A Review of Batwoman in Detective Comics Focusing Mostly on the Art

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Posted by: Joe McCulloch on October 30, 2009

Categories: Reviews

Detective Comics #858 Here we have the fifth issue of the “Batwoman in…” iteration of this title, and the first chapter in a three-part Origin of Batwoman story. Writer Greg Rucka is on for the duration, as far as I know, but be aware that artist J.H. Williams III will be absent for a while following issue #860; Jock steps in as guest artist for issues #861 through #863, while #864 should see Cully Hamner, artist of the series’ backup feature starring the Question, take that character up front while an unspecified artist (maybe Jock, maybe Williams) does a Batwoman backup. After that, issues #865-#869 should round out Williams’ involvement with the series, god and schedule willing. I don’t know…  Read More…

Hibbs on 10/28

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on October 29, 2009

Categories: Reviews

It is like waiting for a bus around here, no one posts for a while, then BAM! three at once. Let’s look at a few books from this week, under the jump, shall we? DETECTIVE COMICS #858: David’s excellent post on Rucka’s writing not withstanding, I was pretty blown away by the art on this issue. I mean, William’s “painterly” work is excellent, but I couldn’t believe just how well he channeled David Mazuchelli’s “Batman: Year One” style for this not-so-named, but-clearly-Batwoman-Year-One-esque story. What a smart choice, and what an amazing job in working against his “natural” style. My only real criticism is the cover — that’s pretty ugly, and one of the very few times that i think the…  Read More…

A Review of Batwoman in Detective Comics Focusing Mostly on the Writing

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Posted by: David Uzumeri on October 28, 2009

Categories: Reviews

A while ago, my boy Pedro at Funnybook Babylon talked about how sometimes bad art can obscure a less-than-wonderful script, since bad art is easier to bitch about and more easily apparent. I’m here to talk about the inverse, especially as it relates to Greg Rucka’s inadvertent (I’m pretty sure he originally thought this was going to be a solo miniseries or ongoing) return to Detective Comics. Because, let’s be fair: everyone’s talking about how gorgeous and brilliant and formally inventive J.H. Williams III is, but I just haven’t seen people talk about the story all that much. I reread “Elegy” before reading Detective Comics #858 this week, and the entire story works incredibly well as a continuous whole, with…  Read More…

Favorites: The Dark Knight Strikes Again

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Posted by: Sean T. Collins on

Categories: Reviews

Years ago I came across an eye-opening quote from Jaron Lanier in the liner notes of the reissued Gary Numan album The Pleasure Principle. Google reveals that it was pulled from this Wired essay. Here’s what it said: “Style used to be, in part, a record of the technological limitations of the media of each period. The sound of The Beatles was the sound of what you could do if you pushed a ’60s-era recording studio absolutely as far as it could go. Artists long for limitations; excessive freedom casts us into a vacuum. We are vulnerable to becoming jittery and aimless, like children with nothing to do. That is why narrow simulations of ‘vintage’ music synthesizers are hotter right…  Read More…

The Brave and the Bold #28: Welcome to Where Your Soul Dies

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Posted by: David Uzumeri on October 26, 2009

Categories: Reviews

I read a lot of comics. As a general rule, I at least keep up with most of the Big Two shared-universe titles, and I’m not utterly averse to J. Michael Straczynski as a writer. The first half of his Amazing Spider-Man run, Supreme Power, Thor – he’s written comics I enjoyed thoroughly and am glad I paid money for. He also wrote this. I’m used to, and have a certain respect for, well-intentioned, interesting or ambitious failures. It’s why I’m still spending money for Dark Wolverine, after all. To really earn my ire, a comic has to be completely fucked up not just in the execution, but all the way back to the project’s creative germ. This is one…  Read More…

