Justice League Dark #17
The JLD's strange adventure in a foreign land where magic is oppressed continues... aaaaand I'm ready for it to be over.
I think Jeff Lemire is turning the book's writing duties over solely to Ray Fawkes. No offense to Mr. Fawkes, but I don't think I'll be getting it after this arc. I like the characters, but the story just isn't doing it for me anymore. Lemire really seemed to have the book and characters humming, and while the backwards way all their powers work in this strange world is interesting, the story surrounding it just isn't pulling me in.
That's no indictment on Mikel Janin's art which is always stellar. But this book needs a shot in the arm that its just not getting presently.
I, Vampire #17
We're getting closer to the end and characters are now dropping like flies. When Josh Fialkov writes the end of a series, he knows how to go out with a bang.
After a ton of great issues by Andrea Sorrentino the artist carousel continues. This time its Fernando Blanco pulling the weight. He does fairly nice work and had he started the series, this issue wouldn't be so jarring. But following Sorrentino is a tough job that few are up to the task of.
John Constantine has taken the lead role in taking down the evil-ized Andrew Bennett and I gotta say, I think I like the way Fialkov writes him the best. Fialkov has done a great job on this book and its a shame its ending so soon.
Guardians of the Galaxy #.1
Well, I liked it. Can't say it much plainer than that. Brian Michael Bendis has yet to let me down. I know he has a certain style and a few of my comic compatriots can't stand him, but I've never read a book written by him that I haven't liked. And this was no different.
Peter Quill, or Star-Lord, is half Earthen and half Spartoi. His father, crashing from the stars and taking Margaret Quill to Pound Town. We get to see all this, well not ALL of it, and get to see a little of Quill's childhood without a father. Its very similar to Nova #1, but better. Maybe because I know Quill will be an adult when the book really starts.
The biggest problem I have with Quill is the way Steve McNiven draws him: as a big square-jawed beefcake of a man. What was nice about Paul Pelletier's Peter Quill during the famous Dan Abnett/Andy Lanning Guardians run was that Quill was more Han Solo than Captain America. He had to rely on his wits to get him out of trouble. McNiven's Quill looks like a goddamned blond Superman. But we'll see how Bendis plays him. So far he seems a little too serious and badass for me.
As I said, the short of it is it was a very well written book with art from a great artist. Whatever my misgivings are about rebooting the series, I'll be back for issue #1.
The Flash #17
Gorilla Warefare ends, next arc focusing on the Reverse-Flash begins and this is still one of the best books DC has to offer. With all the other creative team shakeups going on around the DC titles, its nice to not hear that this team is changing.
Barry gets super hot Iris and those other people out of the Speed Force, the Rogues helped save the city and stole a serious power supply, and Dr. Elias is plotting against the Flash. Alls well that ends well for Barry. We even get a little bit of movement on our Barry/Patty/Iris love triangle. Good stuff.
I'm glad Francis Manapul finished up the art on this book. I'm a Marcus To fan and his involvement was appreciated, but Manapul is a premium talent. With Buccellato of course. Hopefully they stay interested and can put some serious Geoff Johns time in to this title.
Aquaman #17
I'm a big fan of epilogues. Normally they're quiet issues with more introspective talking than blow out fights. This issue, the epilogue to Throne Of Atlantis, was fantastic.
Geoff Johns story picks up on Arthur as the new king of Atlantis trying to balance peace between Atlantis and the surface world. He's in a tough spot because no one trusts him. At one point Amanda Waller even gives him a version of the old X-Men line about "protecting two worlds that fear and hate you."
Paul Pelletier's art is really fucking good. He's a great superhero artist. He's also a great storyteller. Ivan Reis had a great thing going with Johns and Pelletier steps right in seamlessly.
Great stuff from Johns and Pelletier this week.
Splash of the Week:
-Gint
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