Comic Book Reviews

Written by: Glen Brunswick | art by: Dan McDavid | colors by: Rachelle Rosenberg The Good

As far as indie comics go, Jersey Gods does a great job of touching all the bases. The humor is pretty light, the art is every bit up to par, and there’s plenty of action without dragging or becoming boring. The way the narrative bounces around from heavy action to revealing plot is very impressive and shouldn’t be overlooked.

The bad

For all the action we get, the story never really pulls you in the way a really good comic book should. Obviously there’s no staple superhero who we all know and love/hate. These are no-name characters, and to overcome that disadvantage you need a really compelling story. And while the story isn’t bad, it’s not compelling either.

The Veredict

The best thing this book has going for it is how it balances the action with the dialogue, never allowing the latter to clutter the former and interrupt its flow. Indie comics are a matter of taste. It’s typically a genre I love to indulge in, but to rank up there with the best, you have to separate yourself a bit more. While Jersey Gods doesn’t quite do that, I still think it’s a comic worth reading, just not one I’d have high on my recommendations list. score

6.0

ECHo #3

The Good

Black-and-white comics aren’t generally my cup of tea. Even when the stories are compelling, the artwork almost always comes off as bland. Likewise, the art in Echo doesn’t pop off the page by any means, even though I can truly respect the attention to detail, which is the one thing this book really has going for it.

The bad

If you’re big on action, then this is definitely not the comic for you. And while a comic book can certainly be great even without action, it usually has humor to make up for it. With no action and no humor, it’s very difficult to engage your audience. Echo has neither, and by the time I got to the midpoint, I had lost my interest to keep reading.

The Veredict

I wouldn’t go as far to say this is a bad comic book. While I personally can’t connect to a single part of it, I can see it appealing to a niche audience. Comics need a solid blend of art, detail, and dialogue to create a smooth flow. Yet at no point does this book even attempt to do that. Clunky dialogue needs to be loaded with humor. And dialogue-heavy comics can absolutely work if you can balance action, humor, and vibrant art. However, this comic is much too talkative with nothing else going on. Other than the details in the drawing, nothing stands out here.

created by: Terry Moore

score

4.0

EX MACHINA

#47

Written by: Brian K. Vaughan | art by: Tony Harris | Colors by: J.D Mettler

The Good The Veredict

Set in March of 1980, the way this comic uses dates gives it a more balanced setting and timeline than most books, which just imply that their stories takes place in the present day. Its Tarantino-esque dialogue featuring pop culture references is rare in comics. There’s something funny about characters debating a universe where Batman and Catwoman had a kid together.

The bad

For those of you who are all about the action and gore, we’re really only gifted with one nasty blood bath of a sequence that’s sure to pique your interest, but this isn’t the action-packed story some of you might prefer. When characters in a movie are film geeks themselves, discussing funny topics we have with our own friends in real life, it makes them more relatable and, in turn, more likable. This is the first time I’ve ever seen that technique used in a comic. Comic book characters who love comic books might seem like an obvious choice, but it brings a comedic element to Ex Machina that makes it stand out from the pack. The use of humor is perfect for a non-horror/non-superhero comic. This one isn’t loaded with action, but it’s not supposed to be. It’s a comic based on characters’ relationships with one other, which is the best way to make us care about them. score

8.0

THE SAVAGE DRAGON

BATTLES BEDROCK #3

Written by: Erik Larsen | art by: Erik Larsen | colors by: Gregory Wright

The Good

I won’t pretend I gave a sh*t about any of the characters in this story, but the nonstop high-level action sequences like the ones in The Savage Dragon Battles Bedrock #3 are what many comic book fans LOVE to see. The hero and villain are your typical big, strong, tough guys, but avoid becoming cliched stereotypes through good art and a few original characteristics. In a lesser-known title like The Savage Dragon, this is something that really deserves its props.

The bad

I consider this the comic book equivalent of a B-movie. It’s so action-packed that you have a good sense of where it’s going from the get-go, ultimately becoming stagnant in the 3rd act. While the tail end of the book is a real snooze, admittedly the last two pages end on an interesting note that has me curious about where the story will go from here.

The Veredict

I may be in the minority when I say that a comic that’s all action is actually quite boring. It needs to have some heart for me to care or I just end up feeling detached. That’s not to say this book doesn’t have any substance, but there’s also very little reason to root for any particular character. If heavyweight fights among heroes and villains are your thing, then this is sure to be a good read, but if not, there are much better options out there. However, this is a respectable comic and a fairly breezy one at that, so if you’re looking for something new to indulge in, it’ll be worth your time. score

6.0

JACK OF FABLES #23

Written by: Bill Willingham | art by: Mark Buckingham

The Good

I’m not typically a fan of Westerns, and I was never the type of kid who dressed up like a cowboy on Halloween, but admittedly there’s something pretty cool about a comic book based on a cowboy. Jack Homer is a raging sociopath, which some might say is a bit of a cliche. However, it’s much more rare to see that role be taken on by the protagonist. Tone is very important in telling a good story, and Jack of Fables has a dark comedic tone that, if nothing else, will keep you interested and curious about what happens next.

