Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Weekly Rankings For 10/15/08

Here are this week’s comics ranked prior to reading them:

3. Uncanny X-Men #503

2. Hulk Monster Size Special #1

1. Final Crisis Rogues Revenge #3 (of 3)

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



3. Uncanny X-Men #503

Fraction, Brubaker, Land & Ponsor

The X-Men battle Empath. The issue is actually really good, but not just because of the chase and fight with Empath, but also because of the outlier threads. Some of the X-Men are chilling out in a bar talking about life which comes across as an interesting looking glass into their mindsets and their hopes. After the battle with Empath we find out something interesting about Cyclops that also impacts Emma. It’s a good twist of an ending that had little to do with the main plot on the surface. Add in some good dialogue between elf and Wolverine and a nice about face for Pixie and you have a really good issue. The artwork was not nearly as awkward as in previous issues and I actually liked the calm setting in the bars as much as the battle with Empath. It’s a good issue.

2. Hulk Monster Size Special #1

Parker, Niles, Tobin, David, Hardman, Parrillo & Williams

Finally an oversized, extra priced comic that is worth it. This comic gives four stories in it by four different creative teams all dealing with the Halloween motif. First, the longest story, is Hulk’s encounter with Frankenstein in the modern era. Banner is asked to help revive old nuts and bolts and things go wrong, cue Hulk. It’s a good story but fairly predictable. I particularly liked the style of the art and the characterization of Victoria Frankenstein. The second story is Hulk and the Werewolf. This has excellent art that is done in black and white with a very heavy veiled feeling to it. Banner and Jack Russell have excellent interaction between them before they give way to their alter egos. The next story is a quick two page spread about what kind of tales monsters tell their own children. It was fairly humorous. Lastly, Peter David gives a narrative of Hulk’s encounter with Dracula. I would have liked it in comic form, but it’s a great tale filled with irony and a great depiction of what goes on in the Hulk’s brain as opposed to what he shows on his face. This comic is perfect for Hulk fans. I enjoyed the 40+ pages immensely.

1. Final Crisis Rogues Revenge #3 (of 3)

Johns & Kollins

An awesome finale to fantastic mini series. This issue is heavy on Libra, but the Rogues dominant. We have Libra holding a baby hostage, Zoom turning Inertia into his own little pet, Pied Piper makes a return and we even get a Flash in the issue! The whole story has been great, but this issue adds drama, surprises and some interesting choices for the characters. I cant say its perfect as we never really get a full explanation as to what Zoom’s motives are with Inertia, but this comic has a lot to offer page after page. The artwork had its ups and downs, but for the most part captured the anger of the Rogues and that’s really what was needed. This comic was tough reminder about how cool reading Flash used to be. I highly recommend this issue – even if you didn’t read the first two of the series. It’s classic villain turning on villain.