Corey's Comic Corner Edition 15 - Review of: " Escape From Wyoming #2, Gargoyles #1, Thanos Death Notes #1 and X-treme X-Men #1”
/Welcome back POP ROC’ERS to
Corey’s Comic Corner
It’s been another whirlwind of a week as we inch closer and closer to Christmas. Work, work some overtime, shopping, repeat. Not a lot of fun mixed in this past week but I did manage to get into a little trouble at a community fundraising event on Saturday with some fellow coaches, board members, etc. We held a travel softball fundraiser at a great local brewery called Brindlehaus. They recently also expanded next door to start serving food under the name Fetch. I had promised my wife I'd stick to one-two beers and be home within a couple hours tops as we had some other prior engagements as well that day. Well, I went slightly over my two beer limit to three beers and ended up staying at the brewery for a few hours at the least. I happened to look down at my phone and saw a bunch of missed messages and it was at this point I realized I was in trouble. Oops! It wasn’t so much the quantity of beers that did me in but rather the 11.5% Stouts I was drinking which in hindsight was probably not a very good idea. Luckily the brewery was within walking distance from the house and a short 2-3 minutes away.
Upon arriving home my wife and daughter were anxiously waiting to leave. It was only a few minutes later that they would decide it would be best if I sat in the backseat of the car due to my daytime drunkenness. Luckily after some iced tea, a little nap and some McDonalds, I was able to regain my composure and participate in the events that were to transpire. Boy did things get out of hand haha. It was almost as if it were two separate days but it was a fun day nonetheless. We all need to let go once in a while am I right? Live and learn! Alright, on to the fun stuff…..
Comic Book Reviews
“This week I had a chance to read Escape From Wyoming #2, Gargoyles #1, Thanos Death Notes #1 and X-treme X-Men #1”
Escape from Wyoming #2
Published by Bad Idea
Written by Robert Venditti
Pencils by Jorge Monlongo
Rated M for mature
Available via pre-order only
Issue #2 finds our newly re-appointed intergalactic security officer coming face to face with the local law enforcement on Earth where the escape convicts have landed. After a standoff ensues they realize they are going to have to work together to capture the escapees and thwart the inevitable destruction of the earth!
Both books from Bad Idea part #2 have been great and with Orc Island just ending it was exciting to be getting issue #2 of Escape From Wyoming this week. Picking up right where it left off in the last issue the action in this issue was intense from the start with the aforementioned stand off between the two sheriffs. Once they realized they were getting nowhere and needed to work together the pacing changed and the plot moved forward pretty quickly into stopping the escapees. The dialogue remains both engaging and humorous and the issue ends almost too quickly leaving you wanting. With only one issue remaining they have a lot to wrap up but most of the Bad Idea books tend to follow the same format and they usually manage to pull off these shorter stories pretty effortlessly. The colors and art perfectly match the script and right now it feels just like if you took the show Yellowstone and blended it with Men in Black. It’s an enjoyable ride and I can't wait to read the conclusion next month.
Gargoyles #1
Published by Dynamite
Written by Greg Weisman
Pencils by George Kambadais
Rated T for Teen
Available now!
Our beloved and classic 90’s cartoon hero’s are back in a new ongoing series written by the original show creator Greg Weisman and illustrated by George Kambadais. Starting fresh with all new stories and adventures for both new and returning readers.
Like many things currently in pop culture we are seeing somewhat of an 80's and 90’s renaissance. Of course for those of us who were children and grew up during those times it’s hard to not enjoy the many nostalgic offerings that whisk us away back to our childhood and to when life was simpler. It’s a bit of an escape that when in the hands of the right creator, such as this, can be both rewarding and joyful. I guess in that regard it’s hard for me to not enjoy this comic. The writing is light, generally positive and is nicely passed. The art matches the writing and original cartoon style nicely. You can definitely tell it’s in the hands of the original creator and while it appears they may try to expand on the original series the idea and simplicity of the show doesn’t appear lost in translation. This is definitely a great new start for longtime fans and new readers and it would make a great introduction to new teen readers or tweens especially! Check it out!
