The two prevailing thoughts from the Pull-List this week are, 1. I wish DC would fix itself, and 2. I like Shattered Empire way more than I thought I would.
Superman Wonder Woman #22
I think I said I was going to drop this last month, but didn't. And I had full intention of dropping it again this month, but here it is on the Pull-List.
Its not Pete Tomasi or Doug Mahnke's faults. They're great creators. Its this universe that DC has created for itself that I'm not into. Superman wears a t-shirt and jean and doesn't trust Lois or Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman wears a black unitard under her costume because showing a little skin is a no-no. Even the Flash's classic red with gold highlights has been changed to include (for some poorly-designed reason) MORE and MORE highlights.
Since I started reading comics full-time in 2001, this is probably my least favorite time in DC continuity history. I feel like I need to fully back out of all this current nonsense.
Justice League #45
Man am I a cynical old comic reader. I was fairly invested in this issue right up until the last page that claimed: Follow the gods in these six new $3.99 each one-shots! I get it: comics is a business. They're not here so much to entertain us as they are to get our money. Entertaining us is a nice by-product. The promotion of Darkseid War one-shots made this whole issue make sense.
Jason Fabok is out this month in favor of another favorite artist of mine: Francis Manapul. I thought the difference between artists was intense for Manapul to jump in the middle of a run, but the one-shot business makes it all make sense. Manapul is just here for the setup, we'll get back to our regularly scheduled Justice League next month.
Its disappointing. This has been a REALLY good book. Excellent even. But while this issue does tie up a couple loose ends about what happens when Darkseid dies, its really just a promo issue for the one-shots.
Burned by DC once again. Those you love the most, hurt you the most.
Martian Manhunter #5
Well, while we're taking the mickey out of DC, lets stick with that theme for one more review, shall we?
Firstly, I like this book. My enjoyment has slightly waned since the first issue, but as far as DC books go these days, this is a good one. But (there's always a "but"), I thought I was signing up for a Martian Manhunter book, not a book about six new characters that represent different facets of J'onn J'onzz psyche.
And this is where this book is starting to lose me. I do love the concept. Rob Williams is doing things with Martian Manhunter that have never been done before. He's taking a leap, and ultimately, its working. But for three issues now, the actual J'onn J'onzz hasn't been present.
I would like this remedied soon or else I fear I'll lose complete interest.
Darth Vader #11
I think I mentioned this last week, but it holds true this week: Darth Vader is starting to drag. The going has been pretty slow and I would like to see some dividends paid. It feels like we've been following the "Vader stole the money but blames Aphra, but they're working together" story for fucking months. Let's get it wrapped up.
We had a nice little side bar last month (or week? This book seems to have it's own release schedule) with Aphra getting info from the Naboo mortician that buried Padmé. Seeing Vader send her to try to track down information on his dead wife and possible kids is a neat little thread to pull on. All the business with Thanoth being Vader's boss seems unnecessary. Just tell the good story, please.
Hey. Still a good book here. Really. Still a good book, but lets get the pace going. At least the upcoming Vader Down mini (where Vader gets stranded alone on a hostile planet) seems like it could be pretty sweet.
Star Wars: Shattered Empire #4
Well would you look at that. A book I had no intention of reading in the first place has stolen my heart. Greg Rucka, you know how to write a book, pal. And artist Marco Checcetto is a great compliment to Rucka.
That was evident in the last issue when we got some classic-feeling repartee from Han and Threepio. It comes to life again clearly hearing Mark Hamill's voice come out of Checchetto's art with Rucka's words. They also add a sadness to Luke. You can feel all he's just been through (in Return of the Jedi) and it's still weighing on him. There's a charm and warmth he presents to Shattered Empire lead Shara Bey that hides the weight of his heart underneath.
I didn't think I'd like this book as much as I do. Its been a very pleasant surprise amid a lot of comics that have been doing nothing but letting me down lately. I'm looking at you, DC.
Panel of the Week:
The actual J'onn J'onzz or not, Eddie Barrows is at the top of his art game. I really dig the cut of this guys jib.
-Gint
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