Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Weekly Rankings For 08/20/08

Here are this week’s comics ranked prior to reading them, based upon past performance and advance information released on each issue:

5. Flash #243

4. World of Warcraft #10

3. Uncanny X-Men #501

2. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic #32

1. Transformers Spotlight Doubledealer

Here are the rankings after the first read through with a mini-review:

5. Uncanny X-Men #501
Brubaker, Fraction & Land

I didn’t think this issue was terrible by any means. But I was under whelmed. Basically Pixie gets attacked for being a mutant. Cyclops unleashes vengeance. In between we get some character interaction in the down time for the team. It was okay, but nothing spectacular. One thread spawned from this issue I found interesting is the prospect of children between Cyclops and Emma. I would think this could be an interesting rift between them. The artwork sure seemed rushed. This is for the die hards.

4. World of Warcraft #10
Simonson, Buran & Hope

World Of Warcraft #10 (Cover A - Samwise)

World Of Warcraft #10 (Cover B - Ludo)

Another comic that under whelmed me. For some reason the captured dwarf story just didn’t feel creative to me. A small group storms the bridge/base and finds the captive dwarf. If it were this easy how did the alliance lose the base in the first place? The art shines but not with usual array of characters. This issue made good use of the scenery and weather. It also shows chopping off a hand and it was really cool. I liked the issue but by no means loved it.

3. Flash #243
Peyer & Williams II

This is the finale for a six issue arc? They spent half a year for the end result to be Wally trying to stop his kids from aging? This comic was entertaining, but puzzling in the bigger picture. Wally sort of fights Grodd. Wally sort of figures out what to do with the kids. Wally sort of gets help from the Gorillas. The ending is a little weird too. In trying not to spoil anything – how does the end result of this story really make sense? Ponder it. This issue is not a must read by any means. The artwork is nice but nothing eye grabbing.

2. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic #32
Miller, Ching & Atiyeh

This issue is good but not great. What stops it? The shift in villain for one. Also, the question of why is Zayne even in with all the baddies? Doesn’t he want to prove his innocence? How is provoking a fight the answer? Plus, he’s just a padawan, what chance does he have against all those masters? So many questions, but this issue gives excellent twists and some great action. It’s a very clever comic in itself. Gryph provides some comic relief, but it is restrained. The next issue looks to really sort out the bodies. A good comic.

1. Transformers Spotlight: Doubledealer
Furman, Khana, Milkovich, Atkins & Shalloo

Transformers Spotlight Doubledealer (Cover A)

Transformers Spotlight Doubledealer (Cover B)

Transformers Spotlight Doubledealer (Reailer Incentive Variant Cover)

A great issue. Not the best, but great. This comic is not for new readers. It calls upon some characters and events that might have seemed so obscure two years ago when they came out. It really ramps up the Transformer roster here. Many plot threads finally get tied and some even get explained. All of this and Optimus Prime takes the gloves off. It’s awesome who he fights and how he comes to get in there. Still questions need to be answered, but this was an excellent issue. As far as Doubledealer? His Spotlight was good, but his partner’s role in this comic was much better. Awesome cover to boot.