Sequart.com Columns: OPTIC VERVE by Matt Martin

OPTIC VERVE by Matt Martin

NUMBER TITLE DATE PUBLISHED

#70 "A Trip to Sin City" 22 Aug 2004
Matt examines Frank Miller's Sin City, focusing on Sin City, Sin City: The Big Fat Kill, and Sin City: That Yellow Bastard.

#69 "Lacking on Every Level" 30 July 2004
In which Matt examines the much-hyped Avengers #500 (characters die!) and offers snarky comments about Amazing Spider-Man #510 and Astonishing X-Men #3.

#68 Guardians: A Marvel #1 Worth Guarding 16 July 2004
A lengthy and considered review of Guardians #1 in light of Marvel's recent slew of new first issues.

#67 Batman Flounders, Richard Dragon Amuses, and Spider-Man 2 Gets Some Snarky Comments 2 July 2004
Reviews of Batman #629 and Richard Dragon #2. Plus some damn smart observations on Spider-Man 2... for the fans.

#66 The Gray Area in Black and White 25 June 2004
A look at The Gray Area #1 -- John Romita, Jr.'s disappointing breakout into creator-owned comics.

#65 Getting Under the Hood of Ex Machina 18 June 04
In which Matt does exactly that. A review of Brian K. Vaughan's newest -- and most successful -- debut since Y: The Last Man made his reputation.

#64 The Fall of Hype: Astonishing X-Men and Superman 4 June 04
Matt experly considers two much-hyped titles -- Joss Whedon & John Cassiday on Astonishing X-Men #1 and Brian Azzarello & Jim Lee on Superman #205 --, pointing out where they hit and where they went wrong.

#63 Of Adventures of Superman and Invincible 21 May 04
This time, Matt turns his shining gaze upon Greg Rucka's Adventures of Superman #628 and Robert Kirkman's Invincible #12. One gets slammed, the other praised.

#62 Of Spider-Man and Action Comics 14 May 04
Matt critizes Mark Millar's Spider-Man #2 and pronounces Chuck Austen's Action Comics as the best of the new Superman titles so far. Not a misprint.

#61 The New Firestorm 8 May 04
In which Matt reviews DC's Firestorm relaunch, admiring it but questioning its odds for success.

#60 On Mark Millar's Spider-Man 30 Apr 04
In which Matt favorably reviews the new adjectiveless Spider-Man #1, written by Mark Millar with art by the Dodsons.

#59 Power and Masculinity: On Be a Man and Supreme Power 22 Apr 04
In which Matt considers Jeffrey Brown's Be a Man (Top Shelf) and Supreme Power #9 (Marvel / MAX).

#58 Sweet Love, Suicidal Depression, and Racism 30 Mar 04
Matt praises Howard Chaykin's Mighty Love, criticizes Kinetic's lack of forward motion, and gives a lukewarm view of Runaways #13 -- including its apparent racism.

#57 2 March Comics 9 Mar 04
Matt slams Alpha Flight #1 with more humor than the comic itself had, then considers Superman / Batman #7 and the new Swamp Thing #1.

#56 New X-Men Feeling Old 2 Mar 04
In which Matt considers New X-Men #153, the penultimate chapter of "Here Comes Tomorrow" -- Grant Morrison's swan song.

#55 More 11 February Comics 18 Feb 04
In which Matt considers 4 #1 and Green Arrow #35.

#54 Aquaman's New Direction 13 Feb 04
In which Matt considers Will Pfeifer's Aquaman #15. OUR 100TH COLUMN!

#53 Coup d'État: Sleeper 5 Feb 04
In which Matt offers scathing criticism of the start of Wildstorm's universe-changing crossover.

#52 Optic Verve X-Travaganza! 14 Jan 04
In which Matt offers scathing criticism of the start of Wildstorm's universe-changing crossover.

#51 On Planetary #18 12 Jan 04
A look at Planetary #18 and how the book's fared since its return.

