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 so many great books out there for all types of readers. There were a couple great new series that started. We try to read as much as we can to bring you recommendations on what good stuff is being produced. Unfortunately, we can’t read all the comics. So, 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, Black Crown, Dynamite, Valiant, Boom! Studios and Lion Forge 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 #1008, Avengers: No Road Home #3, The Books of Magic #5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer #2, The Forgotten Queen #1, Freedom Fighters #3, Hardcore #3, Heroes in Crisis #6, Hex Wives #5, Invaders #2, Man-Eaters #6, Oliver #2, Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #2, Punks Not Dead: London Calling #1, Redlands #11, Summit #13
Action Comics #1008
DC Comics
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Steve Epting
Colors by Brad Anderson
Letters by Josh Reed
Cover Art by Epting
This issue of Action Comics certainly ups the tension as Bendis starts to kick his “Leviathan” story into high gear. Through a series of scenes in different locales, the story unfolds to the audience and the connective tissue of disparate plot lines from the previous issue start to come together. Epting’s art is lovely. Camera angles and lighting mechanisms give this comic some dramatic visuals.
Avengers: No Road Home #3
Marvel Comics
Written by Al Ewing, Jim Zub, & Mark Waid
Pencils by Paco Medina
Inks by Juan Vlasco
Colors by Jesus Aburtov
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Yasmine Putri
The plot thickens in this fast-paced adventure. The two simultaneous plotlines that are explored in this issue are both interesting and helpful to moving the story forward. The art is lively and pulls the reader through the story at a good pace. This story is exciting and full of some twists that while they may be predictable, are delivered in an excellent way.
The Books of Magic #5
Vertigo Comics
Written by Kat Howard
Art by Tom Fowler
Colors by Jordan Boyd
Letters by Todd Klein
Cover Art by Kat Carpenter
Tim Hunter makes it to the Dreaming. Tim’s search for magic takes him to the Library of Dreams and the storytellers take time to comment on the subjective nature of any story. Fowler’s work in this series continues to be spectacular. His use of odd panel sizes adds a disorienting feel that one might expect in the land of dreams. This comic continues to tell compelling stories with each issue.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #2
BOOM! Studios
Written by Jordie Bellaire
Art by Dan Mora
Colors by Raul Angulo
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
Cover Art by Matthew Taylor
This is the first Jordie Bellaire written book in the list. This series, although only two issues in, is top notch. New characters are introduced and previously introduced ones are given depth. The pairing of Bellaire and Mora works marvelously. The pacing and visual choices leave the reader satisfied that something has been gained in this issue but still have them longing for the next installment. It is a fun and exciting book.
The Forgotten Queen #1
Valiant Entertainment
Written by Tini Howard
Art by Amilcar Pinna
Colors by Ulises Arreola
Letters by Jeff Powell
Cover Art by Kano
Hot #1
The first New Number One in this week’s list did not disappoint. Howard wastes no time in drawing in the audience into a harrowing adventure. The dual narratives being told serve to explain the current situation as well as an historical backstory. Both are well done. The characters are easily identifiable and compelling. Pinna’s art is fabulous. We are hooked and will be coming back for more.
Freedom Fighters #3
DC Comics
Written by Robert Venditti
Pencils by Eddy Barrows
Inks by Eber Ferreira
Colors by Adriano Lucas
Letters by Andworld Designs
Cover Art by Barrrows, Ferreira, & Lucas
If alternate reality stories are your thing, you need to be reading this series. It is smarty written, breathtakingly illustrated, and compelling in all ways. There is some truly astounding imagery in the action sequences of this issue. There are plot hints dropped that have us eager to see how they develop. Venditti and Barrows are making a high quality comic book, and we are fully invested in this story.
Hardcore #3
Image Comics
Written by Andy Diggle
Art by Alessandro Vitti
Colors by Adriano Lucas
Letters by Thomas Mauer
Cover Art by Dan Panosian
Let’s get out of the way that this is a fun, intense, and well-crafted comic. The series has a high level of tension, and in this issue, some serious stuff goes down, or rather boom. Diggle’s dialogue and Vitti’s facial acting work together to render a credible feel to the story. Adriano Lucas, who also colored the previous book in this list, shows his range and ability to let the story dictate how the colors should add to the feel of the book. Well done all around.
