Lance Paul's Comic Reviews

Reviewer For: Comics Bulletin Reviews: 33
6.7Avg. Review Rating

8
All-New Captain America #1

Nov 24, 2014

I would say that the only negative of this fun first issue is the thought that it will soon be over, and Lady Thor and Captain African-America will revert back to their bygone counterparts. As forward-thinking as Marvel may be, theyll still follow the dollar once movies start rolling out again.

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2
All-New Doop #1

Apr 15, 2014

Allow me to begin with this: I was forced to read Doop #1 by my pal Moody himself. And, wow. What a waste of 20-minutes it was!

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7
All-New Ghost Rider #1

Mar 31, 2014

Thing is, this just isn't your daddy's Ghost Rider anymore. Rather, this is a Rider raised on Steve McQueen and copious amounts of Japanimation. While I still have some concerns over a lack of character development, the American muscle-meets-indie feel pulls this one in front of the lot. And, let's be honest, this is only the first episode of the new duo's first season. I can sense the smoke of a mid-season cliffhanging skull right now.

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8
Ant-Man (2015) #1

Jan 12, 2015

Marvel does make an excellent choice in helming illustrator Rosanas, though. Coming off the heels of his quirky Night of the Living Deadpool, helps Rosanas fit right in with the shrinking, isolated Avenger. If Rosanas goal was to give the reader the same loneliness that Lang deals with, then an excellent job was accomplished; although his short angles and compositions still give this fellow artist the feeling there are tighter choices to be made out there. Nonetheless, Rosanas seems the right man for this ill-fated Marvel movie tagalong. Spencers irredeemable Ant-Man is a must-buy for Marvel fans, and may accomplish its goal of assisting in filling seats in Marvels biggest film gamble yet!

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3
Aquaman (2011): Futures End #1

Sep 9, 2014

Though the writing of Dan Jurgens (Booster Gold, Superman) is this books only saving grace, poor pencil work almost makes getting through this read near impossible. Where the pieces lay after Futures End is anyones guess, but if one positive thing comes out of this companion book hopefully its the all new Aquasuit!

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8
Avengers (2012) #30

Jun 3, 2014

A story has been building in Avengers for some time thanks to Jonathan Hickman (East of West )" and, thankfully, this main event tie-in doesn't distract from it.

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7
Avengers Undercover #1

Mar 18, 2014

Undercover is merely a continuation of awesomeness from one of last season's most criminally overlooked books. Do not sleep on the kids again.

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9
Batman (2011) #41

Jun 16, 2015

Capullos beautiful art also makes this issue a must-own for the true artist fanboys. The man always had the ability to make action scenes flow like effortless dance choreography, but never has there been more proof than somehow making a bat-bunny work in action. Cap brings the bat out of the shadows and into the light with a more colorful palette. Thanks to FCO Plascencias (Invincible) colors, this first issue finds Bat fighting a skittles vibrant energy monster that leaped off page like a neon light in Time Square. Point blank: This first issue in a new chapter is an excellent jumping-on point for new readers or old. Mastery of the previous issues may help, but not dampen the fun of the Dark Knight Jim Gordon.

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5
Batman: Eternal #1

Apr 15, 2014

For a starting point, Eternal sure lacks a lot of meat. Some may feel inclined to keep trying this buffet, but I'm gonna have to yelp a not so great write-up.

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6
Battlestar Galactica: The Death Of Apollo #1

Dec 8, 2014

But hey if youre a fan of the toaster glory of Galactica 78, you will absolutely enjoy this in-continuity comic.

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7
C.O.W.L. #1

Jun 3, 2014

You can bet the highly original C.O.W.L. will remain on my sub-list for a few more issues assuming the plot doesn't flatline.

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9
Dead Letters #1

Apr 15, 2014

I didn't think Boom! could outdo themselves again after the award winning HIT, but here comes yet another dreamy creator-controlled franchise. Christopher Sebela (Captain Marvel, Screamland) and Chris Visions (Devils on the Levee) are just the creators for the job. Dead Letters is just the kind of book you find by chance and lose your self in it.

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7
Deadpool vs. X-Force #1

Jul 8, 2014

This loyal Marvel Apostle enjoyed the read for its simplistic approach and Larraz' fun sketches and Nolan (Planet of the Apes) Woodard's vibrant colors that can't help but scream right off the page.

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8
Death Of Wolverine #1

Sep 9, 2014

The Death of Wolverine is one of the prettiest comics on the shelves this weeks, thanks to Steve McNiven (Civil War) and his talented pencils skills.

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4
G.I. Joe (2014) #1

Sep 30, 2014

Lengthy political conversations of the funding future of the Joes unfortunately is not why we buy these comics. And the overall lack of Joes in the series has me questioning things. The one saving grace is the stunning line art thanks to ole X-Men Legacy artist Kurth. His work alone will bring me back for a second issue; let's just hope the storyline starts moving somewhere fast.

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4
Guardians 3000 #1

Oct 7, 2014

Gerardo Sandoval(Wolverine) andEdgar Delgados artwork truly never hits its mark either, let alone panel and character work that stays the same from panel to panel. The original Guardians never saw commercial success, and if this first issue is any judge neither will3000.

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8
Guardians of the Galaxy (2013) #18

Sep 2, 2014

Though better served as an annual allowing more page length and less "to be continued", ish 18 does rank as the best issue of this new run" even if it has taken over a year and a half to get there. With exceptional pencils courtesy of McGuinness, ink by Mark Farmer and a color palette that's blows off the page by Justin Ponsor, this issue is Marvel on crack!