#50 On Catwoman's New Direction 31 Dec 03
ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! A critique of the new artistic style on Ed Brubaker's Catwoman and what it means for the book.

#49 An Advance Look at Bill Willingham's Robin 3 Dec 03
One fan's critique of new Robin writer Bill Willingham's Robin #121, scheduled for 17 December release.

#48 Azzarello and Kubert’s Sgt. Rock 20 Nov 03
Matt examines Sgt. Rock: Between Hell and a Hard Place, DC / Vertigo's new original graphic novel by Brian Azzarello and Joe Kubert.

#47 Caper #1 Reviewed 5 Nov 03
In which Matt argues that Judd Winick's Caper #1 brightened a rather weak week at the comics shops.

#46 Optic Verve Spooktacular 2003 29 Oct 03
In a horror comics celebration, Matt reviews Image's Sword of Dracula #1, The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings, and Image's Frankenstein Mobster #1.

#45 Comics Published 22 October 2003 24 Oct 03
Matt examines Batman #620 and pans Marvel's Hawkeye #1.

#44 Comics Published 8 October 2003 15 Oct 03
This time, Matt shines a spotlight upon The Walking Dead #1, published by Image Comics.

#43 Comics Published 24 September 2003 26 Sept 03
Matt offers a consideration of Captain America #18, the "Cap Lives" storyline, and Marvel's recent Captain America work.

#42 Comics Published 17 September 2003 19 Sept 03
Matt quits his job, praises The Sandman: Endless Nights, discovers Gun Theory #1, and delivers a body blow to Lone #1.

#41 Comics Published on 27 August 2003 16 Sept 03
Matt triumphantly returns with a smart review of The Flash #201 and a brilliant review of Fantastic Four #503.

#40 Comics Published on 25 June 2003 10 July 03
This time, Matt critiques Vertigo's The Losers #1.

#39 Comics Published on 18 June 2003 25 June 03
Matt makes an impassioned plea for Wildstorm's Sleeper #6.

#38 Comics Published on 11 June 2003 17 June 03
This week, Matt reviews Warren Ellis's Tokyo Storm Warning #1.

#37 Comics Published on 28 May 2003 2 June 03
This week, Matt reviews Inhumans #1.

#36 Comics Published on 21 May 2003 28 May 03
This week, Matt gives masterful attention to Arkham Asylum: Living Hell #1 and New Mutants #1.

#35 Comics Published on 14 May 2003 17 May 03
In this bad week for new comics, Matt reviews Powers #31.

#34 Comics Published on 7 May 2003 12 May 03
Dexterous reviews by Matt this time include Venom #1, Alias #22, The Authority (vol. 2) #1, Exiles #26, and the 25-cent Uncanny X-Men #423.

#33 Comics Published on 30 April 2003 2 May 03
Major reviews this week as Matt covers Beware the Creeper #1, Joss Whedon’s Fray #7, Namor #1, and New X-Men #140.

#32 Comics Published on 23 April 2003 25 April 03
Quality over quantity! Here Matt reviews Oni Press's Three Strikes #1 and Uncanny X-Men #422.

#31 Comics Published on 16 April 2003 21 April 03
This time, Matt reviews The Silencers #1 (published by Moonstone Books) and Powers #30.

#30 Comics Published on 9 April 2003 11 April 03
And now, because he's not just another pussy reviewer, Matt takes to task Human Torch #1, Green Arrow #23, and Captain America #12.

#29 Comics Published on 2 April 2003 4 April 03
Matt reviews the first Tsunami releases from Marvel -- Wolverine: X-Isle #1 and Sentinel #1 -- then reviews, in addition, Action Comics #802 and Ultimate Spider-Man #39.

#28 Comics Published on 26 March 2003 30 Mar 03
This time, Matt reviews Crossgen's Solus #1, Fantastic Four #67, Amazing Spider-Man #51, and Zatanna: Everyday Magic.

#27 Comics Published on 19 March 2003 26 Mar 03
This time, Matt reviews Matt Madden's Odds Off and Wildstorm's Sleeper #3.

