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New Comic Book Reviews Week Of 11/27/13

New Comic Book Reviews Week Of 11/27/13

So as we all celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this weekend there is also the Black Friday shopping fiesta that goes on all weekend also. Many comic shops across the country will also be having sales on comics, toys and graphic novels. Of course there are new books that hit the shelves this week and you might be in the mood to pick up some of this weeks books to feast on. Here are four new books that hit the stands this week and lets see how they stack up.

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Mr. Peabody & Sherman #1

IDW Writer Sholly Fisch, Artist and Colorist Jorge Monlongo, Lettering Tom B. Long

Based on the upcoming Dreamworks re-imagining of the classic Jay Ward cartoon Mr. Peabody & Sherman come to the comic book medium from IDW. The plot synopsis from IDW is, A dog…and his boy?! Join the classic Jay Ward characters, the world’s smartest individual who happens to be a dog, Mr. Peabody, and his son Sherman, on their maiden voyage in the time-traveling WABAC machine and other adventures exploring history. I grew up on the Rocky and Bullwinkle by Jay Ward show that featured Mr. Peabody & Sherman and now Dreamworks is doing a CGI feature with the characters. The first issue follows the basic story of how Mr. Peabody and Sherman came to be and there adventures through time. Writer Fisch does a nice job of introducing the characters the overall story seems a bit on the flat side. It’s not a bad book by any means it just kind of sat there for me. It may have been Monlongo’s artwork that may have affected me. The art has an overall strange look to it and just seems a little inconsistent and odd at the same time. It’s not bad but just didn’t capture the feel of the original show. Even if you are not familiar with the characters I still think that most people will not be overwhelmed with this book.

Is this book worth your time and money? It’s not a complete waste of time and money I just feel that with better all ages books out there right now that this book is going to have a tough time getting people to come back for more. The art is a bit of a strange choice for an all ages book and Monlongo’s art style just doesn’t jive with the story.

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Black Science #1

Image Comics Writer Rick Remender, Artist Matteo Scalera, Painted Art Dean White, Lettering Rus Wooton

It seems like Image Comics is really flinging books at the wall to see what is sticking and they have been really getting some good books out there lately. This week brings us a new one Black Science by Rick Remender who has been writing a lot of books for Marvel right now and he is back in the creator owned realm again. The plot synopsis from Image Comics is, Grant McKay, former member of The Anarchistic Order of Scientists, has finally done the impossible: He has deciphered Black Science and punched through the barriers of reality. But what lies beyond the veil is not epiphany, but chaos. Now Grant and his team are lost, living ghosts shipwrecked on an infinite ocean of alien worlds, barreling through the long-forgotten, ancient, and unimaginable dark realms. The only way is forward. The only question is how far are they willing to go, and how much can they endure, to get home again? Join writer RICK REMENDER and the superstar art team of MATTEO SCALERA & DEAN WHITE for this face-melting science fiction epic spanning the lifetimes of a cast of dimensional castaways lead by the man who caused it all. The story is one that has two stories told concurrently. There is the narrative that is telling the back story and the artwork that is telling the current events story. While I did like the first issue there was a whole lot of story going on and I think that the first issue might have worked better ratio between the two. I was really overwhelmed with all of the stuff going on and yet there is a lot of mystery to come. I did really enjoy the old school pulp that the story brings to the table. I hope that the next issue is a bit more focused. The art is the thing that really sealed the deal with me buying this book. Scalera does the initial pencil art then White finishes it with painting the color in to give the art a look that you just don’t see in comics very often. This is one of the best looking books of the year. The art really captures the other world aspect of the story and I can’t wait to see what these two come up with in the next issue. It’s just stunning artwork

Here is a sample of what the interior art looks like.

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Is this book worth your time and money? While the story is really good it’s almost too much for one issue. The story is super dense but very intriguing. I am looking forward to see where Remender is going to go with it. At the very lest buy this book for the stunning artwork and you will be blown away by it. The book is worth a pick up because I really think that the story in the next issue is really going to get the ball rolling. Recommended.

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Savage Wolverine #12

Marvel Comics Writer and Artist Phil Jimenez, Co-Writer Scott Lope, Colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, Lettering VC’S Cory Petit

I am really liking the approach that Marvel is taking with this book. They are getting really top-notch creators to do small story arcs and it’s really keeping the book fresh. It also allows readers to pick up the stories by the creators that you want and you might want to sample some creators that you are not familiar with. This issue kicks off a two-part story by Jimenez and the plot synopsis from Marvel is, An all new arc by superstar Phil Jimenez! (NEW X-MEN, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, Wonder Woman). On an annual safari in the African veldt, Wolverine encounters a killer that will take him halfway across the world. Wolverine returns to Madripoor to deal with some family business. I have been a fan of Jimenez work from when he started at DC Comics back in the early 90’s. He is not only a very talented artist but has become quite a good writer. The other great thing about this book is that it does not have to strictly adhere to the current continuity and it allows the creators more freedom to tell more off the path type stories. Jimenez really captures the feel of the old days of Claremont/ Bryne X-Men and not have to worry about all of the clutter that comes with Wolverine or the X-Men now days. He also taps into what makes Wolverine such a great character the duality of him. Wolverine has great compassion but most stories rarely allow both that and his savage side. This story really gets both sides of him and really runs with it. Jimenez art is just as good as the story that he has created. He is able to capture the scope of the story but also the very subtle facial expressions.

Is this book worth your time and money? I wish that both Wolverine and X-Men books were as good as this every month. While I get that the characters should not trapped in the past and need to move on but they also need to remember what made the books and the characters so great that we fell in love with. Jimenez gets this and really runs with it in both the story and the art. He shows us a great example of how a Wolverine story should be done. Very Recommended!

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Fanboys VS. Zombies #20

Boom! Studios Writer Shane Houghton, Artist Jerry Gaylord, Art Assists by Penelope Gaylord and Bryan Turner, Colorist Andrea Dotta and Mirka Andolfo, Lettering Ed Dukeshire

Sadly this is the last issue of Fanboy VS. Zombies but at least the book goes out with a bang with this issue. The plot synopsis from Boom! Studios is, Series Finale. “4 Stories of the Apocalypse” concludes with an alternate reality tale — what if the Wrecking Crew turned zombie at SDCC, and the scrappy creators of a comic book series called FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES were the only humans left alive to stop them? Houghton takes the book out the same way that it started, insert tongue firmly in its cheek. The book has always been a wild ride and this issue is no exception. Houghton breaks the “fourth wall” and tells the story from the creative team behind the book and put them into the middle of the story. And then setting the story at the San Diego Comic Con is just icing on the cake. While the book is a lot of silliness going on the story is very solid and well done. The weaving of the comic story and the “real life” story while not new it really plays both sides well and the ending is really funny. Gaylord’s art fits the tone of the story and he does a really nice job of capturing the likenesses of the creators. He is able to do both cartoony and seriousness with a nice fine line. I think that the book goes out on a high note and at the right time. It’s nice to see a book know when to pull up the stakes and call it a day and at least go out on their terms.

Is this book worth your time and money? Even if you haven’t been picking up this book I do think that this issue is a good chance to see if you like the book and if you do pick up the trades of it. The book never set the world on fire but it was a fun read every month and didn’t wear out its welcome. While I am sad to see it go I am glad that it was around long enough to poke a little fun at both the zombie genre and of course the fanboys and girls along the way.

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