JT's Take: Green Lantern #11

Hey guys and gals, today's review on tap is Green Lantern, after the escape of Black Hand in the last issue, we can only imagine what the psychotic villain has planned, so let's get to it!

Green Lantern #11

Summary: We start this issue with Sinestro about to break free from the Indigo Tribe when he's released into Jordan's care. Jordan tells Sinestro that he's under Jordan's care and the Indigo Tribe has made it so Jordan's ring has now limitations that Sinestro put on and he can attack Sinestro if need be. Sinestro quick realizes Black hand is missing so they go looking for him and discover he killed himself, but his body is gone so he's back from the dead. From there we see Hand bring his family back to life and sit down to a Chinese food dinner cause he's weird like that. He tells his family's moving corpses that he plans on killing everyone then giving them all rings so they can all rise and kill more people and so on. Back with Sinestro and Jordan, they visit Sinestro's secret base on Korugar and open the Book of the Black to check it's prophecies. Upon opening the book we see the Guardians attacking Sinestro, Atrocitus leading The Manhunters into an attack, a Red Lantern Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner behind bars, the new hooded Green Lantern, and someone wearing a White Lantern ring. As Sinestro and Hal come to, they find themselves sitting on the floor of Black Hand's dining room, who welcomes them to dinner.


Thoughts: This was a pretty average issue. On first glance I didn't think too much of the splash page, although I am wondering who's gonna wield the White Lantern ring... I'm assuming it'll be Hal for obvious reasons. Besides that, nothing in this issue really stood out for me, and I don't like that Hal can blast Sinestro because now I know I'll have to watch them fighting which is... ugh, I liked the other dynamic more of Hal having to listen to Sinestro.

Score: 7/10

Sinestro: Where's Black Hand, Jordan?

JT's Take: Deadpool #58

Hey guys and gals, today we're gonna check in with our favorite former Regeneratin Degenerate, with a game on the horizon, the sky is looking high for the Crimson Comedian, so let's see if this issue is doing as well as Deadpool's career.

Deadpool #58

Summary: This issue of everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth starts off with Deadpool being caught with his pants down, literally, as Deadpool is caught doing a numero dos on the toilet as he's confronted by a gun-toting supervillain by the name of Black Swan. We flashback to eight days ago as we see Black box notifying Black Swan about the chance to get revenge on Deadpool, since he no longer has his healing factor. From there we go to five days ago, as we see Deadpool, upset that his pinky finger hasn't grown back yet. He's starting to regret being cured and being able to die now. Deadpool decides to go ask Cable to stop Black Box, since the two are friends, but it turns out Cable is in a coma, so... once again, Pool get's screwed. Back at the present, Pool talks Black Swan into letting him at leas flush first, which he does, but Deadpool leaps behind the shower curtain as he does. Turns out a few days before, Pool bought an Anti-Ballistic Shower Curtain. Classic Deadpool. As Deadpool flushed, a bomb shot out of the back of the toilet, which blasted Black Swan away. Black Swan is now bleeding to death from an artery, as Deadpool stands over him victorious, Black Box realizes that Black Swan has failed, so he calls someone else and asks if they want a shot at Deadpool. The issue ends as the challenge is accepted by noneother than Black Tom.


Thoughts: Black Swan, Black Box, Black Tom.... what is it with Deadpool and Blacks? Lol, wait, that came out wrong. Anyway, I'm wondering who's next, maybe Black Bolt and Black Panther? Other than that, not much happened though, the plan was classic Deadpool which was fun, and Deadpool is already regretting losing his healing factor, maybe he'll be able to get it back and keep his good looks? I guess we'll find out, although I can't say I'm too excited to see Pool take on Black Tom...

Score: 6/10

Deadpool: Wish I'd learned how to moonwalk... Wonder if there's a Youtube video that could teach me...?

JT's Take: Amazing Spider-Man #690

Hey Todd Squad, today we're gonna check out this week's issue of Amazing Spider-Man. With The Lizard now stuck as Curt Connors and trying desperately to get his scaly backside back, let's see how Spidey deals with the upcoming confrontation.