#26 Comics Published on 12 March 2003 19 Mar 03
This time, Matt offers smart reviews of Kia Asamiya's Batman: Child of Dreams, The Ultimates #9, and Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules #3.

#25 Comics Published on 5 March 2003 10 Mar 03
ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! For his 25th column, Matt offers particularly clever reviews of Captain America: What Price Glory? #1, Jeffrey Brown's Clumsy (published by Top Shelf), and The Couriers (scripted by Brian Wood).

#24 Comics Published on 24 February 2003 5 Mar 03
This time, Matt expertly reviews Amazing Spider-Man #50, Wonder Woman #189, Rawhide Kid #2, Metal Hurlant #1, Hellboy: Weird Tales #1.

#23 Comics Published on 17 February 2003 25 Feb 03
In this one, Matt reviews Thunderbolts #76, Superman: Metropolis #1, Jack Staff #1, Astro City: Local Heroes #1, and My Own Little Empire.

#22 Comics Published on 12 February 2003 14 Feb 03
In this one, Matt gives lengthy attention to Avatar's Alan Moore offering, The Courtyard #1, and also reviews H-E-R-O #1, Lady Death #1, the two-issue JSA: The Liberty Files limited series from a few years ago, and My Uncle Jeff.

#21 Comics Published on 5 February 2003 10 Feb 03
In this one, Matt reviews Rawhide Kid #1, Point Blank #1-5, Hotel Harbour View, Hawaiian Dick #2, and Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules #2.

#20 Comics Published on 29 January 2003 29 Jan 03
Matt deftly reviews The Truth: Red, White and Black #3, Gotham Central #3, The Ultimate War #3, The Flash #194, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation #1.

#19 Comics Published on 15 January 2003 22 Jan 03
Back from his hiatus, Matt overwhelms us with reviews of The Punisher #20, The Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules #1, The Filth #7, Ultimate Spider-Man #34 and #35, Superman: The 10-Cent Adventure, Batman #610, The Ultimates #8, G.I. Joe: Frontline #3, Mek #3, and Vertigo Pop: London #3.

#18 Comics Published on 11 December 2002 17 Dec 02
This week, Matt reviews The Punisher #19, Powers #26, Mek #2, and Kissing Chaos: Nonstop Beauty #2.

#17 Comics Published on 4 December 2002 10 Dec 02
This week, Matt reviews The Mighty Thor #57, Ultimate Spider-Man #32, Ultimate War #1, G.I. Joe: Frontline #2, Uncanny X-Men #416, Gotham Central #1, and Eden’s Trail #2.

#16 Comics Published on 27 November 2002 3 Dec 02
This week, Matt reviews Hellblazer #178, Three Days in Europe #1 and Queen & Country: Declassified #1 (both published by Oni Press), Batman #609, Fantastic Four #63, X-Statix #5, and The Flash #192.

#15 Comics Published on 20 November 2002 21 Nov 02
This week, Matt reviews Daredevil #39, Ultimate Spider-Man #31, Moonstone Noir: Boston Blackie (published by Moonstone Books), Y: The Last Man #5, Incredible Hulk #47, and the much-hyped The Truth: Red, White and Black #1.

#14 Comics Published on 13 November 2002 18 Nov 02
Lots o' Vertigo this week as Matt reviews Ultimate X-Men #24, Mek #1, War Story: The Reivers, Daredevil / Bullseye: The Target #1, Vertigo Pop: London #1, and Fables #7.

#13 Comics Published on 6 November 2002 12 Nov 02
Matt reviews Powers #25, Detective Comics #776, Eden’s Trail #1, Kissing Chaos: Nonstop Beauty #1, X-Statix #4, Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra #1, and Uncanny X-Men #415.

#12 Comics Published on 30 October 2002 5 Nov 02
Here, Matt reviews St. Swithin's Day (published by Oni Press), Paradigm #2, The Flash #191 and The Avengers #59 (both written by Geoff Johns), Usagi Yojimbo #61, 30 Days of Night #3, and Hellblazer #177.

