Comic Book Journal

Astonishing X-Men #29 by Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi is a prime example of why the Marvel-style of production is simple, and creates great books. Using this approach the artwork is beautiful and lead the entire story from cutscene through the very end, with a fantastic hook. The plots are seamless and the artwork is dazzling, which creates a cinematic effect. Go Marvel! While I’d rather see less gloom and doom the plots are intriguing and as a reader, I couldn’t wait to see Forge faired after all this time at the end of the issue. On a scale of one to ten, I’d give this book a solid eight of ten. Warren Ellis makes good castles even if they are in someone else’s sandbox, though I prefer his work on the Authority. Bianchi’s artwork is so dazzling and realistic it’s hard to believe it can be completed on a normal monthly schedule. I’m looking foward to more stand alone issues like this and less House of M three hundred issue crossover arcs. For more reviews see http://www.comicbookjournal.net/category/reviews/

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Apaptation #2 from IDW press by Simon Furman and Jon Davis-Hunt is a typical adaptation o any blockbuster, short, action-packed, yet not heavy on plot, nor sense. The artwork fell flat, and as far as characters from the movie originally went, they are pretty unrecognizable. I couldn’t tell the difference in nearly any panel in Sam from his friend. The transformers are loosely rendered, and as far as their shape shifting action goes–I can’t say its anything impressive on page. Maybe the bots are destined for big screen magic only as the adaptation falls far short of any prestigous mark. Overall I’d give this book a four out of ten. It’s a weak movie marketing tie-in at best and would not serve to replicate seeing the film in person. I’d say wait for the dvd rental and watch the bonus features instead of seeing the film in theatres, then buying the adaptation. I’ve seen far better come from IDW, hopefully this is the not the sign of things to come from the new house of ideas. For more new reviews see http://www.comicbookjournal.net/category/reviews/