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IanG wrote:I like Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist #1, but I'm not sure I like it enough to continue with the series. The pencils are interesting but I wish there was an inker and I think the coloring was heavy handed.

I think you hit on what was bothering me about the art, Ian. I was not realizing they were coloring directly on the pencils. Having a good inker and a less heavy-handed colorist would have made this issue a lot better, IMO.

IanG wrote:T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 (DC) - The whole it's him, it's really him reveal was lost on me because I haven't read much THUNDER Agents.

I've read pretty much all of the previous THUNDER Agent stuff & didn't get the reveal either. That said, while I read it, I didn't memorize it. There should have been something there to pull in people who lack an exhaustive knowledge of THUNDER Agents lore.

Ray #1 - I loved this first issue. Both the story and art were fantastic. They did a really good job of introducing the main character and a great supporting cast. So much happened in this issue I thought it was an extra length issue.

Avengers X-Sanction #1 - I think the only Loeb book I enjoyed over the past few years was Ultimate X. Besides that, I have felt that his stories and plots have been very weak and this no exception. What bothered me the most is how Captain America was handled in this issue.

The Activity (Image): The comic is the mold of Mission Impossible where a convert government group goes on missions beyond the scope of other agencies. The thing that stands out about this comic is it really designed well. The art is good, and really fits the style they are going for.

My problem with the plot is they never really explain why they are doing what they are doing so it feels kinda hollow at the end. I do not get the "writing for the trade" storytelling method some writers use now. It is just a little thing that kinda bothered me.

The Activity #1 - I really loved this book. Did they explain everything in the first issue? No, but they gave me enough to read it on a regular basis. The art by Mitch Gerads was really good and is a good for this series.

Memorial #1 - This was also a strong first issue. Strong writing and good art makes this a winning combination. Again, the art is a good fit for the story. If you are a Neil Gaiman fan like I am, I would recommend trying the first issue out.

Ferals (Avatar): First of all, the art is pretty good, no complaints. The gore level is what you'd expect from a Lapham book [at least from reading his Crossed stories and Caligula] but nowhere near as explicit as those I just mentioned. It's gory when needed.

When it comes to the story, it read pretty good. This was definitely a setup issue as it just stopped and said "to be continued", but I do want to keep reading. It reminded me Silver Bullet a little ... small town w/ murders and we're going to have to try and figure out who's the werewolf or if that's the angle David is taking. I'd recommend this for sure if you enjoyed any other Lapham books because so far he's doing a good job of story vs. gore, as opposed to Caligula and Crossed: Pyschopath which seems to have tons more gore than needed.

The Activity #1 - I think this could be a great book but right now I don't know any character from another. Obviously you can only do so much with one issue but we'll see if that gets fixed after a few more.

Memorial #1 - I think this book has tons of potential and from what I read about the next issues it seems Chris has created a pretty cool universe to play in. I like his ideas for the "worlds", here's a quote about it:

There are five "continents" that make up the world, three of which are seen in the first issue: the land of Maybe, which is full of things that might exist such as aliens and fairies but don't yet; the land of Is, an area also called the Everlands that has everything that currently exists and is run by a mysterious woman; and the land of Was, which is everything that ever had existed.

Two other realms on either side of those — Things That Are Forgotten and Things That Are Imagined — will be seen in the third issue. (And for those who need one, Roberson promises a map of all these sites in issue 4.)

Sounds cool to me.

Hawken #1: Been meaning to post this -- new Tim Truman book - art by Truman, story by Truman and his son Ben. I loved it. The art was amazing, as expected. I really liked the printing - non-glossy pages, lines that showed the pencils (I think?) really beautiful. The story is about a crusty old western drifter, making good on past evils with a supernatural twist. Killer stuff (no pun intended).

Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #1 (of 5) - I love the Tonci Zonjic artwork in this book. He had previously done Who Is Jake Ellis. It looks even better here than in Jake Ellis because it's got Dave Stewart coloring it. My only complaint is that Lobster isn't in his own book all that much. Although the other characters are compelling enough and there's a good mystery to the story. I'll add this to my pull list.

Dark Matter #1 (of 4) (Dark Horse) - The story was interesting enough but the artwork didn't sell me on this comic book. It just wasn't up to the quality that Dark Horse usually has. I probably wouldn't continue with this series if it was more than 4 issues. But I won't be unhappy with these 4 issues as I do like a good sci-fi story.

Ferals #1 (Avatar) - So far I don't know what the angle is on this werewolf story. I think that's the point of the mystery to this story. The artwork was good albeit really disgusting in a couple parts. I'll give it another issue. Although I'm not sure the kind of brutality depicted in this issue is what I'm looking for in my comic books. It's not like I'm that surprised as it's an Avatar book.

