My expectations for the week of 4/6/11 were pretty good. These have been 4 books that haven't let me down, and they didn't disappoint again.
In 4th place:
Annihilators #2/Rocket Raccoon & Groot
Two issues in and I'm not really feeling Annihilators. But I want to. Up to this point I've loved what Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have done with the Marvel Cosmic Universe. But something just isn't clicking with Annihilators.
Perhaps its these characters taking a lead role? They've all worked great in their previous roles through Annihilation and the Phalanx War, but all together in a group, they're just kind of boring. Cosmo isn't even around for some of that ol' Guardians of the Galaxy vibe.
Its not a bad story. Its entertaining. It better be because the art isn't. There are some panels that Tan Eng Huat hooks the shit out of. Like Beta Ray Bill summoning the storm to cover up the black sun. And then there are others like this perspective shot of Doctor Dredd. C'mon man.
Two issues in and I'm not really feeling Annihilators. But I want to. Up to this point I've loved what Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have done with the Marvel Cosmic Universe. But something just isn't clicking with Annihilators.
Perhaps its these characters taking a lead role? They've all worked great in their previous roles through Annihilation and the Phalanx War, but all together in a group, they're just kind of boring. Cosmo isn't even around for some of that ol' Guardians of the Galaxy vibe.
Its not a bad story. Its entertaining. It better be because the art isn't. There are some panels that Tan Eng Huat hooks the shit out of. Like Beta Ray Bill summoning the storm to cover up the black sun. And then there are others like this perspective shot of Doctor Dredd. C'mon man.
 | ||
| Look at those feet. C'mon. |
There are 2 issues to go and plenty of time to make Annihilators stand up like the other DNA books. But so far, C+ at best.
Rocket Raccoon & Groot however continues to bring what a Rocket/Groot story should: insane space action. The story has been funny, and slightly tongue-in-cheek, but there's almost one too many Earth pop culture references.
The art continues to be pretty damn cool. I like the creepy way Timothy Green II draws Groot. And he really hooks up a badass, talking Look at those feetmushroom. There's a certain style and consistency happening with the art in the back of this book that isn't happening in the front.
I don't know what the DNA plan is, but I'd like to see these two stories dovetail in the last issue.
Rocket Raccoon & Groot however continues to bring what a Rocket/Groot story should: insane space action. The story has been funny, and slightly tongue-in-cheek, but there's almost one too many Earth pop culture references.
The art continues to be pretty damn cool. I like the creepy way Timothy Green II draws Groot. And he really hooks up a badass, talking Look at those feetmushroom. There's a certain style and consistency happening with the art in the back of this book that isn't happening in the front.
I don't know what the DNA plan is, but I'd like to see these two stories dovetail in the last issue.
In a surprising 3rd place:
Brightest Day #23
This issue moves pretty quick. We get right into the action and the Big Bad before the saddle stitch of the book. And its pretty cool.
I won't give up any spoilers, but its a character from DC's extensive history that fits into this story pretty well. Had I been a bigger fan of this character before, the surprise may have hit me even harder. Regardless its pretty sweet. I'm interested to see how they're going to work this into future issues and how they're going to be handled in the current DCU.
The art, as usual, is pretty damn solid. No glaring atrocities (see Annihilators #2 above.) If I say there were no outstanding art moments in this issue, one could argue the double-page spread of the big bad qualifies. But perhaps I'm just so used to Ivan Reis knocking stuff out of the park I'm not blown away by it. I'd hate to become calloused to his spectacular work.
Brightest Day is advancing and I think its time. I'm not getting tired of it, but its running its course. Should be a good finish.
This issue moves pretty quick. We get right into the action and the Big Bad before the saddle stitch of the book. And its pretty cool.
I won't give up any spoilers, but its a character from DC's extensive history that fits into this story pretty well. Had I been a bigger fan of this character before, the surprise may have hit me even harder. Regardless its pretty sweet. I'm interested to see how they're going to work this into future issues and how they're going to be handled in the current DCU.
