All-New Ghost Rider #1 Review –“Ready, Set, FIRE!”

Intro

It’s been a while since a Ghost Rider series has been around. So, when All-New Ghost Rider was announced I was sort of shocked and spectacle because it was a new character named Robbie Reyes and he drives a car instead of a motorcycle unlike the previous Ghost Riders. This got me worried and intrigued about how he will fight or utilized with the car against enemies. Plus, I liked that he is Latino, which means more diversified characters for the universe. I’m surprised they decided to trash Alexandria, the last new Ghost Rider because I was hoping for her to get another chance at a relaunch with a new writer. I found her to be an interesting character that I grew to like in the Venom series in the Frightful Four arc. Rick Remender did a really good job on fleshing her out even more than so than her solo series. The problem with her series was that it was an all action series that gave her no personality and I kind of think that’s why it only lasted nine issues.  So, if you want to know more about her I recommend you check out those Venom issues. Also, if you’re looking for Johnny Blaze, I suggest you check out Thunderbolts. It’s a really fun series with new adventures of Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider and the Thunderbolts team. Anyways, I read this issue and seem Robbie Reyes is a cool character that you should check out. I’m much relived on how this series is turning out.

Story

Robbie Reyes is a man on the run trying to live his life and protect his brother. What will his life be like when he becomes the Ghost Rider?

The Good

Robbie Reyes is a really cool character. You get to know who he is and how he is willing to do anything to protect and support his brother. He also has some notable flaws that make him human and relatable to us.

The art team in this series does a very good on the art even though it gets pretty hard to get used to. But once you see the racing scene the art and the colors give it a retro racing feel that definitely fits in.

The Bad

I felt the issue needed a bit more dialogue to understand what’s going on. It sounds kind of incoherent without the much needed dialogue. I may have a feeling it was left out on purpose to give it a mystery to set up the story for the next issue.

Verdict

I give this issue a 4/9 out of 5/10 stars. This issue gives you a pretty good idea on who this new Ghost Rider is and what makes him human and likable. The art also gives a new style that’s never been done before and the neon vibrant colors makes the comic come to life. So, if you’re looking for a new character especially with Latin roots or you don’t mind someone new taking the mantle, then I suggest you check this series out.

  

All-Star Western #29 Review –“When a Story Sleeps the Wounds Away.”

Story

After defeating the natives, Gina gets injured and now Jonah Hex tells her a bed-time story about a time in the past as she gets herself situated. Will Gina make an instant recovery or not?

The Good

The Jonah Hex bed time story tells an interesting tale in his life. It really shows what kind of man he is and what his morals are. Even though some of us might already know his morals, it’s still a good story to read.

The art with Cliff Richards is really good and does much better than the previous artists. So, there are great character models and nice action scenes. Mike Atiyeh does a really good job with the colors like in the hallucination scene.  

The Bad

Gina Green is still an unlikable character and it’s funny how much she realizes how much of a dumb broad she is for going back in time. Like duh! Booster Gold warned her about going back in time. But no, she still wanted to go. The only reason why I don’t like her is because she pretty dumb and annoying especially to Jonah. I know you’re not supposed to like every single character. But I don’t know if it this character is intentionally to be unlikable or not. It really doesn’t demonstrate that in anyway.  It’s kind of downer to get a filler bed time story from the past when they just got back in the past. It kind of puts us to a pause instead running along with the story. But at least the story he tells is a good story.

Verdict

I give this issue a 3.5/7.5 out of 5/10 stars. It’s pretty much a filler issue about Jonah Hex’s past and it gives a pretty good idea of who the character is. So, it will definitely get new readers up to speed for the series. Cliff Richards is a really good artist for the series and I hope they will keep him on the title. So, if you’re looking to get into Jonah Hex, then I recommend you pick this up. Old readers should get this issue too, because something happens at the end that might give what’s to come for the series. 

A + X #18 Review –“We All Have Our Flaws”

Story

Shadowcat and Vision are inside a virtual reality from Murderworld while Cyclops and Captain America are trying to capture a doombot who caused all the Skrull accident at Latveria and hand him over to S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Good

I think the Shadowcat and Vision story had good potential to be great but it fell flat because it was too short. Shadowcat and Vision had good chemistry and good teamwork. It also had an interesting story that sort of tied to Avengers Arena. So, they could have expanded more with that if it wasn’t split up by this other really bad story. The art was pretty good throughout the entire issue and it had great use of colors and action.

The Bad

The Cyclops and Captain America story didn’t progress to anything better. It really ended in a bad note. There was no character development between them. It just went back to square one with them bickering and hating each other. So, they never get along and it felt unnecessary to tell this story. The only good thing in this story was just the art and the chemistry between Eva and Dr. Strange.

Verdict

I give this issue a 3/7 out of 5/10 stars. The Shadowcat and Vision story had good story potential to tell a great story that could have tied into Avengers Arena/Undercover. It could have been a great marketing success if they would have just focus on that story. The Cyclops and Captain America story was very tedious with no character development. I honestly don’t understand why it needed to be told. It felt it was just there to run the issues by. At least the art was good to look at in this issue. But for a final issue I don’t see it worth picking up unless you are interested in that Avengers Arena tie-in. It’s really sad to see this series go with only two good issues in its entire run. It’s not even worth it for a trade. If they could have just focus on making good team up stories that lasted every four issues, it would have been a great series to pick up. Too bad it couldn’t live up to be. 

     

Daredevil Road Warrior #1 Review –“What You See Isn’t Always What You Hear.”

