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2. DEVIL COMICS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2013
ISSUE 16
PAGE 3 DEVIL COMICS EDITORIAL
TOP OCTOBER 2013 SOLICITATIONS
PAGE 4-5 DC COMICS
PAGE 6 MARVEL COMICS
PAGE 7 IMAGE COMICS
PAGE 8 DARK HORSE
PAGE 9 IDW PUBLISHING
PAGE 10 VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT
JULY COMIC CRITIQUES
PAGE 11 CHEW: BAD APPLES
PAGE 12 MORNING GLORIES: TEST
PAGE 12 39 MINUTES HC
PAGE 13 ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #19
PAGE 13 MONSTROSITY
FLASHBACK COMIC CRITIQUES
PAGE 13 IDENTITY CRISIS
PAGE 14 CAPTAIN AMERICA: REBORN
PAGE 14 WHO WILL WIELD THE SHIELD?
PAGE 14 WOLVERINE: ORIGIN
CONTENTS
DVD REVIEW
PAGE 15 JUSTICE LEAGUE:
THE FLASHPOINT
PARADOX DVD
FILM REVIEW
PAGE 16 THE LONE RANGER
PAGE 16 PACIFIC RIM
PAGE 16 THE WOLVERINE
3. DEVIL COMICS EDITORIALDEVIL COMICS
ENTERTAINMENT
The annual San Diego Comic Con was held this month. Several
announcements were made including Batman Vs. Superman in
2015, The Flash in 2016, and Justice League in 2017. Warner
Bros. wants to be on the same playground as Marvel Studios
prepares for their sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron.
DC COMICS
Three different franchises have their own event as well as the main
DC Universe. Forever Evil has three limited series tying into their
main event. Green Lantern faces off against Relic in Lights Out.
Superman titles face the Krypton Returns storyline in November.
Batman continues its Zero Year with a tie-in in November while
Andy Kubert tackles Damian: Son of Batman.
MARVEL COMICS
Following X-Men: Battle of the Atom, a new title by Jason Aaron
and Ed McGuiness takes off in November called Amazing X-Men.
Marvel is also providing the Wolverine: Origins II by Kieron
Gillen and Adam Kubert where Mr. Sinister plans a major role. After
the Hunger series, the Ultimate Universe will face Cataclysm:
The Ultimates Last Stand by Bendis and Bagley. Bendis is also
preparing for Ultimate Spider-Man #200 with Miles Morales.
Other publishers including Dark Horse is going to bring the
Engineers from Prometheus into their next Aliens comic to breath
in new life and a new Terminator series. Valiant Entertainment is
bringing Sect Civil War in Archer & Armstrong as well as
preparing for Unity in November.
FLASHBACK CRITIQUES
This month we will go over several Captain America and
Wolverine books to celebrate the 4th
of July and the upcoming
The Wolverine movie.
FILMS AND COMIC COMPETITION
The Lone Ranger, Pacific Rim, and Wolverine hit the theaters in July
however the announcements at the San Diego Comic Con may have
overshadowed their performance or lack of performance.
Comic publishers are competing for comic shelf space with events, new
series, tie-ins, and crossovers which will eventually push readers to
more independent titles. Image Comics is the publisher which stands
out with The Walking Dead, Saga, and Joe’s Comics.
Shamim Zia
Editor
4. DC COMICS TOP OCTOBER 2013 SOLICITATIONS
DC Comics continues Forever Evil by launching three new titles associated to the event: A.R.G.U.S.,
Arkham War, and Rogues Rebellion. The titles deal with the aftermath of the death of the Justice Leagues
which continue in their respective series: Justice League, Justice League of America, and Justice
League Dark. DC has been building this event which will spell over to 2014. The event seems to expand in
the other titles however they will eventually lead back to the main Forever Evil series.
DC Comics is also launching a new Superman series starring his girlfriend Wonder Woman. The title seems
to give Wonder Woman a “second series” by hooking up with a popular character. Andy Kubert who brought
Joker #1 in September is currently writing and drawing Damian: Son of Batman which takes place in the
pre-Flashpoint universe. Following both Rise of the Third Army and Wrath of the Third Lantern, the
Green Lantern franchise has a one month crossover called Lights Out.
