$oss' Pull-List Reviews 4/25/12

Swamp Thing #8

Swamp Thing takes the war to the doorstep of Sethe, Lord of the Rot. I hate to say it but this issue left me very underwhelmed. The design for Flying Swamp Thing came complete with antlers and flowery wings. Kind of silly. We also met the newly transformed Abigail Arcane. She looked like a cross between Alien and the Tar Baby. Fucking awful.

I still love this book but I can't stress how disappointing this issue was. Hopeful next month Snyder and Paquette can get this great book back on track.

Justice League #8

This was a clinic on how to force feed a character to the reader. Not only did Green Arrow try to push his way into The Justice League by into the readers hearts. He fails at both. I don't know what DC is trying to do with this character. He comes across as horribly unlikeable. I miss the old Oliver Queen.

I don't care for the flashbacks to past adventures. Isn't this supposed to be a reimagining of The Justice League? Then why tell these new stories in bits and pieces. Don't give me a one page flashback, tell the story! Another month, another shitty issue of Justice League. 

On the other hand, Johns and Gary Frank have sparked my interest in the upcoming Shazam book. The bonus story more then makes up for the main tale. Billy Batson is a little asshole, but there is more to him then the brat he appears to be. Great art by Frank. He is a master of the expression. I officially can't wait for this book.

Wonder Woman #8

Hermes and Diana travel to the underworld to rescue Zola from Hades. Damn is this a creepy book. Hades isn't presented in the typical fire and brimstone manner which makes it all the more chilling. Hades is also not as you would expect, a small child with a burning candle melting down his face. I'll be seeing this in my nightmares.

I love the tone of this book. The color palette is all reds and grays, dark and foreboding. Azzarello and Chiang have been consistently great from the beginning. 

Batman: The Dark Knight #7

Batman: The Dark Knight has been a roller coaster ride of quality. While David Finch's art is always top notch the story has been all over the place. Bane is portrayed as a muscle bound brute and I hate that. I think all writers should follow the template used for this character in Secret Six. 

Lots of great splash pages in this book, but ultimately I'm glad this story arc is over. Overall I enjoy Dark Knight so I'll hang with this book for a few more months. 

Batman #8

The Court of Owls track Batman back to Wayne Manor. While Bruce and Alfred fight for their lives the most influential people in Gotham are attacked by the Owls. Bruce Wayne kicks a lot of ass in this book, all while in his bathrobe. Well.....until the final page when he confronts the Owls in an Iron Bat suit. Yuck. 

Night of the Owls looks to be an entertaining event. I'm anxious to see how the rest of Batman Incorporated deals with these undead ninjas in the coming month.

Avengers vs X-Men #2

The knockdown, drag out battle on the beach has begun. This is your standard slugfest but handled with care by the always amazing John Romita Jr. Lots of geek out match-ups here, from Red Hulk vs Colossus to Iron Man vs Magneto and the main event Captain America vs Cyclops. 

The captions were a little melodramatic for my taste "The Lord of Atlantis versus a man from Harlem with indestructible skin. Either would sooner die than yield. Today both will bleed." Damn Jason Aaron! Is this Hamlet or AVX? Other then this minor cheesiness AVX#2 is an outstanding read.-$

Panel of the Week: I hope the warranty isn't up on those bracelets.