#11 Comics Published on 23 October 2002 28 Oct 02
Matt reviews Fantastic Four #62, the New X-Men Vol. 1 hardcover, The Hood #6, (Oni Press's) One Plus One #2, and the much-publicized premiere of Jim Lee on Batman with #608.

#10 Comics Published on 16 October 2002 18 Oct 02
Here, Matt reviews (Kevin Smith's) Spider-Man and the Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #3, (Grant Morrison's) The Filth #5, New X-Men #133, Daredevil #38, Blue Monday: Dead Man’s Party (published by Oni Press), Ultimate X-Men #23, and Incredible Hulk #46.

#9 Comics Published on 9 October 2002 10 Oct 02
Following a "comics I used to like" theme, Matt reviews Hunter: The Age of Magic #16, Strangers in Paradise #53, and Bone #49; Matt also more favorably reviews Powers #24, American Splendor: Unsung Hero #3, and Fables #6.

#8 Comics Published on 2 October 2002 7 Oct 02
Matt carefully reviews Uncanny X-Men #414, (Garth Ennis's) The Punisher #15-16, Holliday #1 (published by Saddle Tramp Press), Noble Causes Vol. 2 #1, Ultimate Spider-Man #28, Apache Skies #3, Ultimate X-Men #22, Detective Comics #775, and (Kerry Callen's) Halo and Sprocket #3 (published by Amaze Ink).

#7 Comics Published on 25 September 2002 27 Sept 02
More copious reviews -- now with an added line listing creator information! In this one, Matt rails against Diamond and reviews Avengers #58, Fantastic Four #61, Fight for Tomorrow #1, Ultimate Adventures #1, Marville #1, Jason and the Argobots #2, Flash #190, Transmetropolitan #60, and Batman #607.

#6 Comics Published on 18 September 2002 20 Sept 02
Jesus! What's he trying to do, put all the other reviewers out of business? In this one, Matt praises Brian K. Vaughn, criticizes Brian Michael Bendis, and reviews the new Captain Marvel #1, The Hood #5, Daredevil #37, Catwoman Secret Files and Origins #1, Tom Strong's Terrific Tales #4, Fables #5, G.I. Joe #10, Hairball: A Cal McDonald Mystery (by Steve Niles), Simpsons Comics #74, Uncanny X-Men #413 (written by Chuck Austen), One Plus One #1, Incredible Hulk #45, Y: The Last Man #3, American Splendor: Unsung Hero #2, and The Absolute Authority hardcover.

#5 Comics Published on 11 September 2002 13 Sept 02
Oh, God! Does this man sleep? Matt reviews New X-Men #132, Hopeless Savages: Ground Zero #3, Paradigm #1, Powers #23, Gotham Girls #2, Vertigo Pop: Tokyo #3, Hunter: The Age of Magic #15, and The Filth #4.

#4 Comics Published on 5 September 2002 10 Sept 02
Matt reviews New X-Men #131 and Leela Corman's graphic novel, Subway Series.

#3 Comics Published on 28 August 2002 2 Sept 02
In this one, Matt reviews Punisher #14, Catwoman #10, Fantastic Four #60, Avengers #57, and Y: The Last Man #1-2.

#2 Comics Published on 21 August 2002 27 Aug 02
In this one, Matt reviews Incredible Hulk #44, Daredevil #36, Ultimate X-Men #21, Uncanny X-Men #411, and Captain Marvel #35.

#1 Comics Published on 7 August 2002 18 Aug 02
In this one, Matt reviews The Path #5, 100 Bullets #37, Vertigo Pop: Tokyo #2, The Crusades #18, Ultimate Spider-Man #25, and Detective Comics #773. Wheh!

