Gint's 1-21-15 Pull-List Review

Its all DC, all the time on this week's short Pull-List.

Third Place:

Futures End #38

So let me lay this out for you: in the future that's ruled by Brother Eye, Brother Eye creates a Batman/Joker cyborg with the Joker's head on the back of Bruce's. I guess its supposed to be this horrifying monster, but its such a bizarre concept I can't take it seriously. I'm not saying it has, but if there was a moment Futures End jumped the shark, it would be when the Jokerborg shows up.

This issue didn't have much going for it in the art department either. Andy MacDonald (not a regular on this book) draws the issue and his style is a little too "Scott Kolins" for my liking. If you follow these reviews, you know how I feel about Scott Kolins. Well, you can add Andy MacDonald to that list.

As far as this issue's story goes, you get a handful of nice moments between the plot lines we jump through, but it didn't feel like many steps were taken toward the big finale in ten issues. I still feel like there's a lot of ground to cover. Maybe this issue was more of a calm before the storm.

Second Place:

Batman and Robin #38

Much to @lildpressedmatt's disproval, Damian Wayne is back among the living... and with superpowers no less! I balked at Damian being a part of the DC Universe for a long time, until Peter Tomasi's Damian won me over. The aspect of Damian with superpowers is an interesting road to travel.

Damian, who has a tendency to be reckless to begin with, is even moreso when he knows he can't be hurt. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason show both sides of Damian this issue, starting with his recklessness and finishing up with his compassion toward the monsters created in the attempt to create him.

Damian continues to be an interesting, complex character. Here's to Tomasi staying at the helm.

First Place:

Justice League #38

I was indisputably 100% invested in The Amazo Virus... right up until we get the zombie Justice League at the end. Its too similar to a previous Geoff Johns concept – the Black Lanterns. Its an interesting concept, but the Black Lanterns already did it first.

Putting Lex Luthor in the Justice League was the best thing Johns could have done last year. The addition of Lex changes the entire dynamic between the members of the League. It comes out this issue that the Amazo Virus outbreak is from a virus created by Lex to strip Superman of his powers. Placing all this distrust between Leaguers while they fight to stop the virus gives the book emotional grounding.

Unless Jason Fabok completely falls apart, you can expect high praise from him plenty here. There were a handful of panels that could have been the Panel of the Week, not just because e draws a pretty Wonder Woman or a striking Lex, but also because of his panel layout and composition. Very cinematic, like past Johns' collaborator Ivan Reis.

Panel of the Week:

Jason Fabok's Justice League has fallen on hard times. It was the way Fabok conveyed the weight in this panel that earned it Panel of the Week.

-Gint