This week Justice League United gets dropped and I bought Batman, probably against my better judgement.
Before we get started, a word about Justice League United: I really wanted to love this book. I love most of what I've read by Jeff Lemire, and Mike McKone has drawn some really cool books in the past. But this book just wasn't what I was looking for. I was hoping for a more down home, character driven story on a smaller scale. The expansive space epic was just too much. And at a time when I've gotten more strict about "trimming the fat" of the Pull-List, it had to go. Why this sendoff? Because I feel bad. Because I REALLY DID want to like it. But something was missing and I don't think sticking around for a second arc (with super strangely drawn hair) is going to help.
Third Place:
Batman #35
This book isn't long for the Pull-List. After this 3-part Endgame arc, I'm out. Scott Snyder, whose work I usually love, seems to be injecting too much of his own desires into his Batman universe rather than using the 75-year mythology already there. Snyder's Batman is just as bad as late 90s Batman for making the Bat-U too expansive. For as much as I dislike Grant Morrison's Batman, at least he didn't feel the need to flood the universe with new characters each arc.
I was hooked into buying this issue by the cover. Getting to see Greg Capullo's versions of the Justice League suckered me in. And I DID get to see Capullo's Justice League... getting taking out single-handedly by Batman. I guess since it IS Batman's book, it would be foolish to think otherwise.
Bottom line is, it looks like Endgame will bring back the Joker. Unless this story absolutely blows me away, I am 100% out after issue #37.
Second Place:
Coffin Hill #12
Super cool cover this week that is essentially page 1 of the story. I'm sure this has been done before, but I don't think I've ever seen it. Dave Johnson is a master. I would love to see him do a full arc on a book.
Shit starts spiraling out of control this issue. Eve gets snookered into falling for the handsome guy, and the Ice Fisher is who we thought it was all along. Which is kind of a bummer, but at the same time, if it was anyone else, I'd have been pissed. Funny how that works out, huh?
This arc was a slow burn compared to the first, but this issue kicks everything into the final act. If you're feeling the Halloween spirit and want to read a really cool, creepy horror book, I recommend Coffin Hill.
First Place:
Futures End #23
Holy shit do I love the New 52 Brainiac design. Okay, he hasn't been called Brainiac yet, but that's Brainiac on the cover, right? I'm not sure who the designer is, but that shit is fucking creepy with all those little lights around his mouth.
You may think Futures End is getting all of these high finishes because of light weeks, but that's just not the case. Its been a really good weekly. The creative team is doing a great job picking and choosing what parts of the expansive New 52 to utilize. Its the perfect place for D or even E-list characters to get their due.
A subtlety I appreciated this issue was the fact DC hasn't changed the Atom's costume. Some cool designs don't need a revamp. They don't even need pinstriping over the seams. They're just simple and cool. The Atom's is one of those silver age costumes that just works. I'm glad to see DC didn't screw it up.
Cover of the Week:
I haven't talked to much about the work Ryan Sook is doing on these Futures End covers, but he's knocking them out of the park. Not only is each cover descriptive of the issue, but the art and design for each one has been stellar. Amazing work. And look at that Brainiac!
-Gint
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