Doctor Who: The Only Good Dalek Graphic Novel Review

Doctor Who: The Only Good DalekErica Gives This Comic Four Stars

Doctor Who: The Only Good Dalek by Justin Richards
Art: Mike Collins

Of course anyone who’s familiar with the Doctor Who universe knows that there’s no such thing as a good Dalek. And that is what the Doctor bases all his choices on. Despite others trying to convince him that they can make Daleks good, the Doctor has written them all off as bad. Unlike earlier versions of himself.

(I do think it’s interesting how with most other villains the Doctor believes in some kind of redemption/reformation being possible, but not with the Daleks. In many ways, I feel that the Doctor needs a black and white villain for when the writers are being lazy, and it’s either the Daleks or the Cybermen.)

Overall, Richards’ writing and Collins’ art is very entertaining. The plot is very Doctor Who. Richards writes a great Doctor and a good Amy. He also creates compelling side characters like Jay. Who like all the best Doctor Who one-off characters is very memorable. Additionally, Richards does a wonderful job at sprinkling in references to older episodes without throwing the story off or sending the reader to Wikipedia.

While I’m not a super big fan of Collins’ shading, his art helped tell the story. The Doctor has a bit of subterfuge he must do, and Collins is very adept at drawing facial expressions beautifully. You can tell what else is going on by how the Doctor or Amy look. Continue reading “Doctor Who: The Only Good Dalek Graphic Novel Review”

Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life Graphic Novel Review

Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life Erica Gives This Comic Four Stars

Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life by Matt Sturges
Art: Kelly Yates and Brian Shearer

This was a cute tale; it didn’t push boundaries in a Doctor Who story. In fact, I could easily see this being filmed for television. I always appreciate a story about fairy tales not being everything they are made of. I also like the idea that holiday planets are not always what they appear to be.

As much as I enjoyed Amy as the self-rescuing princess, I thought Sturges perhaps overemphasized this in Amy’s dialog. Once or twice is enough, but Amy vocalized it over and over. However, I am glad that she did some of her own digging around and trying to help the people escape the tower.

I was worried that Aurelia and the others in the tower had been killed. Continue reading “Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life Graphic Novel Review”

Top 20 Issues in 2010

For my Top 20 Issues, I did not include any issues from my Top 5 #1 Issues or my Top 5 Miniseries selections. Instead, I chose stories I loved and reviewed in 2010. It was hard, especially as I know there were stories that I loved that didn’t make it here because the art didn’t live up to the writing or vice versa. It was hard to choose because it’s one thing to make a beautiful arc and another to make a kick-ass issue and have it fit into a beautiful arc. All these tales were ones that I could tell you immediately what they were about and why I loved them.

Here are my Top 20 Issues in 2010.

Spider-Woman #520. Spider-Woman #5 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev

I love the art in this. The scene where Jessica dives off the rooftop to land in a little puddle of water, the water coming off her body is brilliantly beautiful. I love the technique. Simply gorgeous. Oh, how I wish comic art was this pretty all the time.

Of course, Jessica tells herself that she was only going back for her stuff. It’s a good excuse that helps her feel hard inside. So she doesn’t have to feel partially responsible for those policemen’s deaths. Oh, the stories that Jessica tells herself.

Okay, now the Thunderbolts are after her. But why? Why do they care? Jessica’s just a rogue superhero in a place not under the rule of H.A.M.M.E.R. Not to mention it’s also full of corruption.

Read all my reviews for Spider-Woman and buy Spider-Woman: Agent of S.W.O.R.D..

Zatanna #319. Zatanna #3 by Paul Dini and Stephane Roux

This comic is becoming rather awesome. Zatanna knows what she’s doing and knows how to use her skills. I always love a character who use their brains as well as their powers. Likewise, I enjoy her team-up with Dale, because while Zatanna is the one to take down Brother Night, Dale isn’t running and hiding from him and isn’t going to be manipulated into backing off.

For an action-filled comic, the scenes were nicely paced. Roux’s does a great job with the art. I particularly love his page-layouts. The diamond-shapes bring a nice little reminder about Zatanna’s magical powers.

Zatanna has a lot of heart, and it’s really apparent when she saves her crew first. And that she takes the time to turn Mickey into her twin so Mickey can pull off the show Zatanna’s going to miss due to her fight with Brother Night.

I love Zatanna saving her father. I love her tears, while she maintains herself and her powers. A lesser hero would’ve folded under the emotional pressure of her/his father reappearing. The scene Zatanna has with him as she frees him, once again, is just lovely and perfect.

Zatanna’s take-down of Brother Night is likewise fitting. I love that she turns a powerless Brother Night into Dale, but knows that Brother Night will suffer more for the bargain he made with the devil.

Read all my reviews for Zatanna and buy Zatanna: The Mistress of Magic.

The New Avengers Annual #318. New Avengers Annual #3 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Mayhew

Thanks for the awesome birthday present, Bendis. At least, the way I’m looking at all the comics that came out on my birthday week is birthday presents for me. Well, the good ones anyway.

Finally, an all-girl rescue team. Seriously, those are some powerful women. They completely were overdue to shine in the light. Plus, Jessica back in her uniform. Though she needs to lose the earrings when fighting. Mine fall off when I’m changing my shirt, much less pumbling the Dark Avengers. Well, at least they’re all wearing flats.

I rather loved the scenes with Clint tied up naked and being tortured. But that’s just me. Not to mention I’m pretty sure he distracted Bullseye from his target by flashing him. Because for some reason they decided to take off all his clothes. Okay, it’s an approved torture method by the CIA/military, but still my birthday present from Bendis.

Bendis’ take on Bobbi and Clint’s relationship is endearing. However, really similar to Jessica and Luke’s. Except perhaps Jessica and Luke are better communicators than Bobbi and Clint, believe it or not.

Read my reviews for New Avengers and buy New Avengers: Siege. Continue reading “Top 20 Issues in 2010”

Queer Comic Book Character: Jack Harkness (Oct 31st)

Jack got his start on Doctor Who as a companion in the first or 27th season, depending how you count. He was so popular that his character had his own adult-themed spin-off Torchwood. His character has his own comic books as well. Captain Jack Harkness is from the 51st century, and he’d been a time traveler long before he met up with the Doctor and Rose. He’s also a flirt. Jack’s charming and omnisexual.

Jack Harkness

Jack Harkness
Jack Harkness

Jack grew up on the Boeshane Peninsula in the 51st century. Continue reading “Queer Comic Book Character: Jack Harkness (Oct 31st)”