tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60506023863425851312008-06-09T09:41:47.171-07:00Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-29372931158169642692008-06-02T13:38:00.000-07:002008-06-03T01:27:39.691-07:00

Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1 Marvel Writing: Joss Whedon Pencils, Inks, Cover: John Cassaday Colors: Laura Martin Editing: Will Panzo, Nick Lowe, Axel Alonso 5/5 It's impossible to discuss this finale without thinking about the series that it's concluding. Whedon and Cassaday's Astonishing X-Men has given us so many things. It introduced Logan's camaraderie with Armor in a charming and

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-26327596275513898072008-05-22T11:27:00.000-07:002008-05-23T13:19:59.128-07:00

. Captain America #38 Marvel Writing: Ed Brubaker Pencils: Steve Epting Inks: Mike Perkins, Steve Epting Colors: Frank D'Armata Editing: Molly Lazer, Tom Brevoort 4/5 When all is said and done and this wonderfully long and exquisitely paced story finds itself in a big heavy hardcover collection it will go down as one of the most enjoyable runs on a mainstream superhero comic ever. It's given

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-14413022294217732622008-05-14T19:17:00.000-07:002008-05-23T00:54:34.489-07:00

The Walking Dead #49 Image Writing: Robert Kirkman Pencils, Inks, Cover: Charlie Adlard Ink Tones: Cliff Rathburn 4.5/5 It’s ridiculous that this series hasn’t been getting more attention the last few months. Very rarely has the phrase ‘things will never be the same’ been even as close to as true as it’s been here. Very rarely has there been a title that can achieve the emotionally

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-83404111267144612392008-05-08T11:42:00.000-07:002008-05-14T18:41:55.627-07:00

The Boys #18 Dynamite Writing: Garth Ennis Pencils, Inks: Darick Robertson Colors: Tony Avina Cover: Robertson, Avina 3.5/5 You may have heard around the way that Garth Ennis’ irreverant foray into the seedy underbelly of a world filled with superpowered humans is hilarious. You have heard correctly. The Boys’ doesn’t owe any of its humor to creative punchlines or the like, but is full of

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-75249306958376443032008-05-03T14:49:00.000-07:002008-05-04T14:46:43.865-07:00

Thor: Ages of Thunder Marvel Writing: Matt Fraction Pencils: Patrick Zircher, Khari Evans Inks: Patrick Zircher, Jelana Kevic Djurdjevic Cover: Marko Djurdjevic Editor: Warren Simons, Alejandro Arbona 5/5When Matt Fraction first came to Marvel and they asked which properties he was interested in working on he responded, “Anything but Thor.” He’s said in interviews that he didn’t like, know much

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-42344048401824788142008-05-02T11:42:00.000-07:002008-05-03T20:26:30.844-07:00

Ex Machina #36 Wildstorm Writing: Brian K. Vaughan Pencils: Tony Harris Inks: Jim Clark Colors: JD Mettler Cover: Tony Harris, JD Mettler Editor: Ben Abernathy, Kristy Quinn 4.5/5 A wonderful return to form for a title that should get ten times the acclaim, attention and sales numbers as it does. Long operating in the shadow of the monumentally popular Y: The Last Man, the spectacle of

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-28804984219962575102008-04-10T21:53:00.000-07:002008-04-14T15:25:08.318-07:00

Amazing Spider-Man #556 Marvel Writing: Zeb Wells Pencils, Cover: Chris Bachalo Inks: Tim Townsend Colors: Chris Bachalo, Antonio Fabela 4.5/5 Of the four new creative duos we've seen thus far on the weekly Amazing this has been my favorite. Such sentiments may be slightly amplified coming on the heels of Bob Gale's slight misfire, but there's no doubt Wells writes Spidey with a seemingly

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-20003162754681659312008-04-03T20:55:00.000-07:002008-04-08T17:41:47.252-07:00

Archaia Studios Press Writing: Nick Tapalansky Art: Alex Eckman-Lawn 5/5 There inevitably comes a time for most critics when they look back upon something they’ve written and can’t help but feel they may have overstepped their bounds. That perhaps they jumped the gun or stated things a little too emphatically. For myself – Awakening presents just such a case. (As does using the word 'critic.')