Heroes in Crisis #6
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by Mitch Gerads & Clay Mann
Colors by Gerads & Tomeu Morey
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Gerads
The latest issue of this limited series explores multiple storylines, and brings the audience back in time to the moments before the massive event that this revolves around. There are some interesting characters driven moments that provoke thought about the nature of heroism and belonging. The mystery of the perpetrator of the crisis is still yet to be revealed, but King is raising questions about the heroes that people believe in and translating that to applicable real-world situations. Gerads visuals are gorgeous and at times breathtaking.
Hex Wives #5
DC / Vertigo Comics
Written by Ben Blacker
Art by Mirka Andolfo
Colors by Marissa Louise
Letters by Josh Reed
Cover Art by Tula Lotay
This series keeps us coming back and loving every minute of it. The coven continues to awaken to the reality of their power, and the tension builds throughout this issue to a climactic crescendo. Andolfo expertly conveys the emotions of the characters with her facial expressions. The layout designs are interesting, and Marissa Louise does a phenomenal job of enhancing the story telling with the choices and execution of her coloring techniques. Next issue should be a hoot!!!
Invaders #2
Marvel Comics
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art by Carlos Magno with Butch Guice
Colors by Alex Guimaraes
Letters by Travis Lanham
Cover Art by Guice & Dan Brown
Favorite Book of the Week
What a fascinating story this is! Zdarsky has us enthralled by this tale of desperation colored with the meanings of camaraderie and friendship. There are deep emotions and carefully planned character motivations at work in this comic. It is truly a well-crafted and compelling tale. The art choices are wonderful. Having two artists tell stories separated by time works well because the styles are just far enough apart to be noticeably different but not far enough to be jarring when the story moves between the two time periods. It is our Favorite Book of the Week
Man-Eaters #6
Image Comics
Written by Chelsea Cain
Art by Kate Niemczyk
Colors by Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Lia Miternique
This lovely story is a treat. This issue gives the audience some information and clues about what has led to the current situation, but it is told in a stilted conversational way that is real and adorable. Niemczyk’s art is fabulous, and the entire production of this book is wonderful. This is one of our favorite series right now and this issue only serves to strengthen that feeling.
Oliver #2
Image Comics
Written by Gary Whitta
Art by Darick Robertson
Colors by Diego Rodriguez
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover Art by Roberston & Rodriguez
Whitta and Robertson deliver an inventive and exciting tale of oppression and rebellion in this book. High quality storytelling is around every corner of this issue. Revelations abound, and they are conveyed in an impressive visual manner. We will keep coming back to this book, because, besides the superb storytelling manner in which is created, we can’t wait to find out what comes next.
Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #2
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Caspar Wijngaard
Colors by Mary Safro
Letters by Hassan Ostmane-Elhaou
Cover Art by Chip Zdarsky
This book will make your head spin. It is glorious in the analytical method of universal exploration that it deals with. The art has the perfect feel in that the line-art is not overly complex, but also not too simplistic so that it takes away from the seriousness of the topic. Weaved around the massive dimensional travel discussion are some interesting bits about love and relationships regarding the main character. This is truly a great book.
Punks Not Dead: London Calling #1
IDW / Black Crown Publishing
Written by David Barnett
Art by Martin Simmonds
Color Flatting by Dee Cunniffe
Letters by Aditya Bidikar
Cover Art by Simmonds
Hot #1
Sid and Fergie return. The supernatural story wrapped around teenage angst continues in this new volume from Black Crown. The layouts and visual representations of some freaky stuff is expertly done by Simmonds. The dialogue is interesting and the lack of narration panels make it all the more important. If you liked the previous volume, you will love this new effort. If you haven’t tried this story yet, definitely give it a shot.
Redlands #11
Image Comics
Written by Jordie Bellaire
Art by Vanesa R. Del Rey
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Del Rey
Jordie Bellaire’s second effort on this list is pretty much the tonal opposite of the first one. This series is dark and twisted, but in the best possible ways. Del Rey’s haunting images lead the audience of trail of deceit and murder. The twists in corporeal possession revealed in this issue are fantastic. If you are a fan of horror or suspense comics and not reading this series, you are missing out big time.
Summit #13
Lion Forge Comics
Written by Amy Chu
Art by Marika Cresta
Colors by Jessiac Kholinne & Bryan Valenza
Letters by DC Hopkins
Cover Art by Jess Taylor
This issue ratchets up the stakes in a big way. Val and Fiona and her allies are placed in harm’s way and there is an appearance by Noble from another Catalyst Prime book. The story is beautifully drawn and excellently written. This series has been wonderful from the beginning and the plans for the shared universe are starting to be seen in this book. We are excited about where it goes.
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.