Amazing Spider-Man #690

Summary: We start things off with a Lizard-minded Curt Connors cutting off his right arm with some kind of lightsaber like device. He has to remain undercover while he tries to revert back to Lizard form, so he can't walk around with an extra limb. He throws the disarmed...arm to a Lizard version of Max Modell to chomp on and then goes to try more experiments, each time testing them on other members of Horizon Labs in their personal labs, including Grady and Bella. Meanwhile, Spider-Man is fighting Morbius in the middle of the city when Madame Web pops up telling Spidey how urgent it is he heads to Horizon Labs, Spidey argues about stopping Morbius but eventually see's she's right, so he tries to make quick work of him and leaves him webbed for the police. Back at Horizon, after a few more failed experiments and cut-off arms, Connors runs into Uatu, who looks like Billy to him. Uatu says Connors looks stressed and needs to relax, and invites him to play video games. Surprisingly throughout this issue, the Lizard-minded Connors has enjoyed music, Dorito's and video games more than he ever would have as a Lizard. Being with Uatu helps Connors figure out what he needs for his "cure" to change him back to Lizard form. When Connors leave's Uatu's room, leaving him unharmed, he runs into Officer Cooper, who notices that Connors is missing his left arm... not his right. Connors runs as Carlie pursues him. At just that moment, a mechanism is set off by a Horizon Scientist Tiberius Stone, who is apparently working with Kingpin. The doors unlocking unleashes the Lizard versions of Max, Grady, Bella, and other people that Connors injected. Spidey swings into Horizon just in time to save the few remaining civilians. Back with Connors, he's still running from Officer Cooper when she's attacked by Modell, which causes Connors a distraction so he can slip into a closet. He gets ready to inject himself with the final cure when The Lizard starts to wonder if he even wants to go back to the way he was, as this issue ends.


Thoughts: This issue was kind of weird for me. It was about Lizard-Connors, which is cool, but him loving life and living as a Lizard-brained Connors so he can play videogames and listen to pop music is just... odd. I'm sure he'll use the injection it but it seemed like an odd cliffhanger. Plus, the stuff with Morbius seemed to end too quickly, so hopefully he's in the next issue.

Score: 7/10

Carlie: Aren't you supposed to be missing your right arm?

JT's Take: Venom #21

Hey Blog readers, today I'm gonna jump right into things, because I'm very sleepy and I'm typing this review at like one in the morning and I've gone off of.... maybe five hours of sleep and I have plans tomorrow/today (Thursday). So, bare with me guys and gals, and let's get to it!

Venom # 21

Summary: This issue starts things off with Venom infiltrating Crime Master's base. As he arrives, we see The Crime Master, Bennett Brant, explaining to his sister about how after he was killed he was revived by someone, and chosen to carry on the Crime Master legacy, a new Crime Master for each generation. The reunion is cut short when Bennett is notified that Venom is there, as we see Venom taking on Megatak, in a losing effort. Before Megatak can dispose of Venom, Venom is "saved" by Toxin, who kills Megatak so he can then kill Venom. Venom knows he can't afford to have a long fight with Toxin, but he manages to pull Eddie Brock out of the symbiote, then uses a bomb to blow the symbiote up. Suddenly, the Toxin symbiote grabs Brock and pulls him back in, which causes Eddie to go up in flames, cursing Venom for what he's done. Flash wants to help but the fire weakens the Venom symbiote, so he has to watch as Brock goes up in flames. He then heads after Betty and comes in contact with Jack O'Lantern, but before the fight can get started, a pissed off Venom knocks him into a giant vat of chemicals, Joker style. Crime Master says Jack is tough and he'll pull through, and then pulls out a sonic gun and blasts Venom. A weakened Venom crawls towards Crime Master, and Crime Master pulls out a flame gun, which pretty much makes the Venom Symbiote fall off of Flash. Crime Master, seeing Venom is on the ropes, prepares to kill Flash once and for all, when suddenly he's shot from behind by Betty. Bennett, obviously shocked, turns to his sister before falling into the vat of chemicals himself. Flash asks Betty if she's okay, but she said her brother died a long time ago. She also thanks Flash for saving her but says she never wants to see him again. The issue comes to a close with Agent Venom showing up at the Avengers space station and says he thinks it's time he comes clean.


