Check out what I checked out this week.
Whether the comics are inspiring or disappointing, I read them all.
Welcome to The Pull List.
And, as always…Spoilers ahead!
Star Wars – Blood Ties: Boba Fett is Dead #1 of 4 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Chris Scalf
Colors: Chris Scalf
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
I’m completely in awe of how good this book is.
Kudos to Tom Taylor for creating a story that is captivating from page to page despite one knowing Fett continuity like the back of your hand.
The crux of the story revolves around the cause and effect of the bounty hunters demise as greed, revenge and loyalty and deception play a pivotal role.
Chris Scalf’s artwork is similar to Lee Bermejo’s work, which is not what you would expect from a Star Wars book but it works.
If you are looking for a good read, you have found it as news regarding Boba Fett will have the Holonet and fans abuzz.
Grade: A-
Star Wars: Crimson Empire III – Empire Lost #5 of 5
Writer: Mike Richardson & Randy Stradley
Art: Paul Gulacy
Colors: Michael Bartolo
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
Kir Kanos and Mirith Sinn are stuck in the middle of an intergalactic chess match between a Palpatine loyalist, Devian and Admiral Gilad Pellaeon.
Events are set into motion that that leads Kanos to a finality that just might determine the fate of the New Republic.
The story is good and the art is rich in detail as the final fight scene was depicted in a back and forth approach that made you question the outcome where most times it’s obvious.
Empire Lost is a solid series that rounds out the story of the most underrated and deadliest characters in the expanded universe.
Grade: B
Daredevil #11
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Marco Checchetto
Colors: Matt Hollingsworth
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
This is one of those confusing issues that is either good or bad depending on what you are looking for.
If you are looking for a conclusion to the “Omega Effect” story arc that you can sink your teeth into, you will be disappointed.
If you are looking for a solid Daredevil story with amazing art work from Marco Checchetto then you are in luck. Matt Murdock attempts to succeed with Rachel where he feels he failed with Frank Castle by pulling her off the ledge before she passes the point of no return.
Checchetto drew a beautiful book and one particular panel with Spider-Man and Daredevil swinging in the air was breath taking.
Consistently great writing and art with a $2.99 price point makes The Man Without Fear the best value in comics today.
Grade: B
Road Rage #3 of 4
Writer: Richardson Matheson & Chris Ryall
Art: Rafa Garres
Colors: Rafa Garres
Publisher: IDW
Price: $3.99
Road Rage switches gears from the tribulations of a biker gang to a story of an average joe who thinks his only problem is getting to work on time until he bumps into the dreaded 18-wheeler and all hell breaks loose.
The story sucks you in immediately because the danger is easier to relate to than in the previous issues. The dark tone of the artwork perfectly complements each element of the story that is being told.
If you think about how you would handle being stuck on a highway in this situation, the reading experience provides a boatload of tension and suspense.
This is a positive step forward with the series and of course, we are provided with an ending that will make you come back next month for the series’ conclusion.
Grade: B+
AVX: VS #1
Writer: Jason Aaron & Kathryn Immonen
Art: Adam Kubert, Stuart Immonen & Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Morry Hollowell & Jim Charalampids
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Remember arguing with your friends as a kid over who would win in a comic book fight?
AVX makes those fights a reality.
This book doesn’t try to be anything it’s not.
In fact, they flat out tell you on the inside front cover. It’s a fight between Marvel’s elite in the backdrop of Avengers vs. X-Men.
The fights themselves have no impact on the overall story at large. They are dream matches, like the kind you always wanted to see in professional wrestling.
What makes this better than most comic book fights is that we are seeing battles between good vs. good instead of good vs. evil.
The match ups were very well put together and the inner dialog of what each combatant was thinking during each crushing blow made it that much better.
It’s going to be hard to make every issue of this series interesting and thought provoking but don’t let that stop you from enjoying a fantastic first installment.
Grade: B
Wolverine #305
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Art: Paul Pelletier & David Meikis
Colors: Rain Beredo
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Cullen Bunn’s debut provides a new direction as a killer is running amuck and happens to look like Wolverine.
This brings Logan to a familiar place with horrible memories where the mystery of an old foe brings about devious results.
Continuity with the school is kept intact and of course, lots of things get clawed to pieces.
Paul Pelletier displays his array of skills as he brings a lot of energy and hideous depictions when appropriate.
I had my doubts about the future of the series however Bunn’s writing has alleviated any concerns I had about a post Jason Aaron Wolverine…for now.
Grade: B+
Aquaman #8
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis & Joe Prado
Colors: Rod Reis
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
I kind of wish all of my comic books had the look and feel of this series as everything just screams epic.
The dialog kind of takes a backseat as the illustrations of Ivan Reis drives the story as we learn more about Aquaman’s past with “The Others.”
The excitement builds as a Black Manta/Arthur confrontation is on the horizon.
Mera is absolutely fantastic in this issue, as she has been throughout the series.
While she is loyal to her husband and obeys the kings authority, his safety is paramount to her and she will defy any decree and break any bones necessary in order to maintain Aquaman’s safety.
Grade: B+
Superman #8
Writer: Dan Jurgens & Keith Giffen
Art: Dan Jurgens & Jesus Merino
Colors: Tanya Horie & Richard Horie
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
There is something about a Superman comic book that just feels right when Dan Jurgens is at the helm.
The story is more about the title character than all the backstory stuff with the daily planet. Hellspont, from the Wildstorm Universe, proves to be a worthy adversary for the Man of Steel even though he is very long-winded in speech.
He is as brash as he is powerful, by offering Superman the planet Earth in exchange for his services and their clash produces some deep questions that Superman will be faced with in the future.
The artwork, while pleasantly vibrant, had depictions that were too busy for my taste. After eight issues it feels as if we are finally on the right track in this incarnation of the character.
Grade: C+
Battle Scars #6 of 6
Writer: Chris Yost & Matt Fraction
Art: Scott Eaton
Colors: Scott Eaton
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Battle Scars has been promising big things as the fate of Marcus Johnson has been revealed.
I was very underwhelmed with the series because they made a big deal about this guy Marcus, who appears to be just a Marine.
This issue was the payoff of the entire miniseries.
When it is all said and done, this story was simply created to turn Nick Fury into an African American character to match the movie version played by Samuel L. Jackson.
Marvel will get lots of new readers with The Avengers movie coming out this week, so it makes sense for this interpretation. Regardless of how you feel about this decision from the Marvel brain trust, this is one of those issues that you will want to add to your collection because it is a huge character shift that will have a major impact on events to come.
Grade: B–
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