GODZILLA #1 IDW PUBLISHING
IDW is at it again with yet another Godzilla title. And again, we seem to have missed the mark here. While Godzilla is a key element of Tim Seeley’s story, he isn’t the focus and that is a problem. What we are focused on are a group of mutant humans (oh and Jet Jaguar, can’t forget Jet Jaguar!) that have been brought together to battle Godzilla under G-Force USA. And their new recruit who apparently can control Kai-sei energy also known as the power of Godzilla. So if you were a fan of the Marvel vs Godzilla one-shots, this title is kind of like those. If you didn’t, well, it’s like those except without well known Marvel heroes. (Except Jet Jaguar, can’t forget Jet Jaguar). This reminds me of those Godzilla movies from the 1990’s and 2000s when three quarter of the movie was special ops used mazers, X-1s, and drill tipped missles to keep Godzilla busy until another real kaiju would show up and fight. Which was what we really wanted to see in the first place. 5 out of 10 Grahams.
MONEY SHOT BIG BANG #3 VAULT COMICS
Manitory Warning, this is an adult themed book and not for everyone. I hate to say it but the thrill is gone. While still interesting in concept, I think the Money Shot franchise has reached that make it/break it sequel. I even think that writer Tim Seeley is hinting at that talking about how no one cares about travel logs on an adult site and a party thrown by Steven Hawking that no one came to. Our xxxplorers seem worn down and a bit disjointed. And the story seems to be winding down as would the tales of any adventurous group as they get older and find themselves forcing one last adventure. So, from a real life aspect, Seeley is spot on with the life of the XXXplorers. It is also rather sad that the glory days seem to be over. 6 out of 10 Grahams.
BIKER MICE FROM MARS #2 NACELLVERSE/ONI PRESS
It is amazing how well writer Melissa Flores and artist Daniel Gete capture the 1990’s animated series/toy line here. The characters, the backrounds, the vehicles are all true to their original source material. Ironically, during the 90’s, I was not into the whole toys/cartoons merchandising that was going on. So I sort of ignored many of the Nacelleverse characters when they first came out. But in reading these comics, I do still get that nostalgic feeling. I can only imagine what people of a younger generation than mine, who grew up with these animated series and their action figure counterparts on the shelves of Toys-R-Us, are getting out of these new titles. I highly recommend them. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
NEW HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE #2
Have no fear, I have no intention of naming everyone on the Scott Koblish variant cover this time. Although, I might point out a few favorites like Sugar Plumm and Spike (Cecil) Wilson, Brother Power the Geek, Angel O’Day and Sam Simeon (aka Angel and the Ape) Robby Reed, and the Sea Devils. As before our narrator, Barry Allen continues his journey into the Silver Age of DC. A time when both Green Arrow and Aquaman were clean-shaven. A time when side-kicks began teaming up. New heroes were starting to overflow past the floodgates. Times when Jason Burr was the twin brother of Kobra, the Bronze Tiger and Lady Shiva were secondary characters in the world of Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Master. Wonder Woman lost the star-spangled bathing suit and fought evil with karate. And every hero worth their salt had a Rogues Gallery! Meanwhile, groups of adventurers filled the comic stands with the likes of the Challangers of the Unknown, the Sea Devils, Cave Carson and his group, Will Magnus and his Metal Men! Unfortunately, issue two goes a little further than I think it should have. Even with the amazing pages done by Brad Walker and Michael Allred, we stumble out of the glorious anything goes days of the 1960’s and 1970’s and into the darker, more adult 1980’s. Troublesome times where Kid Flash retiring and Robin becoming Nightwing. Batman forms the Outsiders. Justice League Detroit becomes a thing. And then Crisis. Those last few items almost seemed wedged into this issue and sort of detract from the fun of the earlier days. What started out as a feel good issue with the birth of the Silver Age ends on the death of Supergirl and the Flash. Got to give a deduction for that. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
