Tim Vinton Comic Reviews

Obviously, I am really fond of this comic and I hope you will be too. I feel like we have a real connection here and I don't want an argument like this to divide us. In the end though, it comes down to the same issue of most adaptations. If you are an Adventure Time fan, then it is difficult for me to imagine you not enjoying this book. However, if the show is just not your thing, then this comic probably will not change your mind. There are definite problems in terms of how the story is paced, but this is not like so many other comics that have nothing to benefit readers while they are transitioning between plot points. Here, you have laughs and plenty of them. For some comic fans that may not be enough, but it is certainly a great deal for me.

I may not be able to show the same enthusiasm this time as I did in my previous review, but, rest assured, I am reasonably enthused. Honestly, with the exception of the Gorman strip, the overall quality of this book is even better than last time. I love it. I dig the art, the story is legitimately interesting, and it is so funny, you guys. Seriously, though. So funny. Hah. I'm going to go laugh at it some more now. See you there.

All of these things continue to make Adventure Time a stand out comic. While this book does not quite measure up to the previous issues, in my opinion, that does not hold it back from being well worth any fan's time and money.

When I said this book was perfection, I meant it. There is no one thing that I would change about it. Of course, the nature of perfection is that it cannot exist beyond a personal measure. No one thing can be perfect to everyone, which, by the definition of perfection, makes the idea of perfection imperfect. Basically, what I'm saying is, I really like this comic book. If you give it a try, then maybe you will too.

Whether you are a long time fan of Spider-Man or just starting to get interested, Amazing Spider-Man #666 is worth your time.

The highest praise I can give for Angel & Faith #1 is this: It feels like a continuation of the show I loved. Angel and Faith are really back to continue their adventures and I could not be happier. Obviously, if you are not already a fan of the shows or the previous comics, then you are not going to have the same appreciation as a fan. Unfortunately, Angel & Faith #1 assumes that readers already have a fair idea of who these characters are and what their world is like. However, if you're willing to invest the time into finding these things out for yourself (All Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel episodes can be found on Netflix Instant Streaming and Buffy Season 8 is available in trade paperback form from Dark Horse Comics), then you'll find a comic that is even greater than the potential it represents. Let's go to work.

I feel like Angel & Faith #2 is not quite as poignant in its observation of Giles's death and there is less going on. Even so, it is still a fantastic read. Obviously, those uninitiated with the Buffy/Angel franchise are going to miss a lot of the appeal, but it can definitely stand on its own as what is looking to be a great series. If you love these characters like I do, then you simply cannot miss this one.

Angel & Faith #3 keeps the series going strong. The book hits a really nice balance, where there aren't any big new surprises, but the story is kept tight. If you like a good comic, then check it out. If you love the characters, then you can't miss it. Happy Halloween.

Check it out if you really want an accompaniment to the video games, but don't expect it to be anything more.

If you can ignore what you think you know about Batman and are willing to laugh at the absurd, then you will probably have a great time with this joyous train wreck of a comic.

To be fair, this is not a bad issue. It is just more shallow than I would have liked. Dialogue still has enough of the Whedon style, but Buffy's cutesy phrases are getting to sound a little forced. The art is the same as it has been without any especially striking images, despite there being a boss fight. The reveal of the shadowy puppet master was not interesting and there was a lot of missed potential. If you are a big fan of guys with glowing green hands, then you will absolutely dig this issue. Just be advised: that is about all you will get.

To be perfectly honest, I don't really have any complaints for this book. It doesn't hit the highs of some series I've read, but everything that it does it does very well. Chew #24 is overall a really solid book. Be forewarned that this book is not without language and gore, but, if that doesn't bother you, then it's hard not to recommend. If you read the series, then you know the score, but for newcomers, I encourage you to give this one a shot.

Chew is quickly becoming a series that I really enjoy. Through no fault of its own, Chew #25 does not measure up to the success of the preceding issue, but that is certainly not a slight against it. The previous book simply told a more compelling and cohesive story. Even so, the humor, universe, and characters that Layman and artist Rob Guillory have put on display here are really something worth taking a look at.

