Friday, November 16, 2012

The Walking Dead

Walking Dead
I've been wanting to write a review about this ongoing comic book series. People have been fascinated about the TV series and some don't even know that it started out as a comic book.

I'm not a fan of zombies but I was more than fascinated by the series. First of, my thanks to a very good friend and fellow geek, Dr. Eugene Baje, who urged me to start reading the series. In his words, he said that it's not the typical zombie comic book. Thank goodness I listened to him though it took quite a while for me to be convinced.

By the way, I don't watch the TV series. Like I said, I'm not a fan of zombies. Thus, I just stick to the reading part. This post is not about the TV series. So, if you were expecting something about the TV series, you would be disappointed.  I do mention something about the TV series and that's it.

What fascinates me about The Walking Dead comic book is how it is more about how people respond to a zombie apocalypse and not really about the zombies.  The series focuses on the people who have not been "turned" and shows how these people will do anything to stay alive.  I just got reminded now that it is similar to Y: The Last Man only this time, there are other guys walking around and not just girls.  In an apocalypse, people will do what needs to be done (and sex is certainly part of it!).

Robert Kirkman (the writer) has certainly made Image Comics relevant again.  I've read his Invincible series (and that's another series to write about) but I never expected The Walking Dead to be this good.  It doesn't even matter that The Walking Dead is in black and white.  Frankly, it's still so good.  Being in black and white just seems to fit to a zombie apocalypse book.  Props to the penciller Charlie Adlard.

About the TV series: Kirkman has mentioned that it won't be the same as the comic book because he wants something different.  There are similarities though and I enjoy "spoiling" some parts of the comic book to TV series enthusiasts.

For TV series enthusiasts: pick up the comic book series and start with number 1.  It's so much better.  The story moves fast and it's nerve wracking.  It really is worth the time and effort.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Marvel Now Deadpool

Marvel Now Deadpool

Deadpool is one unfortunate victim of Marvel's new endeavor called Marvel Now.

In his supposed "last" issue, Daniel Way had to give in because sales were going down.  Frankly, Marvel destroyed itself by releasing too many Deadpool titles.  I can't name them all but here are some of them:

Deadpool Team-up
Deadpool Merc with a Mouth
Deadpool Corps
Deadpool: Max

I found the concept of Deadpool Team-up a good read considering it usually had good humor on it.  But it just became silly when they couldn't come up with concepts for other team-ups.

I understand Deadpool: Max is different.  I just find it too weird.

As for Deadpool Corps, that was stretching it.  And putting Rob Liefeld on it is the killer.  Once I saw the cover, I already knew it was a Liefeld art.  It's that bad.

Keep Deadpool interesting, Marvel peeps.  You know he's an intriguing character (probably in the same level as Wolverine) but you don't need him appearing in all your titles.  Just because Ryan Reynolds played him in the Wolverine Origins movie doesn't mean that everyone will want to read all the titles.

Marvel Now

Marvel Now
I'm saddened that Marvel is doing a reboot with some of their titles.  It's reeking with desperation.  Here, after DC has posted huge sales with its New 52.  It's just too obvious.

Frankly, the Avengers vs. X-Men was just too much and too dragging.  They had to kill Professor X (again).  Yes, it was sort of big news for those who don't follow the Marvel Universe (he's been dead before). And now, Cyclops is a villain (of some sort).  We'll see how this will be played out.  I liked it when Cyclops was just a normal leader leading the team.  Him being a villain is just too serious.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

What to read in DC's new 52? (Green Lantern new 52)

It's been a long time since I've blogged about comic books.  A lot has happened in the comics worlds.  Marvel Comics stood by while DC Comics initiated a revamp (again) with Flashpoint.  It's been more than a year since Flashpoint started.  I seem to have already put it at the back of my mind as since with DC's new 52, they never happened.  The events of Flashpoint ushered in the new 52.

The New 52 had DC Comics characters rebooting.  This month, DC is at zero month releasing all zero issues from various titles.  It's a great way to catch on with what's happening with all the DC characters.  As how DC Comics likes to call it: it's a great jump on point.

I haven't been following with all the the DC new 52 titles.  As like before, I have been following Batman and his various titles, Green Lantern and related titles (the focus of this post), Flash, and Justice League of America.

With all the reboot and revamping, the Green Lantern titles have remained as they were before the new 52 came in.  Green Lantern titles coincided with the Flashpoint event and at the end of the War of the Green Lanterns Hal Jordan got expelled and Sinestro got to be a member of the Green Lantern Corps again.

The story did continue even with the new 52 tagline.  Hal Jordan and Sinestro are surprisingly working together in the Green Lantern title.  It's a wonderful read.  Sinestro is supposed to be the bad guy but suddenly Jordan has to "bow" to Sinestro's whims.

Green Lantern Corps title focuses on the two other human Green Lanterns: Guy Gardner and John Stewart.  If you want to see more appearances from the other corps members, this is the title to read.

Last but not the least is Green Lantern - New Guardians which continues the combining of the other color lanterns in one big adventure.  The human Green Lantern in this title is Kyle Rayner.  If you're fascinated with the other color lanterns in the past (in War of Light storyline) then this title is for you.

All 3 Green Lantern titles are still a must read.

Not really a Green Lantern but Red Lanterns got their own title and it's quite boring.  Atrocitus struggles to maintain control over his group and frankly I wonder what they're fussing about.  It's just too much red at this point (and it's not my favorite color).

Hopefully things will pick up with Red Lantern with the Third Army storyline arc that DC is putting together.