With recent adaptations like 300 and Sin City showing that epic comic stories can come to the big screen, I have faith and hope that Watchmen will not disappoint. Here are some publicity shots recently released of the characters and now I'm really starting to look forward to this film. 
Written by Brian Wood
Art by Davide Gianfelice
Colors by Dave McCaig
Whew, there were some enjoyable books this week! This week I have to give credit where credit is due and admit that Brian Wood's foul mouthed viking saga really has me hooked now. One part historical fiction, one part action/intrigue story, the flow of the book is really gripping. I've talked about this comic several times on the show and I think the story is really now hitting its stride.
While I didn't notice it at first, somewhere along the line, I've really grown to...not exactly enjoy the characters, but become incredibly interested in what happens to them. Their motivations aren't noble and while there are clear villains, there are no real "good" guys. Now that I think about it, the main characters are reminiscent of 70s-movie anti-heroes, who lived in a very grey moral area. After a brief action packed intro, Wood spends most of this issue delving into Sven's real reason for coming back to his homeland and trying to regain his family's fortune. The character of the archer is also gradually becoming more of a main figure in the book which I'm very happy about. She adds a sliver of emotion to a very cold landscape. The scene which sold me on this book though involved the death of two characters who have rarely been in the entire series. However, their deaths solidify the sad state of Sven's homeland and finally seem to rock his inner core to elicit some character growth. All in all, I was captivated by this issue.
Gianfelice's art is solid. While not quite realistic and not quite animated, it seems a little loose at times. On other titles that may be a bad thing but with this story, it tends to add to the rugged look of the environment. This seems to be intentional as contrasted between shots of the main setting where the art is gritty and the flashbacks of Sven in Constantinople where both the scenery and characters are much smoother, In general, both the art and colors echo the feel of the book, having a weathered and dirty look to it.
I haven't heard much talk of this title but I'm glad I've been able to pick up on this book. With only four issues in, it shouldn't be too hard to find the back issues and be caught up. This one is definitely worth the ride.
I picked Thor #6 as the book of the week because it's one of the most beautiful books out there and the story is surprisingly deep and fulfilling. Eric and I also discuss the first true epilogue to Messiah Complex in X-Men:Legacy #208, Eric was actually moved by All Star Batman & Robin #9 and we touch on JSA #13, Kick-Ass #1 and more. We finish the podcast off with our review of The New Frontier animated movie. Can it possibly live up to the book?
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The new Iron Man trailer premiered with Lost tonight and this movie keeps looking better and better. Judge for yourselves below.
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Pencils by Oliver Coipel
Inks by Mark Morales
Colors by Laura Martin
Letters by Chris Eliopoulos
I've basically been gushing about this book since it came out and I said it once and I'll say it again, I never even considered buying a Thor Book before six months ago but now I'm hooked. JMS has done a wonderful job of rebooting the god of thunder and using him in the modern age. Thor isn't on Asgard, he's on Earth and the first five issues have dealt with him making a decision on behalf of the rest of the gods and just what will that decision be.
We see Thor's choice in this issue and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Just when I think that the book may falter and lose its way, JMS really comes through and changes things. It's just been announced that JMS is no longer exclusive to Marvel so I don't know where that's going to leave Thor. Perhaps he's still going on with the book or maybe he's leaving but I really hope that's not the case because this has become one of the books that I'm most excited to read every month.
I can't forget to mention Oliver Coipel's art because that's what made me want to try this title in the first place and its been stellar through this whole arc. Coipel's art is subtle yet strikingly beautiful, it's not the kind of art that you would expect from a Thor book but it's also the perfect fit. This was Coipel's last issue and while I'm expecting good things from Marko Djurdjevic, I'm really going to miss Oliver. I've been a huge fan of his since Avengers and House of M and I'll buy anything he does.
I don't hear a lot of people talk about this book....I actually don't hear anyone talking about it so I hope by reading this, you'll give the book a shot. This isn't the typical gods at war Thor book in years past. This book is centered around emotion, relationships and being a part of something special.
Try this book out, you won't be sorry.
We have an all comic review show this week and Eric chose Checkmate #23 as the book of the week and is wondering why he hasn't been reading this book more. We also discuss Justice League of America, Countdown, Robin, Mighty Avengers and more!
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Written by Greg Rucka & Eric Trautmann
Art by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson
Cover by Kalman Andrasovfsky
I've picked up random issues of Checkmate in the past and can admit that it's always been a fine book. I thoroughly enjoyed the "Checkout" storyline as well. For some reason or another I've just never bought the book on a regular basis. However this week provided me the opportunity to jump on at the beginning of a new story arc and I can tell you I'm on board for the foreseeable future.
This comic hits all of its marks. It has great espionage stories without trying too hard or being overly dramatic like some television shows. The cast of characters also play well off one another. This issue revolves around Checkmate trying to get one of their undercover agents out of a Kobra stronghold. In order to accomplish this with minimum loss of life, they must enlist the most unlikely person to be involved in shady government operations...Superman. It's great seeing how Clark works with Sasha and the rest and the conflicts Clark has about getting his hands dirty. Really it would have been more reasonable to see someone like Batman in this role but I love that it was Clark who was tapped.
Rucka creates a great story here that anyone can jump into without having read the book in the past. I'm sure this story will pay off even more for longtime readers but I'm happy that with a book that has such a large cast and is fairly reliant upon DC history, anyone can jump on here.
Bennett and Jadson do a terrific job on the art. While not overly complicated, the art is reminiscent of Rags Morales with a slightly more "developed" look to it. They especially did a great job portraying a "darker" Superman.
This book did a great job of drawing me in and providing an intriguing story that will have me coming back for more next month. Kudos for also giving me a sneak preview of the new Titans book in the last several pages too!
