X-Men #6
This book is dangerously close to getting dropped from the Pull-List. When I decided to buy it, it was for Brian Wood's story, but mostly for Olivier Coipel's art. He was apparently 3 issues and out. Since then we had a one-off filler and two Battle of the Atom chapters. This one wasn't nearly as entertaining as the previous. I guess it would be if I was getting the whole story?
My point is, Marvel pulled the 'ol bait n' switch. If I don't get some Wood/Coipel next issue, I'm out.
Star Wars #10
On the last podcast we briefly discuss the art of this series, between Carlos D'Anda and Ryan Kelly's work. I state that I don't see a big difference, while Image Matt and Soss beat their dicks to Kelly's pencils. Halfway through this issue I thought, "man, I guess I really do like Kelly's work," only to see when I'm done, that this was a Carlos D'Anda issue. So yeah, I guess I can't tell them apart, but I prefer D'Anda.
The issue was good. Luke and Wedge do a lot of talking while waiting to fly out with a TIE Fighter squadron and Wood uses that time to get into where these guys are emotionally. Its a facet of these characters we never get to see much of. Especially since we don't get a lot of Wedge in the movies.
This issue really moves the story along to what looks like a pretty big space battle coming up. And who doesn't like space battles?
Green Lantern Corps #24
The Green Lantern writing team loves destroying planets. In two issues, they had new bad guy Relic destroy the Blue Lanterns' world of Odym and this issue he destroys Oa. Oa, which has been around since the 60s, is gonzo, folks.
They're really starting to change things around and its making me question where things are going. The first so many issues after Geoff Johns' departure felt like a natural progression. Now they seem to be changing philosophies and making changes a little too big to come back from. I appreciate the passion for really shaking things up, but they may be doing too much shaking.
But besides my apprehension at the destruction of Oa, the book is very well written. Van Jensen's able to juggle all the characters pretty deftly while keeping their uniqueness intact.
Superman/Wonder Woman #1
Yes, when this book was announced I rolled my eyes. BUT I am a sucker for capes and tights and romance, so I bought it... and was not disappointed.
Firstly, Tony Daniel draws the FUCK out of this book. At worst its a beautiful book. I guess the last time I saw Daniel on a monthly was on Red Lanterns. That was garbage, but not because of him. It also doesn't hurt that he draws Wonder Woman with straight hair which always makes me a fan. He pours a lot of emotion into the acting of the characters in this issue. It really impressed me.
And the story was pretty straight forward. Remember that feeling after you read Superman Unchained #1 and didn't know what was happening or if you liked it or not? Well, none of that here. Charles Soule writes a quick, straightforward, entertaining superhero book. It feels like a team-up between two of DC's biggest characters, not "Twilight with superheroes." Their romantic relationship plays a small role in the background that enhances, not detracts.
I'm in. This was a really good superhero book.
Batman #24
I could have put Superman/Wonder Woman #1 in this spot, but Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo really earned it. Sure, I raged against paying $7 for one comic, but to be fair, it was 54 pages long, and 43 of them were Capullo's art. Maybe later this week I'll sit down and read all of Zero Year so far in one sitting. Maybe that way weird issue #23 will make more sense.
Snyder and Capullo put an end to the Red Hood Gang, which is kind of disappointing. While Red Hood One was kinda like the Joker, he felt like a natural addition to Gotham. And he was hilarious. Sad to see him go.
What they did right was keep the mystery of the Joker alive. One of the reasons we love the Joker so much is that we don't have an origin for him. He just kind of shows up. People like a mystery... like Big Foot. They allude to Red Hood One MAYBE being the Joker, but they leave it open ended enough that everyone can be happy taking something away from it.
I really enjoyed these first few Zero Year issues (besides #23), so the bar has been raised yet again. Snyder and Capullo better make the Riddler damn interesting.
Spread of the Week:
Tony S. Daniel. Brining his A-game, son!
-Gint
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