Comic Books/Graphic Novels – Primary Ignition

A Shazam! #4 Micro-Review – Lightning and Exposition

Posted on 10/20/202110/20/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Shazam #4
AUTHOR: Tim Sheridan
ARTISTS: Clayton Henry, Marcelo Maiolo (Colorist), Rob Leigh (Letterer).
RELEASED: October 19, 2021

Considering this is a finale, there’s an awful lot of talking and exposition up front. But that can be forgiven if you plan on sticking around for what this mini is setting up over in Teen Titans Academy. On its own, however, these four issues only stand up so-so.

Clayton Henry’s work is consistently a joy. He’s got what I consider to be an animated and cartoony style. But at the same time, he knows his way around an imposing monster. He’s a tremendous fit for superhero comics in general.

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A Superman: Son of Kal-El #4 Micro-Review – Bringin’ Down the House

Posted on 10/19/202110/20/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Superman: Son of Kal-El #4
AUTHOR: Tom Taylor
ARTISTS: Danielle Di Nicuolo, Gabe Eltaeb & Hi-Fi (Colorists), Dave Sharpe (Letterer). Cover by John Timms.
RELEASED: October 19, 2021

Heard any interesting news lately?

The news about Jon Kent being bisexual shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone who read the previous three issues. It was obvious something was going on with Jon and Jay Nakamura.

I was happy to see a couple of characters from Tom Taylor’s Suicide Squad run pop up in this issue. I figured it was inevitable that they’d show up in a future Taylor project.

As we can see by the cover, the Kent household gets blown up here. I wonder how many times they’ve pulled that stunt. Feels like a lot.

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Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Micro-Reviews

A Human Remains #1 Micro-Review – Nothing More Than Feelings

Posted on 10/14/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Human Remains #1
AUTHORS: Peter Milligan
ARTISTS: Sally Cantirino, Dearbhla Kelly (Colorist), Andworld Design (Letters)
RELEASED: October 13, 2021

In terms of premise, Human Remains is basically A Quiet Place, but with feelings instead of sounds. Given how stirred up and divided the world is right now (Or is it always that way?), it’s particularly apropos.

The book does a good job of showing us the wide scope of those effected by the monsters. Naturally, that’s necessary this early on when you’re still establishing who and what they are.

Sally Cantrino’s art isn’t the most sophisticated you’ll ever see. But it works here. Particularly when it comes to the monsters. Human Remains is definitely worth a look.

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Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Micro-Reviews

A Batman: The Imposter #1 Micro-Review – Starring…the Ratcatcher?

Posted on 10/13/202110/13/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Batman: The Imposter #1
AUTHORS: Mattson Tomlin
ARTISTS: Andrea Sorrentino, Jordie Bellaire (Colorist)
RELEASED: October 12, 2021

The two big selling points for Imposter are that it’s written by The Batman writer/director Mattson Tomlin, and has a realistic gritty texture provided by Andrea Sorrentino. Both deliver on what’s meant to be a hyper-realistic take on Batman.

This issue also has one of the best, if not the best take on the Ratcatcher I’ve ever seen. Certainly not something I expected to find here.

Like The Batman, this story has a horror vibe going for it. It works great here. I’m just wondering what kind of mainstream Batman movie it will make for…

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Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Micro-Reviews

A Batman ’89 #3 Micro-Review – What Might Have Been

Posted on 10/13/202110/13/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Batman ’89 #3
AUTHORS: Sam Hamm
ARTISTS: Joe Quinones, Leonardo Ito (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer)
RELEASED: October 12, 2021

This issue starts out with a cool “What if?” scenario that looks at Harvey Dent not becoming Two-Face. We don’t necessarily see that kind of thing often. So that’s cool.

It still baffles me that they changed the Catwoman costume. I just don’t get it. I mean…why?

Apparently the Batman ’89 universe’s Robin isn’t Dick Grayson or Tim Drake, but a mechanic named Drake Winston. But he’s actually pretty likable. He’s got a good look, too. So no complaints here.

