This week we are publishing an abbreviated review column. We decided to give you our opinions of the top books that we read this week. I must say, it was difficult to decide. There are so many quality comic books being produced right now. I think that is good for the industry as a whole.
The books we chose are the ones that we put on top of our reading stack. These are the ones we were most excited to check out. They are all very good, and because there were fewer to write about, we gave each one a little more time than we usually do. We hope you enjoy this format.
She Could Fly #2
Dark Horse / Berger Books
Written by Christopher Cantwell
Art by Martin Morazzo
Colors by Miroslav Mrva
Letters by Clem Robins
Cover Art by Morazzo and Mrva
This book is fantastic. It is terrifying and mysterious. There are two main threads that run through the book. The technological corruption theme is legitimately suspenseful. Cantwell’s character development without giving too much away too soon is on point. The tale involving Luna, the teen following the mystery on her own, is heartbreakingly frightening. She is clearly suffering within her own mind. The pace and pull of this story is captivating. The terror scenery that Morazzo crafts is just amazing and the perfect imagery to fit into the tale. This book has gone right to the top of the pull list. Based on the convergence of the two threads that happens on the last page, more amazingness will be coming next month.
Sandman Universe #1
DC Vertigo
Written by Simon Spurrier, Nalo Hopkinson, Kat Howard, & Dan Watters
Art by Bilquis Evely, Dominike Stanton, Tom Fowler, & Max Fiumara
Colors by Mat Lopes
Letters by Simon Bolland
This is how you launch a universe! The technical production of this book is masterful. There is a main thread that travels through separate storylines in a way that is as organic as you can get. The art for every vignette is nothing short of stunning. Let’s be clear, this book is the re-launch of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman character and everything that comes with that into monthly comics. There are nods to the past and present. For those that are not completionist consumers of all things Dream, there is enough explanation to follow along and get invested. There is clearly something wrong in the dimension of Dreams, and while that was previewed in DC’s Dark Nights: Metal, it is not hammered into the narrative. There is room for all of the books that will launch from this to explore how they got to where they are and where they are going. This is the type of book that DC should be putting out to balance their super-hero lines.
Eternity Girl #6
DC’s Young Animal
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Art by Sonny Liew
Colors by Chris Chuckry
Letters by Todd Klein
Cover Art by Liew
Every issue in this series has built up to this finale. Visaggio puts forth some of her finest work in this book. The Dani character’s transformation into the critical hero of this story was sublime and perfect. The words of Dani, while aimed at Eternity Girl, are seemlessly translatable into other realms without being preachy. Liew used some incredibly inventive approaches to deliver a sense of otherworldliness that completely draws the reader into the realm of this book. I would be remiss to not mention the masterful Todd Klein’s work in this issue and series. He delivered some amazing techniques to differentiate character voices and just add even more to this wonderful story. All Hail Mags and Sonny on a job well done!!!
Fantastic Four #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Dan Slott
Pencils by Sara Pichelli
Inks by Pichelli and Elisabetha D’Amico
Colors by Marte Gracia
Letters by VC’s Joe Caramanga
There is already a lot of discussion about this, the most highly anticipated book of the week. I really liked it. I have been a fan of Dan Slott’s Spider-Man work. That seems to be a determining factor in what you are looking to get out of this. Spoiler: The fact that Reed and Sue are not yet reunited with Ben and Johnny did not detract from my enjoyment of this return issue. There is a lot of excellent work done in getting the audience familiar with the FF and where they are at the moment. Johnny’s unwavering faith is refreshing in the world we live in. His reluctant acceptance of Reed and Sue being gone is sad and deflating and fantastically done by Pichelli. The final page of the main story was thrilling and uplifting. I am an very comfortable with this family in the hands of Slott and Pichelli for the foreseeable future.