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on

Categories: Shipping Lists

Gawrsh, this is a big week for comics! I have to get back to ONOMATOPOEIA and the new order form though, back soon!! 2000 AD PACK SEP 2009 ABE SAPIEN ONE SHOT (OSW) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS ANTI VENOM #2 (OF 3) AMBUSH BUG YEAR NONE #7 (OF 6) ANITA BLAKE LC EXECUTIONER #1 (OF 5) ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #203 ARKHAM REBORN #1 (OF 3) ASTRO CITY ASTRA SPECIAL #2 (OF 2) AVENGERS INITIATIVE #29 BART SIMPSON COMICS #50 BATMAN #692 BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #10 BETTY & VERONICA #244 BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #9 BLACKEST NIGHT #4 (OF 8) BLACKEST NIGHT TITANS #3 (OF 3) BOYS #1 DYNAMITE ED BP COMICS REVIVAL PX 3 PAK…  Read More…

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on October 23, 2009

Categories: Retailing/Industry

Tilting at Windmills v3 #19 is up now at Comic Book Resources. If you can’t talk on CBR, feel free to do so here. -B

What scares you

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on October 21, 2009

Categories: Reviews

I was standing around Ben’s schoolyard the other morning talking with the first graders while waiting for the morning bell to ring, and one of them announced to me that they were afraid of squirrels (first graders are really cute with what will just pop out of their mouths) (She had been bitten by a squirrel a few weeks before apparently, so I can get behind that) So I started asking the kids what they were all scared of — I have a very mild fear of heights (more like I get dizzy), and Ben said “Ghost Galaxy!” (I think we’ll come back to that), one little boy said people dressed as zombies, and another said spiders, but the one…  Read More…

Super hot collectible alert!

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on

Categories: Retailing/Industry , Site News

[Don't forget that we've got Scott Allie and Kevin McGovern on Wednesday from 5-7 -- please try to come!] In about 20-25 years, when my son is a famous artist, you’re going to want to have in your collection a copy of SCOOBY DOO #149, out this week. Why? Because Ben’s first published piece of artwork is in there on the letter’s page! I’m actually a little shocked how long it took to run — I think it was nearly eight months ago that we sent it in, and they run 4-6 pieces from kids every month (can you tell I’ve been religiously checking every issue as they get released?) — I’d actually given up hope it was going to…  Read More…

Arriving 10/21/2009

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on October 19, 2009

Categories: Shipping Lists

Another crazy busy Monday morning — back soon with more… AIR #14 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #609ANGEL VS FRANKENSTEINARCHIE #602ARSENIC LULLABY PULP EDITION OMEGA AZRAEL #1BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #35BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #5BATMAN THE UNSEEN #2 (OF 5)BEASTS OF BURDEN #2 (OF 4)BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #175BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN #3 (OF 3)BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28CHEW #5 CITIZEN REX #4 (OF 6)COMIC DIORAMA ONE SHOT COWBOY NINJA VIKING #1DARK AVENGERS #10DARK REIGN LIST HULK ONE SHOTDARK WOLVERINE #79DCU HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2009 #1DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #4DOMINIC FORTUNE #3 (OF 4) ELEPHANTMEN #22ESCAPE FROM WONDERLAND #2 (OF 6) CVR MELOEX MACHINA #46 FARSCAPE GONE & BACK #4FEMALE FORCE #7 OPRAH WINFREYFINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE #6 (OF 6)GI JOE #10GI JOE MOVIE SNAKE…  Read More…

Wait, Whatting For Godot: Graeme & Jeff Give You The Lost Podcasts

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Posted by: Jeff Lester on October 14, 2009

Categories: Podcasts

I’m dragging Graeme’s name in there because he’s a draw, but really it’s all my fault. We recorded all of Episode 5 way back in the early days of September. I mixed and uploaded the first installment, then we felt compelled to talk about the Disney/Marvel thing, I mixed and uploaded that, and then I just really behind the curve. I won’t bore you with details–and anyway, apologizing for not posting on your blog is so 2002, isn’t it?–but for those of you who still enjoy this sort of thing, here’s: Wait, What? Episode 5.2: In which Graeme and I talk about Brian Wood and Dave Cockrum (among other things); Wait, What? Episode 5.3: In which Graeme and I talk…  Read More…

