Comics Bundle: 09.17.09 Pt. 2

The is the second part of my Comics Bundle for this September (part 1 is here). As always, the part 2 deals with non-Marvel comics. For some reason, all of my non-Marvels in this bundle are just too awesome. I actually had a hard time picking 5 issues to review.

Fables #88
9.3 of 10
Of all my comic book titles, Fables is definitely the one that I missed the most. Thanks to the crossover that choked the life out of the title like an arterial blockage. But now that it's done and over with, I'm happy to be reading Fables with all its quirky characters again. Speaking of characters, the main ones like Snow and Bigby aren't present in this issue. But others are getting some spotlight, which I'm glad. The witches, especially Frau Totenkinder, are stepping up into the plate as they gather power to confront the Dark Man. Beauty and Beast are also getting some attention that they deserve. Hopefully, the couple will get as much limelight as Snow and Bigby, even at least in this story arc.

Batman and Robin #4
8.7 of 10
The main Batman title has become too unbearable for me to read. With Dick Grayson now in full swing and all smiles wearing the cape and cowl, I never thought that I'd miss Bruce Wayne that much. Luckily, Batman and Robin has a lot of edge. Of course, that edge comes from Damien (who seems to be keeping Dick from smiling). He's a tough little kid who can really fight, and shows great potential to become Batman. Even Dick, with all that experience, can't sneak up on him. I just wish that he'd grow up soon enough to replace Dick as Batman.

DMZ #45
9.5 of 10
Like Fables, DMZ was also interrupted by a 3-part story arc that flowed outside the main continuity. While I enjoyed the story, I'm nonetheless glad to have Matty and Parco again. Matty Roth has surprisingly evolved. If compared to a couple issues back, he's now a much more confident, ballsier and ruthless character. While he still works for Parco, he acts more of his adviser rather than an underling. He even have his own security crew -which includes the sniper Angel from the early issues. All in all, this is an awesome issue.

Chew #3
9.7 of 10
Tony Chu is probably the most unique character in the comics industry right now. As a detective "cibopath", a person that can get psychic from impressions from what he eats, he'll know who killed a person just by eating the corpse of the victim. But just when I thought the creators are done making unique characters, they brought out Amelia Mints into the fold. Mintz -who is also the love interest of our protagonist- is a "saboscrivner", a person who can describe the taste of food (good or bad) so accurately that all those who listens to her or read her writings will also be able to savor it. Now how cool of a character is that?

The Walking Dead #65
9.0 of 10
The Walking Dead, to me, has been a medium to explore the twisted side of humanity, the dark side that is borne out of desperation. In the recent arc, Kirkman gave us cannibalism when a group of man-eaters pursues Rick and his crew. But one thing I love about this group of cannibals is that they're not some mindless, hungry primitives. Kirkman actually defended them by giving them a sense of logic. Even though their logic may seem twisted, it's actually part of the natural order, the survival of the fittest. This actually made me pause.

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Comics Bundle: 07.22.09 Pt. 2

This is the 2nd part of my comics bundle from last week. Normally, I'd write the review an hour, or a day, later after I've written part 1 (which can be found here). But since I had like 30 stacks of comic books, I just couldn't read them all in just one go. Hence the delay.

Batman & Robin #2
8.9 of 10
This title is becoming one of my favorite comic book, and it's definitely one of Morrison's best work since New X-Men. I really like how both Dick and Damian try to adjust to their roles as the new Batman and Robin, and how they try their best to work as a team. Even the people that they worked with before, like Albert and Gordon, are also adjusting to them. Frank Quitely's artwork, which is nothing short of impressive, also compliments the vigor of this new team. All in all, it's a just very refreshing take on one of the of the oldest comic-book franchise.

Chew #2
8.5 of 10
Chew is probably the best new comics that came out this year (as of now). But issue #2 is a bit of a let down. It just lack the hilarity and gross factor that issue #1 delivered. Nonetheless, it has its moments.

