James Caudill Comic Reviews

All in all, this is a great Batman book. It has the BTAS feel and BTAS is easily the best animated series of all time and, for many folks my age, is the definitive Batman (okay, along with Michael Keaton). I read this Batman and I hear Kevin Conroy and all the other actors in the series. I'm glad that DC is doing these books and I'm ready for more!

I could go on for days about this book. AWA Studios is getting great creators together now for their books and everyone is magnificent. But, Chariot immediately comes to the top of the list for me. Now, stop reading this and go buy the comic.

This issue has set up the readers for the finale of this current volume. Crossover will be continuing and there is an issue that will be dropping soon featuring none other than another great comic book writer in Chip Zdarsky. Hold on tight everyone this series is just getting started. If you haven’t read the first four issues, pick those up before you read this. You’ll need the previous stories to explain everything. You can always trade wait, but I’m sure you can get those floppies as well. Get this book and enjoy the ride. I totally wish I could give you more details about this issue but I think that if I give you anymore, I'll spoil the issue. I certainly don't want to do that.

Donny Cates grabs you with chains in this issue and drags you kicking and screaming in a really good way to the end of this issue and the end of the Kids Love Chains story arc. The art by Geoff Shaw and the colors by Dee Cunniffee gives you a treat for your eyes that goes along with this thrill ride of a story.

You know the trope of the man that forgets his wife’s birthday and gets her a gift at the local gas station on the way home? That is pretty much what this story feels like. It is almost as if Marvel said “oh, we have Man-Thing’s 50th anniversary coming up, we really need to put out a book.” The best part about this book is that a writer and a team of artists were paid to do it.

I could go on and on about how beautiful this book is and how well written the stories are. But, instead, I would suggest that you just go buy a copy. It is stunning. By day, I am a teacher of high school students that use comics in the classroom. I will certainly be adding a copy of this to my classroom library. These stories are so important. Everyone needs to see themselves represented in comics and now is a great time for these historically underrepresented groups to shine. I want my students to see themselves represented just like I want to see everyone represented. Please, go out and get this book. Buy an extra copy if you can to gift to someone who might need to read it.

Reviewing a comic that is different from what you are used to has proven to be difficult. I have spent days re-reading parts of the book or looking at panels in the book. I have had to digest this one on a different level. But that digestion has certainly been a pleasurable experience. It was kind of like eating a meal from a different culture. Pleasurable, but you take the extra time to digest and savor it. I feel the same way with Demon Days Mariko. It was such a pleasurable book! I would highly recommend it.

This is one of those books that the writing is done well enough to keep me interested but the art is what is going to keep me buying it for right now. Image has announced the series monthly through June so far. The only thing that worries me about this series at the moment is John’s recent history of getting books out. If you remember his Doomsday Clock over at DC...that was pretty much a mess. It took two years to do 12 issues. It was so long between books, that I just gave up and got the trade. He also wrote a Shazam book and I really couldn’t tell you when those books came out. I do know that Johns recently did a one shot in the Black Hammer Universe but this is the first series I can remember him on for a little bit. If this book can come out monthly, I’ll continue to pick it up. But if there starts to be a gap, I’ll just wait on the trade.

Between the art in this book by Rossmo, the colors by Plascencia, and the writing by Phillips this is certainly a truly phenomenal first issue for the new run. I can not wait for the second issue of this book and see where Harley goes in this story.

Overall, this story is one of the best coming out from DC Comics right now. I highly recommend you get this book and dive in.

Overall, I’m sticking with this James Bond book. There have been other stories over the years that I have picked up, read a few issues, and dropped off. But I find this story incredibly interesting and engaging and I’m really looking forward to seeing where James Bond goes as an Agent of Spectre!

This is a great series all in all. You don’t want to miss this one. Go ahead and pick it up.

To recap, the story is lackluster but the art shines through brightly. If you like good artwork in comics, then I would say pick it up. If you are more of a story person, there are other books out this week that you can pick up. Overall, I would say skip this book. AWA Upshot has several really good titles out right now but this one is a dud. The name on the writer line is what is pushing this one forward, but the story just isn’t there. AWA was bound to put a book out eventually that just isn’t up to par. That’s okay every publisher does it.

I am completely blown away by this book. At first, I was just thinking, okay this is just another Superman rip off and I’ve seen hundreds of those...but then...all of a sudden...it wasn’t. Project Patron is it’s own new, totally unique, take on a superhero story. I for one was very pleased with this book and can’t wait to read the second issue.

There have been some people who have said this has been a slow story in spots and there might be an issue that is not as exciting as the others, but that issue is one that really drives the story forward and you need to have that to really get the story.I highly recommend this story and this is a great issue on it’s own. If you haven’t been reading this story so far, I highly recommend the books before to help understand everything, but I guess you could read this on its own just to see the things that I have hinted at in this review.