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Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Micro-Reviews

A Justice League Infinity #4 Micro-Review – Diana and Darkseid…Shipped!

Posted on 10/05/202110/06/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Justice League Infinity #4
AUTHORS: J.M. DeMatteis, James Tucker
ARTISTS: Ethen Beavers, Nick Filardi (Colorist), DC Hopkins (Letterer). Cover by Tucker.
RELEASED: October 5, 2021

Now we’re talking. Great cover. And a great premise with great execution, as Wonder Woman and Darkseid are “shipped,” as the kids would say. The result is epic, and actually somewhat moving. This is the best Infinity issue yet.

I think there’s a Hal Jordan cameo in this issue. Unless it’s supposed to be Kyle Rayner…

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Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Micro-Reviews

A Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Two #5 Micro-Review – A Gray and Blue Flashback

Posted on 10/05/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Two #5
AUTHORS: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini
ARTISTS: Rick Burchett, Monica Kubina (Colorist), Josh Reed (Letterer). Cover by Jamal Campbell.
RELEASED: October 5, 2021

This one’s got some meat to it, telling a story of how a young Batman took down Gotham’s corrupt mayor. And because this book is awesome, he’s wearing his gray and blue Batman: The Animated Series costume in the flashbacks.

I’m noticing Rick Burchett’s art isn’t necessarily as crisp and clean as Ty Templeton’s. At least not on this issue. The end product is still of high quality. It’s just a difference.

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Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Micro-Reviews

A Deathstroke Inc. #1 Micro-Review – Simple and Easy

Posted on 09/29/202110/05/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Deathstroke Inc. #1
AUTHOR: Joshua Williamson
ARTISTS: Howard Porter, Hi-Fi (Colors), Steve Wands (Letterer)
RELEASED: September 28, 2021

I like this Deathstroke/Black Canary combination. The book’s premise is fairly simple, in a villain-who-wants-to-do-good sort of way. So Deathstroke Inc. is easy to dive into, which is always a plus.

Joshua Williamson has turned in some of the more compelling stuff DC has come out with over the last several years. So I’m inclined to stick with this one on good faith alone. Having the great Howard Porter attached certainly doesn’t hurt either.

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Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Micro-Reviews

A Superman: Son of Kal-El #3 Micro-Review – From Out of the Shadows

Posted on 09/29/202110/05/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Superman: Son of Kal-El #2
AUTHOR: Tom Taylor
ARTISTS: John Timms, Gabe Eltaeb (Colorist), Dave Sharpe (Letterer)
RELEASED: September 28, 2021

I can see more conservative readers turning away from Superman: Son of Kal-El, for obvious reasons. The book is unabashedly liberal. But it is nice to see Superman tackling the issues. As he should, quite frankly.

It’s also nice to see the book is about to address the issue of Jon being in his father’s shadow. The classic Superman is going away, at least for awhile. As that’s the case, I’m happy he’s had a presence in this series early on. It gives us a nice sense of where Jon’s values come from…as if it wasn’t obvious already.

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Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Micro-Reviews

A Superman ’78 #2 Micro-Review – The Joy of Lex

Posted on 09/29/202109/29/2021 by Rob Siebert

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Superman ’78 #2
AUTHOR: Robert Venditti
ARTISTS: Wilfredo Torres, Jordie Bellaire (Colorist), Dave Lanphear (Letterer). Cover by Ben Oliver.
RELEASED: September 28, 2021

This issue captures the comedic side of the first two Superman movies very well, especially with its use of Lex Luthor. Venditti, and Torres really nail Lex’s introduction.

Remember Batman ’66: The Lost Episode? When DC adapted that unused Batman TV script featuring Two-Face, and used William Shatner’s likeness for the character? I’m finding myself wishing they’d tell us what ’80s era actor is playing Brainiac in this story. That’s what fan casting is for, I suppose.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.