Marvel:
Top Pick:
The Punisher #3-This new Marvel run on Punisher is fantastic. It’s up there with the new Daredevil run. This issue features the Punisher going at it with the Vulture in all out battle way up high in the sky. The comic is quick-paced and fun, with lots of action and business. It’s probably the most fun comic Marvel is putting out right now. Oh and Frank Castle utters his first word of this series here, which is a pretty cool thing. Checchetto’s art is smooth and dark, with lots of dark-ish environments and excellent shadows and lines on characters and such. It may not be as great as the first issues, but I won’t be the first to tell you this is still a great comic. 4/5
Minor:
Heroes for Hire #11-I just read the back issues of this series, and this one is no different. I am highly disappointed in this series. The writing and artwork are just so painful and boring and there’s little creativity here. 2/5
New Avengers Annual #1-In this issue some recaps are shown and Wonder Man forms a new team called the “Revengers.” Brian Michael Bendis is a love him or hate him kind of guy when it comes to his dialogue. However, while still containing his weak classic Bendis-isms, the scripting is snappy and a little over-the-top, perfect for a first issue. The art in this issue was fast paced and extremely gorgeous, with lots of solid colors and a bunch of great character and panel placements. Overall a 3.5/5
Moon Knight #5-The rhythms in this book have been odd-paced and out of it, and Bendis still isn’t a great writer, but you can just tell Bendis enjoys writing the craziness that lurks in Moon Knight’s head. Maleev’s art is still hit-or-miss, but it seems to fit the writing here. Read this only if you like Moon Knight. 3/5
Spider Island: Avengers #1-It was okay. No point in following Marvel events anymore because they release too many tie-ins and it’s not even worth bothering hen the event will be retconned in 6 months. Still, a slightly fun read, with solid, if standard artwork. 3/5
DC:
Top Pick:
Action Comics #1-Wow, all I can say right now is wow. That’s how good this issue was. I’ve never been a fan of anything Superman, thinking him to be a boring and unrelatable character. But the way Grant Morrison weaves his narrative is just amazing. It’s classic Morrison with his trademark mix of witty dialogue, characters with depth, and his fun storytelling sensibilities. He writes a fun Superman that isn’t tied down by clichés of the past, and it is ultimately better. His scripting is damn near perfect and it’s just so much fun and so much interesting to read. Rags Morales art is very busy and complex, with a lot of things going on in the background while still keeping the core focus on the characters. The inking is solid of course, but the real draw is the lighting and coloring. This is one of the few comics I feel that gets lighting in the background right. The colors draw from a good palette with a nice mix of warm and bright colors. A stunning debut issue of one of the longest running comic series in history, this is the DC relaunch personified. 5/5
Minor:
Animal Man #1-I admit, I had two thoughts about this series. One; that it was going to suck hard because Grant Morrison wasn’t writing it. Two, that it had a chance of ruling because Jeff Lemire is an excellent writer. The obvious choice to go with here is number 2. Jeff Lemire brings his more than capable writing skills here and writes a comic that is equal parts a superhero comic, a horror tale, and a family drama. And it’s all wrapped up in one neat little book. I love Travel Foreman’s art in this book. It starts out as a book of glossy sheen and cartoony art then halfway through it gets really grotesque and detailed. It takes a skill to switch styles like that in anything. Probably the second best read out of the whole relaunch. 4/5
Batgirl #1-I like Barbara Gordon back as Batgirl, I honestly do. It allows for some interesting dynamics. Gail Simone writes this character great as usual, but the artwork is standard and doesn’t bring much to the table. 3.5/5
Batwing #1-This was a bit of a surprise. I mean, Judd Winick is usually a terrible writer but this isn’t bad at all. The artwork is decent as well, but it isn’t spectacular. I don’t really like the coloring in this issue. 3.5/5
Detective Comics #1-Batman is and always will be a classic. No exceptions. Yet it seems like Tony Daniels is not the kind of person to be writing a classic. His previous Batman run was okay, but this issue was a surprise. Tony Daniel’s writing here was phenomenal, ith even more spectacular art. The Cliffhanger ending was cool as well. 4/5
Green Arrow #1-I’m already dropping this series as it sucks so hard already even with the first issue. J.T. Krul is a really bad writer. The art has no redeeming qualities either. 1.5/5
Justice League International #1- I like the dynamic on this team already with Booster being the leader and the general chaos of the rest of the team. Artwork is very fluid with nice coloring. The writing is solid, but it could’ve done with less exposition. 3.5/5
Men of War #1-I think everyone enjoys a good war comic but this is an example of how not to make one. There is too much exposition and dialogue for a war comic, the characters feel static, and the big mystery doesn’t feel like a mystery. The saving grace here is the artwork, with lots of gritty line work and explosive backgrounds that a war comic should have. 2/5
Static Shock #1-Static Shock is something of a revered character to certain people who read DC, so it would be blasphemous to them if anything was done wrong with the character. Thankfully much isn’t done wrong at all, and it’s a fun story worth reading. The artwork is pretty good as well. 4/5
OMAC #1-Okay the artwork on this is really good. Lots of detailed work and lines, and some super great character drawings. It’s got a very Jack Kirby vibe, but its Dan DiDio channeling Jack Kirby and DiDio is a terrible writer. You can tell he had fun with this though. 2.5/5
Hawk and Dove #1-Okay let me get this out of the way. EXTREEEMMMEE 90’s WITH BIG GUNS AND MUSCLES AND POUCHES. EXTREEEMMME POUCHES. Okay, now that I’ve got that out of the way, the artist who draws said things, Rob Liefield, isn’t that bad here. He’s improved, but only a little bit. I still hate the character designs on the females though. The writing is really good on this one too. But again EXTREEEMMMMEE!!!!!!! 3.5/5
Storm Watch #1-The story was a bit convoluted but Martian Man hunter was pretty friggin’ awesome in here. Great characterization there. I might just give this series a second chance, even though the artwork is relatively boring. 3/5
Swamp Thing #1-This was an amazing issue. Scott Snyder is the second best writer in modern comics today and that is a fact. His American Vampire series and Detective Comics runs are great. Swamp Thing shows more of Scott Snyder’s brilliant dialogue and pacing abilities along with his smart characterizations. He makes his characters feel like real people with real emotions. He mixes in great horror sensibilities to the story too. The twist at the end was brilliant as well. I have nothing but praise for his work. Yanick Paquette’s art defines gorgeous as well. It is the perfect complement to Snyder’s writing as well, with lots of intricate, lush line work and amazingly beautiful colors. Only problem was the amount of exposition in the story. 4.5/5
Vertigo:
Sweet Tooth-Jeff Lemire continues his run on a great fun indie comic that all of you should be reading. It’s a vertigo title, and it is darn good. 4/5
I can already tell you i will be dropping Men of War and Green Arrow and maybe O.M.A.C. unless it improves. Discuss and tell me what you think in the comments below!