Gint's 2-18-15 Pull-List Review

This week's highlight was clearly Hal Jordan coming back to Earth and the Justice League. He's been gone for a long time and it'll be nice to see him out of Robert Venditti's grip for a change.

Fifth Place:

Futures End #42

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Seems not long ago Futures End was garnering high praise. Lately though (during the climax oddly enough) its just been okay. A lot of the fun setup of the story is gone and we're left with the mass chaos of the climax.

I can't quite place what's less interesting about it. Too many plot lines to wrap up? Weekly comic fatigue? Dunno. I really liked this book and now I'm about ready for it to finish up.

Fourth Place:

Batman and Robin #39

Its not often Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason release a dud. While there were some really cool moments this issue, ultimately it was looooong. It felt like I was reading it for-ever.

There's a lot of setup with Damian's power failing and some life lessons from Bruce. The book gets interesting when Bruce takes Damian to the Watchtower to meet Superman and Shazam. Damian's attitude to the trip is pure Damian.

The real excitement should start next issue when Damian joins them on an actual mission with faulty powers. I understand why we needed this issue of setup, but it could have been handled in a more concise package.

All that said, really loved Gleason's cover based on Action Comics #1.

Third Place:

Nova #27

We finally get the reason why Carnage is coming after Nova. And its kind of dumb. I guess its in Cletus Cassady's character to want to kill the one person who remembers him from when he was a hero (in Axis), but it seems a little light.

John Timms is back on pencils and does most things flawlessly. Most. The one thing he gets wrong is drawing Sam's mom. When Ed McGuinness launched the book he made Sam's mom look like a mom – a little thick around the middle and motherly. Timms draws her like a hot piece of ass. Yeah, you want your comic characters to be attractive (unless its Blockbuster or someone) but it doesn't hurt for them to look like real people too.

Second Place:

Superman Wonder Woman #16

Speaking of long reads... man. Superman and Wonder Woman take a backseat to exposition this issue. We get to learn all about Magog's backstory, why Circe made him Magog, why Circe and Hippolyta's deal fell apart and why she's coming after Wonder Woman.

Now if you've read this space before, you know I like a good dialog as much as the next comic fan. But these stories drag. Peter Tomasi (so he had an off week), Tony Daniel and Doug Mahnke do their best to make this book move along. Its a great looking book. Daniel and Mahnke (with their respective inkers) bring their A-game.

Shake this month off, Tomasi! Lets focus on short and sweet next month!

First Place:
Justice League #39

Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok put Wonder Woman center stage in this issue. Superman has to go help Lex, and its up to Diana to take on an Amazo virus-fied version of the rest of the League. Johns and Fabok make her fucking diesel. Its easily one of the best versions of Wonder Woman I've ever read.

As far as the wrap up goes to The Amazo Virus story, well, it fell a little flat. The best part was the very end when Patient Zero becomes, and looks like the Amazo we all know and love... complete with red widow's peak.

I don't mean to sell short The Amazo Virus. This was a cool story but I really expected a big finish. The points in the epilogue that really got me excited are teases for what's to come. Johns and Fabok have really found a groove to really make Justice League DC's premiere book.

Panel of the Week:

This Jason Fabok panel of Wonder Woman is not only drawn well, but its a cute little beat where she reluctantly finds Captain Cold amusing.

-Gint