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Brass Sun #1

Writer: Ian Edginton

Artist: I. N. J. Culbard

Reviewer: Lee Gordon

 

I picked this book up for the sole reason that it was new. Image, Marvel, DC, Boom Studios, and Archaia are some of the companies I have written about. Marvel is my favorite, but I’m older now and am willing to part with my $4 for something that is hopefully worth it. And the last time I saw a 2000 AD book I remember it being Judge Dredd.

The world we are introduced to is dictated by the church, not the church we know, not the church of God, but the church of the Cog. Everything seems to revere this mechanical apparatus. But things aren’t what they seem. In this world, telescopes are outlawed. It also seems that as much as the cog is revered, science is frowned upon.

Cadwallader is an old man. His children have been killed and he is about to send away his granddaughter, for her safety. After years of exile, Cadwallader knows that the very church he once supported has turned against him and is coming for him. The book has the feel of the Salem Witch trials, if you are an outcast or convicted of heresy, a “burning on the bridge”, their equivalent of a town square, is what you shall receive.

He gives his granddaughter, Wren, a message to read, but only when she is far away from him. She leaves knows he is going to his slaughter. Predictably she attends and after watching him burn she is “gunned” down herself. The book could have ended after she got away and entered through a secret door. I originally thought it did, since it was next to an advertisement for Judge Dredd. The page that I thought was its end was a beautiful pivotal splash page that would have really been a good cliffhanger, but lingered on for a few more pages.

It’s a good thing it continued because it reveals what the Cog really is. Of course, if you paid attention in the beginning, you would have already known that.

3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Thunderbolts # 26

Writer: Charles Soule

Artist: Paco Diaz

Colorist: Israel Silva

Reviewer: Ray Willis

 

 

With the deaths of Elektra, Ghost Rider, and Punisher on the Red Leaders hands and Ross getting closer to the ancient power, how will the reaming members fare? This was a really entertaining issue with some nice dialogue. Red Leader has proven to be a very deadly threat thinking many steps ahead and taking out the Thunderbolts at a time. Red Leader de-powers Blaze, gets Punisher and Elektra stuck into a trap which leads to their death, and gets Deadpool in a very hot situation. Deadpool also shines a bit here because he’s actually serious for once. He may be silly and fun but he is more observant than many would think especially Red Leader. Also having Deadpool seem like Rambo taking out the guards was really awesome. If Deadpool was given this kind of writing more often I would gladly pick up that title in a heart bit. Ross does find the ancient power but it was more than he bargains for when he eventually comes face to face with what he has done over the years of collecting killers together and dispatching them to do his dirty work. The ancient power goes into Ross with the choices of his morality over the years. Ross is an unstoppable red monster but he is given a choice to die or redo everything he has set forth for the Thunderbolts on his mission. You would have to read to see if he makes the right choice.

 

The art is really good and smooth laying everything out to see. Having Deadpool dispatching guards in a flash was drawn really well. The colors were also really nice fitting the comic itself and I liked Deadpool in this issue and would love a more serious Deadpool then happy go lucky most of the time. Actually a more serious Deadpool with a bit of humor thrown in would be a lot more interesting like his original appearance back in new Mutants. The story is good but some things could have been better such as Helen who was just a throwaway character with no real purpose at all to the grand scheme of things. It would have been more enjoyable if she wasn’t there at all. Red Leader stole the show and ends up getting more than what he expected in the end with explosive results. This was a really good issue with minimal complaints from a really good arc. I can’t wait to see what happens to The Thunderbolts on their next mission.

 

4.5 out of 5

 

Guardians of the Galaxy #15

Writer: Brian Bendis

Artist(s): Nick Bradshaw and Cameron Stewart

Reviewer: Oz Longworth Jr. or The Illegitimate Son of Lando Calrissian’s Hair

 

To the surprise of no one, the Guardians of the Galaxy are having a pretty good run as the summer countdown to their cinematic debut begins. Coming off of the strong Trial of Jean Grey crossover event, the new story arc has a great deal of the trouble Peter Quill and his misfits have gotten into catching up with them. And by “trouble,” I mean everybody in the galaxy with a gun and a grudge.

 

The issue picks right up with our heroes stranded and disbanded by the Galactic Alliance, each member left to fend for themselves against their respective enemies. These are exactly the kind of space antics we like to see a group of rogues getting themselves out of. Since there’s a lot of members to highlight (including their strangest new addition, Venom), so nobody gets a hell of a lot of spotlight. As a whole, the issue seems to almost be a mere prologue for the issue to follow. Brian Bendis has a tendency to take a bit of a “break” in his narrative for an installment with an eventful follow up. This tends to generate mixed reviews from readers, but here it works out in pretty decent fashion. The biggest question mark here is the EPIC exercise in false advertising GotG brings us this week. You will notice that Captain Marvel takes center stage on the cover. Unless the good folks at my usual comic shop are just fucking with me, Carol Danvers doesn’t make a single appearance in this book. There was even a page where, as an Avenger, it would have made perfect sense for her to appear and she just didn’t. Nick Bradshaw and Cameron Stewart share the artwork duties this time around. There are a few moments when the action beats are very strong, but a lot of the pages feel rushed with non-alien faces that all blend together a little much without a lot of life or distinction.

 

Bottom Line: It feels a little filler-ish and the art is “meh”, but there’s definitely worse filler out there (I’m looking at you, New Avengers).

 

2.75 out of 5