Adam Graham's Blog: Christians and Superheroes, page 45

Book Review: The Bravest Warriors, Volume 1

Bravest Warriors Vol. 1 by Joey Comeau

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Bravest Warriors, four teenaged superheroes, Chris, Wallow, Beth, and Danny fight evil. In this book, their quest is to save a planet of clowns from their enemy Sadness.

To be honest, this book left me with mixed feelings. It's fun and the characters are likable, if a bit one note in some cases. The book walks the line between silly and inane throughout. Is this a story that can be enjoyed by all ages, or only for littler kids? It's just on the line for me.

Overall, this didn't thrill me but I also wouldn't mind checking out another volume of this series to see what they do with it.



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Book Review: Spider-men

Spider-Men by Brian Michael Bendis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Peter Parker meets Miles Morales, a story that spans two Universes. How is it?

Okay, I guess. It doesn't deliver near what you'd expect for all the acclaim it gets. Peter crosses over to the Ultimate Universe and meets Ultimate Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, May Parker, Nick Fury, and the Ultimates. The stuff with Gwen was probably the best thing in the book with a lot being left unspoken.

Yet, the marquee meet up doesn't deliver the goods. The two Spider-men fight each other, fight together, and exchange quips. If anything, it feels like Miles wasn't well-served here as Peter takes most of the spotlight with the Ultimates and Fury stealing much of it. There's little emotional connection between the two or even an opportunity to dwell on Miles' feelings.

The book is odd too because the villain in this interdimensional saga is Mysterio. That's a new one and there's a reason Mysterio isn't called to be a solo villain in these sort of stories.

Still, the art is very good. There are some good emotional moments in the 3rd and 4th issues, and the fights and everything are all very good. There's nothing bad and stupid. The book's just mediocre.



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Book Review: Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Volume 8 - Breakfast at Tyranny's

Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Volume 8 - Breakfast at Tyranny's by Nick Abadzis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book collects Issues 1-4 of Year of the Tenth Doctor's adventures. Issues 1 and 2 open with the Doctor having lost his memory and everyone in a strange position because of a strange villain. The story leads the team back to Ancient China for Issues 3 and 4 in pursuit of Cindy and a strange red TARDIS.

Overall, this book is okay. It has some decent ideas, but it's nothing surprising in here. It feels short (and at 4 issues, it really is a short trade.) but it has some school elements. I particularly liked the Chinese art in the second half of the book. Overall, not bad, but not a must-read either.



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Book Review: Insane Jane Omnibus

Insane Jane Omnibus by Zach Hunchar

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


There were two volumes of Insane Jane, which focuses on a mentally ill young woman with delusions of being a superhero. Volume 1 features art by Mendoza which is kind of cartoonie but is good and I thought a nice touch was his drawing of Jane in color and everything and everyone in black and white. The second volume has art by G.M.B. Chomichuk which is far more artsy and stylized. There's a sort of beauty to the art and several of the graphics are striking.

The art is really the saving grace of the collection. The story is not that good. We really get little reason to connect with the heroine. The book offers some dark humor at her expense as an attempt at deconstructing superheroes. The big plot twist in the first volume was something I guessed half way through. Yet, the same premise was essentially first reused in the second volume as well as another bonus comic with a character slightly different from Jane who does the exact same things.

So overall, I found this book unpleasant, dark, hopeless, and repetitive. Cannot recommend at all.





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Book Review: Showcase Presents the Atom, Volume 2

Showcase Presents: The Atom, Vol. 2 by Gardner F. Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects Issues 18-39 of the Atom's solo series and it's a solid fun run of Silver Age stories. The book features two guest appearances by the Earth 2/Golden Age Atom as well as an appearance by Zatara and Hawkman.

The plots are fun and inventive, for the most part with some good scientific research put into the concepts as befits a story about a great scientist. It's amazing all the ways that the Atom's powers are used and how proficient he's gotten with them in this book. While the characterization isn't great, there is some nice sweet romance between the Atom and his intended Jean Loring.

