ComicNerd

Storyline: Multiple
Date: 2005
Price:$34.95 US
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Cory Walker, Ryan Ottley

Synopsis: Get in on the ground floor! This massive hardcover collects the first 13 issues of Robert Kirkman’s Eisner-Nominated super-hero, along with all the extras from the first three trade paperback volumes and even more on top of that! Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1 is a can’t-miss for anyone who’s wanted to start reading Invincible, but needed an easier way to start from the beginning.

Opinion: Collecting issues 1-13, this hardcover gives us the story of young Mark Grayson’s foray into super powers, and as another young-teenager-gets-powers-and-becomes-a-hero has learned, “with great power comes great responsibility”. Initially, the story smacks a bit of something we’re all pretty used to, and doesn’t stand out too much. Personally, I am a huge fan of the artwork and story in all of the Kirkman books I have read so far, The Walking Dead and (surprisingly) The Astounding Wolf-Man. So for me, it was easy to read. This is one of those books everyone kept talking about in the store I frequent, but I, like many other fans out there, have been burned on cape stories thanks to the frequent bouts of BS the publishers have thrown our way, especially in recent years.

Either way, this book was very refreshing for me. Naturally Kirkman’s writing and pace picked me up and took me along for the ride, waiting for the next page and caring for the characters. The introduction of several new heroes and induction into this story’s universe was enjoyable, not over the top – and just as seamless as the transition between Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley mid-stride.

Overall I was very happy with this book, and will get caught up with the series and continue reading. I find myself very excited to see what happens next, and the good thing about comics being in trade form is you get instant gratification. Lucky me . For those of you who do not wish to spend a bunch of money getting into another new series; from what I understand issue #42 gives a great recap so you can get right into the thick of things. So if your wallet’s thin from all the other titles you pick up every week – at least grab this one and check it out for yourself.

Storyline: Survival of the Fittest
Date: October, 2007
Price:$2.99 US / $3.75 CAN
Writer: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti
Artist: Khari Evens

Synopsis: Shanna the She-Devil returns in an all-new limited series jam-packed with jungle action, Hong Kong gangsters, dinosaurs, diamonds and cavemen! Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti reunite with super-hot artist Khari Evans (DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON) to bring you the story of modern-day pirates shipwrecked on the Marvel Universe’s deadliest island, where only Shanna can protect them from hordes of man-eating monsters!

Opinion:  The story was ok. It started out kind of slow. If you want to just sit down and read a good story with lot’s of boob shots, THIS is the comic to pick up. Seriously that is all it was.
Right now there are 2 Shanna the she-devil comics out. One is published by Marvel the other is published by Devils Due.  And Dynamite Entertainment is going to put out “Jungle Girl”, But really it’s just another Shanna the She-Devil comic. And it has Frank Cho doing the artwork.  So who knows which one to buy…

Storyline: The Initiative
Date: July, 2007
Price:$2.99 US / $3.75 CAN
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Dave McCraig

Synopsis:  The New Avengers have found a huge clue to the threat that has faced them since the day they banded together. And now just the knowledge of that threat is tearing them apart. What secret could be so damning that it could do to the New Avengers what the Civil War could not?

 Opinion:  Good lord, man! A giant conversation aboard Iron Fist’s airplane. One boring character would say, “You’re a freakin’ Skrull, dude!” Then another bland-ass character would explaim, “Maybe I am! Maybe you are too!” Om my God, it was just like that throughout 90% of the comic. It made for an excrutiatingly boring and painful read. The only bright spot was when the plane crashed. Unfortunately, nobody died. Crapola! Run from this book.

Storyline: Unspecified
Date: October, 2007
Price:$2.99 US / $3.75 CAN
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Olivier Coipel

Synopsis: A freak thunderstorm hit the wide open spaces of Oklahoma…the same day a young doctor named Donald Blake drove into town! Now the friendly residents of this cozy burg are just as puzzled by the walking stick-carrying young man as they are by the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Little do they know an honest-to-goodness god of Asgard walks among them, searching for his own home in the heart of theirs…and he’s got big plans for their dusty little town! But what connection does Asgard–and Norse mythology have to the wide-open plains of Oklahoma?

Opinion: This issue is a definite departure and an appropriate progression from the ambiguous and dreamy revival explanation in Thor #1 (v.2). I really enjoyed this issue after what I thought was a kind of stale start. I do have to admit though, often Straczynski’s stories typically have the quality where the more you read, the more ingenious is revealed and the more you appreciate the story. I’d say give this a shot!

Storyline: Unspecified
Date: September, 2007
Price:$2.99 US / $3.75 CAN
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Olivier Coipel

Synopsis: Not a clone! Not a robot! Not an imaginary story! The God of Thunder is officially BACK! You’ve waited for it, you’ve demanded it…and we say thee YEA! The Odinson comes roaring to life in this highly anticipated ongoing series by red-hot superstars J. Michael Straczynski (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Olivier Coipel (HOUSE OF M)! But how does a god return from Ragnarok? And what place will he find in a world torn by CIVIL WAR?

Opinion: This issue was a little hard to swallow. While Thor is such an awesome character, it seems Marvel just has a revolving door of death and resurrection and this is just part of a regular cycle of keeping high profile characters in play. You can’t blame them though, Thor kicks ass! In any case, looking forward to the next ‘ish for a bit more elaboration – but for now I am thoroughly enjoying the artwork by Coipel.