Hey everyone, once again, we have a big week for comics. Some good stuff, some not so good. And our first book, outright bad. Let’s get to it!
Ultimate Fantastic Four #28
“President Thor” Part 2
Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Greg Land
Inks: Matt Ryan
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Published by Marvel Comics
I think I am through with this title. As much as I try, I can’t get into it. And it’s not for lack of trying. Every time I want it to be good and involving, it’s not. It’s just a disappointment. I expect more from Millar, and he usually delivers. The art, as always is stunning, but it really sucks (for lack of a better word) that it’s being wasted on a script so dull. Now, it’s not as if nothing happens, because a lot does. There is fighting and big action sequences. But I just don’t care. See, we’re in another alternate timeline where everything is confusing. Thor is president, Reed is his VP, and everyone is a superhero. Sounds fun, right? Sure it does. But it’s just boring, tired, and you know when the story is done, everything will be back to how it was. I’ve stuck with this book for as long as I can. This story has one more issue left. Unless there is some dramatic shift in the quality, I will have to leave it.
Grade: D (would have been an F, but the art is truly something)
Nextwave #3
Writer: Warren Ellis
Pencils: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade VonGrawbager
Colors: Dave McCaig
Published by Marvel Comics
This, on the other hand, is a delight. What a fun comic. It reads like no other book out there, and it’s just a hoot. There are a lot of moments that may not be for everyone, but for me, it’s too fun to pass up. There are times that they stop the story to point out something in the panel, and there are a lot of crazy, WAY over the top things, but you have to really suspend your disbelief with this book (even more than other comics). I think my favorite moment was when the cop (who was infected by, what seemed to be, an alien cat!) was caught gnawing on the fender of a car. See, it’s stuff like that that makes it an irresistible book. Also, check out the weird Q and A recap page, along with the bizarre letter column. The novelty may wear off, but until then, I’ll be there.
Grade: A
The Amazing Spider-Man #530
“Mr Parker Goes to Washington” Part 2
Writer: J Michael Straczynski
Pencils: Tyler Kirkham
Inks: Jay Leisten
Colors: John Starr
Published by Marvel Comics
I usually don’t read this series, but since it was the first comic I really collected (back to #347), I feel the need to pick it up from time to time. And since it’s a prelude to Marvel’s big summer blockbuster story, I thought this would be a good time to see what was going on. And I liked it. While DC’s big story this year is epic and far reaching cosmic stuff, Marvel’s seems to be a little smaller in that sense, and is more of a realistic story. This issue reminded me of a good episode of “The West Wing”, with the dialogue being very quick and smart. Until the end, when Iron Man and Spidey are attacked by The Titanium Man, the issue was about Tony Stark and Peter Parker attending a hearing in Washington DC about superheroes potentially having to register with the government. It’s a really interesting debate, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here in “Civil War”. The art by Tyler Kirkham was done well; I’d like to see more of him. The only real negative point about this issue was a weird caption discussion between two of the editors from Marvel. Didn’t seem to have any place in the book, and it really took you out of the story.
Grade: B
New Avengers #17
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: Mike Deodato
Inker: Joe Pimentel
Colors: Dave Stewart
Published by Marvel Comics
I heard a lot of complaints about how last issue didn’t have enough to it. Well here is your response. This issue was chock full of good stuff, starting out with the Avengers just standing in the streets of Detroit. The explanation of why is a good one, and it’s something I never really thought of. But it gives these “new” Avengers a definition more than anything else, with Luke Cage taking the lead. Meanwhile, that crazy burning guy who killed off Alpha Flight shows up in America, and this causes all sorts of verbal battles between Captain America and SHIELD. Fun stuff, and even with a passing reference to “Secret War”. Then we get to see Cap yell at The Sentry for being a lazy bum. Also fun stuff. Then Iron Man faces off with crazy burning man, and Ms Marvel stops by to be a pain. I’m not a big fan of Deodato, but his art is not distracting at all, and works best in the big action scenes. But hey, according to Bendis in his “bullpen”, it doesn’t seem like Deodato will be sticking around too long anyways.
Grade: B
Incredible Hulk #93
“Planet Hulk: Exile” Part 2
Writer: Daniel Way
Penciller: Carlo Pagylayan
Inker: Jeffrey Huet
Colors: Chris Soromayor
Published by Marvel Comics
Lots of hype for this story so far, and I’ve totally bought into it. Much like the aforementioned Spidey book, I was a casual reader of Hulk, and this story got my hooked again. Last issue was a very strong first part for this Planet Hulk epic, but this was less so. We’re introduced to a lot of characters, none human. That makes them very difficult to relate to and attach to. But I’m sure that within a few issues, it’ll be fine. The story itself is still compelling, and it’s fun to see Hulk in a situation where he really is vulnerable. If you’re looking for smart, clever Hulk, look elsewhere. As of late, this book is for Hulk to smash.
