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.
There are a lot of very good books out this week. Amazingly there are SIX books this week on our list that are the third issue of their series. Make sure you go find some comics to read. Hopefully, you might find what we say interesting enough to try some of these comics. This is a big list again this week but still not all that we have on our 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:
Action Comics #1005
DC Comics
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Ryan Sook
Colors by Brad Anderson
Letters by Josh Reed
Cover Art by Sook
The Metropolis centered tale being told in this series is good and entertaining. There is a good mix of Clark Kent, reporter, and Superman. The creative team gets high marks in this book. Sook’s Superman is the one I want to see. Bendis’ dialogue is to the point and clear in the separate voices needed to tell the story. The front splash page is so much fun. It is full of nods and easter eggs. Take the time to take it all in. There is a surprise guest in this issue that asks a Question? Also, the end page reveal is a big one.
Amazing Spider-Man #10
Marvel Comics
Written by Nick Spencer
Pencils by Humberto Ramos & Michele Bandini
Inks by Victor Olazaba & Bandini
Colors by Edgar Delgado & Erick Arciniega
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Ramos & Delgado
The events in this issue are not earth shattering. On the whole it is pretty quiet. There is a confrontation that wraps up the main event of the past two issues, but the crux of the issue is a bit of clarity gained by MJ and an emotional scene with Peter and Felicia. Spencer is really kicking some serious butt on this book. He has an excellent handle on who and why Peter is. The art is well done. There are creative panel layouts that add to the storytelling in meaningful ways. The third to the last page brought goosebumps. Spencer and crew are creating a fun and funny superhero book with this series.
Books of Magic #2
Vertigo / DC Comics
Written by Kat Howard
Art by Tom Fowler
Colors by Jordan Boyd
Letters by Todd Klein
Cover Art by Kat Carpenter
Intriguing. That is the best word to describe this book. Young Tim is struggling with his new knowledge and making mistakes. Fowler’s visual storytelling is really fantastic. The color choices by Boyd are well done and important to illuminate when necessary and set the tone of each scene. This is a very well crafted comic book by all involved. The story is compelling, and we are looking to forward to more.
Detective Comics #993
DC Comics
Written by James Robinson
Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Colors by Ivan Plascencia
Letters by Rob Leigh
Cover Art by Di Giandomenico & Plascencia
This book is written by an accomplished writer. It uses interesting storytelling mechanics. The art is lovely. Plascencia’s color pallet is important to the feel of the book. It just feels flat. It is a conclusion to the arc, and the arc really went nowhere. It would be difficult to read as a single issue, because there is a lack of follow-up on recent events. It is a nice comic book, but the best thing that I can really say about it is that the arc is over and a new creative team starts next issue.
Drowned Earth #1
DC Comics
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Francis Manapul, Howard Porter, & Scott Godlewski
Colors by HiFi & Manapul
Letters by Tom Napolitano
Cover Art by Manapul
This is the conclusion to the Drowned Earth event. This storyline was some of the best stuff that Snyder has done in the wider DC Universe. It was better than “Metal” and “No Justice”. The leaps of faith the audience must take feel more organic and the re-written prehistory that is used makes sense to some extent. This story sets up the new status quo for Aquaman that will begin Kelly Sue DeConnick’s run. The art throughout the event and in this issue has been excellent.
Fantastic Four #4
Marvel Comics
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Stefano Caselli & Nico Leon
Colors by Erick Arciniega
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Esad Ribic
The FF return to Earth in their proper dimension in this issue. It is chock full of events. There are logical puzzles to unlock, new characters debuted, and bits of foreboding plot points hinted at. But overall it is a family Fantastic Four comic with humor, action, and emotion. The art is nicely laid out and smartly executed. This is a really solid issue.
Heroes in Crisis #3
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by Clay Mann & Lee Weeks
Colors by Tomeu Morey
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Mann & Morey
This series is full of psychological analysis. It continues to add excellence in storytelling upon excellence as it goes on. If you view superheroes as complete characters and not just glorified gladiators, this book is for you. There are no answers to the cause of the Crisis in this issue, but there are more clues to how Sanctuary worked. Weeks’ art is spectacular. King presents the audience with some heartbreaking scenarios. This is most likely the best book that we read this week.
