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bmaackreadscomics's reviews
46 reviews
Green Arrow, Volume 1: The Midas Touch by J.T. Krul, Keith Giffen, Ignacio Calero, Ray McCarthy, Dan Jurgens, George Pérez
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.75
Writing: 0.0
Art: .25
Characters: .25
Enjoyment: 0.0
Originality: .25
This was a pretty weak trade in my opinion. The art was lackluster throughout, the writing was actually pretty misogynistic at times, and it got a little to preachy about indicting internet/stream culture.
The villains were wholly forgettable, the plot and complications were very cookie cutter, and this series seems to be following the trend of not being a true reboot of the character like The New 52 promised.
It’s not a mess, there is a story there, it’s just rather uninspired
Art: .25
Characters: .25
Enjoyment: 0.0
Originality: .25
This was a pretty weak trade in my opinion. The art was lackluster throughout, the writing was actually pretty misogynistic at times, and it got a little to preachy about indicting internet/stream culture.
The villains were wholly forgettable, the plot and complications were very cookie cutter, and this series seems to be following the trend of not being a true reboot of the character like The New 52 promised.
It’s not a mess, there is a story there, it’s just rather uninspired
Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E., Vol. 1: War of the Monsters by Jeff Lemire, J.G. Jones, Alberto Ponticelli
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Writing: .75
Art: 1.0
Characters: .75
Enjoyment: 1.0
Originality: 1.0
Art: 1.0
Characters: .75
Enjoyment: 1.0
Originality: 1.0
Swamp Thing, Volume 1: Raise Them Bones by Yanick Paquette, Sean Parsons, Scott Snyder, Michel Lacombe, Víctor Ibáñez, Marco Rudy
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Writing: .75
Art: .75
Characters: .75
Enjoyment: .5
Originality: 1.0
Art: .75
Characters: .75
Enjoyment: .5
Originality: 1.0
Animal Man, Volume 1: The Hunt by Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Writing: .75
Art: 1.0
Characters: .75
Enjoyment: .25
Originality: 1.0
Art: 1.0
Characters: .75
Enjoyment: .25
Originality: 1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Body horror
O.M.A.C., Vol. 1: Omactivate! by Jeff Lemire, Scott Kolins, Keith Giffen, Dan DiDio, Scott Koblish
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Writing: .5
Art: .75
Characters: .25
Enjoyment: .75
Originality: .75
Art: .75
Characters: .25
Enjoyment: .75
Originality: .75
Superman – Action Comics, Volume 4: Hybrid by Scott Lobdell, Sandu Florea, Tony S. Daniel, Tyler Kirkham, Andy Diggle
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
There are 5 different stories occurring in this one volume:
1) Superman and Wonder Woman go on a date, are attacked by a pair of sirens and their mind-altering song who have taken control of Diana’s cousin Eros the demi-god. The story is short, somewhat out of left field, and not necessary in the slightest for this volume
2) Superman vs The Hybrid. A virus injected into him by Lex Luthor that acquires and adapts Superman’s powers. This was a solid Superman story that also had the strongest portrayal of Clark Kent as a man in The New 52 thus far.
3) Superman & Pax Galactica vs Lexus the Devourer. This was a charming adventure where superman encounters space-knights with magical weapons who are hunting a cursed incarnation of evil. Very classic feel, but not much in the way of character development or the Clark identity. The 4 Pax Galactica members are passionate and funny at times.
4) Jor-El Meets Lara and Saves Krypton from a Military Coup. This was a pretty straight forward sci-fi adventure story; not too much to complain about but not too much to write home about either. I appreciate the consistent artwork and understandable continuity of this side story.
5) Superman in the Psi War! Sort of a half story that probably didn’t need to be included in this Volume. Pieces of it are omitted and are simultaneously occurring in the Superman series. Fun to see other writers expand upon previous events like the Braniac Invasion at the beginning of New 52. Nothing wrong with this story and seems fun, just incomplete and therefore dissatisfying.
Overall, this trade is mostly some fun reading without any Morrisonian Headaches. None of the art was really noteworthy, nor was any of the writing. Andy Diggle had started something neat with the Hybrid story. But it didn’t last long and Clark Kent faded into the background like he usually does so that other wild adventures can happen.
1) Superman and Wonder Woman go on a date, are attacked by a pair of sirens and their mind-altering song who have taken control of Diana’s cousin Eros the demi-god. The story is short, somewhat out of left field, and not necessary in the slightest for this volume
2) Superman vs The Hybrid. A virus injected into him by Lex Luthor that acquires and adapts Superman’s powers. This was a solid Superman story that also had the strongest portrayal of Clark Kent as a man in The New 52 thus far.
