REVIEW: Batman: The Dark Knight, Volume Two: Cycle of Violence

PLOT: The Scarecrow has returned to Gotham City, but he's no longer the meek punching bag Batman is used to. The villainous genius has always preyed on the worst fears of his victims, but has refined his legendary fear toxin to even greater effectiveness and deadlier consequences. As the Scarecrow's origin is unfurled, Batman must find out not only how to conquer this dangerous psychopath, but how to beat his own worst fear.

REVIEW: Yet another brilliant New 52 Batman entry. Batman: The Dark Knight, Volume Two: Cycle of Violence does amazingly dark things for the character of Scarecrow and it really frightens on the page. The way that Scarecrow is drawn is just haunting, with his lips sewn together but still having the capability of talking. Hell, half his jaw is hanging off of his face for some of the book and he doesn't even seem to notice. Everything about this volume is dark and gritty, and it's unforgiving. Scarecrow is probably the scariest I've seen him in a Batman comic, and Batman is nearly at his most helpless against him. Struggling to remember why what he does is right by him, Scarecrow makes Bruce's journey through his mind that much more difficult when he loads him full of a new, and more powerful fear toxin. There aren't really any other villains in this book besides the Penguin who makes a small appearance when the Scarecrow is prepping his newest plot. This isn't the strongest of the New 52 Batman titles, but it surely makes a point to be one of the darker entries. If you like your Batman in the shadows with a side of spooky, this volume of Batman: The Dark Knight is definitely for you.

WRITING : ( 7 / 10 )

ARTWORK : ( 9 / 10 )

STORY : ( 8 / 10 )

COVERS : ( 9 / 10 )

AWESOME : ( 9 / 10 )

FINAL RATING : ( 9 / 10 )

REVIEW: Saga, Volume Two

PLOT: The smash-hit ongoing epic continues! Thanks to her star-crossed parents Marko and Alana, newborn baby Hazel has already survived lethal assassins, rampaging armies, and alien monstrosities, but in the cold vastness of outer space, the little girl encounters something truly frightening: her grandparents!

REVIEW: I briefly reviewed the first volume of Saga on Goodreads earlier this year, and the main point I made was how original it was. I still feel the same way after reading the second volume. It just amazes me at how original a comic can be, without borrowing a single thing from any noticeable sources. Alana and Marko are in love, but aren't supposed to be, and now they have a child to take care of. The books are told through the eyes of Hazel, their daughter, but most of the stories take place in the past and chronicle their relationship as it grows and rebuilds itself after each bickering argument between the two. This volume leaves Alana with Marko's parents, as Marko's father is faced with meeting his granddaughter and revealing a secret about himself that he hasn't told anyone. The stuff that is illustrated on the page is just bonkers. The giant ogre and his tiny little dingaling is just one example I can think of because it's permanently burned into my brain, that just shows how zany and sometimes unfortunately creative this series can be. Everything about Saga is awesome, original, and downright fun. Not to mention, the writing is absolutely on point, as every little argument and statement seems so authentic from each character, it's hard to believe they're from a completely different universe. I recommend this to anyone over the age of 18, as the comic contains highly adult material. This is probably the most adult comic I have ever read, and I'm extremely interested to read Y: The Last Man now after loving Saga so much.

WRITING : ( 10 / 10 )

ARTWORK : ( 8 / 10 )

STORY : ( 9 / 10 )

COVERS : ( 9 / 10 )

AWESOME : ( 9 / 10 )

FINAL RATING : ( 9 / 10 )

REVIEW: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Volume One

PLOT: Prince Adam sets out to reclaim the mantle of HE-MAN, a legendary power that he can wield for the powers of good. But around every turn the evil villain Skeletor seeks to destroy the young hero and keep him from finding his fellow Masters.

REVIEW: I don't know why I read this book because I'm not really familiar with He-Man, nor do I consider myself a fan of much anything like it. But it was a graphic novel and why not give it a read right? I do like the way the story unfolds from the beginning, with Prince Adam not knowing truly who he was until the sword gives him the power of He-Man. Skeletor has taken his memory away from him so he does not remember, but the lingering power that still dwells within him leads him to a new revelation about himself that pits him once again against Skeletor, the legendary villain of this universe. The art was pretty good, but it's truly not my kind of thing, this sword and shield type world. It was a pretty decent book, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it. It's a fun read, and probably a really entertaining graphic novel for fans of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Also, the web comic printed at the beginning of the book by Geoff Johns I actually really enjoyed.

WRITING : ( 7 / 10 )

ARTWORK : ( 8 / 10 )

STORY : ( 8 / 10 )

COVERS : ( 5 / 10 )

AWESOME : ( 6 / 10 )

FINAL RATING : ( 6 / 10 )