Fables #86
8.8 0f 10
This title have been derailed from its normal continuity, and I was displeased with that. But, now that the crossover is done and over with, the title is finally on its right track. Which means they'll be focusing on the Fables dilemmas such as their current "housing" situation and their new nemesis Mr. Dark. This issue tells a back story that characterizes Mr. Dark, and also clears a bit of mystery that surrounds him. It tells us of how he was captured by Geppetto's empire, and of how he manipulated the events that led to the fall of the empire. It's one enjoyable read and I can't wait for the series to take of again.

DMZ #43
8.8 of 10
Like Fables, I also miss this title a lot. Mainly because the main continuity have been put on hold to give us a story from a different angle. But in no way this issue, and the whole arc, is a bore. It may not be tied to the continuity but it adds more to the setting by shedding light into other characters and factions that lives inside the DMZ, reminding us that it's a grim place. This arc particularly focuses on Tony and other NYPD cops that have stayed behind and became insurgents, a cult that steals, kills and inflict pain on just about everyone.

The Walking Dead #63
9.0 of 10
This book never ceases to amaze me with its study of human character and morality amidst a gruesome reality. We've seen many characters in this title who, were once decent and respectable persons before the zombie plague, have now succumb to moral decay. We've seen friends turning against friends for a piece of canned food, survivors killing fellow survivors for safe haven, and desperate lonely men trying to rape little kids. But, just when you thought you've seen it all, this new story arc ups the ante. Because, now, men have become the very monsters that they've tried to kill or elude since issue #1.

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This is part 2 of my comics bundle for this week. As always, this part is dedicated to all non-Marvel titles. Anyways, part 1 can be found here.

The Walking Dead #61
9.0 of 10
Just when I thought that this title couldn't get any nastier and sicker (in a good way, of course), I was proven wrong again. Kirkman pulls another twists to the story, and it's a very twisted one alright. I wouldn't say it but it involves the kids in this story. It also explores the gray areas of life, and shows us that humans are also capable of monstrosities despite of age.

Justice League of America #32
7.4 of 10
DC events were supposed to clean up their universe. But, for some reason, Final Crisis just messed it up. Take JLA for example. The team is barely holding up. Two of the major founders left, one is dead and other members splintered from the main group to form their own JLA. So now, the main JLA consists of five heroes, almost all are B-list, and they're also leaderless. Nonetheless, this issue was filled with a lot of good and fun dialogues (especially the ones between Dr. Light and Firestorm) about how the team should proceed. Although, instead of pondering the direction of the team, they have to ruin it by brining Shadow Thief and Starbreaker into the fold. Although I'd love to see them develop this 5-man, B-list Justice League into something more.

Jack of Fables #33
8.5 of 10
If not for "The Great Fables Crossover" I would never pick up a copy of Jack of Fables. That is how much I hate Jack (of Jack and the Beanstalk fame). But, anyways, as part of the crossover, this issue is excellent. Since most of the characters in the story arc are from this book, the issue did its job well in filling readers like me, who had never read an issue of Jack of Fables, with various information and character introductions -mainly the people who are known as the Literals and what they can do- in order to catch up with the story. But the best thing about this book is Bigby beating the living daylights out of Jack.

The Literals #1
7.9 of 10
This book is the third part of "The Great Fables Crossover". The issue was created in mind to expand the Fable universe for the crossover and accommodate the new beings known as the Literals, who are godly beings that can rewrite reality as they see fit. The first issue features Bigby, Snow and two Literals, Gary and Revise, in the hunt of Kevin Thorn, a powerful Literal that is planning to wipe and rewrite the whole universe. Thorn is a very interesting character and this issue shows just how powerful he is. Fortunately, however, he's suffering from writer's block. So, for now, he doesn't know what to do.

