Superman: The Men of Tomorrow Graphic Novel Review.

The Men of Tomorrow is the sixth volume in the New 52 Superman series. The story arc marks the beginning of a new era for the Man of Steel with one of DC Comics greatest writers Geoff Johns and Marvel’s legendary artist John Romita Jr, joining DC Comics for the first time and drawing Superman. A planet with no future, two brilliant scientists rocket their young child away to a better world where he will grow strong and survive the fate of this planet. But, this is earth and the disaster is adverted. Ulysses of the Great World, a hero with incredible powers returns to find the destruction his parents feared has been avoided. With Superman, this new hero Ulysses is an ally, kindred spirit and a friend to the Man of Steel but his plans for a better earth are yet to come. Collects Superman #32-39.

Geoff Johns is back writing Superman again. The writer is responsible for some of the greatest Superman stories written is joined by artist John Romita Jr. They duo have created a modern Superman story that’s great as a standalone tale for the sixth volume in The New 52 series. Johns has had much experience writing the character with superb stories.The Man of Steel is presented in a way that has a classic feel like Johns earlier Superman stories have always done. 

New character Ulysses shares a origin story almost identical to that of Superman. This new hero has arrived on back on his birth world, a place he thought was gone long ago. He has come into Superman's life at a time when he is feeling isolated and alone. He has found an ally, a kindred spirit in Ulysses and though the investigative journalist side of Superman as he introduces Ulysses to privileges that he could never enjoy. It's great action story with a lot of heart. Lois Lane is in the story but only in the background. Editor-in chief Perry White and photographer Jimmy Olsen, two other of the Daily Planet’s team get their moment in the spotlight. Clark is depicted as an outsider and Ulysses is someone he can relate to, but this story also shows how he can bond with both Perry and Jimmy. One noteworthy aspect of the story is that Superman gets a minor update to his costume as well as a new super power.

The sixth collection of the Superman series of The New 52 is a stand out read.I hadn't been interested in either of the two of the Superman series or their collected editions with one exception, I had been intrigued by Grant Morrison’s new take on the early days of Clark Kent in Superman Action Comics Vol.1 - The Men of Steel, it was good but I never continued on with the series. Superman Unchained the limited series by Scott Snyder and Jim Lee was amazing. When I heard that super star writer Geoff Johns would be taking on the Man of Steel I was very interested for the forthcoming graphic novel. After I read preview online of a major turning point in the story, it really had got my attention. The premise sounded great and with Johns as writer it only built anticipation for what could be a great Superman story. I was really looking forward to what this story was about and it didn’t disappoint. The arrival of artist John Romita Junior is a big deal, he and his father have been legendary comic artists at Marvel for decades. His art adds to the classic feel of the story with colourist Klaus Janson.

Johns has had many great story arcs previous stories of Superman, Brianic, Secret Origin, Up Up and Away and the unforgettable Last Son with Richard Donner. This latest story is the next in the growing line of classic feel Superman stories. It’s a great story and worth the hype. Johns joined the series for an eight issue arc that's one of possibly the best of the best of the Superman 2011 series. The series was reinvigorated by the creative duo making the series a lot more interesting. The introduction of a new character with similar experiences to Superman makes for a exciting and brilliant story that is a stand alone self contained story that anyone can get into without any prior reading of the Superman series. The collection is the sixth volume in The New 52 Superman adventures but is not labelled as such, possibly in an attempt to not intimidate put off by whats been a less than stellar series for one of the greatest comic book superheroes in existence. This helps the books stand out as a stand alone story or as new jumping on point as the series continues.

With this year’s release of Superman Unchained and Superman The Men of Tomorrow its been a great year for two very brilliant and very different Superman stories. It had big heroic moments and smaller kinder in between. Its an quintessential Superman tale with a retro charm that recent Man of Steel stories haven't seen since the 2011 relaunch. Its a character focused story with heart and charm. The cover logo is evocative of the classic Superman movie logo works good too. There is a timeless quality to the story making it one of the most accessible and one of the greatest Superman tales. 

Geoff Johns returns to writing Superman after so many great stories is now joined by artist John Romita Jr. The two legends together craft a modern story with a much missed classic feel to their story that works so well as a stand alone and fantastic Superman tale. 

