DC:
DC PICK OF THE WEEK:
The Flash #4
Written by: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Drawn by: Francis Manapul
-The flash might just be one of the best DC reboot books right now. In addition to building a compelling story and future stories, Manapul does excellent artwork. He uses innovative panel layouts, a mixture of drawing styles, and he really just has a talent for visual storytelling. It’s Manapul’s artwork that drew me to the book, not the story. While the story is good, the artwork is the best part. Manapul just has a talent for making speed and action move so realistically across a page. The origin story for Mob Rule in this book is a neat one and the story tends to expand on Flash and his relationship with Mob Rule. Basically the book juggles a lot of elements that should be used in future story arcs, like Captain Cold freeing himself and forming a rogues gallery-army of sorts. It’s a bold story that makes me love Barry Allen all over again. The writing and the art are both two amazing things that make the Flash one of the top titles of the relaunch. This is one of the reasons why I love the DCU reboot, even though I do find myself missing the old stories. 4.5/5
MINOR:
Batman #4
Written by: Scott Snyder
Drawn by: Greg Capullo
-Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have been writing one incredible issue of Batman after the other, and the momentum hasn’t been let down yet. The story here is kind of a transition issue and info dump but the ending picks up. Capullo’s art is extremely nice especially during the flashback sequences. 3.5/5
Justice League #4
Written by: Geoff Johns
Drawn by: Jim Lee
-Johns knows how to write superhero dramas and big blockbuster spectacles. Justice League is the latter of his two styles, and while it may not be the epic drama we all want it to be, it delivers on something all League books should deliver on; big action and character interaction. Aquaman gets a badass moment, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman develop something of a mutual respect for each other, and Batman shows exactly why he should be leader. We also get Cyborg’s origin story and the coming of the big villain, Darkseid. Next issue things ramp up, and I can’t wait. 4/5
Nightwing #4
Written by: Kyle Higgins
Drawn by: Trevor McCarthy
-I prefer McCarthy’s art to Barrows previous work. It feels more like a superhero book this time around without the chunky coloring and muddy lines. Higgins writing is of course wonderful, and his Batgirl is much better than Simone’s. Also, the interactions between Dick and Barbara are solid gold. 4/5
Red Hood and the Outlaws #4
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Drawn by: Kenneth Rocafort
-Lobdell continues to make an interesting story for the rest of us while giving way to a bigger plot. We get some solid action scenes with Jason and Roy (who gets a sweet badass moment), and then we get introduced to a new member of the team, Crux, who fights Starfire in this issue. Rocafort continues to make the art detailed and spectacular. Red Hood is fun for fun’s sake, and any high expectations should be thrown out the window. 4/5
Aquaman #4
Written by: Geoff Johns
Drawn by: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
-Geoff Johns manages to close out a quick story that should affect future Aquaman stories in some way. We also get to see character development in both Aquaman and Mera. While the villains were one-note, the fight scenes were enjoyable and the ending of the book introduced a new character, Aqua-Dog. Ivan Reis and Joe Prado do a spectacular job on art. 4/5
Green Lantern: New Guardians #4
Written by: Tony Bedard
Drawn by: Robert Kirkham
-This issue was mostly a meh one, leaving us with little knowledge and mostly big action pieces. I do love Kyle Rayner though, as he is the best Lantern and one of the few worth reading about. Kirkham draws solid, detailed lines and the coloring is garish but great. I just hope the book picks itself up in time. 3/5
Justice League Dark #4
Written by: Peter Milligan
Drawn by: Mikel Janin
-Dark has been moving at a super-slow pace (which I find good but may not be for some readers) but it finally picks up in story here. Most of the team has met each other, and we got some solid character development. Shade finds himself friendlier, we learn more about Mindwarp, and Constantine is classic Constantine. Even Deadman becomes more heroic, rescuing June Moone and agreeing to go with Shade. As happy as I am for the plot advancement, I like it when Milligan focuses on his best line of work; character development. Janin’s artwork is solid as usual, giving us some dark visuals and well drawn characters. Can’t wait to see more of this series coming. 4.5/5
Teen Titans #4
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Drawn by: Brett Booth
