This is the first Pull-List Review since learning about DC's plans in September to relaunch their entire line of books. For those books that I've been enjoying (see Superboy and Secret Six) it lends the feeling of "I better enjoy these now because they won't be around after August." But some books like our 5th Place Finish might benefit from the relaunch.
Finishing in Fifth Place:
Wonder Woman #611
A brief dream sequence involving Batman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern (Hal) and Superman was the highlight of this issue. Diana gets a glimpse of her future and sees herself killing all of the above.
This was a pretty tightly written issue. Diana and her new allies have a final showdown with the Morrigan and we see that the Morrigan are taking orders from someone else entirely. The story is told, through writing and art, at a pretty quick pace without a hiccup. Normally this book is fraught with some bad art or a long-winded speech that pulls you out of the story, but there was none of that here.
Overall this may be the best issue of this arc since the absent JMS took over.
A brief dream sequence involving Batman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern (Hal) and Superman was the highlight of this issue. Diana gets a glimpse of her future and sees herself killing all of the above.
This was a pretty tightly written issue. Diana and her new allies have a final showdown with the Morrigan and we see that the Morrigan are taking orders from someone else entirely. The story is told, through writing and art, at a pretty quick pace without a hiccup. Normally this book is fraught with some bad art or a long-winded speech that pulls you out of the story, but there was none of that here.
Overall this may be the best issue of this arc since the absent JMS took over.
A frustrating Fourth Place:
Flashpoint: Abin Sur #1
Its a good thing Atrocitus isn't in the Green Lantern movie or else he would have looked like a shameless plug for the film just like everything else in this sellout of an issue.
Before I rail on the powers that be for bending the will of comics to the wants of Hollywood, this story was pretty cool. Writer Adam Schlagman has been around the Green Lantern universe long enough to have a good idea of who these characters are. And for what it was, Felipe Massafera did some cool stuff. All of the artwork was really cool. However, did it have to be drawn to look like the movie designs?
I don't know what DC is thinking. That maybe if this book looks just like the movie, people will buy it once they see the movie? If Abin isn't Temura Morrison and Sinestro isn't Mark Strong, do they think they run the risk of NOT selling issues? Even Oa and the Guardians are drawn to represent what's in the movie. I think its bullshit that our comic books, the fucking SOURCE MATERIAL for all these Hollywood movies are being made to bow down to what the movies do. Fuck that. The movies should mimic the comics. Not the other way around.
This issue gets a big editorial fucking F.
Flashpoint: Abin Sur #1
Its a good thing Atrocitus isn't in the Green Lantern movie or else he would have looked like a shameless plug for the film just like everything else in this sellout of an issue.
Before I rail on the powers that be for bending the will of comics to the wants of Hollywood, this story was pretty cool. Writer Adam Schlagman has been around the Green Lantern universe long enough to have a good idea of who these characters are. And for what it was, Felipe Massafera did some cool stuff. All of the artwork was really cool. However, did it have to be drawn to look like the movie designs?
I don't know what DC is thinking. That maybe if this book looks just like the movie, people will buy it once they see the movie? If Abin isn't Temura Morrison and Sinestro isn't Mark Strong, do they think they run the risk of NOT selling issues? Even Oa and the Guardians are drawn to represent what's in the movie. I think its bullshit that our comic books, the fucking SOURCE MATERIAL for all these Hollywood movies are being made to bow down to what the movies do. Fuck that. The movies should mimic the comics. Not the other way around.
This issue gets a big editorial fucking F.
Third Place:
Superboy #8
The news that DC will be relaunching its universe comes with some mixed emotions. For books like Superman and Wonder Woman, who in my opinion NEED a reboot, this could be a really good thing. But for books like Superboy (who I imagine will get rebooted) its not. Jeff Lemire and Pier Gallo have really found their stride through 8 issues, and while we don't know the exact fate post-Flashpoint, its unlikely this team will keep doing what they're doing on this book.
Superboy #8 was a good read. Much like Wonder Woman this week, all of the art was really solid and there were no ghastly panels to pull you out of the story.
As for the story, Gallo draws us through this issue seamlessly with Lemire's story as Connor, Simon and Psionic Lad reach the build to the climax which looks like it has the potential to be really damn creepy.
Also, Karl Kerschel has drawn a couple really cool covers the last 2 issues. Well done, sir.
