Comic Book Herald

Reading Order Guide For Beginners & Fans

Reviews

Holiday Reading Review — Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle Between Marvel & DC

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Admittedly, I’ve always been terrible at rivalries. I’m a Bears fan who grew up as a Packers fan. I’m a Cubs fan who remains entirely ambivalent about the White Sox. When waiters ask “Is Pepsi Ok?” after I order a Coke, I tend to say things like “Yep.”

The same trend has always applied for Marvel and DC Comics. I’ve always been more of a Marvel fan, but that’s really more a result of time-invested than deep and unwavering preference. At the end of the day, I just like good comics. Despite an obsessive dedication to Marvel continuity over the life of Comic Book Herald, my pull list these days is about 70% DC. [Read more…] about Holiday Reading Review — Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle Between Marvel & DC

I Can Legacy Clearly Now #18 — Spider-Man #234: (B)End(is) of An Era

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There are no creative voices more deeply ingrained in Marvel Comics than Brian Michael Bendis. There are creative visions I’ve enjoyed more (Jonathan Hickman’s run from 2008 to 2015), but none are more responsible for my deep love for all things Marvel Comics since the year 2000.

When I started getting into comics, the architecture of Bendis’ work on titles like New Avengers was my guide. I still remember where I was (local library outside my office waiting for rush hour traffic to die down) when I read the revelation that Electro didn’t act alone in “Breakout.” I missed a train to work because I couldn’t put House of M down. When it comes to getting into the modern Marvel Universe, you can’t do it without the work of Brian Michael Bendis. [Read more…] about I Can Legacy Clearly Now #18 — Spider-Man #234: (B)End(is) of An Era

I Can Legacy Clearly Now #16 — Power Pack #63: Remember That Time Power Pack Was Kids?… Awesome.

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I remember watching Fantastic Four: the Animated Series growing up and feeling extremely excited as Reed and the crew met the Impossible Man. Who was this wild and wacky Green Gazoo lookalike? What did he have in store for the Fantastic Four?

Turns out the Impossible Man was primarily there to make funny noises (score!) and recap the story so far (aw what the heck!). The initial excitement quickly muted into the disappointment that comes from a rewind rerun episode. Sure, they framed the episode like it was new, but… I’ve heard this one before. [Read more…] about I Can Legacy Clearly Now #16 — Power Pack #63: Remember That Time Power Pack Was Kids?… Awesome.

Thor Ragnarok Review: Hey Man, It’s The Best Marvel Movie This Year

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Thor wastes absolutely no time in teaching you how to watch.

Whereas most action movies would spend a full two hours building to a confrontation between the God of Thunder and Surtur (aka Asgard’s DOOM!), Ragnarok barely wastes five minutes. Even then, Surtur’s realm-conquering monologing is record-scratched over and over by some semi-predictable gags.

At the end of the day, that’s the magic of Thor: Ragnarok. Even in a land replete with gods, absolutely nothing is sacred. [Read more…] about Thor Ragnarok Review: Hey Man, It’s The Best Marvel Movie This Year