Gint's 2-19-14 Pull-List Review

You know you've had a good comic week when each book was enjoyable.

Seventh Place:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #10

Of the 20 pages in this book, about 15 of them were filler. We get multiple panels of different characters asking Stratos where he found the ship they're on and multiple explanations about how the sky of Subternia connects all the levels of Subternia. Basically all we need is in the last two pages: King Hiss has been masquerading as King Randor for a long time.

The story by Dan Abnett has been good, but definitely could be helped by some compression. The last two issues spent too much time doing nothing but fighting in Subternia. Its time to move on.

Michael S. O'Hare's art. Its very angular with stylized characters. A few panels come off too cartoony, but over all he's putting on some great work.

Sixth Place:

Green Lantern: New Guardians #28

Written by Justin Jordan and drawn by Brad Walker, this issue starts a new arc called The Godkillers. There's a group of people in the universe traveling from planet to planet killing the gods of those planets' people.

What I liked most about this issue is the way Jordan and Walker make sure to use the shared universe DC has given them. There's no direct mention of it in the issue, but if you've been a DC Comics reader you'll recognize, not only the character Kaland'r as being from Tamaran, but also her god X'hal. Starfire, throughout many incarnations of the character, has mentioned that name. So its nice to see a little touch like that included in a book.

The story isn't groundbreaking just yet, but its entertaining enough. As for the art, Brad Walker has yet to draw a bad book.

Fifth Place:

Justice League #28

Recently, my cohorts and I have been discussing the current boring nature of the New 52 since all the costumes, designs and origin stories have been coming from the same handful of people. What made the OLD 52 exciting, was you had 50+ years of varied styles and creators to choose from. It made for an intricate tapestry of a full, rich universe. Something the New 52 is lacking.

That being said, this was a really cool issue. Drawn by Ivan Reis and written by Geoff Johns, we get the introduction of the Metal Men in the New 52. Gone is the pipe smoking, plaid jacket-wearing Doctor Will Magnus, replaced by a brilliant, younger version of himself. The Metal Men themselves are pretty much the same, with slightly more dynamic personalities.

Johns and Reis pour the emotion into this issue. They make me care more about the Metal Men in just ONE issue than I have about Cyborg in TWENTY-EIGHT. 

Fourth Place:

X-Men #11

This was a really cool issue despite any artistic inconsistencies. The first 15 pages are credited to Kris Anka, but either he had help, or he has two different styles. Pages 1-4 are brilliant as are 12-15, but all those pages in the middle take a serious quality hit. Oddly, its the pages that feature the X-Men that are the rough ones. And I think it affects the story.

After this issue, I'm more interested in what the villains are dealing with than the X-Men's point of view. Brian Wood's perspective of Ana Cortes, Typhoid Mary and the Enchantress being in over their heads with Arkea is what really has me hooked now. When Wood is left to his own devices, he can write a good X-book.

It should also be noted, the last 4 pages that detail a "part 2" of the story if you will, are drawn brilliantly by Clay Mann. If he was on a whole book, I'd be excited to read it.

Third Place:
Animal Man #28

I believe this is the second to last issue of Animal Man. March's #29 should wrap up Jeff Lemire's run and the series itself. Its sad to see it go. Its been a seriously great run.

Buddy and Maxine Baker make their last stand to save each other and the Red from Brother Blood and an evil Totem. Needless to say, our heroes come out on top. Rafael Albequerque continues his great work, making all the right artistic choices helping to make this book as good as its been.

There are honestly very few bad things to say about this book. If you like quasi-superheroes with a horror tilt, then you should be reading this book. Now that I think about it, I'd love to see an Animal Man/B.P.R.D. crossover.

Second Place:
Batman and Two-Face #28

Man, this must be the week for emotional beats. Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason write a couple good ones this issue as they wrap up the Two-Face arc.

With the Animated Series and, seemingly, The Long Halloween as inspiration, the creative team really pulls the heart strings for Harvey Dent and Bruce's tragic relationship. The majority of the issue takes place in an inferno where Batman saves Two-Face with a couple well placed flashbacks. This story fits so well inside a couple of my favorite Batman tales that its hard to imagine this one won't make in there also.

A brilliantly simple Batman story that I'm eager to sit down and read again, all in one sitting.

First Place:
Nova #13

Once again Marvel is pulling the old bait-and-switch with the big "#1" on the cover. This book is NOT the first in a new arc. Its actually the second. I really hope Marvel's shady numbering standards are helping with sales because its just aggravating regular fans. Or at least, me.

But aside from that, fuck is this a fun book. Gerry Duggan's story and Paco Medina's art make the perfect tone for a young superhero trying to find his way. If you liked those early Ultimate Spider-Man stories, you'd love this.

I'm a Nova fan. I love the concept and DO believe they're powerful. But seeing the novice Sam Alexander pretty much go toe to toe with the experienced Beta Ray Bill was a little unbelievable. I think Bill should have put him on his ass a lot harder. But small nerd arguments like that are part of what's made this book such a great read.

Panel of the Week:

Patrick Gleason dumps so much emotion into this panel. Perfectly placed with no dialog in the middle of chaos. Great stuff.

-Gint