GeninBen's Profile

This issue gets back to the stories that are not really compelling and it hits on stuff that we forgot about and it seems we forgot for good reasons. I also just don't understand why they keep trying to force Jokers Daughter down our throats... Please just let her die and stay dead. The art is really solid in this issue and so is the writing but the source material is getting a little weak and there is a serious lack of Batman in this issue. All I can say is that we need to drop the Arkham story so we can focus on the more entertaining stories. One of the weakest issues but still not horrible.

Publisher: Image Price: 3.99 Release date: July 9th, 2014 Writer & Artist: Stjepan Sejic Death Vigil #1 stands out to me not because of the age old story of a hapless newcomer forced into a situation they were not ready for but become the savior of the universe/race/world, but stands out because of the strength of the writer. As an added bonus the writer is also the artist and he does a pretty amazing job visualizing his own world and presenting it to us. The art is all digital and I think it pairs extremely well with this type of story. Stjepan Sejic churns out an outstanding first issue here. We get our main character, Sam, who dies on the first page of the book and is given a chance to join a team called "The Death Vigil". This team fights what seem to be a mash up of demons and Lovecraftian type monsters. The leader of this team is, what we glean, the embodiment of death. Of course she is a beautiful girl who is not scary on the outside but is revealed to be quite the monster herself. This has been done before but it still seems refreshing in this book. The way this story unfolds ensnares you and keepings you flipping pages at break-neck speeds. The other characters in this book pop off the page, grab you, and then pull you into their lives. The thing that stands out most to be in this book is the dialogue between the characters. The way they speak to each other seems natural and not forced like most comics you read these days. They act like real people instead of the archetypes they represent. It was nice to read something that was gripping and still made me chuckle. I can't dote on this book enough. I think I am hooked for the long haul and I am super excited that the art won't be switching hands and as long as he can keep his writing as strong as it is in this first book; I can't see this title failing any time soon. This book was 40+ pages and I want more right now. I give this book a 9 out of 10.

Grayson #1 is an action packed, quick paced, and wonderfully light comic. I am a huge Nightwing fan. I have always loved Dick Grayson as a character and when he briefly took up the mantel of Batman I was extremely happy with the results. I feel that Dick fits into any story and usually brings a kind of lightness to the dark of the Batman universe. When I read the latest DC crossover event and watched in horror as Dick was unmasked, kidnapped, and as far as anyone knew; killed. I was not excited for what was coming. Then DC announced that Dick was going to be taken off the streets of Gotham & Bludhaven I was not really that excited. I went into Grayson #1 with a giant chip on my shoulder. I was expecting the worst and was blown out of the water. This is a really well paced book. The writing suits new comers and die-hard fans alike. Dick is now working for a spy agency called Spyral and he fits the bill nicely. He has the wit and charm of a secret agent already and now he doesn't have to hide behind his mask, although his face is still hidden by means of technology and mind control. His partner is of course a semi-badass woman who provids, in my opinion, the not needed sexual tension. The action is good and Mikel Janin's art shines brightly on the page. The colors in a few scenes are simply amazing and helps push the story along. There are a few shining moments that will stick with me and it was nice to see a familiar character from an old Wildstorm comic. I hope that it doesn't distance itself from the DCU too much. I want to see Dick come across more characters that fit is new persona better than his old. The end of the issue leaves you wanting so much more and I have to say I am hooked. Grayson #1 is a great start to a hopefully long running series. It would be nice to see the art change eventually but overall I would say that art matches nicely with the current state of the story. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The last incarnation, and I think the best, is Damian Wayne; the bastard son of Batman. I always liked how his character worked against the brooding backdrop that is Batman. He was what Batman always feared he, himself, would turn into if he let go and acted on his anger. Damian was prone to killing in the name of justice due to being raised to be one of the greatest assassins in the world. The opening of this issue gives you all the backstory you need to understand Bruce and Damian's relationship. It does a really good job catching you up on what has happened to Batman and to Robin in the past couple of years. The art in the flashbacks is done in a dull lined sketchy kind of style that really makes you feel like you are reading something old. The paneling is done well and the pages are laid out beautifully. The transition to the present is natural and the art change pulls you out of what you just read so you are ready for what is about to happen. The new art is fresh and crisp and brings you into the current story instantly. This issue is full of fighting and awesomeness. The giant fight scene at the end is something worth talking about. Watching Batman let go and punch a few familiar faces felt really good for some reason. One thing that feels kind of out of place in this story is I don't really know how Batman and Darkseid are supposed to fight each other. The last time they came face to face; Batman died. I assume they are not going to do that again since this is a redemption and a resurrection story but I still fear that it will get a little out of hand. This is a great set up issue that gets me really excited for what's to come but I feel that the 4.99 price point is a little rough for something like this. Overall if you are up to date on what has been going on you can ultimately miss this issue but for those of you who love Batman and like watching him kick some ass it's worth every penny. I give this book a 7.5 out of 10.