OPTIC VERVE by Matt Martin
	NUMBER	TITLE	DATE PUBLISHED

	#70	"A Trip to Sin City"	22 Aug 2004
	Matt examines Frank Miller's Sin City, focusing on Sin City, Sin City: The Big Fat Kill, and Sin City: That Yellow Bastard.

	#69	"Lacking on Every Level"	30 July 2004
	In which Matt examines the much-hyped Avengers #500 (characters die!) and offers snarky comments about Amazing Spider-Man #510 and Astonishing X-Men #3.

	#68	Guardians: A Marvel #1 Worth Guarding	16 July 2004
	A lengthy and considered review of Guardians #1 in light of Marvel's recent slew of new first issues.

	#67	Batman Flounders, Richard Dragon Amuses, and Spider-Man 2 Gets Some Snarky Comments	2 July 2004
	Reviews of Batman #629 and Richard Dragon #2. Plus some damn smart observations on Spider-Man 2... for the fans.

	#66	The Gray Area in Black and White	25 June 2004
	A look at The Gray Area #1 -- John Romita, Jr.'s disappointing breakout into creator-owned comics.

	#65	Getting Under the Hood of Ex Machina	18 June 04
	In which Matt does exactly that. A review of Brian K. Vaughan's newest -- and most successful -- debut since Y: The Last Man made his reputation.

	#64	The Fall of Hype: Astonishing X-Men and Superman	4 June 04
	Matt experly considers two much-hyped titles -- Joss Whedon & John Cassiday on Astonishing X-Men #1 and Brian Azzarello & Jim Lee on Superman #205 --, pointing out where they hit and where they went wrong.

	#63	Of Adventures of Superman and Invincible	21 May 04
	This time, Matt turns his shining gaze upon Greg Rucka's Adventures of Superman #628 and Robert Kirkman's Invincible #12. One gets slammed, the other praised.

	#62	Of Spider-Man and Action Comics	14 May 04
	Matt critizes Mark Millar's Spider-Man #2 and pronounces Chuck Austen's Action Comics as the best of the new Superman titles so far. Not a misprint.

	#61	The New Firestorm	8 May 04
	In which Matt reviews DC's Firestorm relaunch, admiring it but questioning its odds for success.

	#60	On Mark Millar's Spider-Man	30 Apr 04
	In which Matt favorably reviews the new adjectiveless Spider-Man #1, written by Mark Millar with art by the Dodsons.

	#59	Power and Masculinity: On Be a Man and Supreme Power	22 Apr 04
	In which Matt considers Jeffrey Brown's Be a Man (Top Shelf) and Supreme Power #9 (Marvel / MAX).

	#58	Sweet Love, Suicidal Depression, and Racism	30 Mar 04
	Matt praises Howard Chaykin's Mighty Love, criticizes Kinetic's lack of forward motion, and gives a lukewarm view of Runaways #13 -- including its apparent racism.

	#57	2 March Comics	9 Mar 04
	Matt slams Alpha Flight #1 with more humor than the comic itself had, then considers Superman / Batman #7 and the new Swamp Thing #1.

	#56	New X-Men Feeling Old	2 Mar 04
	In which Matt considers New X-Men #153, the penultimate chapter of "Here Comes Tomorrow" -- Grant Morrison's swan song.

	#55	More 11 February Comics	18 Feb 04
	In which Matt considers 4 #1 and Green Arrow #35.

	#54	Aquaman's New Direction	13 Feb 04
	In which Matt considers Will Pfeifer's Aquaman #15. OUR 100TH COLUMN!

	#53	Coup d'État: Sleeper	5 Feb 04
	In which Matt offers scathing criticism of the start of Wildstorm's universe-changing crossover.

	#52	Optic Verve X-Travaganza!	14 Jan 04
	In which Matt offers scathing criticism of the start of Wildstorm's universe-changing crossover.

	#51	On Planetary #18	12 Jan 04
	A look at Planetary #18 and how the book's fared since its return.

	#50	On Catwoman's New Direction	31 Dec 03
	ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! A critique of the new artistic style on Ed Brubaker's Catwoman and what it means for the book.