Thanos Death Notes #1
Published by Marvel
Written by Torunn Gronbekk, Kyle Starks, J. Michael Straczynski and Christopher Cantwell
Pencils by Don Ho, Geoffrey Shaw, Andrea DI Vito, Travel Foreman
Rated T+ for Teen
Available now!
A one-shot spinning out of the pages of Thor. A dark and personal look at Thanos through the eyes of Odinson as he tries to learn more about Thanos in wake of visions he’s been having showing Thanos is actually still alive.
I actually really enjoyed this one shot giving us a glimpse into Thanos and his life. From a prior love to his relationship with Death herself. Each of these unique and fascinating stories are pulled directly from a different period or event in Thanos' life and with different writers and artists involved it really works well. My favorite story involves a conversation between Tony Stark and a robotic copy of Thanos where the robot actually convinced Tony Stark through threats that regardless if he destroyed it or not, Thanos would still rule all existence. Thanos was inevitable. That, in destroying the robot Tony would only prove his ignorance and his lack of belief on the matter and that decision would have even more dire consequences for Earth and its inhabitants. It’s a conversation that leaves Tony perplexed and fearful and while he ultimately decides to not destroy the robot copy of Thanos he does dismember it so that he can further study its tech. The narrative and dialogue is tense and it’s one of the first times in recent memory anyone changed Starks mind. It just further reinforces the mental strength and intelligence of Thanos on top of his brute strength which just makes him an even more formidable opponent and villain. The issue is just really well planned out and it’s a great glimpse into the mind of Thanos. I highly recommend this one shot!
X-TREME X-MEN #1
Published by Marvel
Written by Chris Claremont
Pencils by Salvador Larroca
Rated T for Teen
Available now!
X-treme X-Men is back! Original writer Chris Claremont and original illustrator Salvador Larroca launch a new ongoing series starting up after the events of the original early 2000 series. After a deadly psychic attack on Kitty Pride the X-men set out to capture the villain Ogun before he can execute his deadly plan.
Speaking of nostalgic stories, runs, etc. This was always a cool and unique take on the X-Men when it originally launched in 2001. The team all had flashy new suits, the art was crisp and fresh and the story was just a little more juiced up with its action and dialogue. It was a change Marvel had intended to kick off the new Millennium and it was successful over its 3-4 year run. Claremont has not missed a beat as he picks this series back up where he left off and it feels almost like it never ended with the exception of a brand new storyline. I really enjoyed the issue. The art, the sense of urgency and the way the characters interacted with each other. It was a nice change-up from the more serious and deep tone of what Hickman has been doing in recent memory with House of X, etc. A welcomed return indeed and if you were a fan of the original series you won’t be disappointed getting acquainted with this series all over again! Pick up a copy in POP ROC today or ask about adding it to a pull list!
Movie Recommendation of the Week!
Image Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/dpw6wDVJ6hqeMaFk7
Avatar: The way of water
Distributed by 20th Century Studios
Directed by James Cameron
Releasing on Dec 16th
Rated PG-13
I don’t know if there is a person on the planet that doesn’t know about this sequel. The hype for this film has been off the charts leading up to its release. The first one is still the highest grossing film worldwide of all time sitting around $2.9 Billion. James Cameron is back at it again, 13 years after the original ground breaking and visionary film was released in 2009. It is rumored that the film will have to earn at least 2 billion dollars worldwide to break even. That’s a tall order but it’s hard to bet against Cameron and his track record. Still though, with 4 or 5 more sequels in pre-production there is a lot banking on this movie! Will you see it? Did you like the first one? Was anyone still begging for an Avatar sequel almost 10 years later? I guess we will find out this coming weekend!
That’s it for this week folks! Be sure to stop in POP ROC for a little shopping, some great conversation and some food ASAP! We’re less than two weeks from Christmas and you won’t find a more creative or unique gift anywhere else! Also, if there is anything you would like to see me review let me know! I’m always down for checking out new comics, books, movies, podcasts, etc. I’d love to hear from you. Until next time……
Corey Newell
“Just a guy who loves comics”
⁃ Independent blogger, dad, dork, comic nerd and pop culture lover hailing from Spencerport, NY