New comics

New comics!

Absolute Batman 17

The origin of Absolute Poison Ivy, though I suspect a twist next issue; Is Poison Ivy Pamela’s mother?  Still the second best of the Absolute titles.  

Wonder Woman 30

Guest writer Stephanie Williams goes completely off the rails with the second part of this “power of love and family saves the day” story.  So much painfully saccharine dialog, it sounded like a fourth-rate self-help book of affirmations.  At least the Jeff Spokes art was decent, but this was a complete miss.  Can’t wait for Tom King to come back.

Action Comics 1095

An iFanboy pick of the week, this one is pretty darn good.  It covers the week following Pete Ross’ discovery of Clark’s secret back when they were in high school.  It’s a narration-heavy issue as Pete processes the hurt he feels from not being trusted with the secret in the first place. It’s a great story by Mark Waid.  I love these well-done one-offs.

Powers 25 6

Cut and paste from last month: “Brian Michael Bendis doing what he does best.  Never change, sir.”

Fantastic Four 8

This is so freaking good.  What if Susan Storm explored her powers to the fullest, and it goes horribly wrong?  Ryan North and Humberto Ramos present this as a horror story, and it hits hard.  Can’t wait to see where this goes.

Ultimate Spider-Man 24

Defying all expectation and precedent, Jonathan Hickman absolutely nails the landing.  It’s basically a big fight scene w/ some epilogue, but it’s expertly done with nary a misstep.  I need to read this all at once now, I expect I’ll do it this week.  Shout out to Marco Checchetto, who was masterful over the course of the entire run.  This was a top notch Spider-Man story.

New comics

New comics!

DC KO 4

Yeah, this has fallen off the rails.  The fights are completely unmemorable.  I’m pot committed, with one issue to go.

Children of the Round Table 6

Same.  I was wrong when I said from the first issue that supporting Tom Taylor was reason enough to buy this.  It totally wasn’t.  

Planet She-Hulk 4

I’m running out of patience with this as well.  The beautifully colored art can’t make up for a generic fantasy story of palace intrigue and romance.  One more issue, I think.

DIE: Loaded 4

Chuck had a son, and of course he’s just as big of a dick.  Not the best issue, but still fun enough.

Absolute Wonder Woman Annual 1

A disappointing week is completely turned around by one of the best comics I’ve read in a while. Kelly Thompson has really levelled up with this title, and Mattia De Iulis is a perfect partner in this issue.  They combine great action, breathtaking splash pages, and so much heart and compassion into an irresistibly satisfying package of bliss.  In a nutshell, Diana saves Medusa in a way that only she can.  That’s the thing with this comic; Thompson tells stories that can only work with Wonder Woman.  She and Tom King have completely nailed Diana’s character simultaneously after decades of failure by all the other writers out there.  What a time to be a WW fan.

New comics

Only one new comic this week:
Absolute Superman 16

Absolute Hawkman tussles w/ Superman for a while, then they team up to fight a common threat.  Brainiac tries to recruit Absolute Lex Luthor, who’s a devoted, boring family man in this universe.  Juan Ferreyra, who I loved over on TMNT, appears to be the regular artist here now.  His work isn’t as mindbending here as it is on the other title, but it’s still pretty good.  I’m not blown away by it, though.  I’m starting to wonder if I should cut this title.

New comics

New comics!

Absolute Batman 16

Wonder Woman and Batman visit the underworld to find a cure for Waylon Jones’ Killer Croc condition.  It’s got some nice character moments, a good fight - just a really solid one-shot issue.  

Absolute Martian Manhunter 8

The Javier Rodriguez art continues to be the name of the game.  It’s a fun game.

Capes 3

My last issue with the series.  It’s mindless fun, and I’ll never think about it again.  Not Robert Kirkman’s best by any stretch.

Detective Comics 1105

Part five of this story arc and it’s still not over?  I mean, this has been entertaining and all, but it does not need to take up half a year’s worth of issues.  

Harley and Ivy: Life and Crimes 3

Delightful execution by Erica Henderson.  She does a great job with this relationship, and the art is pitch perfect.

Absolute Wonder Woman 16

Absolute Zatanna shows up, and she’s part of the Absolute Suicide Squad.  I love this title.