Gint's 5-15-13 Pull-List Review

We bid adieu to two books this week, one which almost deserves the death, the other taken from us before its time.

Fifth Place:
Voltron #12

Well that was the worst conclusion to a final issue of a book I've ever read. And after such a strong run by writer Brandon Thomas... just... ugh.

The art on this book, from the start, has been utter garbage. N. Steven Harris should be banned from comic books for life. In fact, he should be banned from all drawing utensils. He's not an artist. I don't know how he got this gig. Had to be blowjobs.

Brandon Thomas however is a really good writer. A strong talent that I expect to see the name of quite a lot in the future. I don't know what happened in this last issue. Maybe he expected more time. Maybe he didn't expect to have to wrap everything up so quickly. The problem is nothing really gets wrapped up. Keith is in some weird conspiracy with Sven keeping secrets from the others, a mysterious villain called the Third Sphere has been hunting Keith but we don't know why... I guess we never will.

This book had a shit-ton of promise. With a good artist paired with Brandon Thomas this book could have made some noise. Instead it dies a quiet, anonymous death.    

Fourth Place:
Wonder Woman #20

If only this book took place in the New 52 Universe. Oh, it does? Then why haven't I seen ANYTHING RESEMBLING ANOTHER FUCKING SUPERHERO???!!!

I would for real enjoy this book so much more if there was even a HINT of the world outside this book. I guess Brian Azzarello is too good to play in a shared universe. You know what? The book isn't even that good anymore so I don't understand why editorial is treating him with kid gloves. Maybe they know they've already sent too many good writers packing by forcing decisions on them.

Its awesome in the book when Wonder Woman holds up the baby Zeke and he glows with a halo... oh wait, that cover is total bait and switch? Yep. Wonder Woman doesn't even see the damn baby in the book.

I'd like to see some kind of story resolution here, but something tells me that's not going to happen before I drop it.

Third Place:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #2

This book's kind got it goin' on. Keith Giffen gets a little too quippy at times, but the majority of this book is solid. The main characters, He-Man and Teela, are getting tons of face time. I'm looking forward to Giffen exploring and fleshing out the other Masters of the Universe if he gets a chance.

Hordak has attacked Eternia, the Masters have their backs against the wall and there's a greater mystery involving Teela, Queen Marlena and Hordak's emissary, a girl that might be She-Ra.

Pop Mhan's art is MUCH better this time around. When he took over the first 6 issue arc, it was almost too light and cartoony. This time he's gritted it up a little bit. The colors are darker and the tone of the book fits the weight of the story a little bit more.

Is it a great update like the current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series? Not quite, but its entertaining with tons of potential.

Second Place:
Nova #4

Brian Bendis and Ed McGuinness take a step back this week. This book has been pretty outstanding so far, but for a pretty important issue where you meet Sam's Dad's archnemesis, its pretty... I don't know... alright?

McGuinness' are is still second to none. He draws some really cool shit and his panel layouts are interesting. The flow of the book is great. I still don't like the Chitauri being taken right from Marvel's The Avengers, but the addition of Titus the Space Tiger adds a great dynamic.

A solid book that stays solid.  

First Place:
Sword of Sorcery #8

Much like Voltron, this is the last issue of this title. The big difference is this book is really good with amazing art. Voltron... not so much.

Christy Marx and Aaron Lopresti's Amethyst comes to a close and it was a great book. An underrated and unheralded book, but a great book none the less. Through all my internet reading, all I see are articles and stories about how "we need stronger female characters," "we want more female characters," well where the fuck were all you female character supporters when this book needed you to survive?

I've extolled the virtues of this book from the beginning and may even get the trade when its released. Aaron Lopresti is a true talent that doesn't get enough love. Maybe now that his run on Sword of Sorcery is done, they'll replace one of the lackeys on a big title and put him on that.

Farewell, Sword of Sorcery. We hardly knew ye. 

Panel of the Week:

Aaron Lopresti is one of the most underrated talents at DC. He deserves a better fate than a cancelled book.

-Gint