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Posted on: Project Superpowers Appreciation Thread
at 11/15/2009 3:12pm

Review time for ...

Basically, the ongoing Black Terror series resumes with a new creative team: Phil Hester on ... more(+)

Review time for Black Terror #5 ...

Basically, the ongoing Black Terror series resumes with a new creative team: Phil Hester on writing chores (after having handled the Masquerade mini), and Jonathan Lau on art (after having handled "Meet the Bad Guys: Bloodlust"). It's a great combo, as Hester and Lau both bring their "A" games, and launch the new arc with a great issue. As with the last few offerings of the P:SP Universe, it seems DE has finally sorted out the rough spots of their new superhero universe, and are intent on serving up quality comics.

The issue opens with Terror wandering around some memorials in Washington, reflecting on his time in the Urn and what's become of his once ally, American Crusader (whose apparently served as the template of the zombieish Crusader corps that's been harassing the returned heroes). There's a slightly curious panel or two where Terror removes his glove, and there's some sort of sticky residue extended from it to his hand. The implication is unclear, but it seems that some sort of metamporphis with the Terror has taken place (and one can only wonder if this is the same for the rest of the heroes). His reflections concern the Crusader and he meeting the first African-American tank division of WW2 -- an acknowledgement that's been long overdue in the pages of comics -- and being involved in one of their battles in Europe. Hester nicely establishes the friendship between the two, as well as the heroic spirit of the Crusader (who has a slighly "Captain America" vibe to him). It serves to underscore how disturbed Terror must be at being confronted by the Crusader corps of zombish clones: they truly are a mockery of the original.

In any event, in "real time" the Terror winds up being attacked by the Crusader corps, who are armed with some weird palm syringe device, which apparently is meant to draw blood from the Terror. Terror basically slaughters them all. He eventually makes his way to the National Archives, where he discovers dead security guards, and stumbles across someone dressed as the original Crusader rifling through books. They briefly battle -- and it's clear this new Crusader is more formidable than the zombie clones -- and the issue ends with him being revealled to be the "real" American Crusader. As for why he's at the Archives -- apparently he's looking for the formula Terror used waaay back in the day, to give himself powers.

All in all, it was a great issue. Lau's layouts are great -- the scenes flow nicely together -- and there's definitely some moodiness in the battle between Terror and the Crusader corps. Hester's script is well done -- he takes a page from his work on Masquerade and focuses on the relationship between Terror and Crusader as a means of driving the plot. The effect is that Terror begins to feel a bit more like an individual, and less like the one-note character he was in Chapter One. And kudos have to be given to Ivan Nunes, whose coloring is well done. Given the previous problems the line has had in that regard, it's nice to see it finally getting sorted through.

Definitely worth checking out for anyone interested in the P:SP line ... you won't feel any more lost as regards what's going on than with any other ongoing ... and definitely a must-read for anyone following Chapter 2. close(-)

Posted on: DC Comics Month-to-Month Sales: September 2009
at 11/07/2009 12:08pm

Yeah, if this is the same guy who writes the Marvel "month-to-month" column, then his bias is pretty clear. ... more(+)

Yeah, if this is the same guy who writes the Marvel "month-to-month" column, then his bias is pretty clear. There's definitely a noticable difference in the way drops are explained, etc.

A shame, unfortunately, because it's interesting to see the fluctuations in terms of numbers. But the spin that's put on these things (either negative or positive) is a bit grating. close(-)

Posted on: Project Superpowers Appreciation Thread
at 11/06/2009 6:16pm

Review time ... (and given that there were two books out, I'll take them in the order they should probably be read) ... more(+)

Review time ... (and given that there were two books out, I'll take them in the order they should probably be read) ...