All in all, this is another great issue of Chew. I can't give it a resounding recommendation, due to the actual story not being all that interesting though. If you do not appreciate the humor or Rob Guillory's fantastic stylized art, then there is simply not much here for you. Personally, I greatly enjoy both of these qualities. The Toni character is fun and full of energy, even when she is biting chunks out of people. Her curmudgeonly brother, Chow, acts as a great foil for her and I can very well see these two working well as a comedic pair in the future. If you like a comic that's not afraid to laugh at itself and then laugh at everything else and then just kind of chuckle in the corner for a while, then check this one out.

I really am mystified as to why this issue was released this way. Ignoring the inherent strangeness in releasing the same comic book twice, I just do not think this is one of the best issues. As far as I can tell, it does not have a great deal of impact on the story at large, either. If I had to guess, I would say that the previous release was an experiment and taking this issue out of context, like it was back then, probably makes it a lot more interesting. Of course, it wouldn't do to force readers to look for back issues to find out the next part of the story, so skipping the Second Helping Edition entirely would not work out. Honestly though, while this issue does have its stand out moments, I think the second release could have been skipped. If you are a fan of Chew and have not already read this, then I would still recommend checking it out, but I certainly would not bother to pick it up twice.

There are a lot of complaints one can level at Deadpool Max 2 #1, but I honestly enjoyed it overall. The mature humor is mostly juvenile, but that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. I appreciated that the book clued me into what was happening, but the exposition really does halt the book at parts. The same can be said for the priest who, while probably funny in small doses, needs to realize that we're here for Deadpool and at acertain point Lapham is just beating up on the clergy. Deadpool's old buddy Cable will be around in the next issue, which may get the story moving along, but even if it doesn't, will probably provide some laughs, so I'll look forward to that. The book is clearly not for everyone, but if you're looking to catch up with Deadpool, then this is a decent place to start.

If you absolutely cannot get enough of the Farscape universe and characters, then check this out. For everyone else, the original series is available on DVD and Netflix Instant Streaming. Do yourself a favor and stick to the source.

When all is said and done, Fear Itself #7 is pretty much an uninteresting waste of time. I found it to be mostly boring with some placation and confusion thrown in. In my mind, the problem with so many of these big events is they promise these huge changes to the universe and then the entire story ends up being pointless and has no lasting effect. With the New 52, DC has at least taken some steps towards lasting change. I'm not saying Marvel should reboot all their series, but if they continue writing these big events, then they need to actually serve a purpose and not just exist as blatant cash grabs. If you're a big fan of Thor and the Asgardians, then this might be worth checking out, if only to see that mythology on the page and pay respects to the fallen hero. Because I am certain this death is absolutely final and not meaningless and he will not be back again in a few months or so. Absolutely not.

Generation Hope #16 seems very relevant to the X-Men mythos and that, in and of itself, garners it a recommendation for X-Fans. However, if you do not really care about the inner workings of the mutant crisis, then this is certainly not the book to start with. In the end, it doesn't do the teen thing well enough nor the epic story well enough to recommend to most.

A book that is not for everyone, but has a few stand out moments, sounds pretty fitting for Glory #25. According to my grading scale, that is a six. That was me just then deciding on the score. You don't even have to scroll to the bottom now. What a time save. Anyway, if you have the extra cash, then maybe you will want to give this book a shot. Maybe you won't. I certainly couldn't blame anyone, either way. When Glory #26 is out I have every intention of seeing if this issue looks any clearer in retrospect, but, for now, it is what it is: A confusing comic that I somehow enjoyed.

Like its previous issue, Glory #26 leaves me a bit confused. There is good here, but I cannot say whether it is enough good to warrant the price. The series looks like it may very well be ramping up the scale of Glory's conflict, but, for now, some readers may want to wait on the sidelines.

It's nothing special, but Guarding the Globe #5 legitimately had me chuckling a couple of times. I really am just not sure if I was supposed to be.

The Incredible Hulk #1 is by no means a bad comic and is actually something of a pleasant surprise compared to the boring Fear Itself #7. Jason Aaron's story seems to be moving in an interesting direction and Silvestri's art makes everything, from fighting to studying, an incredibly visceral experience. That said, when a debut issue only serves to confuse the reader more, things need to change or we're in for a rough road ahead.

