Comments & Reviews

I thought I might actually review a few comics for a change. Figured I’ve got to do that at least once in a while. Here are some new and/or different books that you might not have thought about picking up. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything!

All-Star Batman & Robin #1 – Art is excellent, although I could have lived without the half naked Vicky Vale. But, that’s just my “being a woman” thing. The story started off well. This first issue provided a bit of action, a bit of character, a bit of plot, and a mystery. Just enough of everything to get me interested. I don’t like that it’s an every-other month book because I have this tendency to forget what happened anyway, and after an extra month I’ll probably have to re-read the first one. I’d say any Batman fan should definitely give this a try. Frank Miller has called it his, “unofficial Year Two Batman book.”

Fables #39 – this is really a well written book, and the art is usually quite spectacular. Even the way they layout the pages is unusual and very interesting. I thought this issue was very very good. This is one of those series that never seems to get “old” after a while, like many others do. This series is about the world of Fabletown, where your favorite old fairy tale people now live & work (in fact, a part of New York). Prince Charming is Mayor, Cinderella a government agent, Snow White the former mayor now mother of several flying wolf pups. Trust me, it’s VERY good. Pick up one of the trades if you’re looking for something new to read!

Gravity #2 – Another really well written book! It’s simple yet fun. Not overly complicated or drawn out. It’s an easy story to get into because the hero is very “real” and because this is a brand new character, you don’t have to worry about getting lost in a past or universe that you don’t know about. There’s action, humor, and a just plain good story here. For those of you who complain that there just aren’t any new super-hero books, give it a try.

Seven Soldiers The Guardian #3—Grant Morrison can be a bit weird, but this story is starting to come together. This is 1 part of a larger series of 7 characters that will eventually make up the Seven Soldiers team. Each of the character’s stories can be read separately without the rest, but they do all fit together to form a larger story. In the larger picture we have been introduced to The Guardian, Zatana, The Shining Knight and Klarion the Witch Boy. All very different characters with very different stories. I like most of the issues, but it does seem like a very drawn out series just to get to the final story. For those of you who like a story all at once you might like this in a trade paperback, or pick up all of the issues and hold onto them until the whole thing is over. Grant Morrison’s writing can get a bit confusing anyway, so the whole thing will probably fit together much better when read all at once.

So, there you go, just a few recommendations for anyone looking for something new to check out.

In conclusion I’d like to welcome all of you who are reading this, even if you don’t shop at Neptune. Even if you work at a different store (see comments from June 12th’s What Standards do you use to determine success), you’re welcome to read my blog, maybe you’ll pick up some useful tips. I’m flattered that anyone reads it at all. Feel free to share it with anyone (even your customers), I will take any free advertising I can get. Thanks to everyone who does, and for those that let me know that you enjoy it – I appreciate that!!