DC:
DC PICK OF THE WEEK
Aquaman #3
Written by: Geoff Johns
Drawn by: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
-Geoff Johns is consistently making me care about Aquaman more and more, and I appreciate him for it. Whether it be the cool cameo in Justice League or this series, Aquaman is nothing short of a badass with a playful human side. Johns is good at characterization and pacing I’ll give him that, but his dialogue seems a little awkward here. It’s almost as if he couldn’t pick the right moments for the characters to say certain phrases. Reis manages to draw brutal yet gorgeous fight scenes with neat movie angles and shots a flair for delivering the goods in a subtle, delicious manner. His work greatly compliments Johns and the dynamic they have is just amazing. I wish Aquaman a long and prosperous future. 4.5/5
MINOR:
All-Star Western #3
Written by: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti
Drawn by: Moritat and Jordi Bernet
-This book is still solid on everything, from Moritat’s art to Gray and Palmiotti’s excellent knack for dialogue. Seriously this book is loaded with great exposition mixing with the action. This intriguing murder mystery ends a little too quickly for my tastes and I don’t like the way Jonah’s face is drawn. 3.5/5 –I am dropping this book as I need to cut down on funds
The Flash #3
Written by: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Drawn by: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
-Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato ramp up the excitement and deliver a solid book of solid at, solid writing, and mostly solid pacing. That’s a lot of solids. Unfortunately some of the pacing is extremely off. 4/5
Green Lantern: New Guardians #3
Written by: Tony Bedard
Drawn by: Tyler Kirkham, Harvey Talibao and Batt
-Kyle Rayner is undoubtedly my favorite Lantern because A) Hal Jordan is boring B) John Stewart and Alan Scott have no personality and C) Guy Gardner is always “DEAD-SERIOUS”. Rayner to me was always the most likable and relatable, and it continues to show here. The Omni-lantern thing is wickedly badass. Kirkham and pals draw the book with so much vivid energy one can’t help but love the lack of subtlety and big splashes of color. I don’t get why Bedard can’t write Blue Beetle better, because that book sucks and this rules. My only complaint is when did the guardians become assholes? 4/5
Justice League Dark #3
Written by: Peter Milligan
Drawn by: Mikel Janin
-Milligan introduces us to Mindwarp (whose power and personality are totally cool), and he gives us more Constantine and Shade. Therefore this issue still rules. Unfortunately I still seem to hate Xanadu and Enchantress and I want them out of the book soon. Other than that the book is excellent, with Janin’s sub-realistic art making its mark. 4/5
Teen Titans #3
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Drawn by: Brett Booth
-I like Lobdell’s characterizations more and more on Teen Titans. It feels like he has a good grip on these characters and how they interact. Bunker is also a breath of fresh air in a universe where everybody is grim-dark and serious. Bunker is seriously one of the best new characters in comics already and I can’t wait to see where they take him. The art is detailed enough with solid coloring but the narrow faces Booth loves angers me slightly. 4/5
Shade #2
Written by: James Robinson
Drawn by: Cully Hammer
-Shade is an interesting series only hindered by continuity before it. The story s engaging and has plenty of British tropes and idioms. Hammer’s art is solid with its mix of realism and cartooniness and the thick inks are solid. 4/5 –note I will be dropping this as it I need to cut down on budgets
Marvel:
MARVEL PICK OF THE WEEK:
Kick Ass 2 #5
Written by: Mark Millar
Drawn by: John Romita Jr.
-Millar just when I thought you had run out of ideas you continue to impress me more. This is a larger than life movie in comic book from with horror and drama overtones that continue to leave a solid impression. I like Millar’s issue-by-issue formula because you’re guaranteed to get something exciting out of it. It goes like:
1. Introduce the character and future scenes
2. Expand on other characters and main as well
3. Introduce the major bad ass characters
4. Show the bad asses at work
5. Cause a personal tragedy and introduce/return characters
6. Lead up violence to big finale
7. Extreme violence
8. Awesome finale with cliffhanger ending
The formula totally works on every level too. Here we get personal tragedy and the return of a great character (and what a glorious return it is). If the violence isn’t ramped up to extreme levels in the coming issues, I will be disappointed beyond belief. However, it looks to be that way with some sweet hints from Mark on twitter about Hit-Girl’s fight scenes. Everything about this book is laid out perfectly I swear. I can’t wait to see how this all plays out, especially with Romita’s excellent blocky art. The colors are solid too and really make things exciting. A perfect book. 5/5
IDW:
Doctor Who #11
Written by: Tony Lee
Drawn by: Matthew Don Smith
-Doctor Who has been a fairly enjoyable TV series, so I decided to peruse the comics at my local shop. Overall, it was pretty hit and miss. The artwork isn’t anything spectacular or jaw-drop worthy but Tony Lee has a fair mastery over the story and dialogue pacing. The panel layouts were well done though. 3/5
NOTES:
-So now I'm down to 25 DC books which s sure to change in the future but I'm at where I wanted now which is a good thing. I have a lot more in my pocket now. Next week will be a small week, with hopefully another excellent issue of Chew coming out. Happy Thanksgiving!!!