DC Comics launches 6 annuals this
month which expand on their main
series. Aquaman brings back a
character from his Others story arc.
The Nightwing annual explores the
relationship between Dick Grayson
and Barbara Gordon. The Swamp
Thing annual ties into its current
storyline. Teen Titans Annual #2
plays off of April’s WTF Superboy
issue bringing back the Superboy of
the future Jon Lane Kent which will
lead to next month’s Teen Titans
#25. Action Comics Annual #2
begins Krypton Returns which plays
off the ending of H’El on Earth.
Green Lantern Annual #2 is the
conclusion to the Lights Out story
arc involving the new villain Relic.
5. DC COMICS TOP OCTOBER 2013 SOLICITATIONS
Highlights from other DC Comics solicitations include:
- The Flash finally faces and stops the Reverse-Flash in Flash #24
- Pandora embarks on killing the Seven Deadly Sins in Pandora #4
- Green Arrow teams up with Shado as Count Vertigo pursues them in Green Arrow #24
- Superman discovers Krypton still lives in Superman #24
- Batman/Superman #4 concludes their first story arc
- Batman #24 is a double-sized issue since Greg Capullo did not draw in September
- Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire team up again for Justice League 3000 #1
DC has been trying to crawl its way up after the New 52
was launched by becoming a leader in sales in the
industry which is currently led by Marvel. Like a spoiled
politician trying to get votes by creating more seats for
their party to vote for. Next month when the November
solicitations arrive, DC Comics will bring the 25th
issues
of the New 52 to the forefront. The Superman titles will
begin the Krypton Returns arc while the Batman
related-titles bring Zero Year stories.
The best strategies to come out from this month are the $1 issues
introducing new readers to past classics. This is a great marketing
technique to attract new readers and to get current readers to pass
copies to their friends to draw them into the DC Universe. This
month’s DCE Essentials include the first issues of Batman, Wonder
Woman, Sandman, and V for Vendetta.
6. MARVEL COMICS TOP OCTOBER 2013 SOLICITATIONS
The Infinity event can be followed through the already released solicitations.
The Marvel event kicks off on two fronts as the Avengers head towards space
and Thanos attacks Earth. The Avengers join the Council of Worlds and
encounter the Builders. The Skrull Empire is reborn as the Illuminati deal with
Thanos. Attilan falls and the Mighty Avengers is formed under Luke Cage. The
war for Earth begins in Infinity #5.
However when Infinity concludes in November another storyline kicks off by
writer Matt Fraction called Inhumanity as the Terrigen Mists are released
throughout the world. Without having the first issue of Infinity released, Marvel
has already given us a preview of the next event. The entire purpose of the
event is to create more minorities with both the Mutants and the Inhumans.
Overall Marvel should be applauded for creating an event that mirrors the real
world. But the execution of revealing the ending before the series has begun lifts
the mystery of picking it up until after the event in trade form.
The Spider-Man franchise is being overblown much like the X-
Men titles. Mike Costa brings The Arms of the Octopus a $15
story spanning three specials and 120 pages. A Batman ’66 has
over 80 pages and costs 99 cents for one story. Superior
Spider-Man teases on constant status quos as Necessary Evil
concludes and the Superior Six begins. Matt Kindt of Mind
MGMT brings Marvel Knights: Spider-Man has he battles 99
villains.
The Battle of the Atom reaches its conclusion by Jason Aaron
the person responsible for Schism and bringing Wolverine and
the X-Men. Mark Millar continues with Kick-Ass 3 #5 which
may end his relationship with Marvel before bringing his works to
Image Comics.
In September the Ultimates #30 concludes with Ultimates Disassembled.
The October solicitations revealed the conclusion of the story arcs within both
Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men. Following the Age of Ultron,
Galactus is currently wreaking havoc in the Ultimate Universe and concludes
with Hunger #4 before kicking off Cataclysm the next Ultimate Universe story.