	#49	An Advance Look at Bill Willingham's Robin	3 Dec 03
	One fan's critique of new Robin writer Bill Willingham's Robin #121, scheduled for 17 December release.

	#48	Azzarello and Kubert’s Sgt. Rock	20 Nov 03
	Matt examines Sgt. Rock: Between Hell and a Hard Place, DC / Vertigo's new original graphic novel by Brian Azzarello and Joe Kubert.

	#47	Caper #1 Reviewed	5 Nov 03
	In which Matt argues that Judd Winick's Caper #1 brightened a rather weak week at the comics shops.

	#46	Optic Verve Spooktacular 2003	29 Oct 03
	In a horror comics celebration, Matt reviews Image's Sword of Dracula #1, The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings, and Image's Frankenstein Mobster #1.

	#45	Comics Published 22 October 2003	24 Oct 03
	Matt examines Batman #620 and pans Marvel's Hawkeye #1.

	#44	Comics Published 8 October 2003	15 Oct 03
	This time, Matt shines a spotlight upon The Walking Dead #1, published by Image Comics.

	#43	Comics Published 24 September 2003	26 Sept 03
	Matt offers a consideration of Captain America #18, the "Cap Lives" storyline, and Marvel's recent Captain America work.

	#42	Comics Published 17 September 2003	19 Sept 03
	Matt quits his job, praises The Sandman: Endless Nights, discovers Gun Theory #1, and delivers a body blow to Lone #1.

	#41	Comics Published on 27 August 2003	16 Sept 03
	Matt triumphantly returns with a smart review of The Flash #201 and a brilliant review of Fantastic Four #503.

	#40	Comics Published on 25 June 2003	10 July 03
	This time, Matt critiques Vertigo's The Losers #1.

	#39	Comics Published on 18 June 2003	25 June 03
	Matt makes an impassioned plea for Wildstorm's Sleeper #6.

	#38	Comics Published on 11 June 2003	17 June 03
	This week, Matt reviews Warren Ellis's Tokyo Storm Warning #1.

	#37	Comics Published on 28 May 2003	2 June 03
	This week, Matt reviews Inhumans #1.

	#36	Comics Published on 21 May 2003	28 May 03
	This week, Matt gives masterful attention to Arkham Asylum: Living Hell #1 and New Mutants #1.

	#35	Comics Published on 14 May 2003	17 May 03
	In this bad week for new comics, Matt reviews Powers #31.

	#34	Comics Published on 7 May 2003	12 May 03
	Dexterous reviews by Matt this time include Venom #1, Alias #22, The Authority (vol. 2) #1, Exiles #26, and the 25-cent Uncanny X-Men #423.

	#33	Comics Published on 30 April 2003	2 May 03
	Major reviews this week as Matt covers Beware the Creeper #1, Joss Whedon’s Fray #7, Namor #1, and New X-Men #140.

	#32	Comics Published on 23 April 2003	25 April 03
	Quality over quantity! Here Matt reviews Oni Press's Three Strikes #1 and Uncanny X-Men #422.

	#31	Comics Published on 16 April 2003	21 April 03
	This time, Matt reviews The Silencers #1 (published by Moonstone Books) and Powers #30.

	#30	Comics Published on 9 April 2003	11 April 03
	And now, because he's not just another pussy reviewer, Matt takes to task Human Torch #1, Green Arrow #23, and Captain America #12.

	#29	Comics Published on 2 April 2003	4 April 03
	Matt reviews the first Tsunami releases from Marvel -- Wolverine: X-Isle #1 and Sentinel #1 -- then reviews, in addition, Action Comics #802 and Ultimate Spider-Man #39.

	#28	Comics Published on 26 March 2003	30 Mar 03
	This time, Matt reviews Crossgen's Solus #1, Fantastic Four #67, Amazing Spider-Man #51, and Zatanna: Everyday Magic.