Grade: B
Daredevil #83
“The Devil in Cell Block D” Park 2
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano
Colors: Frank D’Armata
Published by Marvel Comics
Not quite as good as last month’s debut from this team, this is still a good story. We see Foggy buried, and as expected, this really puts Matt Murdock over the edge. And it’s really uncomfortable to see something like that. This is supposed to be one of our heroes, and to see him pretty much out of control, it’s….wrong. If last issue was about transitioning from Bendis’ run to Brubaker’s, then this is about Brubaker really making the book his own. There are new characters introduces, and new threats made known, and all just as compelling as we expect from this book. The story of the “other” Daredevil outside prison is less thrilling, because we’ve seen this sort of thing before. But I have faith that Brubaker and team will turn it into something fresh (not unlike shows on the WB!). Anyways, “Daredevil” remains one of the best books out there.
Grade: A
Manhunter #20
“Psycho Babble” Part 1
Writer: Marc Andreyko
Layouts: Javier Pina
Finishes: Fernando Blanco
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Published by DC Comics
One year later, things are tough for our Manhunter, Kate Spencer. Her “buddies” are sleeping together, her husband is remarried, and her son questions her identity as a superhero. And over on her super-side, she is frustrated to be fighting only D-list villains. Her only support comes from Obsidian, a fellow superhero who is just in town for the weekend to visit his lover. Oh, and on her professional side, as an attorney by day, she has been hired to defend an A-list villain!
See, things are complicated for Kate. And this book couldn’t be better for it. We’re grounded by Kate, who gives us her play by play, and takes it very realistically. We see her doubt as a hero, as a parent, and just as a woman trying to get by. It’s a relief to see someone in this genre who is a bit insecure, and not afraid to admit it. It makes Kate a lot more relatable. This has always been a favorite of mine, and “one year later”, it has taken none of the quality away. I know a lot of DC’s books have gone through creative changes, but they did something really right by keeping this team together.
Grade: A
Robin #148
“Boy Wanted”
Writer: Adam Beechen
Penciller: Karl Kerschl
Inks: Wayne Faucher, Karl Kerschl, and Prentis Rollins
Colors: Guy Major
Published by DC Comics
Well DC, “One Year Later” has officially done its job. It’s gotten me back reading this title. I gave up on “Robin” shortly after Bill Willingham had started writing it. It just wasn’t my bag. But I always enjoyed Tim Drake. I think I’ve been with him since he put on the costume, so I sort of feel like I know him well. Anyways, enough of that foolishness.
This was a nice debut for the new team. It’s a great jumping on point, but it also has a lot of attachments to past stories of “Robin” (actually, going back to his first solo tale). The main gist of the story is that Robin is set up to look like he committed a murder. That’s not interesting on its own, since we’ve seen it before, and since we know it’s not true. What makes it interesting is the dynamic we see between the GCPD’s officers, and then between Batman and Robin. It’s all about who to trust, and not everyone behaves the way we expect them to. I don’t know a whole lot about writer Adam Beechen, but he serves us a really nice first issue, and yes, I’m hooked for the second one.
Grade: A
Batman #651
“Face the Face” Part 2
Writer: James Robinson
Penciller: Don Kramer
Inker: Keith Champagne
Colorist: John Kalisz
Published by DC Comics
While this is not as good as the first part of “Face the Face” it’s still a fine issue. The best part is the first few pages, where we see some different faces in Gotham, and how they react to Batman’s return. It’s nothing spectacular, but it’s some nice small character moments we usually don’t get to see. Most of the issue is a fairly typical battle between the dynamic duo and Poison Ivy. It’s not new, but to see the way these two work together is nice, and it’s not something we are used to anymore. Seems like post “Crisis” they are working to get Batman a little bit friendlier (but of course, still spooky). Kramer’s art is great, and it fits nicely with the art team over in “Detective”. As for Robinson’s writing, it gets bonus points from me, simply because on the last page, he brings in a character who I don’t think has been seen since John Byrne’s “Man of Steel” #3.
And now she’s gone!
Seriously though, this “One Year Later” Batman is good stuff.
Grade A