Murder, Most Foul

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on October 13, 2009

Categories: Retailing/Industry , Reviews

I’m in hell. We’re coming up on the… fourth? week of the “Divisadero Streetscape Improvements“, where they’re completely gutting the street to replace sewer lines, and then, eventually, to give us a wider media with trees and stuff, and while I’m sure that, in the end, it will be very pleasant and wonderful, it’s horrific right now — deafening destruction (I can barely hear the phone ring during most of our business hours), an utter lack of parking in about a three block radius, and shutting off at least half of the four lanes on Divis most of the time. Business STINKS because of it — we’re down by nearly a third. Yay for “stimulus”! It’s funny, if PG&E shuts…  Read More…

Arriving 10/14/2009

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on October 12, 2009

Categories: Shipping Lists

Bisy bakson. 28 DAYS LATER #3ACTION COMICS #882ADVENTURE COMICS #3ANCHOR #1ANGEL ONLY HUMAN #3 (OF 4)ANNA MERCURY 2 #2 (OF 5) ARCHIE & FRIENDS #136ARCHIE DIGEST #258ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #19AURORA SNOW #1 TRUE STORIES ADULT FILM STARS (A) BATGIRL #3BATMAN #691BEYOND THE WALL #1BLACKBEARD LEGEND OF THE PYRATE KING #1BLACKEST NIGHT BATMAN #3 (OF 3)BOOSTER GOLD #25BPRD 1947 #4 (OF 5)CLIVE BARKERS SEDUTH 3-D #1DEADPOOL #900DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #11DMZ #46 DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #4ENDERS GAME COMMAND SCHOOL #2 (OF 5)FABLES #89 FARSCAPE DARGOS TRIAL #3FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH ESCAPE #6 (OF 6)GENEXT UNITED #5 (OF 5)GI JOE ORIGINS #8G-MAN CAPE CRISIS #3 (OF 5)GODLAND #29GRAVEL #14 GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #25GREEN LANTERN CORPS #41 (BLACKEST NIGHT)HELLBOY WILD HUNT #7 (OF 8)HOUSE OF…  Read More…

Scott Allie and Kevin McGovern @ CE 10/21!

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on October 8, 2009

Categories: Retailing/Industry

On Wednesday, October 21st, from 5-7 PM, Comix Experience is pleased as punch to bring you an in-store appearance with EXURBIA co-creators Scott Allie and Kevin McGovern! Most of you probably know Scott Allie as the Editor Extraordinaire on such (awesome) books as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, CONAN, and HELLBOY, but he’s also an accomplished writer (THE DEVIL’S FOOTPRINTS, SOLOMON KANE: THE CASTLE OF THE DEVIL, and THE FOG, among others) EXURBIA is his newest book and it’s received great response from folks like Gilbert Hernandez, who wrote, “Exurbia boldly continues and transmogrifies the type of lunatic stories that only comics can do with any justice. Try as films and TV might, here is the real stuff. Bravo and yikes…  Read More…

The Political Fursona

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Posted by: Joe McCulloch on

Categories: Reviews

Grandville *** [FEDERAL DISCLOSURE NOTICE: It is with great pride and not inconsiderable pleasure that I hereby certify to having procured the consumer product applicable to the consumer product functionality report (“review”) presented hereafter through a genuine and recognized commercial exchange of the common merchant-consumer practice, facilitated by monies obtained via the efforts of mine own labor, or, to seek the recourse of metaphor, that dolorous transubstantiation of sweat and blood into the liquidity which itself ferries the oxygen of the body capitalism. The reader is hereby assured that my subsequent analysis of said consumer product’s satisfactory or unsatisfactory operation is free of that influence or partiality, however potential, as might be assumed from incidental exposure to the siren’s call,…  Read More…

