X-Men #4
This issue we learn just how much of a hand Olivier Coipel's artwork has in my buying this book. If fill-in David Lopez continues, this book won't be long for the Pull-List.
I know Soss enjoyed the talking portion of this issue between Wolverine and Jubilee, but I thought it was incredibly boring. Maybe its because I have no connection to Jubilee or her history, but I couldn't wait to get back to the only slightly-less boring X-Men saving a passenger jet. That's harsh, the passenger jet part was okay. Only a little off putting because I guess I don't really understand how the powers of Rachel Grey, Psylocke and Rogue work. It made for a lot of, "huh?"
The art and story of the first three issues was stellar. This issue took a serious tumble from the great work of what came before.
Batman #23
So... for being the issue where Bruce decides to "become at bat," it kind of sucked.
Well, maybe "sucked" is a bit harsh. But it was damn confusing. So let me see if I have this straight: Bruce gets his ass kicked by the Red Hood Gang, leaves his Gotham apartment and stumbles home to Wayne Manor where Alfred stitches him up. Then in some kind of fever dream/post-concussion syndrome Bruce opens some light-up ball that makes a room in the Manor look like a cave and bats come in. Then he drops the ball on accident, it shatters, and he decides to "become the bat." Right? Is that what happened?
For as good as Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's issues have been, this issue was a dud.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #5
This has been a very enjoyable book. This issue, not so much. It felt like I was reading a Kurt Busiek book: LOTS of words.
We learn the backstory of Despara, who is really Adora, sister of Prince Adam. Yes, Keith Giffen and Pop Mhan have introduced She-Ra into DC's He-Man Universe. She's not She-Ra yet of course, but I'm sure we'll get there. We've still got a lot of story to tell.
Pop Mhan does his usual yeoman's work drawing a fine book around all of Giffen's writing. Granted there's such a big backstory it almost HAS to be wordy, but it made for an exhausting read.
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #3
Since reading issue number two I really dug into Danger Days by My Chemical Romance. Essentially the album companion of this book. The book makes a lot more sense now. Especially after watching the videos for "Na Na Na" and "SING."
Gerard Way and Shaun Simon are writing a pretty interesting story even if it can be a little confusing getting to know the world and characters. Becky Cloonan's artwork is really a highlight of each issue. There seems to be nothing she can't draw. And the detail she puts in every panel really brings the world to life.
If there are negatives, its just the crazy high-concept of this world where big business rules everything and teenagers roam free in the desert. I maintain its a really whacky book.
Star Wars #8
My first thought after reading this issue was, "we're on issue 8 already?!" It really doesn't seem like a lot has happened in eight issues. We should be a lot farther ahead.
Han and Chewie are still trying to escape Coruscant, Luke and Wedge have willingly been captured and infiltrated a Super Star Destroyer and Leia is out alone in Alderaan space where she met, seemingly, another Alderaanian.
Artist Ryan Kelly has some BAD panels this issue along side some pretty good ones. Overall his art isn't lighting my pants on fire. Brian Wood however continues to get a better handle on how our main characters talk. Overall this was a pretty fun issue.
Batman and Nightwing #23
Maybe its because the grieving process is finally over, maybe its because we may be able to actually get back to a normal, less irritating Bruce, but this was the most enjoyable issue in a long time.
Batman has been running a virtual reality simulator to see if there's any way he can replay the night of Damian's death, but this time save him. Nightwing joins the simulator and they DO save him. Alfred also runs it later by himself and saves him by tricking him to stay in the cave that night. Its a well done, emotional issue.
The highlight is Bruce's kinda/sorta acceptance at the end. Maybe now we can just get back to some good ol' fashioned Pete Tomasi/Pat Gleason Batman stories.
Justice League of America #7
Not a bad issue by Geoff Johns, Jeff Lemire and Doug Mahnke. I've got a feelin' Trinity War will be a story that's enjoyed more in one sitting when its finished.
This story's got a handful of moving parts, and though they all come together in this issue, there's no real protagonist/antagonist. The focus is kind of all over the place. Maybe three whole Justice League teams is too much for one story? A hodgepodge of the teams split up into three different teams and go after different goals. They all wind up at the same place at the end and the Secret Society (who are apparently pulling the strings) are nowhere to be found. They're kind of making the League look like idiots.
Doug Mahnke draws a good book, but the arsenal of inkers he has with him muddies up a few pages. I also don't care for the new Doctor Psycho design. While he's now super creepy, he's lost all the "Tyrion Lannister" charm that he used to have.
Superman Unchained #3
Now, we've met Wrath (actually an acronym for William Randolph's Ace in The Hole) and find out that he's not that bad a guy (alien), but eventually, he's going to have to kill Superman.
Now, I don't know anything about Doomsday in the New 52, but this would be an AMAZING backstory for the otherwise one-note baddie. Make Doomsday the United States secret weapon who after decades of serving the US in secret, goes insane and kills Superman. Better than what they did in the 90s right?
