All six books were pretty solid reads this week, but someone's gotta be last so...
Sixth Place:
Superman Unchained #6
Overall this as been a let down. You'd think teaming Scott Snyder and Jim Lee would be instant gold, but Scott Snyder's must-write Superman story isn't MY must-write Superman story. Superman making "tough decisions" about not encroaching on political matters has never been very interesting.
I really thought (and was hoping) this would be the last issue of this series but we're left with the cliffhanger of General Lane declaring war on Supes and attacking the Fortress of Solitude. Snyder's General Lane has been unimaginably unlikable. I know General Lane is traditionally a bad guy, but usually he's not SO bad. He goes past "just looking out for his country" and moves right into mustache-twirling in Snyder's hands.
Lee's Lois Lane is hot and sexy. Its the uninteresting story that's been mostly disappointing.
Fifth Place:
Nova #15
Sometimes even the best books have to take an issue off. This was Nova's month off. Writer Gerry Duggan and artist David Baldeon could have skipped this issue entirely.
Everything that happens in this issue... doesn't need to happen. You can easily connect issue #14 and #16 with one page to kick off #16. Sam saves Cosmo, fights some of Skaarn's hired guns, goes home for a bit, then goes back to get Skaarn. The "goes home for a bit" section could have been really fun and interesting had it been the whole issue. But its crammed awkwardly into 5 pages with no room to breathe.
I suppose sometimes writing forces you to make exceptions and make turns you don't really want. So I get why this issue is kind of "filler," but that doesn't mean I approve.
Fourth Place:
Animal Man #29
Being the final issue of Animal Man (for the time being) I really expected this issue to finish in First Place. But honestly, it was kind of "meh." Touching! But "meh."
Travel Foreman is back to bookend the series, but he also bookends this issue. His first six pages and last three pages bookend Jeff Lemire's work in the middle. Lemire draws the bedtime story Maxine tells Buddy before she goes to bed. She recaps the entire run of the series in the guise of a King and his family (Buddy and the Baker's) searching for their missing Prince (Cliff). Lemire has rarely let me down with his writing, but I've never liked his art. That played a big part in how I felt about this issue.
Its a sweet story showing how Maxine processes the whole thing including losing her brother. A fitting end to the series, but one I hoped would offer a little something more.
Third Place:
Batman and Aquaman #29
Coming off one of my favorite arcs on a series (Batman and Two-Face) writer Peter Tomasi and artist Pat Gleason dig back into the Damian/Talia/Ra's business with part 1 of The Hunt For Robin.
Batman takes off on a world spanning (and guest star spanning) quest to find the bodies of Damian and Talia that Ra's al Ghul stole from Bruce's personal graveyard at Wayne Manor. On the way he meets Aquaman who's doing some of his own detective work in the area. Ultimately, I've never been interested in Ra's al Ghul-centered stories. Neither Denny O'Neil's or Grant Morrison's or anyone's in between. Seeing some of the sights (Man-Bats) that kicked off in Morrison's run that drove me OFF the Bat-books was disheartening.
Tomasi said in an interview this story is all part of his and Gleason's massive story for their run on this book. They made me care about Damian Wayne, maybe they'll make me care about Ra's al Ghul too. Maybe.
Second Place:
X-Men #12
For as satisfying a book as this was, the X-Men had a pretty easy time taking out the bad guys. They seemed to really struggle previously with Arkea and Co., but this issue they pretty much "walk into Mordor" and beat that ass tout suite.
Kris Anka's art has grown on me. He's a mix of John Romita Jr. and Jim Calafiore. Not a bad mix. But following up Terry and Rachel Dodson is gonna be tough for anyone. Brian Wood continues the story in a way letting us know he has future plans. Each story arc seems to end with a shuffling of the deck. First it was Kitty Pryde leaving the team. This issue Karima Shapandar bails at the end.
Despite some people's problems with the X-Men girls team only fighting a team of girls, I've really enjoyed this book and hope Wood can keep it up. Especially if he can write unfettered from any big crossovers.
First Place:
Green Lantern: New Guardians #29
This book has been all over the place. This issue was really good but that hasn't been the case since Justin Jordan and Brad Walker took over. Its been a little uneven.
Last issue we were introduced to the Godkillers and Tamaran's sun god X'Hal. It was so so and got me in the mood for a so so arc. But this issue really kicks things into gear. Just as we're learning that X'Hal may not be so bad, the Godkillers swoop in to turn that all upside down. Kyle, Carol and the Guardians are caught in the middle not knowing who to trust.
Jordan has a good handle on Kyle's voice. I'm traditionally a "less is more" guy and think there are too many Green Lanterns. Jordan has given me a really interesting version of Kyle that's been a pleasure to read.
Panel of the Week:
Pat Gleason doesn't shy away from the fucked up stuff.
-Gint
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