The worst I can say for this issue is that Jason Aaron's script refuses to answer some questions and gives terrible answers to others. We now know who these guys who attacked Hulk are and we now know why Banner is bonkers, but I profoundly wish we did not. I don't even know what the Hulk is anymore. Originally, it always seemed that his quest for peace was born out of Banner's same feelings. Now they are finally split up and Hulk seems to be the amalgamated qualities of both characters, while Banner is just a generic madman. Maybe Banner was the monster all along? Yeah, we get it. Everyone else is the monster, not the Hulk. Even himself now, apparently. Honestly, it's not thought provoking at this point; it's just pedantic.

Incredible Hulk used to be a title that I had a lot of respect for. This, however, is just something I am not sure how to recommend. There are even better bad comics out there, if you are looking for a laugh. I sincerely hope that this character can be salvaged, but if The Incredible Hulk #5 is any indication of what is to come, I'm not holding my breath.

Infestation Outbreak #1 is an overall very solid book. There are problems, but they are primarily the same difficulties that plague any first chapter in a story. In time, we'll see if the potential on offer ends up as just another unnecessary cross-over or if it will be the vampire story to separate itself from the pack.

Justice League Dark #1 is a great start to what I hope is going to be one of the best series among the New 52. It remains to be seen how well Milligan can pull all these characters together into one cohesive narrative, but all the elements are there for a great series.

We're still early in the series' run, but I've already seen more promise and progress than any other book in the New 52. Once this series gets going in earnest, look forward to something incredible. Until then, Justice League Dark #2 is still as good as it gets.

Justice League Dark #4 is great. I don't know what else I can say in praise of this series. Maybe I'm getting spoiled though. While this is a fantastic book with some gorgeously terrifying images and decent character development, there is not a ton new this time. We are finally starting to see the team pull together and reveal some of the secrets going on, but there is a sense of holding back, stalling almost, until the time is right. Either way, I really enjoyed this issue and, whenever everything feels like coming together, I'll be excited to see what it looks like.

So the first arc of our story comes to a close and I maintain that Justice League Dark is one of the best books on sale today. We have yet to see if Milligan can bring these characters together in a cohesive way or if it is just going to end up being a book with two many singular protagonists. Whether you want to see this as a weakness or a point of potential is up to you, but I certainly can't wait to see what comes next.

I love the Justice League Dark series, so far. I thought this book was okay. It is by no means bad, but it just comes off as being unnecessary. If you know who these characters are and you know the circumstances that put them here, then I am really tempted to suggest skipping it. If you pick this issue to come in fresh to the series though, it is definitely not a bad starting point. Let's just hope it picks back up with the next two issues and sees author Peter Milligan out on a high note.

When I reviewed Justice League Dark #6, I said that it was my least favorite issue, but it was still a decent book by most standards. This is certainly now the worst issue in the series, but this time I can't even offer the same backhanded compliment. In the end, there are still characters I like fighting vampires and something has to be said for that. The art is tolerable at times and decent at others. Even with these things going for it, the best I can say for this book is that it is just barely average. As far as I'm concerned, that is hard to accept with a pedigree like this series has, but it is what it is. My hope is that Milligan will step up his game before his run ends, but if not, there's at least Lemire to look forward to.

I really want this book to be better, but it is just not there. This crossover has not made me interested in reading I, Vampire. It has just made me annoyed with a series I greatly appreciated. Even so, if you like the characters and have an interest in their ongoing struggles to form a team, then this book is at least trying to do that. Also, Batman is still here to stand around by himself and not say or do anything. Batgirl is missing this time, though. I guess there wasn't room for absolutely every pointless cameo this time.

When all is said and done, if Justice League Dark has to end, I am certainly glad it gets to end like this. There are definite problems in the writing and art both, but they are middling in comparison to what this book gets right. After the festival of bland that was the previous story arc, Lemire and Janin's combined effort makes it even harder to say good bye to my personal favorite of the New 52. Of course, we still have one book to go before the end. If it manages to be even better than this one, then I think we'll have something to truly remember.

Justice League Dark #10 is not poorly written, but it is also not especially interesting. It is very well drawn, but without any of the truly marvelous set pieces the series has delivered before. Despite all that missed potential, I firmly believe there are just too many good ideas here to let this book go unnoticed. If you are a fan of the series, then you will definitely enjoy this issue for the promise of what is to come. If you have not checked it out yet, then just make sure to get issue #9, as well, when you pick this one up.