Arriving 10/7/2009

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on October 5, 2009

Categories: Shipping Lists

Don’t forget to scroll down for the special Saturday Savage Critic crossover event celebrating Read Comics All Day Day (and 24 Hour Comics Day) Otherwise, this is a pretty nice looking week, ain’t it? ABSOLUTION #2 (OF 6) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #608ANGEL #26ASTONISHING X-MEN #31AUTHORITY #15BATMAN AND ROBIN #5BATMAN ANNUAL #27BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #34BATMAN THE UNSEEN #1 (OF 5)BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #198BLACK PANTHER 2 #9BOYS #35 BUCKAROO BANZAI HARDEST O/T HARD #1 (OF 2)BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #29 CARNEVALE CVRCABLE #19CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER WAR GHOSTS OF MY COUNTRYCARS RADIATOR SPRINGS #2 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #42CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD LAST BATTLE #1 (OF 6) CRIMINAL SINNERS #1 CROSSED #7 (OF 9) DAREDEVIL #501DARK REIGN LIST SECRET WARRIORS ONE SHOTDARK REIGN ZODIAC #3…  Read More…

They Say That Girl You Know She Acts Too Tough Tough Tough: Diana Turns Off The Lights

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Posted by: admin on October 4, 2009

Categories: Site News

This probably won’t come as a surprise to anyone, but I’ve decided to step away from mainstream comics for a while. Sadly, that also means bowing out of the Savage Critics. Why, when and what next: after the jump.

Tucker Proves He Is Incapable Of Sincerity, Thinking: Post One Of One

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Posted by: Tucker Stone on

Categories: Reviews

I’m a simple man, that should be apparent. I prefer my Passion to be in a Cove, my Bedtime to be packed with Stories, and my Hotel’s to be nearby some Erotica. So when Mr. Wolk fired off the “step up to the plate, ye lazy jackals” missive, I thought I’d respond by denying the Critics its Savage-ry, and provide a bit of the “Good Stuff”, i.e., stuff I actually find enjoyable. In other words, this is “too many words that say too little” surrounding the old “look at sumthing kewl” comic book blog post. If this was a Pile, I’d tell you to Buy. (Two of three are out of print though, which is a bit of a scumbag…  Read More…

Douglas Vs. Write About Comics All Day Day 2009, Pt. 3 of it’s looking like 3

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Posted by: admin on

Categories: Reviews

Under the cut: “Ten Thousand Things to Do” and this year’s issue of “Love and Rockets.” TEN THOUSAND THINGS TO DO #5: This is Jesse Reklaw‘s enormously charming diary comic–he’s apparently just finished the sixth and final issue, but this was the latest one that was at SPX. I suspect I’ll be pulling it out decades from now to show people what bohemian life was like in the Portland of the late ’00s. Reklaw’s got a pretty interesting day-to-day existence, as bohemia goes, and he cherrypicks it for the funny/interesting-to-draw bits: That lower-right-hand image, incidentally, appears with variations on every page: a diagram that indicates Reklaw’s mood, energy level, pain levels (head, shoulder and lower back), and how many caffeine…  Read More…

Hibbs and the Read Comics All Day Day

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Posted by: Brian Hibbs on

Categories: Reviews

See, for me, EVERY day is “read comics all day” day! I actually have two modes of reading comics, however, and this is kind of the “working in a candy store” problem — most of the times I read comics, it is sadly “professionally” reading them. It’s part of my job and function to have a general handle on what’s going on in comics, so I like HAVE to read them. I order to properly ORDER and SELL comics, I feel like I have to read a lot of stuff that, really, I’d rather not read. I need to read, say, every other issue at least of virtually every “mainstream” comic so I know what they are and where they’re…  Read More…

Abhay spent the Imaginary Comic-Holiday writing about DAR: A SUPER GIRLY ETC.

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Posted by: Abhay Khosla on

Categories: Reviews

DAR: A SUPER GIRLY TOP SECRET COMIC DIARY, VOLUME ONE by Erika Moen— I read a collection of Erika Moen’s journal webcomic DAR. I don’t know if it’s available in stores; it was an impulse buy from the internet. I was trying to find something the Savage Critic website’s own Mr. Douglas Wolk had written, and instead found his appearance on something called the Erika Moen Show. The Erika Moen Show is a video-podcast where Ms. Moen sits on a dimly-lit couch with various comic/webcomic luminaries, and proceeds to ask said luminaries a variety of questions, with the help of the disembodied voice of Ms. Moen’s off-screen husband. If you’re interested in how the internet is rewriting the cartoonist-audience relationship,…  Read More…