It’s a thick stack of books this week with DC still releasing their number one books. What’s worth it? What should be skipped? Find out below!
Alpha Flight #4 – The team is on the run from the government who has been taken over through an overly complex plan. There’s a lot I like about the series, but also so much that just seems blah. Overall it’s getting much better, but there’s definitely some things strange things that don’t jive. The brutality of one particular character just doesn’t fit in with the relative niceness of Alpha Flight.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #4 – It’s the second to last issue of this series that delves into the myths of the vampires. It adds a bit to the world and the story is really entertaining, but as usual you have to question why the bad guys just don’t kill the good guys right away. That’s about the only flaw I find, for what’s turned out to be a hell of a limited series.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Batman and Robin #1 – The good here is Damian’s depiction. The mysterious bad guy also has me intrigued. The bad is the story itself which just seems silly to me. Also, how old is Batman supposed to be in the DC revamp/reboot/relaunch? If Damian is still around, he obviously can’t be younger than he was in the previous world. I’m a bit confused about that part.
Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75
Batwoman #1 – A beautiful comic book, the art alone is enough to get me to come back for more. The story on the other hand is a bit week, but still intriguing enough to get me to overlook it. What is very strong, like the art is the characterization. The various characters in the comic are well written and there’s some great female leads. It’s been a long wait for this first issue, and while I can’t say it blew me away, I’ll definitely be back for the second issue.
Story: 7.75 Art: 9 Overall: 8
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #523 – Out of all of the Fear Itself tie-ins this one is the best, though it’s competition isn’t that great. As a whole though, I really like the American Panther storyline. There was a solid ending to it, and a great mystery left at the end that seems like it’ll lead to something more interesting going forward. With the next issue, it’ll get a new subtitle, the series is quality and a definite recommendation to make a monthly read.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #4 – Wow, that was one hell of an ending. This is a crime story of the best caliber. Brubaker’s story telling seems to get better and better and this one’s ending is just amazing. Another fantastic volume in the best noir on the market. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9
Daken: Dark Wolverine #14 – What the hell did I read. The heat part is great as usual, but the art seems to have taken a dip and it won’t be until next issue that’ll I’ll truly understand what’s going on. This is one part of a bigger story and by itself the issue doesn’t make too much sense or keep my interest. Hopefully the next issue will do it some justice as the “set up” issue.
Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75
Daredevil #3 – Some great pulp fun as Daredevil fights Klaw and helps a man in court. The entertaining ending is a nice end cap for the first story arc and this issue sets up a bigger bad guy that’s only hinted at. The action is good and there’s some great writing in the issue. Mark Waid has returned Daredevil to his roots and it’s fantastic so far.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
Deadpool #43 – Deadpool is on the loose as he’s escaped from the mental institution, though how he’s done that isn’t really explained very well. There’s also some other plot points that seem to have been dropped. The issue is entertaining enough, but falls into the campy end of things way too much.
Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7
Deathstroke #1 – Wow, that was a hell of a start. The issue feels more A-Team than anything else, but then that ending throws you for a spin. Pretty impressive as it gives you a good idea as to who Deathstroke is and does it all in a self-contained issue. Really solid beginning.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
Demon Knights #1 – I appreciate what DC is doing here, taking some of their characters and throwing them into a world similar to one you’d find in a D&D campaign. The story is ok, but I’m not really one for straight up fantasy. My concern that it stars Etrigan and his speaking habit was not founded as that seems to have gone away, which is odd, since that was something that made the character very unique. It’s not a bad comic, but can’t say I really look forward to the second issue.
Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25
Fear Itself #6 – There’s lots of dramatic moments and some big speeches in the second to last issue of Marvel’s disappointing summer event. There’s some great moments and a lot of characters manning up, but overall this feels like that “big moment” that’s a few issues too late for me to really care or save this event from smelling like a stinker.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
Fear Itself: Hulk vs. Dracula #1 – Not quite sure what the point of this limited series is as it doesn’t add a whole lot so far to the overall event. Also, isn’t the Hulk fighting in a few other places and against a few other heroes? Fear Itself has been a mess of an event, and this is another example of that.
Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75
Fear Itself: The Monkey King – A decent enough issue, but again, it doesn’t add anything to the Fear Itself storyline. I’d of much rather seen a three issue limited series come out of this than this one-shot that’s not really needed. But, even though it doesn’t add anything to Fear Itself, it’s still a good comic and hopefully we see more of this character than this one-shot.
Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1 – A Hellboy wannabe I figured this was what to expect of the series after seeing it’s Flashpoint tie-in. It’s not the story is is bad, I think Hellboy is better in every sense, so there’s nothing new or interesting to keep me coming back for more.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
Green Lantern #1 – Sinestro has a green ring again and Hal Jordan must go back to a normal life. Just when you think there isn’t anything more creative Geoff Johns can do with Green Lantern, this comes along. A great new start that’s fresh and interesting. The series has had some issues of late, but this first issue breathes new life into the series and again has me excited.
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75
Grifter #1 – Huh!? Where’s the Grifter I came to know and love from Wildcats? What is this crap?!
Story: 6.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75
John Carter: A Princess of Mars #1 – With Roger Langridge’s name on the comic I had to pick it up knowing nothing about this beloved story. Can’t say I’ll be coming back for the second issue. It’s not Langridge’s fault, the story just doesn’t interest me at all.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
Legion Lost #1 – Hmm, a lot is interesting here, but the story is too much tied up in mystery and the action too choppy to get me to want to come back for more. I was never a Legion fan before, and can’t say this series has done anything to get me to change my mind.
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 6.75
Mister Terrific #1 – The beginning of the comic was interesting enough, but that ending made me not at all interested in the second issue. It was too abrupt and comes out of nowhere. There’s also the very blatant playing off that Mr. Terrific is a black hero and there’s event a rather stereotypical issue of his interest in a white woman. I’m sure the series will find it’s pace and feet after a bit, but I don’t think I’m sticking around for it.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
Mystery Men #5 – A ho-hum ending to the series that attempts to mix real life events with a comic book and doesn’t pull it off too well. The series was ok, and probably will read better as a trade paperback, but the finale isn’t anything special.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
The New Avengers #16 – We get to see what Daredevil was up to during Fear Itself and the issue is actually really solid. I like the interview aspect of the issues and the story in this one is really good too. It’s Daredevil’s acceptance into the crew and it’ll be interesting to see how that goes considering his recent past.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
Red Lanterns #1 – In short, this is DC’s version of Ghost Rider. It has potential, and I’ll stick around to see what that is, but the characters kind of started off as a one note gimmick and adding a bit to them will be a tough task. We’ll see how it all goes though, but so far it’s pretty decent.
Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75
Resurrection Man #1 – A lot I really liked here. I can’t say I know a lot about the character and this first issue gives you a hint about him. There’s enough here that will get me to come back. The issue though is it seems like I’ve seen this all before in a movie or television show. Heaven and hell after one man’s soul, it seems too familiar.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Suicide Squad #1 – So much I like and at the same time it makes me miss Secret Six. There’s so many costume changes that are so unnecessary too. Still, there’s more than enough to get me to come back for the next few issues and see where it goes from here.
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8
Superboy #1 – More than enough here to get me to come back for the second issue. The story is interesting and unique enough to stand out from Superman and there’s enough mystery here with numerous characters to keep me intrigued. This might be the first “Supes” comic I get into.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8 Overall: 8.25
Supreme Power #4 – Just one piece of a bigger puzzle. By itself the actions of folks makes me scratch my head, but this seems to be the end of the middle chapter of a three act play. Interesting, but it doesn’t blow me away as much as that first issue did.
Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 – An origin story that’d normally have taken an issue to get through looks like it’ll be spread out a bit. But there’s a lot here that makes Mile Morales stand out from Peter Parker. Bendis has made some interesting choices here and it’ll be interesting to see where he goes. I’ve never been an Ultimate Comics fan, but this relaunch of the line has gotten me very interested.
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8
Uncanny X-Force #15 – The team is trying their best to take on Archangel and his new horsemen before they transform the world. Deathlok has also lost his shit in the process. The trio of Deadpool, Fantomex and Deathlok is a team I want more of. So wrong yet so right.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25
The Unwritten #29 – The story of Wilson the the Tinker grows deeper and that ending kind of came out of nowhere. The story is s bit easier to understand but no less interesting. This is one of those sleeper series more people should be reading. It challenges you in every way. Solid as usual.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
X-Men: Legacy #255 – Magneto attempts to bring a peace between the two warring armies while Rogue takes over command of a familiar bunch. The story is really just a way to get Havok, Polaris and Rachel back into the fold, the stroy I could do without.
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7