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-20435716146447975872008-03-14T21:45:00.000-07:002008-06-02T15:52:32.251-07:00

Of the come-from-nowhere surprise successes of the last six months, Atomic Robo may be our favorite. Its accessibility, humor and charm make the book enjoyable for a very wide breadth of readers. Robo is sci-fi enough for the geeky types, historically conscious enough to intrigue the intellectual crowd, funny enough to tickle the average joe, and cute enough to be suitable for kids. This type

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-50518666611417933632008-02-19T19:40:00.000-08:002008-06-02T15:52:10.371-07:00

Proof has been one of our favorite new series since it first launched a couple of months back. Chronicling Big Foot's tenure as an agent of the F.B.I., it delights with its quirky knowledge and compelling cast of characters, and its stellar production puts it in league with some of the best. What once started as the topic of unassuming party conversation has since evolved into a meticulously

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-46833949066670245602008-02-15T08:51:00.000-08:002008-03-21T20:27:23.437-07:00

DMZ #28 Vertigo Writing, Cover: Brian Wood Pencils, Inks: Riccardo Burchielli Colors: Jeremy Cox 3/5 This issue isn't quite sure what it wants to do. Part of it feels like illustrating that two paths is not an acceptable range of options. There has to be something else. The third, undiscovered option. Yet it's also interested in exploring the parallels in detachment between war and a deer hunt.

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-16907781356460383862008-02-11T10:26:00.000-08:002008-02-12T00:46:42.770-08:00

While we usually let more 'news'-oriented sites handle this type of thing, we can't help but be excited to hear word of Matt Fraction's new assignment once The Order concludes with its tenth issue. Marvel has announced this morning that The Invincible Iron Man will debut in May with Fraction writing and Salvador Larroca handling pencil duties. It will be the second current on-going to follow the

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-82697953581851537782008-02-07T09:07:00.000-08:002008-02-07T18:23:54.579-08:00

. Scalped #14 Vertigo Writing: Jason Aaron Pencils, Inks: R.M. Guera Colors: Giulia Brusco Cover: Jock 5/5 What a great series. Despite it's vulgarity and violence it's easily one of the most emotionally gripping reads out there. Aaron has packed so many layers of history, sentiment, and passion into every issue of this book that at this stage even the simplest scenes can be erupting with

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-47189045461932321082008-01-24T20:42:00.001-08:002008-01-27T18:47:25.417-08:00

. Mice Templar #3 Image Writing: Bryan Glass Pencils, Ink, Cover: Michael Avon Oeming Colors: Wil Quintana 4/5 Though not quite as rich as the issues preceding it, the third installment of Mice Templar is still a well executed step forward for this fantasy tale. The legend the story is built around is still being fleshed out, as are the characters and their relationships, but already Glass and

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-31976317555202727112008-01-20T06:18:00.000-08:002008-06-02T15:51:47.506-07:00

Click the images in this article to expand them for viewing Presentation and design are aspects of comic production that receive far too little attention and scrutiny. Cover art, logos, trade dressings, inside/back covers, bonus material and even title pages are all crucial factors in the whole comic package. Yet despite this only a small number of publishers and/or titles are showing these

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-51167326370996964552008-01-17T21:33:00.000-08:002008-01-21T03:28:11.715-08:00

. Umbrella Academy #5 Dark Horse Writing: Gerard Way Art: Gabriel Ba Colors: Dave Stewart Cover: James Jean 4.5/5 Initially this issue seems underwhelming because of its change in tone. It makes no effort to be hilarious. There's no zany action. Most the pages are a bunch of standing around talking, and when the action does come it's obtrusively violent and dark and sucks most the joy right out

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-56484925157070335852008-01-11T20:44:00.000-08:002008-02-19T19:53:31.933-08:00