Whispers #1 (Image): I've never read anything from the Luna brothers before but I loved this issue. The art was okay in parts, really good in others, but I loved the narration the best. While I'm not nearly as OCD as the main character, I can totally relate to the thoughts he had about opening a door. Pretty cool idea too, I've got another series on my pull list and I'll be checking out their other series' as well.

abysslord wrote:Whispers #1 (Image): I've never read anything from the Luna brothers before but I loved this issue. The art was okay in parts, really good in others, but I loved the narration the best. While I'm not nearly as OCD as the main character, I can totally relate to the thoughts he had about opening a door. Pretty cool idea too, I've got another series on my pull list and I'll be checking out their other series' as well.

Agreed. Great series.

Scarlet Spider #1 (Marvel): Not appealing to me, I didn't like the fact that we couldn't get the star of the book in costume by the end of #1, plus the call-out to "90s love" of leather jackets & pouches in the letter column scares me. I'm sure there's a target audience that will love this (John for instance, really liked the book) but I'm not in the target demographic.

Danger Girl: Revolver #1 (Image): Good story & art that fit the property, it felt like midway between J. Scott Campbell & Disney animation, but it worked for me.

Dead Man's Run #1 (Aspen): I really really wanted to like this, I love artist Tony Parker. Unfortunately, I couldn't make my way through the story. It lost me about 2/3rds of the way through the issue. As far as I can tell, the protagonist is killed, goes to hell, and is planning his escape from hell. Problem is that the death itself was really ambiguous. The initial setup was pretty unclear to me also. Not my cup of tea.

Lord of the Jungle #1 (Dynamite): I thought this was well done, however I've read the original novel and at least 2 previous comic adaptations of the story, maybe more. Nothing adequately new here for me to get a $3.99 book on an ongoing basis.

Prophet #21 (Image): A complete reboot of the original Image/Extreme series, Prophet has been transported into the far future thanks to (I think) cryogenic suspension. We now have a story of exploration in a REALLY weird/trippy future. This was some freaky stuff and will definitely not be everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it. Some really off-kilter stuff from Brandon Graham, who brought us King City. Art by newcomer Simon Roy was a really nice match for the story.

IanG wrote:Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #1 (of 5) - I love the Tonci Zonjic artwork in this book. He had previously done Who Is Jake Ellis. It looks even better here than in Jake Ellis because it's got Dave Stewart coloring it. My only complaint is that Lobster isn't in his own book all that much. Although the other characters are compelling enough and there's a good mystery to the story. I'll add this to my pull list.

Agreed, Zonjic's art style was a really good match for the Lobster Johnson character/story. Felt really good.

BobBretall wrote:Scarlet Spider #1 (Marvel): Not appealing to me, I didn't like the fact that we couldn't get the star of the book in costume by the end of #1, plus the call-out to "90s love" of leather jackets & pouches in the letter column scares me. I'm sure there's a target audience that will love this (John for instance, really liked the book) but I'm not in the target demographic.

I like you Bob don't have any great feelings towards 90's Spider-Man comics. I did enjoy Ryan Stegman's art a lot and it's almost worth getting the The Scarlet Spider #1 for that. I might pick up the issues down the line or a trade if it's half-off or less.

The Lone Ranger #1 (Dynamite) This was a decent enough first issue but not enough to pull me in. The story was interesting but I've seen something like it before in a Western, although I'm not sure where. If the art was a little better than I might be on board. The coloring was really simple and didn't help the line art much. I'll buy almost any #1 issue for 99¢ from Dynamite and this was one of those instances.

IanG wrote: The Lone Ranger #1 (Dynamite) This was a decent enough first issue but not enough to pull me in. The story was interesting but I've seen something like it before in a Western, although I'm not sure where. If the art was a little better than I might be on board. The coloring was really simple and didn't help the line art much. I'll buy almost any #1 issue for 99¢ from Dynamite and this was one of those instances.

I felt the same way, it was OK, but not worth $3.99 for the ongoing series.

Finally read Fatale #1 and I liked it. It wasn't the best #1 issue from Bru but it was interesting enough to bring me back for #2. Plus, his track record speaks for itself so I sure it will be a great book. He and Phillips make a great team.

Alice in Wonderland #1 (Zenescope): Several people were talking about how much they liked Zenescope so I thought I'd give them another chance. At a minimum I think I need to just call it quits on Raven Gregory, his stories just don't click with me. The 1st half of this comic just plodded along taking WAY too long to introduce Alice & the Wonderland setting + the Jabberwocky. I'd rather have gotten that during the course of some engaging storyline where something happened other than a pointless journey against some weird Dali-esque backdrops. That really seemed like marking time until we could age the little girl into a busty heroine in a really trampy take on Disney's Alice outfit. Like a stripper wearing a "Sexy Alice" Halloween costume.
Anyway, I won't be back for #2.