Welcome back as we make our weekly trip through this week’s pull-list. It features mostly spoiler-free brief analysis and commentary of each book.
Following that last couple of weeks, there is a ton of books out this week. Make sure you go find some. There are few really good number ones out this week. Hopefully, you might find what we say interesting enough to try some of these comics. This is a big list again this week as we continue to catch up on our unwieldy pull-list.
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, it’s 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:
Auntie Agatha’s Home for Wayward Rabbits #1
Image Comics
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Benjamin Roman
Colors by Bryan Valenza
The debut issue of this book by Keith Giffen is welcoming and intriguing. Roman’s cartoony style suits the snarky talking animal world in which this story resides. There are lots of questions raised in the issue which is what you want. What makes this comic good is that the story feels organic, and as weird as talking rabbits sound, it is clearly understandable.
Batman # 58
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin
Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Letters by Clayton Clowes
Cover Art by Janin
Penguin is brought into this story. As usual, Janin’s clean lines are well done as the visual narrative is nicely laid out. The tension of the story is absolutely stifling. If you have been reading the entire run of King’s Batman story, there is a little bit of PTSD involved with the harrowing moments in which the characters are placed. With Bane’s machinations becoming more visible to the audience, this story is picking up some steam.
Blackbird #2
Image Comics
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Jen Bartel
Colors by Triona Farrell
Letters by Jodi Wynne
Cover Art by Bartel
This trippy magical mystery is off to a good start. The second issue of the series is focused on the main character using some very basic and believable detective skills to try to find out what is going on in her life. This is a smart, well illustrated, entertaining series. We will definitely be on board to see what Nina encounters next.
Champions # 26
Marvel Comics
Written by Jim Zub
Art by Max Dunbar
Colors by Nolan Woodward
Letters by Clayton Clowes
Cover Art by Sean Izaakse & Marcio Menyz
This is well written and well drawn. The heroes are working through a amnesiatic adventure in Weirdworld. It is fine and I don’t mean to diminish the effort and the talent that is in play in the making of this book. However, the social nature of this team of heroes has been clear and present in all of their incarnations and this story is just not what I look for when I pick up a Champions book. We are looking forward to the end of this arc.
Doctor Strange #7
Marvel Comics
Written by Mark Waid
Pencils by Javier Pina & Andres Guinaldo
Inks by Pina, JP Mayer, Andy Owens, Roberto Poggi. & Keith Champagne
Colors by Brian Reber, Jim Campbell, & Andrew Crossley
Cover Art by Kevin Nowlan
The interesting story of the doppelganger Dr. Strange continues in this issue. The art is a little muddled as might be guessed by the shear volume of contributors to a twenty page second part of a story. The Based on the reveal at the end of the issue we will be looking forward what comes next. Hopefully, it will have a more consistent artistic effort.
The Dreaming #3
DC Comics / Vertigo
Written by Simon Spurrier
Art by Bilquis Evely
Colors by Mat Lopes
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover Art by Jae Lee & June Chung
The creative team is doing a fantastic job of telling an interesting story in this series. The dangerous setting of the broken Dreaming is palpable. The residents of the Dreaming are scrambling to make sense of what is happening and the audience is pulled in to their fears and failures. I find myself screaming “Where is Daniel?” This is a very good series and this issue pushed the story into even more stressful moments.
The Green Lantern #1
DC Comics
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Liam Sharp
Colors by Steve Oliff
Letters by Tom Orzechowski
Cover Art by Sharp & Oliff
Grant Morrison begins his much anticipated Hal Jordan story. It is clearly a Grant Morrison story. Liam Sharp’ illustrations are beautiful. From small moments to grand displays this book is visual treat. We get the feeling that Hal will be challenged significantly in this story and we are interested to see where that goes.
Iceman #3
Marvel Comics
Written by Sina Grace
Art by Nathan Stockman
Colors by Federico Blee
Letters by Joe Sabino
Cover Art by W. Scott Forbes
We have been waiting for this issue for months. The comic book edition of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. It did not disappoint. A fabulously fun issue with Bobby, Peter, and Angelica. The only thing missing was Ms. Lion. Grace has done a great job in this issue and in the whole series of telling an action filled story that furthers the longer term plot lines. Well done all around.
Infinity Wars # 5
Marvel Comics
Written by Gerry Duggan
Art by Mike Deodato Jr.