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6
Lady Demon #1

Dec 15, 2014

Written by Aaron Gillespie, Lady Demon #1 hits the ground running. Aaron is creatively talented when showcasing these two entertaining aspects of Demons's character. Similar to DC's Firestorm mixed with tad of Marvel's Ghost Rider, when innocent Violet and her boyfriend are slaughtered Lady Demon makes a deal to co-habitat her vessel and give Violet the retribution her soul needs. With art by the talented Mirka Andolfo (Damsels In Excess, Chaos),Lady Demon peaks your interest and keeps you flipping pages for just that right amount of violence, gore and PG-13 nudity. The Traveling nerd says read it and enjoy it, but don't come in seeking high cerebral mental intriguing literature.

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9
Loki: Agent of Asgard #1

Feb 11, 2014

With Loki recently hitting upon a rainbow-tracked, hyper-speed train since Thor: The Dark World, some may first look upon this series as a bit of a force. But that's OK" because the God of Evil likes it that way. And much like his underdog "heroic villain," Ewing provides an exceptional experience for All-New readers while packing an ending and little hints of past comic glory that, hell, intense diehard fans of Walt Simonson's run can enjoy.

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5
New Avengers (2013) #16.NOW

Mar 31, 2014

For his first issue at the House of Stan, the former DCU stalwart gets to take a spin with a multi-dimensional version of the Squadron Supreme. That alone may be worth the price of admission.

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7
Nightcrawler (2014) #1

Apr 15, 2014

The combination of CC's writing and art by Todd Nauck (Teen Titans, Amazing Spider-Man) has the potential for this to be one of Chris's best post-'91 projects, despite a few faults. The story is a bit forced, especially when we see Kurt reuniting with Amanda once again. But hell, this is the comics; "normal" reactions get tossed out the window when you fight crime in spandex. Another tick I have on Clairmont's writing too, is that he constantly finds the time to explain his characters' special powers but lacks to actually acknowledge the elephant in the room.

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8
Secret Avengers (2014) #1

Mar 18, 2014

This is the perfect book for escapism. It requires an intense amount of disbelief suspension and the ride is better for it.

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8
Silk #1

Feb 24, 2015

Part coming of age and part indie action, Silk is off to a great start. Thanks no doubt to the superb pencils and colors courtesy of Stacey Lee and Ian Herring. For the past couple of years Marvel has been taking a page out of indie books and hiring talent that goes against the spandex in a cape and tight kinda world. Lee is just another example of that with her soft pencils and almost European Manga style. The traveling Nerd says keep an eye on this one!

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7
Silver Surfer (2014) #1

Mar 31, 2014

Overall, nothing about the All-New Silver Surfer is either too epic or daring, but that was certainly not the goal of this new take. Rather, it aims to be more of a zany build up to a cosmic explosion. By expanding and not being hampered down by the past, this new Silver Surfer run should make old fans and new fans very pleased. NOW, go catch the wave!

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3
Spawn #250

Feb 10, 2015

Overall, I didn't find this comic a bad visual read, but, oh, was it overly written; a convoluted mess; excruciatingly long. So long, that it could take a couple seatings just to get through it.

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8
Spawn: Resurrection #1

Mar 17, 2015

Despite all its abrasiveness, I look forward to where this new creative team goes with McFarlane's child, and, once again, I can finally say I'm looking forward to a Spawn comic with issue #251 next month. The traveling nerd approved!

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7
Star Wars: Rebel Heist #2

Jun 3, 2014

While Dark Horse could have chosen a more suitable penciler than Mark Castiello (Green Arrow), the story does make up for the comic's lack of visual clarity. Still, the combination of Dan Parsons on ink and Gabe Eltaeb (Green Lantern Corps) on colors is quite refreshing, and enough to recommend this mini, especially with #3"s promised focus on the wookiee.

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8
Superior Spider-Man (2013) #32

Aug 12, 2014

This first issue was a great starting-off point for the beginning of Spider-Verse, with exceptional art courtesy of the talented Giuseppe Camuncoli (Daken Dark Wolverine) on pencil, and a combo smack-down of John Dell (Magog) inking and Antonio Fabela (Iron Man) coloring this spiderrefic palette. This double-sized issue also comes with a great mini-story by Marvel God himself, Joe Quesada (Everything), featuring an Unfriendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

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4
Tech Jacket (2014) #1

Jul 8, 2014

Though a well-paced execution, Jacket drops the pen when it comes to actual character development and exposition.

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10
The Royals: Masters Of War #1

Feb 18, 2014

Although Royals: The Masters of War #1 makes this three 5-star comics in a row (joining the likes of She-Hulk and Punisher), only time will tell whether the next five issues will make this limited series a certifiable classic. And that time should absolutely be worth the wait for a reiteration of the tried and true super-hero story.

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8
Uncanny Avengers #25

Oct 7, 2014

Were also shown a glimpse of the scars still left on the Scarlett Witch by her fathers power, the mix of adoration and fear helps to understand the pain she suffers from. Another final treat toUAis the return of Acunas pencils, his final battle between the Red Skull and Magneto is something of nerd fantasies! While this final issue in theM2Astands as one of the best,the realist in mestill went looking up at just how much of a landmark run this was.

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8
Uncanny: Season Two #1

Apr 14, 2015

A second season can be hard to grab new readers or followers in anything, and Diggle does an excellent job of not only placating old followers but also bringing in new comic fans such as this Apostle. He humanizes the chief character from the first series in a very empathizing story that should yearn you to read more.

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6
Wolverine (2014) #1

Feb 11, 2014

So, if you can get by the fact this Wolverine would rather opt for healthy skin care than lose a few more hairs, the outstanding visuals in addition to the Superior Spidey's presence next issue may make this worth a look"if certainly not a SNIKT.

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