Gint's 1-16-13 Pull-List Review

After cleaning house by dropping a handful of mediocre books, by wallet really appreciates buying less books per week. That said, these were all worth it.

Third Place:
Batman and Robin #16

The first part of this Death of the Family crossover was a better issue. This one was kind of boring.

We get one whole issue of Damian fighting a Joker toxic-induced Batman the whole issue. There's a lot of leaps of faith that you need to take on behalf of the side effects the toxin causes on Robin. I find it really hard to believe that Damian doesn't recognize that an asian guy dressed up as Batman isn't Bruce.

Pat Gleason once again draws the shit out of this book. Very well done. But the story leaves a little to be desired. The last page give you the best part of the story as Joker leads a drugged out Damian to the next phase of his plan.

Second Place:
Batman #16

Joker's twisted game continues is probably the most fucked up style that we've seen from this story yet.

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo walk us masterfully through Arkham as its been remade by the Joker. We got to see things like a tapestry made of live bodies and a horse lit on fire. Its not often something makes me say, "man, that was fucked up," but Snyder and Capullo succeeded.

If the finale is ANYTHING like the last couple issues have been, we're in for some messed up shit!

First Place:
Saga #9

Its really the book to beat right now. I'd put it up against any book on the Pull-List and not be surprised if I enjoyed it the most. My DC sensibilities aren't happy about that.

Being that $oss and I are both big fans of The Will, a Will-centric issue is just what the doctor ordered. Seeing The Stalk's sweet/creepy nakedness didn't hurt either. I'm sure its not Brian K. Vaughn's intent, but The Stalk, and I guess Slave Girl are the only two female's from the Saga cast that I like. Gwendolyn is a bitch and I don't care for Alana much either.

Saga is a simple, relatable story. Its INSANE with all the crazy shit Vaughn and Fiona Staples through in from alien worlds and crazy ideas, but its a super easy read. And one you get invested in pretty quickly.

Panel of the Week:

I'd be remiss if Greg Capullo's insane Batman's Court wasn't the Splash of the Week.

-Gint