The comic press can't deny Awakening: the dark thriller from Archaia Studios that's been making quite a name for itself the last few months. The book doesn't have to do much to stand out as its distinctive art style more than puts it in its own arena. Readers are excited to be getting something fresh and innovative, and publishers are hopefully taking cues on the quality of production we want and

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-53702239146104093272008-01-11T09:04:00.001-08:002008-01-18T12:18:18.499-08:00

Scalped #13 Vertigo Writing: Jason Aaron Pencils & Ink: R.M. Guera Colors: Giulia Brusco Cover: Jock 5/5 There was a time when Scalped seemed the underdog against a comic world unwilling to give it a chance. Slowly more people have noticed, many aggressively, and love-plugging Scalped is a 'hey brou, I'm down' label of now. If you're coming you've hopefully hopped aboard, because it looks like

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-53788815879572774542008-01-10T01:14:00.001-08:002008-01-10T16:36:28.843-08:00

. Comics are coming a day late this week because of a 'chase' incident (?) involving the order's truck. So we're hung out to dry. Unexpectedly delayed Wednesday shipments can cause a lot of confusion and anxiety. You feel something's missing, and that maybe you need some perspective. Shāpies is good for at least that second part. Use the navigation to your right to check out our newest strip!

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-24085486497715223212008-01-06T21:52:00.000-08:002008-02-11T12:31:29.110-08:00

We're a little bit behind the times so we didn't make this as comprehensive a feature as we may have otherwise, but we did want to share our most basic proclamations about last year's releases. The comic landscape has been steadily improving, this year being one of the best in a while and next year threatening to be even better. Hail the situation! Hail comics! Hail 2007. Best All-Around Title

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-29758563445509508912008-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:002008-01-08T21:10:03.399-08:00

We're back! The holidays were fun and eventful, hope yours were as well. It's been too long away, however, and we've got a lot to get into in this new year so lets go straight to it. We've prepared some quick reactions to a few titles we missed over the holiday season. It's good to be back. DMZ #26 Vertigo 3.5/5 Like the rest of the one-shot arc this accomplishes some really good things the

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-55669202268715262112007-12-09T13:49:00.001-08:002007-12-09T13:51:14.951-08:00

As you may have noticed we have been, and will continue, taking a break during the winter holidays to spend time with family, loved ones, the couch and some good books. We hope you get ample opportunities to do the same, and we'll see you in the start of the New Year.

Grady J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12595918104595098133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-74132184674533802452007-11-29T22:13:00.000-08:002008-01-06T15:21:10.857-08:00

. Sensational Spider-Man #41 Marvel Writing: Straczynski Pencils: Joe Quesada Inks: Danny Miki Colors: Richard Isanove 2/5 On the horizon Spider-Man has a potential oasis in Brand New Day. Its chances of bringing relief may end up a mirage but pray not, because if so – Spidey’s hope is lost. Then again, let’s not get too worked up about hope or relief just yet because before any of that gets

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-44988999312652640552007-11-28T11:24:00.000-08:002007-11-29T19:43:01.755-08:00

With Thanksgiving impacting shipping and comics coming a day late this week, Wednesday has arrived with a noticeably empty feeling. In an effort to fill the void we've whipped up some quick thoughts on a few of the titles we missed last week while enjoying the holidays. Check back tomorrow for a full line-up of reactions to this week's titles. Ex Machina #32 Wildstorm Writing: Brian K. Vaughan

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050602386342585131.post-6949915593933222202007-11-27T14:18:00.001-08:002007-11-28T23:16:19.177-08:00

. Awakening #3 Archaia Studios Press Written by: Nick Tapalansky Art by: Alex Eckman-Lawn 4.5/5 This morning I was pissed off at comics. I wasn't in a particularly patient mood and frustration got the best of me. I’m sick of comic readers on the Internet forums as almost all their opinions seem to suggest they invite more of the things I loathe. I’m sick of semi-promising indie titles delivering

Big Tom Casualhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13686633478825793429noreply@blogger.com