Showing posts with label 52 comic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 52 comic. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Book Review for Library Read-a-thon book #14: 52 vol #3



Book: 52 volume #3 (issues #27-39) by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid with illustrations by various artist (art breakdowns by Keith Giffen)

Source: Library

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Volume three brought back the strong writing and interesting stories that made the first volume such an amazing read.

These issues may have included plenty of action packed scenes but it was the characters and their interactions that really drove the story. There was so much emotion and heart but also humor.

Renee has been training with Richard Dragon while The Question's health is in question. But when they uncover a plot against Batwoman, the two quickly head back to Gotham to warn her.

Ralph Dibny was still on his mystical quest to bring back his wife and one method may have worked but it would require him to re-live one of the worst moments of his life. Not being able to go through with it, Ralph believes there is another way for this to work.

Natasha Irons was finally able to understand what her uncle John was trying so hard to tell her about Lex Luthor's program but was it too late. Meanwhile, her uncle John and other scientists were trying go find enough evidence to prove that Luthor's program is not what he's touting it to be.

The Teen Titans were recruiting for new members and Osiris showed up but is the world ready to give Black Adam, Isis and Osiris a chance to see that they really are for peace.

Starfire, Adam Strange and Animal Man along with Lobo are trying to figure out a way to stop an invasion that's on it's way to Earth.

Wonder Girl is still having a hard time with her grief over Superboy's death but has finally seen that the cult she joined was pretty much a fraud. But she's also under the belief that Superboy has returned but going by the identity of Supernova, the latest superhero in Metropolis.

But Lex thinks Supernova is the Man of Steel and is so sure of that, that he had Clark Kent (the only reporter who's been able to interview the hero) abducted just to get the truth from him.

Supernova's identity was revealed in this volume as well as why he was really there.

Batman, Robin and Nightwing got a little attention as well. Robin and Nightwing had been keeping an eye on Bruce as he retraced the steps that made him into Batman. However, Nightwing returned back to Gotham to keep an eye on the city and finally meets the newest "Bat", Batwoman. Dick being himself just couldn't help flirting with Batwoman, it wouldn't be him other wise.

I can't say enough how amazing this was especially after the 2nd volume was just adequate.

There was this scene that actually brought tears to my eyes. The scene showed Renee struggling and doing her best to try to get The Question up the mountain to Nanda Parbat, a special place where Renee believes that could help Charlie. Because Charlie is dying and had been slipping in and out of consciousness but for one moment he was alert and aware and was trying to get Renee to understand that there are just some things that are out of ones control. 

Since, the library doesn't have the fourth volume I'm going to have to buy it which is fine except for the fact that I can only find it in digital form. I don't have a problem with digital comics but this is the type of book that you want to read in print. Maybe I will check to see if the comic book store has a copy lying around on the shelf somewhere.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Library Read-a-thon books #14 and #15: 52 vol #3 and African-American Classics (comic book)

Since these are the last two books for the library read-a-thon I thought I would post them together.




Book: 52 volume #3 (issues #27-39) by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid with illustrations by various artist (art breakdowns by Keith Giffen)

Source: Library

Description:

After the INFINITE CRISIS, the DC Universe spent a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman -- a year in which those heroes were needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance.

The DC Universe's most eventful year continues in this latest volume of the acclaimed series with Booster Gold, Renee Montoya, Black Adam, The Elongated Man, Animal Man, Lobo, Starfire and Adam Strange taking center stage.






Book: African-American Classics (Graphic Classics volume #22) edited by Tom Pomplun and Lance Tooks

Source: Library

Description:

African-American Classics presents great stories and poems from America''s earliest Black writers, illustrated by contemporary African-American artists. Featured are "Two Americans" by Florence Lewis Bentley, "The Goophered Grapevine" by Charles W. Chesnutt, "Becky" by Jean Toomer, two short plays by Zora Neale Hurston, and six more tales of humor and tragedy. Also featured are eleven poems, including Langston Hughes'' "Danse Africaine" and "The Negro," plus Paul Laurence Dunbar''s "Sympathy" (''I know why the caged bird sings... '')

Book Review for Library Read-a-thon book #12: 52 vol #2


Book: 52 volume #2 (issues #14-26) by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid with illustrations by various artist (art breakdowns by Keith Giffen)

Source: Library

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Review:

I thought the second volume was good but perhaps not as good as the first. The scenes with Lobo didn't really make any sense and felt like they were a filler. Starfire, Animal Man and Adam Strange's story would have been a lot more interesting without including Lobo. Another story I thought felt like it was a filler was Ralph Dibny's mystical journey.