	#27	Comics Published on 19 March 2003	26 Mar 03
	This time, Matt reviews Matt Madden's Odds Off and Wildstorm's Sleeper #3.

	#26	Comics Published on 12 March 2003	19 Mar 03
	This time, Matt offers smart reviews of Kia Asamiya's Batman: Child of Dreams, The Ultimates #9, and Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules #3.

	#25	Comics Published on 5 March 2003	10 Mar 03
	ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! For his 25th column, Matt offers particularly clever reviews of Captain America: What Price Glory? #1, Jeffrey Brown's Clumsy (published by Top Shelf), and The Couriers (scripted by Brian Wood).

	#24	Comics Published on 24 February 2003	5 Mar 03
	This time, Matt expertly reviews Amazing Spider-Man #50, Wonder Woman #189, Rawhide Kid #2, Metal Hurlant #1, Hellboy: Weird Tales #1.

	#23	Comics Published on 17 February 2003	25 Feb 03
	In this one, Matt reviews Thunderbolts #76, Superman: Metropolis #1, Jack Staff #1, Astro City: Local Heroes #1, and My Own Little Empire.

	#22	Comics Published on 12 February 2003	14 Feb 03
	In this one, Matt gives lengthy attention to Avatar's Alan Moore offering, The Courtyard #1, and also reviews H-E-R-O #1, Lady Death #1, the two-issue JSA: The Liberty Files limited series from a few years ago, and My Uncle Jeff.

	#21	Comics Published on 5 February 2003	10 Feb 03
	In this one, Matt reviews Rawhide Kid #1, Point Blank #1-5, Hotel Harbour View, Hawaiian Dick #2, and Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules #2.

	#20	Comics Published on 29 January 2003	29 Jan 03
	Matt deftly reviews The Truth: Red, White and Black #3, Gotham Central #3, The Ultimate War #3, The Flash #194, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation #1.

	#19	Comics Published on 15 January 2003	22 Jan 03
	Back from his hiatus, Matt overwhelms us with reviews of The Punisher #20, The Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules #1, The Filth #7, Ultimate Spider-Man #34 and #35, Superman: The 10-Cent Adventure, Batman #610, The Ultimates #8, G.I. Joe: Frontline #3, Mek #3, and Vertigo Pop: London #3.

	#18	Comics Published on 11 December 2002	17 Dec 02
	This week, Matt reviews The Punisher #19, Powers #26, Mek #2, and Kissing Chaos: Nonstop Beauty #2.

	#17	Comics Published on 4 December 2002	10 Dec 02
	This week, Matt reviews The Mighty Thor #57, Ultimate Spider-Man #32, Ultimate War #1, G.I. Joe: Frontline #2, Uncanny X-Men #416, Gotham Central #1, and Eden’s Trail #2.

	#16	Comics Published on 27 November 2002	3 Dec 02
	This week, Matt reviews Hellblazer #178, Three Days in Europe #1 and Queen & Country: Declassified #1 (both published by Oni Press), Batman #609, Fantastic Four #63, X-Statix #5, and The Flash #192.

	#15	Comics Published on 20 November 2002	21 Nov 02
	This week, Matt reviews Daredevil #39, Ultimate Spider-Man #31, Moonstone Noir: Boston Blackie (published by Moonstone Books), Y: The Last Man #5, Incredible Hulk #47, and the much-hyped The Truth: Red, White and Black #1.

	#14	Comics Published on 13 November 2002	18 Nov 02
	Lots o' Vertigo this week as Matt reviews Ultimate X-Men #24, Mek #1, War Story: The Reivers, Daredevil / Bullseye: The Target #1, Vertigo Pop: London #1, and Fables #7.

	#13	Comics Published on 6 November 2002	12 Nov 02
	Matt reviews Powers #25, Detective Comics #776, Eden’s Trail #1, Kissing Chaos: Nonstop Beauty #1, X-Statix #4, Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra #1, and Uncanny X-Men #415.

