What should a comic publisher do to attract new readers when movies just aren’t doing it? Reboot of course! It worked for DC comics with The New 52, which I’m sure most of us have heard of by now, even us noobs. Heck, The New 52 is one of the main reasons I started reading comics again. So, all of the thunder has been stolen from Marvel, who is already a difficult publisher for new readers to sink their teeth into. With silly numbering systems and insane crossover events, Marvel was slipping. What they did have going for them was their blockbuster movies. Movies that should have been attracting new comic readers. But once they had realized how difficult it was to decide where to start reading, most of them got turned off. Not to mention watching the movie means they now know all there is to know about that character(s), right? Yes, that was sarcasm. In all sincerity, Marvel needed something fresh to attract new readers. And although Marvel NOW! has been met with as much negative criticism as positive outlooks, I truly believe it will be a great place for new readers to start, so let’s take a look.
Uncanny Avengers #1 Published by Marvel Comics
The much anticipated Marvel NOW! has arrived. If you’re asking yourself “What is Marvel NOW!?” don’t worry, I’ll give you a quick lowdown. If you can recall DC Comic’s The New 52 reboot of their entire franchise, Marvel NOW! is essentially the same thing. Ask anyone at Marvel Comics and I’m sure they will deny it. There are differences, so I’ll give them that. Marvel NOW! is not rebooting every series, and Marvel is not doing so all in the same month, either. Many titles got the axe, but Marvel keeps revealing more and more series that are getting renumbered or renamed. And all of this is brought about by the summer epic everyone was talking about, Avengers versus X-Men. If you are still unfamiliar, I suggest waiting for the hardcover collection of the twelve issue series, as it also contains the tie in series. That will bring you up to speed with Marvel NOW! and what is going on.
With AvX ending recently, the catastrophic events that unfolded within those pages have brought about a new era of Marvel Comics, and leads us right into Uncanny Avengers #1 without skipping a beat. Almost every important detail as it pertained to the mutant side of the AvX battle are followed up on, loose ends brought together. Humanity now hates mutants again after what happened in AvX, and Captain America, leader of the Avengers, sees the need to help mutants rebuild their public image. The whole team that will be a part of the Uncanny Avengers are introduced, and are brought together in some shape or form. But the ending of this comic is absolutely mind blowing. For new readers, and I mean NEW readers, this comic will be a bunch of nonsense. For anyone with a sense of Marvel characters, mutant or avenger, this hyped up comic is a must read. A perfect place for anyone interested in starting to read Marvel comics.
Art: 10/10
Script: 9/10
Parental concern: High. Blood and Gore.
Daredevil: End of Days #1 (of 8) Published by Marvel Comics
Daredevil, who is he and why is he so loved? Well, Daredevil is a blind super hero who uses his heightened senses to fight crime. He is one of the deeper and oldest Marvel characters. He has had his many struggles over his many years. Interested yet? You very well should be if you are interested in some good Marvel heroes. In End of Days we actually see the death of Daredevil at the very beginning of #1. You may think that doesn’t make very much sense to do it that way, but many of his paste exploits are revisited throughout. The story actually follows a reporter for the struggling Daily Bugle newspaper, which you may find familiar from Spider-Man. The reporter is investigating Daredevil’s death, and why no one cares about it, especially after sacrificing so much for the peoples of New York.
There are definitely some very interesting plot twists, and for someone who has never read a Daredevil comic I can say his portrayal is most inviting. The art style may be a bit of a strange one for new readers, but don’t worry, it’s good quality work. It is a very violent comic, though. Some have said it will shape into one of or the most violent and bloody Marvel comic to ever be printed. I would have to say the art style definitely compliments that idea. If you’re in for a good super hero story, this is a good place to start. That is if you are also into blood and gore. The only problem with this comic is it may come off a bit confusing if you decide to start reading other Daredevil comics, as it has no effect on DD continuity. But take that with a grain of salt, this issue was a very good read that makes me want to find more Daredevil comics.
Art: 8/10
Script: 9/10
Parental concern: High. Blood, gore, violence, language.
Robyn Hood #1 Published by Zenescope
Zenescope comics has made a name for itself by taking classic fantasy stories and fables and putting women in the staring role. Wonderland is probably one of their bigger series, which already stars women, I know. In the Grimm Fairy Tales universe, there are four dimensions all linked to Earth: Wonderland, The Myst, Neverland, and Oz. All of these dimensions have at least one comic series for itself. But now Myst is getting it’s own, by taking the classic story of Robin Hood the man and putting a woman from Earth in his place.
