This week was the first big test for DC as the first wave of second issues hit the stands and the X-Men’s event wraps up setting them upon a relaunch of their own…
Animal Man #2 – Um, yeah… the second issue of the series goes of the deep end into Vertigo territory with a straight up horror story. It’s beyond weird and I feel like I should drop some LSD while reading it. But, it looks like what we saw in the first issue of Swamp Thing might be tied into this series, which is interesting. The second issue is still very solid, but maybe not for everyone.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Batman: Detective Comics #2 – This is for teens? The series continues it’s gruesome ways at Batman gets closer to the Dollmaker who has an interesting group of folks hanging around him. There’s a lot interesting here, but it feels like a more gruesome, by the numbers Batman story. It’s not bad in any way and pretty entertaining, but with two other Batman comics out there, this isn’t the best of the bunch.
Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8
Batwing #2 – The bad guy going around killing retired heroes is called Massacre and this issue’s focus is to show how tough Batwing is. It’s an ok story, but the art is what makes it stand out. Not as solid as the first issue, but for a series trying to find it’s legs (or wings in this case) it’s not too bad.
Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75
Blood Red Dragon #0 – The lead up between the much hyped new series from Stan Lee and Yoshiki. The series is a big yawn, been there done that. Mechanized demons want to take over the world, but a champion in the form of a pop star is there to stop them. It’s very anime influenced, but just feels like a bad knock off.
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75
Chew #21 – One of the most entertaining comics on the market shakes it up by firing Tony Chu, well really transfering him. The story is funny and beyond fun as expected. There’s a lot of plot threads that are out there, but each issue is such a pleasure to read, I don’t mind how long it takes to get to any of them.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
Men of War #2 – Two stories again, neither really hold up. Sgt. Rock continues his mission to grab a Senator held hostage while some weirdness goes on. Then there’s a back up story of another squad. Neither work very well and all together it’s a jumbled mess. I said I’d give the series another chance with the second issue, but it heads to the chopping block for me.
Story: 6.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.5
Moon Knight #6 – Such a good series. Moon Knight and Echo make up and there’s some great play on the fact that Moon Knight has been seeing folks. The art is fantastic, story pacing is solid and interaction and dialogue really great as well. This is a definite must read series and one of the best Marvel is putting out right now.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
Red Lantern #2 – Atrocitus is still figuring out his Corps.’ role in the universe, but really it’s the DC version of Ghost Rider. He’ll enact revenge on those who can’t do it themselves. It’s not bad and there’s something poetic to the writing, but the series and the character has a long way to go to make it stand out on it’s own.
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75
Spider-Island: Heroes for Hire – I didn’t pay enough attention and thought I was grabbing a new issue of Heroes for Hire, but instead it’s a one shot. The story is ok and there’s development of the characters, but being tied into yet another event isn’t helping the series. A yawner and not needed unless you’re really into the Spider-Island story line.
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6.75
Stormwatch #2 – I wasn’t very familiar with the series before reading last month’s first issue, but this is just out there. I’m still torn as to what to think about it, but will give it the first arc to play out before I really make my final decision. Overall though it’s not quite as easy to follow as it probably should be,
Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7
Superior #5 – That other “Mark Millar book” takes a look at what happens when a super hero is real and what he’ll do to keep the power he has. It’s a much better series than that other one with some great moments and feel to it. Hopefully it can start coming out on time again.
Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8
Swamp Thing #2 – A very interesting second issue that seems to tie in a lot with Animal Man. The series explained really what’s up with Alec Holland and his time as Swamp Thing. It’s a lot of rewriting of history (I think) but it puts the series in it’s own place. A solid read that cements DC as a go to company for horror.
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8
Thunderbolts #164 – There’s lots of talk about changing history and it’s all good. Not the best the series has been, but I’m interested in seeing where it goes.
Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7
The Walking Dead #89 – Rick has been having some doubts about his leadership and by the end of the issue there’s no doubt the bad ass is back in charge. Just a great issue that really focuses on the human aspect of it all.
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75
X-Men #19 – A pretty meh story arc, but the best part was the interaction between Magneto and Doom. I’d love to see more of them together debating the line between villainy and heroism.
Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7
X-Men: Schism #5 – The first half of the comic was very blah, but the second half was solid. The debate between Cyclops and Wolverine was fantastic and that last page gave me chills. The line of “X” comics has needed a shake up and it looks like this is exactly the thing to do it.
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75
X-23 #15 – So bad, so very very bad….
Story: 6 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.25
