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Angela: Asgard's Assassin. I had never heard of this comic before, but after reading the synopsis I was immediately hooked. The first major highlight for me was the origin story, or rather, how fast the origin story was covered, thoroughly at that. Instead of spending half the comic covering the origin of Angela, the entirety was mostly covered in the first couple of pages and sprinkled little details throughout the rest. Although the plot of the comic isn't really discovered until the end, this comic was quick to get your attention and hold it. They established a good pace and held it throughout while giving you information on the plot and backstory of Angela and giving a good amount of action. The plot itself isn't anything major, but it has potential and I can see it developing in the next issues. I also look forward to learning more about Angela's companion Sera.
The art was gritty, but looked good in the style of art reminiscent of Thor comics. The font was easy to read, and I especially liked the use of a different font style for the citizens of Un-town, which was also legible. It was a nice touch. Though the writers kept good pace with the story, I felt they over-used the backstory of the Angels and the idea of "No debts go unpaid." It was an established idea but was repeated too much, in what I assume was simply used as filler. This doesn't take much away from the main story though. Overall, I found this to be a great start to this series. The story is compelling and the established plot at the end leaves me wanting more. It also allows for Asgard's other lesser-known characters, such as Sif, to be re-introduced and hopefully will lead to a bigger role in this series and series of their own.
Sinergy #1 has the potential to be an awesome story, but unfortunately it fails to execute it well. Although the potential to be awesome is there, it is also a very unoriginal concept to an extent. The premise reminds me a lot like the TV show Reaper (unfortunately cancelled too early!) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Jess , our protagonist, opens the story in the midst of sex for her first time, and some how it opens up her ability to see monsters, apparently a gift that runs in the family, at least her dad's side. Her dad, is also a monster hunter and wanting his daughter to follow in his steps. Like I said earlier, it could have the potential to be awesome, but it is executed so poorly. The dialogue is terrible, and sometimes juvenile. The dialogue comes off so juvenile at points that I wasn't even sure if it was an attempt to try to be funny but fell absolutely flat or just bad writing in general, and the "teenage" drama aspect was too annoying for my personal taste.
I mentioned in previous reviews how I hate judging art as an artist myself because these artist are leaps and bounds better then me...but really? I feel like I'm reading a comic with artwork from an 90's MTV cartoon. Okay, sure it isn't awful artwork, but it's just not pleasing to my taste. It didn't draw me into the story (technically the story didn't draw me into the story).
Sinergy isn't for me and I think that is the major issue. It's appeal is for a different audience than me, one that could appreciate the teen drama, juvenile dialogue, and Daria like art. It is unfortunate because I really wanted to like this one, but it fell completely flat for me.
Gotham By Midnight is a story that takes place in the Batman universe (he even makes a small appearance) about a precinct of the GCPD that deals with the supernatural. Think GOTHAM , the new Fox television show (or Gotham Central comics) and Constantine (Again TV show or comics) combined. That is Gotham By Midnight. But is it any good? Yes, it's scary good!
Ray Fawkes has written a dark story that draws you in from the beginning. With not a single arrest on record, and cases that make no sense, Sergeant Rook from Internal Affairs comes to investigate precinct thirteen (yes, THIRTEEN). To show Rook what they do, and make him a believer, Lieutenant Weaver takes him on a case that he and his crew are investigating. We learn of two girls who went missing but returned home, and labeled "runaways", but these aren't the girls they once were and speaking in a weird unknown language. Soon things get supernatural! It's a fun ride, and kicks off with a punch. Its dark, and moody (what Batman based comic isn't. Minus '66) and it's also a fun read. This and Gotham Academy are both excellent proof that you don't need Batman in your Batman universe stories to make an excellent comic (also, I am a huge BATMAN fan. Just putting that out there for you readers). I truly had a blast with this one!
On the art side, Ben Templesmith nails the vibe of the story. The artwork is excellent. It's dark, moody, and pleasing to the eyes. Templesmith has a really simple look to his art, but you know it takes a lot of talent to do, and his choice to just use yellows, greens and blues throughout the book help set the tone of the story.
