Mark Brassington Comic Reviews

If you've been sitting on the fence on this one, I couldn't recommend this one strongly enough as required reading. This is clearly the central book for the X-Men and likeScott Snyder'sBatmanwhich in two major story lines (Night of the Owl and Death of the Family) has had ripples across the rest of the Bat related titles, this title is sure to be one of those books that will make ripples if not tidal waves across the X-Men line and quite possibly the rest of the Marvel Universe.

Issue four is so far the strongest issue of the series which has made good use of their one issue tie in to push the series forward and it goes without out saying that Humberto Ramos' art is topnotch. I fully recommend this issue to you as it's easy enjoyable read both in terms of writing and visually and has introduced a fresh new character.

Now the artwork " Humberto Ramos is one of my favourite comic book artists if not my absolute favorite since discovering his talents back at the end of the nineties with Crimson. The guy was born to draw Spider-Man, the guy draws detail and action perfectly.

Overall this is one fun book and even if you just read this issue I'm willing to bet you'll never look at a pregnant woman again in the same way!

In short " I enjoyed the story very much. The writing was solid and the joint effort on art by Fernando Pasarin, Jonathan Glapion and Blond on pencils, inks and colours was first class. Simone's words built their world but it was the art team that made it come to life. Great moments for me where the stairwell scene when the girls are hiding from Ragdoll and the rooftop scene with Batgirl.

Probably my favourite part of the book was the new art team especially the new costume. The new costume was something that struck me months before when the new creative team was announced and could even be the main reason I picked this up. I love the tone of the book from the colourful artwork to the upbeat nature of the book.

Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray knocked this issue out of the park, I think I've read this comic like five times now. Although there were no actual words there didn't need to be and the art team of Patrick and Mick told a story that words didn't need to. This comic is a masterpiece – well done guys. 

All in all, if this wasn't keeping us from some hot Bat-Man-Bat-on-Leviathan action, this'd be a pretty good Batman Incorporated one-off. Except it IS doing that. So, crap.

I will be carrying on with this dark and twisted psychological thriller, in short " just buy this is its crazy fun (and not for kids) and I really want to see where Madder Red takes us.

I decided to have a little fun with this weeks pick and give you the four things I love about Black Widow #1:

If this book doesn't make our top ten books of the year then someone should come and find me and hit me round the face with a Kipper. If you've picked up this book let me know your thoughts below and if not then seriously go grab it.

All in all Duane Swiercynski writes one of the best action comic series on the shelf right now and has managed to build intrigue and character into what could have easily been another guns and girls book. You've also got to admire the artwork of Manuel Garcia who along with colourist Ian Hannin have brought the action to life with some incredibly detailed scenes. Bloodshot took a serious beating this issue with at least fifteen bullets hitting him at once, ripping through his body which was handled beautifully by the art team.

On a seperate note all of the Batman supporting titles that came out this week were excellent reads and if you're not reading them I would definitely suggest picking up Batgirl, Nightwing, Birds of Prey and Catwoman – all great spin offs from the Bat.

Though the plot is simple, the characters and artwork should ensure you come back for a second helping. The book has already sold out at distribution level and will be getting a second printing so I'm pretty confident that I'm not the only one who enjoyed this book.

This book is exactly what the current volume has needed, if you've not read it then you can pick up this issue and the previous four for free on Comixology and most comic book shops as well as through Top Cows website. Pick them up and come back here and let me know in the comments below what you thought.

The story itself kicks off with Abbey Chase on her latest adventure which goes a little crazy and she escapes only to end herself up in more hot water, the comic then moves to each Danger Girl as they face similar issues. Each girl is in a different location across the globe and as a reader from London I was over joyed that, that was one of the locations used in the comic as it's not often that we'll see an American Comic outside of the US. I really enjoyed the who spy aspect of the comic and will not only be carrying on reading this comic but I've already had a flick through Amazon looking a picking up an early trade paperback.

Despite a few moans on too much narration this one of the best first issues to hit the stands in 2013. Day Men found a new way to flip the old vampire genre on its head it made and delivered a fairly action packed first issue.

Monty Nero and Mike Dowling have created a very realistic, dark and gritty world where the G-Plus virus could exist and people could develop superpowers. Many people have tried to create realistic worlds like this before but none have come as close as Nero and Dowling. Without Dowling's art you wouldn't have Death Sentence. He's added the sauce to the pasta (so to speak) and brought this comic to life and well the colours are the cheese on top. With each character and setting the colours are adjusted to really bring it home that we're following three different stories.

I enjoyed this issue and the promise it will be a great read balancing action and mystery with great writing and artwork.

Overall this is a very impressive start to Elekra's third ongoing series. The creative team have put together a great setup, interesting characters over some of the best artwork I've seen in a very long time. If you've been on the fence with picking this up, then advise getting off before you get splinters and giving the Greek assassin a shot!

