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!
Green Lantern #11 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Doug Mahnke
Colors: Tony Avina
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
For the last 10 issues, Hal Jordan has been using a power ring designed and controlled by Sinestro.
The Indigo tribe had a little something to say about that and Jordan’s ring is all good now.
Something else I’m forgetting.
Oh yeah, Black Hand raises his family from the dead to enjoy some quality Chinese takeout.
This issue serves as an unofficial prelude to the “Rise of the Third Army” event that begins in October that will spawn across all Green Lantern titles.
One of the things I love about the dialog between Jordan and Sinertro is it reminds me of a buddy cop show with the straight laced cop and the brooding cop who has gone rogue before will most likely do it again.
“So this is your Bat-Cave?” Hal says as they enter Sinestro’s secret lair was a fun moment indeed.
Doug Mahnke’s exceptional work remains underrated by the masses. This will sound weird but I believe he was born to draw a comic book about space cops. All of the characters have a fresh and unique look to them and each is a distinct individual. All of this combined with Tony Avina’s coloring sets it apart from the rest because it looks different than anything else on the rack.
Grade: A
Captain America #15
Writer: Ed Brubaker & Cullen Bunn
Art: Scott Eaton
Colors: GURU EFX
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
The first joint effort of Ed Brubaker and Cullen Bunn brings about a fun new story arc titled New World Order.
Captain America has a full plate as he’s fighting a new race of alien invaders while having to deal with public opinion weighing heavily against him.
Add a little girlfriend drama along with Hydra lurking in the shadows and you have an all around fun comic book.
The public opinion against Cap has potential to be a fascinating concept.
Steve Rogers is the hero of heroes but no matter how many times he saves the world, everyday lives remain unchanged.
The economy is in the toilet, unemployment is at an all time high and people are still losing their homes.
If you live in a Marvel world your probably tired of hearing about the heroic exploits of the Sentinel of Liberty. He may save someone from a burning building but at the end of the day, that person, perhaps, still has to worry about how they are going to provide food for their family.
This is one problem that a Vibranium shield can’t solve.
Captain America was not created for problems like this but knowing Steve Rogers like we do, he will take this issue to heart.
Ed Brubaker’s time is winding down as #19 will be his last issue on a historic run that began in 2004. Cullen Bunn is an amazing writer and anyone that has not picked up The Sixth Gun needs to do so ASAP. However, do you remember how many Captain America books you read back in 2003? I can tell you, none. Brubaker is not just another writer who pumped out some great books; he made the character relevant again and beyond. So enjoy the time we have left with Mr. Brubaker and his Eisner award winning talents on a beloved pop culture icon.
Grade: A-
The Goon #40
Writer: Eric Powell
Art: Eric Powell
Cover: Eric Powell
Publisher: Dark Horse
Price: $3.50
Eric Powell’s unique brand of humor produces more laugh out loud moments than any other comic book today. The story in this issue surrounding prohibition is broken up into three different parts.
Goon and Franky simply want to make a buck but they happen to be cutting into The Boyle Clan’s moonshine business. I don’t think you need any explanation as to how bat shit crazy this family is when the patriarch’s name is Grits Boyle. The inevitable feud culminates with a road race that is so bizarre that only the devil himself can maintain order.
Powell is superb at blending horror and humor. His “in your face” art style provides many moments you won’t soon forget.
One of these moments is Franky throwing a cigar out the window while he proclaims he has quit smoking. This causes a member of the Boyle clan to be engulfed in flames since he was attempting to commit arson with gasoline.
Powell’s approach to mostly standalone books carries a clever symphony of storytelling that entertains more than your average three issue story arch. The dialog is a kind of wordy but you’ll hardly notice as you will be consumed by an overabundance of amusement.
Grade: A-
Debris #1 of 4
Writer: Kurtis J. Wieb
Art: Riley Rossmo
Colors: Owen Gieni
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.50
I initially found this to be a boring read.
However, I’m believer in second chances, so I read it again and it’s pretty damn good.
The story takes place in the future where humanity is finally paying the price for its lack of environmental care.
The planet Earth is decaying and covered in garbage. Maya has been tasked with finding the last source of pure water in order to save the human race. The writing and illustrations make you feel you are watching a sci-fi movie.
This concept is full of possibilities because we all wonder in the back of our mind how things will end up if we continue to put money first and environment second.
If we make the switch too late, the world Kurtis J. Wiebe created could be our reality.
Some brave soul like Maya could be our only hope.
Grade: B+
Nowhere Man #4 of 4
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Art: Jeevan J. Kang
Colors: S. Sundarakannan
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Price: $3.99
If your boss yells at you surfing the web instead of working on that spread sheet due in three hours, you will most likely be apologetic to their face.
What you will actually be thinking is how badly you want to uppercut them to kingdom come.
Well, 500 years from now, that will be a big no, no as every thought you have is monitored by a central apparatus called Omnimind. The story over the course of the series follows a man named Mason whose thoughts can’t be read and was bread for the sole purpose of taking down Omnimind.
This is the final chapter of the miniseries where Mason is finally within arm’s length of making everyone’s thoughts private again until he see the apparatus is not what he expected.
The story has a Minority Report type of feel to it but the stakes in this story resonate on a higher level.
There is too much controversy in arresting people before the suspect even knows they are going to commit the crime. Not having the privacy in your own mind changes everything.
A lot of comics that take place in the future have what I call a future generic look to it. Jeevan J. Kang’s work presented a fresh and simple look to the book’s futuristic setting. The story is easy enough to pick up on if you haven’t read the previous three installments.
I continue to be impressed by Dynamite Entertainment’s offerings every Wednesday. When going to various comic book stores I notice their books tend to be tucked away in the corner of the rack. If you are looking for something new, give this company a chance. They have many titles to choose from and I’m confident that one of them will grab your attention. Marc Guggenheim did co-write the Green Lantern movie screen play but don’t let that mess you up.
