In this column, we make a quick trip through this week’s pull-list. It features mostly spoiler-free brief analysis and commentary of each book.
It has been a few weeks since were were able to do a full “Everything” review, but it is good to be back with it, and thanks for checking it out. Since it was the fifth Wednesday of the month, the publishers are light with releases this week and threw a bunch of Annuals out there. There were however a few new series releases and some quality books for all tastes to read.
DISCLAIMER:
There is a 4 star rating system. It is simple and not to be taken too seriously as everyone gets their own impressions of art. These ratings are just to give our readers an idea of what we thought of the book, and they will be on the generous side normally. So don’t expect to see a lot of 1 Stars. After all, its not often that you have a bad book on your pull-list.
The rating system is as follows:
Great
Good
OK
Not Good
And here are the books we read in alphabetical order:
Click a link below if you want to jump to a particular review
Euthanauts #2, Extermination #2, House Amok #1, Hunt for Wolverine: Dead Ends #1, Lex Luthor / Porky Pig #1, Marvel 2-in-One #9, New Mutants: Dead Souls #6, Runaways #12, Scarlet #1, X-23 #3
Euthanauts #2
IDW / Black Crown
Written by Tini Howard
Art by Nick Robles
Colors by Eva De La Cruz
Letters by Aditya Bidikar
Cover Art by Robles
In the second issue of this Black Crown book, Howard and Robles flesh out the story-scape that they are creating in substantial and vibrant ways. While the first issue really only dealt with two characters, an interesting supporting cast is introduced here in organic ways. It is a joy to fall away into the world being created in this series. The story is absolutely compelling and has the audience wanting more.
Extermination #2
Marvel Comics
Written by Ed Brisson
Art by Pepe Larraz
Colors by Marte Garcia
Letters by Joe Sabino
Cover Art by Mark Brooks
Brisson is on fire in this book. It is not easy to put together a story that brings multiple teams of people together and get a coherent complete story. So far, Brisson and Larraz are doing it well. While the general goalline of this story can be surmised with even the slightest glance at the Marvel Comic universe, the book is dynamic, exciting, and intriguing. Sometimes “how” you get there is more important than “where” you get. Larraz continues to put forth some high quality line and camera angle work in this series. Top marks.
House Amok #1
IDW / Black Crown
Written by Christopher Sebela
Art by Shawn McManus
Colors by Lee Loughridge
Letters by Aditya Bidikar
Cover Art by McManus
This is the latest debut from the Black Crown imprint of IDW, and I have to say that Shelly Bond is doing a fantastic job getting interesting stories into comics. This opening salvo is a trip into nutsville for the audience. The conflict is clearly defined, and it is terrifying. There are children in harm’s way and Sebela and McManus both do a phenomenal job in drawing in the reader to a world where up is down. This is definitely a keeper on the pull-list.
Hunt for Wolverine: Dead Ends #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Charles Soule
Art by Ramon Rosanas
Colors by Guru-eFX
Letters by Joe Sabino
This comic book is a fine read. Charles Soule is an excellent writer, and does a good job with Rosanas of making an entertaining one-shot comic. It is useful if you have not read the plethora of “Hunt for Wolverine” mini-series that Marvel foisted upon its readers. The first act is a recap of those stories. There is a second act that presents peril to the X-Mansion and sets up the conflict for Wolverine’s return in the upcoming series. If you are not up to speed on what has been going on with Wolverine, this is a good recap, or just hit me up on social media, and I’ll fill you in.
Lex Luthor / Porky Pig Special #1
DC Comics
Written by Mark Russsell
Pencils by Brad Walker
Inks by Andrew Hennessy
Colors by Paul J. Lopez
Letters by Troy Peteri
Cover Art by Ben Oliver
Mark Russell is a master of funnelling social questions into comics while also being able to tell an interesting story through the commentary. It is not easily done. Managing the line between heavy handedness and cursory drivel requires a deft touch. Brad Walker’s visuals are amazing and include interesting homages (Miller’s Daredevil). Russell crafts a simple one off story that involves Lex Luthor’s use and abuse of an unwitting Porky Pig, but also pokes the consciousness of the reader that is living in a digital world and consumes social media on a daily basis. This book was not actually on our pull list, but David from our LCS said that this is the best of the current DC / Looney Tunes books. I can’t say he is wrong.
Marvel 2-in-One #9
Marvel Comics
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art by Ramon Perez
Colors by Frederico Blee
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Paco Medina, Jesus Arbutov & Gerardo Zaffino
It feels like this book has been hamstrung by Marvel editorial and publishing decisions. The return of the Fantastic Four book has the reader questioning, “What is the point of this story?” That being said, the story being told is really good. Nine issues and and annual in, and there is a sense of camaraderie and caring for Johnny and Ben in this story. Zdarsky has done and continues to do a great job exploring the multiverse and the depths of the relationship between the characters. Again, despite other publishing developments, we are continuing to see this story through to the end.
New Mutants: Dead Souls #6
Marvel Comics
Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Art by Adam Gorham
Colors by Michael Garland
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, & Garland
This is the conclusion for this mini series. The review to this comic is difficult to write. As a single issue, it is very good. There is good pacing, excellent visual action, surprising but believable turn of plot. The end to this book and series left me stunned. I am not sure where to go from here. Without giving too much away, I expect the dangling ending to be taken up in the upcoming Uncanny X-Men event. On the whole this series was entertaining, but that ending really shook me.
Runaways #12
Marvel Comics
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Art by Kris Anka
Colors by Matthew Wilson
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Kris Anka
This run of the Runaways continues to bring feelings of nostalgia for this family of misfits at the same time that it moves the characters in interesting ways. This issue is explores and begins a change to two relationships we thought long gone. The reader is unable to resist feelings of dread and anxiety with the new developments. It is rare to find a book that exists with a cast of superpowered characters that puts the super so far in the background that it doesn’t matter at all. This is about young people exploring love, friendship and life in a world that is anything but mundane. Kris Anka is just killing it on the art. He sets the perfect mood for the story that is being told.
Scarlet #1
DC Comics / Jinxworld
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Alex Maleev
Letters by Joshua Reed
Cover Art by Maleev
The second release from the Jinxworld imprint from DC is this latest incarnation of Scarlet. Having a little experience with the title character might be necessary to get the full idea of what is happening in this issue, but it is clear the creative team was trying to avoid requiring that knowledge. With that said, the issue is setting up a very near future story of rebellion and violence. The politics are very heavy in this book, and Maleev’s art is beautiful. If those are things that interest you, then this is the book for you. We will certainly be on board to see where it goes.
X-23 #3
Marvel Comics
Written by Mariko Tamaki
Art by Juann Cabal
Colors by Nolan Woodward
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Mike Choi
If you don’t love Gabby (Honey Badger) Kinney, there might be something wrong with you. You might want to get that checked out. Tamaki and Cabal are crafting a harrowing story for the heroines of this book, but while there is real danger, you can’t help but laugh out loud at parts of this book. X-23 is one of the best monthly books put out by Marvel without question. This issue is tense and brings Laura closer to the conflict with the Cuckoos. Go get it.
Well, That’s it for this week folks. Thanks for reading and sticking with us. Also, as always, feel free to comment on what you thought of the books that we mention or whatever else you read this week.
