X-O Manowar #28

Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Diego Bernard & Alisson Rodrigues
Reviewer: Ray Willis

The armor hunters are some of the toughest foes in the galaxy going after armors and eliminating them. Lead by Reebo they have defeated many armors but take losses after each fight and dwindle down the ones we have seen. This issue tells us about what happened to Malgam and how he was exposed the armor. With a surprise attack from an armor that severs his arm and a leg, Reebo takes care of it and manages to get the armor to merge with him to save his life. Reebo regrets this decision and proceeds to go on with the hunt without Control’s orders. We also get to know there is more to the story about the commander who is sending these teams of armor hunters out there to find and destroy the armors. After so many hunts and loses, the armor hunters believe to be doing the right thing and no questioning why has Control cut off communications. The armor hunters have lead down a dark path from which they thought they were doing well but have been used as weapons to destroy this fake contamination the commander has been saying. Fighting for so long and dealing with the deaths of many of their comrades takes a toll on them. This issue brings out some good moments especially the relationship with Reebo and Malgam. The art has been top notch through the series of X-O Manowar and I don’t find any complaints with it. The dialogue is really amazing and keeps me wanting to know more about what’s going to happen in the next issue with the armor hunters back story. If you want to about the armor hunters back story definitely pick up this issue and the last few issues of X-O Manowar.

5 out of 5 armors

Bobs Burgers #1

Writer: Mike Olson, Jeff Drake, Rachel Hastings, Justin Hook
Artist: Brad Rader, Tony Gennaro, Frank Forte, Bernard Derriman
Reviewer: Ray Willis

From the Emmy awarding winning animated show comes the first issue of Bob’s Burgers/ I love Bob’s Burgers and in this issue there are multiple stories that come from each member of the family from Tina’s Erotic Friend Fiction to Bob’s Burger of the day ideas. The first story is about Tina as a horse living among the family and becoming an equestranaut and defeating the evil Xandar. It was an interesting tale told from an interesting character like Tina. Bob’s idea’s for the burger of the day was next with him coming up with catchphrases from television burger (The I Pity the Cool Ranch Burger) and hits from the 80’s burger (The Every Breath You Shi-Taki burger). Some of the references I don’t get but it’s a fun little segment. Louise’s story was next is has her finding out about an alien invasion on Picture Day at school. It’s nice story where it reminds me of some old alien movies and X-files. I do love paranormal stuff and this little story was nice addition to Louise’s files of unsolved mysteries and curiosities. Linda’s letters was next telling us that wine can help us through some tough times and enhance your times doing it. Having her give tips on when to drink wine and how much is interesting because I wouldn’t have guessed that wine would help with shopping. The last piece is Gene who gets fused to his burger suit after a solar vortex which helps him come to his siblings rescue on a snow day.

I really enjoyed this issue because it reminds me of the show so much and the characters are being themselves. The art changes a bit with mostly Tina’s story when she joins the equestranauts and battling Xandar. The battle between Xandar and Tinasus was really short but sweet. The other stories with Gene and Louise remain mostly the same. I can admit that the show works a bit more than this first issue because of the voice cast but it can improve over time to reach the shows standard. As a fan of the show I really enjoyed this comic and will keep reading it. I came up with my own “Burger of the day” call the “What you talkin’ ‘bout Willis Burger.”

4 out of 5 Burgers

Saga #22

Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Artist: Fiona Staples
Reviewer: Oz Longworth Jr. or The Boss of You

On a good week, Saga is a master class in nuanced plot development. Even on a bad week, it’s a required course in character building. The amount of things I love about this book probably outnumber the amount compliments I’m capable of giving it.

So far, the current story arc has been mainly dedicated to our lovers, Alana and Marko, adjusting to “normal” life not on the run. This issue brings it into glaring focus that they are, indeed, failing miserably. Meanwhile, as usual, forces conspire to once again piss in their Cheerios. In other words, shit hits the fan this month. Issue #22 once again shines a Bat-Signal strength light on one of the truly great things that makes this book so accessible: the characters. Brian K. Vaughn pushes the envelope without ever really pushing it. Nothing that takes place between these two during their falling out feels forced or out of place. It’s a pretty realistic interaction in a not-even-remotely-realistic setting. I harp on this point, but the characterization remains to down to Earth while never forsaking the rest of the galaxy. Easy access science fiction. Fiona Staples also deserves equal credit for this book’s high accessibility factor. Her wackier characters look like a Douglas Adams fever dream, but still emote well and have clear, readable facial expressions. Vaughn and Staples often play off of each other seamlessly in terms of visual gags. There’s a whole scene in which two characters are having an entire exchange in two different languages but you get the gist as if you know every detail of what they’re saying word for word. That’s what a good comic does.

Bottom Line: Brian Vaughn and Fiona Staples do enough right with this book technically and casually that it’s still one of the most consistent titles in comics right now.

5 out of 5 lying cats