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.
This was a big week for comic books. There were a lot of quality books out there for all types of readers. There were some great new series that started and a couple that ended. 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, Aftershock, Black Mask, and Abstract Studio 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:
Avengers: No Road Home #1, Captain Marvel #2, Criminal #2, Dark Ark #14, Dead Kings #3, Detective Comics #998, Electric Warriors #4, The Flash #64, Justice League Dark #8, The Magic Order #6, Oh S#!t Its Kim & Kim #5, Runaways #18, Sex Death Revolution #3, Strangers in Paradise XXV #10, Supergirl #27, Superman #8, Winter Soldier #3, Wonder Twins #1
Avengers: No Road Home #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Mark Waid, Al Ewing & Jim Zub
Pencils by Paco Medina
Inks by Juan Vlasco
Colors by Jesus Aburtov
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Yasmine Putri
Marvel has brought back the writing team that delivered last year’s weekly Avengers: No Surrender event for another go at it. It feels a bit like a money grab, and it is, but leaving that aside, this issue kicks off what appears to be an interesting story. The use of Avengers who are not on the main squad to explore a mythological threat is a fun way to keep the large Avengers roster of characters in play. The writing is excellent. The lineart is well done and appropriate for a large group of different characters. It is done in the classic superhero comic style. The colors really stand out for the use of lighting in an event where darkness is the main problem. Good start to this weekly series.
Captain Marvel #2
Marvel Comics
Written by Kelly Thompson
Art by Carmen Carnero
Colors by Tamra Bonvillain
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Amanda Conner & Paul Mounts
This issue picks up where the series left off and definitely ups the ante on the social commentary. The conflict involves many women in captivity, and Carol and her friends fight against that while the protection of the innocent is of paramount importance. Thompson tells the story in a way that, while it could be considered heavy handed on the social issues, is strongly organized and does not get bogged down in side drama. Well done. Bonvillain’s storytelling through color is fantastic in this issue. We continue to have high hopes for this series.
Criminal #2
Image Comics
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips
Colors by Jacob Phillips
Cover Art by Phillips
Brubaker and Phillips have returned to Criminal with at flourish. The first issue was excellent, and the follow-up is amazing. While we were expecting the next installment in the story that began in issue one, we are treated to a crazy story about the inside workings of the comics industry in the sixties, seventies, and eighties. Well-known names are sprinkled through this made up story, and that makes it fun for fans of comics history, but as Brubaker says in the post issue essay, it is a crime story involving an old man and his reluctant former acolyte. It is superbly written and fantastically illustrated. Just a wonderful comic book.
Dark Ark #14
AfterShock Comics
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Juan Doe
Colors by Doe
Letters by Dave Sharpe
Cover Art by Doe
Bunn and Doe’s fantastic Biblical epic takes an exciting new direction with the current arc. The story evolution from diluvian survival to unexpected team-up against an unknown enemy is seamlessly achieved. Doe’s use of color is critical to achieving the perfect storytelling moods, as his minimalist line art style plays perfectly with the quick pace of this issue. The fact that this book has kept our attention and continues to deliver interesting plots fourteen issues in is truly a massive accomplishment especially due to the limits of the original premise.
Dead Kings #3
AfterShock Comics
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Matthew Dow Smith
Colors by Lauren Affe
Letters by Thomas Mauer
Cover Art by Smith
This issue brings Sasha’s quest closer to a feeling of achievability. There is quite a bit of drama and some big steps in character advancement for Sasha. The flawed nobility of our favorite character, Stone Mary, is on full display in this issue. Smith’s thick linework is fantastic for the story. The feel of the book is just perfect for the story being told. This is a well crafted effort in an interesting tale that we look forward to coming to its resolution.
Detective Comics #998
DC Comics
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Doug Mahnke
Inks by Jaime Mendoza & Mark Irwin
Colors by David Baron
Letters by Rob Leigh
Cover Art by Mahnke, Mendoza & Baron
Tomasi’s trip through Batman’s past takes a supernatural turn in this issue. Mahnke’s layouts are ambitious, and the art team as a whole really pulls off some spectacular work. The building of this story to issue number 1000 is getting exciting. Rob Leigh’s lettering work in this issue is particularly notable in the way that the many voices are clearly identified. This book is a fun and exciting read that gives the audience important information on its way to a massive conclusion in just two more issues.
Electric Warriors #4
DC Comics
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Travel Foreman
Colors by HI-FI
Letters by Travis Lanham
Cover Art by Foreman & HI-FI
Travel Foreman has a style that may not work in every kind of story. However in this series, he is a perfect choice for the art. The layout style fits well in this futuristic tale of intrigue. The color work by HI-FI is stellar. Orlando’s plot and dialogue are extremely well done. This series has been very good, and this issue does not disappoint. We are looking forward to where it goes from here.
The Flash #64
DC Comics
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils by Rafa Sandoval
Inks by Jordi Terragona
Colors by Tomeu Morey
Letters by Steve Wands
Cover Art by Chris Burnham & Nathan Fairbairn
Williamson’s four-issue crossover event in Batman and The Flash continues in this issue, and it is really good. The heavy guilt ridden interplay between the main characters is fantastic. Two of the greatest detectives teaming up to solve a mystery with their different methodologies is well done. Sandoval delivers a clear visual storyline and some truly beautiful splash pages. This is an excellent installment of a very intriguing story.
