1st issue Challenge

BobBretall · Post by **BobBretall** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:42 am

Kiss #1 (IDW): This was a good comic that was just not for me. I really liked Jamal Igle's art and the story was decent, but it seemed steeping in cool Kiss "in jokes" that I was just not getting. Don't get me wrong, they didn't impede the story, the story read just fine on it's own, but I felt that there was a whole level of reference/meaning that I was just not getting. As a result, I'm dropping this book, but would recommend it to anyone who is a big fan of the group (my own awareness of Kiss doesn't go much beyond "Rock & Roll All Night").

IanG · Post by **IanG** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 3:19 pm

BobBretall wrote:
spid wrote:Planetoid (Image): The story setup is simple a pilot crashes on a desolate planet, and has to survive. If you are a story person then there may not be much to it. That being said the artist does a good job of world building in a very few pages.

The thing that sold me on the book from the previews is the art, and it does not disappoint. It reminds me a lot of a european/Heavy Metal comics.
Agreed. This is a nice sci-fi book, it's been added to my pull list.

I also really enjoyed Planetoid #1. We comic book fans don't get many new sci-fi titles these days. I liked everything about this book, the art, the little details here and there, and a nice but mostly silent story. It's a 5 out of 5 thus far. [WebWiz20]

IanG · Post by **IanG** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 3:24 pm

BobBretall wrote:
IanG wrote:Trio #1 (IDW) - This was a pretty good first issue from comic book legend and writer/artist John Byrne. Mainly I liked it for the artwork, as the story was kind of been there and done that. The coloring for the character called Rock was really annoying. I wish they would just change it to a solid gray color instead of that awful fake rock texture. It's obvious this an intentional throw back to the good old days of comic books. And for that reason this may be a good comic to give to all ages/younger readers. At least those kids who may enjoy an original superhero team. I'm a big fan of John Byrne's comic books but this story doesn't have me dying to come back for more. I'd pick up the issues down the road or the trade if they are cheap.
I've come around to your way of thinking, Ian.....

I really liked the 1st issue, but when I read #2 with the Namor knock-off I really got the feeling that I was reading a re-tread. I'd pick more issues up from a $1 bin, but at $3.99, I'm dropping this title.

I had preordered issue #2 and so I read it. I wasn't sorry I read it but I wasn't regretting my decision not to add it to my pull list. Once again, nice Byrne art but kind of a dry story.

IanG · Post by **IanG** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 3:41 pm

Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1 (of 6) (DC) - Wow, a lot went on in this issue and it was totally fun. I'm already a fan or Darwyn Cooke's comics so this was great. I've got to go back and read Watchmen again. It's been a couple years since I've read it. While it isn't necessary to have read The Watchmen to get this comic, I think it would definitely help.

Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1 (of 4) (DC) - I haven't any prior experience with Amanda Conner's art so this was great place to start. The art was really nice to look at. The teen romance story wasn't really that interesting to me. It was like an issue of Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane that came out from Marvel awhile back. I've preordered issue #2, so I'll probably pick up the rest of the series since it's only 4 issues.

Perry · Post by **Perry** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:15 am

Yeah, waaay late, but ...

Trio #1 (IDW)

The good - The paper. No, not the lame character within the book, but the actual paper they used to print this comic. Much like Marvel is doing with their $2.99 books, they are using the same paper for the cover as they are on the inside. IDW's stock has a little more sturdy feel to it and also has a nice matte finish. It feels odd in your hand at first, but I really like.
Kudos to IDW for that. Now how about dropping the price to $3.50 when you do that though, huh?

The Bad - It's Fantastic Four minus one, or Fantastic Three. No shocking revelation there, we all knew this was going to be Byrne getting back to his great love, but that is what it is. Sadly, it is 80's FF. Which while there is nothing wrong with that as I enjoy 80's FF, I have 80's FF. Why do I need it again. It even has a sub-aquatic "bad-guy" making an appearance in issue #2. Is this scaly-Namor? Will he fall in love with our Asian Sue Storm? And hey look, on the cover of issue #4 we have Doom!!!

I knew going in what this would be, and it's fine, in fact a little better than I thought it would be, but the scissor hand thing, the 80's dialog and of course the obvious and overused 'monster turn to boy', just means this is a certain and rapid drop from my pull

4 outta 10 paper-cuts (My apologies for the grading intrusion

)

Perry · Post by **Perry** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:39 pm

Hypernaturals #1

Eh. Decent enough issue, I suppose, but left me feeling like there are much better books of this ilk out there now ... and in the past.

Honestly, I think that was the major draw back for me ... the past. Through the entirety of the issue, I was finding myself thinking of characters from LoSH/Nova/GLC/Alien Legion and it would just bring me out of this particular comic.

It's much like the TRIO problem I had. "I've been here before"

With this rehash feeling and the ... mediocrity of the story, and the fact that there are some other, great Sci-Fi books out there currently, I think I shall be passing on this title.

I wish it well however, for the team does seem like a good one and they could build a great story with this foundation. But sadly, I have seen these bricks already.

IanG · Post by **IanG** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:18 am

Atomic Robo: Flying She-Devils of the Pacific #1 (of 5) - I tend to like alternative history type stories that are more prevalent in pop-culture today like "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter." This is a fun read and I would like to see more. The sequential art was a little tough to tell what was going on in couple places. I tend to give small press comics a little more leeway than say a Marvel book. Overall a well done comic that has a good story, some humor, and a lot of interesting characters.

spid · Post by **spid** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:47 am

Revival (Image): The premise is in and around a small town in Wisconsin strange things start happening. I won't spoil the hook, but I am thankful it is not another zombie book. The art is the good, and seems to fit the tone of the story. There are places where it feels wordy, but overall it is not that bad.

