation was obviously cheap in almost every scene. Finally there is the fact that Nehelenia is going to return in Sailor Moon Sailor Stars. Ugh!

   Questions! Is Zirconia still supposed to be Nehelenia in this anime like she is in manga? Why did they decide to re-use the Queen for the final season/series instead of doing a shorter run? For that matter why not create one more set of original villains (such as Season 2 did) for the beginning of Sailor Moon Sailor Stars? Is Helios a boy or a man? Why was the Pegasus form not explained away like in the manga? Did no one on the animation crew care about the floating heads of Nehelenia subjects? Can this anime creep me out anymore?

  Final thought for this season: It had a few good episodes, but I honestly feel the manga worked better.

Note: This is the last episode of the original English dubbing. So starting next week I will not be comparing the final season to anything until the final episode of Sailor Moon Sailor Stars. Also unless we get official releases of the live action shows or some continuation of Sailor Moon Crystal I will be moving on to Robotech after this next season and the final manga for Sailor Moon: Codename: Sailor V.

Not Recommended Comics List Of 4 X Typo Edition

1. Sonic X #1 (2005) has so many flaws, including a boring story and various typos, that it is laughably bad.

2. The Phantom Stranger story called "Kenny and The Demon" from Action Comics Weekly #610 (1988) is too dark in its color palette. Also the characterization is pretty much stock level in a story that simply complains about everyday situations. Finally the ending is abrupt and nonsensical.

3. Also from Action Comics Weekly #610 is the Black Canary story called "Bitter Fruit part 2." The main problem here is the lack of answers regarding what is going on. While the other problem is the panel layout of certain pages is oddly designed.

4. The story "Introducing MELBA!" from Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane #132 (1973) is overall weak. Though I can see some potential in the plot, and overall narrative, the lack of set-up for various parts is what kills this story. Of course there is also the action visuals (and one non-action visual) being ill thought-out that hinders the narrative as well.

Recommended Comics List Of 4 Hunting and Bobbing Edition

1. 2010 #1 (1985) is a bit static in motion yet is overall a visual treat for those who are looking for realistic art. Also it is still culturally relevant in a lot of ways. Finally the script is good, and the dialogue works well with the visuals.

2. Booster Gold #17 (1987) is a simple story, but it is one that showcases how to use a supporting cast well.

3. Torchwood #2 (2010) has two good comic book entries in the mythos and one decent text story. Though the art could be better in some ways I think it very much shows how British Comics defer in quality standards compared to American comics.

4. Castlevania Season 1 on Netflix (2017). Though it is not a comic book, or originally based off a comic book, it is written and executive produced by Warren Ellis. It is also a show that I first heard, via a Youtube clip from a comic convention, of Warren Ellis being attached to years ago.

Bloodshot's Day Off Issue 1 Review With Spoilers

Warning Of Spoilers!

   The story's ending is hopeful and an important message for veterans who have actually served. As for the story it is overall good to great. I say good to great due to some parts being better than others. For example the visuals are for the most part just good since the line work looks a bit uneven on several pages.

   While this is a recommended one-shot it is also one I didn't fully understand two aspects of. The first aspect is the musical notes, and that is due to not having a good enough knowledge of music composition to understand it. However, I do think that the notes, along with how the singing moves the story along, helps the music be an exception to the 'no music in comic books' rule. The second aspect is why one day of shore leave is all they have apparently earned. That just seemed a little contrived.

  Recommended!

In The Name Of The Moon It Will Be Blogged Sailor Moon Super S Episode 38

   This episode is so badly animated! I mean Usagi's face is a bit too round at times, and several characters facial expressions don't match the situations. Also the re-shown bits of the last episode are just shoddily edited in, especially in the original English dub. It makes it seem like Zirconia just popped out of the story. Speaking of baddies and things popping out when exactly is the Golden Crystal switch supposed to have happened? Also is it just me who thinks it would be logical for the Queen to be sent back into exile, or at least notice a drop in power, due to the switch?

  Finally while I think neither episode is an improvement over the manga, or good in general, I have to say that the Japanese dub is less annoying with the "Heart Of The Cards" cliche.

Past Aways Issue 9 Review

  This issue is overly reliant on having read all of the previous ones in their entirety. Having done that I can honestly say: "What the hell happened in this issue's latter half?" Without spoiling things I feel Matt Kindt got too philosophical in the latter half of this issue. As for the visuals they seem to tell a slightly different story during the latter half. In other words this series held the promise of being a possible great, but then it somehow got figuratively thrown out someone's mouth post entering the backend.

  Not recommended!

Not Recommended Comics List Of 4 Weather Dressing Edition

1. Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane #134 (1973) has a weak overall story. Also Lois is not dressed for the  cold weather outside of the Fortress Of Solitude at the beginning of the story.

2. Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane #137 (1974) has two stories and both fall apart around the midpoint.

3. Katy Keene Special #1 (1983) is horribly written, designed, credited and very static. It also feels very dated, and in a way sexist.

4. The Punisher War Journal #1 (1988) is just a bit over-written and has poor foreshadowing. It also has Frank Castle apparently not knowing how to count out nine seconds and flying a kite. In other words the characterization, and timing, are lousy.

Not Recommended Comics List Of 4 Agent Flashpan Edition

1. Agent X #3 (2002) has some broken back syndrome for the female cast. It also has what feels like a  poorly executed attempt to backdoor a new series via the introduction of Mary Zero. Finally there are some perspective and consistency problems in the Fast Food scene.

2. They're Not Like Us issues 4-6 (2015) still present very unlikable characters, and each issue requires all the previous issues to be understood properly.

3. Rogue #1 (2004) looks horribly rushed due to the lack of detail in minimalism and the amount minimalism utilized. As for the writing Juggernaut seems out of character regarding how he acted towards kids during this period of time. Finally the story has no real hook to grab the reader except for the cliffhanger ending.

4. "The Warriors Of Lightning Valley!" from Superman #271 (1974) has a sexist ending. Also it is more a generic sword and sorcery tale than a story about an ancient version of Krypton.