A big week of 8 books. Lets get right to it.
In Eigth Place:
Teen Titans #2
Scott Lobdell needs classes in naming superheroes. Granted, most of the good names are already taken, but with names like Skitter and Bunker, are you even trying, Scott Lobdell? Not to mention the words "inertrite" and "insectivoid."
This book is kind of cheesy. I don't know if this is what passed as good in the 90s, but it doesn't pass my judgement now. The characters are flat and unlikeable. Except Tim. Coming from a really sharp book like Fabian Niceiza's Red Robin to this incarnation of the Teen Titans is just a disappointment.
Brett Booth's art is all over the board. Some panels are actually pretty sharp. Some are just littered with bad anatomy.
I loved Geoff Johns' run on Teen Titans. I was hoping to get something comparable when DC rebooted the entire universe. Two issues in and this isn't it.
In Seventh Place:
Superman #2
As far as I know, George Perez hasn't written any novels. Well he's working on one now. To the best of my knowledge, these first two issues of Superman are the wordiest two comics I've ever read. #2 was leaps and bounds better than #1, but it still left a lot to be desired.
Grant Morrison's Action Comics has introduced us to a brand new Superman. He doesn't just look different, he sounds different. Morrison writes Superman in a brand new light. Perez writes Superman as the same guy we've been reading for the last 20 years. This book doesn't feel like a brand new universe.
On top of this, Perez feels the need to write words for everything going on. Example: if the panel shows Superman reaching for a pencil, he'll undoubtedly have some word balloon or caption saying, "I will now pick up this pencil." It makes the issue drag.
Other than that we had a pretty nice art showing from Jesus Merino. He crams a whole lot of stuff into each page but its much better managed than issue #1.
The story is still pretty uninspired. The Clark/Lois scenes have potential, but over all this is nothing more than every other so-so comic that's been produced since the dawn of comic-time.
In Sixth Place:
Green Lantern: New Guardians #2
This was a good comic. The story wins out after having to fight its way through fill-in artist Harvey Tolibao.
If you've been following my reviews, you'll know I'm not a huge fan of Tyler Kirkham's work. But after a handful of pages from Tolibao, I couldn't wait to get Kirkham back. Kirkham has a particular style. You know what his lines are going to do and he's in control of them. Tolibao seems to still be learning the craft. Some muddy shading here, a bad angle there... his work is littered with inexperience. It sparks the age-old debate: would you rather a book be late with the original artist, or would you like a book on time with a fill-in?
Tony Bedard's story picks up some steam and he does a great job writing the interactions between each different Corps' member. The little twist of Arkillo's ring speaking for him (since he had his tongue ripped out) is a nice touch. The brief talk between Saint Walker and Kyle about what Ganthet means to each of them adds a nice dimension to their relationship.
Bedard's story really pulled this issue through some shaky art. Here's hoping Bedard's hitting a nice stride early with this book.
In Fifth Place:
The Fury of Firestorm #2
Apparently I got a bad issue. The black on most of the pages isn't solid black, but a washed out grey. I believe this was a printing issue, not an art issue. Fortunately it wasn't so bad it ruined the book.
Issue #1 was jam packed with a lot of information. Almost too much. #2 pulls back a little bit and we get to see Ronnie and Jason beginning to come to grips with their situation. They learn a little bit about their powers and what they turn into together.
Aside from the bad printing, the art is solid if not spectacular. I feel like I say that a lot in this space, but its damn appropriate. I don't know if there really is a lack of superstar artists, or its just that hard to draw a really good looking monthly book.
What bothers me is the new female character Tonya Lu. Clearly an Asian-American love interest for Jason... or Ronnie? So since this girl so closely resembles Jason's former love interest Gehenna, why not just make her Gehenna? Unless Gehenna's untimely "being turned to salt" by Deathstorm is still in continuity?
Anyhow, Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone are writing a solid book leaving just enough suspense to keep you coming back for more.
In Fourth Place:
Annihilators #2
I loved Star Lord, Nova and the original Guardians of the Galaxy. They had personality and relateability (is that a word?). Then Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning "killed" Star Lord and Nova and introduced us to the Annihilators. Though the Annihilators have enough power to handle any threat to the galaxy, they were lacking in personality. This issue Abnett and Lanning change that.
In the midst of a battle (misunderstanding) with the Avengers, the Annihilators, who have been pretty stiff, loosen up and show a side that I've been waiting to see. It took one 4-issue miniseries and 2 issues for me to finally get into this team. Now that I've found my hook, I'm hoping Abnett and Lanning can keep it up.
Tan Eng Huat continues to be a bad artist, but oddly enough, I feel like it adds a certain charm to his work.
In Third Place:
The Flash #2
It only took two issues for any doubt about the writing talents of two artists to be erased. The Flash is one of the stronger books coming out of the relaunch. And its not just the surprise good writing, the art is fantastic too.
Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul really do a great job making Barry Allen's life interesting. Though we're only two issues in, they've managed to make Barry and his recurring cast feel like we've known them forever. But I don't want that to be construed to mean they're writing the same Barry that's always been written like George Perez is doing with Superman. Barry and his cast are fresh and exciting.
Manapul and Buccellato are also doing different things with the art. They're using clever tweaks to color, page layout and even typography to make the art say just as much as the text (no offense to letterer Sal Cipriano).
While I'm loving this book, we are only two issues in. So maybe I should temper my excitement until Manapul and Buccellato have a good run and really prove themselves.
In Second Place:
I, Vampire #2
This is a brutal book. The maiming and killing illustrated this this book doesn't hold back. Andrea Sorrentino isn't afraid to draw the full on carnage that a vampire on vampire war would wreak. I've seen every episode of True Blood, and while True Blood has shown some gruesome things, the genuine horror drawn in this issue is inspiring.
The story falls of a little bit from issue #1 in that its mostly a monologue "overdubbed" on the fight between Andrew and about 50 other vampires. The pace is a little slow and two issues in I think we're still on the same day. I'm looking forward to Joshua Fialkov moving the timeline along a little bit.
But once again I, Vampire is a beautiful book that is really unlike anything else that's out there.
In First Place:
Aquaman #2
Unlike I, Vampire, Geoff Johns advances the story a lot further than I expected. The Trench have landed on well, land, and apparently take Aquaman back down with them. Or so the cliffhanger eludes.
The most interesting part of this book, other than the once again stellar artwork by Ivan Reis and Co., is a brief look at Aquaman's childhood while he and Mera are looking through old photo albums. Geoff Johns is great at finding the seemingly mundane and forgotten parts of a characters' past and making them interesting and relevant. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Aquaman's childhood as we usually get "he was washed up on shore and then he was Aquman."
This is a damn fine superhero story so far. If the creative team can keep it going, it could do for Arthur Curry what Rebirth did for Hal Jordan.
Panel of the Week:
Is there something wrong with me that I find this incredibly sexy?
-Gint
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