3) Superman & Pax Galactica vs Lexus the Devourer. This was a charming adventure where superman encounters space-knights with magical weapons who are hunting a cursed incarnation of evil. Very classic feel, but not much in the way of character development or the Clark identity. The 4 Pax Galactica members are passionate and funny at times.
4) Jor-El Meets Lara and Saves Krypton from a Military Coup. This was a pretty straight forward sci-fi adventure story; not too much to complain about but not too much to write home about either. I appreciate the consistent artwork and understandable continuity of this side story.
5) Superman in the Psi War! Sort of a half story that probably didn’t need to be included in this Volume. Pieces of it are omitted and are simultaneously occurring in the Superman series. Fun to see other writers expand upon previous events like the Braniac Invasion at the beginning of New 52. Nothing wrong with this story and seems fun, just incomplete and therefore dissatisfying.
Overall, this trade is mostly some fun reading without any Morrisonian Headaches. None of the art was really noteworthy, nor was any of the writing. Andy Diggle had started something neat with the Hybrid story. But it didn’t last long and Clark Kent faded into the background like he usually does so that other wild adventures can happen.
Superman: Action Comics, Volume 3: At the End of Days by Brad Walker, Chris Sprouse, Travel Foreman, Grant Morrison, Rags Morales, Sholly Fisch
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It (almost) all comes together. Grant Morrison’s Action Comics Volume 1 felt like a bit of a mess, but he sure did pull off a wild story in the end. So much happens in these 6 issues it’s hard to describe.
5th Dimensional beings who treat our universe like a magic trick, time traveling superheroes trying to save Superman and consequentially the whole future, phantom zones and ghost dogs. This volume felt like a time portal to the sorts of pulp stories that existed in the early 1900’s.
My two main complaints across Morrison's “trilogy” here remain the same: Inconsistent artwork/conveyance of action and emotion, and a real lack of believable and relatable characters. Superman has all of these ideals that he stands for, but as the issues climb in number, Clark Kent becomes less and less important. So much time is spent in the comics constructing these insane other dimensions and clever plots that hardly any time at all is given to flesh out the characters as people. A new character will pop in, say who they are, and we’re supposed to just roll with it and keep moving.
Despite my gripes, this volume simultaneously captures what comics are all about: unbridled creativity. While the art may not be consistent, it’s really good in certain spots; shoutouts to Travel Foreman and Chris Sprouse. And the way that all of the many loose ends were tied up really does feel like a clever magic trick. It’s not perfect, and some of the resolutions will probably confuse me to my grave, but it’s entertaining and satisfying to see the majority of the puzzle pieces come together.
5th Dimensional beings who treat our universe like a magic trick, time traveling superheroes trying to save Superman and consequentially the whole future, phantom zones and ghost dogs. This volume felt like a time portal to the sorts of pulp stories that existed in the early 1900’s.
My two main complaints across Morrison's “trilogy” here remain the same: Inconsistent artwork/conveyance of action and emotion, and a real lack of believable and relatable characters. Superman has all of these ideals that he stands for, but as the issues climb in number, Clark Kent becomes less and less important. So much time is spent in the comics constructing these insane other dimensions and clever plots that hardly any time at all is given to flesh out the characters as people. A new character will pop in, say who they are, and we’re supposed to just roll with it and keep moving.
Despite my gripes, this volume simultaneously captures what comics are all about: unbridled creativity. While the art may not be consistent, it’s really good in certain spots; shoutouts to Travel Foreman and Chris Sprouse. And the way that all of the many loose ends were tied up really does feel like a clever magic trick. It’s not perfect, and some of the resolutions will probably confuse me to my grave, but it’s entertaining and satisfying to see the majority of the puzzle pieces come together.
Superman: Action Comics, Volume 2: Bulletproof by Brad Walker, Ben Oliver, Cafu, Cully Hamner, Grant Morrison, Ryan Sook, Gene Ha, Max Landis, Rags Morales, Sholly Fisch
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is a significant improvement over Vol. 1. The pacing and conveyance through art were both solid. Some really neat side stories here like in issue #9 which stars a black Superman from Earth 23 who is also president, and a boy who uses Superman’s indestructible cape to help defend his loved ones in issue #0.
The art was a little all over the place from issue to issue. Most of it was slightly below average for my tastes with the exception of Action Comics #9 by Gene Ha and especially the art in Annual #1 by Ryan Sook and Cully Hammer Really which was nicely stylized and somehow evoked both a modern and classic feel simultaneously.
