Mini Reviews [18]

Nightmares! (Nightmares! #1) 

by Jason Segel, Kirsten Miller,

Karl Kwasny (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sleeping has never been so scary. And now waking up is even worse!

Charlie Laird has several problems:
1. His dad married a woman he is sure moonlights as a witch.
2. He had to move into her purple mansion, which is not a place you want to find yourself after dark.
3. He can’t remember the last time sleeping wasn’t a nightmarish prospect. Like even a nap.

What Charlie doesn’t know is that his problems are about to get a whole lot more real. Nightmares can ruin a good night’s sleep, but when they start slipping out of your dreams and into the waking world—that’s a line that should never be crossed. And when your worst nightmares start to come true . . . well, that’s something only Charlie can face. And he’s going to need all the help he can get, or it might just be lights-out for Charlie Laird. For good.

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I enjoyed the premise for this one, but Charlie Laird was a terrible character. He was awful to his younger brother (Jack), and completely crushed the boy's confidence. Jack loved wearing Charlie's old Captain America Halloween costume, but Charlie was jealous. It was the last outfit his mother had made for him before she died, and he didn't want his brother to wear it. I could understand Charlie's feelings, but I stopped caring after he bullied Jack.

Charlie was also a horrible stepson. He refers to Charlotte as the stepmonster, but all she did was try to help Charlie. She exuded kindness, despite her stepson's cruel actions and offensive words. Even when Charlie didn't want her help, she would give it in subtle ways (to help with his nightmares). He snaps at his family, he's rude to his friends -- ugh. He was such a jerk! Oh, and when people try to help him in the Netherworld, he's even worse. He makes fun of people, taunts their actions, and provokes them until they give him what he wants. I hated his attitude and how he chose to interact with others. 

Another thing I didn't like about this book was the language. For example, I don't know too many twelve-year-olds that use the word fastidious. Also, the word stupid is used way too often. It was really bad when the goblins were taunting a small child. They called him fat, referred to him as a turtle because he was slow, and cheered for him to pee his pants. I understand all of this happened during a kid's nightmare, but I think it could have been handled differently. 

A few positives: I thought the world was creative and interesting, and I enjoyed some of the secondary characters. I also liked that this book focused on facing your fears, and that it mentions not always facing them alone.

⳼

Blackbird #1 by Sam Humphries,

Jen Bartel & Fiona Staples (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): An all-new ongoing series from fan-favorite writer SAM HUMPHRIES (Harley Quinn, Nightwing) and red-hot artist JEN BARTEL! In this neo-noir fantasy, Nina Rodriguez is positive that a secret magic world ruled by ruthless cabals is hiding just beneath the veneer of Los Angeles. The problem: everyone thinks she’s crazy. The bigger problem: she’s not crazy—she’s right. Can she unravel the mystery before the Great Beast catches up with her?

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I almost didn't finish Blackbird, but it seemed silly to DNF a comic. They're too short not to finish, you know? I also kept hoping the story would improve, but Nina was an incredibly frustrating character. She remembers magic that no one else does, and it quickly becomes an obsession.

I feel like the first issue of a new comic has to be informative, which Blackbird was not. Nina was able to predict a natural disaster before it happened, but it never tells you why. Mysterious, magical beings erase everyone's memory, but Nina managed to trick them into thinking she had forgotten. Again... how?

Fast forward (potential spoilers ahead)… she's doing drugs and abusing her prescriptions. She starts living with her sister after nearly dying, and promised to stop taking pills. Unsurprisingly, Nina is still taking pills and does a poor job of hiding it. Her life is a mess, her thoughts make zero sense (which might have something to do with how it was presented), and she still behaves liked a spoiled child.

I have no idea how she "stumbled" across a magical bracelet and knew exactly what it was. The language and magic were knew to me, but none of it was explained. At the end, she proves to be selfish and immature. Oh, and there's a cat with three eyes. I loved his name: Sharpie. This will not be a comic I continue reading in the future.

⳼

Cable & Deadpool Annual #1

by David F. Walker

Paco Diaz & Chris Stevens (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): THE TIME IS NIGH! History’s favorite duo are back together, and just in time! When Deadpool is hired to protect a woman from time-hopping villains, it’s only a matter of time until he breaks the timestream. Fortunately, his old pal Cable has some experience with that. But dark secrets have put the client, and reality itself, in more danger than either of our heroes could have foreseen! David F. Walker, Paco Diaz, and a host of stellar guest artists take Cable and Deadpool on an adventure of epic proportions!

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I'm not currently reading the ongoing series, but Jacob insisted I read the Cable & Deadpool annual issue since it can be read as a stand-alone. It was hilarious! I love these two together, and watching them travel through time is always fun.

I think it's fitting that Deadpool manages to make a plunger incredibly important, and later pees on Cable in the most unusual way. I never know what Deadpool will do or say next, and it's not always a nice surprise. I highly recommend this one if you like either character. Oh, and this issue manages to be politically and socially relevant! I loved the points they made, even when they came from Deadpool.

⳼

Domino Annual #1 by Gail Simone,
Fabian Nicieza, Dennis Hopeless,
Leah Williams, Victor Ibanez, Juan Gedeon,
Natacha Bustos, Greg Land (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Tales too big for Domino’s best-selling solo series! Neena Thurman’s never worked alone… She keeps her friends close and her lovers closer! FINALLY REVEALED: the origin of Domino’s posse! Colossus and Domino rekindled? Cable takes a bath! Plus: Domino’s not the only mutant wearing her X-gene on her sleeve… don’t miss the first appearance of the RejeX! 

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I didn't love or hate the annual issue for Domino. I enjoyed the backstory for Outlaw and how she joined the group, but it didn't really jive with the person I've gotten to know. It was an unexpected perspective.

I have no idea why the Cable story was there... it was weird and slightly jarring. Why were they in a bathtub? I know what was insinuated, but it didn't match Cable's thoughts.

I love Domino's relationship with Colossus, though it's not one I understand. I was also happy with the support group mentioned within this issue. It's important for people to love themselves and accept their appearances. 

I'm not entirely sure what RejeX is going to be, but it sounds interesting!