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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Friday, July 11, 2008
Previously:
Tony received a month's worth of comic books published by DC Comics and its various imprints. It was a big box. Tony decided to read and review every one of the items in said big box. It was quite the lofty goal, but it was a goal he didn't reach. Here are the last reviews of his first attempt at beating his own personal "DC Challenge"...
Batman Confidential #14 and #15 [DC; $2.99 each] - both issues were in the box - are the middle chapters of the four-part "Wrath Child" by Tony Bedard with art by Rags Morales and Mark Farmer. A sequel to Mike W. Barr's great "The Player on the Other Side" story from 1984's BATMAN SPECIAL #1, it's one of the better DCU stories of the year. Even if I hadn't read the first issue of the arc, I believe these subsequent chapters have enough background that a reader who missed that previous issue would still be able to follow and enjoy the story.
The Wrath is/was an assassin of cops who was "created" on the same night Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered. He is the Batman's opposite number and he seems to have come back from the dead to seek revenge on Batman and Jim Gordon. Bedard writes Batman and his supporting players well; he did a particularly good job with Nightwing. The issues move at an exciting pace while maintaining the suspense of the overall story.
Morales and Farmer do an outstanding job with both the drawing and the storytelling. I was likewise impressed by colorist I.L.L. and letterer Travis Lanham. These were a couple of good-looking comics. They earn an impressive four out of five Tonys.
Batman and the Outsiders #5 [DC; $2.99] was also in the box, but I reviewed it and the earlier issues of the series in the April 24 edition of this column.
Here's what I wrote there:
I read Batman and the Outsiders #2-5 [$2.99 each] and the series becomes more of a train wreck with every issue. To my dumbfounded amazement, writer Chuck Dixon gets most of the cast wrong. Though I am greatly amused by the notion of the late Ralph and Sue Dibny hanging around Batman as Topper-like ghosts, most of the other characters are unrecognizable. Old friends Katana and Metamorpho act like strangers. Catwoman doesn't ring true. Grace is written with great disrespect and Thunder with utter contempt. Black Lightning sounded off to me. I was astonished that Geo-Force so calmly took being reassigned from the Justice League to this Bat-run farm team. The man was a king, for crying out loud. Green Arrow and Batgirl sounded okay to me, but I don't particularly care for either character so that didn't score any points. The story isn't interesting, the writing isn't engaging, and the art borders on awful. Save for Ralph and Sue, there's absolutely nothing for me to recommend here. These issues earn no Tonys.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'm taking a second whack at my "DC Challenge" and those reviews will begin on Monday. Have a happy and safe weekend.
Tony Isabella
<< 07/10/2008 | 07/11/2008 | 07/14/2008 >>
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Recent Columns:
| NEWEST | As I have been working on my book, I came to realize a number of things. I'll share them with you. (09/08/2008) |
| 08/21/2008 | I review The Batman Chronicles Volume 5, Batman and the Outsiders #6, and Batman Confidential #16. |
| 08/20/2008 | I review Batman Gotham Knight. |
| 08/19/2008 | The Tony Poll results for: What news from Comic-Con International in San Diego was the most exciting for you? |
| 08/18/2008 | Some random opening remarks. Then I review Drawing Heroes in the Backyard: Tim Sale: Black and White, Witchblade Volume 1-3, Strip for Murder, Justice League Unlimited: The Ties That Bind, and Leader's High!. |
| 08/15/2008 | I review 100 Bullets #90, The All-New Atom#23, and American Splendor Vol. 2 #2. |
| 08/14/2008 | I discuss my work on Iron Fist and his foe, Steel Serpent. Comics in the Comics features Funky Winkerbean. |
| 08/13/2008 | The Tony Poll results for: Would you like to see a change in editorial direction and management at DC and Marvel Comics? Which companies would you most like to see knock Marvel or DC out of the top two spots? Which choices would you most like to see be the next job for Tony Isabella? |
| 08/12/2008 | I feature Dragons Two and a contest! |
| 08/11/2008 | I review Super Friends #2, Supergirl #29, and Superman #675. |
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
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