Superboy #8
The news that DC will be relaunching its universe comes with some mixed emotions. For books like Superman and Wonder Woman, who in my opinion NEED a reboot, this could be a really good thing. But for books like Superboy (who I imagine will get rebooted) its not. Jeff Lemire and Pier Gallo have really found their stride through 8 issues, and while we don't know the exact fate post-Flashpoint, its unlikely this team will keep doing what they're doing on this book.
Superboy #8 was a good read. Much like Wonder Woman this week, all of the art was really solid and there were no ghastly panels to pull you out of the story.
As for the story, Gallo draws us through this issue seamlessly with Lemire's story as Connor, Simon and Psionic Lad reach the build to the climax which looks like it has the potential to be really damn creepy.
Also, Karl Kerschel has drawn a couple really cool covers the last 2 issues. Well done, sir.
Second Place:
Flashpoint #2
Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert (my favorite Kubert) keep Flashpoint rolling with what I thought was a better issue than #1. All the scenes with Barry and Thomas Wayne may have been heavy on the exposition, but it was interesting, well written and I couldn't wait to get to the next word balloon. We get a little Aquaman and Wonder Woman in this issue, but Barry and Batman were where it was at.
Its not often I directly credit an inker. Not because I don't appreciate what they do, but mostly I just group them in with the "art team." Sandra Hope however deserves straight credit for her work on this issue. The patience she had to exhibit must be infinitesimal. Amazing work. She's also super hot.
Flashpoint #2
Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert (my favorite Kubert) keep Flashpoint rolling with what I thought was a better issue than #1. All the scenes with Barry and Thomas Wayne may have been heavy on the exposition, but it was interesting, well written and I couldn't wait to get to the next word balloon. We get a little Aquaman and Wonder Woman in this issue, but Barry and Batman were where it was at.
Its not often I directly credit an inker. Not because I don't appreciate what they do, but mostly I just group them in with the "art team." Sandra Hope however deserves straight credit for her work on this issue. The patience she had to exhibit must be infinitesimal. Amazing work. She's also super hot.
First Place:
Secret Six #34
A book that might or might not come back after DC relaunches everything may be Secret Six. If you've been following these reviews, you'll know that makes me very sad. But it could go either way. It could just get wrapped up and cancelled because its not a big book that encompasses a lot of the DCU, but that's also a reason it could stay around untouched. Secret Six has really carved out its own corner of the DCU. It would be easy for this book to reflect the new changes while staying pretty much the same, like the Green Lantern books seem to be doing. Here's hoping anyhow.
This was most certainly an epilogue issue wrapping up a couple plot lines and closing up some stories. It was a sad issue because it felt like a lead up to the impending series finale of a TV show.
It had everything a Secret Six book should have: gory action and heartfelt moments from a group of sociopaths like only Gail Simone can write.
J. Calafiore's art and layouts are paced perfectly and reflect the tone and emotion of Simone's story. When Nicola Scott left the book I didn't know how anyone could replace her. Calafiore's feels just as natural now and irreplaceable.
Secret Six #34
A book that might or might not come back after DC relaunches everything may be Secret Six. If you've been following these reviews, you'll know that makes me very sad. But it could go either way. It could just get wrapped up and cancelled because its not a big book that encompasses a lot of the DCU, but that's also a reason it could stay around untouched. Secret Six has really carved out its own corner of the DCU. It would be easy for this book to reflect the new changes while staying pretty much the same, like the Green Lantern books seem to be doing. Here's hoping anyhow.
This was most certainly an epilogue issue wrapping up a couple plot lines and closing up some stories. It was a sad issue because it felt like a lead up to the impending series finale of a TV show.
It had everything a Secret Six book should have: gory action and heartfelt moments from a group of sociopaths like only Gail Simone can write.
J. Calafiore's art and layouts are paced perfectly and reflect the tone and emotion of Simone's story. When Nicola Scott left the book I didn't know how anyone could replace her. Calafiore's feels just as natural now and irreplaceable.
The Panel of the Week:
Taking a look at the detail on that ship and in the Eiffel Tower highlights a patience that I will never have. Sandra Hope does a great job through this entire issue, but this page encompasses the whole.
-Gint
Wait, Andy Kubert is doing pencils on Flashpoint? Damn it, now I'm going to have too follow this stupid story!
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