Clive Barkers Hellraiser #1 Comic Review

The comic adaptation of Clive Barkers classic horror movie Hellraiser was more impressive than I originally thought it was going to be. Most of the time that there is an adaptation of a movie, no matter how good the movie is, the reader is disappointed, but Boom really has a good book on their hands, both well written and illustrated.

The book starts off with the classic Hellraiser story line, someone has found the box and Pinhead and his minions have come to claim their lives with a beautifully gruesome death, which is illustrated in this book by Leonardo Manco. The story continues, focusing more on Pinhead himself as he seeks out a new experience in his life, becoming mortal. It will be interesting to see how this endeavor pans out, and how the life of Kirsty Cotton will play a role in it.

Iron Man 500

Upon us all is yet another Marvel landmark issue, Iron Man #500. Marvel decided once again it was time to re-number another one of their characters books like they have done in the past; Spider-Man, Daredevil, Fantastic Four.

Unlike many of the other landmark issues, Iron Man 500 utilizes its massive size to tell an extra long story, rather than containing many stories within the massive issue. One of the most interesting things about the story is that it utilizes two different artists to represent the different time periods that the story is taking place in. It really gives the story a certain feel to it that allows the reader to not only read that it’s a different place and/or time, but actually visualize and feel it as well. Marvel really did a great job with this set up.

Batman: The Return

The time that so many Batman fans have been waiting for has finally arrived, Bruce Wayne is back and he is ready to not only reform the criminal underworld in Gotham City, he is ready to reform the world. The issue entitled “Planet Gotham”, which is all too fitting, begins with a metaphor which describes the endeavor that Wayne plans on embarking on in the newest series Batman Incorporated, which is the subsequent issue to Batman: The Return.

Deadpool #1000

Sadly, it is true. It probably has been roughly 100 issues since Deadpool 900 came out, so of course Marvel thought that it would be awesome to put out a Deadpool 1000. I am not trying to complain, I myself am a Deadpool fan, but I do think that his popularity and Marvel’s obsession with the Merc with a Mouth is getting a little out of hand. Regardless, Marvel put out a great issue with Deadpool 1000, way better than my expectations were set at.

Just looking at this issue caused me to think two positive thoughts. Number one, look at the size of this issue! It’s a HUGE book! And for the cover price of $5, it is definitely worth it. The second thing I noticed was the great wrap around cover by Dave Johnson. I always love seeing his covers, and he never lets me down when it comes to Deadpool (if you haven’t already, check out his connecting covers from Prelude to Deadpool Corps). Then when I opened the issue, I was even more impressed.

Victor Gischler's X-Men #1 Comic Review

On X-Men day 2010, Marvel Comics released the much-anticipated X-Men series, the first X-men #1 in 20 years! The creative team behind the book is Victor Gischler (Deadpool Corps) and Paco Medina (Deadpool), using the storyline “Curse of the Mutants” as their first story arc. I have been excited for this issue to come out for quite some time now because I am a huge Victor Gischler fan.

One of the main concerns I had about this issue was the fact that it was coming out prior to the conclusion of X-Men Second Coming, fearing that the issue would release spoilers for the cross-over X-fans have been enjoying for the last few months. And to my surprise, there were no spoilers, no mention to Second Coming at all, and did well standing alone as a new X-book without any support of the many other X-titles.

The arc starts off focusing around a character that has been absent from the X-Men universe for some time, Jubilee; which is an exciting surprise to many X-Fans. After an incident involving a frightening character in a San Francisco park, the X-Men find themselves facing a new terrorist threat and what follows after said incident lays out an interesting premise for the next several issues of this series.

Without spoiling any more of the story, the main idea of this first arc stems out of Victor

Gischler’s one-shot “The Death of Dracula” and the X-Men discover that they have a Vampire problem on their hands. The one problem that I have is that I feel that Marvel released a little too much information about this new series, which kind of dulled down the surprises that occurred in this first issue. Also, I think that being able to read ‘The Death of Dracula” prior to this issue also spoiled a number of surprises and allowed me to kinda figure out all the secrets and twists that the book insinuates.