But the story with Steel and niece Natasha continues to be really good. I get a feeling that Natasha is going to learn the hard way that dealing with Lex Luthor leads to nothing but trouble. And thanks to Luthor's project, there are more and more "heroes" popping up and they are causing more trouble than the villains.

Black Adam's agenda seemed to have changed and he doesn't seem to be trying to force his "peaceful" ways on the rest of the world but others are not buying his change of heart and it had the US reinstating the organization Checkmate to keep an eye on the situation.

Renee Montoya and The Question continue their search for Intergang this time in Kahndaq, however they ended up getting framed for a crime they didn't commit. However, they were able to get away and put a stop to one of Intergang's bombing plots.

Meanwhile, in Metropolis the hero Supernova continues to garner more attention which is the last thing Booster Gold wants to hear about especially since his popularity has dropped immensely due to being found out as being a fraud. There's also something going on with Skeets.

Wonder Girl doesn't seem to be working with that cult anymore but she's still sad about Superboy's death and somehow thinks Supernova maybe Conner.

There are even more things occurring in this volume but I don't think the stories were as cohesive as with the first volume. It felt like most of the stories were all over the place. But I did enjoy seeing the Teen Titans and a few other characters show up in this and Clark Kent continues to make a few appearances.

So, this wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be but I'm still looking forward to reading volume #3.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Library Read-a-thon book #12: 52 vol #2


The first volume was so outstanding, I hope it continues with the second one.


Book: 52 volume #2 (issues #14-26) by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid with illustrations by various artist (art breakdowns by Keith Giffen)

Source: Library

Description:

Volume two continues following the cataclysmic events of INFINITE CRISIS have left the world without its three biggest icons -- Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman -- an the question is asked: Who will stand up in their absence?

The story of 52 continues in this incredible second volume as Booster Gold's dubious heroism comes under fire, Lex Luthor's scheme for giving ordinary citizens super-powers explodes, and The Question heads into hostile territory to confront Black Adam. 

Book Review for Library Read-a-thon book #7: 52 vol #1



Book: 52 volume #1 (issue #1-13) by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid with illustrations by various artist (art breakdowns by Keith Giffen)

Source: Library

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

I am so mad. I can't believe I waited until now to read this.

I don't say this too often but I dare say this was perfect. A story like this could be a real challenge but the writers succeeded at creating a flawless story that focused on various people and heroes as they try to cope with the after effects from the Infinite Crisis. There is a lot going on but so worth the read.

With the big three (Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman) no where to found, it's up to the others to try to get the world back to normal. Even though Superman maybe gone (he lost his super powers), Clark Kent is still there trying to get out of his slump by trying to get an exclusive interview with the latest hero protecting Metropolis. There were two scenes I loved, one was with Clark and Perry White and the other with Clark and Lois Lane. With Perry, Clark needed to prove he was still one of the best reporters and the scene with Lois showed how much they cared about each other.

That's not the only thing that's going on in Metropolis, Lex Luthor continues with his slimy ways by trying to offer people the option to have super powers but nothing with Luthor can be trusted at face value. His latest project is also driving a huge wedge between John Henry Irons (Steel) and his niece Natasha.

Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark) has gotten mixed up with a cult that believes in resurrection and it's tied to Ralph Dibny (The Elongated Man) whose wife recently died.

Black Adam is trying to form a coalition to take his new peace protection world wide but can you have peace with violence.

Renee Montoya and The Question are in Gotham trying to track down Intergang but somehow get noticed by the newest "Bat" in town.

And there were so many more stories that included: Booster Gold, Starfire, Animal Man, etc that are taken place within this story that covers 13 weeks (each issues is a week).

This was compulsively readable, I didn't want to put it down. That's how good this was. It does make me feel a little sad that DC Comics stories are not as good as they used to be. 

Friday, July 4, 2014

Library Read-a-thon book #7: 52 vol #1


I've read a lot of comic books and this is one series that I have been wanting to read. I've had it on my wish list for a while and when I saw it at the library I figured I would just check it out. I also checked out volumes #2 and #3, as well.


Book: 52 volume #1 (issue #1-13) by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid with illustrations by various artist (art breakdowns by Keith Giffen)

Source: Library

Description:

In the aftermath of the Infinite Crisis, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman vanished for a year. This incredible new series reveals what happened while they were away!

Self-serving ‘hero’ Booster Gold is grabbing headlines; Steel is investigating Lex Luthor’s latest master plan; former cop Renee Montoya is probing the mysteries of The Question; Elongated Man is searching for a way to bring back his wife; and Black Adam is becoming fatally pro-active.

Meanwhile, somewhere in space, Animal Man, Starfire and Adam Strange discover a terrifying new threat!