One of the main elements of this story, that Clark Kent “dies”, was a really neat idea to explore—especially so early in this new Superman’s career! However, it certainly could have been handled better. Clark Kent had hardly formed any relationships with anyone before he "died", and yet we're supposed to believe that everyone cares about him deeply.
The only major complaint about this trade other than the spotty art is that while action and events are portrayed in a way that the reader can comprehend what's going on, so little work is done to make any of the emotions in play feel earned. You can get through this trade and enjoy it the whole way through, but if you stop and try to analyze anything for too long you'll notice all the cracks in the writing.
The art was a little all over the place from issue to issue. Most of it was slightly below average for my tastes with the exception of Action Comics #9 by Gene Ha and especially the art in Annual #1 by Ryan Sook and Cully Hammer Really which was nicely stylized and somehow evoked both a modern and classic feel simultaneously.
One of the main elements of this story, that Clark Kent “dies”, was a really neat idea to explore—especially so early in this new Superman’s career! However, it certainly could have been handled better. Clark Kent had hardly formed any relationships with anyone before he "died", and yet we're supposed to believe that everyone cares about him deeply.
The only major complaint about this trade other than the spotty art is that while action and events are portrayed in a way that the reader can comprehend what's going on, so little work is done to make any of the emotions in play feel earned. You can get through this trade and enjoy it the whole way through, but if you stop and try to analyze anything for too long you'll notice all the cracks in the writing.
Justice League, Vol. 1: Origin by Jim Lee, Alex Sinclair, Paul Pelletier, Mark Irwin, Pat Brosseau, Jason Fabok, Sandra Hope, Matt Banning, Tony Aviña, Gabe Eltaeb, Geoff Johns, Joe Prado, Carlos D'Anda, Scott Williams, Ivan Reis
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This Justice League origin story was a quick read, had a couple of good heart to heart moments, but didn’t really feature the 7 heroes all that well within the 6 issues. Some of the choices that were made hold this story back from being amazing, however the action was great and I personally like the more classic art for these characters.
A lot of the heroes act a little strange given that this is supposed to be a reboot, particularly Batman and Superman who felt like they should have been reversed in terms of emotion. Batman was way too heroic right out of the gate and Superman was way too aggressive and angry. Hal Jordan was rather petulant at first, but was the only character who really had any growth so that was nice. The Flash was barely a character outside of his jokes, and Wonder Woman as well as Aquaman didn’t have much depth either. Cyborg was done pretty well though. Darkseid was sidelined hard in this story and was thwarted far too easily.
Overall this didn’t really wow me, but surprisingly none of the issues mentioned above really bothered me all that much. This was pretty enjoyable and sets a solid baseline to hopefully be built upon.
A lot of the heroes act a little strange given that this is supposed to be a reboot, particularly Batman and Superman who felt like they should have been reversed in terms of emotion. Batman was way too heroic right out of the gate and Superman was way too aggressive and angry. Hal Jordan was rather petulant at first, but was the only character who really had any growth so that was nice. The Flash was barely a character outside of his jokes, and Wonder Woman as well as Aquaman didn’t have much depth either. Cyborg was done pretty well though. Darkseid was sidelined hard in this story and was thwarted far too easily.
Overall this didn’t really wow me, but surprisingly none of the issues mentioned above really bothered me all that much. This was pretty enjoyable and sets a solid baseline to hopefully be built upon.
Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Despite the incredibly dark and violent content, it was a very easy and quick read. Gabriel Rodriguez on art did an amazing job conveying action and events from one panel to the next. The writing left a little to be desired in my opinion, with a heavy reliance on voiceover narration from the different characters.
The mystery of the keys, Key House, and the kids’ family history is definitely compelling. But the darkness that this family must live through is a little too much for me. The writing almost gets edgelordy at times especially with Ty. I mean just look at how many content warnings I had to put on this review! Also, while there is at least a little growth amongst the characters, their growth is perhaps in the exact wrong direction in that their trauma that haunts them is not only validated but is deepened as more terrible things keep happening. Bode is by far my favorite character as he’s the story’s only sense of innocence and curiosity.
I understand that this is a horror/mystery, but long story short is that everyone in this comic desperately needs therapy.
The mystery of the keys, Key House, and the kids’ family history is definitely compelling. But the darkness that this family must live through is a little too much for me. The writing almost gets edgelordy at times especially with Ty. I mean just look at how many content warnings I had to put on this review! Also, while there is at least a little growth amongst the characters, their growth is perhaps in the exact wrong direction in that their trauma that haunts them is not only validated but is deepened as more terrible things keep happening. Bode is by far my favorite character as he’s the story’s only sense of innocence and curiosity.
I understand that this is a horror/mystery, but long story short is that everyone in this comic desperately needs therapy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Stalking
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit