DC:
PICK OF THE WEEK
Batman #1
Written by: Scott Snyder
Drawn by: Greg Capullo
- Amazing. Simply amazing. I knew Scott Snyder was great, but this is a whole new level for Batman. He outclasses himself even here. I always loved Snyder’s taste for smart dialogue and large exposition balanced equally with hardcore action. He gives Batman a grim and gritty tone as Batman and a lighter, happier tone as Bruce Wayne. The tonal balance is the key to defining this book. It makes the book more interesting than a usual Batman story by balancing the dark with the light. The detective elements are present as well, giving a noir feel to the story. I have nothing but compliments for Batman right now, as this book is that good. Snyder has the ability to get readers emotionally attached like few other writers could. I was almost pacing because of the big cliffhanger at the end. I’ve never liked Capullo’s art style, but I found myself loving his thick, blocky pencils. His Two-face is grotesque, His Croc bulky, and his Batman built. It reminds of a more detailed Batman: The Animated Series with its cartoony vibe. The coloring is solid using bright colors when needed and a gray and black palette for the darker parts. The inking also adds upon Capullo’s art. This is one hell of a solid issue, right up there with Action Comics. 5/5
MINOR:
Blue Beetle #1
Written by: Tony Bedard
Drawn by: Ig Guara and Ruy Jose
-Blue Beetle didn’t explain a lot but it was certainly a lot of fun. The art was jam packed yet very simplistic. I enjoyed the Spanglish in the issue and it only helped to add to the culture there. A fun book, but lacking in something 3.5/5
Captain Atom #1
Written by: J.T. Krul
Drawn by: Freddie Williams II
- Oh look a Dr. Manhattan spinoff book yay. All jokes aside, Captain Atom was actually pretty good. I usually don’t like Krul, but I really enjoyed his work here. A bit too much exposition and underdeveloped art drag it down though. 4/5
Catwoman #1
Written by: Judd Winick
Drawn by: Guillem March
- Okay this is weird. It’s borderline exploitation, but it’s a lot of fun. I feel perverted reading it, but it’s a damn good spy story. The artwork only made it that much more enjoyable. I think a 3.5 is appropriate. P.S. CBR is wrong 3.5/5
DC Universe Presents #1
Written by: Paul Jenkins
Drawn by: Bernard Chang
-I found this story to be really good. Deadman is a character with a ton of potential and none is wasted here. The book is not action-packed, but it resonates in you with a combination of detailed art and emotional storytelling. I felt sorry even for some of the characters Deadman possessed. This was a very good and emotional read. 4/5
Green Lantern Corps #1
Written by; Peter J. Tomasi
Drawn by: Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna
-This book was really awesome. The emotions and development of the characters was fantastic and it gave a logical plot progression. I’ve always hated Lantern books but man was this one good. I thought I was going to drop it, but the artwork and story are just too solid to give up on. 4/5
Legion of Super-Heroes #1
Written by: Paul Levitz
Drawn by: Francis Portela
-I’m sorry to say this Legion fans, but this is Legion Lost all over again; no sensible progression, very basic character info, and a whole mess of too much going on. The art and the dialogue were really good, and both felt natural, but this was way too chaotic. I’m srry but I won’t be buying issue two. 2.5/5
Supergirl #1
Written by: Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Drawn by: Mahmud Asrar
-This story was engaging and creative and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Supergirl truly seems like a lost character that’s also a badass and the characterization is just really good. The story had me intrigued and I liked how it jumped straight into the action. The artwork was pretty solid, simple yet detailed in the close-up shots and lots of nice paneling. The colors really enhance the book as well. 4/5
Wonder Woman #1
Written by: Brian Azzarello
Drawn by: Cliff Chiang
-This really doesn’t deserve all the hype it’s getting. Azzarello is a wonderful writer and his story here is really good, but Wonder Woman is barely in her own book and the artwork just looks cheesy and rubbery. I’m sorry but I don’t like the art. If they focus more on putting Wonder woman in her own book this could be a great book, even with the rubbery art. I’ll Stick around for the first arc. 3.5/5
Birds of Prey #1
Written by: Duane Swierczynski
Drawn by: Jesus Saiz
-It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either. The art was kind of blocky but it worked in some places and in others it didn’t. The team interaction was good but all the girls had the same personality. Twist ending was cool. 3/5
Nightwing #1
Written by: Kyle Higgins
Drawn by: Eddy Barrows
-Damn this book as incredible. I can’t help but love it. It’s certainly better than Deathstroke, which was fun, and had the same writer, but Higgins writes more here and shows off cases of brilliance. I also loved the fast pace of the book, keeping in with the fast and slick art style. It’s good reading that you all should pick up. 4.5/5
Red Hood and the Outlaws#1
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Drawn by: Kenneth Rocafort
-Most fun book of the whole relaunch. Each character is given their distinct personalities and the interplay between them is great. I love the action, I love the story. It get my blood pumping. The artwork was really good too, with lots of detail and only some cases of exaggeration (snickers). This is definitely a book I will be following, even if the quality dips, which I sure hope it doesn’t. 4/5
Marvel:
PICK OF THE WEEK:
Daredevil #4
Written by: Mark Waid
Drawn by: Marcos Martin
-Daredevil has just been an amazing book. I love it thoroughly and I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t. I’m pretty close to dropping all of my Marvel titles and just sticking to the Ultimate line but this is really good. Again, Daredevil and Matt Murdock are played in equally and the book gives off a Frank Miller meets the 60s vibe. Its fun, its light, its dark and it’s wonderful. I’m not sure what else to say about it. The artwork has a nice cartoony style that brings fun to a book that hasn’t been fun since its 80s run. This is the only book I’ve read besides Punisher that’s not affected by Fear Itself in some way and that’s good. It only makes that much more enjoyable. This is just too good. Good books like this don’t stick around forever, so I’m betting it gets canceled in a few issues. It sure is fantastic though. 5/5
Minor:
Ultimate X-men #1
Written by: Nick Spencer
Drawn by: Paco Medina, Juan Vlasco
-I’ve never been one to ever like the X-men, and this book didn’t have me convinced either. Too much going on at one time only hinders a story, and the writing is either average or just poor. The artwork is decent, but this book just isn’t right for me so I won’t be sticking around after the first arc is over. 3/5
Ultimate Hawkeye #2
Written by: Jonathan Hickman
Drawn by: Rafa Sandoval
- Hawkeye is a one note character, but he’s a one note character that works. I thoroughly enjoyed digging my hands into this Hawkeye book, and I can’t wait to read the next issue. Its well paced and exciting and it features one real cool character. 3.5/5
Captain America #3
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Drawn by: Steve Mcniven
-It’s a good setup issue and Ed Brubaker manages to make the fight interesting and it just setups the story really well. I will have to pick up more of this book. Somehow Marvel just keeps pulling me in even with a screwed continuity. 4/5
Image:
Late Review-PIGS #1
Written by: Nate Cosby and Ben McCool
Drawn by: Breno Tamura
-This is a late review because I didn’t really hear about the book until now. And man is it good. Image Comics have been putting out quality work for a few years now and this just solidifies that statement. It’s a good detective meets secret agent story and the artwork reminds me of Jeff Lemire’s pencils on Sweet Tooth. It’s a good book that you shouldn’t go without trying 4/5