Rapid Reviews for 5/28/2014

Some quick thoughts on comics being released on 5/28/2014

C.O.W.L. #1
Story:  Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel
Art:  Rod Reis
Letters:  Troy Peteri
Edits:  Andy Schmidt
Back Matter Design:  Rich Bloom
Publisher:  Image Comics

What I Liked 

The premise for C.O.W.L. is a unique one….a superhero labor union in 1960’s era Chicago.  C.O.W.L. stands for the Chicago Organized Workers League.  Will every member of the league have the same goals in mind?  Are they doing these deeds out of the goodness of their hearts, or for what they can get back in return?

The combination of the artwork, colors, and letters by Rod Reis and Troy Peteri is something I’ve never seen before in comics.  I felt like I was reading a crime noir with the heavy shadows and the time era.  Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel are very familiar with the subject matter, having made a short video for the comic back in the college days.

What I Didn’t Like

Even with the character bios at the beginning of the book, it was still hard to keep track of everyone.  Some figures weren’t recognizable from panel to panel.

Rating:  3 out of 5

AVENGERS #30
Writer:  Jonathan Hickman
Penciler:  Leinil Francis Yu
Inker:  Gerry Alanguilan
Colorist:  Sunny Gho
Letterer:  VC’s Cory Petit
Publisher:  Marvel Comics

What I Liked

Who doesn’t enjoy a good time travel story?  We get two time periods for the price of one.  It’s always fun to watch future versions of characters interact with their present selves.

I am glad that this large, grand story Jonathan Hickman has been telling seems to finally be leading somewhere.

No matter what time period, everyone seems to have a problem with Tony Stark.

What I Didn’t Like

This issue didn’t have as much tension as last month’s issue.  Plus there wasn’t much exploration of the “new” New York.  Plus, what is going on with the Time Gem?  Why is it dropping the Avengers in these specific futures?  Is Captain America controlling it?  It is hard to tell from the art.

Rating:  3 out of 5

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #15
Writer:  Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils:  Nick Bradshaw & Cameron Stewart
Inks:  Nick Bradshaw, Cameron Stewart & Walden Wong
Colorist:  Justin Ponsor
Letterer:  VC’s Cory Petit
Publisher:  Marvel Comics

What I Liked

Almost all of the different alien races in the Marvel universe were featured in this book.  You had Kree, Shi’ar, Brood, Skrulls, and more.

Gamora got to display why she is the most dangerous woman in the galaxy.

All of the Guardians are in a bad spot right now.  We haven’t seen the team this low since the series was relaunched.

What I Didn’t Like

Captain Marvel (who is featured prominently on the cover) is nowhere to be found in the actual comic.  We did see her on the final page of the last issue, so one would think she would play a role here.

Nick Bradshaw‘s pencils have always come across to me as cartoon-y.  It is a unique style, but it’s one that hasn’t resonated with me.  Plus, he couldn’t even finish the entire comic and needed assistance with the last two or three pages.

Rating:  2 out of 5

INHUMAN #2
Writer:  Charles Soule
Artist:  Joe Madureira
Color Artist:  Marte Gracia
Letterer:  VC’s Clayton Cowles
Publisher:  Marvel Comics

What I Liked

Joe Madureira’s artwork.  Individuals come across as being extra stoic (i.e. Captain America).  I wish Madureira could stay as the artist full-time.  Between Gorgon’s size and Medusa’s hair, everything seems larger than life.

The new sleazy character, Lineage, appears to have the potential to get under the nerves of Medusa and the rest of the Inhumans.

Speaking of Gorgon, he reminded me of Kilowog from Green Lantern.  An instructor taking Dante under his wing to teach him how to control his new powers and of his Inhuman heritage.

What I Didn’t Like

We didn’t get to see the progress that the Terrigen cloud has made across the world.

Rating:  3 out of 5

UNCANNY AVENGERS #20
Writer:  Rick Remender
Artist:  Daniel Acuna
Letterer:  VC’s Clayton Cowles
Publisher:  Marvel Comics

What I Liked

We have spent some time on Planet X, and now it seems that Kang and Havok’s plan may succeed.  And by plan, I mean sending the Avengers’ Unity Squad back in time to prevent the Earth being destroyed.  But can Kang really be trusted?

As much of a jerk as Cyclops has been made out to be in recent years, we got to see him be heroic when it came to his brother Havok.  That was nice to see.  The Summers brothers still have love for one another.

What I Didn’t Like

Even while enjoying the thought of where the story could be going next, it does feel like the Planet X portion was resolved fairly quickly.

Also, how did Magistrate Braddock send the Avengers back to the past?  Did she send each person’s consciousness back, along with time-traveling help from Kang?  If so, how very “Days of Future Past” of them.

Rating:  4 out of 5

TREES #1
Writer:  Warren Ellis
Artist:  Jason Howard
Letterer:  Fonografiks
Publisher:  Image Comics

What I Liked

What happens when aliens invade Earth, but don’t really do anything?  That is the basis for Warren Ellis and Jason Howard‘s Trees #1.  Aliens impale the Earth with these huge towers, that come to be known as “trees”.  No aliens come out of the trees to swarm or imprison us.  Humans have to learn to adapt to these new structures being a part of our ecosystem.

I haven’t always been the biggest Ellis fan, but the story is easy to follow, and there is enough curiosity of where he could be leading things to keep reading.

Howard’s star status should escalate by being tied to a Warren Ellis book.  I hope this leads to even bigger things for him.

What I Didn’t Like

With all the damage the “trees” have done to the environment, that could have been displayed more throughout the comic.

Rating:  4 out of 5

This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network.  They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/