Action Comics # 23.3: Lex Luthor Review – “I am so excited to work for the evil Lex Luthor!”

Intro
 

Now it’s time for Lex Luthor! As I have read Forever Evil I was really anticipating reading this book. I was hoping to learn more about his past but instead we get a prelude to Forever Evil. It’s still a good book that’s definitely worth picking up. I just would have still preferred an origin story because there isn’t a lot we know about this version. So, if you had fun reading about Lex Luthor in Forever Evil you will like this one for sure. 

Story

Lex Luthor is out of prison and discovers the disappearance of Superman. There is also an accident going on with astronauts returning to space. But Lex Luthor fails his opportunity in becoming a Superman to save them.

The Good

This is a really good issue but it falls pretty flat as well. There’s definitely good writing and very funny humor. We also get to learn about who Lex Luthor is and why he never takes the opportunity to be Superman. But there’s not a lot of story to go around. Also the dialogue does recapture of the evil personality he always had.

The Bad

The main problem I had with this issue is not having anything about his origin. This is a Lex we know nothing about. We don’t know what’s driven him to hate Superman. What makes it more a mystery is that this Lex didn’t know Superman since High School. So not knowing how he became this man makes it more complicated. The art is good here but there are times it feels misplaced.

Verdict

I gave this issue a 4/9 out of 5/10 stars. It’s a good issue that definitely worth picking up if you liked Forever Evil.  Sadly we don’t get to know anything about his past and I feel like this is a wasted opportunity at that. But besides that there’s good writing, storytelling and humor you definitely would want to enjoy. So, pick it up and you will definitely get a good read at it!

Action Comics #23.2: Zod Review –“Kneel Before Zod!”

Intro

Here’s another villain’s month issue starting Zod! I was really anticipating reading this issue because I really like how Zod was done in Man of Steel and I wanted see how this version was going to be done. The reason I like the MOS version so much because he was very menacing and violent. He also had a good reasoning for it. I felt they just really put the general persona in Zod in that film. It’s what was really missing from the character in countless interpretations of the comics. That’s why I didn’t like the villain because he was just being evil for the sake of it.  And, I’ve always that his origin was a mess. That’s the reason why I love the MOS version. His origin was really redefined. In this issue, I really like what they did in this one. I think this one issue you should pick up if you really like Zod.

Story

After the death of his parents he assembles an army against species that looked like monsters. But after defeating an innocent race he is sent to exile of the Phantom Zone.

The Good

This seems to be pretty good. They didn’t change much of his origin. But they definitely gave a good reasoning of his actions. He’s conflicted man that’s been influenced by his parents into thinking any race that looks like monsters are monsters. He felt they can’t be trusted no matter how good they are. And now, he hates Kryptonians for punishing him of killing an innocent race which gives him a good reasoning to have a driven hate or a goal in mind. It’s really shows that he is a very flawed individual. That’s what I like about this version of Zod, there’s a reason for his actions. The art is also good. There are very nice details on the face expressions and very good to look at.

The Bad

The only problem I had is that I felt it jumped around through time too quickly. We found about his childhood to adulthood in the span of five pages. I think they could of spanned a lit be about his parents and his time living in the jungle. I think it could have shown how much he was misunderstood by his parents at the values of creatures.

Verdict

I gave this issue a 4/9 out of 5/10 stars. It’s a great issue that’s definitely worthy of a pick-up. It’s a great read on redefining Zod’s character. We really get to see why he is the man that he is now. The art is beautiful and interesting to look at. The only downside is the jumping around the scenes. But I still recommend you get this book. It’s definitely an origin story you would like.

Wolverine: Japan’s Most Wanted #10 Review – It’s A Forest Fire Out There”.

Intro

I have decided not to do an intro this time because I already did an introduction to series. And I won’t be doing intros on series I did introduction on already.  So I’m leaving this out.

Story

The fight between the First Clan and The Hand is on as Wolverine awaits his turn at the end. There is also a maybe betrayal going on again with Masako fighting Osen.

The Good

Just like last issue it’s getting pretty lukewarm in here. The art and the use of the digital technique is the only thing that’s really saving this title. The action scenes are very well done and the fire looked beautiful. But everything else is just really dull.

The Bad

To me this seems to be another all action issue here. The dialogue and the story just seem to fall pretty flat here. I really don’t understand why Maseko even bothered to stop fighting last issue if she was going to end betraying everybody again. It just made everything so pointless and the argument doesn’t change anything. I didn’t even understand why Wolverine would just stay back watching all the people die in an out war. It’s something I can’t see Wolverine usually doing. 

Verdict

I give this issue a 2.5/5.5 out of 5/10 stars. This issue brings the series to a really big downhill. It has beautiful art and nice detail to the action. But the writing of the plot is just not cutting it. I really hope the conclusion of this series is good because we need a new hope for Marvel’s digital titles in the long haul. The only reason I see worth picking this up is for the art and awesome action details. 

Batman Lil’ Gotham #18 Review –“Duffy always gets do the dirty work even on her day off!”

Intro

Since the day I started reading comics I never read any kids comics. I have heard of Tiny Titans and Superman Adventures being the best ones. But I have yet to read them and I definitely will when I get the chance. I was excited when I read the announcement of Batman Lil’ Gotham mainly because of design. Yes, they look so cute! But ever since I started reading them, it’s been okay. I think having every issue with a holiday or season theme seem to restrict a bit. I also can’t understand why the villains are being arrested for no reason like just having a dinner party. It just seems like they are just getting arrested because…you know they’re the bad guys. Anyways, this seems to be a good issue and it’s pretty funny. So, I think this one is worth picking up.

Story

Jenna Duffy decides to take the day off to work on her personal project. But she constantly gets interrupted by villains. So she tries her best to avoid them or give good advice. 

The Good

When I read this issue I immediately scratched my head on who Jenna Duffy is. So I looked up on her wiki and it seems like she’s only appeared very recently since 2008. The story pretty much tells you what she normally does like in previous comics like working as a mechanic to fix stuff for villains. This issue does a good demonstration of that. It was very funny and entertaining to see her interact with numerous villains even a few surprises like Hush, Lobo, Lex Luthor and even the clay girl who appeared in Batman TAS! Plus, I thought her little Boston terrier dog was so adorable and it reminds me of an actual Boston terrier I know.

The Bad

The only bad thing I could say about this issue is that we never got to know what the personal project was. It was just pretty much forgotten the whole time and she never even finishes it. So, I don’t know why it’s in the issue solicit. I also couldn’t understand why she just didn’t pick up her phone. But if she did that I guess we wouldn’t have this story. (Laughs) I also kind of wish the next issue could have been her dealing Damian and Batman.

Verdict

I gave this issue a 4/9 out of 5/10 stars. It’s a funny entertaining issue I suggest you pick up. You will definitely get to see some awesome villains you haven’t seen in the New 52. I think this issue with be great for your child if you have one.

Infinity #2 Review – “What can Black Blot really be hiding?”

Intro

When I heard that Marvel was getting another event after Age of Ultron, I immediately felt overwhelmed. Mainly, because Age of Ultron was a big disappointed and I kind of wanted a little breather from events for a while. Marvel has been spitting out events like crazy by having three to four every year and I was thinking maybe that’s why they have been so bad. But after reading these two issues all the worries have been put to rest. This event is turning out be really good and one the best Marvel event’s ever. It had very good character details and the art and battles are pretty epic. So, I suggest you tune into this event.

Story

The all-out battle against Thanos’ army has begun on Earth and he has sent his men after the Inhumans. The secrets are revealed about the missing piece for the Infinity Gems and Thanos’ son. Do they fail or achieve in getting things they have wanted?

The Good

Wow it’s another good issue from this great event. We get great dialogue from many obscure characters like Gladiator and other members of the counsel. There isn’t much action in this one. But the explosions from the air battles look truly epic. The art is beautifully detailed especially with the characters’ expressions like Gladiator, Medusa and Black Bolt. There’s even great conflicts that are well put throughout the event.

The Bad

There isn’t anything bad I can say with this issue. I’m guessing this issue should have been a lot longer and have more interactions with the Avengers. But I think we can see that in an Avengers’ issue. I also think the governments from Earth should have some type of involvement if they see their planet being attacked.