Marineman is probably not going to wow you, but there is potential. If you are willing to take a chance on a new hero, then check it out. For everyone else, there are plenty of other marine men in the sea.

Overall, No Place Like Home #3 is a solid book. It felt a lot more like a generic thriller than I expected, but I can see the seeds being planted for more of the Oz elements to take hold and that is genuinely exciting. As a final note, it does seem worth mentioning that there is a letters column at the end of the issue with the author answering in character as Lizzie. While the answers are not as off-the-wall amusing as a Deadpool letters column, I do appreciate the extra effort that went into it and Lizzie does come across as a genuinely cool character. If you like thrillers, cool chicks, and Wizard of Oz, then consider checking this one out.

In the end, Rebel Blood #2 has too little style to support its almost non-existent substance. There are some characterizing moments for Chuck, but they really just feel like going through the motions. A flashback tells us that he has a family. A conversation with the monster tells us he doesn't want to kill. A conversation afterwards to someone we do not see tells us he is upset about his upsetting situation. Wow, this Chuck fellow sure is a regular guy. Unfortunately, regular does not directly translate to relatable. In fact, when there is nothing else to the character, it usually translates to boring. Chuck is a boring guy in a boring comic book.

Despite a disappointing lack of progression, this second entry is a more interesting read than the previous issue and a hopeful start for the series. Ed Benes's art is really well done, especially at portraying the Red Lanterns' most important component: violence. We're off to a start that is fairly by the numbers, but if anyone can throw us a few cerebral curve balls, I'd like to think it's Milligan. Honestly though, Red Lanterns looks like it might be an entertainingseries,if for no other reason than it beingfun to laugh athow seriously it takes itself, despite being incredibly silly. Just give me more Dex-Starr and I'll be happy.

Anyways, bottom line, Red Lanterns #3 is okay. Not great. Not as awful as I probably made it out to be. Like I said, the art is great and that leads to some cool violence. One page has Dex-Starr snuggled in Atrocitus's arms, which is nearly worth the asking price. Of course, one panel down, we're left on a huge close up of Bleez's bum. I feel like that, more than anything, tells us exactly where this comic is going.

If you feel like spending money on a book that will make you laugh at how ridiculous the whole thing is, then you can certainly find worse choices than Red Lanterns #5. The art is decent and Bleez is doing sexy pose and brandishing her ass just about every other page. However, if you are looking for a decent story with some decent characters in a scenario that is not patently absurd, then this is just not the book for you.

If there was something truly unique on display it could easily be given a higher score, but, even so, Samurai's Blood #2 does dramatically well with the tried and true.

Spawn #209 impressed me. It is by no means a must have, but I will say that it has gotten me more interested in the series than I have been in a long time.

Altogether, I was not especially impressed with Star Wars: Invasion"Revelations #1, but it was a decent read. I had no issues with the art, but there was nothing that really jumped out at me either. It is interesting to see a visual representation of the Yuuzhan Vong after they have been confined to novels for so long, but this is not the first time they've been seen. As you can probably tell, I have a lot of "this, but that" feelings about the book. Perhaps once the story gets going the Revelations storyline will be most impressive. On its own, Star Wars: Invasion"Revelations #1 is like hearing a million voices cry out mostly in indifference. Mostly, mind you. There are a million of them. Hard to get an absolute consensus.

Sweet Tooth #29 is not my favorite issue of the series, but it is not at all a bad place to start. Old stories are closing and new ones are beginning. Some characters seem to be ending their run and we get more familiar with others. Jeff Lemire was our favorite author of last year and, if this is what's on offer for 2012, I'm looking forward to what comes next.

I think it should be pretty clear by this point whether or not Wheel of Time #26 is going to be for you. As an accompaniment to the source material, it is not bad at all. As a stand alone fantasy/adventure comic though, there are probably going to some better options.

If you want to check out Zatanna, I recommend it highly. Just do yourself a favor and don't start with this issue.

There is not much to say about Zatanna #16, except that it is fun and you should probably read it. Ideally, I would like to see a return to Paul Dini and a continuation to the story that began in earlier issues. It is my understanding that Zatanna is not one of the series starting over with a new first issue come September, so I do not know what exactly DC is waiting for in continuing Zatanna's main story. However, if we have to have stand-alone issues, I certainly hope there will be more like this one.