Author Archives: Joe Soliz

Wildstorm Reading/Checklist

So when I started preparing for our YouTube show, I had to research and catalog every Wildstorm appearance so I could have them ready for the vidoes. We have Suggested Reading here at the site but they’re not complete. I’m sorry to say I don’t have time to make this checklist look nicer but as far as I know, with the old Wildstorm stuff, it should be complete (feel free to email me if I missed something wildstormaddiction@gmail.com. Starting with the New 52 and after I probably won’t be as diligent to keep up with. Just being honest). And if you need to know about variants, www.mycomicshop.com is a good resource.

Go to our Reading/Checklist here.

We’re back…and so is Grifter!

Futures-End-Cv1Hello everyone!

So it’s been a long time since we’ve been on here talking some Wildstorm.  The rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated. But it did get us a mention from Chris Arrant over at Comic Book Resources back in November.  I guess it’s true that you only become famous when people think you’re dead.  🙂 But anyway, I digress.

It was a series of things that kept us off the air last year.  Both Ben and I had increasing job responsibilities, I moved to Austin which eventually led to my girlfriend and I deciding to get married (one month ago) and even some technical difficulties that kept me from publishing my monthly Stormwatch review (although with the decline & impending cancellation it was probably a well needed break anyway).

We were planning on doing at least one more podcast to discuss the last few issues of Stormwatch upcoming in April.  But now that we have the announcement of Future’s End with Grifter being featured, we’ll probably end up doing more podcasts.  Now, Future’s End is a weekly book so whether or not I’ll be able to do written reviews again remains to be seen because of the demands of daily life.  But we will at least do podcasts covering any Wildstorm characters appearances (Stormwatch is slated for #4).  Plus you never know where Wildstorm characters will pop up next in the DCU as we’ve had Rainmaker in The Movement and Lynch over in Suicide Squad.

And Wildstorm continues to show up in other places too as we had Grifter in the Justice League: Flash Paradox animated movie last summer and more Wildstorm characters coming in upcoming Heroclix sets as well.

023-Mr.-Majestic

Did I also mention April is the podcast’s 4 year anniversary?  Perfect time for something new.  Stay tuned!

Stormwatch #23

sw23“Memories”

Writer: Jim Starlin
Pencils: Yvel Guichet
Inks: LeBeau Underwood
Colors: Richard & Tanya Horie
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Editor: Harvey Richards
Senior Editor: Brian Cunningham
Cover: Jim Starlin

(No Spoilers)

Stormwatch begins to gain some decent footing with this issue.  After this reboot of the title seemed to grow very tired very quickly, this issue slows down a bit and gives us lots of info about certain members of the new team.  It’s still not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.

sw23image1The change in Midnighter’s origin is a little disappointing.  His original origin just didn’t seem as cliché.  But as far as the fight scenes and even his internal monologue, it seems this Midnighter is more what people wanted in the New 52.  We also gets glimpses of Storm Control’s past and some info on Hellstrike’s powers.  It’s interesting that the characters in the book know they’re not the original.  This could lead to some great plotlines if the creative team keeps on this path.

I’m still not crazy about the art and the inclusion of Lobo hasn’t added any weight to the book…yet.  He seems to be the focus of every solicitation so far so I hope he becomes very relevant to the team.  I just hope the team has more interaction with the rest of the DCU than just Lobo and the occasional reference to the Justice League.

The book will be gone for a month during Villain’s Month but will be back with #24 the following month.  I would’ve liked to have seem them do something with the villains from Stormwatch but the reboot is still to fresh and the villains not well-known enough to carry their own book.  I’m just happy it’s still not cancelled.  You gotta take your victories where you can.

7 out of 10 (Above Average)