It’s a thick stack of books dominated Flashpoint tie-ins and the debut of some high profile series. What’s worth the money and what can you skip? Find out below!
Alpha Flight #2 – There’s definitely something appropriately “Canadian” about this series both in it’s topics and it’s voice. We get a better sense as to exactly is going on and somewhat the Unity Party is up to. The series hasn’t blown me out of the water yet, but it at least has a unique voice and feel.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2 – I said after reading the first issue whether we really needed a mini-series of the still very young and fresh American Vampire, but the answer is yes. Both series are showing off a quality that justifies and any chance to speed up the story telling is much appreciated and wanted.
Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #521 – For all those that laughed and moaned when they say sketches for the American Panther, I guess they get to eat their words. Sadly the story is tied in a bit with Fear Itself, but if it didn’t have to be, the story would be very solid dealing with hate and fear in America. If anything, the story so far doesn’t go enough, but it’s still a great read.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5
Booster Gold #46 – Booster continues to fight Doomsday and the story is ok, but really is one extended fight scene that doesn’t move the story along or give us a greater glimpse into the world of Flashpoint. The art too seems to have slipped a little. Not as good as the first two entries.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
Captain America #1 – And a new Captain America series is launched almost jettisoning Brubaker’s previous run. The first issue though is beyond solid with great action, interesting mystery and a great look. This is everything I hoped for and more. Very great read and a must buy.
Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9
Daken: Dark Wolverine #11 – Daken has turned into a drug addict which is a bit of an interesting story line. I like the art style switching between him being normal and being high and as always the twisted sexual games he plays is something you don’t see in too many other series. This is one that’s flying under the radar and worth the read.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Deadpool #40 – This probably could also be called “When Deadpool Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.” Deadpool gets sent to a psych ward, though it’s in England, which doesn’t really make sense, but oh well….
Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7
Fear Itself: Spider-Man #3 – Probably the best of the Fear Itself tie-ins, the story sores because it focuses not on Spider-Man and his rather uphill battle, but instead of average people suffering from the madness of the world around them. A solid three issue limited series that’s much better than the event series it’s tied into.
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75
FF #6 – So much that’s very cool, but if feels wrong for Black Bolt to return under anyone’s guidance other than DnA. At the same time, I’m forced to say “huh?”
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8
Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #2 – The issues starts off strong enough with the Rogues out to take on Cold, but the end is a bit confusing as to what’s exactly going on at times with the action not being clear enough. Overall, still entertaining.
Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8
Flashpoint: Deathstroke – And the Curse of the Ravager #2 – The fight between Aquaman and Deathstroke’s crew continues in another issue that’s mostly fight. Again, not much movement and showing the world that is Flashpoint. For a great setting sail, the story seems to have lost it’s momentum.
Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75
Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #2 – The origin of Emperor Aquaman and it’s a very good read. We get a good sense of who he is and why he is the way he is due to this issue and…. it moves the overall story forward.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5
Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #2 – Something was a bit uneven about this issue. It wasn’t bad, but wasn’t particularly good either. I guess overall, I feel like it just doesn’t fit into Flashpoint and doesn’t add anything to the overall universe.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
Ghost Rider #1 – I wasn’t too impressed by the #0.1 issue and the first issue didn’t blow me away either.
Story: 6.5 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6.75
Green Lantern #67 – Now that was an ending, but we’re left with tons of questions as to what to expect in the relaunch of this series. The War of the Green Lanterns was uneven at times, but the ending made up for it all.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
Green Lantern Corps. #61 – A nice throwback issue that takes on a social issue and addresses it at a galactic level. At the same time we’re introduced to all of the new Lanterns recruited during the war. It’s a decent issue, but the series just seems to be killing time until DCnU kicks off.
Story: 7.25 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.25
Journey Into Mystery #625 – While I will say the series is solid, it’s a bit too convoluted in it’s dealings and double dealings. The story isn’t straightforward and you need a chart to keep track of all of the wheeling and double dealing. The series is interesting though and this issue does give us a glimpse as to the origin of the Serpent.
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8
Mystery Men #3 – We’re a little over the half way point and the series introduces some more “heroes” to the fold. The story has a modern pulp feel to it that’s entertaining, but doesn’t quite meet the quality of The Twelve which it resembles. It’s a good series, but might be best to read in trade form.
Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7
The New Avengers #14 – I’m a bit mixed on the issue. It focuses on Mockingbird and her new status as well as some issues Spider-Man is having and also what’s going on with Fear Itself. There’s one scene in particular that’s very reminiscent of 9-11 that really caused a mixed stir of emotions that I’m still processing while I write this. Is it over the top? Maybe? Is it one hell of a statement in one page? Yes. Is it beautifully drawn? Absolutely.
Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8
New Mutants #27 – Really a convoluted way to get Nate Grey back in the fold the story is so-so and the art actually sub-par for an “X” book. Even with a reboot, the series isn’t what it should be. It comes off as second class in many ways.
Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75
The Red Wing #1 – Jonathan Hickman is a brilliant writer and this series is an interesting start. I can’t say it’s quite up to snuff as his past indie series, but those are some of the best comics ever written. An interesting start though.
Story: 8.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 8
the Unwritten #27 – The series gets a bit more meta as the shift comes into how comic books have shaped the modern myth. It’s definitely interesting to read and I wish I had someone to discuss it with.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
Wolverine #12 – Folks still want revenge on Wolverine and this arc just doesn’t hold up either. I like the idea of focusing on the folks that Wolverine has hurt through his actions, I’m just not sure this is the best way to go about it.
Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.25
X-Men: Schism #1 – And in one issue everything ramps up as the latest “X” event kicks off. We’ve seen the prelude and we’ve gotten hints as to what expect, but now it’s game on. Jason Aaron has had mixed results in my opinion of his handling of various “X” titles, but this limited series kicks off with a solid start.
Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9