First off I have to clarify a few things before you read ahead. I am not really a Marvel Comics fan. I like certain stories here and there but overall I find it really hard to stay attached to the universe because of the strict continuity that flows through it. That being said... Spider-Man 2099 is a rehash of an older title from 1992 of the same name. This title is written by the same writer of the original 90's run. The hype online about his return got me excited to dive in. Instead of the story taking place in the future year of 2099 with a future version of Spider-Man this title steals him away and plops him down in New York City 2014. This concept seems to take away from the idea of a future Spider-Man. I know virtually nothing about the man, Miguel O' Hara, behind the Spidey mask and this opening story doesn't give a newcomer much to go on. He seems to be a carbon copy of Peter Parker, except he wears sunglasses inside. The time travel element in the story seems like a punchline instead of actual writing material. The "villain" in this opening issue is a solider from even farther into the future who is trying to stop future Spider-man from polluting the timeline. It is unclear at first if he is a machine or a man in a suit but after a few off beat jokes it becomes clear he is a human and it kind ruins the idea for me. Overall I think it leaves the door open for some interesting time travel based storylines. The art doesn't do much for me but I can see how other people might like it. The line work is pretty good and the colors are bright and flashy. The action is placed appropriately but you lose any type of drama that might have had a chance to sneak in. I don't think I will be carrying on with this title. I give it a 4 out of 10. Full Review - http://benzchap.wix.com/ibreathecomics

They always tell you not to judge a book by its cover but I don't think that really translates well in the comic book industry. When you browse your local comic shop and you see a insanely well done cover you know you are going to pick it up and flip through it. If the cover is weak you are more likely to pass it over without even batting an eyelash. I think the cover of Spread #1 says it all. For a first issue it gives you pretty much everything you need. It sets up the story in a way that you feel like you already know the world and understand its horridness. The writing is strong in the way that it lets the art do half the work. I do have to point out that this book relies heavily on the coloring and Felipe does tremendous work. The muted color palette grabs you instantly and Kyle's art meshing perfectly with it. Now that all my praises are out of the way lets get into the knitty gritty of the book... As someone who reads a lot of comics and has been writing for many years I have to say having a main characters name be "No" is terrible. It is confusing when characters shout the word "no" and it doesn't actually refer to the character they are actually fighting. I understand what they were going for in the character but I personally think it hurts the narrative of the story. It was confusing more than once and I think it will stay that way going forward. Other than that it is a really cool take on the post apocalyptic genre with giant blood monsters instead of zombies so I tip my hat to them for trying to think outside the box. I don't want to ruin anything but... the baby named "Hope" idea is really stellar and I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds and how they characters grow together in a really horrible seeming world. I would say that it is worth the read. The digital version is cheaper and I think a better idea. I give this a 7 out of 10.

After just finishing The Life After #1; I don't really know how to feel. I think this comic has a lot going for it but I still think it is a little bizarre for bizarre sake. The overall feeling of this book works and the story is interesting enough to keep going but the art might turn some people away. The story has a quasi-Matrix feel to it. The world our main character Jude is part of seems to be controlled by a few guys in front of computer screens. The narrative voice is captured in a really cool way so that we get a feel for Jude. By the end of this confusing comic I did feel for him but I didn't really know why. The art feels okay to me but I wish it were a little bit stronger as to add more to this book. I felt that at times the art hurt what was going on because of the crudeness of the line work and colors. The art style reminded me heavily of Beavis and Butthead and not in the good way. It just came across as amateurish. There are a few really nice moments in this book and they ask some very interesting questions but I also feel that there are moments that are a little off-putting. Seeing a pregnant prostitute having sex in an alley, then get knocked over, lose her child, and then kill herself all on the same page is a little much for me without a little exposition. The end of this book comes as a surprise to the reader and it touches on things that I have not read before which bodes well for this type of book. I think overall the flaws in this book shine brighter than the good things. Also the 5.00 price point would compel me to wait and most likely not buy. I give it a solid 6 out of 10.