New comics

It’s been a month since I’ve been to my LCS.  Here’s some of what I bought:

DC vs Vampires: World War V 5

Matthew Rosenberg does a great job of weaving multiple storylines together.  And like Tom Taylor did with DCeased, he manages to squeeze in an “oh shit” moment with just about every issue.  This month, it’s what Nightwing’s been doing with the Flash this whole time.  Chilling.

Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter 6

This was one of the prettiest comics I’ve read in a long time.  Tirso’s work is flat out gorgeous.  

Fantastic Four 27

I get the same thought reading this that I do w/ Mark Waid’s current work: I feel like I should be liking this more than I am.  Not prepared to quit on it yet, though.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 5

By far the weakest issue of the run.  It focuses on the villain, not the Turtles, and though it’s well written, I just don’t care as much about this guy.  

Absolute Superman 2

Rafa Sandoval is channeling major Steve Epting vibes here, which isn’t that bad of a thing.  This is still my least favorite of the new Absolute titles.  (Not a strong month for Jason Aaron.)  But it still has promise.  

Batgirl 2

Still a fun, action-oriented comic that feels like a throwback to the 2000’s.  

Detective Comics 1092

Can’t get over how much I love Mikel Janin on interiors.  Also surprised by how un-Tom Taylor this title feels.  It could have been written by any competent writer, and lacks that Taylor flair.  Giving it time.  

Batman: Long Halloween: Last Halloween 4

Cliff Chiang!  This series continues to illustrate just how massive a difference an artist can make on the tone, feel, and success of a comic book.  It’s truly a collaborative effort. 

New comics

New comics!

Battle Action 1

I’ve never heard of Rebellion Comics before, but I’ll go anywhere that Garth Ennis is writing war comics.  Here, he continues his work on Johnny Red.  It’s as good as it was before.  I may have to pick up the earlier Battle Action trades, it looks like Ennis did more Johnny Red stories there.

Absolute Wonder Woman 2

Wonderful.  I don’t know if I’d like Hayden Sherman’s art anywhere else, but it’s perfect for this.  Ready for more.

Detective Comics 1091

I didn’t expect Bruce to take the de-aging drug.  But I guess when Superman gives his blessing, it’s okay.  I’m just so happy to see Mikel Janin’s art again.  

JLA Unlimited 1

I was certainly going to give this Mark Waid/Dan Mora collaboration a shot.  It’s a take on the excellent cartoon series, where every hero in the DCU is a member of the team.  The result is fine, but nothing more.  I won’t be getting more.

Question: All Along the Watchtower 1

This ancillary miniseries is more of what I’m looking for.  I’ve always been a Renee Montoya fan as a detective.  I watched her downward spiral and subsequent transition into the Question with skepticism, but I’m on board for this interpretation by Alex Segura and Cian Tormey.  Montoya’s got a great look (cowboy detective!) and delicious interpersonal drama lined up (Kathy Kane’s the team!).  This should be fun.

Batgirl 1

This reads like a Chuck Dixon comic: Lots of action, just enough plot to tie it all together.  Cassandra Cain and her mother, Lady Shiva, are forced to team up against ninja.  That’s more than enough for me.

Batman: The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween 3

What a difference an artist makes.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mark Chiarello’s work.  I knew he was an artist, but mostly knew him as an editor.  Jeph Loeb is definitely a writer whose work rises and falls with the quality of his penciller.  All of a sudden I’m way higher on the rest of this series, especially w/ Cliff Chiang next in the lineup.

Jenny Sparks 4

I’m prepared to call this mini the rare Tom King piece of trash.  This is just plodding along, boring, pointless, and a negative on the entertainment scale.  Off my list, I think.

Black Canary: Best of the Best 1

Luckily, King is back on track with this much simpler story.  Black Canary versus Lady Shiva for reasons yet to be disclosed.  Ryan Sook is almost amazing here, but some of his drawings are a touch stilted.  This would probably be better w/ a different artist, but I’m not really complaining.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4

TIme for Donatello.  A fun, twisted single-issue tale from Jason Aaron and Chris Burnham.  An excellent start to this mini, and now we’ll see where things go with the brothers reunited.

