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 week we read a bunch of great comics. There was some amazing storytelling out there this week. We encourage you to go out and find the comics you like, and remember, Read More Comics!!
We reviewed books from DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Archie Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Humanoids, Inc. and Image Comics this week. As always, we hope you might find what we say interesting enough to try some of these comics. Don’t forget we welcome comments on these and any other comics that you read. Feel free to leave a comment and get the conversation moving.
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:
Batman #84
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by Jorge Fornes
Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Mikel Janin
As we near the end, the image is becoming clearer. This issue does a lot to explain the motivation of critical characters to King’s long form story. The art by Fornes is the appealing in its scope and creativity. Jordie Bellaire continues do deliver a well conceived, high quality color pallet. The facet of this story that elevates it is the interesting time device that unveils the intentions of the antagonist. It is that little switch that truly captures the reader’s attention. One more to go!!!
The Butcher of Paris #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Stephanie Phillips
Art by Dean Kotz
Colors by Jason Wordie
Letters by Troy Peteri
Cover Art by Dave Johnson
Check out our complete advanced review and author interview here.
“It is suspenseful, terrifying and heartbreaking all at once. We cannot recommend this book highly enough.”
Daredevil #14
Marvel Comics
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art by Marco Checcetto & Francesco Mobili
Colors by Nolan Woodard
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Julian Totino Tedesco
Zdarsky’s Daredevil struggles with what is right and what is legal, and that is a major theme throughout the book. This issue shows several characters embracing what they feel to be right, and it feels like a turning point issue. The art is so well done. The action sequences are well choreographed, and the combination of fantastically executed camera angles and excellent lighting make this a beautiful comic to look at.
Death Or Glory #7
Image Comics
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Bengal
Letters by Rus Wooton
Cover Art by Bengal
This series started as a high octane, fast moving, thrill ride, but this issue really dealt with the emotional aspects of the threads that hold the story together. It is, once again, a triumphant display of comic storytelling. The tight focus and small irregular panel sizes are captivating, and Bengal’s use of color to tell the story should not be underestimated. Remender is really hitting the gas in this series. We are looking forward to staying on this ride.
DIE #10
Image Comics
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Stephanie Hans
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Hans
The finale to the second arc of this phenomenal series sets up the battlefield for what comes next. In this issue, there is a good deal of exploration of the depths to Ash’s motivation. Hans and Cowles continue to present a gorgeous canvas of story. This series is at the top of the read pile with every issue, and with every issue, it justifies its place there. How much will you risk of yourself to accomplish your goals? Ash will find out.
Doctor Doom #3
Marvel Comics
Written by Christopher Cantwell
Art by Salvador Larroca
Colors by Guru-eFX
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Aco
Cantwell and Larroca deliver an amazing trip through hell in this issue. The visuals are fantastic and the infernal logic is excellent. Cantwell continues to suggest ominous futures for Doom. The method of revealing what is to come and the state of affairs of Latveria is interesting and brings the reader into the story in creative ways. This is truly an enjoyable comic story about a morally questionable, at best, individual.
Everything #4
Dark Horse Comics / Berger Books
Written by Christopher Cantwell
Art by I.N.J. Culbard
Letters by Steve Wands
Cover Art by Culbard
Here is the wonderful thing about this book. It is full of characters that I have become invested in, and this issue reveals a lot about what is behind the strange events in this sleepy midwestern town. However, I am still not certain of what is really going on, and I love it. Culbard’s slightly cartoonish style keeps the reader at arms length from the reality of the book, and that distance allows the psychological and supernatural plot mess with the audience’s minds in amazing ways. We are looking forward to the conclusion of the first arc of this story.
James Bond #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Vita Ayala & Danny Lore
Art by Eric Gapstur
Colors by Roshaw Kurichiyanil & Rebecca Nalty
Letters by Ariana Maher
Cover Art by Jim Cheung & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
This is an interesting opening to a high society heist mystery. It seems to fit nicely into the spy genre that Bond is known for. Ayala and Lore spend much of this issue unveiling the details of the crime and establishing intriguing new characters. The art by Gapster is lovely. The fresh panel layouts stand out as a major plus to the visual storytelling. We are definitely interested in seeing more of this series.
Omni #4
Humanoids, Inc.
Written by Devin Grayson
Art by Alitha E. Martinez & Chris Eliopoulos
Colors by Bryan Valenza
Letters by A Larger World Studios
Cover Art by Dave Johnson
This series it thoughtfully designed. Perhaps the nature of the protagonist requires that, but it is wonderfully executed. There is a strong feeling that the stakes are being raised and secrets are about to be revealed in the coming issues. This issue in particular takes some time to analyze the situation that the characters find themselves in and the state of the world that they live in. The techniques used to illustrate the protagonist’s abilities are fascinating and beautiful.
Red Sonja #11
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Mirko Colak
Colors by Dearbhla Kelly
Letters by Hassan Otsman-Elhaou
Cover Art by Amanda Conner & Paul Mounts
It takes a lot of work to make a comic book, and often a lot of people. The group that has been bringing this series to the public has continued to do an excellent job. This issue is a testament to the group effort. The indefatigable nature and unwavering spirit of Sonja permeates every scene with her in it. The ingenious use of plot points are expertly crafted and visualized by Russell and Colak. This book would be nowhere as impressive without the expert execution of Kelly’s and Otsman-Elhou’s colors and letters, respectively. Sonja has had a lot of great stewards of storytelling, but Russell and crew are doing a phenomenal job.
Ruby Falls #3
Dark Horse Comics / Berger Books
Written by Ann Nocenti
Art by Flavia Biondi
Colors by Lee Loughridge
Letters by Sal Cipriano
Cover Art by Biondi
This small town murder mystery continues to be immensely entertaining. The plot and character development are captivating. Biondi’s visual narrative is lovely, particularly her use of detailed backgrounds. We are looking forward to the conclusion of this series with the next issue.
Vampironica: New Blood #1
Archie Comics
Written by Frank Tieri & Michael Moreci
Art by Audrey Mok
Colors by Matt Herms
Letters by Jack Morelli
Cover Art by Mok
Check out our full advanced review here.
“Overall, we highly recommend this comic. It is a fun and exciting book with engaging characters and beautiful artwork.”
