Comic Book Review: Toy Story [Free Comic Book Day]

Free Comic Book Day Review!

Book Information

Written by Jesse Blaze Snider

Art by Nathan Watson

My All-Inspiring Opinion

As a way of preparing Toy Story fans for the June 18 release of film number three, Disney has taken advantage of Free Comic Book Day’s fan luring opportunities by releasing a free comic book for the kiddies.  As far as free comics from Free Comic Book Day go, Toy Story certainly entertains and delights. 

The story is very much reminiscent of the first film.  Andy has received a new, unknown toy from his absent minded grandmother who didn’t realize his birthday had long since past.  Not only does she not know his actual birthday, she also has no knowledge of his current inventory list of toys, getting him a second Buzz Lightyear.  Now Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang must help to keep the two Lightyears separated so Andy doesn’t return the wrong Buzz to the store.  But this could be a more difficult task than you would think as the newer, shiner Buzz wants to stay with Andy.

One can tell Disney did not put a lot of thought and effort into making and original story for this latest Toy Story comic.  The new toy comes in, a conflict arises between Woody and Buzz, and now a toy’s life is threatened as it’s on the verge of being returned to the very place no toy wants to be.  Nothing too thought provoking or innovative, but this is, of course, a kid’s comic.

The art is surprisingly well done; Nathan Watson paid close attention to the characters look from the first and second film.  I appreciated how Disney decided to differentiate between the new and old Buzz, making one look much more faded and defective in comparison to the newer intruder.  Andy is a spot on match and Woody resembles his movie doppelganger almost perfectly.  Apart from the books purposefully campy and cartooney look, this comic’s visual appeal is very nice and pleasant, befitting of a kid’s comic on Free Comic Book Day.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion

This book will definitely appeal to the younger crowd while might only come off as cute and silly for the adults.  Are you ready for Toy Story 3?  I know I am. 

Ratings

Writing: 7

Themes: 8

Art: 7

Overall Rating: 7.33 out of 10

Comic Book Review: War of the Superman #0 [Free Comic Book Day]

Free Comic Book Day Review!

Book Information

Written by James Robinson, Sterling Gates

Art by Eddy Barrows, Aaron Lopresti, Gary Frank

My Thoughts

Free Comic Book Day is typically a time where comic book companies try to lure in new readers and long forgotten fans.  These FCBD comics are not always the most entertaining or well written.  Last year, however, DC broke the mold with the outstanding hit single, “Blackest Night #0.”  This started a new trend within FCBD, bringing more quality books to the comic book stores.  Now as War of the Supermen #0 is not the outstanding work that Blackest Night #0 was, it still maintained the quality that DC has brought to comic book stores everywhere.

While James Robinson scares the hell out of me, his team-up with Sterling gates seems to be paying off.  One thing Robinson established early in the WONK series was that Zod had ulterior motives; it was unclear if he did actually reform or was playing the entire city.  Robinson is, and always will be an “action” story kind of writer and this issue shows off Robinson’s style in full form.

The first half of the book isn’t that deep as it focuses mainly on Superman and Zod sizing each other up and going at it tooth and nail.  The mystery revolving around Zod’s motives was pleasantly revealed here, showing that Zod will never be anything more than an evil man.  My only complaint about this issue was the condensed storyline as ten pages into it, and after the mind bogglingly amazing two page spread of Kryptonians flying towards Earth, we move into the editorial piece where Lois Lane attempts to reveal her father’s evil and prejudice nature to the world.

Nothing new is revealed, which isn’t the purpose of the book.  Every page is a recapping of what has already transpired in hopes new reader’s will see the big blue “S” and pick this issue up.  But this isn’t unnecessary script writing as it all leads to the coming events in the Superman mythos.  This issue also leaves a lot of question running around in my brain.  What will happen between Earth and New Krypton?  Despite who wins the upcoming war, a decision must be made as to how the two worlds will interact in the future.  Will General Lane die before this series’ end or will he become a new arch enemy for Superman? 

Eddy Barrows delivers some fantastic artwork in the first half of the issue, giving off that same eerie feel he brought in the Blackest night tie-ins.  Superman bursting through the wall of Zod's domicile was breath taking and shocking!  The second half of the book, while still portraying some great art, was too distracting for me as I hate having to toggle between different art styles in the same book.

Overall

A lot of fun.  If anything were to get me excited about War of the Superman, this issue certainly did the trick.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

It'[s Free Comic Book Day!

It's Free Comic Book Day today and I'll be immersing myself into the FCBD experience at Denver, Colorado's "I Want More Comics" comic book shop.  I do have chorus rehearsal from 11 - 1 today, but immediately following I'll jump right over to the extra geeky side of my life.


I will post later today about my experience and give you the low down!

Free Comic Book Day Is Approaching

Yes, Saturday, May 1st marks the most historic day known as Free Comic Book Day!  This is the day where participating comic book stores set up there shop to give away FREE COMICS!  Go to your local comic book shop to find out if your store will be participating.