Thoughts: This was a pretty good issue. The ending seemed rushed, what with Megatak's death and all, but seeing Eddie burn was crazy, and It's pretty much a given now he'll be back as Toxin AND he has a reason to really hate Flash/Venom. And Jack O'Lantern will face Venom in the next issue so that should be pretty awesome. I even liked how cocky Bennett was in this issue, sucks to see him go but maybe he'll be back again. Betty shooting him surprised me, although I probably should've seen that coming. All in all, this was a pretty good comic, and I'm wondering how the Avengers will accept him coming clean.

Score: 8/10

Eddie Brock: YOU BASTARD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!

New Comic Day! July 25th Edition!

Hey everyone, JT here again on what many of us consider, the best weekday of all time, TGIW, it's Comic book day! My haul for this week isn't too big but as always, you guys comment below, let me know what you want to see a review for most, and you can more than likely expect to see it up and reviewed tomorrow. And of course, I'm always curious to see what you guys are reading as well, so feel free to let me know what you decided to grab at the shop.

Now, let's get to it! This week I picked up Aquaman #11, Batman: The Dark Knight #11, Green Lantern #11, Amazing Spider-Man #690, Deadpool #58, Venom #21, Jungle Book #4, and Irresistible #1. So, eight books, let me know which ones you guys would like me to review/discuss, and we'll take it from there guys. Til tomorrow, JT signing off!

JT's Take: Catwoman #11

Hey honorary members of the Todd Squad, I'm here with our final review before the new comic week starts off, so let's check in with DC's resident feline femme fatale, Catwoman.

Catwoman #11

 

Summary: This issue of Catwoman starts off with her confronting Detective Alvarez in his own home. He of course goes on the defensive, but Catwoman subdues him long enough to tell him that something is going on in Gotham. She tells him about the recent abductions and how the cops aren't doing anything, but if he wants to help then to call her at the number she left. As she leaves, we see that Spark is watching her and Detective Alvarez. We then see the kidnapper, it turns out our villain is watching and kidnapping people with healthy organs to sell them, and the next one on the chopping block is useless, since he slit his wrists and his organs went bad before they could be properly refrigerated. From there we see Catwoman's associate, Gwen, get shoved into a limo against her will, and she's met by a shadowy figure (Penguin?) who asks about her relationship with Catwoman. A few hours later, Detective Alvarez calls Catwoman, interrupting what was about to be a steamy sex scene with Spark, and the three go on a stakeout looking for the abductor. Not long into the stakeout, the Abductor shows up, at all three locations, causing each one to tackle the abductors and find they have the wrong person. That is, except for Alvarez, who finds the abductor to be a woman named Dollhouse. She shoots pretty much everyone with syringes, including Alvarez, knocking them out, then loads a few of them into her van. Catwoman and Spark show up, but too late, as she's already escaped with Alvarez and the rest. Catwoman feels like this is her fault, since she got Alvarez into this situation, as this issue ends.


Thoughts: Really? Dollmaker, Doll House, whats with all these doll characters? Anyway, aside from that, I was surprised the kidnapper was a woman, that genuinely shocked me. And this was an alright story, nothing really stood out or made this special, but it wasn't bad either, just average I guess. I am interested in seeing how Catwoman finds Alvarez, and Batman is advertised for the next issue, so that will be interesting to say the least.

Score: 6/10

Catwoman: You scream like you're having sex and people will either listen in or trot away. Either way, nobody calls the cops. At least, not right away. (It's funny cause it's true...)

JT's Take: Justice League #11

Hey Todd Squad, today we're gonna take a look at this month's issue of Justice League. After being so down on the series I had to review it with Brightest Day Rules, the last issue was pretty damn good, so I reviewed it normally, hopefully this issue continues the trend, so let's find out.

