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.
We got to read some excellent comics by a variety of publishers this week. There were a lot of high quality books put out this week. Some were superhero stories, others were supernatural, and others were just character driven stories. Find the comics you like and remember, Read More Comics!!
We reviewed books from DC, Marvel, Valiant, IDW, Lion Forge, Dark Horse, and AfterShock Comics 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
And here are the books we read in alphabetical order:
Bad Luck Chuck #4
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Lela Gwen
Art by Matthew Dow Smith
Colors by Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letters by Frank Cvetokovic
Cover art by Smith
If you haven’t read this series, go read it. The conclusion to this series was incredibly satisfying. Matthew Smith’s visual storytelling is just amazing in this issue, and Kelly Fitzpatrick really married his style by adding texture and light in all the right places. This is a visual triumph. Lela Gwen needs to be writing a lot more comics, because.. Wow… the emotional beats that she conjures while telling a gripping adventure story are fantastic.
Conan the Barbarian #7
Marvel Comics
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Mahmud Asrar
Colors by Matthew Wilson
Letters by Travis Lanham
Cover art by Esad Ribic
The nobility, subtle power, and barely contained ferocity that Mahmud Asrar inbues into his images of Conan are nowhere more evident than in this issue. For a story that centers around prostitute slaves, there is a level of respect that permeates this issue. Aaron’s run on this series has reached the level of “Epic”. There is no happiness, but there is a intangible feeling of fairness and justice that fills each vignette issue of this series.
Dark Red #4
AfterShock Comics
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Corin Howell
Colors by Mark Englert
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Cover art by Aaron Campbell
This is not your ordinary vampire comic. It is wonderfully complex with interesting characters. Each has a distinct motivation. Corin Howell continues her delivery of excellent sequential storytelling. Englert and Dillon add vitally important facets to the intricate story that is building to a massive fever pitch. I can’t fight this feeling that Seeley is telling a damn good story in this comic.
Detective Comics #1006
DC Comics
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Kyle Hotz
Colors by David Baron
Letters by Rob Leigh
Cover art by Hotz
The Spectre returns to Gotham in this issue. Tomasi lays out an intriguing mystery for the new arc that involves the Spectre seeking the assistance of the Dark Knight. Hotz and Baron manage to deliver an excellent visual narrative that evokes memories of Sam Keith and Tom Mandrake’s time in Gotham. We are certainly interested in where this story goes.
Eve Stranger #2
IDW / Black Crown
Written by David Barnett
Art by Philip Bond
Colors by Eva de la Cruz
Letters by Jane Heir
Cover art by Bond
This series from Black Crown Pub is incredibly engaging. The enigmatic eponymous character’s back story and current situation are explored. The thing that makes the issue work so well is the pacing. There are multiple cut scenes in the issue, and it works so well, especially with the wash colors, to keep the readers’ attention focused. Philip Bond’s work on this series and issue is just wonderful.
The Flash #73
DC Comics
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Howard Porter
Colors by Hi-Fi
Letters by Steve Wands
Cover art by Porter & Hi-Fi
The latest installment of “The Flash: Year One”” continues the excellent storytelling of Barry Allen’s adjustment to his powers. Williamson and Porter are doing an excellent job. This is a very good comic, and while this issue slowed down the pace a little, it seems like the next issue in this story will drop the pedal to the floor.
Justice League Dark #12
DC Comics
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Alvaro Martinez Bueno
Inks by Raul Fernandez
Colors by Brad Anderson
Letters by Rob Leigh
Cover art by Martinez Bueno, Fernandez, & Anderson
What a crazy ride through an all-out magic war this book is? Tynion’s story choices are bold and fantastically executed. The art team on this book delivers a consistent high quality visual narrative. Zatanna’s and Jason Blood’s performances in this book are genius. This is an excellent series, and this important issue is a great addition to it.
Marilyn Manor #1
IDW Publishing
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Art by Marley Zarcone
Colors by Irma Kniivila
Letters by Jane Heir
Cover art by Zarcone & Tamra Bonvillain
Hot #1
This book comes with a lot of expectation. If you were to design of story of punk 80’s America, you would be hard pressed to pick two better storytellers for that tale than Visaggio and Zarcone. Despite the anticipation, they two creators of this story absolutely killed it. This is a fantastic introduction to this intriguing story. A ghost story that includes a wild White House party combined with Zarcone’s sublime artwork. What more could you ask for?
Punk Mambo #3
Valiant Entertainment
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Adam Gorham
Colors by Jose Villarrubia
Letters by Dave Sharpe
Cover art by Dan Brereton
This is the middle issue of this series, and it is a knockout. The action and plot developments that are on display in this issue are phenomenal. There is a visceral danger that the reader experiences when consuming this book. Bunn has done an amazing job of telling an exciting story. Gorham’s line work is superb, and Villarrubia’s colors are perfect for setting the important tonal elements to the story.
Road of Bones #2
IDW Publishing
Written by Rich Douek
Art by Alex Cormack
Letters by Justin Birch
Cover art by Cormack
The second issue of this series is even better than the first. Where the first set the plot in motion, this issue reveals much more in characterization. The art by Cormack exposes gorgeous frozen landscapes while maximizing the use of shadow and night settings. Douek’s exquisitely careful storytelling exposes treachery while teasing a dreadful force. This book is consistently going back for additional print runs and with good reason.
Runaways #22
Marvel Comics
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Art by Andres Genolet
Colors by Michael Garland
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover art by Kris Anka
This is an excellent issue. It is full of plot advancement and emotional introspection. The art by Genolet is as usual wonderful. What makes this series so good is the way the Rowell is able to roll the story from crisis to crisis so adeptly. The cast is consistently growing in a comfortable manner without destroying or blowing up a major character. Almost two years in now, and the story has moved forward in wonderful ways.
Summit #15
Lion Forge Comics
Written by Amy Chu
Art by Marika Cresta
Colors by Val Wise
Letters by DC Hopkins
Cover art by Ariela Kristiana & Bryan Valenza
Amy Chu’s work in this book is amazing. There is a warmth and familiarity with which she navigates the personalities of the characters in this book. There is a joy that comes through the page. The art by Marika Cresta is fantastic. Panel layouts and character expressions are wonderfully rendered in this issue. The seeds of the story that will culminate in the Seven Days mini series are planted firmly in this issue. Also if anyone has any questions about who is on the screen at the end of this issue, check out Emily’s article.
War of the Realms #6
Marvel Comics
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Russell Dauterman
Colors by Matthew Wilson
Letters by Joe Sabino
Cover art by Arthur Adams & Wilson
The finale to this event was up to the task of providing an excellent ending to a years long tale. Nothing felt forced, and Aaron opened up his toy chest to bring out all of his favorites for this final episode. This is a heroic tale that is gloriously drawn by Dauterman. Wilson’s colors add to the frenetic nature of the story. If you have not been reading along, feel secure in the knowledge that this will be a collected edition you will want to pick up.
