Green Arrow #19
Rating: ★★★★★
Jeff Lemire’s Green Arrow has quickly become one of my favourite books out there now. So far, the plot has been intriguing, the characters well written and the action incredibly intense, and this issue was no different. It’s hard to say whether this issue was the best so far, because the series has been pretty consistent, every issue in Lemire’s arc The Kill Machine has blown me away. The artwork is stunning and the writing is probably the book’s greatest strength as it never ceases to shock even avid fans of Green Arrow who may think they know the character’s wholes story, but couldn’t be more wrong. #19 is a roller-coaster ride from start to finish that never stops to let the reader catch their breath. It also ties in with DC’s month of “WTF Certified” issues, and this issue’s gatefold cover certainly took me by surprise, including a huge revelation about Green Arrow’s past. We see Oliver Queen face some tough times this issue, but the issue teases that his toughest challenge is still ahead of him, and I’ll definitely be sticking with this series to find out what that is. If you haven’t already, pick up #17-#19 of Green Arrow, and get caught up with this series. Even if you’re not a Green Arrow fan, you’ll be in for a treat.
All-New X-Men #10
Rating: ★★★★1/2
This is an issue I was eagerly anticipating as it features a confrontation between the two major groups of X-Men. We have Wolverine, Kitty Pride, Beast and more with the original X-Men from the past, and Cyclops and his brotherhood of mutants have just shown up on their doorstep to recruit students for their school. I was very interested to see how the two groups would react to each other and, although I still think there is potential that isn’t being used here, this issue didn’t disappoint. After the direction he was taken after Avengers vs. X-Men, Cyclops has become one of the most interesting characters in comics today. His character has moved in such a bold new direction, that we’ve wondered how his past-self would react if he could see himself as the public face for a new mutant revolution. Of course, All-New X-Men brings the original X-Men to the present day, opening up a number of new directions for the story to take. However, this is starting to feel like wasted potential as, in this issue, Cyclops hardly acknowledges his teammates from the past or his past-self. I had thought that the appearance of his dead girlfriend would evoke more of a reaction, and I’m sure it does, but it’s not clear enough here. Also, by the end of the issue, I did feel slightly cheated. It was teased that in this issue an X-Man would join Cyclops’ brotherhood. Of course, we instead have to read next issue to find out who that is. Of course, I’ll be picking up the next issue either way, but this reveal could have been what made this issue a ★★★★★ book for me. But overall, this was still a solid issue. I was actually taken aback by Stuart Immonen’s artwork in a couple of cases. And the writing is also solid with some great dialogue between characters like Beast and (Young) Cyclops, whom Beast is starting to blame for their current predicament. This is still one of my favourite series that I can’t see myself dropping anytime soon, I’d just like to see more of a reaction from Cyclops when faced with what he’s faced with in this issue.
Green Lantern #19
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Geoff John’s Green Lantern is one of my favourite series, certainly my favourite DC series. Sadly, this is the penultimate issue in GJ’s epic run since it began in Rebirth in 2004. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this issue, as we near the conclusion of Wrath of the First Lantern, and because it ties in with DC’s month of “WTF Certified” issues. And, although it didn’t make me shout “What the [CENSORED]”; this was still a very good issue, and may even be the best issue of Green Lantern for the past year. Sinestro takes spotlight in this issue which, as a big fan of the character, I was very happy about. Sinestro has always been the most interesting thing about this series, and his absence from the series may explain why it has been lacking for the past few issues. It was great to go back to Korugar and revisit characters like Arsona as we got a chance to dig deeper into Sinestro’s past. The First Lantern takes us behind the curtain as we explore what could have been if Sinestro had never been chosen to be a Green Lantern. But he takes things to the extreme when he tears apart Sinestro’s life by murdering Arsona and seemingly wiping out his entire home planet. What was probably most interesting about this issue was seeing Sinestro beaten, probably for the first time in a long time. Even then, I’ve never seen Sinestro defeated like this. It looks like he’ll be forced to return to his roots when he rediscovers his Yellow Lantern, which I’m very excited to see in the pages of Green Lantern #20. Overall, this was one of the best issues in GJ’s run and sets up the epic conclusion to Wrath of the First Lantern next month, where I’m hoping we’ll see this much of Sinestro again.
Superior Spider-Man #7
Rating: ★★★
As we approach Superior No More, Peter Parker’s battle for control with Doc Ock continues in #7 in which the Superior Spider-Man faces Cardiac, a new enemy with ulterior motives. Cardiac is stealing equipment that allows him to perform medical miracles for patients that other doctors have looked past. But in the Superior Spider-Man’s eyes, Cardiac is a criminal who deserves the same punishment received by Vulture, Jester and Screwball and, if need be, Massacre. Right of the bat, the issue deserves props for such an interesting new dynamic. For the first time in a long time, Spider-Man is the bad guy here, and he doesn’t even know it. Spider-Man is seemingly on a mean streak and this of course gets the attention of The Avengers, who call Spider-Man to a meeting, suspecting something is wrong. When Spider-Man refuses to undergo tests from Captain America himself, who already suspects this Spider-Man could be a fraud, The Avengers turn on one of their closest allies. Unfortunately, that is where the issue ends, and that is my main gripe with the issue. This issue was advertised and teased as a confrontation between Spider-Man and The Avengers, but it looks like we’re going to have to buy #8 for that. Of course, this kind of thing happens all the time, but it’s no more excusable here. If this had been advertised as an issue where Spider-Man faces Cardiac, I probably would have picked it up anyway, but at least then I wouldn't have felt cheated like I did here. Despite this major issue, I still liked #7, but I only liked it. I’ve also never enjoyed Humberto Ramos’ artwork, so this unfortunately also took me out of the book. But overall, I’m still enjoying where the series is going, and I’ll definitely be reading #8 to find out how Doc Ock will resolve this problem with The Avengers and how it will lead into the Superior No More story arc starting in #9.
"Pete-Ock, Doc-Spider, Spidey-Ock - what are we supposed to call him anyway?"
-George