The bad

It’s easy to feel like this book relies a lot on all the smoking, gambling, and violence, and lacking substance because of them. However, this is how the writers wanted to portray this deranged cowboy. It might be bothersome for certain readers, but those people probably aren’t picking up an underrated type of comic like this in the first place.

The Veredict

Although the art doesn’t exactly pop off the page, the look and even the texture of the page is perfect for setting the Western vibe. The gambling, the drinking, and the unexpected murders are all things we’ve become desensitized to thanks to music and movies, but there’s a definite deficiency of those elements when it comes to comic books. Jack of Fables is a great read, hitting a lot of its marks. score

7.5

SMAx #3 of 5

Written by: Alan Moore | art by: Zander Cannon | Colors by: Ben Dimagmaliw

The Good

An indie comic book HAS to be unique, otherwise it’ll end up lost in the shuffle and only get read by people who buy a bundle of random comics online. Saying Smax is unique would be putting it mildly. The humor is very dry, but it’s definitely present and keeps the story flowing even when there’s no action to intensify it.

The bad

The tough thing about dialogue in comics is finding the right balance of how much exposition you want to incorporate without being verbose. There’s a fair amount of talking that happens in the middle of this story that could’ve easily been taken out without skipping a beat in the slightest. Despite how wordy it is, the story doesn’t drag or make you constantly feel like checking the page count.

The Veredict

The artwork is neither helpful nor hurtful. Generally the art is what really grabs our attention in a comic, so looking simple isn’t ideal. However, the character profiles are intriguing, each with their own mythical vibe and specific superpower to help differentiate these brand new characters. This might not be for the casual reader, but if you’re looking for something new and uncommon in the comic book universe, Smax is a great change of pace. score

7.0

strangers

In paradise #50

created by: Terry Moore

The Good

Superheroes are great, but it’s nice to change up the pace sometimes. I didn’t know anything about Strangers In Paradise going in, so I wasn’t prepared for all the talk of threesomes and sexual promiscuity, but this comic does an excellent job of incorporating those details. Two women discussing their experimentation over the years is enthralling—I don’t care who you are. The conversations bring a real-life element to the characters in a way I certainly was not expecting.

The bad

This is a comic that’s essentially nothing but dialogue, which I know is a turnoff to a lot of readers. Visually, I typically have a prejudice against black-and-white comics. I can understand why they’re made, but I can’t get over the bland vibe I get while reading them. If I didn’t want colors or art that jumps off the page then I’d read a novel, not a comic.

The Veredict

Despite my disdain for the blackand-white approach, Strangers In Paradise is able to overcome that predisposition simply by being original and showing a bond between characters that makes them feel real, almost like the comic is based on, or at least inspired by, a true story. If you’re looking for a series that incorporates real-life interactions instead of action and violence, then this is right up your alley. It’s not just a smut book, but one that’s not afraid to explore the same feelings and motivations that are common in movies and TV, yet rarely ever used in your standard comic.

score

7.0

CINDERELLA

Fables Are Forever #6

Written by: Chris Roberson | art by: Shawn McManus | colors by: Lee Loughridge

The Good

I’ve read more than my fair share of comics over the years, but I never thought I’d read one that involves Cinderella and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Personally I was never much of a fan of either, but like most people, I did see both movies as a kid, and knowing the characters’ backstories made the read much more entertaining. This isn’t your typical Cinderella story. This is a totally original retelling. Dorothy seems so sweet and innocent in the movies, but I dare you to read this book and not call her a raging b**ch. That might seem harsh, but I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. So kudos to the creators for executing such a unique reimagining.

The bad

If it wasn’t for the oddity of these household names coming together I wouldn’t have been interested in reading this at all. It’s awesome to see girls kick ass in a comic book since it’s not quite as common, but the notoriety of these characters seems to be the only thing preventing it from just being your typical back and forth. What makes the book unique is Cinderella and Dorothy’s presence in it as opposed to the actual plot itself.

The Veredict

I’m not a fan of Disney princesses, not even a little bit, but seeing the comic book version, I felt like I had to at least give it a chance. Incorporating such well-known and popular fictional characters, Cinderella: Fables are Forever does a great job of staying true to its story and not becoming played out or overly predictable. I think most people will enjoy this one, no matter who they are, but especially female readers who looked up to these characters as kids, who now get to see what the badass versions of these ladies would actually be like.

score