Overall, this was a great starting issue. It kept my interest the entire duration of the story, had great writing and great art, and met all the expectations I had, except for one. The one thing that I was very disappointed about was that, there were a ton of promo pin-ups that were released in many of Marvel’s issues the past few months that were awesome. I was hoping that they would be the variant covers for this first issue, but they were not. But aside from that, everything was great and I am eagerly awaiting the next issue. Welcome to the X-Universe X-Men.

9.5 out of 10

*Originally posted on the Chris' Comics Official Website

Millar and McNiven do it again! Nemesis #2 is Better than the First

The first issue of Mark Millar and Steve McNiven’s was mind blowing. The story was above and beyond, and McNiven’s art was especially great as usual, even though some people thought it was lacking because of the way it was inked. Regardless, it was a solid issue. Just like issue one, there was nothing lacking in issue two.

Issue one was used to mainly established Nemesis and the way he does business, as well as introduce all of the supporting characters. Issue two finally tells exactly who Nemesis is, as well as giving a small back-story about the character. One major change I noticed in issue two was the inks and colors. In issue one it just seemed like only pencils were used over inks and the colors were kind of opaque, whereas in this issue they were a little brighter which brought a lighter feel to it. I am still unsure which I like better.

I do wish that Dexter Vines (Civil war, Old Man Logan) was part of the series though, he makes McNiven’s art work the best it can be. I wholly believe that even though Vines usually bright and colorful, I think that he would be able to do that darker grittier feel that Nemesis is going for.

Now that Nemesis is half way done, I feel that the next two issue will be even more action packed, informative, and maybe even more exciting that the last two issues if that is even possible. The only problem that I had with Nemesis was one of the same problems I had with issue one, the issue read way too fast. In a positive light it leaves me wanting more, but since this book takes so long to come out I just wish that it gave me a little more, but since this is the only negative aspect of the book overall, I really shouldn’t be complaining in the slightest

I’d like to applaud Mark Millar and Steve McNiven for yet another beautifully written series and drawn series and I hope that it will finish on time, unlike some of Millars other series. I know that I will be eagerly awaiting issue 3, and I am sure I’m not the only one feeling this way.

9.5 out of 10

Originally posted on http://www.chriscardscomics.com/

Cornbread's Favorite Comic of the Week - 5/19

Well, since this week was a really small week I didn't really have a comic that was my least favorite. So I decided that I would just write a review of what I thought was the best of the week.

Favorite Comic: Joe the Barbarian #5

Joe the Barbarian has been a really solid series for the last 5 months, each issue bringing more to the table and leaving me eager to read for the release of the next issue. Although I really enjoy the series, I am extremely glad that it is just an 8 issue maxi series, because although the series is so interesting, I feel as though it would lose a lot of its luster and interest if it tried to stretch it out anymore.

There was not doubt in my mind that Grant Morrisson was a great writer, but after reading this and having it not be about super heroes and such it makes me enjoy his writing even more; I cant wait for Devin to read this and then start suggesting stuff. I am really enjoying Sean Murphy and his style of art, its spectacular and I think it is the main reason why this comic is so great. His style fits this fantasy world perfectly, and the way he depicts not only the characters, but their surroundings. Especially his splash pages.

Like I said before, every issue has been spectacular, but issue 5 really takes the cake, even beating issue one and all its amazingness. In this issue, Morrisson kicks that action up a notch, really pushes the storyline, and is finally developing what exactly is going on in the real world in addition to whats going on in Joe's head. He also has made it so the main characters are now split up, leaving it open for there to be two storylines for the next three issues which could be interesting. There is an extremely good action scene at the end of the book, which leaves the reader with a very interesting cliff hanger that will really drive the next three issue, depending on what happens.
If you haven't been reading this series, you really are missing out. But since its only three months till the end of the series then it should only be about 6 for the trade, so keep your chin up! Regardless, I am eagerly awaiting what is going to happen in the rest of this series, and if these next issues are as good as this one, I really cannot wait.

9.5 out of 10



Now, I was going to write a negative review about Avengers #1 but I feel I couldn't really justify doing so, since the storyline really isn't that bad, I mean its not great and it could become really bad, but its not bad yet. My only problem is JRJR's art, it is awful, characters don't look like themselves, women look awful. I mean some of the art is pretty good, but 1 or two panels are not redeeming for a 40 page comic. But yeah, Im not gonna give it a series review because really, Bendis's writing is great.


