This week, we Catch Up on some classics. Classic characters like Frankenstein and Iron Man. Classic stories of good vs. evil in Punisher Max, and soon-to-be classics like Echo and 100 Bullets.

It’s always a joy when you can find so many good books outside of your normal reading list. Hopefully next week will be no different!

DEAN KOONTZ’S FRANKENSTEIN #1
This adaptation of Dean Koontz’s work was downright boring. The art looks like something out of Witchblade, and the story plays up to every cliche and stereotype of a modern monster book. Even Frankenstein himself looks like a supermodel, and the Villian was so predictable, i didn’t even need to read past the first few pages to see him coming. Throw in your typical sassy-but-held-back-in-the-department female cop and her witty partner, and you have $2.99 that should be spent somewhere else.

ECHO #3
Issue #3 of Terry Moore’s post-Strangers In Paradise comic was just as great as the frist two. Moore is writing a vast conspiracy, and this issue is jam packed with questions, revalations, and twists. We even get a look at the presumeable villian in the story, and if he’s half as bas-ass as he looks, Issue #4 is going to be a great ride!

100 BULLETS #91
Any book that features decapitation, good oysters, gangstas, and a severed foot is a good book by my standards. As we break into the final 10 issues of this book, Azzarello’s writing and Risso’s art are both top-notch. The final pieces are moving into place for Agent Graves and his Minutemen, and I can’t wait to see what happens!

IRON MAN: VIVA LAS VEGAS #1
Written by Iron Man movie director Jon Favreau, Issue #1 of this 4-Issue mini is slooooooooow. Nothing of interest happens, and you can see the plot set-up points a mile away. Also contributing to the dryness of this book is Adi Granov’s art. A great cover artist, Granov’s pencils leave something to be desired, and appear way to accentuated by computer. The result is a stiff look, that isn’t helped by a slow script. It’s short though, so I might by the rest. If they come out on slow weeks…

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1
Matt Fraction has been hit or miss lately. His last story in The Order was great, but Punisher: War Journal has definetly been slipping. Fortunately Invincible Iron Man appears to be the former. The story is simple enough, but Fraction plays the characters with the same lighthearted seriousness (if that makes sense) that Favreau did in the movie. All the right elements are there, including a laugh-out-loud moment with Pepper Potts. I’m not going to say it’s the best book I’ve ever read, but it’s defiently good enough to warrant buying Issue #2.

DAREDEVIL: BLOOD OF THE TARANTULA
This One-Shot has the name Brubaker on the cover, so already it has a lot to live up to. This wasn’t a bad story, focusing more on Black Tarantula than it did Daredevil. DD was preactially a guest star in his own book. As intrigued as I am by the Black Tarantula (who is essentially Spider-Man with a Daredevil attitude) I’m not sure I find his character to be original enough for me to want to follow. Based on the ending of this story though, I bet hes going to play a big role in Daredevils future.

PUNISHER MAX #57
The Punisher finally confronts the group of Military specialists out to get him as Garth Ennis’ last Punisher story speeds towards it’s bloody conlcusion. I have always been a huge fan og the grittines of Punisher Max, and this story (or Ennis’ whole run for that matter) are no exception. The art falters in places, but in a wierd way it adds to the story, making you feel like the Punisher’s world might just be coming apart. A great issue, looking forward to the next!

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This entry was posted on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 12:01 am and is filed under Extras, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.