New comics

An LCS that I go to occasionally (usually whenever they stock an issue my usual shop doesn't have) has a perpetual "Buy 2 TPBs get 1 free" sale.  This time around, they had enough for me to splurge: The first four trades of the Tom Taylor All-New Wolverine and the two Terry Moore Motor Girl collections.  I picked up the last two Wolverine trades used online.  (How are they already out of print?) 

All-New Wolverine 1-35

I've actually already read these online, so I knew they were good enough to pick up on sale.  Particularly the delightful issue 31, where Honey Badger and Deadpool take out an animal testing facility.  Zombie sloth!  Taylor is on point with this run, combining humor and heart with his usual skill.  Very happy to add this to my collection.

Motor Girl 1-10

At this point, I'm buying Terry Moore trades more out of habit than anything else.  The craft is always top notch, but the stories are rarely more than fine.  But he's worth supporting, so I don't really mind.

Catwoman 70

In a completely predictable move, I'm dropping this after two issues.  I was bored reading this, and there wasn't enough of the awesome new costume.  

Wonder Woman 15

When Tom King is on, he's on.  Even when he uses a gimmicky device like this issue's "Princesses jumping on the bed," he makes it arresting and a completely satisfying read.  I continue to worship Daniel Sampere's art.  The "Elysium" backup story is equally obvious with its repetitive nature, but again, it totally plays.  

Batman and Robin: Year One 2

Good enough to pick up for a second month, but not enough for me to put on my sub.  We'll see how much longer I go with this.  

Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter 5

Great main story, but the backup Aquaman story may have eclipsed it at this point.  Love the "Aquaman raised by the Kents" take.

Jupiter's Legacy: Finale 2

I'm only in this because I'm pot committed.  And maybe it'll read better in one go.  I've never been a Tommy Lee Edwards fan.  

Venom War: It's Jeff 1

It's always a delight to see Gurihiru in action, and nothing's cuter than Jeff.  But even Jeff can't make Venom interesting.  My daughter still loved it, though.

Ultimate Spider-Man 11

Still fun.  Still in.

Asgardians: Thor

I'm not sure if Greek myths are just better than the Norse ones, or if George O'Connor is just more inspired by the former.  I'll keep getting these because I believe O'Connor is worth supporting, but they're just not as good as the Olympian series.  I am looking forward to his interpretation of Ragnarok. 

New comics

New comics!

Plastic Man No More! 2-3

I thought this was going to be a redemptive story, Plastic Man pulling himself back together both literally and figuratively.  Instead, it’s about Eel O’Brian’s continuing downward trajectory as things just get worse and worse.  He’s constantly making bad choices, excusing them in the name of a greater purpose.  He’s lost his way, and while it makes for an interesting character study, it’s not that fun to read.  Great execution by Christopher Cantwell and Alex Lins, though.

Birds of Prey 12-15

Yes, yes, I dropped this because the story arc was crap.  Still true, but iFanboy gave the new arc a good review (starting w/ issue 14), and there was a sale at my LGS.  Man, I really hate the Worlds Without End arc.  But this new one is admittedly a lot better, so I might stick around for it, on a month-by-month basis.  

Absolute Superman 1

It’s funny-not-funny that the Absolute title I was most interested in (the only one I preordered) is the weakest one.  It doesn’t resonate the way the Wonder Woman and Batman comics do, but I trust Jason Aaron.  Though on second thought, his last Superman work was pretty horrible.  (Hate Bizarro!)  Going to give it at least another month.

Batman: Long Halloween: Last Halloween 2

Klaus Janson may be a legend, but his art does less than nothing for me.  I do not enjoy looking at it.  I’m inches away from cutting this.  The story is completely forgettable.  (Jeph Loeb has fallen so far in my estimation.)