Typically all comic book stores participate, but there is the slight chance that your local shop will be lame enough to not get in on this major event.  It's a great opportunity to get your kids reading, and a fantastic opportunity for geeks like me to have an excuse to buy more comics!  WOO HOO!!  There are various types of comics which range to comics for kids and adult oriented comics.

As excited as I am about this day, I didn't see a lot of comics that sparked my interest on the Free Comic Book Day website.  A lot of the comics being published for FCBD are from Marvel, IDW Publishing, and a few other independent comic companies.  However, I will be taking advantage of this day since a lot of stores have great deals in their back issue sections.  But also, there are a few very interesting looking books that I will be trying to get my hands on before anyone else does.

Last year's FCBD was pretty epic.  As a way of preparing fans for the Blackest Night event, issue #0 was published.  I do believe that issue was the first one to be grabbed off the table at Mayhem Comics back in Des Moines, Iowa.   I'm very happy to see DC is taking advantage of this day yet again with another upcoming series that has DC and Superman fans talking.

War of the Supermen brings to us the aftermath of the events from "World of New Krypton," as Superman leads a war against General Zod and his dictatorial band of agents.  I will be picking this up despite the fact that James Robinson is at the writing helm.  It's free though, can't complain.  It will give me the opportunity to see if the series will be worth paying $3 an issue for.  Robinson has done some really great stuff, but has had an equal amount of flops that doesn't give me a lot of hope that this series will be worth it.  The premise sounds good, but will Robinson deliver?

But out of everything available, I'm most excited about the comedic title Love and Capes #13.  I picked up #11 last year (apparently this book is only published twice a year?) and I laughed my head off!  It was one of the more enjoyable comics I had read that year.  #13 is definitely on my hit list before anything else.

The story is basically what you'd expect, A world wide catastrophe along with people dying, and all our hero can do is sit back because his marriage is on the line!  I love that I can pick up a FCBD comic and not worry about back story!  It's just very nice to pick a comic up, read it and not be left wanting due to the cliffhanger ending.

Also, as I'm sure Marvel is gearing up for it's May 7th release of Iron Man 2, (yuck) Marvel is presenting a two free comics; One which features Iron Man and Thor, and the other where Iron Man is teamed up with Supernova.

I probably wont pick these two comics up seeing as how I hate Marvel, but I may pick one up and glance at it to see if there's anything important I may need to know since I'll most likely end up seeing the movie.  (Damn me!)  But I don't have much to complain about seeing as how the comics are all free.  Maybe I'll get lucky enough that at least one of the comic book shops in my town will be awesome enough to allow everyone to have one of each comic available in the free category.

But the biggest news I've seen so far isn't any of the comics that are available, but the FREE Iron Man statue that is being offered.  The following was stated about the statuette on the FCBD website...

When Iron Man needs backup, he calls upon War Machine! War Machine is slated to be a major part of the May 2010 Iron Man 2 movie, and to capitalize on this, WizKids will be modifying the popular War Machine sculpt from the Marvel HeroClix: Armor Wars series as 2010's Free Comic Book Day figure. This exclusive figure comes with an all-new dial and character card.


I wont get the figurine, but I must say this is a gold mind for any and all Marvel/Iron Man fans.  Nothing was said about the quantity that each participating store will be receiving so I can't help anyone out there.  But if this is something you'd like to have, start getting your camping gear ready and prepare to sleep outside the doors of your local comic book shop the night before May 1st, who knows how fast they might go.

Otherwise, there is a list found at the FCBD website where you can find what's being published and what the storylines are.  Don't mis this incredible chance to geek out on your favorite comics!

Free Comic Book Day reviews

So I throughly enjoyed most of the comics I got on the most popular holiday for any comic book geek. I picked up one of each comic that was available and took them home and read every single one. I particularly enjoy reading the reprint of Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles, brought back alot of memories for me.

Now of course the most anticipated comic was Blackest Night #0. With everything happening with all the different lantern corps, and Geoff Johns building up Blackest Night ever so well, I would say that Blackest night #0 is one of the most anticipated and most wanted free comics on free comic book day to ever come around. And it does not disapoint. It's a great and epic comic giving readers an amazing seguay into the Blackest Night series.

However, as much as I enjoyed Black Night #0, it wasn't my favorite read. Our of all the super hero comics, there was only one that made me smile through all of its art based literature,(thanks Nick!) And that would be issue number 10 of Love and Capes. now its not a title I'll pick up regularly, but it was a nice change of pace from what I typically read. It was funny, not neccesarily laugh out loud funny, but it made me smile and laugh on the inside. As far as typical comics go, it's actually longer with alot of dialog...and I loved that! I wish more of my comics I read regularly would be longer like love and capes was. i give Love and capes #10 a solid 5 stars!

Of course, there were other great fun reads like the Transformer/G.I. Joe comic, which was done in preparation for the Transformers and G.I. Joe films coming this summer. And Top Cow Comics is really doing well with story development and inovative material.

This years free comic book day was a complete success in my humble opinion. Last years free comic book day was somewhat of a let down. I have no complaints about this year.