When the thought of reading a comic makes you go, "eugh," its time to drop that book. Thus was the fate of Justice League Dark this week. It had a good run, but its done on the Pull-List.
The Flash #29
Lets say goodbye to a hell of a run, and the final time (for the time being) The Flash will appear on the Pull-List. Brian Buccallato and Francis Manapul's run stops here and Robert Venditti, Van Jensen and Brett Booth take over next issue. Since Venditti and Jensen haven't lit my world on fire on the Green Lantern books, and I've never been a big fan of Booth's art, I'm taking a break from Barry Allen.
But Buccellato and artist Augustin Padilla go out strong wrapping up the three-part Digging Up The Past. Barry, with a little team-up help from Deadman close up some open story beats and leave some room for the new creative team to take over. Though if the new team treats the established world of Barry like they did Green Lantern, expect a total overhaul.
I had never heard the name Brian Buccellato before the New 52 kicked off, but I feel a better comic reader for it. He played a big part in making me love Barry Allen and I'm looking forward to GREAT things from him and Manapul on Detective Comics next month.
Rogues Rebellion #6
I went into this series not expecting a whole lot. What I got was a very enjoyable 6-issue miniseries. The premise of the Rogues, "they don't kill, they're only about the score," is kind of goofy and super old fashioned. But in the right hands, like those of Geoff Johns or Brian Buccellato, it works.
The Rogues have a final showdown with the Crime Syndicate's thugs and you can guess who comes out on top. This issue is 20 pages of throwdown, but I've said all along, its who the Rogues are as people that really makes them worth while characters. Its a fine line writing these guys under their code and not making them seem silly or outdated.
This series surprised me. Kind of a Secret Six Lite. And anytime a book can satisfactorily make me think of the Secret Six, its done its job.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #11
Finally a REAL artist! Okay, that's super unfair. While Rafael Kayanan's art was bad, Michael S. O'Hare's was good. But it was lacking the traditional ink that some comics beg for. This book was begging for it and I didn't even realize it. Well, Tom Derenick brings us some straight up blacks, son. And its wonderful.
Still trapped in Subternia with the revelation that King Hiss has been posing as King Randor for who knows how long, our heroes are in serious trouble. He-Man has been captured and will be sacrificed so Hiss can gain the power of the Star Seed. I love me a good 80s cartoon reference. Pretty straightforward, thought strong stroytelling from the talented Dan Abnett.
But ultimately its the art that really moves this book forward. Tom Derenick and his inks have a way of legitimizing this book that was previously missing.
Fourth Place:
Aquaman #29
We get a little story and a lot of fighting in this issue. I'd prefer to have gotten a little more balance. Maybe its just that Hercules being introduced in to the DC Universe isn't that interesting.
But that's what happens. Someone steals Arthur's trident and opens what looks like the gates of hell. But there's a some mystery surrounding this Hercules character and what his motivations are.
What it does set up is a potential guest starring appearance by Wonder Woman. Seeing a DC team-up that's unrelated to Superman or Batman is infinitely more interesting to me these days.
Third Place:
The Wake #7
What Scott Snyder has been excelling at in this series is twists and turns. The end of this issue was certainly a "didn't see that coming" moment. Through seven full issues its really anyone's guess how this series will end up.
The government in the future uses prisoners to row cruise ships that have been repurposed as vessels to scavenge the ocean floor and pad the barrier reef against the Mers. Our heroes Leeward and Pop have been placed in one of these prison ships. There's certain books that have a natural cinematic quality to them. The Wake SCREAMS to be made into a movie. Though its hard to imagine anyone in Hollywood would do that job Snyder and Sean Murphy are doing.
This is a truly unique and inspired book.
Second Place:
DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe #6
Another miniseries comes to a close, and I liked this one even better than Rogues Rebellion. Mashing up He-Man and the Justice League, how could I not? Throw Transformers in there and I've have came to death.
When it was revealed earlier in the current He-Man and the Masters of the Universe that Orko went bad and was pulling the strings, I thought it was cheap and obvious. But as the story unfolded it became pretty neat idea. And getting the chance to see Superman wield the Sword of Power and Deadman possess Battle Cat... as a nerd, how could you not love this series?
I'd easily buy this as an ongoing, but I'll have to settle for the regular He-Man title for that. Even though this story ended, it sets up a handful of plot lines to be resolved in the other book. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Dan Abnett or Tony Bedard get to really dig their heels in and keep this book running to see some of these conclusions play out.
Aquaman #29
We get a little story and a lot of fighting in this issue. I'd prefer to have gotten a little more balance. Maybe its just that Hercules being introduced in to the DC Universe isn't that interesting.
But that's what happens. Someone steals Arthur's trident and opens what looks like the gates of hell. But there's a some mystery surrounding this Hercules character and what his motivations are.
What it does set up is a potential guest starring appearance by Wonder Woman. Seeing a DC team-up that's unrelated to Superman or Batman is infinitely more interesting to me these days.
The Wake #7
What Scott Snyder has been excelling at in this series is twists and turns. The end of this issue was certainly a "didn't see that coming" moment. Through seven full issues its really anyone's guess how this series will end up.
The government in the future uses prisoners to row cruise ships that have been repurposed as vessels to scavenge the ocean floor and pad the barrier reef against the Mers. Our heroes Leeward and Pop have been placed in one of these prison ships. There's certain books that have a natural cinematic quality to them. The Wake SCREAMS to be made into a movie. Though its hard to imagine anyone in Hollywood would do that job Snyder and Sean Murphy are doing.
This is a truly unique and inspired book.
DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe #6
Another miniseries comes to a close, and I liked this one even better than Rogues Rebellion. Mashing up He-Man and the Justice League, how could I not? Throw Transformers in there and I've have came to death.
When it was revealed earlier in the current He-Man and the Masters of the Universe that Orko went bad and was pulling the strings, I thought it was cheap and obvious. But as the story unfolded it became pretty neat idea. And getting the chance to see Superman wield the Sword of Power and Deadman possess Battle Cat... as a nerd, how could you not love this series?
I'd easily buy this as an ongoing, but I'll have to settle for the regular He-Man title for that. Even though this story ended, it sets up a handful of plot lines to be resolved in the other book. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Dan Abnett or Tony Bedard get to really dig their heels in and keep this book running to see some of these conclusions play out.
Hawkeye #18
Now that was more like it. The last couple of issues took a beating from me. And rightfully so. But this issue here brought us back to good and reminded me why I loved this book in the first place.
We're back out in L.A. with Kate Bishop, but the silly, zinger slinger from #16 is gone and we get the slightly more reserved, introspective girl the series started with. And there are stakes! Kate's L.A. story begins to dovetail with what Clint has been going through in New York. Matt Fraction (with Annie Wu on art) did such a great job building the suspense of this issue that by the time it ends, you understand Kate and Clint are in some serious shit. Shit like, if they killed one of them, I wouldn't be surprised.
I want less Bendis-ey one-liners and more drama, just like this issue. It was the first time Madame Masque was legitimately scary.
Panels of the Week:
Tom Derenick brings the art game helping Dan Abnett's Teela be a badass.
-Gint
Panels of the Week:
Tom Derenick brings the art game helping Dan Abnett's Teela be a badass.
-Gint
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