Welcome back to Everything We Read This Week. This is the place that we make our weekly trip through this week’s pull-list. It features mostly spoiler-free brief analysis and commentary of each book.
Because this was a fifth Wednesday, it was a somewhat light release of comic books this week. There were a few annuals that we did not review, but even so the quality of the books we read was very good. Remember to find what you like, GO OUT AND FIND SOME COMICS TO READ!! They are good for you.
We reviewed books from DC, Marvel, Image, and Dynamite this week. As always, we hope you might find what we say interesting enough to try some of these comics.
Also, Don’t forget to check our hotlist of new books debuting this month over here. You will see books that we were looking forward to with the designation Hot #1 by them. There are a few of them out this week and they are really good.
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
Also look for the book we deemed Favorite Book of the Week. It is the comic that we like the most this week. The criteria are difficult to pin down, but suffice to say it is a book that moved us.
And here are the books we read in alphabetical order:
Action Comics #1007, The Books of Magic #4, Heroes in Crisis #5, Hex Wives #4, The Lone Ranger #4, Man-Eaters #5, Marvel Knights 20th #6, Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #1, Redlands #10, X-Force #2
Action Comics #1007
DC Comics
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Steve Epting
Colors by Brad Anderson
Letters by Josh Reed
Cover Art by Steve
In this issue, Bendis has three distinct plot lines. They do not really overlap in anyway. They are all interesting. The issue as a whole is entertaining if not satisfying. The lack of any resolution leaves the audience wanting more. While this is a useful method of storytelling, particularly if you want people to come back for the next issue, it can hurt experience of the individual issue. Epting and Anderson created a beautiful visual display with fantastic facial acting and dynamic action. It is a good comic. I just want more.
The Books of Magic #4
DC Comics / Vertigo
Written by Kat Howard
Drawn by Tom Fowler
Colors by Jordan Boyd
Letters by Todd Klein
Cover by Kat Carpenter
Tom Fowler’s work in this book and the series on the whole has been top notch. Kat Howard’s plot and dialogue built an excellent story of the challenges that young Tim must overcome. It is exciting and entertaining. Despite the word “Books” being in the title of the series, I am sure that Fowler will have enough of rendering books for a while. Ha Ha. Seriously this is a quality book month in an month out and continues to get more interesting.
Heroes in Crisis #5
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by Clay Mann
Color by Tomeu Morey
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover by Mann
King is trying to break your heart. There is a lot of emotional exploration for the characters in this story. The trauma of being a soldier, first responder, or the loved one of such a person is very much on display here. There is somberness to Mann’s art without being morose. The tone of the book on the whole is a perfect combination of anxiety and sadness. The “Sanctuary” video file scenes continue to rip at heartstrings, and the solution to the mystery might be becoming clearer. Another great issue.
Hex Wives #4
DC Comics / Vertigo
Written by Ben Blacker
Art by Mirka Andolfo
Colors by Marissa Louise
Letters by Josh Reed
Cover by Paulina Ganucheau
The veil is starting to lift ever so slightly on the witchy heroines of this story. The structure of this tale is very creative and engaging. This issue’s story is excellent in both the inventive ways that that cast is figuring out their dilemma, and in Andolfo’s use of theme imagery to illustrate the magic awakening that is beginning. We are very excited for the next issue.
The Lone Ranger #4
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Bob Q
Letters by Hasan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover by John Cassaday & Jose Villarrubia
This is a wonderful comic. Russell and Bob Q. have created an instant classic with the villain here. He is truly terrifying. The heroes of the tale are challenged in physical and mental ways, and the pacing of the story perfectly allows the challenges to be explored. Otsmane-Elhaou continues to do stellar work on this series and adds some much depth to the storytelling with his lettering. We are looking forward to the resolution of the dual cliffhangers to this issue.
Man-Eaters #5
Image Comics
Written by Chelsea Cain
Pencils by Kate Niemczyk
Inks by Elise McCall
Colors by Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover by Lia Miternique
This book delivers an exciting and compelling mystery where hints to the resolution are beginning to be revealed. What is so important to this book is that the mystery is almost subtext to the commentary on the misogynistic society that we live in. The art by Niemczyk is amazing even though there is very little action in this issue. The consistency and excellence that Niemczyk brings to this series elevates it. The additional production art that is cosplaying as “real advertisements” is brilliant.
Marvel Knights 20th #6
Marvel Comics
Written by Donny Cates
Pencils by Kim Jacinto & Travel Foreman
Inks by Kim Jacinto & Richard Friend
Colors by Matt Milla
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover by Geoff Shaw & Rain Beredo
This was a fun series that culminates with this issue. The overall conflict was interesting and the resolution was fascinating. Donny Cates really brought it home after having others script some of the plots through the series. Some very good story telling goes on in this issue as we were dropping expletives on the regular with some of the reveals. A well done comic story by all involved.
Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Caspar Wungaard
Colors by Mary Safro
Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover by Sean Phillips
Hot #1
In the first issue of this series, Kieron Gillen creates a fantastic mind fuck of a story that trolls Alan Moore in ridiculously awesome ways. This is a wonderful comic book. It has echos of both Watchmen and Irredeemable but brings something fresh to the table in very important aspects. The art is wonderful and exciting. Safro’s colors are truly spectacular. Phillips cover is striking. We were blown away by this book, and that all adds up to make this our Favorite Book of the Week.
Redlands #10
Image Comics
Written by Jordie Bellaire
Art by Vanesa R. Del Rey
Colors by Bellaire
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Del Rey
Bellaire and Del Rey are making a truly horrifying tale of revenge, retribution, and evil. It smacks you in the ass with a wet towel and then punches you dead in the face. There is not an innocent character in the book, and yet, you find yourself drawn to all of them in different ways. Del Rey’s ability to convey atmospheric conditions is remarkable and adds so much to the feel of this comic. It is a dreadfully amazing experience.
X-Force #2
Marvel Comics
Written by Ed Brisson
Art by Dylan Burnett
Colors by Jesus Aburtov
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover by Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia
We are absolutely excited about the story in this book. The characterization and plot developments are very interesting. There are some very pleasing color choices that help to set a consistent tone to the book. We are looking forward to the next issue.
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.
