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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, August 15, 2008
100 Bullets #90 [Vertigo; $2.99] is the second chapter of a story arc that is so devoid of background details that it sent me running to Wikipedia for help, something I'd vowed not to do in reviewing this month's worth of comics. From there, I learned the original ongoing plot of the series involved people being offered the chance for risk-free revenge (which I knew) and that, lurking behind the scenes, was some sort of shadowy organization that has existed since America's War of Revolution (which I did not know). Neither bit of knowledge helped me suss out what was going on in this part of the current story, bouncing around as it did between several unsavory characters. Brian Azzarello's writing has rarely appealed to me and this latest issue merely adds to my antipathy towards his work. Eduardo Risso's interesting art is wasted on this comic and can't overcome the negatives of the writing enough to earn the issue any Tonys whatsoever.
The All-New Atom #23 [DC; $2.99] is another solid super-hero book from writer Rick Remender with artists Pat Olliffe (penciler) and John Stanisci (inker). In this third part of the current arc, the action moves from Ivy Town to some other "world" where new Atom Ryan Choi learns that the supposed victims of the creature he's been fighting, an amebic monster born of his own blood, were not killed but somehow transported to this strange place. Remender keeps the surprises coming and ends the issue on a spiffy cliffhanger. This title isn't long for the world and my own preferences lean toward adventures on our own world, but this is still a fun comic. I give it a perfectly respectable three out of five Tonys.
The pick of today's reviews is American Splendor Vol. 2 #2 [Vertigo; $2.99] by Cleveland's own Harvey Pekar and his posse of exceptional artists. I delight in Pekar's ability to take the ordinary events of his life and make them so poignant and so true to the lives of his readers. It makes me want to nominate him for my "favorite comic-book character" in next year's CBG Fan Awards. Kudos should also be lavished upon Pekar's visual partners in this issue: Ty Templeton, Hunt Emerson, Gary Dumm, Greg Budgett, Josh Neufeld, Lora Innes, Jose Marzan, David Lapham, Zachary Baldus, and cover artist Darick Robertson. This wondrous issue earns the full five out of five Tonys.
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DC CHALLENGE UPDATE
My personal DC Challenge is to read and then review a month's worth of comic books and other items from DC Comics. The above reviews are from my second failed attempt to succeed in that challenge and there will be more like them next week.
I'm currently hoping the third time will prove to be the charm vis-a-vis this challenge. I've been reading comics from the most recent box of DC publications I received and will start reviewing them here in another week or so.
One thing's for certain. Though the quality of the individual issues and titles may vary wildly, DC is certainly publishing a lot of comic books and, through its manga, Vertigo, and younger readers imprints, managing a good deal of variety in doing so. It's why I took up this challenge.
Keep reading TOT and we'll both see if I can manage to beat my DC Challenge this time around.
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TONY POLLS
Every Tuesday, I post new Tony Polls questions for your voting fun. Having just returned from a weekend road trip with my son Eddie, I got to wondering what my readers have been doing with their summers. So, this week, I'm asking you several questions on that very subject. You can answer them at:
www.worldfamouscomics.com/tony/poll
Besides answering my questions, you should feel free to e-mail me if you did something this summer that's not reflected in those questions. I'd love to hear about and, with your permission, I'll share your stories with your fellow TOT readers.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. Have a happy and safe weekend.
I'll be back on Monday with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 08/14/2008 | 08/15/2008 | 08/18/2008 >>
Discuss this column with me at my Message Board. Also, read Heroes and Villains: Real and Imagined.
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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.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
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Medina, OH 44256
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