With the holidays keeping everyone busy, we asked the Nerdlocker crew to write their comic reviews. Here’s what they had to say about some of the latest releases.
Memorial #1
– by Jazmin
There are times in comics when you come across a book that is a very well illustrated novel and not really a comic. To some, this can be an issue because let’s face it – we like our comics the traditional way with word bubbles and awesome art intermingling. IDW has given us the best of both worlds with Memorial. When reading this book, I immediately noticed a different writing style. Memorial reads more like a novel and less like a comic with a narrator telling you the story of Miss M. While off-putting at first, I quickly got used to this different style and settled into the story being told. We open with Miss M at a hospital having completely lost her memory. Slowly but surely, a different world is unfurled. This world seems to be the world that Miss M has come from and belongs in. Fast forward one year later – we find Miss M, now Em, settled into a life of working and trying to figure out who she used to be, when her old life lands right in her lap. Overall I enjoyed this comic and I don’t have any complaints. You should check this book out. I give it 3.5 out of 5 Nerdskulls.
Catwoman #4
– by Jazmin
I have already thoroughly expressed my love for all things Catwoman (yes, even the purple suit) and Guillem March, especially when the two are combined. In my opinion there is no better artist to draw voluptuous female figures and have them still be realistic. March draws Selina Kyle perfectly and that makes me love this comic even more. After the first few sexy issues of Catwoman we have been taken on a very dark and emotional ride through the real life of a cat burglar. In this issue, Selina has to bury her long-time friend Lola and begin life without her greatest ally. More bad luck comes for Catwoman when she finds herself getting attacked in the middle of doing what she does best, stealing. We are left at the end of this issue wondering if she lives or dies at the hands of a new and very electric enemy called Reach. Something to note is that Batman is only mentioned in this issue and that’s a plus. It shows that this book can survive on its own without steamy make-out sessions with Bruce Wayne. All in all, another great issue of Catwoman. I give it 4.5 out of 5 Nerdskulls.
Samurai’s Blood # 6
– by Steven
Samurai’s Blood # 6 is the final one in its storyline, and it closes the story perfectly. It has amazing art that perfectly details the fight scenes, especially the one-on-one fight scenes. There are certain scenes that are so perfectly executed, but I can’t talk about those without spoiling the story. So instead of spoiling I recommend you go out and pick up this comic. If you haven’t read any of them they are coming out with a trade soon, and I would recommend picking that up. I’m going to give it 4.5 out of 5 Nerdskulls.
Invincible #86
– by Bobby
This is the second part of a two-issue arc drawn by Cory Walker, the original co-creator of Invincible. Allen the Alien, the newly appointed leader of the Coalition of Planets, believes it is in the best interest of the galaxy to risk the lives of everyone on Earth in order to kill the remaining survivors of the murderous Viltrumite race. He would complete this task by releasing a virus made specifically to kill Viltrumites, on the planet they are currently all stationed on: Earth. Nolan, otherwise known as Omni Man, is there to beg for a different solution, but Allen has made the decision. This is where the fight breaks out and feelings are hurt.
I must say that I have loved this title since the very beginning. However, I have felt a drop-off in the quality as of late. This arc that Cory Walker is drawing brings me back to the roots. It reminds me how far Nolan has came in his journey to become a more understanding Viltrumite. It even gives me that feeling I used to get when I closed the last page of each comic. I wanted more. More, more, more. It seems like Robert Kirkman might have heard the cry from his fans and he’s putting his writing sweats back on. I see this title only getting better and I feel everyone should be reading it. I give this one 5 out of 5 Nerdskulls.
Fantastic Four #601
– by Hayley
Fantastic Four is back! How did I know it was too easy for this comic to just be done forever? All I’ve got to say about this brand-new issue is that it is epic. EPIC. Johnny Storm is back and he’s leading the human’s side in the Kree war, and he’s surprisingly kind of perfect for the job. The fact that I didn’t have the money to pick up FF only made the reading experience more enjoyable for me because I felt like I was seeing everything from Johnny’s point of view. I’d missed what he’d missed, and I’m okay with that because all that matters is what’s happening at this very moment. I love that everyone has a hand in fighting the big fight, including the best the Avengers has to offer. And when the Avengers are in play, you know things are serious. 5 out of 5 Nerdskulls.
Fables #112
– by Cubby
I have to start my review by saying upfront that Fables is my favorite comic series of all time. So I am a little biased, but for the sake of this review I’ll cool it to be fair. This issue was very interesting because instead of following Santa on his late night escapades we only see him for a brief moment. Instead we travel with Rose Red who has chosen to be a living beacon of hope, and she meets with some of the few remaining beacons to decide what type of hope to be the beacon of. Now we’re not thrown into the story that quickly, it begins with the Fables coming back to the mundane world after the events of the last couple of story arcs. They luckily come back just in time for Christmas and are eager to celebrate their return to the sanctuary they call home. Once the festivities end and everyone has gone to bed, our hero Rose Red is visited by a mysterious Cricket who takes her to visit the three beacons of hope that she must meet.
This is where the book does what it does better than anything out on comic shelves right now, it takes you on an amazing emotional roller coaster filled with drama in the form of some mysterious power brewing in Fabletown, a bit of comedic relief from Santa Claus and his reindeer, a heartbreaking look into what being a beacon of hope means, and an oddly familiar figure that gives Rose a task that seems next to impossible. It’s a great way to break up the monotony of story arc after story arc that actually keeps the story fresh and engaging and brings fans like this Cub coming back for more. For all that was great about this book, the one thing that got me down was how short it was. Being a special stand-alone issue, it felt like a normal comic but with the bulk of a three-part story arc. They did divide the book into five separate chapters and did a great job of intertwining them into a flawless story, but I would’ve liked a few more pages. Overall it’s another Fables triumph that still gets me excited to read the next issue. I’m going to give it 4.5 out of 5 Nerdskulls.
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