Neil Raymundo - World Comic Book Review

All Star Batman #1 (Review)

October 21, 2016August 23, 2016 by Neil Raymundo

All Star Batman #1 (review)
(DC Comics, August 10, 2016)
Writer: Scott Snyder

The premise underpinning the first issue of a new title from American publisher DC Comics, entitled “All Star Batman”, will be impenetrable for most readers who are not up to date on the Batman mythos.

For those who are and who follow the adventures of masked vigilante and detective Batman, it is intriguing enough to warrant a read. Batman’s schizophrenic villain Two Face, who experiences tortuous phases between his personality as former Gotham district attorney Harvey Dent and his psychopathic alter ego, has become such a big problem that even mob bosses in the fictional backdrop of Gotham City helped Batman bring him down. The comic shows the aftermath of a recent failed plot that had something to do with acid rain falling on Gotham and injuring hundreds of people, followed by the Batman receiving a unique request from Harvey Dent.

Swine Before Pearls: Pugad Baboy

July 11, 2017August 18, 2016 by Neil Raymundo

Pugad Baboy
May 15, 1988 – Jun 4, 2013
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Author: Pol Medina, Jr.

Pol Medina Jr.’s “Pugad Baboy” (lit. “Pig’s Nest”) is one of the most successful comic strips in the Philippines in terms of revenue and influence. The series started in one of the country’s established daily broadsheets, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, on May 18, 1988. It gained enough popularity to warrant a successful line of merchandise, yearly compilations, full-sized comic book spin-offs, and even a star-studded live action TV series (which, unfortunately, failed to see commercial success).

The comic strip is set in a fictional Filipino community, with focus revolving around several families:

Civil War II – The Accused #1 (review)

May 18, 2017August 15, 2016 by Neil Raymundo

Civil War II – The Accused #1
Marvel Comics
August 10, 2016
Writer: Marc Guggenheim

“The Accused” is a standalone tie-in to American publisher Marvel Comic’s annual crossover event, this year entitled “Civil War II”. This cross-promotional publication event is, in essence, a marketing ploy to encourage readers of Marvel Comics to buy additional titles, as a consequence of being introduced to those characters through the tie-in.

In this event, Marvel Comics’ major characters are being divided over what to do with a new character that has the ability to predict the future. One side chooses to exploit the character’s gift by being proactive (apprehending criminals before crime is committed). The other side considers a reactive approach to be more ethical. Marvel Comics has actively explored the consequences of time travel in recent years, in both “The Avengers” and the “Uncanny X-men” titles, and in many ways this concept is an extension of considering the Butterfly Effect upon its continuity.

Rock & Stone #1 vol. 1 (review)

October 21, 2016August 9, 2016 by Neil Raymundo

Rock & Stone #1 vol. 1 (review)
(Delcourt, July 2016)
Writer: Nicholas Jean

“Rock & Stone” #1 vol. 1 is a science fiction comic book written by Nicholas Jean, released digitally and in English by French publisher Delcourt.

The comic is set in the year 2215, on a human-colonized planet called Caldoria that has been ravaged by a war between humans and machines controlled by a rogue artificial intelligence. The story’s premise is nothing new: the theme of post-apocalyptic science fiction stories – particularly tales that focus on rebellious machines – is a well-trodden path. Fortunately, “Rock & Stone”’s appeal relies not on novelty, but upon execution.