Overall, this is another great volume about a truly underrated Silver Age superhero.



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Book Review: Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Volume 6 - The Malignant Truth

Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Volume 6 - The Malignant Truth by Si Spurrier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor 2.11-2.15 as we finally learn the truth about what happened with the War Doctor and the Cylors.

This book finds Alice returning through the Time Lock to the TiTme War and meeting the War Doctor. Here, the War Doctor is probably given his most gritty characterization in any media as he's ready to destroy in the name of "peace and sanity." The book has a creepy villain and also a lot of time related plot twists.

Overall, this book brings the Year 2 adventure to a satisfying conclusion with some good emotional moments for Alice that allow her to shine in a way she couldn't in the last volume, and also manages to sort all the key plot points including those involves Absalom Daak and the Squire.



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Book Review: Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze by Steve Englehart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects all Eight issues of the 1970s Doc Savage Comic which adapted Doc Savage novels into two issue comic stories, "The Man of Bronze," "Death in Silver," "The Monsters," and "Brand of the Werewolf."

Probably the only one of these that's superb as a story is, "The Man of Bronze" which tells the origin of Doc Savage's amazing wealth and really sets the stage for the series. The other stories in here are good, though not spectacular. However, what stands out is the art, particularly those issues done by Ross Andru of Wonder Woman fame. The images really stand out and probably more than any other comic adaptation, you really have a sense of the epicness of Doc's Adventures.

So overall, fair to good adaptations, highlighted by breathtaking and memorable art.



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Book Review: Namor Visionaries: John Byrne, Vol. 1

Namor Visionaries: John Byrne, Vol. 1 by John Byrne

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Submariner's back and he's here to save the planet. With Atlantis gone after the events of Atlantis Attacks, Namor tries a somewhat different tact of buying a corporation to dominate the world and prevent pollution.

The concept's not bad and I think John Byrne has the feel of Namor as a character down perfectly. However, all the plots are just okay. The art isn't all that great. The new guest characters are forgettable or not believable. Still, the result isn't bad or stupid. It's just not all that great.



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Book Review: Batman: Hush

Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects Issues 608-619 of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's HUSH storyline,. Batman's enemies are being drawn together and committing crimes in unusual way: Poison Ivy, Killer Crock, Harley Quinn. the Joker, Ra's Al-Ghul, and the Riddler all appear in the story and they're all handled exceptionally well, giving the story depth and also a fan-pleasing epicness to its twelve issue narrative.

The story also does a good job exploring a relationship between Batman and Catwoman. It has a good sense of mystery as well as great art, though I guessed the solution early on.

Overall, it's a very good Batman story that for the most part, lives up to its reputation.



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Book Review: Doctor Who: The Third Doctor: The Heralds of Destruction Volume 1

Doctor Who: The Third Doctor: The Heralds of Destruction Volume 1 by Paul Cornell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Third Doctor has just defeated Omega, and gotten the ability to fly the TARDIS back, but is he really ready to fly back into the Universe? That's a question that will have to wait as Earth faces a fresh alien invasion, his second incarnation is back, and the Master is about.

As a love note to the Third Doctor's era, this book is perfect. It captures everything wonderful about that era of Doctor Who: The Master, the Brigader, the Doctor's lovely paternal relationship with Jo. It also tells a good story with a solid surprise villain.

This is the last Doctor Who story by fan favorite writer Paul Cornell (TV episode "Father's Day," Novel, "Love and War") and he really did some thorough research and created a book with thoughtful choices. He's matched step by step by the artwork by Christopher Jones which truly feels like its right out of that era.

The only negative is that I'm somewhat iffy on how fans who didn't see the 70s series might view it. It's not a great entry point. It's a very strong story but knowledge of the classic series is a must for enjoying it.



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