In a week where nothing is very inspiring, a Flash fill-in book lands on top.
Sixth Place:
Superman Unchained #5
I'm willing to nominate this book as the most underwhelming of 2013. "But, Gint, shouldn't you wait until its finished before passing that judgement?" No. Because in a serialized form of storytelling like comics, each issue should be entertaining, not just the whole when its finished.
I don't think I like anything about this story. I don't think I like anything about New 52 Superman (Charles Soule's Superman Wonder Woman aside). It turns out Wraith (original name) who looks like an evil bad guy... really IS an evil bad guy! Lois is in a lot of trouble with the terrorist group Ascension who are going to use an element they created called Earthstone to send humans back to the stone age. I guess there's other crap going on but none of it is all that interesting.
I get that Superman is a science fiction character and that like any good sci-fi it should raise questions about ethics and morality and make us think, but I think I prefer my Superman to just punch stuff.
Fifth Place:
Justice League Dark #26
The more I read of J.M. DeMatteis' writing, the less I like it. He's not very good at hiding exposition in the story. Each time its like, "THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO TELL THE READERRRRRRRR!!!!!"
I also don't think the story of Blight is very good. Blight is the badguy who is the embodiment of all the evil in humans. The Dark's contribution to Forever Evil is to stop him. So far they find Deadman trapped at the bottom of the sea in the body of the Sea King (the Crime Syndicate's Aquaman). So that's kind of a neat twist that could have cool ramifications.
The story just feels uninspired since Jeff Lemire left the writing duties. I hope part of that is Dark's forced involvement in Forever Evil. Maybe once that's over DeMatteis can give us some sweet Justice League Dark stories.
Justice League Dark #26
The more I read of J.M. DeMatteis' writing, the less I like it. He's not very good at hiding exposition in the story. Each time its like, "THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO TELL THE READERRRRRRRR!!!!!"
I also don't think the story of Blight is very good. Blight is the badguy who is the embodiment of all the evil in humans. The Dark's contribution to Forever Evil is to stop him. So far they find Deadman trapped at the bottom of the sea in the body of the Sea King (the Crime Syndicate's Aquaman). So that's kind of a neat twist that could have cool ramifications.
The story just feels uninspired since Jeff Lemire left the writing duties. I hope part of that is Dark's forced involvement in Forever Evil. Maybe once that's over DeMatteis can give us some sweet Justice League Dark stories.
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #6
Killjoys wraps up this issue with a satisfactory finale. Its such a wacky world that's been established in this book that I wonder if this WOULD be a better read in trade format.
The Girl and Destroya enter Battery City to bring it and evil corporation BLI down. For all of the setup, character development and small touches through the first 5 issues, this issue ends pretty quickly. Almost with an, "oh that's it?"-type feeling. You understand the ending, but it leaves you wanting more. The great battle that's being built up leaves you hanging.
Now that alls said and done this was a very cool story. Gerard Way is a bright guy. Shaun Simon as well. And Becky Cloonan's art is some of the best in the business. Its not often I break out of character and buy something un-superhero-ey, but I'm glad I did in this regard. I recommend picking this up when the trade is released.
Third Place:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #9
Rafael Kayanan is off art duties and this book becomes 90% more readable. Michael S. O'Hare isn't a familiar name, but his tight sketch-style works well for He-Man. He's also very good at drawing mouths. Weird, but true.
King Randor continues to lead his team through Subternia to find Zoar in order to bring the Sorceress back to life. Moss Man thinks its a terrible idea for reasons we find out this issue. The team gets split up and everything's looking pretty bleak at the end of this issue.
The worst part of this book is almost every line out of Teela's mouth is a zinger. I assume Dan Abnett is following previous writer Keith Giffen's lead, but it gets old fast. I think I'd prefer a more stoic Teela. At least a Teela that's more Charles Soule-Wonder Woman and less Kathy Griffin.
Second Place:
Aquaman #26
This barely missed First Place. It might have made it if Paul Pelletier drew the whole book. But we frown on the fill-in artist here at McSoss. For as passable as Netho Diaz's work may be, he's no Pelletier.
Jeff Parker's run starts with Arthur trying to effectively balance being a super hero on the surface world with running the kingdom of Atlantis. He's doing a terrible job and the Atlantean council hates him. It not a very unique take. I think just once I'd like to see Aquaman be able to capably handle all of his duties.
In the meantime some Atlantean/Xebellian myths seem to be waking up and attacking the surface world. Parker's run in starting in a great place, seamlessly picking up where Geoff Johns' left off. If only we could get Pelletier back to whole issues, we'd be golden.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #9
Rafael Kayanan is off art duties and this book becomes 90% more readable. Michael S. O'Hare isn't a familiar name, but his tight sketch-style works well for He-Man. He's also very good at drawing mouths. Weird, but true.
King Randor continues to lead his team through Subternia to find Zoar in order to bring the Sorceress back to life. Moss Man thinks its a terrible idea for reasons we find out this issue. The team gets split up and everything's looking pretty bleak at the end of this issue.
The worst part of this book is almost every line out of Teela's mouth is a zinger. I assume Dan Abnett is following previous writer Keith Giffen's lead, but it gets old fast. I think I'd prefer a more stoic Teela. At least a Teela that's more Charles Soule-Wonder Woman and less Kathy Griffin.
Aquaman #26
This barely missed First Place. It might have made it if Paul Pelletier drew the whole book. But we frown on the fill-in artist here at McSoss. For as passable as Netho Diaz's work may be, he's no Pelletier.
Jeff Parker's run starts with Arthur trying to effectively balance being a super hero on the surface world with running the kingdom of Atlantis. He's doing a terrible job and the Atlantean council hates him. It not a very unique take. I think just once I'd like to see Aquaman be able to capably handle all of his duties.
In the meantime some Atlantean/Xebellian myths seem to be waking up and attacking the surface world. Parker's run in starting in a great place, seamlessly picking up where Geoff Johns' left off. If only we could get Pelletier back to whole issues, we'd be golden.
The Flash #26
The magical run by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato is over. In the meantime before a 3-issue arc by Buccellato and Patrick Zircher, we get a one-and-done by Christos N. Gage and Neil Googe. Heh heh. Googe.
They do a nice job. Googe's art works well for a Flash story. Its a looser version of Marcus To, whose work I'm a big fan of. Barry has to track down and capture a villain called Spitfire who is essentially Roxy Rocket from Batman: The Animated Series. Same MO, same look (red hair, bomber jacket, goggles)... she doesn't ride a rocket. But she has a rocket-pack/glider thing. Close enough. Why not just make her Roxy? Legal somethingorother I assume.
A nice one-shot by these guys that would be a nice Flash: The Animated Series episode.
Panel of the Week:
Mikel Janin gets to flex his giant sea creature muscles in this month's Justice League Dark.
-Gint
Panel of the Week:
Mikel Janin gets to flex his giant sea creature muscles in this month's Justice League Dark.
-Gint
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