Gint's 6-17-15 Pull-List Review

After a DC-free week last week, the old distinguished competition pulled me right back in ringing me up for four books.

Fourth Place:

Superman Wonder Woman #18 

The current status quo of the DCU doesn’t impress me. Bruce Wayne is dead(?) and the world knows Clark Kent is Superman. He’s cut his hair short and has a healthy 5 o’clock shadow. He’s also taken to wearing a t-shirt and jeans again. I’m inclined to stay away from this current DC climate. However, I’m a sucker for Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. They don’t make bad books.

And even now, I can’t say this book was bad. Lets be clear: it wasn’t great. But if anyone has a shot at getting me invested in this new Clark Kent, its these guys. This issue Clark gets a panicked call from Lana in the middle of the night. Clark and Diana fly (Wonder Woman flies them because Clark is still at half power [not sure why]) to Smallville to check it out. What they find are unexplained missing people and whole buildings vanished including the Kent farm. Its an interesting mystery, but the reason I’m here is for Tomasi to make me like this close-cropped Supes.

Tomasi has a knack for bringing the character and humanity out of characters in the middle of big action and crises. He makes you give a shit. I feel like Tomasi’s got his work cut out for him, but if anyone can do it, this is the team. 

Second Place:

Prez #1 

If you bought this book and expected a cute story about a teenage girl becoming the President of the United States, you’re going to be disappointed. This is not a story for tweens. Its a story for cynical adults. And it was awesome.

Written by Mark Russell and drawn by Ben Caldwell, Prez takes a satirical look at the future of the United States. It slams the direction of politics, social media and generally where society is going. Its also legitimately funny. A couple panels, and some of Caldwell’s artwork, made me chuckle out loud. The first issue centers around the presidential election. Using social media to vote (and some other circumstances) leaves a loophole open for a teenage girl to gain enough votes to win the election. Its a really clever book and something you wouldn’t expect from DC.

Caldwell’s art is beautiful. I loved his work on Wednesday Comics and he brings his A-game here. Mark Russell said Caldwell’s clever art really enhanced his story and he’s right. The care that’s put in to the backgrounds of panels are worth looking at for little in-jokes. 

Second Place:

Martian Manhunter #1

I totally picked this book up on a whim. I don’t do much of that. I’m the kind of guy that likes to research a book before I commit. I’m glad I took a chance on this one.

J’onn J’onzz has aways been a fan favorite of mine. I would replace Cyborg on the Justice League with J’onn so fast I’d go back in time. But for some reason, J’onn hasn’t been able to sustain a solo book. This time, writer Rob Williams seems to have gotten J’onn right (so far). When the New 52 kicked off, DC made J’onn a total dickhead that had been kicked out of the League. This issue, Williams has tapped into the Justice League Animated Series J’onn that’s more sensitive and introspective. He’s likable, and I like it.

Also impressive about this issue was Eddie Barrows’ art. Barrows has been around for a while and I’ve never been a huge fan. I didn’t even realize it was him until about half way through this issue. There are some panels that are absolutely stunning. If Barrows’ can keep the quality up over the run, he may have made a new fan.

First Place:

JLA #1

This may be the Justice League book I’ve always wanted. Geoff Johns’ current run on Justice League has been pretty good, but like most writers, Johns had to put his own stamp on it and change the members of the team. I don’t understand why writers can’t just use the Big 7 (and Cyborg). Fingers crossed we continue to get that from Bryan Hitch.

The story takes place somewhere in current DC continuity, but still outside it. Sort of a "Legends of the Justice League." And he’s using the Big 7, including Hal Jordan. Issue #1 sets up a greater mysterious threat to the League and also uses Parasite. Hitch’s fight with Parasite is one of the coolest I’ve seen regarding the League. His Justice Leaguers are still a little green, make some rookie mistakes and get a little schooled by Parasite. Its how most DC heroes should be written to combat the old “DC heroes are too powerful” horseshit.

So far so good with this book. The biggest concern will be timing. Hitch is writing AND drawing the book, and as we all know, he’s not the most speedy artist.

Panel of the Week:

I don't know what this is, but Eddie Barrows draws the shit out of it.

-Gint