Drunken Comics Rage

Well, I have made it though a few comics since Wednesday, though I really meant to post something yesterday. Regardless, I've gotten through five of them, with about 9 to go, so here's what I've read so far.

Possible spoilers below, but I'll try to keep them to a minimum.

 

Also, in the middle of writing the Guardians part of this post, I've decided to start adding a star rating to the books I talk about. We'll see how that goes. The system goes:

6 Stars - Yeah that's right, there's six of them. Sometimes a book just needs to be put above everything else. These are a must buy. It's so good that you should buy several copies to give to your heathen friends that aren't already buying it.

5 Stars - Very good issue. I recommend buying it, even if you think it's not really "your thing".

4 Stars - Solid Issue. If your looking to start picking up something new, this would be a good one to start grabbing. Or if you're already a fan, this is one to look forward to.

3 Stars - On the fence. It's not bad, but there's nothing all that great here. If you like the series, or characters, or just want to read it, go ahead. Just be prepared to give it a big "eh" at the end. If your not excited, you should skip it.

2 Stars - Not worth the time. These are issues where something has gone wrong, and they just aren't worth the money to pick up.

1 Star - Please for the love of all that is holy, don't even pick this one up. Anything that actually gets a 1 star should be avoided like a cheap hooker at a herpes convention. (yes, I did debate not putting that last part in there, but then I said the hell with it).

 

Guardians of the Galaxy #2

It's a great thing when a comic makes you laugh out loud by the second page.

It's only two issues in, and I feel that I've gotten more fun out of it than I have almost any other comic I'm reading at the moment, though The Incredible Hercules does hang out in a decent second place. Guardians runs that fine line where things can be serious, and yet fun, all at the same time. You get a really solid story, some great humor, and a lot of things going on that keep you interested.

To give you a little idea of what happens in this one, without giving too much away, the Guardians find a big ball of ice in space. Said cosmic snowball has in it what looks to be the Avengers Mansion, Captain America's shield, and someone who isn't Captain America. They also kinda actually pick the name Guardians of the Galaxy, get into a fight, and upset The Universal Church of Truth, which wants one of them for a lot more than what happened in issue #1.

Rating: 6 Stars.

Yup, I actually added that extra star just to rate this one. I know, you're probably already tired of me talking about how good this has been, especially since it's only two issues. I get that, but for me, it's actually the one that I can't wait to read the next issue of.

 

The New Avengers #42

This whole issue is really a tie-in to the Secret Invasion event that's going on right now. The story does seem to continue into the next issue, but overall it felt more like a oneshot.

The whole issue is about the Skrulls that were impersonating heroes, in the time before Secret Invasion events start.

It's a good read if you're reading Secret Invasion, and are already picking up The New Avengers (which is how I ended up with it). Nothing really all that shocking happens, so if you never get around to reading it, you're really not going to miss out on anything.

Rating: 3 Stars.

If you're really not into the whole Secret Invasion (SI) event, it's going to be pretty useless to read it. Even if you are into SI, it's not something you need to go out of your way to read. It's a decent story though, and it might actually have kind of an ending in the next issue, so if you do buy it, it shouldn't be a total loss.

 

(Red) Hulk #4

Well, this one flat out starts off goofy, and kind of sticks with that theme through the rest of the book. Not a bad thing really, but they may have turned the goof-o-meter up just a little too high.

This is the issue where The Hulk and The Red Hulk, are both wailing on each other. The fight is actually a pretty decent one, and it looks like there might even be a better one next issue. You might also actually find out who the Red Hulk is, though that could also be just a red herring. Ha! I made a funny there, red herring, red hulk. Keep, I say, keep up with me son. (Sorry, channeling a large rooster there.)

Anyway, it's a decent issue, but didn't knock my socks off or anything. That might just be because there was a lot of fighting going on, and that takes up a lot of page real estate.

Rating: 4 Stars

 

Dead Space #4

This is sort of the shit-hitting-the-fan issue. That point in any good horror movie where everything that's been building up suspense, all the character introductions, the set up, and so on, all get wrapped up. No more shadowy stuff, no more "what's really happening" questions, no more mystery. The ugly grotesque thing that wants to wear your guts like a hat is revealed. Let the running and screaming begin.

Overall it's a pretty decent issue. If you've been getting it, and like it, you'll like this one too. I've enjoyed the series so far, and hope that it wraps up well.

If you haven't been getting it, and are curious, this actually isn't a horrible starting point. You should get the basics, and the next few are where things really should get going.

Rating: 4 Stars 

 

Fantastic Four #558

I was completely prepared to just drop this after last issue, and really only bought this one since it had Doom on the cover. I was also prepared to totally hate it. Overall though, and here comes this weeks big shock, I have to admit it wasn't bad.

Now let me say that the previous few issues had set the bar so low that there was no where to go but up. I mean no where. If they had Doom show up and spend the entire issue helping Franklin find his lost teddy bear, I totally wouldn't have been shocked at all.

That being said, a few things wrap up here. You finally learn more about the woman that Johnny Storm has been messing around with, and she actually becomes a big part of the story, rather than some stupid running gag like Storm's band and reality series. The new baby sitter is a lot more than she seems, and so is one of Reed and Sue's kids. Finally, a new Super Hero team is sort of introduced, and there's a really big surprise at the end of the issue which, and I might totally regret this, but actually makes me want to read the next issue.

Rating: 4 Stars

This should probably get just three stars, seeing as how bad the last few issues were, but it was good enough that if you were to pick up this one, you should find it a decent read, and the sub-plots and surprise at the end might be worth it if there's a payoff next issue or two.

 

And with that, I'm done for today. Still have a bunch to read, so there might be some stuff up on Sunday, or at least sometime Monday at the latest. 

Filed under: General Comics Rage, Ghostshark's Rants