IanG · Post by **IanG** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:16 am

spid wrote:Revival (Image): The premise is in and around a small town in Wisconsin strange things start happening. I won't spoil the hook, but I am thankful it is not another zombie book. The art is the good, and seems to fit the tone of the story. There are places where it feels wordy, but overall it is not that bad.

I also enjoyed Revival #1 but couldn't help but notice how close this was to the comic Rachel Rising. Although Revival is different enough and done well enough that I can enjoy both. One small nitpick I have is with those rough panel borders, they were very distracting to me somehow. I wish they would just change it to a smooth panel border and maybe use rough once in awhile.

IanG · Post by **IanG** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:11 am

It's summertime, so there are a lot of new #1's out there...

Punk Rock Jesus #1 (Vertigo) - This was a really strong first issue from artist and now writer/artist Sean Murphy. I'm not keen on the whole reality TV angle. I enjoyed the art and the character development. Although the title character isn't in this issue. I didn't expect this to be in black and white but it was okay that it was. I don't think the cover of this issue is doing the comic any favors. I half expected this issue to be about a punk rock band and it was far from that. Maybe it'll be about a punk band down the road. I think I'll wait for the trade on this one.

Eerie #1 (Dark Horse) - This anthology was just okay but not great. I've enjoyed the hardcovers of the Eerie and Creepy so that is why I picked this up. Two of the four stories in this comic are reprint from those earlier magazines in the 70's. I think this series is only coming out every six months so not a big deal.

Hoax Hunters #1 (Image) - This is a little like the comic The BPRD but not really. I love BPRD so I'm okay with that. This comic is more light and and had more humor. The story was a little hard to follow because there was some back story that I don't think we got in this issue. I'll have to go back and read the zero issue but I don't remember it there either. I'm going to continue with this for at least the first 5 or 6 issue story arc. I enjoy the whole cryptozoology and hoax angle and the art is nice too.

Executive Assistant: Assassins #1 (Aspen) - Another solid first issue from Aspen's Executive Assistant series. A decent story unfolding here and nice art. I thought the art reminded my of Billy Tan's art which I enjoy. This issue is more of the same from EA and I like it thus far.

BobBretall · Post by **BobBretall** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:29 am

IanG wrote: Executive Assistant: Assassins #1 (Aspen) - Another solid first issue from Aspen's Executive Assistant series. A decent story unfolding here and nice art. I thought the art reminded my of Billy Tan's art which I enjoy. This issue is more of the same from EA and I like it thus far.

Agreed.

abysslord · Post by **abysslord** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:25 pm

IanG wrote: Hoax Hunters #1 (Image) - This is a little like the comic The BPRD but not really. I love BPRD so I'm okay with that. This comic is more light and and had more humor. The story was a little hard to follow because there was some back story that I don't think we got in this issue. I'll have to go back and read the zero issue but I don't remember it there either. I'm going to continue with this for at least the first 5 or 6 issue story arc. I enjoy the whole cryptozoology and hoax angle and the art is nice too.

Agreed, though I never read BPRD. I did read the 0 issue but I don't think it's necessary at all, although you'll have no idea who two of the members are.

I think I know what you're talking about with the back story, but that's just not told to us at the moment ... unless I'M forgetting stuff in the 0 issue too

Solid comic and looking forward to more.

dbm · Post by **dbm** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 8:00 pm

Perry wrote:Hypernaturals #1

Eh. Decent enough issue, I suppose, but left me feeling like there are much better books of this ilk out there now ... and in the past.

Honestly, I think that was the major draw back for me ... the past. Through the entirety of the issue, I was finding myself thinking of characters from LoSH/Nova/GLC/Alien Legion and it would just bring me out of this particular comic.
.

I give this one a Hypernaturals #1. Maybe because I am not that versed in the LoSH? Anyway, there was a lot of info dumped on us at the start, but after that I thought it was very well written. I liked the scenario, I liked the characters, and the dialog. I got a good feel for the characters, and the adventure they are about to embark on. Good stuff. A&L continue to "click" with me.

abysslord · Post by **abysslord** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:16 pm

IanG wrote:
spid wrote:Revival (Image): The premise is in and around a small town in Wisconsin strange things start happening. I won't spoil the hook, but I am thankful it is not another zombie book. The art is the good, and seems to fit the tone of the story. There are places where it feels wordy, but overall it is not that bad.
I also enjoyed Revival #1 but couldn't help but notice how close this was to the comic Rachel Rising. Although Revival is different enough and done well enough that I can enjoy both. One small nitpick I have is with those rough panel borders, they were very distracting to me somehow. I wish they would just change it to a smooth panel border and maybe use rough once in awhile.

I didn't think it was too similar to Rachel Rising, other than the obvious reason. I loved this book though, what a perfect setup and the art/story moved along at a great pace, and of course the great ending.

BobBretall · Post by **BobBretall** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:26 pm

abysslord wrote: I didn't think it was too similar to Rachel Rising, other than the obvious reason. I loved this book though, what a perfect setup and the art/story moved along at a great pace, and of course the great ending.

Agreed. Couldn't have said it better myself.