DC vs Vampires: World War V 4

Another chapter in an entertaining story, but not much more to say.

Absolute Batman 2

This is so fun.  Nick Dragotta is channeling Dave Mazzucchelli, and Scott Snyder is at the top of his game.

Helen of Wyndhorn 6

Tom King and Bilquis Evely wrap up another super successful team up.  Beautifully drawn and written.  Only the framing story w/ the cassette tapes is an utter fail, and the ending is completely anticlimactic and disappointing.  

Batman: Dark Age 6

I think I read this more out of morbid fascination than anything else.  Mike Allred’s art is so compelling in its ugliness.  And the story by Mark Russell doesn’t suck.

Big Burn 2

Not as good as the first issue, but still entertaining.  And the final page reveal is obvious but effective at moving things along.

Aliens vs Avengers 1-2

This future dystopia is stunningly generic, and it’s Jonathan Hickman at his cold, emotionless worst.  Esad Ribic does what he can, and the Alien IP is strong, so I’m still in.

Rainbow Rowell She-Hulk

She-Hulk 1-15

Sensational She-Hulk 1-10

I picked up these five trades at my LCS’s annual Halloween sale.  Not sure why I didn’t pick up this Rainbow Rowell run while it was coming out, but I’m sure happy to have the opportunity to read it now.  This is delightful in every way, with a wonderful rotation of artists, each perfectly suited to capture She-Hulk’s power and sexiness.  

New comics

New comics!

Detective Comics 1090

So this is where Tom Taylor went after finishing off Nightwing.  And with Mikel Janin, most recently seen by me doing a drive-by on Wonder Woman.  Hopefully he stays longer than the one? two? issues he lasted that time.

Taylor kicks things off w/ a massive retcon; Thomas Wayne once saved Joe Chill’s life on the operation table.  Dun dun DUN!  Doesn’t feel necessary, but there’s no question of me sticking around.

Babs 3

A lot more fun than the previous issue, where I had dropped the title from my pull list.  (Too late to keep this from making it into my box.)  Not enough for me to bring it back, I think.

Zatanna: Bring Down the House 5

The plot’s been a bore for the entire story, but the character moments and art have sparkled throughout.  It averages out to an above average effort from Mariko Tamaki and Javier Rodriguez.

Absolute Wonder Woman 1

I’ve never heard of artist Hayden Sherman, but this is stunning work.  Kelly Thompson has me intrigued with this take on Diana, and the unanticipated Absolute line at DC is now two for two.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3

Cliff Chiang is the next top shelf artist to draw this title.  It’s Leonardo’s turn for Jason Aaron’s treatment.  This is super fun.

Plastic Man No More! 1

Christopher Cantwell puts a human face on the happy go lucky hero, forcing him to deal with his mortality in a world where no one takes him seriously.  I don’t read all of Cantwell’s work, but I’m always impressed when I do.

Jenny Sparks 1-3

Not Tom King’s best work.  I’m not digging the “Captain Atom-as-immature-Doctor-Manhattan” hostage situation, and Jenny Sparks isn’t much more than an attitude right now.  At least this is a shorter series.

New comics

Scarlett 5

This didn’t end as strongly as it started, and I’m not sure if I’ll pick up any more of the Energon Universe’s GI Joe stories, but I don’t regret getting this.

Zatanna: Bring Down the House 4

I love how Mariko Tamaki writes Constantine and Zatanna together, and I love how Javier Rodriguez draws them together.  If only I liked the plot more, it’s pretty weak.  

Batman: Long Halloween: Last Halloween 1

I can’t decide if I like this or not.  I’m erring on the side of buying the rest of it, but I’m definitely not sure about this call.

Get Fury 6

Sigh.  Not one of Garth Ennis’ finest.  Is this his first complete fail w/ a Punisher story?

Catwoman 69

I picked this off of the shelf entirely due to Fabiana Mascolo’s stunning new Catwoman costume.  I love it.  I might even get it again next month.  

Nightwing 118

What a wonderful, delightful run by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo.  I hope these two team up again in the future.  (And I really hope the next creature team keep Bitewing and Barbara around.  Not that I’m going to stick around to find out.)

Absolute Batman 1

Apparently not an Elseworlds, just a parallel universe or something.  Whatever it is, Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta have created a gripping new take that I’m totally here for.

Wonder Woman 12-14

There’s so much that I don’t buy: Diana’s heart-to-heart with Damian.  Her constant smooching with Steve Trevor in the middle of combat situations.  Steve Trevor’s death.  But all of it still works, it has to work.  Because this story isn’t possible  if Wonder Woman isn’t the main character.  It’s hard to explain. 

New comics

As always, so far behind.

DC vs Vampires: World War V 1-3

More of the same, which is a fun Elseworlds.  It’s starting off a lot better than the previous series ended; a lot more coherent w/ the action, and plenty of excellent twists.  (Alfred the Green Lantern is chef’s kiss.)

Babs 2

Jacen Burrows has become a Steve Dillon clone, probably why Garth Ennis loves working w/ him so much.  Not bad, but I definitely was not excited to see it in my pull list.  Taking it off.  

Ultimate Spider-Man 9-10

I’m really enjoying this now.  Probably because it feels like a strong Bendis book.  Jonathan Hickman continues to impress me with how much this doesn’t read like his usual style.

Batman and Robin: Year One 1

I picked this up because Mark Waid and Chris Samnee are always worth a try.  It’s a solid effort, but I just don’t care enough to want to read more.  It doesn’t stand out in any way.

Jupiter’s Legacy: Finale 1

Picked this up because my LCS automatically added it to my sub.  But it’s still a good read, and I might as well finish it out.  (I’ve definitely cooled on Mark Millar; I’m not getting the new Prodigy series, for example, even though the first arc was entertaining.)

Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter 3-4

Still gorgeous art by Tirso.  And the backup story by Tom Taylor has a delightful twist where the Kents end up raising another super-powered orphan.  (It’s Arthur Curry.)

Fantastic Four 26

Ryan North pairs up Johnny and Reed in a funny little adventure where Mr Fantastic justifies his actions by pointing out that, “Again, if I could draw your attention to how the dread Mongaroth is not charnelly destroying any mortal flesh at the present.”  Completely insubstantial, but totally happy to be reading it.

Helen of Wyndhorn 5

Helen’s governess proves her quality as this excellent fantasy romp continues.  Sad that there’s only one issue remaining.

Deadly Class

Deadly Class 27-56

I was checking out the graphic novel section of the Cupertino Library, and saw the entire run right there on the shelf.  I own up to issue 26, and while I stopped buying after that, I always wanted to read the rest.  Perfect opportunity.  

Everything I wrote before still stands; Marcus is an insufferable, pretentious prick, and I was all too happy to skip his interminable inner monologues.  Luckily, Rick Remender’s plotting continues to grab me by the throat and force me to keep reading.  The action scenes by Wes Craig really are some of the best ever.  

I’m not hooked enough to buy these trades right now, but if I ever get the hankering to read them again, I’d probably go ahead and make the purchase.  I’m glad I pulled all of these off the bookcase.

New Comics

More new comics!

Batman: Dark Age 5

This is still not bad, but I’ve pretty much lost all interest.  Only one issue to go.

Jenny Sparks 1

This fits in the “starts off a bit incomprehensible” camp of Tom King’s books.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2

Jason Aaron’s really nailing it.  It’s a very generic “I have everything that I want now that I’m rich and famous, why am I so unhappy?” story.  (Listen to Britney Spears’ Lucky.)  I suppose mixing in ninja and diamond nunchaku separates it from all the others 🙂

Transformers 12

This story arc ends, and I’m done with the title as well.  A month after saying I’m going to stick around for the full 24 issues, I’m tapping out.  It’s missing something.  Can’t explain it, but it’s definitely lacking something crucial.

Helen of Wyndhorn 4

So effing good.  This is why I love Tom King.  And he collaborates so well with Bilquis Evely.

Zatanna: Bring Down the House 3

I know it’s magic and all, but this is getting too psychedelic for my taste.  Still, the art by Javier Rodriguez is good, and maybe Mariko Tamaki can turn it around.  The arrival of John Constantine is a promising addition.

Fantastic Four 23-25

I so wish that Ryan North’s excellent run was paired with a better artist than the perfectly fine Carlos Gomez.  North’s scripts don’t always land perfectly, but the originality of the ideas deserves pencils of equal quality.

New comics

New comics.  Many of them.

DC vs Vampires 1-12

Picked these up on the strength of an iFanboy recommendation and the awesomeness of Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s previous work.  I think I was hoping for something similar to Tom Taylor’s magnificent DCeased.  What I got was something close, but lacking the poignancy that elevated the zombie version.  

Things start off very well, with the heroes quickly forced on to their collective back feet.  The heroes are forced to scramble and regroup.  So far, so good,  But the plot fails with their final three-pronged plan; Green Arrow’s mission to rescue everyone is of no strategic significance, the quest to recharge Supergirl really has no business succeeding, and Batgirl’s final gambit makes no sense - She was always planning to become a bad guy?

On top of that, the storytelling is extremely muddled.  There were plenty of instances where I had trouble tracking what was going on.  I haven’t taken the time to determine who’s more responsible, but it’s definitely a combination of both the art and writing.

Still, it’s entertaining enough that I’ve picked up the tie-in trades and sequel series that just came out.  I still believe in the creative team, and the world is one that I’m keen to read more about.

Nightwing 117

One more issue to go in Tom Taylor’s run.  Dick gets over his fear of jumping and Bruce more than amply fills in his protege’s costume.  Not Taylor’s strongest work, but not a bad swan song.

Ultimate Spider-Man 8

Just some really solid comic booking by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto.  Not top tier, but super fun to read.

Get Fury 4-5

Too much government conspiracy, not enough Frank Castle.  I hope this isn’t a sign that Garth Ennis’ game is slipping; This is one of his weaker Punisher arcs, and it would be devastating for all involved if it’s the start of a trend.

Transformers 11

Turns out this is a 24-issue run.  This has been on the cusp of my cut list for a while, but knowing it’s halfway through is enough for me to stay around.  

Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter 2

This continues to be way better than any expectations I had for it.  Both Jay Kristoff and Tirso are people I’ll be keeping an eye out for in the future.

Wonder Woman 12

Where does Tom King get his wonderful ideas?  Wonder Woman and Damian Wayne take turns interrogating Captain Boomerang, and it’s hilarious.  As with many of the high-concept pairings in this run, it’s a smidge too precious.  But King manages to get away with it.

Penguin 12

Not the best of Tom King’s endings, but I’m pretty sure that reading the whole thing will still be a positive experience.  

Scarlett 4

I didn’t enjoy this issue as much, but I think it was more my low energy level at the time than anything else.

Uncanny Valley 5

I’m so done with this series, the execution of an interesting idea has been remarkably lackluster.  I’d quit if there weren’t just one issue left.

Batman: Off-World 5

Losing my enthusiasm for this as well.  Am I just getting old and stodgy?  Sigh.  

Archie: The Decision 1

I bought this because Tom King wrote it.  I shouldn’t have bothered, it’s like every other old school Archie comic ever: Lame.  

Animal Pound 5

Maybe it’s not Animal Farm.  But it’s damn good.  I really liked the elegant twist on the classic final line of the book.  This will be a fun re-read, and I haven’t come close to parsing all the references to the current political world.

Babs 1

This is Garth Ennis in funny mode, his spin on a female fantasy warrior.  I’m so starved for Ennis comics that I’ll buy anything now… (It’s actually not bad.)