Whether the Ultimate Universe will be rebooted in November remains to be seen
as the groundwork is set for 2014 in Cataclysm #0.1.
7. IMAGE COMICS TOP OCTOBER 2013 SOLICITATIONS
Image Comics brings more creator-owned titles to the forefront. Ed Brubaker
and Steve Epting were responsible for the Death of Captain America and the
introduction of the Winter Soldier, which is the foundation of the second
Captain America film for 2014. Now the duo brings another spy into the world
with Velvet. Former Batwoman artist Amy Reeder brings Rocket Girl while
former Uncanny X-Men writer brings Three.
Highlights from other Image Comics solicitations include:
- Ron Marz returns to Witchblade #170 following Artifacts
- Chew #38 continues towards its finale in Chew #60
- Jupiter’s Legacy #4 continues its bi-monthly series by Mark Millar
- Kurtis Wiebe brings Peter PanzerFaust #15 and Rat Queens #2
Robert Kirkman is celebrating the 10th
Anniversary of The Walking Dead with
12-issue bi-weekly storyline called All-Out War. The anniversary also includes a
10th
Anniversary Edition issue as well as a Tyreese Special just in time for
Season 4 of The Walking Dead.
8. DARK HORSE COMICS OCTOBER 2013 SOLICITATIONS
Dark Horse adds diversity into their publishing schedule as they
compete with the Big Two. They have announced a new Lone Wolf
and Cub series in 2014 by the original writer. Fred Van Lente (Archer
& Armstrong) continues Brain Boy #2 with artist R.B Silva. Elfquest
epic begins its ending with Elfquest: The Final Quest by the original
writer and artist. Matt Kindt continues with his series with a self-
contained story in Mind MGMT #16. Geof Darrow returns to his
Shaolin Cowboy series.
The Star Wars universe continues to remain strong as Dark Horse
releases the first issue by Brian Wood for $1. The Star Wars #2
continues the original version by creator George Lucas. Darth Vader
deals with a few last Jedi in Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark
Remains. Ania Solo tells the tale of Star Wars in the far future with
Legacy.
9. IDW PUBLISHING TOP OCTOBER 2013 SOLICITATIONS
The G.I. Joe titles continue with the main series, Cobra Files, and
A Real American Hero. The Transformers titles also continue with
More than Meets the Eye, Robots in Disguise, and
Regeneration One. Both G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and
Transformers: Regeneration One will both hit their 200 issues on
the same month.
Besides the multiple franchises of titles, IDW Publishing is ending
their current story with Locke & Key: Alpha #2. Following Star
Trek Into Darkness, the Eugenics Wars is explored with Star
Trek: Khan while the events following the film is followed in Star
Trek #26 as the war between the Klingons and the Romulans
erupts. All 11 incarnations of the Doctor are present in Doctor Who:
Prisoners of Time #10. After Doomsday 0.1, John Byrne is
building his own creator-owned series again with Triple Helix.
10. VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT TOP OCTOBER 2013 SOLICITATIONS
As Valiant prepares for Unity this winter, Archer & Armstrong
prepares for the Sect Civil War while Shadowman has a special
Halloween issue. The Eternal Warrior has an immortal daughter as
the H.A.R.D. Corps rescue Bloodshot on a mission. A prison from the
Harbinger Wars is freed in Harbinger as X-O Manowar races to
Unity.
Currently the seven issues of the Valiant Universe brings a tighter
universe however it has been teased that both Ninjak and Rai will be
receiving their own series. Whether or not this will improve the
Valiant titles or add diversity remains to be seen. The favorite titles
so far are Archer & Armstrong, Shadowman, and X-O Manowar.
Both Harbinger and Bloodshot seem very draggy while the Eternal
Warrior and Quantum and Woody titles are too early to judge.
11. IMAGE COMICS JULY CRITIQUES
CHEW VOLUME 7: BAD APPLES TRADE PAPERBACK
John Layman mentioned both Chew #14 and Chew #19
play a major role as the second half of the series races
towards Chew #60. Chew #14 focuses on Tony’s last
girlfriend Mindy who severs her own big toe and Tony saves
it in the fridge as well as the cornering of Savoy. Savoy
reveals to Colby that the government is lying and he wants
to find the truth and asks to join him. Chew #19 begins
with the President of the United States, the Queen of
England, and the Pope assassinated however it was stopped
by the combined effort of Tony and his sister. There are
hints there is a connection between the avian flu and the sky
writing.
