All-New X-Men #11
Rating: ★★★★
All-New X-Men is one of my favourite series, and is something I always look forwards to. Although I was a little disappointed when the last issue didn’t deliver what it promised, ending on desperate cliff-hanger, I was anticipating this issue, and it certainly left me very happy. Although his dialogue can be a little wobbly at times, if there’s one thing Brian Michael Bendis does brilliantly, it’s making you care about these characters and their interactions with each other. As someone who wasn’t previously entirely up to date with the X-Men universe and its characters, it hasn’t taken me long to become attached to these characters, whatever time period they’re from. And, as always, Stuart Immonen’s artwork is just astonishing. This is another great issue in the series that, although isn’t the most action packed, does provide some brilliant and interesting interactions between characters who previously haven’t been given enough time to share a panel. But, All-New X-Men isn’t without its problems. Some issues can feel as though they could be condensed into one instead of being drawn out between two or three. And some pages do have characters dwelling on things from the past that don’t feel as though they need to be with some characters spending entire panels recapping a previous issue instead of letting the story develop. But, there really aren’t any other flaws to this very-near perfect series that I’m very excited to keep reading.
Superior Spider-Man #9
Rating: ★★★
Will I Keep Reading? So far, Superior Spider-Man has been a mixed bag. Some weeks, it’s really delivered. But, other weeks, it’s been fairly mediocre. Unfortunately, this week is the latter. This issue, Doc Ock confronts Peter Parker in the mind of the Superior Spider-Man, hoping to remove the trace of Peter Parker that is still in his brain. And whilst this issue isn’t necessarily bad by any means, there just isn’t quite enough here that makes me want to keep reading, especially when the series is costing $3.99 every couple of weeks. The issue introduces some interesting ideas, like bringing Spider-Man’s rogues gallery into the mix, but the main problem is that none of them really go anywhere. This issue was meant to include a twist that will make fans angrier than they were at the end of ASM #700 (if that’s even possible), and whilst I can see that happening for some people, the issues “twist” didn’t really do much for me. I hate being so blunt, but we all know Peter Parker will return. The series needs to give me something else, something less predictable, for me to spend $4 on it every fortnight. But, this was still an enjoyable issue overall, I’m interested enough to see where it goes maybe for a couple more issues. But this series really needs to grab me quickly as, for now, it isn’t something I would highly recommend.
Green Arrow #20
Rating: ★★★★
Green Arrow is probably one of the best series DC Comics has to offer right now. So far, it’s proven to be an intriguing mystery as well as an intense and heart-pumping thrill ride of a comic. #20 is the penultimate issue in The Kill Machine story arc, and we’re getting nearer and nearer to finding our answers. This is a fairly slow installment in an otherwise fast-paced arc, but it does allow us, as a reader, to catch our breath and get up to speed with what is going on. One thing that doesn’t change in this comic, however, is the artwork, which has remained consistently incredible. #20 gives us a look at how the characters we’ve met so far operate as a team, and I was surprised when I realised how invested I’d become in these characters over just a few issues. This issues sets the path for the final issue in this story arc, which promises answers to all of the questions we’ve had so far. Let’s hope it delivers!
Hawkeye #10
Rating: ★★★★1/2
#9 of Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye was one of my favourite issues of the series so far, and that’s saying something! So, obviously, I was looking forward to the next issue. However, the thing with #10 is that it doesn’t actually carry on from the end of #9, instead, it shows the a complete different side to the story. We see the story of The Clown, the mysterious assassin introduced in the climax of #8, an entirely new lead character for the issue with a very different perspective, which is why it’s appropriate for the issue’s artwork to be done by a guest artist. This was a great choice as the artwork is one of the issue’s greatest strengths. It sells the tone of this character’s world through picture and colour alone, to the point where I’d understand the character very nearly as well without any dialogue. But, of course, the issue doesn’t lack Matt Fraction’s witty and, in the case of this issue, dramatic writing. Once again, Fraction does an excellent job of blending drama and humour perfectly. I was sharing a laugh with Kate and Clint whilst also fearing for their lives, and only Matt Fraction can do that. Overall, this was a great issue that gives us a better understanding of a new villain, who will surely make life very miserable for Hawkguy in upcoming issues.
"I miss Grills..."
-George