Intro

At the time, I heard the Daredevil series was cancelled; I was very saddened because Mark Waid and Chris Samnee did a wonderful job on Daredevil with some really great stories and great art. It was honestly my top five series to pick up and always looked forward to. Daredevil became an instant favorite character. So, when I heard about an infinite comic series, I was very much excited because it was being done by the same team and I was wondering what exciting story they would come up with and the use of the digital features for it. Also, at the time it was announced it was the only Daredevil series to look forward to. Thankfully, weeks or months after Daredevil was getting relaunched with the same team. So, I was very much relived. Anyways, this series takes place right after the last series left off, when Daredevil revealed his secret identity to NYC and got disbarred from being a lawyer. Luckily he still had a license in San Francisco, California. So now, he’s on his way over there with his new girlfriend Kristen McDuffie. But something happens on his way over there. I also want to keep note after reading this four part series, it really isn’t required to read for the new relaunched series. So, you won’t feel lost without it and even though it’s an okay story, you won’t hate it if you pick it up.

Story

Daredevil and Kristen are on their flight to San Francisco, but something happens on their way there and it doesn’t “sound” too good!

The Good

This issue seems to have a pretty good average story. There’s interesting dialogue between Daredevil and Kristen. There’s great use of the digital features with seeing things from Daredevil’s perspective or use of radar sense. So, you can get a good feel of the character. The art is very well done with good colors and good use of blur effects for the vibrations.

The Bad

There isn’t much action going on here and the issue goes by pretty quickly than other digital series like Deadpool: The Gauntlet.

Verdict

I give this issue a 4/9 out of 5/10 stars. It’s an alright series for me. There are funny jokes, interesting things to look at art and digital wise. But overall, you will still have fun reading it. So, if you’re looking for a Daredevil series to have fun with, then I recommend you getting it. 

  

 

Animal Man #29 Review –“It’s Time for a Bed Time Story, Dad.”

Story

The battle of Brother Blood is all over and now it’s time to read a bed time story from Little Wing/Maggie to her Dad, Animal Man.

The Good

There’s not much that goes on, but Maggie tells an emotional wonderful story that sums up all the adventures they had. You can tell how much she misses her brother, the great adventures she had with her family and how much she admires her Dad and herself as heroes. It’s a really good story that shed a tear in me especially since I had a recent death of someone not long ago.  So, maybe you can relate to the story if had a similar experience in life.

The Bad

I’m not much of a big fan of the art. I think it’s kind of terrible with less detail and bad character models. There isn’t great use of colors either. I think the story it could have been much stronger if they use the art that was outside of the bed time story or use another artist to give a better direction. I’m also kind of disappointed Maggie got rid of her powers. I was hoping for some type of future for her joining the Titans or something. I understand why it happened though and I hope she gets it back for a seen able future.

Verdict

I give this issue a 4/9 out of 5/10 stars. It’s a great emotional story that’s worth a read. If the art wasn’t so bad this story would have been perfect. But I recommend you pick this up, even if you want to just jump in. It will definitely get you up to speed of what’s been happening that will lead you to Animal Man’s new adventures in Justice League United which I recommend you catch on to if you want to see this character continue. It’s really sad to see this series go and I really hope it comes back. It was a good series from start to finish. So, I suggest you get the trades. It’s a great series that will make Animal Man as your favorite character and it will make you realize that heroes with families can still make great stories to tell. It was a series I always looked forward to and I can’t wait to see him in Justice League United.

 

Adventures of Superman #42 Review –“The Super Babysitter!”

Intro

Since the last time I reviewed Adventures of Superman, it’s been a bit of a bumpy road. The main reason why the series runs into that problem is because there are different writers for each out of continuity stories and the max of parts is three. So, depending on the writers it can range from good to really, really bad. So, it can be difficult to follow this series. At first I really loved the series because it had good stories after another and they were so much better than the New 52 stories. It’s like they had a better idea of who Superman is and it’s been a while since we saw that.  But now, it’s right down the middle because one week the story is good then, the next week the story is bad. So, you have to really pick your battles on what stories you will really like. The stories I would recommend is Exposed which is about a reporter who’s trying to figure out a connection between the Daily Planet and Superman and The Sound of One Clapping Hand which tells Superman’s first meeting with The Joker. They are pretty good reads for anyone to enjoy. But for today’s review this issue is an okay one part story that really doesn’t hold much to pick up. It’s just a story that “tries” to have fun.

Story

Superman/Clark Kent has to babysit two babies while their moms go out for the night. But the Atomic Skull has caused destruction in the city. How can Superman babysit and save the city at the same time?

The Good

This issue was okay for me. It’s a simple story with a pretty bad idea. The only good things were the translations for the baby talk and the babies were pretty funny even though they were jerks. The art I felt was pretty average too. It was nothing spectacular, but it wasn’t terrible either.

The Bad

I can’t see why Superman would decide to babysit. I mean seriously, him being a superhero has no time for that. So, I can’t see why he would agree to it. Also, if Clark Kent didn’t care about them seeing him as Superman then why would he leave them out of his sight? Putting them through danger like letting them go to the roof or carry them along as he fights a super-villain looks like he can care less about their consequences of getting them killed. I also would keep the kids distracted with some pretty awesome powers instead of letting them run around the house or lock them up somewhere they can be safe.

Verdict

I give this issue a 2/5 out of 5/10 stars. Superman babysitting? Yeah, the story isn’t much of a good idea especially if he’s putting the kids in danger. It’s too much of a risk for him and I don’t think Batman would agree with this. (Laughs) The art is also average, nothing really worth looking at. So, it’s really up to you to pick this issue up. It’s an issue I wouldn’t recommend for a fun read.