Gint's 7-24-13 Pull-List Review

A really good four books this week. Its funny seeing Flash at #4, but the competition this week was pretty strong.

Fourth Place:
The Flash #22

Not the most exciting issue of the Flash, but a necessary one in moving the story forward. A brief exchange between Iris and Patty was the highlight of the issue.

The lowlight is where Barry got the perfectly-fitting speed suit for Iris. Its never explained and its not a suspension of disbelief I can accept. I also don't think Iris should get superpowers. She hasn't exhibited any yet, but thats where Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are leaning.

The mystery of who is the new Reverse Flash continues. I have no guesses at this point, so the reveal in the next couple issues will surprise me as much as anyone.

Third Place:
Justice League Dark #22

Holy crap am I relieved they didn't kill Madame Xanadu. Mikel Janin draws her way too hot to be taken out of that book. The book opens with her being taken captive by the Secret Society.

I guess the main bad guy, and leader of the Secret Society is The Outsider. According to his history, he's a dead Alfred Pennyworth who's been reanimated with pasty white skin and superpowers?! But in the New 52, that can't be possible. Hopefully we'll find out who this guy is along with the other mysteries set up in the story.

This is Mikel Janin's first issue of Trinity War and its great seeing him do characters unfamiliar to the title like the entire Justice League. Its great seeing him flex his artistic muscles on some characters I'm not used to seeing him draw. 

Second Place:
Aquaman #22

Paul Pelletier's run of great artwork on this book continues. A great heads up move by DC pulling on an artist that can really live up to the high standard set when Ivan Reis launched the book.

This issue really advances all the current plot lines gathering steam for the finale. Arthur and the Dead King throw down, Scavenger overtakes Atlantis, Tula and Murk prepare to break Orm out of Belle Reve and Mera's people turn on her. Writer Geoff Johns is doing a great job introducing some twists and turns to really keep Aquaman and us on our toes.

I almost wish this book sucked so I could have something more to say each month other than how much I love it. 

First Place:
Batman Superman #2

After last issue left me wondering what the sweet fuck was happening, issue 2 really pulled it all together and made it coherent again.

When DC announced their Earth 2 books, I really didn't give a shit. I still don't. But the way Greg Pak and Jae Lee introduce this alternate Earth makes me really enjoy it in this book. The brief throwdowns between 2 Supermans and 2 Batmans thankfully doesn't last long and they come quickly to their senses as heroes should do.

Jae Lee draws some killer panels this issue and Pak deepens the mystery of who this Trickster is playing tricks on DC's biggest heroes.

Panel of the Week:

Jae Lee's Earth 2 Superman is pretty imposing.

-Gint