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: Darth Vader and The Ghost Prison #5 of 5 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Haden Blackman
Art: Agustin Alessio
Cover: Dave Wilkins
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
The closing installment of The Ghost Prison series shows readers the Darth Vader you have been waiting to see.
I’m talking about the “I find your lack of faith disturbing” force choking, light saber slashing, “all too easy” ruthless badass we all know and love from the original trilogy.
None of the whiny broken-hearted stuff will be found here.
Haden Blackman’s script is loaded with full out excitement as Laurita Tohm’s story comes full circle.
There are some other fun moments in the book as well, such as Tarkin confronting Gentis and his insurgents. They get into a heated argument that is capped off with the ruthless Moff telling Gentis that his cadets would have survived if they were better trained. Gentis says he was given caskets in exchange for his sons and Trakin replies “You will see them again soon.”
The art of Agustin Alessio beautifully captures the look of fright on Gentis’ face as Vader turns up the volume on his Force powers to wipe out those who oppose the Emperor. This will go down as the best Star Wars story of the year released by Dark Horse and everyone involved should be proud of their efforts.
All five issues gave you something different to sink your teeth into while building anticipation for the next chapter.
Red Hood and The Outlaws #0
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Art: Dwayne Turner
Cover: Kenneth Rocafort
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
Some things change while others stay the same as it relates to the life and times of Jason Todd.
For example, Jason didn’t meet Batman for the first time while stealing the tires off the Bat-Mobile.
Instead, Batman catches Jason stealing from Leslie Thompkins’s clinic. Batman is about to arrest him until Leslie stops him and whispers something in his ear that stops him in his tracks and takes the troubled youth under his wing.
We fast forward to the end of the book where the Joker puts in his two cents about how he has influenced everything that has happened in Jason Todd’s life from childhood to superhero to death.
It is a fascinating concept but the execution left a lot to be desired.
In a way, Scott Lobdell has simplified Jason Todd’s backstory while changing some of the things we are familiar with.
After all, we are living in a new universe.
Grade: B
Spider-Men #5
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Sara Pichelli
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
The charming tale of when Peter met Miles comes to a close, and guess what?
Peter approves of the 13 year old web slinger.
Of course, that’s not all that happens in this instant classic team up story.
Mysterio of 616 Earth will remain in the Ultimate Universe for the foreseeable future. Brian Michael Bendis weaves a grand finale that will have a lasting effect on all things Spider-Man. Sara Pichelli’s work is top notch as always and Justin Ponsor’s coloring is the icing on the cake. The ingenuity of Bendis’ script is to be admired at the subtlety of certain character’s actions that heavily suggest this story is only over in the numerical sense.
If subtlety is not your thing, then the ending is anything but and the possible ramifications of it are endless.
Grade: A
Justice League #0
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Gary Frank & Ethan Van Sciver
Colors: Brad Anderson & Hi-Fi
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Geoff Johns treats us to a Justice League comic book with the actual Justice League in it.
That is ok though because it’s all about Shazam. This was the right move for this zero issue because we already got the League’s backstory in previous books.
Also, the Shazam backstories have been more entertaining than anything to do with our super team as of late.
So, Billy Batson enters The Rock of Eternity and meets the wizard, who doesn’t think too highly of him, and obtains these these magical powers, and a red suit to boot. Seeing Billy work out the kinks with his new powers was fun and illustrated why I prefer comics over plain old books.
We were also treated to some more of Pandora’s backstory which is a continuation of the book that was released during Free Comic Book Day.
For those who don’t know who she is, she is the lady in the pink hood who appeared in the last issue of Flashpoint right before the DC Universe was changed. She has been appearing in a “Where’s Waldo” format in various comics throughout the past year.
This was all done to set up the big “Trinity War” event that will take place next summer.
Grade: B
The Walking Dead #102
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn
Letters: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99
What happens when you are running low on bullets?
Make some more, of course and that is what this issue is all about.
I’m lying of course, as there is a lot more to the story that meets the eye.
Rick is mentally drained. He realizes he can’t beat Negan and is sick of all the fighting. Peace is the only option he sees and everyone around him can’t believe their leader is throwing up the white flag.
This is a frustrating read in an emotional sense because you can’t believe this is the same Rick Grimes that we have journeyed with for over one hundred issues of The Walking Dead.
Will he be able to crawl out of his slump or is this Rick 2.0?
Only time will tell.
Grade: B+
Daredevil #18
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Chris Samnee
Colors: Javier Rodriguez
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Mark Waid must have it out for Matt Murdock.
Or, perhaps, the Man Without Fear is finally going crazy.
These questions and more are what fans have in store for them when reading this issue.
Foggy “fired” Matt several issues ago when he found the remains of “Battlin” Jack Murdock in his office.
As a long time Daredevil fan, I always wondered when Foggy would say enough is enough as it relates to Matt. They are best friends but one person can only take so much and they have a legal practice to worry about.
Speaking of their practice, its clear Foggy wants to distance himself from Matt as fast as possible when Murdock’s name is removed or crossed off of everything from the glass on doors to office stationery.
In other news, Daredevil tangles with some mob thugs in relation to a case he is working on. Things begin to happen that don’t make sense and it made me wonder if I was going just as crazy.
While I’m not, the ending sheds light on Matt’s mental state and should make for some interesting stories ahead.
Grade: A-
Here are some titles that didn’t make the list but may tickle your fancy
Ghost #0 (Dark Horse Comics)
Some ghost hunters that actually found a real ghost. Needs a little work but great first effort.
Ultimate Spider-Man #15 (Marvel Comics)
Miles Morales found someone to reproduce the fluid needed to use the web shooters Aunt May gave him. The answer? You might want to check it out and see for yourself.
Blue Beetle #0 (DC Comics)
The blue guy slowed down a little bit after the first few issue but this story about the scarab’s origins just might bring me back on the regular.
Revival #3 (Image Comics)
Great pacing to a story that evolves and gets a little more interesting as things move along. People coming back from the dead in a small farm town is a normal occurrence.
Thor #20 (Marvel Comics)
Once again, Loki tricks Thor and this time, throws him in the sea of fire. Thor should know better by now.