Green Arrow Quiver Review.

Green Arrow Quiver was the phenomenal first story arc by acclaimed filmmaker Kevin Smith that re-launched the series after its cancellation. Oliver Queen was brought back from the dead and made Green Arrow once again. This collection features the first ten issues of best selling series by Smith with art by Phil Hester and Inker Ande Parks. This new edition was released after the Deluxe Edition of Smith's 15 issue run which was due for release last year was cancelled. Both story arcs have been re-released in trade paperback format with Sounds of Violence next on my reading list. Quiver is regarded as one of the best Green Arrow stories, a classic and thankfully now back in print since April.

Way back in Green Arrow #101 of October 1995,

Oliver Queen had died saving Metropolis from a terrorist attack and his son and Connor Hawke had taken over the mantle and remained so until the series was cancelled in 1998. Then in 2001, Oliver Queen was revived and was Green Arrow once more, but it wasn't all as it appeared. Oliver was back, taking down bad guys and protecting Star City but the mystery surrounding his return and apparent demise is what garners most attention from his Justice League colleagues and intrigue for the story.

The opening issue is a prelude of events to come and predominantly features the loved ones of Green Arrow, remembering what Oliver meant to his ex-sidekick and adopted son Roy Harper/Arsenal, ex-girlfriend Dinah Lance/Black Canary and his son Connor Hawke. All reminisce about him and what they meant to them, this exposition fills the reader in on some of history and interactions with each of them, recounting moments from their past that informs the reader about the character without him being present on the page. Green Arrow Oliver Queen makes his triumphant return as Star City's protector taking down corrupt city officials and drug dealers and his on the hunt for the Star City Slayer, a child killer and later he goes further down to path to discovery of what happened to him. It's a interesting and great read, Oliver has no recollection of the past decade, his last memory is the infamous road trip he and Hal Jordan/Green Lantern had undertaken. The interesting premise of his memory lapse adds more depth and weight as Oliver has no recollection of what good and harm he's caused in his past to his loved ones and who is gonna break it to him that his best friend Hal is dead. It even restores his personality to that of the old fashioned view of the character had decades ago. His Justice League colleagues are in shock and amazement of his return, Batman is less sentimental, taking a direct role into the mystery of Oliver's return. The serial killer subplot runs in the background without Oliver's influence as he goes further down to road to discovering what's going on with him, but ultimately both elements tie together near the end story. Both the main story and subplot do feature elements of the supernatural, its a both nice addition and surprise to story, due to the theme of resurrection of a character in a series starring non super powered and realistic hero. Mia Dearden is a new character to the series and DC Universe, this marks here first appearance and is introduced as a teenage prostitute who Green Arrow saves on his earliest ventures actions into resuming his role as protector of Star City. She's a character that's notable in the Green Arrow mythos of this age. 

The story does acknowledge several events in the DC Universe but the important ones are explained in this book, as they are part of the story. The opening of the book features two key moments that start off the story a discussion between Superman and Batman on the rooftop of the Daily Planet during the events of Final Night, where earth's sun was extinguished by the Sun Eater, an extraterrestrial being and the event of Zero Hour in which Hal Jordan /Green Lantern had gone insane and possessed vowing to destroying the Universe in which the Emerald Archer played a key role. The art that I enjoyed so much when I first read Green Arrow Vol. 3 The Archer's Quest is still great here. Hester and Parks work is a light cartoon style that balances the dark story. Its a humorous and enjoyable story, Smith does a good job to get a few laughs. There is some great action panels in between the dialogue heavy story that's both complex and interesting, a character piece just as much as its a comic book action adventure story about second chances.

The ten issue story arc sold over a million copies back in 2001 - 2002 and became a number one selling tittle, a testament to how great the story is, Smith's tale paid homage to other Green Arrow creators of the past. It revived the old fashioned approach to Green Arrow, his amnesia reverted his personality back to a more classic iteration along with his classic trick arrows. Smiths writing is humorous and in the right moments somewhat self aware of the absurdity of some scenes.The book that I wanted since I got into the character but had been out of print and almost released last year only to be cancelled. Green Arrow Quiver lives up to the hype and reputation, a fresh spin on the character on that's been revived in a great story for a new series. Batman has a supporting role in the story and almost steals the show at some points, Smith writes the Dark Knight so well and went on to do later in career writing two limited series. I knew I'd enjoy the story to some degree been such a huge fan of Smith's previous comic book tenure Daredevil: Guardian Devil, but Quiver is a great comic book story that does what all great resurrection stories do reviving the character while touching on their long history.