Fables #84
6.0 of 10
This is part four of "The Great Fables Crossover". Oddly enough Jack is here but Bigby and Snow aren't (because they're hunting down Kevin Thorn). So Jack made a mess of the Fables again, taking advantage of their ignorance about the Literals. Plus, I also learned that Jack knows he's a comic book character. That is a feat only reserved for Deadpool. Too bad Bigby's not here to beat him up. I do hope that Beast will though.

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I'm feeling kinda lazy today, and also out of time because of Warhammer Online. So I'm going to write a break-neck speed review here.

Deadpool #9
8.4 of 10
This issue reminds me a lot of the classic Deadpool books. Everything from his bouts with Taskmaster and to being in love -this time with Yelena Belova, the second Black Widow and leader of the Thunderbolts. So, as usual, there are tons of laughs and wittiness to be had with the theme, as well as gunpowder and explosion. The only thing I didn't like about the book is that the Thunderbolts are acting nuts as much as Deapool.

Uncanny X-Men # 507
7.0 of 10
I've been enjoying the Uncanny X-Men since their move to San Francisco. They're much more down to earth (no space or dimension faring) and are dealing with local problems such as hate groups or taking in refugees. The only thing I don't like about the book is that there are way too many things going on in every issue, spreading each book thin. But what got me excited about this issue, in particular, is the return of Psylocke. Yup, the psychic ninja, the British chick trapped inside a hot Asian body is finally back.

The Walking Dead #60
7.8 of 10
The Walking Dead is always a good balance of action and drama. That's why I like it because it doesn't remain stagnant. In this issue, it's more of action than drama and character study. Rick and their group stumbled upon a zombie herd, the biggest one they've seen. So that made them run...again. So Dale, one of the longest surviving characters in the book and a friend of Rick, is doubting Rick's capability to lead this time. But other than the running around and Dale's character shift, this issue actually got me bored.

Fables #83
8.0 of 10
This issue is the first of the Great Fables Crossover story arc. I'm not pretty sure about what the whole arc is about but, with Jack spilling in the magic beans, the Fables are finally going to meet their makers, the very writers who created them, the Literals. Plus, the fight between Bigby and Beast is one hell of a spectacle.

Secret Warriors #3
9.0 of 10
One thing about this series is that it's consistently strong and, under Johnathan Hickman, I don't see it buckling anytime soon. The young heroes in the book are developing nicely. Especially after they were defeated during their first combat with Gorgon, one of the ruling council of HYDRA. You'd even see Nick Fury in a different shade in this issue, an old veteran who had lost everything. Then there's also the new HYDRA, which is now more menacing and ruthless than ever. This book is definitely one of the best Marvel titles that came out in years. So be sure to pick this one up if you like comics.

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This is part 2 of my comics bundle for this week (part 1 can be found here). This bundle consist of all comics that are not from Marvel.

DMZ #40
9.0 of 10
In the past couple of issues, we've seen Parco, the new Governor of Manhattan, acquire gold and even a nuclear weapon. Since we've seen him acquire all these things in Matty's point of view, we're also left out not knowing Parco's true intention. This issue, however, clarifies all that and it really makes sense. DMZ is in the shitter, trapped between two major warring factions. Then there are the unscrupulous corporations, small militias and even street gangs. How are you going to fend all these without money and a nuclear weapon?

Justice League of America #31
8.8 of 10
I know that the JLA have been slipping on and off from their game. But I love them nonetheless for the star-spanning action they give me. But this issue is one of the best I've read because they deal with an adversary that comes from within. Not like a traitor, or anything, though. But in the wake of Final Crisis, they reassessed their value as a team and came up with one word: Useless. So, now, Hal Jordan is leaving to form his own JLA, and with some of its members dead (Batman) or have other priorities to their people (Superman, Wonder Woman), Black Canary (chairwoman of the JLA) is left with an empty Hall of Justice.

