52 Week Fourteen
DC Comics
Writer: Johns, Rucka, Morrison, Waid
Artists: Giffen, Eaglesham
The series readers never have to wait for continues with some serious intrigue. The Khandaq/Question subplots get the most attention this week, with a side of the machinists’ plots (Dr. Irons and T.O. Morrow). There’s no space action or Booster Gold goodness, but what’s here is substantial enough for it not to matter. The terrestrial angles of 52 all seem to converge around Intergang and whether or not it can take full advantage of the heroes’ disorganization Post-IC. They might be the ones kidnapping the “mad” scientists (for R&D) while simultaneously attempting to broaden their power bases in other cities. Connect Luthor’s super-enforcers to Intergang by way of one shady business deal or other, and most of the threads of the series tapestry fit together quite nicely. Speculations aside, the art continues to excel, with Dale Eaglesham doing the finishes this week.
Score: A
Greeen Arrow #65
DC Comics
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Scott McDaniel
This month’s issue seems very Winick-y; that is to say the action, which is both fun and plentiful, is supplemented by a giant helping of political rhetoric. That’s not a terrible thing exactly, the superhero as mayor angle of this title necessitates a bit of stumping and speechifying from time to time. It’s just that the political issues involved skate once again into one of the author’s pet causes, gay rights, and he’s played that note so loudly and so often that it feels far too pat. So the whole interlude is distracting, even if the protagonist and his sidekick’s later discussion of the same issues furthers the plot a bit. Beyond that, readers receive a lot of GA battle goodness, some gleefully underhanded Mayor Queen manipulations, and a bit more of Slade Wilson, AKA Deathstroke the Terminator. On balance, this was a fun comic, very well illustrated by Mr. McDaniel. If the author could bang the drum of his causes a bit more softly or less obviously, it would have read better.
Score: B
She-Hulk #10
Marvel Comics
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Rick Burchett
This month’s issue packs some Civil War punch, furthers the book’s various love triangles (at least two of them), and ends with a great reveal/twist. The book is playing it a bit straighter lately, and while that allows for some more dramatic storytelling, there are less laughs. I’m not sure the trade-off is worth the price. The art is decidedly more surrealist this time out, and it helps the dramatic set pieces while detracting slightly from the action segments. This book once sought to be the out-of-the-way change of pace that left readers begging for more, but it’s been a bit too establishment lately. Hopefully, the new turmoil at the law office will result in some fresh yet arcane silliness.
Score: C
Secret Six #3
DC Comics
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Brad Walker
This book continues to surprise with excellent plot twists, meaty characterization, and thrilling action. The book also has an acidic sense of black humor that makes its presence felt in this chapter. It seems everyone truly does love JELL-O, including patchwork surgically augmented psychos. There’s a betrayal, with the potential for more before the miniseries is over. A team member is healed just as another is maimed; it’s high octane action all around. The art follows the same vein as the original mini-series with a lesser artist at the helm, but still gets the job done.
Score: B
Martian Manhunter #1
DC Comics
Writer: A.J. Lieberman
Artist: Al Barrioneuvo
Huh? What? Did JJ just sort of murder a guy at the end of this initial issue? Is that what happened? I know this is OYL, and the Manhunter has gone through a ton of changes, but that’s not the way a JLA mainstay ought to behave. Bouncing a guy off a roof just seems too out of character. The other revelations of this issue are interesting. The giant conspiracy hook is a bit rusty, but has obvious promise. The issue just didn’t site right. This is not the splash one would hope for, considering how well established this character is.
Score: D