This issue was the best of the three so far. I have no idea what Scott Snyder and Jim Lee are doing with Lex Luthor, but all the Superman/Wrath and Lois stuff was all pretty damn good. A couple of Jim Lee's pages looked phoned in, but you can't hype this Snyder-Lee joint like DC did and then have a fill-in after only a couple issues. Besides, phoned in Lee is usually better than a lot of artists at their best.
Wonder Woman #23
We say arrivederci to one of my favorite characters this issue. They go out in a fitting way befitting their style. And give Wonder Woman an hell of a gift in doing so.
Any book that is all 20 pages of Cliff Chiang's art is going to, at the LEAST, be a good looking book. This one had both good writing and great art. Its the final showdown between our motley group of heroes and the First Born. The First Born is a tough customer. If this book took place in the DCU, I'd love to see him and Superman throw down. Everyone gets in the action and we even get a visit from the King of Hell at the end.
I'm really interested to see where Azzarello is going with this run. Things are happening, but there doesn't seem to be an endgame in sight just yet. You'd think with 2 years on the book, we'd have an inkling of that by now.
Nova #7
This is a fun book. That's probably the best way to describe it. Its not dark or brooding or overladen with heavy societal issues. Its just a kid learning how to be a super hero. How can that not be fun?
Paco Medina's art is right at home on this book. His pencils are sharp and his storytelling is great. He allows you to read the story effortlessly. Sam Alexander is looking for someone to help as a super hero. He finds its a lot harder than it looks and gets a stern talking to from Ock-Spider-Man. When did Spidey's suit change to include spikes on the fingers and big toe and giant goggle-type eyes?
A very enjoyable read. I'd love to see writer Zeb Wells and Medina on this book for a long time.
Animal Man #23
Brother Blood is introduced to the New 52 in grand fashion by drinking Buddy's blood and entering the Red to take over. Shit goes down.
What I always liked about the pre-New 52 Brother Blood was that he was a teenager. Usually a Teen Titans bad guy. It made it creepier that he was a kid. He was kind of like Game of Thrones' Joffrey. I guess he's still creepy, but we haven't seen too much of him just yet. The Red is in some serious trouble though.
The art duties are split between Steve Pugh and Francis Portella. Pugh does the Buddy scenes and Portella does the Maxine/Red scenes. If art is going to be split, I think that's the best way to do it.
Saga #13
Ahh. Nice getting back into the world of Saga once again. Feels like Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples took a year off.
#13 doesn't pick up right where #12 left off. #12 left off with quite a cliffhanger. #13 begins with our crew of heroes on our way to find D. Oswald Heist to get some answers. Vaughan and Staples do a nice job getting everyone caught up without a lot of over-the-top exposition. There's practically none at all.
Saga is continually one of the hardest books to write a review about because there's nothing to critique. Each issue is damn good. And its only $2.99. Can't beat that kids.
Green Lantern Corps #23
A book with Bernard Chang's artwork has to be pretty poorly written for me to dislike it. That's not the case with Corps. Van Jensen and Robert Venditti are doing an amazing job writing it. I like it just as much as the previous creative team if not more.
Jensen and Venditti are managing to give each member of the Corps their own stellar characterizations. Though I'm not sure what they're doing with Iolande. She's never really been a total bitch. They're also coming close to making John Stewart as interesting as he was in the Justice League Animated Series. And that's a tall order.
Chang's artwork is sharp as ever. I'm really happy that I get to enjoy his work on a regular book.
Green Lantern: New Guardians #23
Well, I certainly didn't see that coming. What's nice about the Green Lantern line of books is that its not so popular that any secrets will be spoiled by the media. The creators can still surprise you. Like this issue. So if you don't want it spoiled, stop reading now.
So, Justin Jordan and Brad Walker have killed the Blue Lantern Corps. Saint Walker is still alive, but Warth and the rest have been drained of power and vaporized by Relic. It was a serious "holy shit" moment at the end of this issue. All beautifully drawn by Walker.
I'm not sure where they plan on going with this whole Relic business, or what Lights Out will entail, but I'm all in. This has got to be one of the most underrated books on the shelf.
Justice League Dark #23
Great issue. I simply can't get enough Mikel Janin. If I could, I'd have him draw every comic book. All of them. His art coupled with Jeff Lemire's writing is like good music. Everything works in perfect harmony. Okay, enough with the dramatics.
Damn fine issue. Overall Trinity War has been a little hit or miss, but the Dark issues have been all hits. The other Justice League books could take some cues. Where the other books have been kind of all over the place storywise, Dark keeps it tight and focused. Funny because they're only being written by Geoff Johns and Lemire. I'd expect the whole thing to be tight. Not the case.
The biggest bummer of this whole story is that the main badguy is The Outsider. Yeah, I don't know who he is either. Some deep cut villain that Johns has a boner for so he's using him in this. I don't see the attraction. Even if the leader of the Secret Society was Vandal Savage or The Brain I'd be more interested.
But aside from all that, Lemire and Janin continue to make perfect comic music together.
Page of the Week:
The creativity in idea and execution is pretty fucking sweet for an animal pirate ship and crew. Francis Portella draws the shit out of it.
-Gint
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