Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Severed #7 of 7
Image Comics
Snyder, Tuft & Futaki

Snyder's horror series wraps up with an over-sized, but standard priced issue. The book puts in an x-factor when the major conflict occurs between Jack and the deranged, child-eating, killer. It's a very good ending to a very good series. I'm not sure this book packed nearly the same level of terror punch as previous issues but it did have a highly intense ending. I liked this series and I think any fan of the horror genre would enjoy it as well.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Conan The Barbarian #1
Dark Horse Comics
Wood, Cloonan & Stewart

Dark Horse's latest relaunch of Conan is the reinterpretation of an old Robert Howard story called "Queen of the Black Coast." This particular launch carries a heavy-hitting creator crew lead by Brian Wood. I should confess that I only purchased the issue because Wood was the writer and because Dark Horse did a good job advertising that fact. What I found was not exactly the Conan I expected. This story takes place when Conan is just setting out. He's a young man that carries a lot of the flaws you'd expect to find in an inexperienced warrior. Overall, I liked the issue and will probably see the arc out and that means the opening did its job.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

PunisherMAX #22
MAX (Marvel Comics)
Aaron, Dillon & Hollingsworth

The finale of the Jason Aaron run on The Punisher is basically a tying up of loose ends as the climax occurred in the previous issue. Once again, Aaron shows how he has mastered putting together an interesting story that combines flashbacks and events in the current time period. Aaron packs a lot of information into this issue but still manages to move the book along at a nice pace. I have loved this run and this issue is no different. I believe if someone only picked up this issue, that they would be compelled to read the rest of the run. Definitely find space in your budget for this issue.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Secret Avengers #22
Marvel Comics
Remender, Hardman & Breitweiser

Remender and Hardman's run on Secret Avengers kicks off in this issue with a book that sets up the team and introduces the new threat. The book manages to establish unique voices for some of the members of the team. The comic also provides a good explanation for the inclusion of the some of the odder characters that were added to the mix. Overall, this is a good start to the book but I do not get the sense that this book is getting ready to launch into a saga, such as Remender's Uncanny X-Force.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Thief Of Thieves #1
Image Comics
Kirkman, Spencer, Martinbrough & Serrano

The first issue from heavy-hitters Robert Kirkman and Nice Spencer is a crime drama that plays out a lot like the first episode of a TV show. The book carries the tagline on the front cover that there isn't anything he can't steal except the life he left behind. But does the book deliver on that premise in the first issue? Does the book provide something to stand out among the many other books that deal with tough characters set in criminal settings without superheroes? This first issue provides a good character outline and a decent story within the issue but doesn't really show that the book is going to be too fast paced or all that different from other crime books. Overall, I found the book to be a very ordinary read.

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via The Blog From Another World

Watch Video Reviews of This Week's Comics!

Are you ready for this week's comic book reviews? We take a look at Conan the Barbarian #1, Green Lantern #6, Sacrifice #3, and the New Avengers Vol. 2 TPB, and we had some pretty strong reactions! Still undecided? Take a look at our previews for Conan the Barbarian #1 and Green Lantern #6.

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Midwest Book Review

Stargazer
Von Allan
Von Allan Studio
PO Box 20520
390 Rideeau Street
Ottawa, ON Canada K1N 1A3
9780978123741, $14.95, www.vonallan.com

Dedicated to finding the answers, Elora may risk her own well being. "Stargazer" is the second volume of graphic novels from Von Allan, following Elora and her two best friends Sophie and Marni as they journey to a tower, making friends with robots and other creatures who at first don't seem so friendly. Through friendship and their own creativity, they will have to see themselves back home for adventure and much more. A fine pick for younger readers who often have daydreams of their own, "Stargazer" is an excellent and much recommended pick, not to be overlooked.

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Midwest Book Review

Salvatore Volume 2: An Eventful Crossing
Nicolas De Crecy
NBM Publishing
40 Exchange Place, Suite 1308
New York, NY 10005-2742
9781561636136 $14.99 www.nbmpublishing.com

Salvatore Volume 2: An Eventful Crossing continues the masterfully translated, English-language adaptation of a French comic saga that uses anthropomorphic characters and muted color artwork to spin the saga of a canine mechanic in search of his beloved companion. His chosen vehicle is a bizarre device, piloted with the aid of a tiny human who may as well be his pet. But one distraction after another besets him on his journey, not the least being a cute hitchhiker! Meanwhile, Madame Amadine continues the search for her lost piglet Frank, encountering an arrogant detective, while the rest of her offspring seek to make a not-so-honest living through a phony "organic" cafe and market. The absurdities mount in this wry, whimsical tale, distinctly reminiscent of the classic novella "The Wind in the Willows". Highly recommended. (Volume 2 of the English translation actually collects volumes 3 and 4 of the original French version).

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