The Walking Dead #59
8.4 of 10
There are so much to love about this title, and one of those things are the characters. All of them here are just a wreck. They're scarred not just physically but also emotionally and mentally. In this issue, they've picked up yet another crazy dude named Morgan, who had recently lost his son. The character is actually one of the first to be introduced in the comics but parted ways with Rick early in the series. So far, this issue was slow during the first half. Just the standard "stocking up" and building up Morgan's character. Nothing really exciting until the last few pages when they bump into a herd of Zombies.

Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1
8.0 of 10
"Who will be the next Batman?" is on everybody's mind right now, and this 3 issue mini-series will determine that. Following Bruce Wayne's death in Final Crisis, chaos ensues in Gotham as the villains take the city back. Meanwhile, Batman's friends team-up to stabilize the situation. The riot crazy atmosphere of the book is really great. It reminds me a bit of No Man's Land with all its chaos. The book's plot, however, is not as thick as I expected it to be. At least, not as thick as Morrison's run with the Batman series. It's a good thing that the action is plenty in here and will keep you entertained.

Fables #82
7.5 of 10
Wow, I've never thought I'd give Fables a mark below 8. But this issue is really weak. The only thing worth noting about it is the ending, where Bigby Wolf and The Beast is about to go and beat each other to a pulp. So who do you think will win? The Big Bad Wolf, from Little Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs, or the Beast, from Beauty and the Beast?

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Comics Bundle: 02.18.09 Pt. 2

This is part 2 of my Comics Bundle. Mostly covering all the DC, Image and Vertigo Comics. Like the first part (click here for part one), I'm going to go off here as fast as I can.

Four Eyes #2
9.8 of 10
The first time I read this title, its high fantasy themes, involving dragons, tailored and fitted into the U.S. depression era captured my attention immediately. But, I haven't heard of it since then so I thought the series was canceled. But I was so ecstatic when I finally saw a copy of #2 at the shelves, last Friday. Like the first issue, this one is also a gem. What I like about this series is that, not only it deviates from the standard high fantasy, it also serves as a warning of what people will do, can turn into, during times of financial troubles.

The Walking Dead #58
9.5 of 10
The Walking dead, especially in this issue, continues to astound me with its human drama. A little light has been shed on the newcomers as Abraham tells his side of the story. Of how his fellow survivors raped his wife, and how he killed them with his bare hands. While there was no illustration of what happened, Abraham's words alone was still pretty brutal. But what really surprised me was Carl, who admitted that he want to kill people and that he was glad he shot a man to save his dad. Normally, I don't care about violence but, coming from a mere boy of 10, it was very disturbing.

Fables #81
8.0 of 10
This is probably the slowest issue of Fables I've ever read. The first part, especially, was a bit dragging for me. Although it did establish a status quo for the new villain. The last part, however, was pretty good, as some characters visited Boy Blue on his deathbed, defining him during his last moments. It made me a bit sad though. Boy Blue is one of my many favorite characters in Fables. He's a cool boy who just likes to play blues, not a hero or an anti-hero archetype. Even in the end, he wished that everybody will continue to treat him as the regular guy by not burying him with those who died during the war with the empire.

DMZ #39
8.0 of 10
Like with Fables, this issue of DMZ is kind of slow too. But that's probably because the protagonist, Matthew Roth, who tells the story in first person, is left in the dark so he has no story to tell. He became a tool of Parco, the newly elected Governor of Manhattan, and doesn't know any of his plans at all. But the end of the issue was very juicy. Parco already have gold, and now he have acquired a nuke. So what's next? I couldn't wait.

Final Crisis #7
@% of 10
At first, I didn't like Final Crisis because it was too convoluted for me. But then it all made sense around #3, got better around #4 and #6 was just awesome. So I thought, with its climbing pattern, it's going to get even better with the final issue. I was wrong. I didn't understand a thing. I read it three times too, and I could've gone for a fourth. But it's too messed up I'm afraid it'll blow my brains out.

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