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 great comics. We encourage you to go out (or order in) and find the comics you like, and remember, Read More Comics!!
We reviewed books from DC Comics, Vault Comics, Marvel Comics, Dynamite, AfterShock Comics, Boom! Studios, and Image Comics this week. There were plenty more good books out there this week but this list is all we have gotten through so far.
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.
And here are the books we read in alphabetical order:
Artemis & the Assassin #3
AfterShock Comics
Written by Stephanie Phillips
Art by Francesca Fantini
Colors by Lauren Affe
Letters by Troy Peteri
Cover Art by Phil Hester, Bruce McCorkindle, & Mark Eglert
This story continues to evolve and present the main characters with new challenges. There a lots of twists and turns in this series. The art by Francesca Fantini is dynamic and captivating. Lauren Affe‘s colors are beautiful and instrumental in the storytelling. Troy Peteri letters this book excellently. Stephanie Phillips has put the story into chaos mode, and it works. We are intrigued to find out what happens next.
Bettie Page #1
Dynamite
Written by Karla Pacheco
Art by Vincenzo Federici
Colors by Rebecca Nalty
Letters by Becca Carey
Cover Art by Junggeun Yoon
This is a fun and exciting debut for the newest excursion into the fictionalized world of the famous model/actress. Karla Pacheco has an intriguing story that is building in this issue and quickly fleshes out interesting characters. The storytelling devices that she uses to change scenes are exceptional and lead to a more fast-paced read. The art is really wonderful. While there are plenty of drawings of beautiful women in this book, it is by no means oversexuallized. We are definitely interested in seeing more of this series.
Empyre #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Al Ewing & Dan Slott
Art by Valerio Schiti
Colors by Marté Gracia
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Jim Cheung & Frank Martin
This is the beginning of a big line wide epic. It has interesting character work. The dialogue is entertaining, and the art by Valerio Schiti and Marté Gracia is really gorgeous. Joe Caramagna does a wonderful job lettering by handling the various voices cleanly. Ultimately, this is Marvel’s big event of the year. Does it promise to be something revolutionary? Probably not. Is it an interesting story? Yes. Definitely worth a read.
Engineward #1
Vault Comics
Written by George Mann
Art by Joe Eisma
Colors by Michael Garland
Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover Art by Eisma
Check out the full Preview Review of this book here.
“The thing that stuck me upon finishing this first issue was that I wanted more. That does not mean it was lacking. In reality, it is such a wonderfully crafted environment that there is room for so much to explore and expand with what is first offered. “
Family Tree #7
Image Comics
Written by Jeff Lemire
Pencils by Phil Hester
Inks by Eric Gapstur
Colors by Ryan Cody
Letters by Steve Wands
Cover Art by Hester, Gapstur, & Cody
The plot of this issue moves the story along in terms of revealing secrets and exploring character development. The thing that is consistently interesting about this book is the art. The style, the layout, the use of negative space all enhance the story, and each of the artist lends their hand in delivering a massively underrated visual narrative. It is truly a story that must be read.
The Ludocrats #3
Image Comics
Written by Kieron Gillen & Jim Rossignol
Art by Jeff Stokely
Colors by Tamra Bonvillain
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Stokely & Bonvillain
This book continues to be raucous romp. It is an outrageously fun trip into lunacy. The most intriguing part is that far beneath the nonsensical hilarity, you will find a theme. It is purposely buried, but it is there, and it enhances this lighthearted comic immensely. If you are looking for goofy ridiculousness in comic form while dealing with a sobering world outside, this is it.
The Old Guard: Force Multiplied #5
Image Comics
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Leandro Fernandez
Colors by Daniella Miwa
Letters by Jody Wynne
Cover Art by Fernandez & Miwa
We are huge fans of this series, and the finale to the second arc did not disappoint. Greg Rucka weaves a tale of adventure, bravery, and heartbreak. Leandro Fernandez delivers a tour de force of action and drama in this issue. The layouts are excellent, and there is a kinetic element to the fight scenes that makes the action sing. Daniella Miwa is the heart of the book and brings the mood of each page forward while working with subdued tones in spectacular fashion. This book is truly wonderful, and the end will get you right in the feels.
Also: Watch The Old Guard movie on Netflix. It is good.
Once & Future #9
BOOM! Studios
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Dan Mora
Colors by Tamra Bonvillain
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
Cover Art by Mora
I firmly believe that Dan Mora and Tamra Bonvillain are delivering some of the best visual storytelling in comics today with this book, issue after issue. The clear lines of each panel are telling the story in the best way and each panel leads to the next. The art enhances this modern telling of English mythology in undescribable ways. You can tell that Bonvillain is just having a blast with the pinks, blues, and purples that she uses in this book. The story itself is compelling and this issue contains a lot of plot elements. It successfully catches the cliffhanger of the previous issue and transitions to a new threat, while allowing for some character growth. Still loving this book.
Spider-Woman #2
Marvel Comics
Written by Karla Pacheco
Art by Pere Peréz
Colors by Frank D’Armata
Letters by Travis Lanham
Cover Art by Junggeun Yoon
Karla Pacheco is not making things easy for Jessica Drew. Seriously, we are totally enjoying this series and the tone that Pacheco has brought to the character. Pere Peréz crafts a gorgeous visual narrative in this issue filled with lively action scenes. Based on what is teased at the end of the issue, you probably don’t want to miss this one or the next.
Strange Adventures #3
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by Mitch Gerads & Evan Shaner
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Gerads
This book is wonderfully uncomfortable. If you are happy reading a Tom King book, you are doing it wrong. However, the feelings that this issue evokes are cathartic and thought provoking. There are interesting questions that are raised on the nature of media and celebrity in society, and there is a gladiatorial battle with a lizard man. What more do you want? Mitch Gerads and Doc Shaner continue to engage in this perfect harmony of artistic vision and deliver a gorgeous symphony of comic goodness in three panel format. This series should not be missed.
Undone By Blood #4
AfterShock Comics
Written by Lonnie Nadler & Zac Thompson
Art by Sami Kivelä
Colors by Jason Wordie
Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover Art by Kivelä & Wordie
This series is an excellent example of a book that creeps up on you and grabs you when you didn’t expect it. The excitement and appreciation of this series continues to grow with each issue. This one is a page-turner, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. There are a lot of panels in this book, and Sami Kivelä puts it all together in exquisite fashion. Jason Wordie colors in this book are worth the cost of admission. Just beautiful. Great book.
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
