It’s been a rough several weeks but I got my act together enough to get my capsule reviews up and running and if you haven’t been checking out Wednesday Webcomics here at www.comicsnexus.com you should give it a shot. The boss here Manolis has been gracious enough to allow me some space for my strip Pilgrim Blade along side a growing number of weekly comics.
A nice bag of treats this week comics wise for me…so lets dive right in shall we?
Supergirl #45 (DC Comics/ Gates, Rucka, Igle/ $2.99):
I have to admit as much as I enjoy reading the book the whole meta-story with General Lane is boring me. Don’t get me wrong, Gates scripting is strong and there is genuine drama and all the relationships. But I am ready for some thing else already. I like what they have done with Reactron but come on. He has already played a major role and its dragging. The art is strong Igle’s figures, dynamism and storytelling are top-notch but I think he is being cut off at the knees art wise by the inks and poor coloring. The coloring seems washed out, and the highlights art distracting.
6.5 Out of 10
Guardians of the Galaxy #18 (Marvel Comics/Abnett.Lanning,Craig/ $2.99):
This is a particularly fun title. Great fun and action and exploration. Abnett and Lanning are certainly doing wonders with a group of B-listers and fan faves. I love the dialogue and quirky develops amidst the big story and great action. The art I must say is really impressing me. Wesley Craig is a unique and dynamic artist. Great facial expressions, line quality, over all storytelling and design. I love it. I know the Colorist/painter Fairburn is a great compliment to the line work. This is a title every one should be reading.
8 out of 10
Amazing Spider-man #606 (Marvel Comics/Kelly,McKone/$2.99):
More relationship fun as Spidey’s love interests crash into Peter and sets the hilarious tone for the rest of the issue. Great to see the Black Cat back, and wonderful scripting putting it all together and filling the gap for readers. Nice kiss there at the end. What I like about what the Spider-writers are doing is the slow build, which as a long time reader was always fun and along the way draw the reader into caring about the characters. McKone does a great Spiderman. I love how he does the costume and really does amazing shots of Spidey in action and around the city.
8 out of 10
Detective Comics #857 (DC Comics/Rucka, Williams III, Hamner/$3.99):
If not the most beautiful comic on the stands it is certainly the best designed. Looking at the pages I am amazing at the storytelling ability of Williams III while adding texture and tone to Rucka’s story with his deliberate and aesthetic layouts. This is art intersecting with comics in the best way. The story is great and we get an ending it seems to the first arc. I like the characters and direction. This is wonderful read. The Question is just as interesting and this installment I was blown away by Cully Hamner’s panel sequencing and storyboarding. Obviously the art is great. But can see the motion and action play out flawlessly. He also captures great expression. A wonderful book to read and look at.
9 out of 10
Blackest Night: Superman #2 (DC Comics/Robinso,Barrows/$2.99):
I thought this was going to be a throw away title but it is a strong well conceived and executed addition to the Blackest Night story. Robinson really turns up the eerie and horrific with the introduction of Psycho Pirate and overall use of the Zombiesque Black Lantern Kal-L, Supergirl’s Dad on New Krypton, and Lois II. Smallville is literally being victimized and Supes and Conner so far our powerless to prevent it trying to come to grips with the emotional impact and raw power of their enemies. The art by Barrows is stunning and powerful and really capturing the essence of this event. You feel the impact of every blow in flesh flying action and also great emotive expression and gesture. This is a fantastic series, and I highly recommend every one give it a shot.
9 out of 10
Incredible Hercules #135 (Marvel Comics/Van Lente, Pak, Buchemi/$2.99):
I enjoyed the overall tone a scripting but am at a loss as to how this fits in to the ongoing stories. I am glad to see this end actually and would have preferred to see Cho’s adventure to find his sister instead of this “vision quest”. The art was strong but unspectacular. This issue gets a part for not really being entertaining. Which is a shame because I certainly like Cho and Athena and Pak and Van Lente.
