Library books

Comics I borrowed from the library!

Superman: Son of Kal-El 7-15, Superman: Son of Kal-El Annual 1, Nightwing 89

I didn’t hate this when I dropped it w/ issue 5, only underwhelmed.  So I was happy to see what happened to Jon Kent in the subsequent months.  Basically a lot of battling against Henry Bendix (apparently the leader of Gamorra after his fall from grace as Weatherman of Stormfront).  I loved seeing the Revolutionaries from Taylor’s Suicide Squad, but they’re not given nearly as much of the spotlight as I would of liked.  (Not that I blame Taylor.  It’s not their book.)

I don’t regret dropping this, but it wasn’t a waste of time to come back to it like this.

It's an old joke, but Taylor always makes it funny.

...and then outdoes himself.

Reckless: Destroy All Monsters, Reckless: The Ghost in You

It’s been a while since I read an Ed Brubaker/Sean Phillips collab, and the standalone nature of their work means I didn’t have to worry about not knowing any of the continuity.  This is standard case-of-the-week fare, well executed, but completely disposable.  Good for a night of reading.

Battle Born: Lapis Lazuli

I’m always up for a good war comic.  This is a banger from Maximilian Uriarte, covering a Marine squad’s time in Afghanistan.  The protagonist, the sergeant of the group, is faced with the age-old dilemma of following orders or doing what he believes to be right.  It’s expertly told, with some bold use of repeating panels that puts Brian Michael Bendis to shame.  I’d be happy to have this in my collection, it’s certainly good enough, but I don’t really feel the need to read it again.   

Great Naval Battles of the Twentieth Century

Jean-Yes Delitte and Giuseppe Baiguera tackle the Battles of Tsushima, Jutland, and Midway.  I was hoping for Garth Ennis-quality, but that was probably never going to happen.  Instead, I got a series of stories that couldn’t quite hide their pedantic roots.  Too much dialog that sounded like college lectures, not enough action or true character development.

Still, I was glad to have read these; I didn’t know much about Tsushima or Jutland, and it was fun to learn about them.  (Midway didn’t teach me anything new.)

Superman: Space Age, Superman: Red and Blue, Superman: Son of Kal-El

I’m down to around 800 comics left to review, with only two short boxes remaining plus whatever’s still on my shelf.  (I’m down to one bookshelf of comics, everything else is in boxes.  *sob*  One day, my library will return…)  So things are going to be pretty haphazard from here on out, as I try to save the best stuff for last.  (It’s getting hard, it’s all pretty good at this point.)  

Plus there are the ongoing series that I’m still collecting, I probably won’t review those.  

Superman: Space Age 1

I bought this less than two months ago, and my thoughts haven’t changed.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Fine

Superman: Red & Blue 5

From a little over a year ago.  This is such a good comic book, every story (except for the Mark Buckingham one) tugging perfectly at my heartstrings.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Really good

Superman: Son of Kal-El 1-5

An average series, which makes it below average when it comes to Tom Taylor-written comics.  I gave it a fair shake, and quit at the right time.  My very first impression turned out to be correct.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Starman, New comics

New comics!

Superman: Son of Kal-El 9

A great crossover issue that sadly doesn’t get me back on board the Son of Kal-El train.  It’s Nightwing who makes this so fun, not Jon.

Gorgeous pencils and colors.

Lovely choreography.

Heh.

Double heh.

Punisher 1

So I heard Marvel was getting rid of the Punisher’s signature skull emblem.  (Which I don’t mind in concept, but the replacement logo is hideous.)  And then I heard that they’re making Frank head of The Hand.  Yes, the ninjas.  Even worse.  I wasn’t going to give it a second thought, but then I saw that Jason Aaron was doing the writing.  He did such a standout job with Punisher MAX (practically on par with Ennis’ run, which I would have thought impossible) that I had to give it a shot.

Yeesh.  Yeah, I don’t know.  I might give it a page through in the shop when issue 2 comes out, but Punisher and the mystical really don’t mix.

Seven Secrets 15

Whodathunk that Titus’ death would be so touching?  The big reveal at the end isn’t as shocking as Tom Taylor probably wants it to be.  Still entertaining, but really not his best work.

Captain Carter 1

Every bit as fun as I want it to be.  The fact that it’s a five-issue mini guarantees that I’m on board.

Starman 12-17

The “Sins of the Child” arc, a sweet story where a lot of things happen - Jack’s son is conceived, Ted sustains the injury that gives him a terminal illness, Mikaal relearns English, plus it’s just a rollicking good time.

Amazing body language from Tony Harris in that last panel.

That's...very vivid imagery.