Colors by Frank Martin
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Deodato & Rain Beredo
Loki is never to be trusted. This is a rule that must never be forgotten. This series is surprisingly good. The art by Deodato is absolutely fabulous, and the fact that the series has been on time with a consistent artist gives the it something special that is often missing from current comic event series. The plot is intriguing and filled with excellent and surprising turns. We look forward to its conclusion.
Justice Leauge #11
DC Comics
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Francis Manapul
Letters by Tom Napolitano
Cover Art bu Manapul
This comic is part two of DC’s “Drowned Earth” event. We find it to be wonderful. The crazy plot lines and twists seem to make sense. The art is beautiful and clear. This is some of Snyder’s best team book storytelling that we have seen. It is definitely worth the read.
Marvel Knights #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Donny Cates
Pencils by Travel Foreman
Inks by Derek Fridolfs
Colors by Matt Milla
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Geoff Shaw & Rain Beredo
This is one of the best books of the week. Donny Cates sets up a fantastically interesting story in this book. A massive case of super-hero/villian amnesia is the conflict that this mini-event series starts with. Foreman’s character art is quite good. This is just a very enjoyable comic book.
Nightwing # 52
DC Comics
Written by Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza
Art by Chris Mooneyham
Colors by Nick Filardi
Letters by Deron Bennett
Cover Art by Mooneyham & Filardi
There is quite a bit that happens in this issue. Chris Mooneyham returns as the primary artist and there are some spectacular images in this book. The pressure continues to mount in this story arc. The writers use some excellent plot points that push characters to interesting choices. This is a solid issue.
Outer Darkness #1
Image Comics
Written by John Layman
Art by Afu Chan
Letters by Pat Brosseau
Cover Art by Chan
This new series from John Layman has a wonderful first issue. It is a well thought out melding of sci-fi and supernatural genres. Chan’s art took a minute to get comfortable with in this setting, but by about half-way through the book, it felt natural and appropriate. Falling into a comic to the point that you are consumed by the story is what makes it a good book. This issue has that feeling.
Redlands #8
Image Comics
Written by Jordie Bellaire
Art by Vanesa R. Del Rey
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Del Rey
Redlands is the most horrifying comic that we are reading. There are no good people in the book. It is heartbreaking and tragic. It is also beautifully illustrated and smartly written. This issue is typical of most in that there are a few simultaneous scenes that take place throughout the issue and move the plot lines forward. In those scenes the dark black sides of either the characters or mankind are further revealed.
Runaways # 15
Marvel Comics
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Art by Kris Anka
Colors by Matthew Wilson
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Anka
Niko takes center stage in this issue of Rowell’s wonderful run of the Runaways. A massive revelation is presented to her and is changes her in very important ways. Kris Anka returs to the art in this issue, which is a treat for the audience. His ability to capture Niko’s face is unparalleled.
Spider-Geddon #3
Marvel Comics
Written by Christos Gage
Pencils by Carlo Barberi & Todd Nauck
Inks by Jose Marzan Jr. & Nauck
Colors by David Curiel
Letters by Travis Lanham
Cover Art by Jorge Molina
This series is entertaining. The art is well done. The story is smartly written. Personally, I prefer my “Spider” events to focus on “Spider-Man”. I would probably like this more if even Miles was more of a central character as opposed to the Superior Spider-Man (Doc Ock).
The Wrong Earth #3
AHOY Comics
Written by Tom Peyer
Pencils by Jamal Igle
Inks by Juan Castro
Colors by Andy Troy
Letters by Rob Steen
Cover Art by Igle
Peyer and Igle continue there triumphant take on alternate realities. Igle’s line work is fantastic. The facial acting is perfect and his use of panel layouts to convey action is excellent. The story continues to get deeper and more compelling. This is a great series.
X-23 #6
Marvel Comics
Written by Mariko Tamaki
Art by Georges Duarte
Colors by Chris O’Halloran
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Ashley Witter
What a breath of fresh air! This issue is a true one-and-done comic book. There are little expectations that the creative team has on the audience, and when it is over, that is it. Between the two covers is a fun, exciting mystery adventure, that ends in claws and giant globs of bubble gum. If you are looking for a fun comic to read from this week’s releases, this is it.
X-Men: Red #10
Marvel Comics
Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Roge Antonio
Colors by Rain Beredo
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Jenny Frison
Tom Taylor’s epic battle between Jean Grey and Cassandra Nova escalates as it gets near its climax. The interesting plot developments feel organic. The art tells the narrative clearly. This is a very good comic in a great series.
Well, that is it for this week. Thanks for reading, and let us know what you think about these books or any books you are reading in the comments.
