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THE PULL LIST – BATMAN INCORPORATED #1, THE BIONIC MAN #9, THE MIGHTY THOR #14 & More!

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!

Batman Incorporated #1 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: Chris Burnham
Colors: Nathan Fairbaim
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99

There are two types of feelings a person experiences when having an insane amount of fun.

The kind where you want to reveal every little detail to your friends as to why there is so much joy coursing through your body.

The second is where something is so good that you divulge very little because while convincing those you tell to experience what has made you so happy.

Batman Incorporated is back with a vengeance!

The story picks up right where Leviathan Strikes left off; Damian’s mother Talia al Ghul has placed a bounty on his head which has lured the world’s top assassins to Gotham City.

Grant Morrison’s script provides a suspenseful story with jaw dropping visuals and plenty that bring a ton of energy to a fresh series.

There is an intangible joy that you just can’t describe regarding how fun this series truly is when reading it. This is a comic book that you will want to sit back and enjoy because it is filled with everything a comic book fan could ask for.

Pick of the week? Hell, this could be pick of the year!

Grade: A

Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison #1
Writer: Haden Blackman
Art: Aqustin Alessio
Cover: Dave Wilkins
Publisher: Dark Horse
Price: $3.50

This is a pretty good story to start off the series, but there are two things that are hard not to notice. There is very little Darth Vader and no ghost prison.

What we do get is a new character named Tohm, who is on Coruscant to attend his graduation ceremony from the Imperial Academy.

One minute he is celebrating with members of his graduating class and the next, chaos, fighting and a revealed conspiracy sets things into motion.

Despite his physical handicaps, Tohm is a gentleman with a heart of gold who wants to serve the Empire more than anything.

He is someone who is easy to cheer for and it will be interesting to see where things go as Vader’s involvement in the story will no doubt test Tohm’s allegiance to it’s fullest.

Grade: B

The Flash #9
Writer: Brian Buccellato & Francis Manapul
Art: Francis Manapul
Colors: Brian Buccellato
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99

Gorilla City and its intellectual tyrant Grodd, make their debut in the New 52.

Grodd wastes little time making Flash’s life miserable as he looks to eat his brains before he can undermine his rule.
What else happens in this issue???

Oh yeah, one of the Rogues makes their debut as well.

One of the things that separates Flash from the rest of the pack is its visual story telling.

Sequence after sequence just sucks you in to this world that Buccellato and Manapul have created.

Every issue has a fast and thoroughly entertaining pace that gives you an “It’s over already?” feeling when you finish the last page. Comics are supposed to build off one another thus making you come back for more.

It’s a heck of a marketing strategy and very few series make me want to hand over my paycheck more.

Grade: B+

Astonishing X-Men #50
Writer: Marjorie Liu
Art: Mike Perkins
Colors: Andy Troy
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

This month’s issue starts on the flip side of last month’s issue.

We were left with Kyle questioning his relationship with Northstar, and we begin with Northstar seeking relationship advice from Gambit, and Iceman, while they are breaking into a seemingly deserted building.

Within minutes of entering, they find an interesting shield on the wall. Northstar makes Kyle an offer that, it turns out; he can refuse, leaving Kyle in a dangerous situation.

The group of Wolverine, Gambit, Warbird and Iceman get overpowered by the same type of mind control that caused the original mess, and leaves our heroes in a precarious predicament.

Northstar discovers the danger that Kyle is in, and is surprised to find out that his friends and fellow heroes could be the very ones that put him in that danger.

This is issue that leads to the gay marriage that everyone is talking about. In my opinion, kudos to Marvel for this incredible step forward.

Grade: B-


Aquaman #9 
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis & Joe Pardo
Colors: Rod Reis
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99

Part three of the “The Other League” takes a dramatic turn as the story focuses on the back story between Black Manta and Aquaman.

Manta is looking for an artifact with considerable power.

Mera, what can I say about Mera?

She is a pure bad ass and can get information or anything she wants out of anyone. Reis and Pardo’s artwork always brings an epic sense of adventure that is hard to match.

The ending of this issue changes the dynamic between the hero and the villain forever.

Grade: B

The Mighty Thor #14
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Pepe Larraz
Colors: Frank D’Armata
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

The God of Thunder is a character I’ve always enjoyed; the series though, not so much.

Don’t get me wrong, a lot of pivotal stuff has happened, over the years, in the pages of Thor, and Mattt Fraction is on a mission to make sure that the best has yet to come.

The story surrounds Donald Blake and Enchantress’ “relationship” that comes to a head when Blake eats a golden apple and realizes he has taken part in a game of immense pain and deceit.

Meanwhile, Thor and the dwarf Hredimar are stuck in a mystical library.

There is no need to wait for the next point one issue because it is easy to understand what is happening. Pepe Larraz’s artwork is enjoyable from beginning to end. For my money, the cover and artwork of the week goes to Thor.

Grade: B+

The Bionic Man #9
Writer: Kevin Smith & Phil Hester
Art: Jonathan Lau
Colors: Ivan Nunes
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Price: $3.99

The Bionic Man is filled with intense action that has plenty of substance.

Reading Kevin Smith’s latest tale perfectly complimented by Jonathan Lau’s art will leave you feeling you watched an action movie blockbuster.

The attention to detail throughout the book was outstanding including the beginning where Steve Austin’s is being tortured by Hull.

We have seen the good guy get beat up before but something about it this time had me genuinely thinking that he needs to hurry up and escape before it’s too late.

Dynamite has a lot of good books coming down the pipe and right now, it’s safe to say The Bionic Man is leading the charge.

Grade: A-

Ultimate X-Men #12 (Shelf Listed: Disappointment of the Week)
Writer: Nick Spencer
Art: Paco Medina
Colors: Juan Viasco & Walden Wong
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

Some decent ideas are plagued by very poor execution where suspense building moments that are more like record scratch moments that leave you scratching your head.

There is no intrigue to what is happening in the pages that surrounds the current state of Alex Summers.

The books less than stellar ending shows Apocalypse wearing blue ear muffs.

Yes, the reasons behind Magneto’s visions come sto light but the whole thing left me very underwhelmed.

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