Following the death of his sister Toni, Tony is reinstated into
the FDA and deals with a case of people who are immolated.
The incident is led to an energy drink that activates when
people have chicken in their systems. The High Priestess of
the Church of the Divinity of the Immaculate Ova has
declared war on the chicken eaters.
Colby discovers Caesar been working with Savoy the whole
time. Meanwhile Tony tracks down the collector who killed
his sister. The collector reveals his origin to Tony over dinner
however it is a hologram. Colby brings Savoy in and Tony
discovers his sister left him a toe.
This paperback collects
Chew #31-35
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
12. IMAGE COMICS JULY CRITIQUES
MORNING GLORIES VOLUME 5: TESTS TPB
The first season of Morning Glories ended on a confusing
wimper with too many characters and storylines converging
into a real mess. Now Nick Spencer throws a surprise at the
beginning of Season 2 showing a Casey Blevins who has
travelled to the past and become her own teacher Ms.
Clarkson. She encourages her younger self to join Morning
Glory Academy.
These issues also gave us a discussion to what is happening.
The children are traveling through time while the MGA stays
in place. Theories are running that Ike is the headmaster
however we finally find out who is the ghostly David
character. He is the son of Casey in another timeline.
However the problem with the series is that you get clues
after someone explains what is happening. This is the last
time I would be reviewing the series.
This trade paperback collects
Morning Glories #26-29
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
39 MINUTES HARDCOVER
A group of ex-marines are running around robbing banks and
killing innocent civilians. Special Agent Poole recruits John
Clayton who used to run and lead the ex-marines who are
currently committing the crimes. It is revealed the ex-marines
killed a special “Blackwater” group of soldiers and their lives
were taken from them. Now they are out for committing crimes
because everything was taken from them. 39 Minutes has a
well crafted story however lacks the art and the execution.
Writer William Harms is someone to look out for as long as the
artist is right.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5
13. IDW PUBLISHING JULY CRITIQUES
THE TRANSFORMERS: MONSTROSITY TPB
The Dynobots are trying to get off-world and stealing credits
by stealing Energon. Meanwhile Scorponok who is now the
leader of the Decepticons throws a wounded Megatron onto
the Death-World of Junkion. Megatron rebuilds himself on the
planet and finds a Quintessenton to guide him as his slave.
Back on Cybertron Scorponok plans on stealing Energon from
the same place as the Dynobots. Grimlock triggers the alarm
which summons the Autobot Sky Lynx.
Optimus Prime is trying to unite the Cybertronians and deals
with both Scorponok and the Decepticons as well as the
Dynobots. Scorponok deactivates the regulator to the refinery
where he was about to steal the Energon. Following the
destruction a mass exodus of Cybertron begins to find more
Energon. Meanwhile Megatron deals with the Sharkitcons and
attempts to get off Junkion.
Jetfire and the Autobots explore the remnants of the refinery
to find survivors. The team finds raw liquid Energon. They
discover the raw liquid Energon overwhelms their inhibitors
reducing them into a primal state.
This trade paperback collects
Transformers: Monstrosity #1-12
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #19
The series is slowly building up to Dark Cybertron bi-
monthly. Issue #17 showed the origin of Shockwave and his
greatest experiment is resurrection as well as seeding 13
worlds including Earth to create new energon.This issue
follows Waspinator who once controlled a Transformer Titan
and Jhiaxus and Bludgeon wants to know whether he would
be able to do it again.
Waspinator is being hunted by a Monstructor and Orion Pax
summons a Titan on Gorlam Prime. However it was all a trick
so both Jhiaxus and Bludgeon can you Waspinator to pilot the
Titan on Gorlam Prime back to Cybertron to join Shockwave’s
forces. The plot for Dark Cybertron is slowly coming together
as the events of issue 17 are coming together. Now the story
will continue in issue 21 as Shockwave plan is revealed.
