Gint's 11-13-14 Pull-List Review

Its a pleasant occasion when you enjoy every book on your Pull-List. FIVE books this week and I liked every one. Guess my money is going to the right people.

Fifth Place:

Coffin Hill #13

The second arc, Dark Endeavors, wraps up in a pretty satisfying fashion. We even get to see the origin of Eve's creepy/sexy eye. The story closes and we get satisfying ends to some character arcs while writer Caitlin Kittredge leaves others open for future use. Personally, I hope she brings back Detective Frost. The hard street detective is a nice foil for Eve's world of witchcraft.

There's still something missing from this book. I'm not sure what it is. I don't necessarily want to say "depth of character," but I feel like this book is one step away from going from being good to great. Just not sure what that might be.

I've really enjoyed the world of Coffin Hill and would love to have a reason to draw Eve Coffin. I'd even love to see some other artists takes on the world. Inaki Miranda and the amazing Dave Johnson have put together a world worthy of further art exploration.

Fourth Place:
Futures End #28

Each Futures End issue has a credits page at the end with art from upcoming issues. This issue's art spoiled the hell out of next issue's climax. But you know, classic current comic move, a bi-racial Firestorm isn't enough, he's gotta be a girl too. Diversity!

In the meantime, Fifty Sue is plotting to take back Cadmus Island and afterwards, kill Deathstroke. Fifty Sue is a cool new character, and could be even creepier if she wasn't so over the top. If the writers played her sadistic nature a little more subtle, she could be terrifying.

New artist to Futures End, Andy McDonald, does a really nice job. Especially early in the book. By the time you get to the end, thing are getting a little muddy. But he draws a pretty cool O.M.A.C., and those are shitty characters.

Third Place:

Nova #23

It's Axis... or Sixis... or is it Nxu... whatever their poor logo design is trying to tell us, its crossover time once again for Nova. I wish Marvel would just leave this book the fuck alone. In its short 23-issue run, its been interrupted by Infinity, Original Sin and now Axis. Gerry Duggan has made this book incredibly enjoyable, DESPITE having to write around the long arm of Marvel.

That said, Duggan is capable of deftly navigating these crossover waters. After a lengthy explanation as to why Nova has to fight a monster Hulk in the desert, the fight between them is pretty entertaining. Mostly because Nova doesn't win. He gets his ass completely handed to him. There's a certain realism in the way Duggan writes Nova's failure that really endears you to the character.

All in all, these crossovers just enforce the fact that Duggan is a really good writer that should be allowed to let a story of his have some legs before having them cut off for the "greater good."

Second Place:
Wythces #2

Hmm. Wytches. The cover for this issue is super creepy. Blech. And Jock's interior art is also pretty creepy, but I wish it was a little more refined. Personal preference and all that. The art is pretty scattered and the color splashes thoughout this issue take away form some of the character art, but it certainly sets a tone. I'd love to see some of the original pages for this book. They've got to be intense.

Scott Snyder and Jock set up some mysteries on top of a couple mysteries this issue. Like in The Wake, Snyder has set up a fully realized, very deep world. Like you could step right into it. The guy is talented. Same with Jock and colorist Matt Hollingsworth.

Its certainly a creepy horror book. Books about the unknown supernatural element that's coming to get you will more than likely hook me every time.

First Place:

Batman #36

This month we get a little bit of that old Scott Snyder magic. He dug a little deeper in to his stores of Harry Potter-like writing wizardry to maybe wrap up his time on Batman as good as he started. Still a tall order, but this issue proves he's still got it.

Last issue was nutty. Shit was happening and it was total confusion. But #36 here pulls it all together and starts telling a cohesive Joker story for Snyder and artist Greg Capullo to close their run on. The Joker managed to infect the Justice League with Joker venom and sicced them on Bats. The creepy reveal at the end that the Joker is back, and his elaborate plan to announce it was simply brilliant.

This issue highlights why certain characters have lasted for so long. Why certain characters are so iconic and integral to a company. When Snyder sticks to Batman, Joker, Alfred... he's able to write a damn near perfect Bat-story. Its when he tries to branch out and put his own stamp (and characters) on that his efforts start to fall flat. All the tools you need are already in the Bat-toolbox, Scott. Just use them.

Panel of the Week:

Greg Capullo's Joker eyes. Fucking haunting, man.

-Gint