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 so many great comics. All the books that we reviewed here are excellent. There was some amazing storytelling out there this week. We tackled multiple genres and each of these offerings were superb. 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, Vault Comics, and Dynamite Entertainment 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. We didn’t have any new series come out this week on our pull list, but next week will be a different story.
And here are the books we read in alphabetical order:
The Butcher of Paris #3
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Stephanie Phillips
Art by Dean Kotz
Colors by Jason Wordie
Letters by Troy Peteri
Cover art by Dave Johnson
What an incredible comic? Each page of this book has weight and is perfectly designed and expertly crafted. From the economical dialogue to the number of panels and their placement, the construction of the storytelling apparatus suits the story in every way. Dean Kotz and Jason Wordie deliver a visual tapestry that easily transports the reader to Paris in the 1940’s. Stephanie Phillips is developing a fantastically timed suspenseful story. Just a treat to read.
Note: Just a reminder, we interviewed the author in advance of this series here.
Daredevil #17
Marvel Comics
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art by Jorge Fornés
Colors by Nolan Woodward
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover art by Julian Totino Tedesco
There is a chance that someday there will be an issue of Daredevil, written by Chip Zdarsky, that doesn’t just grab at your emotional core. Today is not that day. This issue has emotion, action, danger and moves the story forward in significant ways. Jorge Fornés does a masterful job of telling this dynamic story visually, and Nolan Woodward‘s colors are amazing. Excellent comic book.
Doctor Doom #5
Marvel Comics
Written by Christopher Cantwell
Art by Salvador Larroca
Colors by GURU-eFX
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover art by Tomm Coker & Michael Garland
This series continues to deliver high quality storytelling, issue after issue. This issue contains a massive change for the eponymous character but also interesting and enjoyable small humorous asides. Christopher Cantwell‘s dialogue and story are perfectly crafted. Salvador Larroca crafts a clear and interesting visual display for the story. We are very excited to see what comes next, but getting to this point has been a joy.
Lois Lane #8
DC Comics
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Mike Perkins
Colors by Gabe Eltaeb
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover art by Perkins
If you are not reading this series, you are missing out. Greg Rucka is crafting a masterful story filled with intrigue and action. The voice of each character is perfect. Mike Perkins is doing some career defining work on this book. There is a double splash page fight scene that simply must be seen. However, where he truly shines is the quiet controlled power that the audience can tell is just below the surface in some of the interactions. The combination of Perkins shadowy style and Gabe Eltaeb‘s colors set a somber mood for this issue and it works so well. Simon Bowland’s lettering is also a credit to this book. Just stunning in every way.
Marauders #7
Marvel Comics
Written by Gerry Duggan
Art by Stefano Caselli
Colors by Edgar Delgado
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover art by Russell Dauterman & Matthew Wilson
This continues to be my favorite of the “Dawn of X” books. It has a fun cast of characters, but this issue advances a few plot points without the lead character even showing up. There are some wonderful character moments, particularly with a character that I have never had a great fondness for. Stefano Caselli does a phenomenal job on some well choreographed action scenes. This is good comic storytelling.
Money Shot #4
Vault Comics
Written by Tim Seeley & Sarah Beattie
Art by Rebekah Isaacs
Colors by Kurt Michael Russell
Letters by Crank!
Cover art by Isaacs
This series has been an absolute joy. The personal interactions (No! Not those! Get your head out of the gutter.) have been a key piece to the success of the book. Tim Seeley and Sarah Beattie have crafted a dynamic plot with hilarious dialogue. Rebekah Isaacs and Kurt Michael Russell deliver a consistent and beautiful alien landscape. The figure drawing and facial acting are excellent. This issue closes a major plot point but then sets up a fantastic conclusion to this arc. Go get it!
Red Sonja #13
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Bob Q
Colors by Dearbhla Kelly
Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover art by Jae Lee
The attraction of this story is that Mark Russell makes a point of paying attention to the reality of war and the human cost that it requires. The titular character is constantly forced to make difficult decisions that are not pleasant for her. I don’t think it is insignificant that the illustration of a selfless and dedicated leader in this book is juxtaposed to the reality of the current national leader in the real world. Bob Q, Dearbhla Kelly, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou are fantastic in every part of the visual representation of this post war clean up story.
Strikeforce #6
Marvel Comics
Written by Tini Howard
Art by Jacopo Camagni
Colors by GURU-eFX
Letters by Joe Sabino
Cover art by Juan José Ryp & Matthew Wilson
Tini Howard is writing a fantastic team book here. The character interactions are endearing. The pairings of the team make sense and further the story. Jacopo Camagni laid out an engaging visual tapestry for this story. In this book the current adventure reaches a climax and Howard raises interesting questions. We are loving this quirky team of heroes, and look forward to where it goes next.
Young Justice #13
DC Comics
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Michael Avon Oeming, Mike Grell, & John Timms
Colors by Gabe Eltaeb
Letters by Wes Abbott
Cover art by Timms & Eltaeb
Ok. This is a bit longer than usual. Sometimes there are multiple line artists on a comic. It is usually for some logistical or last minute reason. That doesn’t always work, and it can feel forced or sloppy. In this issue, there are three line artists. Each has a specific and clear place in the story. Each artist is perfect for his scenes. Alright. I can’t hold it anymore. GRELL DRAWING TRAVIS MORGAN!!!!! (enjoy).
I feel that this is the superhero book that Brian Michael Bendis is writing that feels most natural. That does not discount the fine work he is doing on other books. It is just that this team of characters feels right. This book is funny and exciting. It has moments of gravity. It is gorgeous. If you are not reading this book. It’s also a good jumping on point.
Also don’t forget to check out our weekly reviews of New Numbers Ones. This week we reviewed:
Adler #1
After Realm Quarterly #1
Aggretsuko #1
Dark Agnes #1
The Man Who F#&%ed Up Time #1
X-Men + Fantastic Four #1
DISCLAIMER:
We use a 4 star rating system. It is simple and not to be taken too seriously. Everyone has 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:
OK
No
