Gint's 7-2-14 Pull-List Review

This week's theme is mediocrity. No book on the Pull-List this week really knocked me out of my chair. I guess you'll have that sometimes.

Fifth Place:
Futures End #9

This issue takes a few steps in the direction of advancing all the plots, but not a whole lot happens. I feel like the big moments should have had more impact, but the last couple issues were better overall.

When you cut off a dead Hawkman's arm, sew it onto Frankenstein and then Hawkman wakes up, it should be big and exciting. Or finding out CADMUS Island is keeping Earth 2 metahumans prisoner, like Mister Miracle? But neither event was particularly worthy of my investment.

43 issues to go, folks. Buckle up. There's going to be plenty of these reviews to come.

Fourth Place:
Aquaman and the Others #4

When last issue ended, Aquaman had gotten stabbed in his stomach with his own trident. This issue he spends 98% of the time lying unconscious on the ground. That leaves it up to the Others to carry the issue.

And they do a fine job. But that seems to be the theme of the week: fine. Not amazing, or exciting, or even really good. Just okay. We learn the history behind Legend, and how he works and why he's still alive, but other than that, not a whole lot happens. We're back at the same place we left off last issue, except now everyone's back inside the castle.

The most exciting thing about the issue is the last page, and that's really only for big Vostok fans. Any big Vostok fans out there? Didn't think so. Okay, that's harsh, it could be a pretty cool plot twist that pays off next issue.

Third Place:

Green Lantern #33

The penultimate chapter of the Uprising crossover is here! And just like the rest of Robert Venditti's time on Green Lantern, was mediocre. Even Hal's big plan of defense, while logical, was less than exciting.

Venditti's strength writing Green Lantern is the way he gets the relationship between Hal and Kilowog. There are some genuinely funny moments between the two of them in this issue. But that doesn't stretch to the rest of the cast he's using who barely top out over ho-hum. I get the feeling if Venditti focued on character more that plot, I'd enjoy his run a lot more. But that's not the case.

Uprising ends in the next issue of Green Lantern Corps. Here's hoping there are brighter days and better GL stories on the other side.

Second Place:
Nailbiter #3

Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson's horror/thriller rolls on. Each issue has been pretty good about advancing the story and giving each character a little highlight. Three issues in and their pacing is pretty tight.

There's a long sequence over a couple pages where they use a slower pacing and flickering lights to pretty nice effect. The only issue is I have no idea what it was all about when its done. I guess that's just the further mystery of what's going on in Buckaroo, Oregon.

This issue plays a big tease at the end. I have a feeling it'll be Pretty Little Liars-style, where they hint there my be supernatural forces at play, but all along its just serial killers. Regardless, Nailbiter is a very well done book.

First Place:

Superman Unchained #7

Going into the shop today, I assumed this would be the last issue of this boring book. I was told it wasn't and that there are two more to come. Wonderful. As far as disappointments have gone, this was a biggie. When you put superstar talent (Scott Snyder and Jim Lee) on a book, you expect it to be well, superstar-ish.

This issue comes the closest to living up to its potential. The actual story is still a little too complicated to fully understand what's going on, but this issue makes it real simple: Superman is fighting Sam Lane and the US military, and Batman and Wonder Woman are fighting the military's superpowered hitman, Wraith. What it's lacked in excitement for six issues it makes up for with a couple classic moments and one-liners from Superman and Batman.

This issue has been an entertaining knock-down drag-out, but I can't believe IT, or the following two issues will be enough to save this mediocre series.

Page of the Week:

Jim Lee's giant Kryptonian suit of armor for Superman. I chose this page mostly because I hate everything happening on it.

-Gint