Hey folks, welcome back to another installment of T-Diddy’s reviews. I hope you’ve been enjoying the new review format. This was a smaller week for comics, but there was not a bad one in the bunch (almost).
Powers #17
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Michael Avon Oeming
Coloring: Peter Pantazis
Published by Icon/Marvel Comics
In the first of three books written by Bendis, we are given another chapter in (what I think is) the best story arc since the relaunch. I remember when the first issue was out, Bendis went on about how there was going to be a return to the crime stories, but this is as from from it as you can get. Walker is back to being a superhero, almost a god, and Deena is close to turning into a villain. Things couldn’t be better or worse in the world of “Powers”, and it’s a beautiful thing.
At this point, “Powers” is a familiar world, but it’s also one where I am constantly surprised.
Grade: A
Ultimate Spider-Man #91
“Deadpool” Part 1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: Mark Bagley
Inker: John Dell
Colorist: Justin Ponsor
Published by Marvel Comics
You all know what this comic is about, so I’m not going to waste your time. But what I will say is that this is still a great book. The thing that made this book so good early on was the akwardness and relatable moments it had. And they are still here. The superhero stuff is top notch, but the best parts of the book are the scenes with Kitty and Spidey. They seem to have a genuine relationship going, with all the apprehensions it should have. It’s not perfect, and we see that. I love the fact that Kitty questions every little minutia about her conversations with Peter.
As for the actual plot, not much is revealed. Something is going on at Xavier mansion, with someone named Deadpool. Now, I don’t know much about his regular Marvel U counterpart, so I have nothing to compare to. But for now, this is a fun story.
Grade: B
The Pulse #14
“Finale”
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Michael Gaydos
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
So, while I’m a little upset that this is the last issue, I totally understand why. Like Bendis, I feel that this is a good place to leave things. “The Pulse” was not nearly as good as “Alias” was, but that was a tough order to fill. “The Pulse” was a nice way to check in with Jessica Jones, but often it felt like a side note to the other, bigger Marvel stories happening at the same time. It wasn’t until this most recent story that the book came into it’s own. But the every-other-month schedule really hurt it for me.
But this last issue (and the forthcoming Avengers Annual) is a great send off for the book. The whole issue is a conversation between Jessica and her yet-unnamed newborn. We learn how Jessica and her “baby’s daddy” Luke Cage met, and we learn the final fate of their relationship. The whole issue is a flashback to an untold chapter in Jessica’s life, and in typical Bendis fashion, it’s a surprise.
I’ll miss this book a bit, but I’m sure I won’t have to miss the character. Jessica is too strong and too interesting a character not to resurface elsewhere.
Grade: B
American Virgin #1
Writer: Steven T. Seagle
Art: Becky Cloonan
Colorist: Brian Miller
Published by Vertigo/ DC Comics
I had no interest in this book until a few weeks ago, when there was a preview in some other Vertigo book. And it was intriguing. But now, reading the first issue in its entirety, I can highly recommend it. Many other Vertigo books have dealt with religion, sex, terrorism, violence, and rites of passage. But I don’t think that any book has dealt with all of them, all at once. Until now, that is.
“American Virgin” has a wonderfully assured debut, and from page one, it’s a compelling read. At any moment, the script could veer intro clichés and sterotypes, but Seagle wisely refrains from that, providing us with a fresh and interesting take on everything you can imagine. I don’t know Becky Cloonan’s work, but I find it fitting perfectly with the story.
For something completely different, and completely…satisfying, pick this up.
Grade: A
Teen Titans: #33
“The Brave and the Bold”
Written by Marv Wolfman & Geoff Johns
Pencils: Todd Nauck
Inks: Sean Parsons, Norm Rapmund & Mario Alquiza
Colorist: Richard & Tanya Horie
Published by DC Comics
Superboy and Nightwing take the stage in this Infinite Crisis-tie in, and while a lot of fighting and superhero action takes place, the interesting part of this issue is the interplay between the two of them. We really get to see the difference between the two heroes, and moreso, the difference between their generations. We usually think of them as two of the younger heroes, but it’s evident here how much older and how much more mature Nightwing is.
Other than some nice character moments, the issue really is a stopgap between Infinite Crisis issues 5 and 6. The art (with three different inkers) seems rushed and a bit sloppy, and overall the issue is rather trivial.
Grade: C