......5.5 out of 10

Cornbread's Favorite and Least Favorite Comics of the Week - 2/24

Favorite Comic: Amazing Spiderman 622
*Warning Spoiler Alert*


This book proves to be awesome just by looking at it with its awesome Simone Bianchi cover and it just continues to be awesome as you turn the pages. The gauntlet has been okay so far, nothing spectacular and I think its because they tend to drag the story on for too many issues; two issues for electro, sandman and mysterio. The stories I have liked the best so far are the one with morbius in this issue and the one with Rhino back in issue 617. Anyways, back to this issue. I thought they did a great job setting up this story and tying it into the overlying story with Mr. Negative. The best thing is that the Mr. Negative story line wasnt overly intrusive like it has been in these past gauntlet issues (which I thought took away from the story line, as well as prolonged the conclusion of some of the other gauntlet opponents). Another reason why I think I enjoyed this issue, is because Morius has kind of reformed himself as a criminal and is trying to turn his life around just like Rhino had been trying to do as well in his issue. Also, it was pretty funny when it had Peter dressed up as a "Vampire" going into the the vampire kid hang out place. Kinda made me think of the horrible emo Peter Parker from Spiderman 3 and then it got me thinking about how much I loathe that movie.

Cornbread's Favorite and Least Favorite Comics of the Week - 2/3

Hello Everyone! Cornbread here and here is my favorite and least favorite comics of the week!


Favorite Comic: Siege #2
*Warning Possible Spoiler Alert*


Marvel really did it right this time. Siege issue two was by far the best thing I have read in a long time. Not only was it non-stop action, but it actually moved the story along in a manner that makes you believe that the next two issues will be just as good.

There are two main reasons as to why this book won me over as book of the week:

1. It totally made up for Siege #1, which although was a good book, it was lacking majorly due to the fact it was basically setting up for issue 2 and the fact that every had read the first seven pages 600 times.

2. Please refer to the issue on page 21 and 22 for an excellent fold out page that cant be described with words. If you want to know what it is you will just have to pick up the issue yourself.

Another reason why I greatly enjoyed this book is that it focused around Ares, and he is a character that never gets old. In addition, for a few pages the book was focused on the Secret Warriors and showed that Phobos was not going to be included in the battle for Asgard, which I think is going to play a major role later in the story line. Plus, there was a funny scene featuring Nick Fury and Phobos that was pretty funny.

As the cover showed, a main player in the issue was going to be the Sentry, who typically I am not a fan of, but in this issue, he was redeemed. They finally have him playing the role of the crazy unstoppable force that he should be. Not the little crying baby they have had him playing recently.

I hope that Bendis and Coipel keep it up and deliver with Siege issues 3 and 4, because after this issue fans are going to be looking for a quality book, and a possibly a quality finish to a major Marvel Universe crossover.

9.5 out of 10


Least Favorite: Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost
*Warning Possible Spoiler Alert*


One of the main reasons as to why this book is my least favorite of the week is primarily because I went into it having high expectations. I saw the preview the week before and I got excited because the art seemed so awesome, which it was when I finally read the book, so there is no problem there. The problem the book ran into was the content of the story.

This is a 64 page comic, and I feel as though the action that I expected from it didnt begin until the last 10 pages or so. The majority of the comic focused on setting the back story of Aladdin, as well as the main villian Qassim. I think that the background info could have been condenced into about 10-15 pages and then the actual story could have begun and lasted the majority of the book instead of the opposite.

I think that the next book should deliver what I was expecting in this book, which will be good cause I will definitely be finishing the series. I think that the story as a whole has the potential to be awesome, and maybe would have been better if it was collected into one book instead of 3.

I did like the books packaging though, I have never got a square bound book before so it was new and exciting. Also the fact that it was released by radical was cool because i like getting books from smaller companies.

But despite all of the good, it was the content of the book that I am rating and it just wasnt there in my opinion which just disappointed me.

5.5 of out 10

Cornbread's Favorite and Least Favorite Comics of the Week - 1/27

Hey Everyone! Cornbread here and I will be blogging weekly about my favorite and least favorite comics I read from the past week! I hope you enjoy.

January 27th, 2010

Seems like everyone had a big week this week.