	#12	Comics Published on 30 October 2002	5 Nov 02
	Here, Matt reviews St. Swithin's Day (published by Oni Press), Paradigm #2, The Flash #191 and The Avengers #59 (both written by Geoff Johns), Usagi Yojimbo #61, 30 Days of Night #3, and Hellblazer #177.

	#11	Comics Published on 23 October 2002	28 Oct 02
	Matt reviews Fantastic Four #62, the New X-Men Vol. 1 hardcover, The Hood #6, (Oni Press's) One Plus One #2, and the much-publicized premiere of Jim Lee on Batman with #608.

	#10	Comics Published on 16 October 2002	18 Oct 02
	Here, Matt reviews (Kevin Smith's) Spider-Man and the Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #3, (Grant Morrison's) The Filth #5, New X-Men #133, Daredevil #38, Blue Monday: Dead Man’s Party (published by Oni Press), Ultimate X-Men #23, and Incredible Hulk #46.

	#9	Comics Published on 9 October 2002	10 Oct 02
	Following a "comics I used to like" theme, Matt reviews Hunter: The Age of Magic #16, Strangers in Paradise #53, and Bone #49; Matt also more favorably reviews Powers #24, American Splendor: Unsung Hero #3, and Fables #6.

	#8	Comics Published on 2 October 2002	7 Oct 02
	Matt carefully reviews Uncanny X-Men #414, (Garth Ennis's) The Punisher #15-16, Holliday #1 (published by Saddle Tramp Press), Noble Causes Vol. 2 #1, Ultimate Spider-Man #28, Apache Skies #3, Ultimate X-Men #22, Detective Comics #775, and (Kerry Callen's) Halo and Sprocket #3 (published by Amaze Ink).

	#7	Comics Published on 25 September 2002	27 Sept 02
	More copious reviews -- now with an added line listing creator information! In this one, Matt rails against Diamond and reviews Avengers #58, Fantastic Four #61, Fight for Tomorrow #1, Ultimate Adventures #1, Marville #1, Jason and the Argobots #2, Flash #190, Transmetropolitan #60, and Batman #607.

	#6	Comics Published on 18 September 2002	20 Sept 02
	Jesus! What's he trying to do, put all the other reviewers out of business? In this one, Matt praises Brian K. Vaughn, criticizes Brian Michael Bendis, and reviews the new Captain Marvel #1, The Hood #5, Daredevil #37, Catwoman Secret Files and Origins #1, Tom Strong's Terrific Tales #4, Fables #5, G.I. Joe #10, Hairball: A Cal McDonald Mystery (by Steve Niles), Simpsons Comics #74, Uncanny X-Men #413 (written by Chuck Austen), One Plus One #1, Incredible Hulk #45, Y: The Last Man #3, American Splendor: Unsung Hero #2, and The Absolute Authority hardcover.

	#5	Comics Published on 11 September 2002	13 Sept 02
	Oh, God! Does this man sleep? Matt reviews New X-Men #132, Hopeless Savages: Ground Zero #3, Paradigm #1, Powers #23, Gotham Girls #2, Vertigo Pop: Tokyo #3, Hunter: The Age of Magic #15, and The Filth #4.

	#4	Comics Published on 5 September 2002	10 Sept 02
	Matt reviews New X-Men #131 and Leela Corman's graphic novel, Subway Series.

	#3	Comics Published on 28 August 2002	2 Sept 02
	In this one, Matt reviews Punisher #14, Catwoman #10, Fantastic Four #60, Avengers #57, and Y: The Last Man #1-2.

	#2	Comics Published on 21 August 2002	27 Aug 02
	In this one, Matt reviews Incredible Hulk #44, Daredevil #36, Ultimate X-Men #21, Uncanny X-Men #411, and Captain Marvel #35.

	#1	Comics Published on 7 August 2002	18 Aug 02
	In this one, Matt reviews The Path #5, 100 Bullets #37, Vertigo Pop: Tokyo #2, The Crusades #18, Ultimate Spider-Man #25, and Detective Comics #773. Wheh!