Quiver rightfully held in high regard in a great story with some fantastic characterization and great dialogue makes it all a highly enjoyable read. Its arguably one of the best written stories in DC Comics history and managed to propel Green Arrow to the number one selling title for the company at the time. It goes beyond the standard revival story of and old hero, it tells a well thought out and plotted story without a retcon to continuity returning Oliver Queen back to the DC Universe.

Avengers Age of Ultron - Movie Review

When Tony Stark jump starts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as they battle to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the villainous Ultron.

Avengers Age of Ultron is the much highly anticipated sequel of earth’s mightiest heroes. The movie follows the elements of its predecessor in terms of action, scale and humor. It’s exactly what you expect. It defines your expectation rather than soaring above them like the most recent Marvel movies.

The Avengers are now a fully functioning independent unit, the opening battle shows how they now fight together as a team. Captain America and co. launch an assault on Baron Von Strucker’s castle, the last of the HYDRA strongholds. It’s during this assault we meet two important characters; Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, the twins glimpsed during the credits of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. They are the catalyst for much of the conflict to come. Wanda along with her super-fast twin brother Pietro attack the Avengers, causing them to see their worst fears brought to life. Wanda’s ability to get inside their heads and exposing their fears and weaknesses leaves a lasting impact. So much so that when Iron Man/Tony Stark retrieves Loki's scepter from the castle he see’s this as the key to implementing he and Bruce Banner’s goal of Artificial Intelligence, an initiative for Stark’s global peace keeping force serving as a means to help save the world from potential alien invasions. With its creation, Ultron is born, the sentient A.I. see’s the only way of truly protecting the earth is to eradicate humanity. What follows continues to an action packed, dramatic and highly enjoyable Avengers sequel, faced with a menacing threat giving the movie a darker and more ominous tone. Hawkeye’s role is much more expanded than last time, he’s a prominent hero in this movie. Natasha Romanov and Bruce Banner develop a romance. Thor takes a mild detour to fully understand his vision of events to come and Tony Stark continues to fulfill his ideals of the modern world while Steve Rodgers furthers his feelings as a man out of time trying to do the right thing in an increasingly complicated world. Our hero’s fearful visions give them each something to deal with. Hulk goes on the rampage that prompts the arrival of the Hulkbuster amour that is earlier than expected, which adds to the enjoyment.

Ultron is one of the most well known and recognizable of Avengers villains, here he can feel like the evil doppelganger of Iron Man/Tony Stark, his motivations, his technology and its humor is unexpectedly sarcastic. Vision is late addition to the team, he has great presence and it’s a character that an audience can quickly like. The characters appearance is largely practical consisting of old school effects with minor CGI elements, which is a nice touch to movie such as this. You instantly like the character that also provides one of the greatest moments of the movie.

Avengers Age of Ultron is immensely enjoyable but it does not reach the heights that comic book films can achieve. It satisfies as the sequel to its predecessor, one of the biggest superhero films ever nor does it have the impact as previous Marvel phase two movies particularly Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It does sustain the high quality for the 11th movie in the franchise whilst setting up future movies primarily Thor’s next solo movie Thor: Ragnarok and the third Avengers movie Infinity War. It’s a victim of its own success, the first Avengers film achieved so much, it was the culmination of four years of meticulous planning that proved to be a massive hit and one of the best superhero movies ever.

While it lacks have the shock element of previous installments of the franchise it does continue to be every bit as enjoyable and exciting as you could hope. It’s a smaller step forward than recent movies that doesn't attempt to re-write the superhero movie formula. Avengers in 2012 just achieved so much and was unlike anything we’d seen before. Avengers Age of Ultron is amazing and brilliant, a 5 star movie that doesn't fully achieve what comic book movies have done in recent years.