So badass.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Good

Starman 18-19

A Times Past and Talking with David, both of which are just so so.  These aren’t the best this time around, but there’s something to be said for all of the world building that James Robinson does with this title.  There’s a thoughtful richness to it that’s really impressive.  

But as much as I like it, I have to say that I’m not a fan of the Shade Journals.  Despite my praise for Robinson’s writing yesterday, I find that I don’t have the patience for it in prose form.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Miracleman, Moon Knight, New comics

New comics!

Catwoman: Lonely City 1

This is the Catwoman version of Dark Knight Returns.  Set ten years in the future, Selina Kyle is old, just out of jail, and dealing w/ a post-Batman Gotham City where Bruce Wayne’s been dead for ten years.  Cliff Chiang surpasses all of my expectations on both writing and art duties, and on top of it all, Josie Mac shows up!  Looking forward to the rest of this.

Superman: Son of Kal-El 5

Admission: I wanted to cut this last issue, but didn’t want my LCS to think it was because I’m against Superman being in a gay relationship.  Whatever.  This comic isn’t doing anything for me, and his relationship status has absolutely nothing to do with it.  Cutting.  

Miracleman: Apocrypha 1-3

A bunch of more short stories from quite the impressive list of creators, including Neil Gaiman, Mark Buckingham, James Robinson, Kelley Jones, Norm Breyfogle, Matt Wagner, Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross, Darick Robertson…

The stories themselves nothing too stand out, except for the Ross story, which is basically a retelling of Ray Bradbury’s Kaleidoscope:

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Moon Knight 1-6

The Warren Ellis/Declan Shalvey issues.  He’s definitely on his back half of his career at this point (2014).  It feels like he’s barely trying.  And yet, it really doesn’t suck.  Suboptimal Ellis is still entertaining.  And the sniper issue (issue 2) is really effective as each victim gets picked off one by one.

The moonblades have such a clean, elegant look.

Moon Knight really has the coolest cape ever.

Edna Mode be damned.

I don't know, he killed the other eight.  Bank doesn't always win.

Plus, I think Shalvey’s the one who came up with the “Moon Knight in a suit” thing (I’m not sure), and it’s a sweet look.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Miracleman 4

The missing issue in my Gaiman/Buckingham run came in the mail today.  Eh, not that interesting, but it’s worth filling out the gap.  (Gaiman tells us what happens to Winter after she flies off into space.)  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Fine

Marvel Action: Chillers, New comics

Tons of new comics, I hadn’t been to the shop in like a month.

Batman/Catwoman 8

I’m really not digging the Liam Sharp art.  It’s just not the same as Clay Mann.  Storywise, this has felt like filler for a couple of issues now.  But with four issues to go, I can’t really quit at this point.  Sigh.  

Death of Doctor Strange 2

Nothing spectacular.  It may be that Jed MacKay isn’t worth following from title to title the way Tom King and Tom Taylor are.  But this is still good enough that I’ll stick around, especially with Lee Garbett on art.  

Strange Adventures 12

As with all Tom King stories, this definitely requires a re-read.  I wonder if this will lose its mystique now that the twists have been revealed.  Certainly the craft and art are great.  I’m just not so sure about the story itself.

Moon Knight 4

Is there any comic character who has a larger discrepancy between how cool they look and how interesting their stories are?  I love Moon Knight’s look, but I’ve never been able stick around for any of his runs.  (Warren Ellis only went six issues with him.)  The fact that this is volume 9 suggests that the rest of the general public feels the same.  Anyway, this is my last issue for this comic.  Thanks for trying, Jed MacKay.

He looks so good!

Alessandro Cappuccio is spectacular

Superman: Son of Kal-El 4

I was skeptical after last issue, this one cemented it for me.  This title doesn’t have the spark, the fun, the crazy ideas of Tom Taylor’s better work.  Which is sad, because I’m a fan of Jon’s impending coming out in the next issue.  (Loving how it’s pissing off all the right people online.)  But this was almost a full issue of Jon saving his grandparents from an explosion in slow motion, then standing around a crater and talking about it.  I can totally see a world where that can be done well, but it isn’t here.  Combined with my lack of enthusiasm for the previous two issues, that means the end of line for me.

Captain Marvel 33

It’s just a string of mediocre comics for me this month.  Kelly Thompson’s newest Captain Marvel arc falls flat, but the strength of the rest of the title means I’ll push through this and at least try out the next one. 

Dark Ages 2

Phew, Tom Taylor hasn’t completely lost it.  He can at least still bring it on his alternate reality comics.  Iban Coello’s art is a little too sloppy for this to be top tier, though.  There’s a Mark Bagley vibe to it, and not in the good way.  (Bagley can be great, but only on the right projects.)

