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!
Captain Marvel #1 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art: Dexter Soy
Colors: Dexter Soy
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Carol Danvers returns and takes on the mantle of Captain Marvel.
I knew I was buying this issue the second it was announced back in March because I’m a big fan of the character and its Marvel’s only female lead. I want to support this book because it is my hope that more female lead titles will come.
Two of DC Comics’ best books are Batwoman and Wonder Woman and Mera in the Aquaman series is loads of fun.
Enough with the technical data, you want to know if the book is any good. Well, the book has already been ordered for a second printing. But that happens to every other comic book.
My answer is a resounding, YES!
Our story opens with Carol Danvers and Captain America battling the Absorbing Man in New York City.
They take him down and the press is dying to know who Cap’s new partner is since Danvers is wearing a new costume. Later, she is presented with the idea of taking the Captain Marvel moniker. She refuses at first but then, she starts thinking about the possibility and eventually says yes. Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy deserve a lot of credit for creating a beautiful book that is full of heart and personality. The creative importance of lettering in comics is often over looked. Joe Caramagna’s wonderful lettering of Carol’s looks like hand writing you would find in a journal instead of the customary rectangular box with type.
It gave the book that extra push in a personal direction because this period of time in Carol Danvers’ life is very personal for her and she was gracious enough to let us in.
Grade: A
Star Wars: Darth Vader and The Ghost Prison #3 of 5
Writer: Haden Blackman
Art: Agustin Alessio
Cover: Dave Wilkins
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
The secrets of the Ghost Prison have been revealed and it turns out that the Jedi have been running a secret prison far past Order 66.
Laurita Tohm is proving to be a real student of the game and most loyal to the Empire. He is warned by Darth Vader to keep what he learned in the Jedi temple a secret but the imperial prodigy states, in silence, his report is for the Emperor’s personal review and it will include every aspect of the incident.
This is interesting on many levels because Vader personifies loyalty to Palpatine and will slay anyone who doesn’t do the same.
If Vader force chokes Tohm to oblivion for disobeying his decree, he would have killed him for doing the very thing he demands of every Imperial. In past comics, we have seen the Emperor reward people for information that gives him a leg up on Vader. Would that reward include protection from Vader’s wrath? There are so many angles of speculation that makes this series so fascinating.
Agustin Alessio has produced his fair share of memorable images through out the series. In this issue, some of them are Vader using the force to trash the Jedi council chambers and the Sith Infiltrator craft approaching the planet Diab, surrounded by a fierce electrical storm, the perfect place to hide a secret prison.
This has been the best Star Wars series released by Dark Horse this year. Iron Eclipse is a close second but the period of time between Episodes III & IV will always have a leg up on drawing in Star Wars fans.
Grade: A-
Saga #5
Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Art: Fiona Staples
Colors: Fiona Staples
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99
When the first page showed Prince Robot IV sitting on a toilet while reading a book, I knew we were in store for a lot of good things.
That sentence doesn’t sound normal does it?
This is what is so fascinating about the world that Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples have created. What would be considered goofy and outlandish in most comic books is done with complete normalcy.
The Will, who is the most dangerous bounty hunter in the galaxy, is kind of a softy. He’s a murderous softy, but a softy nonetheless. Marko and Alana are still fighting for their lives while trying to protect their newborn, Hazel.
There was a enlightening conversation between Marko and Alana where the subject was violence and how dangerous and stupid it is.
They wonder if it’s ever going to end because they are caught in the middle of a war and could possible drown in the mayhem and carnage ahead. Just as the conversation is about to get to its boiling point, baby Hazel lets out the sound of laughter. This moment was done so well because it rekindled their spirits as it showed them there is still some joy in the cosmos, even if it’s from an infant. Fiona Staples art is spot on as usual. As someone who hates spiders, Stalk is one creepy bitch.
I hadn’t thought of this until now, but none of the main characters have met each other yet and the comic is already one of the years best. Just think about that people!
Grade: B+
Prophecy #2
Writer: Ron Marz
Art: Walter Geovani
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Price: $3.99
December will be here before you know it and the Mayans will be saying we told you so.
Prophecy shows the specific and intricate nature in which the Earth will tear itself apart. There is just one small catch about the Mayan Prophecy.
