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!
The Walking Dead #103 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard
Cover Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99
In the last issue Rick was telling anyone and everyone in Alexandria that Negan is coming and just let them take what they are going to take.
“Don’t fight back” is Rick’s new motto, which had the characters and readers equally as infuriated.
Of course this is really all part of Rick’s secret plan that only two people know about. In this issue, when Negan shows up Rick needs to sell the deception by bending over and taking it with a smile.
This issue speaks to the talents of Robert Kirkman in droves.
We know Rick is just lying in wait, but that somehow makes Negan’s vile personality even harder to deal with. Negan and his men take the agreed upon “half” of everything the settlement has and people are heartbroken not only because the stuff they need to survive has been taken, but Rick is letting it all happen. Rick is who these people have become dependent on to prevent things like this and now he is just standing there.
Plus, everyone knows Negan killed Glenn, so watching everything unfold makes it an even harder pill to swallow. It’s just as painful watching it unfold on the page as Charlie Adlard is an artist in every sense of the word when it comes to depicting emotion. While the emotional fallout is always different and defines the characters of The Walking Dead, the one thing that never changes is that Rick eventually gets his man.
The day he finally gets Negan will be one that is long remembered and I want front row seats when it all goes down.
Grade: A
Justice League #13
Writer: Geoff Johns & Jeff Lemire
Art: Tony S. Daniel, Richard Friend & Batt
Colors: Tomeu Morey & Jay David Ramos
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Geoff Johns pens a new two part story arc with Tony S. Daniel working the pencils in place of Jim Lee.
We get some clarification on the kiss heard around the world in the last issue and then the action starts off swinging in a beautiful two page layout of Wonder Woman and Cheetah duking it out.
Bits and pieces of their history are revealed which explains the personal stakes involved for Diana. The script is reminiscent of The Avengers movie in sense that each member of the League gets equal page time and they all add something different and important to the plot.
It was refreshing to see them work as a team and show concern for one another instead of the dick measuring contest we have been treated to over the last twelve issues.
So, how was Cheetah’s foray in the new 52?
It was bad ass on every level. The villainous feline is one of the most iconic evil doers in the DC Comics stable. Using Barbara Minerva was the right choice not only because she is the most modern version of the character, but her history with wanting to best Diana is more personal and translates the best into the new universe because while the Cheetah’s motives are different, the end game is the same.
Tony S. Daniel’s work on this book was spot on. The way he depicted Cheetah’s movement was like an aggressive gymnast whose stuck landings delivers serious damage to her opponent. She looks like she is in the angriest of moods when she is just standing around and never mind when she is beating someone up.
We are also treated to an interesting back story written by Jeff Lemire involving Steve Trevor and a certain Emerald Archer that sets up next year’s Justice League of America book.
Grade: A-
Star Wars: Agent of the Empire: Hard Targets #1
Writer: John Ostrander
Art: Davide Fabbri & Christian Dalla Vecchia
Colors: Wes Dziobia
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $2.99
Guess who’s back. Back again. Cross’ back. Tell a friend.
That’s right folks, The Empire’s James Bond comes home to Alderaan for another adventure filled with galactic espionage.
A new Count Dooku enters the fold which sets off a chain reaction that means bad news for everyone involved and Jahan Cross needs to set everything right in the best interest of the Empire.
However, his allegiance begins to wane as he begins to see the corruption manifest. This is interesting on many levels because in the last miniseries, Cross would do anything for the Empire and never questioned a thing.
This time, he starts to see what everyone warned him, and complained, about.
Cross is no dummy to you have to wonder if he is really just starting to notice it now or was he just in denial.
John Ostrander’s dialog perfectly fit all of the characters and the art was fun to look at. If you’re still not sold on this book then I forgot to mention that Bail Organa, Princess Leia and Boba Fett are included in the story too!
Grade: B+
Hawkeye #3
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: David Aja
Colors: Matt Hollingswort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
This comic book was all out fun and is a true representation as to why we read comic books.
Not all superheroes embark on adventures of majesty and conquer threats of national security. Matt Fraction’s portrayal of Clint Barton is honest and deals with real world problems……kind of.
Track suit Dracula’s are not real, but their intentions are the stuff we read about in the news. Kate Bishop’s involvement has made this series even better and we are only three issues in.
Mistakes are made in humorous and exciting fashion that make you wonder why would anyone need a boomerang arrow?
I have stated this in my previous reviews, but it needs to be said again.
David Aja’s artwork is perfect for the story Matt Fraction is telling. It gives the book a unique and gritty down to earth feeling that sets itself apart from anything else on the shelf today.
Grade: A-
Batwoman #13
Writer: J.H. Williams III & Haden Blackman
Art: J.H. Williams III
Colors: Dave Stewart
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
Batwoman treats comic book fans to one hell of a story, and without question, the best artwork of the week.
The book opens up with an inner monologue with Batwoman and guest star Wonder Woman talking about each other while reviewing the task at hand.
Batwoman is in awe of Wonder Woman, which is a little surprising since she hasn’t acted this way towards anyone else she’s worked with, including Batgirl.
Batwoman also realizes the gravity of the situation and wonders if her talents are better suited for the lowlifes of Gotham instead of hunting Medusa.
The artwork of J.H. Williams III shines with four creepy pages with the duo exploring a dark labyrinth full until they are overcome by hundreds of giant millipedes.
This series is truly a cut above most titles in the DC Comics catalog.
Grade: B+
Green Hornet #29
Writer: Jai Nitz
Art: Jethro Morales
Colors: Kristy Swan
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Price: $3.99
With the Mark Waid era on the horizon, Jai Nitz does more than a serviceable job depicting what a nice day in Century City would look like.
There are three separate stories in play.
Hornet and Kato spy on some crooks while the new Mayor tries to make things right in his own unique way and Nikita and Jeffery enter their new school. There are several evolving plot points inside the three separate tales that perhaps set things in motion for something down the line.
The artwork was fine, but it is the vibrant coloring of Kristy Swan that makes the images pop.
While I feel this series may end up going through the motions until next year, this issues gives me hope that I may be wrong.
Grade: B-
Daredevil #19
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Chirs Samnee
Colors: Javier Rodriguez
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
For eighteen months I have been waiting to see an issue of Daredevil that sucks.
I keep wondering how Mark Waid can write such a consistently captivating comic book. This past Wednesday, I assumed number nineteen would be the one where his luck runs out.
No such luck which is nothing but good news for comic book fans.
The script completely convinces you that Daredevil is crazy. We know there is always some criminal mastermind behind it all in the end but that thought did not creep into my mind for a second.
The skill of Chris Samnee’s work is practically a privilege to look at. Facial expressions, action scenes, page layouts, all of them are masterfully drawn.
The best comics are those where the writer and artist and completely in synch. Samnee had the big shoes of Paolo Rivera to fill but he has done so quite nicely.
If you enjoy great endings than this one will not disappoint one iota as it is worth losing your head over.
Grade: B+
Here are some titles that didn’t make the list but may just tickle your fancy.
Mind MGMT #6 (Dark Horse)
Meru Marlow finally has the story she has been looking for and it may be more than she bargained for.
Avengers vs. X-Men: Consequences #2 (Marvel Comics)
Scott Summers wants to die and he is willing to do it with a smile.
Supergirl #13 (DC Comics)
This series has been up and down and mostly down since the reboot. This one will surprise you.
The Sixth Gun #26 (Oni Press)
Part three of the Winter Wolves saga follows a team of three who all have different ideas in mind for the Six.