Here are the titles that I picked up:

Green Lantern #50
Avengers: The Initiative #32 (Siege Tie-In)
New Avengers # 61 (Siege Tie-In)
X-Force #23 (Necrosha X Tie-In)
X-Men Legacy #232 (Necrosha X Tie-In)
Secret Warriors #12
Daredevil #504
Spiderman Clone Saga #5 of 6
Fantastic 4 #575
Hawkeye # 5 of 5 FINALLY
Amazing Spiderman # 619 (Gauntlet Tie-In)
Ms. Marvel #49

Favorite Title of the Week: Daredevil #504
*Warning* Possible Spoiler Alert

I just started reading Daredevil at issue 500 and I have been pleased with my choice to start reading it. Matt Murdock decided to take on the task of leading the deadly ninja clan the hand in order to stop the ninja army from falling into the hands of the Kingpin, also realizing that he needed the Hand as much as they needed him.

Daredevil decided that he would utilize the Hand to wage war on the corruption that has been spreading through the NYPD and the city government. Although Matt was able to stop the Hand from falling into the hands of the Kingpin, its not the last we have heard of good ol' Wilson Fisk. He has vowed to get his revenge on Daredevil and as the issues move on, is setting up a meticulous plan to gain control of the underworld, the Hand, and even Daredevil himself.
Although the Hand is proving to be a vital asset to Daredevil, but their harsh ways are taking its toll on Matt and his stern moral standpoint.

In this issue, Daredevil has decided to bring his war to the head honco himself, Norman Osborn and decides to wage a pre-emptive strike against him. This ultimately leads to Osborn's retaliation by sending Hammer troops against the hand and an all out battle breaks out. As soon as the battle begins it is over though, leaving the reader to use his imagination as to what exactly happened during the battle. The issue ends showing that Daredevil might have ditched his moral bounds with a pretty disturbing final page, but I wont ruin that for whoever is reading this, ill let you see if for yourself. And if you have read this issue, you understand how great this ending was.

This is the first book I've read from Andy Diggle, and I have not been let down yet and do not expect to be any time soon. As for the art of Roberto De la Torre, his dark and shadowy art is just what this books needs. It perfectly shows the deep dark emotions that are featured in this title and the darker color shades he uses give the pages that ominous feeling that Daredevil needs. In addition, the Cover art on this issue makes it hard to look away. Esad Ribic does a great job showing the emotional and moral trama Daredevil is facing, and the detail in his suit is sick...literally. It is a bit disturbing that you can see the individual bones in his spine, but its pretty cool at the same time.

9.6 out of 10

Least Favorite Title of the Week: Fantastic 4 #575
*Warning* Possible Spoiler Alert

Its hard for me to say that FF is my least favorite from this week, considering it is usually one of my more favorite titles. Right off the bat I want to say despite it was my least favorite, it is in no way a bad book. I enjoyed Hickman's writing just like I usually do, and you cant go wrong with Eaglesham's art. The main this that bothered me is that they left you with such an interesting plot point at the end of the last issue and did nothing with it.

At the end of the last issue, Val was contacted from Future Franklin, which was pretty cool if you ask me and I was very excited to see what was going to happen next with this story line, but I got no such satisfaction. Instead, I get a story about Moleman and the underground people. Although it was pretty cool, just wasn't what I wanted, thus leaving me highly disappointed.

I still can't tell if this was just a stand alone issue, or are they going to do more with the underground world storyline? I think it may be just a single issue story considering they had the little 4 in the bottom right hand corner instead of a to be continued and the fact that there is a little disclaimer after the last page leads me to believe that this is a lost storyline, at least till later maybe.

The thing I think that bothered me the most out of everything, was actually not part of the comic (I mean, it was but kinda not really). Anyways, in the issue when they are traveling to this lost city of the underworld, Reed mentions that he knows where he is going because it is where he buried Galactus from the Future. The picture was pretty freakin' sweet if you ask me, its hard to beat a mummified Galactus, but the thing that really bothered me is that they used this picture as the add for the issue in almost every other comic I read this week. What I mentioned before about what Reed said is the only reference to it, and is the only time this dead Galactus is shown. Like, if I had seen this add prior to reading the issue and/or buying the issue, I would have been so angry at the fact that it had nothing to do with Galactus at all.

6 out of 10


I hope you all enjoyed listening to my opinions about these comics, Ill be doing these reviews weekly so stay tuned for the next installment!