It’s already here and sorcerer Kulan Gath is the cause of it all.
In order to stop him, Dynamite’s most popular characters band together to stop this villainous sorcerer.
Who are they you ask?
Only, Red Sonja, Vampirella, Pantha, Dracula, Eva, Herbert West the Reanimator, Allan Quartermain, Dorian Gray, Purgatory and Athena.
Ron Marz put together a fun and exciting story an that had an interesting concept with each character having different stakes in the outcome. The art is solid all around and Dynamite Entertainment has produced yet another great read.
Grade: B
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Devil’s Engine #3
Writer: Mike Mignola & John Arcudi
Art: Tyler Cook
Colors: Dave Stewart
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
We finally find out why Fenix shot Abe Sapien and the reason is……she had a bad feeling about him.
Devon is reasonably upset about this and believes she is just a crazy lady.
However, she has had a lot of bad feelings in the past that have turned out to be correct. We find out this information while they’re still being chased by the giant bat-faced monsters from the last issue.
This book presents another one of those creative teams that are perfectly in sync with each other.
Mignola and Arcudi provide the perfect balance between straight up horror and inventive storytelling. Tyler Cook’s depictions flawlessly convey the emotion and the enormity of the moment and Dave Stewart’s coloring is the icing on the cake. Plus, Duncan Fegredo’s cover is something I wouldn’t mind hanging on my wall. It’s looks like a movie poster for a horror movie.
Devon clutching to Fenix while Fenix tried to put back her dog who has no fear and was itching to attack the creature. With Hellboy returning in December, there is more incentive to read the B.P.R.D. books because little hints and clues will be divulged along the way.
Grade: B
Justice League #11
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Jim Lee, Gary Frank & Scott Williams
Colors: Alex Sinclair, Gabe Eltaeb & Brad Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
The second story arc of the Justice League is finally getting interesting.
Batman is able to break the control Graves has over him and the League. Graves retreats to the home of Steve Trevor’s sister which brings up a lot of emotion between her and Wonder Woman. Diana decides she must go after Graves alone.
Green Lantern tries to stop her by trapping her in a bubble ring construct and Wonder Woman throws a backhand that breaks the bubble and sends Green Lantern flying.
As Wonder Woman pummels GL, she tells him that the beatdown was a long time coming, which I thought was sweet since Lantern has been annoying since the first issue.
However, his annoying personality was absent in this issue and I’d like to think we have seen the last of it with Diana smacking it out of him.
The Shazam back story was entertaining as always with Black Adam making his debut and Billy Batson has been teleported to a certain Rock of Eternity.
Grade: A-
Avengers vs. X-Men #8
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Adam Kubert & John Dell
Colors: Laura Martin & Larry Molinar
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Action, action and more action, with a twist, is what the eighth installment of this mega cross over brings to the table.
A member of the Phoenix Five has fallen but it brings about even more chaos. The insurmountable odds the Avengers face have risen to a whole new level.
Charles Xavier has finally gotten involved and I say; what took you so long?
Hey, better late than never, right?
Not only was there a lot more action but the violence level has increased as panels showing Red Hulk and Thing taking on the fallen Phoenix member was bloody and brutal. With the Avengers still licking their wounds it makes me wonder what happens next.
Especially, with Spider-Man being the sole character on the cover of the next issue. It has a last man standing kind of feel and if that is the case, how can Spidey do it alone?
Grade: B+
Daredevil #15
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Chris Samnee
Colors: Javier Rodriguez
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Mark Waid on his three Eisner Award wins for Best single issue (Daredevil #7) Best continuing series (Daredevil) and best writer for his work on this series and Boom! Studios titles Irredeemable and Incorruptible.
Daredevil is trapped in Latveria and Doctor Doom’s henchmen are poking and prodding at his brain via microscopic bots that were implanted in the last issue.
Sensory deprivation is the choice of torture and Samnee and Rodriguez’s work on this issue gave us Matt Murdock’s vantage point as his senses are all out of whack.
As good as Waid’s writing is in this issue, the art and colors truly convey the gravity of the situation Daredevil is in.
How can be the man without fear when he no longer knows what he can and can not fear?
Grade: B+