This issue was certainly well written; Matt Fraction juggled both comedy and serious darker tones with ease. The issue was a joy to read as the first two have been. Well done Matt for making four essentially B-List characters come together in an A-List book.

What I liked about this issue of Gambit was that he's on his own, no X-Men and his own set of supporting characters and in this one issue; I saw a blend of science fiction, gangsters, James Bond style escape on Snowmobiles, potential romance and an uncanny ending. This has been such a fun well, beautifully illustrated issue

Overall this comic stood out of me not just as potential but for how it stood out on its own, the comic wasthoroughlyenjoyable and I really enjoyed reading this new positive Bruce. Well done to Mark Waid and team.

If you've never read Millennium and perhaps just have a familiarity with the X-Files I would still pick this up as there is enough here to help you easily get into the book and if you're a massive fan of Millennium then you won't be disappointed either.

This is how you produce a comic and draw in a new readership.

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This really was the best comic in the 'Verse this week, if you've never watched any Firefly before it's 14 episodes followed by a movie. Go watch it then read this issue.

Matt Fraction has shown what a versatile writer he is from writing Hawkeye, Fantastic Four, FF, Satellite Sam and now Sex Criminals and the fact that this issue has sold more copies that Hawkeye #1 " I know I'm not alone in the opinion that this is truly the best book out this week.

Silk #1 has made a really good start, previous stories in ASM were covered off well. The book has made good use of the supporting characters from the main book without relying on them whilst also introducing some mystery elements that I look forward to seeing played out with fantastic artwork. You'd be a fool to miss out this book.

This isn't the kind of book I would normally pick up but I'm glad I gave Supergirl a chance, it was the idea that she would become a Red Lantern that intrigued me but once I arrived the story and artwork kept me interested and enough to bring me back next month.

If you've not picked this up yet seriously ignore the crap name, this book really has no connection to Spider-Man. This book is the criminal book you never knew you needed. I'm still shocked how good this book is " just goes to show you that you can never judge a book by its cover or title. I look forward to a very long and successful run.

In short Slott keeps bringing it issue after issue and the art much like Doc's inventions got massive upgrade this week by the art team of Giuseppe Camuncoli and John Dell.

Overall although this issue packs alot into it but Slott and Gage manage the characters and story with ease, you can also feel that the subplots with the Green Goblin and J. Jonah are leading to an even bigger story. The artwork by Ramos, Olazaba and Delgado is top quality. I'm personally enjoying Spider-Man's new suit and the attention to detail that Venom received in that final panel.

The story is mostly told in narration form, which helps with the setup of the story which still leaves room for of this world to be discovered in later issues. The writing is pretty solid in terms of world building but hasn't left much for characterisation which is fine as it didn't take anything away from the first issue. The combined artwork by Montenat and Riley are exceptional in setting the tone of the book from their variations of dark colours and maintaining detail even in the action packed scenes.

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Trish Out of Water makes Aspen Comics 9th comic from this year-long anniversary under their "10 for 10" banner is available for $1 or 0.69 over here and has also made Aspen Comics first Comic of the Week at Geeks Unleashed which is high praise indeed. Vince and the rest of the team have put together something very special so go pick it up now " it's only a dollar!

First issues, renumbering, reboots, relaunches " you name it. Both Marvel and DC have been known for their share of all of these and some have failed and some of succeeded but right now with this issue fresh off the shelves I can say with much delight that this has been a success and I hope that the many Marvel NOW titles to come keep up the good standard that this title has. If you've never read a Marvel title before or have been looking for a way back in or maybe you've never read a comic " this is it, this is your way in.

The guy has a massive idea in his head of an overarching story, and is able to tell it in such a roundabout way that when elements introduced earlier make their way back into the story, it really blows your mind. And if you don't want to miss anything, you have to read every book, tie in or otherwise!

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Since DC 52 and Marvel NOW, the big two have pressed the reset switches and give us many number one's but now Aspen Comics have not only given us a first issue they've given Fathom a new lease of life. Give it a go and for dollar what have you got to lose. Review: All New Fathom #1 All New Fathom #1 copyright Aspen Comics

If Clone continues down this road of improving with every issue this will truly be one hell of afantasticscience fiction action adventure. In summary this comic is Looper meets the Bourne Identity and I can't recommend this title enough.

Even if you've not read any of this series I fully recommend you picking it up, I love that it's not a Marvel NOW, New DC 52 or one of the grittier Image or Dark Horse books which are all the rage right now. This is simple self-contained straight superhero story about a conflicted hero with a tragic background. Although if you've yet to read any of the issues before hand this issue has been written so that you could just pick up this issue and feel right at home. Buy it and enjoy it.