Chris Blackwell's Comic Reviews

Reviewer For: Comicville Reviews: 35
7.5Avg. Review Rating

4.5
30 Days of Night #8

Jun 10, 2012

I've never seen a comic seriesdeteriorateso quickly, in the matter of a few issues. We went from dark style FBI weirdo, trying to prove there are vampires inAlaska, to an all out war against the FBI in the middle of New York city. The writers need to go back and re-read issues 1-4 before putting anymore pencil to paper.

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9
Action Comics (2011) #10

Jun 12, 2012

This issue has me excited again about the future of Action Comics. I got worried duringissues6 – 8, and got absolutely terrified during last months horrific issue #9. I am hoping that Grant Morrison can keep this comic on target, and deliver more surprises and twists like he did this week.

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8.5
Alpha Girl #3

Jun 21, 2012

Great artwork and a more grounded story have given this series some staying power. Let's hope we see some more character development next month, and maybe Judith can finally get her brother out of jail.

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8.5
Animal Man (2011) Annual #1

Jun 9, 2012

If you have been following along with the Animal Man series, then I would recommend this. By itself, it can not be an issue for the casual reader, as it depends too much from the story told all year.

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8.5
Batman (2011) #10

Jun 13, 2012

We are not completely done with the story arc yet, but we are definitely in the concluding stages. Great writing and great artwork will continue to keep this series as one of DC's finest. Knowing what we now know, how will Bruce Wayne and Batman handle themselves in the next issue?

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9
Batman (2011) Annual #1

Jun 7, 2012

I would recommend this for any fan of the Batman universe, even if you are not subscribed to the series. I am already anxiously awaiting next year's issue.

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7.5
Batman and Robin (2011) #10

Jun 14, 2012

As you get more familiar with each of the Robins, you start to realize how different Damian is as Robin. This is a great thing on all accounts. After over 60 years of the Boy Wonder, it's hard to re-imaginethat character. The writers are doing a great job of letting us know that this is a different Robin, but don't take their word for it, they are going to spend the next few issues proving it!

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8
Batman Incorporated (2012) #1

Jun 9, 2012

I very much enjoyed this issue, and I think if you are a Batman fan ofany kind, you have to give this series a chance. The conclusion to the issue really left openseveralpossibilities of where this series might take us, and how it could effect the Batman universe overall. It will be interesting to see if Grant Morrison sticks to the same Batman story lines that the new 52 have brought us, or if he deviates entirely. I myself can't wait for the next issue to find out.

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7
Batman Incorporated (2012) #2

Jul 3, 2012

I don't quite understand exactly what Morrison is doing with this series yet. I really enjoyed issue one, but felt a little disconnected with this issue. The coles notes version of a back story didn't help matters, but the constant action and solid artwork, held the entertainment value for me.

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10
Batman: Earth One #1

Jul 5, 2012

This is a must read for anybody that is a Batman fan, comic book fan, or anyone who has a pulse. My wife has never read a comic book or graphic novel in her life, and she picked it up the minute I was done reading it. Geoff Johns should be commended for delivering a fresh take on the Batman origin, while still keeping us diehard Batman fans happy.

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9
Batman: The Dark Knight (2011) #10

Jun 27, 2012

This was a great start to the new story arc for the Dark Knight. This issue doesn't require any back story from the last nine issues, so if you were thinking about jumping into the Dark Knight, now is the perfect time. Gregg and the artwork team seem to be a fantastic combination, and are putting together a series that will rival DC's bigger Batmanseries.

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7
Before Watchmen: Comedian #1

Jun 21, 2012

I think DC have the right team with Brian Azzarello and J.G. Jones. I'm anxious to see where they take this series. I do feel like we are still not going to get the whole picture of Edward Blake (a.k.a The Comedian), but that we will get an interesting look at how he became the violent, womanizing, maniac that we all know.

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8.5
Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1

Jun 8, 2012

Overall I am very excited with this series, and I am looking forward to seeing where they are going to take us. The Minutemen issues will set the tone for the rest of the prequels, and I think it's going to be an interesting few months as these issues roll out.

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7
Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1

Jun 28, 2012

I feel like this issue was written by twoseparatewriters who didn't compare notes. The first half of this book is well crafted, and deep. The second half is rushed, inconsistent with the Watchmen universe, and never feels right. It will be interesting to see if there is any tie-in with the Rorschach story, to warrant why hesoughtout Nite Owl to become partners.

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6
Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1

Aug 29, 2012

After a long wait and a lot of anticipation, I feel very disappointed with what has been put out. For most of the story I felt like I was reading a C grade crime story, and the rest of the time I was re-reading the old Watchmen novel. Good art has saved this issue from hitting the skids, but won't be able to keep it afloat for all 4 issues.

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7
Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1

Jun 13, 2012

More of a teenage drama at the moment then a Watchmen epic series. I'm excited to see what develops between Laurie and her boyfriend, as we all know she was with DoctorManhattan during the Watchmen era. I have a feeling that an untimely demise of her boyfriend might just be what sets the Silk Spectre on the road to crime fighting.

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8
Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2

Jul 25, 2012

An improving story line and better artwork are starting to lift this issue a little higher. It will be interesting to see if we get a Nite Owl or Doctor Manhattan crossover in the coming months.

