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.