Justice League Dark #8
DC Comics
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Alvaro Martínez Bueno
Inks by Raul Fernandez
Colors by Brad Anderson
Letters by Rob Leigh
Cover Art by Martinez Bueno, Fernandez & Anderson
This is a very well done comic. Tynion’s ability to tell several threads of the story independently and tie them together at the end is admirable. The voices of the characters are clear and distinct. The art by Martínez Bueno and Fernandez is nicely done considering some of the chaos that ensues in this issue. The dread-filled magical mystery that is being told in this series is truly wonderful. The care that the creative talent has put into it has kept the narrative on track and compelling. We look forward to what happens next.
The Magic Order #6
Image Comics
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Olivier Coipel
Colors by Dave Stewart
Letters by Peter Doherty
Cover Art by Coipel & Stewart
What a fantastic conclusion to this wonderful series!! The surprising solution to this tale of murder, magic, and mayhem was completely satisfying. It is filled with loss, sacrifice, and grief. Millar’s plot twists have kept this story exciting and compelling. Coipels art perfectly illustrated the sadness and gloom-filled atmosphere while delivering amazing action sequences. This marked the end to the first act of The Magic Order. We are hopeful that there will be more in the future.
Oh S#!t Its Kim & Kim #5
Black Mask Studios
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Art by Eva Cabrera
Colors by Claudia Aguire
Letters by Zakk Saam
Cover Art by Phillip Sevy
The finale of this installment of the Kim & Kim universe is on point with the rest of their chaotic adventures. The Kims are messy and unreliable, but this issue continues the tradition of being a crazy out of control romp. Cabrera’s art remains stellar in this final issue. There is an interesting cameo on the dance floor. Visaggio’s plot finds its way to a comfortable resolution for now, but I feel this is not the last we have heard from this pair of space faring troublemakers, at least I hope not.
Runaways #18
Marvel Comics
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Art by Kris Anka
Colors by Matthew Wilson
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Anka
Rowell and Anka brought a fantastic conclusion to the “That Was Yesterday” arc. In a typical Runaways fashion, their plans get blown up and they save themselves on the fly. The ethical questions raised during this storyline continue to challenge the characters in this issue, and the resolution to the drama does not necessarily clean up the moral issues, which is as it should be. Anka’s work is beautiful in this issue, as we have come to expect throughout the series. We look forward to the next chapter in this unlikely family’s story.
Sex Death Revolution #3
Black Mask Studios
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Art by Kasia Witerscheim
Colors by Harry Saxon
Letters by Zakk Saam
Cover Art by Kiki Jenkins
The tale of undoing that Visaggio is weaving in this series is compelling. The terror that Esperanza experiences as the world misremembers her comes through vividly. The confusion that she experiences is mind spinning and Witerscheim’s style is an excellent complement to the narrative. The coloring by Saxon is wonderfully done and adds important elements to the visual storytelling. This story is getting more intriguing and we can’t wait for the next issue.
Strangers in Paradise XXV #10
Abstract Studio
Written by Terry Moore
Art by Terry Moore
Letters by Terry Moore
Cover Art by Moore
Terry Moore’s ability to tell stories in the world he has created is masterful. What makes it special is that he is able to bring characters that were built for separate and specific stories together seamlessly and tell a compelling tale that elicits such strong emotion. His art is beautiful in the sweetness and care you can see he takes with each stroke of pencil and pen. This issue is a bit of a transitional piece, but it furthers the overall story wonderfully. The conclusion to the massive threat to the “Terryverse” appears to be on the horizon and we eagerly await its arrival.
Supergirl #27
DC Comics
Written by Marc Andreyko
Pencils by Eduardo Pansica
Inks by Julio Ferreira
Colors by FCO Plascencia
Letters by Tom Napolitano
Cover Art by Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn
This issue of Supergirl’s quest to solve the mystery of the destruction of Krypton is full of interesting plot developments. Andreyko’s methodical pace to this adventure feels appropriate for the scale of the story that is being developed. The art in this book works well for the action sequences and also for the quieter moments. The cover is beautiful.
Superman #8
DC Comics
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils by Ivan Reis & Brandon Peterson
Inks by Joe Prado & Peterson
Colors by Alex Sinclair
Letters by Josh Reed
Cover Art by Reis, Prado, & Sinclair
The story of Jon Kent’s return continues in this issue. Bendis is building an interesting tale, and the faults of Jor-El are being revealed. Superman’s reaction is a little weird, but the issue as a whole is solid. The art team does a very nice job in delivering a quality comic book. We are excited for the next chapter as the setup for that looks very interesting.
Winter Soldier #3
Marvel Comics
Written by Kyle Higgins
Art by Rod Reis
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Reis
Favorite Book of the Week
Kyle Higgins is an excellent writer. This book takes a deep dive into the emotion of guilt and focuses on the process of redemption and self-forgiveness. It is not light hearted, but Higgins manages to put the best joke I read this week in there. It’s about dropping the ‘K’. Reis’s visual interpretation is amazing. This is a great book. The series has been great so far. It is about psychological and emotional vulnerability, and Spot makes an appearance to get his butt kicked. What is not to like. This is our Favorite Book of the Week.
Wonder Twins #1
DC Comics
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Stephen Byrne
Letters by Dave Sharpe
Cover Art by Byrne
Hot #1
Wonder Twins Powers Activated!! Mark Russell delivers a playful, entertaining debut issue for the kids from Exxor. The comedic banter that they were known for on The Super Friends is kept here. Byrne’s art sets a not-so-serious tone that complements the dialogue nicely. Dave Sharpe’s lettering techniques are very important in continuing to develop that tone. This is an excellent beginning.
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.
