Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Chew #26
Image Comics
Layman & Guillory

This issue of Chew is a rarity in a couple of ways. First of all, it’s a one-shot and secondly the comic book doesn’t really involve any of the primary characters from the previous twenty-five issues. The book is still executed to perfection (what else would you expect) in terms of story, artwork and pace. However, the book’s focus as a spotlight for Tony’s sister, Toni, doesn’t make for the greatest character profile issue or jump-on point to the overall series. Still, this book is highly entertaining and manages to keep up the same level of charm mixed with oddities that we’ve come to expect from Chew. You simply can’t go wrong with this issue.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

AvX #2 of 6
Marvel Comics
Gillen, Larroca, Charalampidis, McNiven, Dell & Hollowell

The fights in this issue take place while the fourth issue of the main series occurs. I found the two fights to be vastly different. One was a good fight, but with a rushed ending and the other fight seemed to completely end in a draw without ever really getting started. This issue isn't that bad but it isn't that great. There are a couple of editorial moves in here that don't make any sense with how this mini-series is presented. This issue should be 100% fun but it falls short of that.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Avengers Vs X-Men #4 of 12
Marvel Comics
Hickman, Romita, Hanna & Martin

This issue is a complete misdirection in the series and the story shift is a most welcome one. The Avengers continue to look for Hope as they are met with more X-Men to fight. However, both sides have aces they have yet to play and Hope proves to be more resourceful then it seemed in previous issues. The art is good and the story moves quickly, but still this is just above average as the story continues to feel light in story and, amazingly, light in action. It doesn't seem like the series can decide what it wants to be as it seems like the direction continues to try to cater to every single reader rather than just telling the best possible story.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Flash Gordon: Vengeance of Ming GN
Arrden Entertainment
Deneen & Garcia

Flash Gordon is back on Earth and all seems to be going well for the hero that saved Mongo from Ming and plenty of other baddies. However, as the title states, not everything is rosy. Ming was missing for much of the previous arc, Invasion of the Red Sword, but he manages to come back with a, well, a Vengeance in this the penultimate act of Deneen's modern day Flash Gordon masterpiece. This should not be missed.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Walking Dead #97
Image Comics
Kirkman, Adlard & Rathburn

Walking Dead has a pattern and it has been this way for quite some time. The characters find a level of comfort before they get blindsided with confrontation and death. Then the book picks up the pieces and slowly builds to the next crisis. This issue does something we have not seen within that cycle before because for once, the main group, are the ones that appear to be causing the trouble. That's making a lot of assumptions in the early stages of the arc, but it at least provides the general setup for this particular issue and storyline. It's a very good issue because Kirkman toys with the reader with this reversal concept, all the while still managing to show the reader that all is not what it appears to be stacked up to be. It's as solid a read as ever and provides an excellent jump-on point for a newer reader.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Dungeons And Dragons #1
IDW Comics
Greenwood, Ferguson, Buscema & O'Grady

Comics are all about expectations. I have never played Dungeons and Dragons, nor have I read the novels or comics. I recall a cartoon series in the 1980s but that's about it. I jumped into this title thinking swords, sorcery, demons, animals and, well, dragons and maybe even a dungeon. What I came away with was something that contained almost none of those elements and I walked away very disappointed. If this is how the game is or the novels are and you are familiar with them then you may be pleased with this book. I am not familiar with either and can't see myself returning for a second issue unfortunately.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Higher Earth #1
Boom! Studios
Humphries & Biagini

Boom! releases a space adventure issue at the introductory price of $1. Before I even opened the book I knew I was getting some value. I was pleased to find that this story provided an exciting read that had a small cast with a big setup to a larger universe. I thought the book hit all the right notes for a space adventure and I plan to pick up future issues. This was a great find for the content and price point.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Batman #9
DC Comics
Snyder, Capullo & Glapion

For the most part, the books I enjoy the most are the non-super hero variety. The Walking Deads, Chews and American Vampires of the world. I do still read some cape books for an array of reasons but much of it falls into the "ordinary" category. Every once in a while I am reminded of why I still pick them up. I am reminded of what I hope to see in a hero book. Though it may be something I have seen 100 times (even with the same character), it still gets me every single time. This book contains one of those elements. Snyder puts Batman in an unwinnable situation and has him call on something deep down inside to pull out an impossible reversal of the tide. Partnered with that is Capullo, who provides a visual of that transformation that I won't soon forget. I got goose bumps reading this issue.

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