-While it didn’t seem like the plot was advancing before, it has advanced now, and it gets really good. All of the characters meet up, we see more of Danny the Street, and we get the origin of the team name and the beginning of the big battle with Superboy. Next month’s issue holds a lot of promise. Brett’s artwork is similarly fantastic, with lots of detailed characters and explosive fights. 4/5
SPECIAL REVIEW:
Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes
Written by: Grant Morrison
Drawn by: Cameron Stewart and Chris Burnham
-What a brilliant way to end Batman Inc. and open up Batman: Leviathan. There’s a reason why Grant Morrison is still hailed as one of the greatest comic writers of our time. The grand scale and ambition of his projects and the weird things he does with them are what makes him great. Morrison is extremely good at introducing these grand ideas into the world of Batman too. Lots of world spanning plots and weird technologies and outlandish villains are what defines Morrison’s run on Batman. And he keeps all three intact for Leviathan Strikes. This is essentially the last two issues of Batman Inc. put into one book in order to conclude the story and open up a new one. Everything about this is spectacular from the action scenes to the story parts to the character moments. It makes you miss the old regime even more when you see Stephanie Brown back as Batgirl and Damian and Bruce working together as two Batmen. Damian also doesn’t suck as much here. Basically I loved the whole story and it feels like a natural conclusion. The art of the two artists is also incredible and they serve to only enhance a mind-bending story. Also, that last page reveal of who the villain is super-sweet and makes the next chapter wait only more painful. An epic conclusion to a huge story arc, Batman Inc: Leviathan Strikes gets a 5/5
MARVEL:
MARVEL PICK OF THE WEEK:
Kick Ass 2 #6
Written by: Mark Millar
Drawn by: John Romita Jr.
-You know I was going to pick Kick-Ass 2 as my Marvel pick for both the past two weeks. The series has just been that good. Even though the series has been pretty grim so far what with the gang rape and hanging, this issue brings back everything I loved about the first series, namely these things; big action sequences, great one liners, solid set-ups, and, excuse my French, mother[frick]ing Hit-Girl. Hit-Girl gets so many badass moments in this issue, particularly her last line in the book that’s going to make the fight scene so worthwhile. Even Kick-Ass gets some solid action scenes and a great moment where he gets rid of his fear and makes the Mother[frick]er crap his pants. Basically we get a lot of sweet action in this issue and a set-up to what could be one of the greatest comic fights to go down in history. This helped redeem Millar in my eyes after the writing terror that was Nemesis. As solid as the story and writing are, it’s Romita’s artwork that helps propel the story. You know how I said that this brought back elements from the first Kick-Ass? It brings back Romita’s amazing action sequences too. Heads get chopped, people get stabbed, and people get shot. It’s all incredibly well drawn and makes it visually exciting as well. The final issue can’t come any sooner, and this may just be one of the best series ever. 5/5
MINOR:
Ultimate X-Men #5
Written by: Nick Spencer
Drawn by: Paco Medina
-I’m almost done with this series, even though I do love the characters and what’s going on. It’s just that I hate X-related stuff and it tries to balance too many characters therefore leaving little character and plot development scraps to chew on. Medina’s artwork is also kind of bland and the rote coloring does it no favors either. I give this book a couple more issues before I say “screw it” and be done. 3/5
Incredible Hulk #3
Written by: Jason Aaron
Drawn by: Marc Silvestri
-The story continues to build at a fast and slow pace, and Aaron is building upon what looks to be an interesting arc for both Banner and Hulk. Silvestri manages to make the art extremely gorgeous this time around, even though the presentation of the fight scene is kind of off-putting and muddy. Next month’s issue should be wonderful. 3.5/5
Ultimate Spider-Man #5
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Drawn by: Sara Pichelli
-This is quickly becoming one of Marvel’s best. It’s not exactly boggled down by decades of continuity so that helps the story of USM immensely. Also, Bendis manages to make the characters likeable and he gives them defined personalities. Pichelli’s art is of course gorgeous as usual and should be paid close attention to see all the little details she puts into New York City
Venom #11
Written by: Rick Remender
Drawn by: Lan Medina
-Venom is the best mainstream Marvel book right now though Defenders may soon give it a run for its money. Flash Thompson is portrayed by Remender as a character with multiple layers and even Jack gets a few details about him fleshed out. To put it simply, Remender knows these characters. Medina’s artwork is the first solid replacement for Tony Moore that I have seen yet. 4/5