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
14. FLASHBACK CRITIQUES
IDENTITY CRISIS TRADE PAPERBACK
Novelist Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales brought the first part of a three part Crisis Trilogy. The series began in August 2004 setting
up some of the stories to follow later. The dark tone set paved the way for Infinite Crisis which is a sequel to 1985’s Crisis on
Infinite Earths by Geoff Johns and Final Crisis by Grant Morrison where evil takes over the world.
The dark tone set a realistic view on heroes who are willing to do anything to save others. Infinite Crisis brought back Kal-L and
Superboy Prime who saw an Earth which was worse off than they left it so they returned to set it right however Superboy Prime and
Alexander Luthor became villains due to their actions.
Meltzer brings a dark mystery where secrets eventually come to light and have lasting consequences. He takes an unknown
character of Ralph Dibny and makes him human by mirroring the loving husband we are or we want to be. The tragedy is explored
and ends with a horrific ending where more lives are destroyed than healed.
Sue Dibny is murdered and the worst of all she was pregnant with Ralph’s child. A memorial is held with a closed casket since she
was badly burned by her attacker. Ralph believes it was Dr. Light who raped her years before and now its time for his revenge on
her. The Justice League erased Dr. Light’s mind of the event and made him slow.
Now Dr. Light has hired the services of Deathstroke who almost takes down the Justice League of the past. Dr. Light slowly
remembers his mind was erased by the Justice League. Doctor Mid-Nite discovers Sue Dibny was not killed by Dr. Light and now the
same killer targets Jean Loring.
The big Justice League guns arrive with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Batman asks the question “Who benefits?” Oliver
Queen confronts Hal Jordan who is currently the Spectre to find out who killed Sue. There is a beautiful scene where Oliver Queen
asks Hal “When’re you really coming back?” Hal replies “I’m working on it.” This is just prior to Geoff Johns bringing Hal back in
Green Lantern: Rebirth.
Now the killer target Lois Lane and Jack Drake. Batman and Robin rush to the scene of Jack Drake however it’s too late and Robin is
an orphan. Wally West discovers the Justice League took Batman’s memories as well and he doesn’t know it yet. Now the truth is
discover Sue was killed before she was burned so the killer was hiding something. After find out little footprints in Sue’s brain, the
Justice League race to find Ray Palmer. The ending is heartbreaking as it explodes towards the events of Infinite Crisis. However
before Infinite Crisis begins, Identity Crisis leads into JLA: Crisis of Conscience where Batman finds out his memories were
tampered with.
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
15. FLASHBACK CRITIQUES
CAPTAIN AMERICA: REBORN TRADE PAPERBACK
Following Civil War, Captain America surrenders to Iron Man and
is assassinated by Sharon Carter who was under the influence of
the Red Skull. Bucky Barnes who returned as the Winter Soldier
becomes the new Captain America. It is revealed in Captain
America #600 that the gun that Sharon Carter shot him with
saved him. The Red Skull wanted to inhibit the body of Captain
America. The six-issue limited series retold the origin of Captain
America however failed to enhance the story. The series is overly
decompressed and could have been told within one issue.
This trade paperback collects
Captain America: Reborn #1-6 (2009)
WASTED TALENTS – 2 OUT OF 5
CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHO WILL WIELD THE SHIELD?
The single one-shot follows Captain America: Reborn where
Steve Rogers allows Bucky Barnes to remain as Captain America.
Having seen a dark future where he dies, Rogers believes by
allowing Bucky to remain as Captain America, he has prevented
his death. The story ends with Steve Rogers getting a
Presidential Pardon before the events of Siege where Norman
Osborn as the Iron Patriot destroys Asgard and the Sentry dies.