The art, as usual, is pretty damn solid. No glaring atrocities (see Annihilators #2 above.) If I say there were no outstanding art moments in this issue, one could argue the double-page spread of the big bad qualifies. But perhaps I'm just so used to Ivan Reis knocking stuff out of the park I'm not blown away by it. I'd hate to become calloused to his spectacular work.
Brightest Day is advancing and I think its time. I'm not getting tired of it, but its running its course. Should be a good finish.
In 2nd place:
Secret Six #32
So, there's something about Jeanette that I find so effing hot. If I were to pick my top 3 comic book chicks ever, she may make the cut. I think its a combo of the Silver Banshee powers and just her attitude. Also, J. Calafiore and Nicola Scott before him always draw her damn sexy.
I digress. While I can't say I entirely buy Ragdoll's 180 from lovable psycho to scheming prince of hell, its making for a great story. The Secret Six work best when they're up against unbeatable odds. Gail Simone knows how to push all the right buttons and get them in the right situations.
What's cool about this book is that there are other books where, in a shared Universe, you'll read it and ask, "Well, why isn't Superman coming, or why isn't so and so coming," but Simone writes it in such a way that the Six really inhabit their own corner of the DCU when they need to. You don't wonder why heroes or villains aren't coming. This is the Six's job.
Simone also does a good job writing rhyming demons. Most writers make them hard to get though. Simone keeps it short and sweet.
So, there's something about Jeanette that I find so effing hot. If I were to pick my top 3 comic book chicks ever, she may make the cut. I think its a combo of the Silver Banshee powers and just her attitude. Also, J. Calafiore and Nicola Scott before him always draw her damn sexy.
I digress. While I can't say I entirely buy Ragdoll's 180 from lovable psycho to scheming prince of hell, its making for a great story. The Secret Six work best when they're up against unbeatable odds. Gail Simone knows how to push all the right buttons and get them in the right situations.
What's cool about this book is that there are other books where, in a shared Universe, you'll read it and ask, "Well, why isn't Superman coming, or why isn't so and so coming," but Simone writes it in such a way that the Six really inhabit their own corner of the DCU when they need to. You don't wonder why heroes or villains aren't coming. This is the Six's job.
Simone also does a good job writing rhyming demons. Most writers make them hard to get though. Simone keeps it short and sweet.
And how sweet is that cover. Cree-py.
And triumphantly in 1st:
Doom Patrol #21
22 pages of Cliff "Robotman" Steele rehashing his life with the various Doom Patrols and making a decision on whether or not to invade Oolong Island. Sounds like a lot of introspective text and exposition. It was. And it was awesome.
Much like Gail Simone has taken a certain ownership of the Secret Six characters, Keith Giffen has made the Doom Patrol his own. When you read some writers, you read their text as if they're saying it, not the character. Though while I imagine some of Giffen's own thought process creeps in to his writing of Cliff Steele, I think Giffen and Steele are so close to the same person, that it works perfectly.
Matthew Clark doubles and triples up the same panel quite a bit in this issue. That's rare for him, but in this context (mostly Cliff's flashbacks) it works as a static image that Cliff remembers and not an artist being lazy.
The Doom Patrol invades Oolong Island next month, and I can't wait.
22 pages of Cliff "Robotman" Steele rehashing his life with the various Doom Patrols and making a decision on whether or not to invade Oolong Island. Sounds like a lot of introspective text and exposition. It was. And it was awesome.
Much like Gail Simone has taken a certain ownership of the Secret Six characters, Keith Giffen has made the Doom Patrol his own. When you read some writers, you read their text as if they're saying it, not the character. Though while I imagine some of Giffen's own thought process creeps in to his writing of Cliff Steele, I think Giffen and Steele are so close to the same person, that it works perfectly.
Matthew Clark doubles and triples up the same panel quite a bit in this issue. That's rare for him, but in this context (mostly Cliff's flashbacks) it works as a static image that Cliff remembers and not an artist being lazy.
The Doom Patrol invades Oolong Island next month, and I can't wait.
-Gint
And introducing our new Pull-List feature: our PANEL OF THE WEEK! There are trumpets, you just can't hear them.
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