I am really into this story and formula that the HBO series Watchmen set up and this comic fills in with the show. The show is set in the future of that universe and does it’s own thing within that world. This comic follows the formula and does its own thing. King has this and Strange Adventures coming out monthly right now and this by far is the superior book in my opinion. While Strange Adventures has been good for sure, this book is just so much better. I would highly recommend picking Rorschach up this week.

All in all, this book is truly excellent. The pacing is just right, the story is extremely creative, and the art work is just “chef’s kiss gif here”. I have really enjoyed reading this book so far and I’m just going to say...I was not prepared for where this issue went. That twist...is so delightful and I was not expecting that. Before you read this issue, repeat after Kit, “please just let me be prepared.”

I’m so glad that I got on this series at the beginning. I got a promotional email about Scout’s Honor and I read the description. I was, like, okay cool. We have a new post apocalyptic book and I’m a sucker for those. I figured I would check it out. What floored me was just how absolutely freaking amazing this story is. If you haven’t read this story yet, don’t fret, the trade will drop in August. You won’t have to wait that long. Regardless, if you like post-apocalyptic storylines and gorgeous art...this book is for you.

I literally cannot say enough about this book. It is close to perfection. A lot of people know Tom Taylor for just killing off their favorite characters but this book isn’t quite like that. Sure, some characters die but that is what they are meant to do as the story unfolds. If killing off your favorite characters is what you expect from Taylor, prepare your mind for a complete trip with this book. It is a hard turn from what you might be used to...but that turn is so incredibly worth it. I absolutely love this book!

Not knowing much, okay, anything about Shadowman coming into this book, I have to say that I am intrigued. The creative team has my attention going forward with this book.

I would pass on this book, to be honest. This book just really isn’t that good. There are several other books out today that would be better to spend your hard earned money on. With comics costing what they do, I just can’t in good conscience recommend this book.

If you are like me and want to see amazing artwork and really good writing, you certainly can’t go wrong with this book by Tom King, Mitch Gerads, Doc Shaner and the rest of the crew. Get ready for a feast of the eyes!

I’m not exactly sure how I feel about this story to be honest. I am hopeful of things coming out by King and Gerads and will honestly support anything that they do together. But, I know where this story is going and now I am just kind of checked out of it. I’ll go ahead and pick up the other two issues to have the full collection but if I had not already had every copy, I don’t think I would search it out. The art is well worth the price of this book but I think I would trade wait if I had it all to do over again. I think it might fit better together once every issue is out. I really can’t in good conscious tell you to get this particular book for the story but if you want beautiful art work, then certainly get this book.

As this review comes to a close, to sum up, I really love this book and can’t wait to see where it goes. It is currently supposed to be 10 issues and that is certainly a great way to see if this book will sell. Ram V and Perkins will tell a phenomenal story in those 10 issues. Pick it up now. You won’t regret it.

I cannot recommend Swamp Thing enough. Ram V is getting to play with the Swamp Thing mythos and is doing a fantastic job with it. The art is just stunning from both Perkins and Spicer. I could continue on and on but I want to go read this story again!

I really can’t say enough good things about Swamp Thing. This is one of three great books coming out from DC right now. I absolutely love this new Swamp Thing run. If DC knows what’s best for them, they need to make Swamp Thing by Ram V and two Mikes as an ongoing. A ten issue run is going to be amazing and I’ll take it, but I’m already wanting more.

Overall, unless you are just a hugely dedicated Teen Titans fan, I would pass on this and pick up Strange Academy instead.

If you haven’t been keeping up with this series I would highly suggest you catch up on it. There is a reason that The Dreaming: Waking Hours is part of the DC Black Label imprint and the art in this story takes full advantage. The first arc is available in trade but at least go back and pick up issues 7 and 8 to get you caught up to this part of the story. The first arc will introduce you to the characters but you do learn a lot about them in this arc. I really can’t say enough positive things about this book. This is one of my favorite stories from DC right now.

The Other HIstory of the DC Universe is that important. Book three about Katana is a wonderful addition to this storyline. I can't wait to see the next issue.

I’m highly intrigued by where Time Before Time goes. This story ends off with a fascinating cliffhanger that is going to drive this story and what time that it ends up in. I think it is about time that you go to your local comic book shop and pick this up today, while there is still time. Okay, enough with the horrible time puns. But, seriously, you should check this book out.

Please, go buy this book. This issue is so important. Historically, Marvel was kind of a guy’s club with women playing in a supporting role. I mean, when the bullpen consists of Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, Denny O’Neill and others throughout time, it is pretty obvious. Of course, society at that time was dominated by men. But as humanity has shown to be more on a spectrum, these new voices have emerged and they are stronger than ever. I, for one, am loving having superheroines taking a stand in the comics. This issue is certainly going to add fuel to that fire of getting more representation in comics.