Grade: B
Elephantmen #41
Writer: David Hine
Art: David Hine & Boo Cook
Colors: Rob Steen
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
The back story of the Elephantmen is exposed in this stand alone issue when a creepy biographer visits geneticist Javier Kubric on his deathbed.
Kubric worked with Zazushi Nikken who is responsible for creating the Elephantmen.
Now, Kubric was never in favor of Nikken’s design and always felt bad about the atrocities he caused.
He lives in hiding under a pseudonym and feels he has been wrongly judged. He has a deep fascination with animals dating back to his childhood. He feels humans are evolved animals and fusing the genetics of a human and elephant was simply pulling the animal out of the animal.
Still, bad things happened and now it is catching up with him.
David Hine’s writing and artwork immediately grab your attention and keeps it for the entire time. I was kind of meh of this series as a whole, but my mind has been changed.
Again, another good issue to read if you are unfamiliar with the concept.
Grade: B+
Aquaman #11
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis
Colors: Rod Reis
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
It’s all about Aquaman these days as Geoff Johns keeps knocking it out of the park month after month.
This issue is simple to follow and fun to read with some interesting developments. Aquaman hates Black Manta.
This isn’t news but Johns clues us in on just how deeply his hatred runs with a flashback scene. Aquaman finds the seven relics of Atlantis and instead of marveling at his heritage, he used them as pawns to find Black Manta.
The Others begins to open up more and become characters we care about instead of a mysterious element of the past.
The art is solid as usual and shows it’s strength in the hidden chamber where an unknown eighth relic is discovered.
Grade: B
Courtney Crumrin #4
Writer: Ted Naifeh
Art: Ted Naifeh
Color: Warren Wucinich
Publisher: Oni Press
Price: $3.99
If you thought Oni Press was only known for The Sixth Gun then you haven’t met Courtney Crumrin.
This fantasy/horror tale shifts between the real world and a magical land called The Twilight Kingdom where the events in both worlds intertwine.
She is an outcast with magical powers who is ignored by her parents and feels alone in the world. Courtney was able to save her friends life, but it came at a cruel price which is one of the many examples in her life that makes happily ever after an impossibility.
Ted Naifeh’s script provides a wonderful pace and that captivates your imagination.
This issue was the end of the first story arc and the next chapter is loaded with promise and hope for Courtney.
Grade: B-
Winter Soldier #8
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Michael Lark, Brian Thies & Stefano Gaudiano
Colors: Bettie Breitweiser & Mitch Breitweiser
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Is it fair to place two of Ed Brubaker’s titles on The Pull List this week?
Of course it is.
After all, he is not giving up the writing duties on Winter Soldier anytime soon.
Bucky Barnes is tearing up Russia in order to find Black Widow who has been kidnapped by a former trainee. Twisted science, back room deals, government agents, dangerous spies and lots of fighting, are brilliantly woven together to create an intricate story.
Nothing is wasted in the panels constructed by Michael Lark as every little thing has a place and meaning.
It’s perfect for this espionage thriller and I hope he stays around for the foreseeable future.
Bucky is angry and all hell is going to break lose when he finds the person responsible for his girlfriends disappearance and I want a front row seat for that encounter.
Yes, fights in comic books are as common as breathing.
Looking forward to seeing one has truly demonstrated how good this book really is.
Grade: A-
Star Wars: Darth Maul – Death Sentence #1 of 4
Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Bruno Redondo
Colors: Michael Atiyeh
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $2.99
Utter disappointment racked my brain on senior skip day back in 1999 when Obi Wan Kenobi cut Darth Maul in half, seemingly killing him in the process.
My friends and I salivated over the possibilities we dreamed up for this cool looking badass character before we knew his fate.
George Lucas was kind enough to resurrect him in the Clone Wars cartoon and Tom Taylor’s yarn takes place following the season finale. Someone has placed a rather large bounty on the heads of Maul and Savage Opress.
They hide in plain sight, because they can and this prompts a weasel to lead a strike team to their location. He asks for the money in advance and kindly tells the soldiers they won’t be alive to pay him if has to wait until the Sith lords are in custody.
This was awesome because this is something only a weasel would do.
Of course, the brothers do their thing and realize they need to find who wants them dead. Yoda and Mace Windu get wind of this and dispatch two unknown Jedi to capture them. This was the record scratch moment because they are sending two people we have never met before and we don’t know a thing about.
Darth Maul killed Qui Gon Jinn and his hatred of Obi Wan kept him alive while missing the lower half of his body and you’re going to send two rookies after him and his brother. You might as well get the funeral pyre ready now and start the fire while you’re at it.
Overall, this is a solid start and next month should be interesting.
Grade: C+
Wolverine & the X-Men #14
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Jorge Molina & Norman Lee
Colors: Morry Hollowell
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Wolverine is no where to be found but that doesn’t stop Jason Aaron from writing one of the best comics of the week.
Kitty Pryde is short staffed at the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning. She is trying to plug the holes until the Phoenix powered Colossus stops by and takes her on a date.
Most tie-ins to crossover events are not worth reading but this one is the exception to the rule. One of the closest bonds in the Marvel universe is examined under a new lens of the Avengers vs. X-Men battle.
Yes, they are both X-Men but the actions of the Phoenix Five goes against everything Kitty has learned morally.
They are going to have a plethora of philosophical differences but will that be enough for even these two to come to blows?
The art in this issue did a great job of presenting two different feels. The imagery of actual date looks like a dream paradise while the Manhattan encounter between Iceman and Thing looks like the usual brawl in the big apple.
The story is an absolute improvement over the last few issues.
Grade: A-
