New comics

Batgirl 8

I love that Tate Brombal found a way to tie Richard Dragon into Shiva’s origin story.  Other than that, I think I’m done w/ this series after this arc.  

Absolute Superman 8

Kryptonite makes its debut in the Absolute Universe, and Superman gets a nice fight scene.  Still the weakest of the original three Absolute titles, but it’s up against some truly exceptional material.  

Runaways 1

Rainbow Rowell returns, and this time she’s brought Elena Casagrande with her!  It’s always fun to return to this group of kids, and how wonderful that Doombot takes center stage with this “One World Under Doom” tie-in.  Embrace the duality!

One World Under Doom 5

All the heroes fight Dormammu, which is great.  Then Thor brings up the honest question of whether or not Doom’s really doing a bad job as global dictator.  It’s a surprisingly valid question, and I enjoyed the heated discussion.

Absolute Batman 9

This is a truly grotesque Bane.  Nick Dragotta draws him with Otomo-like bulbous sinews, completely inhuman and disgusting.  It’s so cool.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 9

More raving about Juan Ferreyra.  He’s such a freaking good artist.  Marvel needs to put him on something. 

New comics

Aliens vs Avengers 4

God, what a massive letdown from a promising beginning.  This is why I’m surprised whenever Jonathan Hickman writes something good for any extended period of time.  This is just a nihilistic exercise in “none of this matters, I was not satisfied or entertained in any way, why did I read this?”  Even Esad Ribic is a disappointment here.  A complete fail by the end.  

Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton 1

Ryan North writing Krypto is enough to get me on board.  I don’t know how there’s enough here for a full series, but I have faith in him.

Battle Beast 2

I’m so glad Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley are back in this universe!!!  This is good, clean, comic book fun at the highest level of execution.  A+, recommend. 

Absolute Flash 3-4

Things get more interesting w/ the introduction of Monkey Grodd.  Things are still new enough in an Ultimate Universe kind of way for me to want to stick around.

Absolute Green Lantern 3

Jon Stewart discovers the Lantern’s gold weakness, and Al Ewing somehow manages to make it not sound that stupid.  I still don’t know why they’re fighting Boo from Dragonball Z.  

DC vs Vampires: World War V 10

As I’ve said before, not a fan of the New Gods in general, but with the twist here, Matthew Rosenberg at least keeps things interesting enough for me to want to know what happens next. 

New comics

I’m only a month behind?  Feels like a lot more.  Time to make a dent in the deficit.  

Absolute Wonder Woman 9

Resolute is the word I’d use to describe Kelly Thompson’s Wonder Woman.  She acts with a certitude in everything that she does, an absolute faith that she is correct and she will prevail.  It’s magnificent to behold.  I love this Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman 22

I love Tom King’s Wonder Woman just as much.  In this issue, she has a morning-after DTR with Steve Trevor as she fights giant-sized mice.  It’s very sweet.  Fill-in artist Caitlin Yarsky does a fine job, and channels some Terry Moore perfectly in the mouse conversation scene.  

Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman 1

Trinity gets into time travel hijinks with three versions of herself and Super-Corgi puppies.  Is there anything Tom King can’t write?

Fantastic Four 33

This volume of Fantastic Four ends with H.E.R.B.I.E. saving the universe while Ben Grimm gets his powers back.  Ryan North’s hit rate is impressively high given the sheer number of ideas he throws out there.  This one’s definitely of the multi-base variety.  North returns next with a new volume of FF.  Hopefully, they’ll find a better artist for him.  

Ultimate Spider-Man 18

I don’t know why I’m still so surprised at how consistently great this book is month in and month out.  Maybe because it’s Jonathan Hickman.  I like Peter and Harry teaming up, but I’m dreading the inevitable Harry heel turn.  

Absolute Martian Manhunter 4

Javier Rodriguez may have done the best job I’ve ever seen of conveying the sweltering heat of a New York CIty (?) summer.  It’s claustrophobic, sticky, oppressive, and altogether unbearable.  It’s sheer artistry.  

Mr Terrific 2

Michael Holt meets the Spectre, which gives Al Letson an opportunity to recap Mr Terrific’s origin story up to this point.  It’s perfectly fine, and I’m not sad to be sticking around for more.  

Detective Comics 1098

Tom Taylor writes from pretty good quips for Penguin.  There’s really nothing memorable about this arc, but for all that, it’s still a fun enough caper for Batman.