Julz`s Doctor Who "Time of the Doctor" Review

Emergency! Emergency! The Doctor is regenerating! The Doctor is regenerating !

Julz`s New Comics Day 12/21/13 Review

Green Lantern New Guardians Issue 26, Wonder Woman Issue 26, Superboy Issue 26 and Young Avengers Issue 14 reviews. Decided to meld them together. Sadly one of them was not as fulfilling as I had hoped.

Julz`s Young Avengers (2013) Issue #13 Review

By Julius Cantara aka Julzchan

This Months issue of Young avengers has the power to make fans happy but at the same time disappointed with the story.

The overall resolution isn`t bad far from it. The story does wrap things up with Mother and shines with the power of love. However in terms of pacing and the art it is where the disappointing parts come in.

 In 4 pages the conflict between the Young Avengers and their counterparts are all handled in just 4 pages. The conflict with Marvel Boy and Obliette, Miss America and Nullifier, Loki and Leah was handled so fast. The comic shifted from one conflict to the next barely adding in depth to the drama, hardly anything engaging, or anything that could get readers invested into their individual conflicts. For people who have read about these characters in other books it might make sense however for those only reading from Young Avengers this comes off as pointless or rather confusing.

Loki does get a chance to redeem himself and finally come off as a decent human being for once.

The great positive to this book however is the moment that shines through and is the high point is the resolution to the Mother arch. The hearts of all Young Avengers fans can now rest and know that their hopes and prayers had been answered. Proving once again, true love conquers all in Young Avengers and shines throughout all reality.

The art work does well during the climax, however that is the only time the art excels and tries to become visually interesting. The rest of the time the art isn`t really that good. There are not backgrounds and thus making it look bland. The fights scenes aren`t that impressive or even dynamic, even with all the hitting or laser blasting. The art sometimes comes off as a bit confusing since Mckevel makes Alex and Hulkling look the same.

This story wasen`t terrible but it is a very big stretch to call it good. Even with the heartwarming climax and Mother over and done with it dosen`t make up for the rushed pacing and the art work. There are 2 issues left of Young Avengers however this book didn`t really come off as engaging enough to keep readers on despite being the resolution to the first arch.

Julz`s Doctor Who 50th Anniversary: The Day of the Doctor Review

Here`s to 50 more years! Allonz-y !

Julz`s Superboy (The New 52) Issue 25 Review

By Julius Cantara aka Julzchan

This month`s issue of Superboy comes off a very disjointed and cluttered while it takes part in the “Krypton returns” arch.

Despite Justin Jordan`s adequate writing, it is not enough to counter balance the cluttered writing of Scott Lobdell. While having all three kryptonians, the disappointing thing is that they don`t interact. And considering how the previous superboy issues have been able to fit in an adequate side story for Connor whenever something was happening with Superman or the Teen Titans, it makes this issue all the more disappointing.

The issue is cut into threes, isn`t exactly cohesive, not even moving the plot that far. So rather than give an interesting Superboy side story, this issue tries to shove in three that aren`t that interesting and don`t give fans that much to hang onto or engaged. Making this issue nothing beyond just a bunch of fight scenes. 

And while Lobdell can keep the story on target, somewhat, however dosen`t really explain as to what is going on in this issue and comes off as incomprehensible at this point.

And while this book provides referral text boxes to events happening in the other super-books, it dosen`t really provide an issue sourcing as to how Superboy regained his powers after the events with Physico Pirate. So those only reading form Superboy are going to be very confused.

However despite the flaws there were a few things positive in all this, however very few. One of them being, no huge amounts of displaced, cluttered, or unnecessary text boxes. For those following the Teen Titans books or the earlier Superboy books that was Scott Lobdell`s constant tendency. Where he would put great deals of text boxes even if narration wasen`t needed and even if it came off a distracting. And it is always good to see Justin Jordan continue to write Superboy himself as a clever young hero able to think on his feet.

The artist Ed Benes is a good a consistent it is almost enough to take our mind off of this chopped up mess. However while the art is pleasing, the use of splash pages is a bad choice in terms of sequential storytelling, trying to glorify the fight scenes, and an making the comic shorter than usual.

They alone cannot excuse the fact that this issue really forces an appearance of three kryptonians and could even make it interesting and making it look a tad contrived. 

Julz`s Green Lantern the New Guardians Issue 25 Review

By Julius Cantara aka JulzChan

As if outing an end to Relic wasen`t bad enough, with one threat down a new Challenge emerges with Kyle Rayner.

Following the universe threatening battle with Relic, we return with everyone`s favorite White Lantern Kyle Rayner. This new story isn`t as post apocalyptic as the one with Relic or with the First Lantern, however writer Justin Jordan still knows how to open up an interesting new chapter.

Kyle pondering the events of Relic and the entities is done very well and simple. With Kyle trying to contemplate his place in the universe, but still manages to maintain that refreshing cool and collectedness. And without it having to be the entire center of the issue`s story.

However this series ever since its inclusion of Carol Ferris in the Rise of the Third Army arch is beginning to hint more and more, little by little as to the nature of Carol and Kyle may be. Especially due to a line from the guardians in issue 22. Quite possibly bringing big controversy in the future among fans of Carol and Hal. 

While it may not have been the most exciting issue ever, it is a decent follow up for events with Relic and is a breather form ancient, comic being trying to take over or remake our universe. And is still a refreshing start to a new chapter.

Julz`s Young Avengers (2013) Issue 12 Review

By Julius Cantara aka Julzchan

Young Avengers has now reached the first half of its climatic last stand against Mother, however writing scores well but the art not so much.

To be fair the writing is not terrible, the dialogue does sound funny with all the rich teenage geek humor that you can ask for. Best for readers to keep an eye out for these because sometimes they can be clever even. And given the sight of the preview pages the fight has yet to get interesting with some help from our good friends from Avengers Academy. And given Loki`s situation things are get really dramatic as his dirty little secret may be revealed.

 Now while Mother is a very threatening villain, she has indeed over stayed her welcome and hopefully the writer Keiron Gillen can put an end to this.

But the real problem being is the art. While the art is enjoyable and can go to a certain length to impress or shock, but this is not the case. How it is impressive how our Young Avengers each battle their personal foes in their attempt to save Hulkling, however a final fight like this needs to be visually dynamic or a visual spectacle. However no amount of jagged, overly dramatic lightning bolts can help given the lack of detailed backgrounds. It really looks too simple and makes it very disappointing to see a final stand with such lack of necessary energy.

Although on a funny note, the cover is strikingly similar to DC`s Titans issue #1 ? 

Now despite all the hardship Kieron Gillen has put the Wiccan/Hulkling fans through but in the letters to the editor page he does state, “All we can do is have hope.”

Overall there is a lot to like but there is equally enough to disappoint with the art.

And hopefully the Young Avengers can put an end to Mother`s plan, if Loki isn`t toasted first with what is to come.