Marvel Action Chillers 1-4

Yeah, this is way more for kids than Jeremy Whitley’s work on Wasp.  Not that I don’t enjoy a good comic for the young ‘uns, but this isn’t anything special even taking that into account.  I’d cut it, but I’d still read this with my daughter someday.

Heh.  That's probably true.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: No

Rating: Fine

Ultimate Human, Ultimate Avengers, New Comics

Some more new comics!

Die 20

A lot of talking and meta discussion about the positive benefits of playing role playing games.  Not what I was expecting, and not in a good way.  This may read better in one sitting.

Black Cat 10

I’m really starting to worry that I’m not getting enough sleep.  I haven’t really enjoyed anything for about a week now, even the new comics.  It feels uncharacteristic.  Or is it really possible that I’ve just hit a rough stretch of issues?

Superman: Son of Kal-El 3

I mean, I’m not even enjoying Tom Taylor’s work!  (And I’m not holding out hope for the Seven Secrets sitting on my to-read pile.)  Everything this is too on the nose, and while Taylor usually makes that a strength, it falls flat here with Jon’s “my dad was an immigrant too” spiel and his goodbye with Clark.  I can’t believe I’m considering cutting this.  

Ultimate Human 1-4

Warren Ellis and Cary Nord tell a simple little adventure where Tony cures Bruce from the Hulk, but then needs to permanently reverse the procedure in order to defeat the Leader (mixed together with the Ellis-created Pete Wisdom here in the Ultimate universe).  Perfectly readable, but nothing more.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Ultimate Comics Avengers 1-6

I’d forgotten that Mark Millar came back to write this comic, drawn by Carlos Pacheco.  This one pits Captain America and the new post-Ultimatum Avengers against the Red Skull (Cap’s illegitimate son).  Millar has no problem making Skull completely reprehensible.  This isn’t top-tier Pacheco, but it’s still good.  The fourth straight Nice series I’ve read, which feels like another sign that I’m sleepwalking through these issues.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

New comics

So many new comics, and yet again, it’s a reaffirmation of why I love this medium so very much.  A ton of great stuff.

Die 19

Lots of stuff happens here, and it’s all entertaining, but I’m honestly ready for this to be over with the next issue.  Depending on how it ends, I might not be back for any follow ups.

Old Guard: Tales Through Time 5

Yeah, this series wasn’t worth picking up.  There’s no meat to any of these short stories.  I got suckered in by the first issue.  Mistake.  And now I’m committed, there’s only one issue left.  

Black Widow 10

This arc has been generic from the story side, but the art continues to be incomparable.  Elena Casagrande!

Awesome reveal.  And Kate Bishop is always welcome.

Dude.  This is insane.

Hee.

Superman: Son of Kal-El 2

Some nice character moments, mostly set up for future confrontations.  It’s still weird seeing Wildstorm properties like Gamorra and Henry Bendix in the DC universe.

Heh.

Jupiter’s Legacy: Requiem 3

This is...fine.  Do I really want to stick around for another nine issues?  Kind of torn on this one.

Batman/Catwoman 6

Probably the weakest Tom King story since Heroes in Crisis.  It’s not bad or anything, but there doesn’t seem to be any point to this, even for a King story.  He doesn’t appear to be setting the groundwork for anything, it’s just some disjointed scenes that don’t contribute much of anything.  I could be wrong, though.  I’m hoping I am.

Black Cat 9

Not really feeling this caper so far.  Maybe it’s because I’ve found Star to be a boring villain, both here and over in Captain Marvel.  (I just discovered that Kelly Thompson wrote a Star miniseries, but I can’t be bothered to pick it up.  And this is as a recent Thompson convert.)

I didn't think much of this Pepe Larraz cover until I examined the faces.

Moon Knight 2

Not as strong as the first issue, but I’m in for at least a few more issues; Jed MacKay deserves that much.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow 3

Loving this.  The strengths of this issue lie in the moments, not the plot (which is the standard “town hiding a genocide” trope.  (Is that really a trope?  It didn’t feel new to me, in any case.)).  

It’s in the way Bilquis Evely draws the outline of Supergirl’s hair with solid, impossible curves:

It’s in the protective way she shields the narrator during an assassination attempt:

And it’s the way she brushes aside a bullet to the eye, very reminiscent of Superman Returns:

Nightwing 83

No one masters the “moment” like Tom Taylor.  The thing is, none of these instances are that surprising; they’re actually pretty obvious.  But the point is that Taylor’s the only one who actually takes the time to realize them.  That’s the magic.  

Power pose!

Alfred getting the proper respect.

*Squee!*

This literally brought tears to my eyes.