Overall Gotham by Midnight is an excellent supernatural detective story in the Batman universe. With a fun and exciting, yet dark and moody story with art to match and make your mouth drool, this new series is one you'll be wanting to get every month! So go pick it up today...well, not today, it's Thanksgiving and everywhere is closed, so pick it up tomorrow.
Thanksgiving time is a warm and family oriented period in
the month of November where we get together with our
loved ones and try to enjoy, and think about what we're
thankful for. It's also an excuse to eat three days worth of
food in one sitting. What better way to commemorate this
day than with a Top 5 list which has nothing to do with the
holiday.
Number Five
"Uncharted 3: Subway commercial" Okay okay! This happens in a commercial for the game and not the actual game, but that's why its number five on the list people! Back in 2011, SUBWAY ran a promotional commercial for Uncharted 3 which shows Nathan Drake (main protagonist from the Uncharted series) holding a wrapped sandwich and drink from, the sandwich restaurant chain. And that's good enough for me to make it on this list.
Number Four
"Burger Time: The burgers from burger time"
I know what your thinking "Hey! You don't make
sandwiches in Burger Time, you make burgers! That's
why it's called Burger time! WHAT ARE YOU AN
IDIOT?!? Well take a look at this --> Sand·wich: two
pieces of bread with something (such as meat, peanut
butter, etc.) between them. Boom! Sandwich! It's an
arcade game about making Giant sandwiches and
throwing pepper at mutant fried eggs and sausage.
That's sounds more like a fever dream than a game.
Number Three
"Castle Crashers sandwich"
This has to be one of my favorite items in the game . Often referred to as the "beefy Sandwich" or "steroid sandwich", this item is eaten by the characters and transforms them into a hulking, muscle man for ten seconds. It is fun to use for sending a barrage of buff punches to your enemies, and just the thought of eating a sandwich and getting buff is great. Every time I try and do that I just get fatter.
Number Two
"Team Fortress 2: Sandvich"
Aw yes, who could forget the oh so popular "Sandvich"
weapon from Valve's free to play FPS Team Fortress 2.
An item used by the game's Russian Heavy weapons
class character, it gives the player an amount equal the
standard health of the Heavy class (300+) at the cost of
waiting 4 seconds for an animation of the Heavy eating
it. This sandwich should probably be at number #1 on
the list due to community popularity, and function of it
in the game, but I know everyone would hate me if
I didn't choose...
Number One
"Resident Evil: THE JILL SANDWICH!"
I'm sure a lot of you out there saw this one coming. I
know I gave the definition for a sandwich to justify
putting a burger on the list, but you guys just need to
shut up and accept this! Jill Valentine one of the two
playable characters you can use almost gets crushed to
death from a collapsing trap ceiling. At the very last
moment fellow officer Barry Burton saves her from
being crushed after which he proclaims "That was too
close, you were almost a Jill sandwich" .
This had to be one of
the most quotable lines from the first game due to it
being so corny and poorly voice acted. Since the release
of the game this has become a very popular video game
meme in the gaming community. It's even referenced by
another popular zombie game from the same company
"Dead Rising" (see picture below). It technically isn't a
sandwich according to my definition, but I don't care.
This is my list! Go find your own sandwiches in video
games.
Didn't that list just fill your heart with the holiday spirit? Me neither. Thanks for reading our first Top five list. We hope to Make a bunch more. Now go buy stuff, Christmas
Steve Rogers (Captain America) is drained of the super-soldier serum, causing him to rapidly age. No longer able to wield the shield Steve passes the duty of Captain America to Sam Wilson, The Falcon. Going into this one I was a bit iffy. I wasn't too sold on the idea of Falcon taking over as Captain America, but I was willing to give it a chance. What I ended up reading is one of the best comics this month. It was action packed, and fun. It was like reading a good summer blockbuster. The action scenes are executed perfectly, with plenty of exciting dialogue and moments, and although Sam Wilson doesn't feel like Captain America to me yet, I can see him growing into the shield perfectly.