4 out of 10
Giant-Size Wolverine:Old Man Logan (Marvel Comics/Millar,McNiven/$4.99):
Possibly the best single arc and well executed story I have read since Superman:Beyond. I think along with 1985 these are really memorable and inspired works from Mark Millar. Old Man Logan is a tremendous, balls to the wall action and violence extravaganza and this finale is the best of it. Sweet and bloody revenge as Logan executes the entire Hulk Clan by invading their trailer park base of operations. Sure it’s violence porn with superheroes, but it is executed perfectly and exactly what was expected. And you get some fun surprise and nice flashes of characterization. Banner coming out to confront Logan was wonderful and the ending itself was great and full of possibilities like the best 80’s era post-apocalyptic action film setting up for s sequel. The art by McNiven is perfect. Perfect. An illustrated symphony of action, violence and gore. Great use of detail and expression. I can’t imagine this being done by any other artist. In fact I don’t think any one could have captured the raw and vicious barbarity of the violence as well as McNiven has. This is a fun adult book. And I recommend it highly, especially to my generation who grew up on 80’s horror and Mad Max action.
10 out of 10
Wednesday Comics #12 (DC Comics/Various/$3.99):
I won’t do a play by play of the individual stories now that the last issue is out. What I will do is say I am very sad to see this end and am very happy with the execution by DC comics and the love the format. I really hope DC comics and Dan Didio deliver another volley of strips like this. I appreciate the risk DC took and applaud them for trying something like this in an age when everyone is thinking digital. But us fans know what was great about comics is still great. Good stories and art and opening up a book and feeling the tinge oil from the newsprint as our minds exploded with possibilities reading the adventures of great heroes like Supes and Wonder Woman and the Justice League saving the universe from the likes of Darkseid, the Injustice Gang and Brainiac. Great job guys. More strips please.
9 out of 10
Invincible #66 (Image Comics/Kirkman,Walker/$2.99):
I was pleasantly surprised to see Cory walkers great line work on this issue. He really has a great style and his economy of line is brilliant. Great open art, and I love his thick bodied Omniman. Kirkman takes us from Earth to space to give us some insights and teases as he ramps up for the Viltrumite War. You get a lot of great information, and new characters. This is the type of building block issue that are really great to read and progresses the story by adding layers. Great work.
8 out of 10
Superman: Secret Origin #1 (DC Comics/Johns, Frank/$3.99):
I had no idea this was coming out this week. So I was really excited when I saw it prominently place on the stands at my LCS. Basically any thing Johns does is going to be interesting and chances are much better then what was before, even if at first you don’t think it’s possible. I mean another Superman origin? Yeah well, this was great. I love the characterization of the teenage Clark. Very concerned, but enthusiastic. All the characters and events seem familiar but have a great freshness to it. I love Lana and Clark’s relationship and really enjoyed Lex Luthor’s attitude. The issue is pretty faced paced, but packed with nice little nuggets and nuance. Which is a hallmark of John’s writing and obvious love for the characters. The art by Gary Frank is pure genius. Really delivering a look for the characters and Clark in particular that is obviously inspired by the Superman movies and the Smallville show. I love the expressions and emotion. Frank tells a story in every panel interaction between the characters. And does a great job with the action too. Finding was to add some punch to even very mundane scenes with his lines. The last page of Superboy (Clark in costume) was incredible. Something so right about it and so right about this book. Johns and Frank are expanding on what’s come before, and if this issue is any indication, its going to be the best re-invisioning yet.
9.5 Out of 10
New Avengers #57 (Marvel Comics/Bendis, Immonen/$3.99):
Now this is an Avengers book. Osborn and the other villains make an agreement and the NA is on the run. Really great drama and dialogue. And a wonderful save by Mocking Bird. Bendis is having fun with these characters and you can see it in the script. I love the scene with Spidey giving Osborn the what for before the big get away. And the team arguing over who should give themselves up when the Dark Avengers track them to the Night Nurse. Interesting developments with Luke Care too. I love the art Immonen really is one of the best artists out there. I have always loved his art from his Legion of Super-heroes days. But more then ever his ability to deliver solid story telling dynamic action and the best expressive characters is mind blowing. The two page splash of the quinjet landing on the villains and last page of Luke Cage giving himself up clutching his deteriorating heart were amazing. I love the Bendis/Immonen team. And hope they stay together for some time.
8 out of 10
I just wanted to say I hope everyone is picking up Blackest Night and Captain America: Reborn. Both are excellent.
See you next week.