Justice League #11

Summary: This issue started off with the League recovering from Graves attack in the last issue, basically making each of them relive the death's of people they cared about. The League follows Graves use of their teleporter to Steve Trevor's sister's house, but arrive just as Graves leaves. Steve's sister blames Wonder Woman for getting involved with her brother, and now he could be hurt or dead, she tells Wonder Woman to bring Steve home or she'll haunt her for the rest of her life. After leaving Steve's sister, the League decides to go to Graves' cabin, his last known address, but Wonder Woman wants to go alone and plans on decapitating Graves. The League tries to calm her down, including Green Lantern putting her in a bubble, but she bursts out and backhands Hal, sending him flying. Hal goes on the offensive and attacks Wonder Woman, and Superman tries to break it up, but gets a kick in the mouth from Wonder Woman for his trouble. Cyborg notifies Bats that somehow Graves is recording them and streaming them to every device capable, world wide. The League teleports to Grave's cabin, where they all calm down. and Batman explains how Graves' family died after coming in contact with Darkseid five years ago, from some disease, and he blames the League for not saving them... Okay. Batman figures out from Graves' studies that he went to the Valley of Souls, so the League heads there, but for some reason only Cyborg can see the entrance, which is odd since you can only see it if you're walking the line between Life and Death. Upon entering, the League members each see the souls of someone close to them that's passed away, Batman see's his parents, Superman see's his parents, Aquaman and Hal see their dad's, Flash see's his mother I'd assume, but Cyborg see's himself?! The issue comes to a close as Wonder Woman see's the spirit of Steve Trevor, who tells her that she's too late.


Thoughts: I'm shocked... two months ago I HATED this series, but these last two issues have been great. This was a really good issue, I enjoyed the in-fighting, I'm curious about Cyborg being half dead, as well as if they actually allow Trevor to stay dead, since that surprised me. I'm also wondering if they were planting seeds for his sister to become a Wonder Woman villain. Overall, there was a lot of good in the comic, and hardly any bad. Plus, the SHAZAM back up has always been pretty good. If Justice League keeps this up, it could become one of my favorite comics.

Score: 8.5/10

Green Lantern: You've been dying for this, haven't you?
Wonder Woman: This isn't giving me any pleasure. But I'm sure you've heard that before. (BURN!!!!!)

JT's Take: Saga #5

Hey guys and gals, running short on the chatter for intro's so let's jump right into the most recent issue of Brian K. Vaughn's Saga!

Saga #5

Summary: This issue starts off with Prince Robot discovering from his wife that they are now expecting a baby on the way, but the King has decreed that Prince Robot can't return until he's completed his mission. Before The Prince can vent, he's told by one of his men that some other soldiers have spotted something. We jump over to see Marko standing in front of Alana and the baby, when the soldiers attack and one of their blasts hit Alana, knocking her down while she's holding the baby. Marko gets enraged and slices a man's hand off, then knocks out each soldier, and is about to decapitate them until he's stopped by Alana, so we see that Marko has a bit of a Hulk-like temper when upset... interesting. Back with The Will, we see him trying to escape with the girl he saved in the last issue, when he's met by Mama Sun, the owner of the Sextillion, and she has a gun pointed at The Lying Cat. The Will tells her he's taking the girl, but she says each worker as a security elixir in them, and if they leave before the end of their term it causes their arteries to harden, resulting in a very painful death. The Will then says he'll pay for the girl's freedom, but she costs $650,000, which is more than The Will can afford. Back with our happy family, we see they stole the ship of the soldiers Marko knocked out and are heading towards the Rocketship Forest, definitely in a great mood. We then see Stalk, as she finds the defeated soldiers tied up. She gets a call from The Will, saying he wants to help her with her job, obviously so he can earn the money to save his little friend, but Stalk says she doesn't need the help. Stalk is then confronted by Prince Robot and a soldier, she tries to explain she didn't knock out the soldiers but the new soldier says Stalk is reaching for something. Prince Robot, thinking of the new baby he has on the way, immediately reacts by killing Stalk. We see her laid out with a hole in her chest as The Will is still on the phone, unaware of her fate as this issue comes to a close.


Thoughts: As always, Brian K. Vaughn knows how to write a great story. Here, we got away from Marko and Alana for a bit, and learned more about The Will and Prince Robot, both characters I like, even though their both going after our main protagonists. I was sad to see Stalk go here, I kinda liked her character, I wouldn't be surprised if she healed but if this is the last of her, I'm interested in seeing how The Will reacts. Also, Fiona Staples continues to be one of the best things about this comic, her clean art, the way she drew Marko's rampage was great, as well as the the way she draws the emotions on Alana's face or the lack of life on Stalk's... she's a hell of an artist.

Score: 9/10

Alana: Ehn, so the guy whose hand you lopped off comes after us with a hook in twenty years. Add him to the list.