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7
Detective Comics (2011) #10

Jun 7, 2012

While I like that we were able to get onto a different story line, I felt like there wasn't much of a story here yet. It is quite possible that they are building to something, and I like the introduction to a new villain, but find myself still thinking back to issue #1 and the status of the Joker.

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3.5
Fanboys vs. Zombies #3

Jun 20, 2012

I am so disappointed with what this series has become, and that it is bringing down the BOOM! Studios name. BOOM! is definitely one of the smaller publishers, and has now lost two of their biggest properties,IrredeemableandIncorruptible, so they can't afford many missteps like the one they have taken here. I really hope the writers find a way to turn this series around soon, if it's not already beyond saving.

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8.5
Green Lantern (2011) #10

Jun 20, 2012

Even if you haven't been following the Green Lantern up to this point, you still can get a lot of value from this issue. The last two issues are essentially the full back story to the Indigo tribe and their origin. It'sdefinitelythe coles-notes variety of a back story, but for a minor sub-section of the lanterns, I feel this is the best we are going to get for a while.

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8
Hit-Girl #1

Jul 2, 2012

You could be forgiven for thinking that Marvel and Mark Millar are trying to bleed the Kick-Ass franchise dry. This series comes right on the heels of Kick-Ass 2, and might be a little quick for some people's liking. That being said, you have to give this issue a try if you liked any of the Kick-Ass comics. The quality of writing and artwork is still so high, it makes this comic one of the gems of the month.

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8.5
Irredeemable #37

Jun 10, 2012

If you haven't been reading Irredeemable then you have been missing out. I would encourage anyone (aged 14 or older) who is interested in comics to go read the past volumes of the Irredeemable series. It was an exciting series, and I will be watching Mark Waid closely to see what his next work will be.

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8.5
Jennifer Blood #16

Sep 5, 2012

Every issue get's me more and more excited about the events that take place, but I can't help but imagine that the series might be coming to a close in the next six months or so. I could be wrong, but the way events have been shaping up, it looks like an ending might be near.

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8.5
Jennifer Blood #18

Oct 26, 2012

Pickup this issue if you haven't been reading Jennifer Blood. This might be a great jumping on point, as the story arc will surely be changing from here. If you're already a fan, what do you think of the Jennifer's identity being revealed? How is she going to raise the kids when the whole country is going to be hunting her down?

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7
Justice League (2011) #10

Jun 27, 2012

This title has been fairly solid, but this issue feels a little short, and doesn't have the same developments we were hoping for. The Shazam backup story is a must read, and I'm very excited to see a new potential Captain Marvel series spun-off from this one.

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7.5
Resident Alien #3

Aug 8, 2012

You should really pick this series up if you have any interest in either SciFi or crime and mystery. The series plays well on both sides, and with amazing dialogue and very solid artwork, I am looking forward to more series of the Resident Alien.

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9
Saga #4

Jun 21, 2012

If you haven't been reading Saga, you owe it to yourself to catch upimmediately. Brian K. Vaughan andFiona Staplesare proving to be the best creative team in the industry. The two are clearly telling a story, and not just creating a comic. They even hint as much by not calling them issues, but instead chapters. Amazing art and dynamic dialogue have me completely hooked on this series.

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9
Saga #6

Aug 22, 2012

Obviously this is a must read, and will continue to be on the top of our recommendation list going forward. Has anyone reading this not jumped on this series yet?

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7
Star Trek #9

Jun 11, 2012

Knowing the story before hand can always ruin a good book. The artwork in this issue is nothing spectacular, and there aren't enough differences from the original story line to reallyseparatethis version. I'll be looking to see if the writers do more exploring in the future.

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6
Star Trek: The Next Generation / Doctor Who: Assimilation² #2

Jun 27, 2012

So far this series has failed to deliver on the hype. The entire story line was developed in the first 4 pages of issue #1, and there has been nothing since. Very mediocre issue, and I hope now that the Doctor and Jean-Luc are together, that the magic we were all hoping for, will start-up soon.

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7.5
The Walking Dead #98

Jun 7, 2012

We will know a lot more going forward into the 99th issue, and we get more hints at what is in store for us in the next couple of months. Despite the quick pace, and the seemly short issue, I enjoyed this issue, and I think it continues to move the story along, which is a lot more then I could say for the previous issue.

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6.5
The Walking Dead #99

Jun 20, 2012

We are all very anxious to see what Walking Dead #100 will bring next month. This wasn't exactly the issue I was looking for to tie me over until then, but it does still serve a purpose. You don't really need to read this issue to enjoy next month's, but if you haven't read a Walking Dead issue in a while, this will fill in as a good catchup issue to tell you where everyone is at in their lives and who everyone is with.

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5.5
The Walking Dead #103

Oct 17, 2012

Nothing to write home about this month, and we will have to just have faith in Rick's plan to same the group from Negan. If you are looking for excitement from the Walking Dead, best to look at the TV show instead.

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6
Vampirella #18

Jun 19, 2012

I'm happy to see Vampirella back in our world, but we need to get some story moving quickly. The ending left us with a nice little twist, but we need the good artwork from the Crown of Worms to revisit once again. We will still be recommending this series to any horror genre comic fan, but we'd like to see some improvements moving forward.

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6
Warlord of Mars #18

Jun 19, 2012

It's good to have John Carter back and have Helium restored to honor once again. While the battles were built up to be epic, they were over way too fast. I'm not quite sure where the writers are going with this story, but I think they better decide fast, or they are going to start loosing the fan base very quickly.

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