Drunken Comics Rage

Ugh, what a week. I actually didn't make it out to the comic book shop today because of work. Which seriously brings out the HULK SMASH! in me. Regardless, since all of us were slacking and didn't post anything Monday, I thought I would at least take some time to hit some of the things I've been meaning to talk about.

 

Walking Dead Volumes #1-7 

I heard both DVO and EvilArtist talk about this series, and I've always been a zombie fan, so I was happy when I scored volumes one though seven at SDCC all for half price.

The series is a little bit different than I wanted, as it's much more a character piece set in a world full of zombies. That of course is just like most of the zombie movies and stories out there. It's all about what situation the characters find themselves in, and how they deal with it. It's not to say that it's bad at all, it's just that I read World War Z not too long ago (and saw Max Brooks speak at SDCC, which was fun), and found that book simply incredible. Overall though, once I got into it and got a handle on the characters, it was a good read.

The series follows the main character Rick, who was a cop that got shot, and woke up in the hospital weeks after the zombie breakout happened. This is basically how the back story of what happens gets told to the reader, as Rick discovers what's happened since he was shot. It's really hard to say much about the books without giving away a lot. Especially since I've mowed through seven volumes of it. I'll try to give you some general impressions though.

If you like character and dialog driven stories, then this is right up your alley. Other than the zombies being a constant threat, there's really not a whole lot of horror to it in my opinion. They're the classic slow moving want to bite you kind of zombies, and like I mentioned, are more or less used as the backdrop for the situation. Though I will admit there's quite a body count in the books. Other than the main character of course, you shouldn't get too attached to anyone.

The books really take a look at a little bit of everything character wise. From the people that rise to the occasion, to the people that just go totally nuts, and everything in-between. At times things sort of bog down here and there, especially where it seemed like there was just too much dialog going on, but those points were worth getting through for the rest of the book.

I can also see how EvilArtist found it kind of depressing. Things do not go well for people throughout the books. While I get that it moves the story along, and gives them new situations to deal with, at times I felt as if it everything going on was just set up for the next bad thing about to happen. The characters have to be the unluckiest people on the planet, and that's saying something if it's filled with zombies. 

Rating: 3 Stars

It's totally character driven, so if your looking for action or horror, it might not be the best thing to grab. There's a little both, though more action than horror for sure. I'd recommend grabbing the first volume, and if you like it, you'll probably like the series. Volume seven gets pretty dark, which turned DVO off, but two through six are about the same level as volume one.

 

Red Hulk #5

The fun continues.

In this one, the Red Hulk, who now seems to be called Rulk in the little recap at the beginning, takes on Thor. I guess it's possible they've been calling him Rulk for a little while now, and I just missed it, but I think it's something new. It fits ok though.

The fight between Thor and Rulk is a good one, and sort of shows you just how scary Hulk could be if he had brains and a mean streak. Rulk does a few cool things in the fight, which lasts the first half of the book.

In the second half of the book, its pretty much all gearing up for what looks like it could be one monster of a fight in the next issue.

Rating: 4 Stars

It's been a fun read, lots of fighting, goofy at times. Go out, buy it.

 

Avengers Invaders #4

This was an ok issue. It's more or less where a bunch of things are coming together for whatever is going to kick in next issue. On the last page of this one, it actually calls this issue the end of act one, and that act two starts in October, and that fits.

Since this issue is more setup than anything else, I don't think I'll be spoiling anything by telling you the basics of what happens. Cap and the Invaders spend their time fighting their way out of the Helicarrier (which will probably go down as a result, as it does once a week in the Marvel U). Also, both Avenger teams show up, and they get into it a little bit. I'll save what happens last, but it's nothing all that shocking, and you pretty much expect it. The only real tidbit of information is the part where Doctor Strange is looking into the past to see what all has changed, and also explains why all of history hasn't already changed. Though I wonder if that might not have been a little bit better of a story.

Rating: 3 Stars

I'll admit that the story seems to be dragging a little bit in the last few issues, but it's still a decent read. If you've been getting it, go out and buy it.

 

Gemini #1 and #2

I picked the first two issue of this up totally on a whim. I can see how the art might turn some people off, since it's more cartoon looking, but if that doesn't bother you, it's a good read.

The whole idea is that the main character is a super hero, but has no idea he is. Kind of like a split personality thing, but there's an added twist that he's  completely controlled by a government agency. They activate him, he goes out and fights crime, and then when they deactivate him, he goes back to a normal and mundane kind of ife. Nothing all that Earth-shatteringly new idea wise, but it's handled well, and the first two issues were fun to read.

Rating: 4 Stars

As long as the art doesn't turn you off, go out and pick this series up. This is only a five issue minseries it looks like, but I'm already hoping that they do something else with the characters.

 

Alright, that's all for me today, but I still have a lot more to go through. Still have to hit the comic book shop today too, which is going to add to how far I'm behind because of my slackatud.

Filed under: General Comics Rage