The story from start to finish is an invigorating crossover between events on Earth and events in Myst, all leading up to their inevitable meeting point, where our heroine in finally named. Now this series is one that I have been looking forward to. Everybody loves Robin Hood, and Zenescope is putting their womanly twist on it. It is a very well done comic form start to finish. If you are looking for a good fantasy series with a sort of sci-fi twist, this is a pretty good place to start. My only quarrel with Zenescope is the very thing that makes them unique. They’re portrayal of women in their stories is very empowering. They’re portrayal of women on their covers is demeaning. To say that Zenescope’s variant covers, and some of their regular covers, are gratuitous would be an understatement. That being said, they are very well drawn, depicting beautiful women. I can appreciate the art for what it is, but I can’t appreciate how Zenescope seems to feel they need to have nearly nude women on their covers to matter. Putting all of that aside, this is a good place to start reading anything from Zenescope.
Art: 7/10
Script: 8/10
Parental concern: High. Blood, gore, violence, sexuality.
Evil Ernie #1 Published by Dynamite Entertainment
You may have heard whispers of a guy named Evil Ernie, but maybe, like me you haven’t ever read anything about him. Well now is your chance to turn and face evil itself. Evil Ernie #1 is the origin story, or rather “The Origin of Evil Part One”, otherwise known as a great place to start reading. What makes Ernie so evil? What led him to kill 665 people, and what will happen when he finally gets that 666th murder? There’s only one problem with that, Ernie is being executed for his crimes.
Evil Ernie is a very gruesome read, but perfect for anyone with a stomach for such things. It’s definitely a good horror comic with plenty of blood and guts to go around. EE pulls no punches with the absurdness of the subject, and the gore that ensues. As far as it being a well written story, there are definitely better, but it is a very good horror comic either way. The art is not the greatest, with many inconsistencies. The parts that are good, are very good. It is a different art style that is easily gotten used to. Can I suggest it to new readers? I absolutely can suggest it to new readers with a love of horror and slasher movies with religious context. If you’re looking for a devilish gruesome comic series, look no further than Evil Ernie.
Art: 6/10
Script: 7/10
Parental concern: High. Blood, gore, violence, language.
Point of Impact #1 (of 4) Published by Image Comics
Point of Impact #1 is a black and white crime drama comic about a woman, who falls from a height onto a car, and dies. What later unravels is the complexity of this woman’s married life and her secret life. It is a very interesting story, and even though it will only be four parts, should be a very solid series to the end. Of course, I can only judge that by how good this issue was. As a man married to a woman who loves crime drama TV, I can truly admit that this is better than most stories you can find while flicking channels.
It is a very real comic, that quickly and effectively develops it’s characters all in one issue. There is a mystery about every character, but it is not wonder what kind of person each of them is by the end of the issue. The art is really well done, and it just goes to show that black and white comics are making a comeback after the success of The Walking Dead. Not to say there were no successful black and white comics before Walking Dead, but it definitely brought them into the spotlight. I really enjoyed this issue, and look forward to the remaining three issues. If you like crime dramas, thrillers and mysteries then Point of Impact will make an impact on you.
Art: 8/10
Script: 9/10
Parental concern: High. Blood, sexuality, language.
New story arcs in ongoing series
Fairest #8 marks the beginning of an exciting new story revolving around Rapunzel and her long lost children!
Death of the Family is the new story arc crossing over most of the Batman titles and starts off in Batman #13.
Deadpool #61 marks the start of The Salted Earth, the closing up arc of the series before it reboots to #1.
The Amazing Spider-Man #695 is the beginning of the end, the Hobgoblin vs. Hobgoblin story leading up to the momentous #700 issue, that also marks the reboot of the series to #1.
Wolverine #314 is starting off a new story arc with a new creative team, but it too is rebooting to #1 in January.
X-Treme X-Men #4 begins a new arc with the ragamuffin team teleporting to a steampunk western dimension.
I did an extensive review of End of Days. It is a must read! 4 pages in and I was hooked!
I picked up Robyn Hood, decent story. I’ll most likely grab the rest of the story, but I’m a little embarrassed to be seen buying it. That cover is one of their tamer covers. I’ve heard good things about the Wonderland story though, but have to look into that one more.
twoguns365