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
WOLVERINE: ORIGIN TRADE PAPERBACK
In 2001, the origin of Wolverine is revealed as well as his real
name James Howlett. The limited series was the result of a
successful X-Men film by Bryan Singer. Editor-In-Chief Joe
Quesada wanted to reveal the origin before Hollywood did. New
characters were born in the form of Dog who is playing apart
within Wolverine and the X-Men by Jason Aaron. In November
2013, the sequel to Origin continues where the first one left off
with Mr. Sinister as the main villain. Overall the first series could
have been better. The first two issues were exciting as many fans
believed Dog would become Wolverine instead of the sick James
Howlett. The second issue revealed who was Wolverine as James
killed Dog’s father with his claws. The rest of the issues were
fillers instead of a real test of character.
This paperback collects
Wolverine: Origin #1-6
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5
16. DVD REVIEW
In 2011 DC Comics released a series called Flashpoint which concluded by
bringing 3 universes including the Vertigo, Wildstorm, and DC Universe together to
form the New 52.
Now 2013 brings the Flashpoint Paradox where Professor Zoom wreaks havoc on
the Flash’s life. Using the Rogues as bombs, Zoom plans on destroying the city until
the Justice League arrives to disarm them. Later Barry wakes up in a world where
his mother is alive and a new DC Universe is born.
A world where Bruce Wayne dies and Thomas Wayne becomes the Batman while
Martha becomes the Joker. Atlantis and the Amazons are at war with the world.
Superman lands in Metropolis instead of Smallville. Batman, Flash, and Cyborg find
Superman however find a weakened Kal-El. Like the original series the story gets
convoluted with too many changes and not enough development. The final battle is
ultimately between Zoom and the Flash.
The overall story is extremely violent for DC Animation. However we get the full
explanation of what happened in Flashpoint Paradox. The Flash saved his mother
which erupted a time boom causing the world to change. Zoom reveals Flash is the
villain as the paradox comes to a close by the death of Zoom by Batman. Thomas
Wayne asks Flash to save time so his son may live. Barry stops himself from saving
his mom and the world returns to normal. DC Universe welcomes the New 52. The
surprise ending brings Justice League: War which unites the heroes against
Darkseid in 2014.
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
17. FILM REVIEW
The directing of the Lone Ranger was beautifully
executed however the storyline was god awful and
dragging. The origin of both the Lone Ranger and
Tonto were told where both their destinies intersected
in the present. The brother of the Lone Ranger was
killed because he would not start a war that will rid the
Indians out from land rich in silver. The land was
discovered years ago when Tonto revealed it to two
explorers. The sense of humor was extremely dry for
today’s audiences and they used the original Lone
Ranger music for some of the action sequences instead
of creating something new.
Disney is desperate to reuse ideas of the past to make
profits in the present instead of creating original ideas.
Purchasing establish franchises like Star Wars and
Marvel Entertainment places the emphasis on staying
safe rather than taking risks on new creations.
WASTED TALENTS – 2 OUT OF 5
Aliens arising through a portal in the Pacific Ocean called Kaijus
rises to wreak havoc on humanity. To fight back these monsters,
humanoid machines called Jaegers were created to stop them
piloted by two people. The Kaijus are adapting to the Jaegers so
a coastline wall is created to stop them instead. A scientist
discovers the Kaijus are an invading force to colonize the planet.
The Jaegers are tasked to destroying the portal however they
need a Kaijus to enter the portal first.
The movie has an obscene amount of creativity from elbow
rockets, ships used as bats, and an alien invasion force
attacking Earth from within. Idris Elba brought authority and
realism to the role which makes Pacific Rim one of the best
summer movies following ahead of Iron Man 3, Man of Steel,
and Lone Ranger.
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
The movie takes place after X-Men: The Last
Stand and Logan is dealing with the guilt of killing
Jean Grey who became the Dark Phoenix. A
Japanese soldier from the end of World War II
offers Wolverine morality however he must
protect his granddaughter. The movie spirals into
a dialogue filled drama leading him to fight the
Japanese soldier in a Silver Samurai armor.
Wolverine wins in the end at the cost of losing his
adamantium and gaining his bone claws. The after
credits show both Magneto and Professor Xavier
asking for his help to deal with Trask Industries
and their Sentinel program. The movie leads into
next year’s X-Men: Days of Future Past.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5