Batman and Batgirl #21
I still think this book should be called Batman and Robin. I know there isn't a "Robin" for the title right now, but this shit isn't clever, its confusing.
And it sucks. Man do I hate saying that about a Pete Tomasi joint. Easily one of my favorite writers over the last ten years, but this book is garbage right now. Its just Bruce being super psycho. That's why I dropped Batman when Grant Morrison was writing it. It wasn't enjoyable. I know he's grieving over the loss of his son, but you can only read so many pages of someone being a superdouche before you wish the badguys would kill him.
Cliff Richards does a solid job filling in on pencils for Pat Gleason, but even solid art can't save a story that's just played out.
Wonder Woman #21
Earlier in the day before I read this book I saw that the book's writer, Brian Azzarello, would be reintroducing the New Gods to the New 52. I have NEVER been interested in the New Gods and pretty much rolled my eyes when I read that headline.
Skip to actually reading this issue... and I might be a little interested. Azzarello's Wonder Woman CLEARLY takes place in its own universe, not the New 52. After 21 issues I've given up seeing a cameo from another DCU denizen. But what "Azz" has done for the first time is make me like the New Gods' Orion. He's kind of a badass. If Azzarello can make the rest of the New Gods as credible as he has Orion, I'll stick around a while.
Cliff Chiang is back on art. Its really Russian Roulette when it comes to what artist is going to be on this book. Chiang's linework this issue feels a little rushed, but even rushed Chiang is better than a lot of stuff out there.
Animal Man #21
I'm comfortable proclaiming that Animal Man is back. The book took a little dip through the Rotworld storyline, but Jeff Lemire, joined by Steve Pugh has this title humming just as satisfyingly as he did when the New 52 launched.
Buddy is in dire straights. He's lost his son and his family, and in the meantime, he's been nominated for an Oscar. Ellen is trying to keep what's left of the family together, but Maxine is sneaking off at night to visit the Red to try to get Cliff back. There's some crazy shit and some big action, but its the quiet moments and real-life settings and dialog that really give this book heart.
Lemire isn't afraid to introduce unique ways of setting the mood and telling the story, and Steve Pugh isn't afraid to draw some fucked up shit. Animal Man is really a horror book, and its really awesome.
Green Lantern: New Guardians #21
This issue was awesome. I don't know anything about writer Justin Jordan, and I've seen very little from artist Brad Walker, but they both put together an hell of an issue.
Each new Green Lantern title has been a roll of the dice since DC changed all the creative teams. Essentially, each title now has an unknown (or at least not well-known) writer on it. Justin Jordan's first issue didn't disappoint. For the first time since this title was created, I'm excited to read the next issue. Jordan's quiet moments between Hal and Kyle, and then Kyle and Carol Ferris are just as interesting as the giant fight with the space sharks. Jordan does a really nice job giving you a sense of who these characters are as people. Cause if you don't care about them as people, you're not going to care about them as superheroes.
Brad Walker's art really impressed me. Some of his faces seem a little... wobbly?... to me, but overall his work is really solid. His panel layout and storytelling really hooked me and made for a smooth issue. I had a feeling what the surprise ending would be, but I was still excited to see it due to the way it was delivered.
Jordan and Walker set a high bar for their first issue. Lets hope they can keep it up.
Panel of the Week:
Brad Walker's subtle touch of Kyle's ring under his work glove is an appreciated detail.
-Gint
No comments:
Post a Comment