Verdict

I give this issue a 4.5/9.5 out of 5/10 stars. It’s a very well put issue. There’s great dialogue with the Inhumans. We definitely get to find out what they have been hiding from Thanos. The art and the explosions are amazing. The only downside is there no government involvement. But I still recommend you buy this issue and reading this intriguing event! 

Daredevil: Dark Nights #4 Review –“Oompa Loompa, do-ba-dee-doo.”

Intro

Ever since Mark Waid started writing Daredevil, the character has been in a good run. Daredevil and even his supporting cast have been pretty well developed. I even liked that series has been able to shift focus on the other characters instead always being Daredevil. Bendis’ Daredevil: End of Days was another good Daredevil mini-series that made Daredevil into a legacy type of a character. This mini-series has been pretty good as well. David Lapham has a really good idea on who the character is. I really don’t know what the purpose of this series is because there are different arcs and its set in same time frame as Matt’s Daredevil series. Anyways, I suggest you check out this series. It’s a pretty good series.

Story

Matt Murdock is talking with his co-workers about a recent court case. But a little critter runs off with the evidence. Now it’s up to Daredevil to catch him. Does he fail or succeed?

The Good

I think this was a really good issue. It had great dialogue with Matt and his co-workers. The action dived in at a good pace and the interactions/distractions were pretty funny. I was surprise to see humor in here because Daredevil is rarely a funny character. I even cracked up on Buggit because he looks like an Oompa Loompa. (Laughs) I’m glad we also get to see Shocker and the nice art details were great during the scene. The art was what I really like here even though it was misplaced in some areas. It’s just that the colors and the electric shocks looked really good.

The Bad

There wasn’t anything bad with this issue. I just think Daredevil should have called Hank Pym for this situation. But I guess he wasn’t available and he didn’t want him to get away.

Verdict

This issue deserves a 4/9 out of 5/10 stars. It had great dialogue and well-paced action. I felt it was surprisingly funny because Daredevil usually isn’t. So, you will definitely laugh when you read this issue. The only problem I had was with Daredevil not calling Hank Pym. But maybe there’s a reason for that. So, I recommend picking this up and continuing on. I’m definitely hoping to find out more about Buggit in the next issue. 

Batman: The Dark Knight #23.1: The Ventriloquist – “Don’t Ever Trust a Creepy Puppeteer’s Food.”

Intro

It’s another edition of villain’s month with The Ventriloquist! Ever since, I have read about The Ventriloquist at Batgirl I have been disappointed. Maybe because I’m a big fan of the original and that’s because I enjoyed that version in Batman: TAS so much. Just to see a New 52 version of the original one would have been awesome to me at least. To be honest, I’m not really sold on this one. There’s too much of an exaggeration of the creepiness in her. I even think her design looks too much of the exorcist with the saw puppet. And even after reading this issue it’s definitely looking that way.

Story

The Ventriloquist lures some folks into a puppet show with free food. She discusses her past on how she became to be but gets interrupted by a couple of thugs. Now it’s her time to wreak havoc.

The Good

When I read this issue I thought it was okay. It had nice detail on her origin. But it wasn’t really that interesting. The art was the only great thing about this. It looked really good and detailed especially on the face expressions.

The Bad

The main problem I had with this issue is her origin story. I think seeing her kill her own brother because of jealous doesn’t justify me to feel sorry for her. It’s a bit too much for a child her age to be that way. I also felt it was pretty stupid for the people to trust a creepy looking woman’s food. I mean if I saw her I wouldn’t eat her food no matter how desperate I am. I think it kind of over exaggerated the creepiness to the point where the writing gets cheesy as well.

Verdict

I’m giving this issue a 2.5/6.0 out of 5/10 stars. The story just felt boring to me and the dialogue was too cheesy. I just couldn’t do it to myself to feel sorry for her either. The only reason I see worth picking this up is for the art and if you’re regularly reading Batgirl. Apparently the story continues in Batgirl. So, you will get the full story in Batgirl’s issues. Sadly, to say this is another disappointing Batman villain’s book.