Hex Wives #2
Vertigo / DC Comics
Written by Ben Blacker
Art by Mirka Andolfo
Colors by Marissa Louise
Letters by Josh Reed
Cover Art by Emanuela Lupacchino & Jordie Bellaire
Blacker and Andolfo are building a tense story of deception and detention. The plot thickens in this issue, and the holes in the memories of the Coven begin to give way ever so slightly. It is a smartly written tale that has us coming back for more. The art is beautiful in the simple lines and wonderful character designs. Looking forward to what comes next. And based on the last page…. WHOOO BOY!!!
House Amok #3
Black Crown / IDW
Written by Christopher Sebela
Art by Shawn McManus
Colors by Lee Loughridge
Letters by Neil Uyetake
Cover Art by McManus
Group insanity is a terrifying thing. This book reveals the awakening of our little protagonist Dylan, and the empathy that the reader feels for her is strong. McManus is doing some fantastic work in portraying the imagery of a family that is completely mentally broken from reality. Black Crown has consistently put out quality stories and this is one of the best.
Justice League Odyssey #3
DC Comics
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Philippe Briones
Colors by Jeromy Cox
Letters by Deron Bennett
Cover Art by Stjepan Sejic
The misfit band of heroes in this story continue to investigate the Ghost Sector, and more secrets are revealed to the audience. It is definitely more a mystery than a superhero book. The art is very good in this book, particularly the backgrounds and starscapes. There is a feel to the storyline for this book that brings back echos of Busiek and Bagley’s Trinity series. We are on board to see if that continues.
Kino #11
Lion Forge
Written by Alex Paknadel
Art by Diego Galindo
Colors by Adam Guzowski
Letters by Jim Campbell
Cover Art by Frazer Irving
I really enjoyed this book. This is a series we picked up at issue #10 after a change in the talent team. It is a well written tale that is welcoming to new readers. The layouts and visual narrative are nicely done and serve the story well. The conflict is compelling. We will be looking forward to see what comes next.
Maneaters #3
Image Comics
Written by Chelsea Cain
Art by Kate Niemczek
Colors by Rachel Rosenberg
Letters by Joe Caramagna
This comic is must read material. There are important societal norms being questioned in this book in just the snarkiest ways. There is serious thought provoking subjects masquerading as subtext in this beautifully illustrated tale of young adventurous girl and her squabbling parents. The stuff is getting good and the next issue looks to up the ante in a big way.
Return of Wolverine #3
Marvel Comics
Written by Charles Soule
Art by Declan Shalvey
Colors by Laura Martin
Letters by Joe Sabino
Cover Art by Steve McNiven & Sunny Gho
Logan’s return is getting there. While I am not a fan of what I can only view as gratuitous cash grabs by Marvel in their incessant “Death” and “Return” mini-series, Soule and Shalvey make a pretty nice comic. It is telling a story, the villain is intriguing and the story and characters are three dimensional. The art is dynamic and the mental gymnastics performed by the title character are pretty cool.
Sex Death Revolution #2
Black Mask Comics
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Art by Kasia Witerscheim
Colors by Harry Saxon
Letters by Zakk Saam
Cover Art by Kiki Jenkins
Mags Visaggio is crafting a fascinating tale of the theft of one’s self. It is brilliant and terrifying. The art is wonderful. A very muted color palette and clean lines develop a definitely clear platform for this wonderfully written tale. Each issue has us anticipating the next.
Strangers in Paradise XXV #8
Abstract Studio
Written by Terry Moore
Art by Terry Moore
Letters by Terry Moore
Cover Art by Moore & Steve Hamaker
If you are a fan of anything Terry Moore has ever done, you will absolutely love this series. If you have not had the opportunity to read Terry Moore’s work, you should still read this series. The use of characters from multiple previous publications is masterfully on display in this issue. The very serious main plot that runs through the series, begins to become more clear here and the tension hits a high note at the very end of the issue. This is an excellent comic.
Uncanny X-Men #3
Marvel Comics
Written by Matthew Rosenberg, Kelly Thompson, & Ed Brisson
Art by Yildiray Cinar
Colors by Rachel Rosenberg
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Leinil Francis Yu & Edgar Delgado
In a weekly series, there are all kind of ways that individual issues could fail to hit the mark. That is not the case here. There are plenty of important plot points that are revealed in appropriate manners. While the true reason for the conflict in this series remains elusive, it feels like it is just around the corner or in the next issue. Cinar does an excellent job with the art. The individual characterization and dynamizm in the action sequences are high points in this book.
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.
Happy Hanukkah to all those that celebrate and Go Read Some Comics! They are good for you.