Meet the Bad Guys #3: This issue continues the theme of focusing on a hero who did not get sucked into the Urn, in this instance Samson (although there are solid appearances by Hydroman as well). Basically, an ancient Mesopotamian god known as Dagon is on the loose on the west coast threatening to flood a city. Samson and Hyrdoman take up the call to confront him, which is a big chore given that Dagon is Godzilla size. Long and short of it: Samson lays the smack down on Dagon, but not before Dagon places a seed of doubt in Samson's mind about the possibility of polytheism being true (which would undercut the monotheistic basis of Samson's faith). Verrry interesting, especially given what happens in Chapter Two, issue 4. Regardless, a solid read, with some really striking work by Carlos Paul, the artist from Chapter One and the Masquerade mini. Paul's work has greatly improved, with some strong linework and more than a few "first person perspective" panels that put the reader into the story. The one page spread of Dagon and Samson throwing down is a great page ... a really gorgeous piece of art. And kudos to Debora Carita for her coloring -- it fit the mood and setting of the story, and was very well done.

Chapter Two #4: Probably the single best issue of the Project Superpowers saga since issue 0 of Chapter One. All the subplots are advanced, and done so in a way that feels organic to the overall direction of the story. The Inheritors may have figured out a way to help Burning Eagle; 'Devil and his crew are heading to Europe to follow up their fight against the Claw; Dynamic Man finds out that the Scarab is a traitor to the Supremacy; Black Terror is off to save the American Crusader; the Sisters Scarlet are "born"; and there is one heckuva throwdown between Captain Future/Zeus and the Superpowers at the Pentagon -- one that appears to involve the death of Samson (gaping hole through the chest), and perhaps Pyroman and the Target as well. Absolute carnage for the 'Powers team ... which wasn't what I was expecting to read. Also, a great two page re-telling of the Flame's origin (which is key, given that Future/Zeus is after him in particular).

I think what was most impressive about this particular issue -- beyond the surprisingly horrific battle -- was how strong the art was. I believe this was by far the best single issue of P:SP, artistically, since the line started -- and would strongly recommend that anyone who dropped the book(s) before because of the art check this one out. Salazar does an incredible job here -- on par with anything from Marvel or DC (and better than more than a few of either books), and the coloring, like with Meet the Bad Guys, is superb. If they can hold this level of quality, and reviewers start to take note, perhaps the line can begin to grow. Regardless, a great read. close(-)

Posted on: Project Superpowers Appreciation Thread
at 11/01/2009 7:36pm

Here's some previews to issue 4 of Chapter 2, out on Wednesday. Looks good ...

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Here's some previews to issue 4 of Chapter 2, out on Wednesday. Looks good ...

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=pre ... disp=table close(-)

Posted on: Dark Reign The List The Punisher(spoilers wanted)
at 10/29/2009 4:30pm

Here's a link to a new interview by Remender explaining why things have taken the turn they have (and which makes some ... more(+)

Here's a link to a new interview by Remender explaining why things have taken the turn they have (and which makes some sense regarding Frank's death), as well as a couple of panels from the fight. Spoilers of course.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page ... e&id=23503 close(-)

Commented on: Dynamite February 2010 Solicitations
at 2009-11-20 12:05:58

Wow -- those covers to Project Superpowers and Black Terror look great! And Buck Rogers looks pretty interesting as ... more(+)

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Commented on: Best Shots Extra: BATMAN/DOC SAVAGE #1
at 2009-11-12 17:39:21

I agree with gruedragon -- this was disappointing, and actually made me decide to skip the First Wave. I've been a Doc ... more(+)

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Commented on: Best Shots Rapid Fire: BOOSTER GOLD,more
at 2009-11-12 16:07:42

Black Terror was the read of the week for me (along with Vengeance of Moon Knight). DE's finally got all the gears ... more(+)

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Commented on: Exclusive DC Preview - THE SHIELD #3
at 2009-11-11 10:00:20

This has been a great read. Nothing like Captain America (which I also love), and nothing like any other DC title -- ... more(+)

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Commented on: Reborn Again Captain Ed Brubaker Talks
at 2009-11-03 17:15:30

I think the easiest explanation for the Cap Ghost in Thor is that Loki and Hela were behind it (i.e. fabricated a ... more(+)

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2009-11-20 | in Comics | by Newsarama Staff

Dynamite February 2010 Solicitations
Dynamite's complete February 2010 lineup, live and in color!

2009-09-17 | in Comics | by Troy Brownfield

BLACK TERROR Returns w/ Hester
Writer Phil Hester talks to us about his take on Dynamite's revival of the lost icon, & how he'll update the character