What brought this great comic alive was the spectacular art by Stuart Immonen. He really knows how to set the mood, and create great action moments that sale the story. The panels come to life with brilliance, and pleases the eye with every turn of the page.
With a fun and exciting story by Rick Remender, marvelous (haha, get it?) artwork by Stuart Immonen that brings the story to life in every panel and a character who can hopefully hold his own as Captain America, ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA is looking to be a highlight every month!
I loved Django Unchained, when it came out in 2012 it was in my top movies of the year. Now when it comes to Zorro, I can't say I have any opinion on this character, granted, I LOVED the movies when I was a kid, the Antonio Banderas one that is, so I am not very knowledgeable on the character, but I have a great respect for where the character stands in our history of fictional heroes (its unfortunate the Waynes would never be able to see a sequel). When you think about it, a Django and Zorro story is perfect, it would of never clicked with me until this comic, but these two characters fit perfectly in a world together, but how was the 1st issue of DJANGO/Zorro?
Quentin Tarantino and Matt Wagner have written a pretty decent first issue. It brings these two characters together in a way that makes perfect sense for them, they aren't thrown together for the sake of having a Django Zorro team up. We don't actually get an actual "team up" yet in this issue, so those of you expecting some Django and Zorro side by side action aren't getting it in this issue. DJANGO/Zorro #1 have that TV show pilot vibe to it, where it is just good enough to grab your attention in hopes that the continuing story will grow into something spectacular that will keep you wanting more. There is an awesome scene involving some bandits trying to rob a coach that Django is in, and leads to an awesome action scene that felt straight out of Django Unchained, including dialogue. With that said, the action is minimal, and this issue is really only here to set up these two characters meeting. You won't be getting much from this issue if you go in expecting a badass team up, and tons of ass kicking.
The art by Esteve Polls was unfortunately the downside of this issue. As an artist myself, I feel it extremely hard to judge artwork, because mainly these artist I review in the comics I read are leaps and bounds above me, but I felt Esteve's art just wasn't pleasing to my eyes. I felt his characters where hiding too much behind shading(cross hatching mainly), although his scenery was excellent and the way he delivered the action was perfect and helped tell the story, I couldn't look past the fact that most the characters faces where always covered in shadow. It was rare to see a full face, mainly when it came to Django.
Like a good start to a new TV show, DJANGO/Zorro grabs your attention enough to pull you in for the next one. If you come into this expecting an action packed team up, you will be disappointed in issue one .The awesome pairing of these two characters work perfectly, and the adventures that they will have in the future should be an awesome fun read and I am looking forward for the next issue.
4.0/5.0
SECOND REVIEW BY ALBERTO TORRES When I first saw there was a collaboration between Django and Zorro, I was immediately hooked. Having seen the movies surrounding both characters, Django Unchained and the Zorro movies, I wasn't too sure what to expect from this comic, aside from a lot of badassery. Going into this comic, I had my fears. A lot of crossover collaborations seem
unfulfilling when two protagonists from two different series are paired together, usually ending in a lack of chemistry between the characters and having a lack luster story. Django/Zorro quickly squashed any fears I had and reassured me that the rest of the issue would leave me satisfied, and it did.
The story was compelling, it was rather befitting of the pair, and it gave us insight on the acquaintance of the two characters. The ending was quite a welcoming surprise that closed out this first issue fantastically. At no point throughout did I feel like the pace was slow or boring. It was fun to learn
of these two characters and see the progression of their acquaintance. As Tyler noted in his review, the art was done well for the background and the main characters as they were given the most detail, but the lesser characters however were given much less detail, and the artist used a lot of shading to further hide the faces. The colours were a welcoming factor, they were quite warm and really gave the wild west feeling of the comic. Overall I felt the pairing of Django/Zorro to fit quite well together, leaving much to be anticipated for the next issue and the series to come.
