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The Pull List: DETECTIVE COMICS #14, HELLBOY IN HELL #1, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #699 & 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!

I Love Trouble #1 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Kel Symons
Art: Mark Robinson
Colors: Paul Little
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $ 2.99

Felicia Castillo is a grifter on the run from the mob.

She hops on a flight heading to the Midwest until something goes wrong mid flight and the plane crashes. Of course, right before the crash, she discovers she has superpowers and survives.

Felicia is a character that has made her way in the world by lying, cheating and stealing. This is normally a character you would have zero sympathy for.

Kel Symons makes things interesting as Felicia takes her unique abilities for granted until the very mob she was running from makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

The art resembled Felicia’s brashness and brought something different to the table. It was fun to look at and I wouldn’t mind seeing more comic books done in this fashion.

Reading this on a tablet really makes the art stand out and gives you more appreciation for Mark Robinson’s work as the paper version doesn’t do it justice. The word balloons are curvy and yellow which adds to the gritty nature of the comic.

This book has a little something for everybody and is a strong debut issue from Image Comics.

Grade: A-


Star Wars: Purge – The Tyrant’s Fist #1
Writer: Alexander Free
Art: Marc Castiello Andrea Chella
Colors: Michael Ativeh
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50

Darth Vader is the subject of yet another Star Wars miniseries set in the 20 year gap between Episode III and Episode IV.

The norm of a Vader story arc leaves a trail of broken Jedi and other Imperial adversaries across the galaxy.

This series is no exception, but there is a twist. Emperor Palpatine is tired of his apprentice’s lack of vision and tells him to, “think as a ruler instead of a soldier.”

 This sentence sets the tone for everything else that is about to happen. Vader is a results-driven individual who will reach his goals by any means necessary.

However, when you think about it, he does have tunnel vision. But that is what makes Vader who he is. I want the evil Sith Lord that will force choke someone because he finds their lack of faith disturbing.

This was a great start for this new series and it will be interesting to see where things go from here.

Grade: B+

Detective Comics #14
Writer: John Layman
Art: Jason Fabok & Andy Clarke
Colors: Jeromy Cox & Blond
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99

When you think of the title Detective Comics, you think of Batman first and everything else second.

You rarely think of the word “Detective” and what it actually means.

John Layman’s script really brings that word to the forefront. Clayface is on a rampage in the name of love. Batman can’t even begin to stop Clayface until he can figure out what caused this sudden surge of destruction.

Poison Ivy and Penguin play a pivotal role as The Joker’s return looms over Gotham like a dark cloud.

A new character in Emperor Penguin enters the fold and he has his sights set on a particular criminal empire.

The artwork is some of the week’s best as everything was drawn in great detail with some great images that tickle the Bat-fan in all of us.

This is one of the best Detective issues since the New 52 began and it something you will not want to miss.

Grade: A-

The Amazing Spider-Man #699
Writer: Dan Slott
Art: Humberto Ramos & Victor Olazaba
Colors: Edgar Delgado
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

Dan Slott said he is going to hide in a bunker when the series-ending Spider-Man #700 comes out.

Speculation has already run rampant as it has been confirmed that Peter Parker will not don the costume.

The last issue contained a brilliantly executed body switch of Peter and Doc Ock.

It was so good that you couldn’t wait to see what happens next.

With hours to live inside a dying body he helped destroy, Peter Parker uses his smarts to escape the prison he has been confined to. At the end of the day, you know the good guy is going to find their way out of any sticky situation. It’s the actual way out of the situation that we live to see because we want to be captivated and enthralled instead of being left empty handed with some cheap finish.

Dan Slott’s way out is anything but cheap and at the same time, it leaves you thinking “Why didn’t I think of that?” This is a must for any Spider-Man fan and remember, issue #699.1 will be released before the dramatic finale.

Grade: A-

Voltron Year One #6
Writer: Brandon Thomas
Art: Craig Cermak
Cover: Admira Wiiava
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Price: $3.99

Team 686 is divided in duty and Commander Sven is stuck fighting off robot zombies that happen to be infected with a techno organic virus.

Everything in the last five issues has been building to this moment and the tension is at a fever pitch.

When the dust settles and the smoke clears, decisions are made that set things in motion for what will become the Voltron force in the final issue of this prequel.

Comic books based on an already established franchise often go through the motions but Brandon Thomas and Craig Cermak provide readers with great visuals and superb story telling. You can see the passion that they have for Voltron in their work as everything is carefully crafted.

While I’m sad the series has reached it end, I’m happy that it ended at the appropriate time.

They told the story that needed to be told and it was a fun ride all the way through.

Grade: B

Hellboy in Hell #1
Writer/Artist: Mike Mignola
Colors: Dave Stewart
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $ 2.99

Without question, this was the most anticipated book of the year. Mike Mignola brings Hellboy back in a story that can be wrapped up in one word, bizarre.

The book opens up with a flashback, showing readers how Hellboy died and fell into the abyss.

There is almost no need for dialog because Mignola’s depictions told a story more effectively than any word balloon could.

The art really captures the evil and peril Hellboy faces and it sucks the reader right in. The only mark against the book is that it wasn’t new reader friendly. There are some confusing moments that I even had to re-read and look up in previous books to understand what was going on.

This is something that would normally dampen my enjoyment, but Mike Mignola’s astonishing ability to tell a story outweighs the bad in this case.

This series is off to a strong start and history dictates we are in for one hell of a ride.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Grade: B+

Thunderbolts #1
Writer: Daniel Way
Art: Steve Dillon
Colors: Guru Efx
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99

The Marvel NOW! campaign has unleashed a plethora of comic book goodness.

Daniel Way and Steve Dillon continue the trend with the Thunderbolts #1.

This issue is all about the team’s assembly. General Ross, who is Red Hulk by the way, is the star of the show.

While we don’t see him hulk out in any way, he is the puppet master pulling the strings of recruitment. Punisher, Elektra, Venom and Deadpool are his primary candidates.

Daniel Way was able to take a different approach to Ross’ character.

Normally, the mad general gets what he wants through nefarious means. This time, he simply appeals to the violent nature of the recruits while revealing how much he truly knows about them.

This all came together in a fun and exciting way, and Dillon’s artwork helped set a fever pitch for the story at hand. Ross always has an ulterior motive and bringing together Marvel’s most deadly anti-heroes is a sure fire way to get results.

You might be wondering, “why does Ross need help with any objective?” I mean, he is Red Hulk for crying out loud!

Rest assured, Dillon doesn’t leave us hanging as bread crumbs towards that answer have been placed.

I can’t wait until next month to see what happens when Ross gets all of them in the same room!

Grade: B+

Colder #2
Written: Paul Tobin
Art: Juan Ferreyra
Cover: Juan Ferreyra
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99

Paul Tobin can write one weird comic book.

And, that’s putting it mildly. Declan shows Reece, the women who has been taking care of him, the world’s true insanity while Nimble Jack continues his search around Boston for Declan.

Juan Ferreyra brings his talents to the horror yarn and produces some of the best character work in the game today.

The entry and exit into the hellish world was perfectly executed and blurs the lines between sanity and insanity.

The writing is an A, the artwork is an A+ and the overall package will make you greedy for more.

Grade: A

Here are some comics that didn’t make the list but may tickle your fancy.

Swamp Thing #15 (DC Comics) 
Gotham City has had the shit kicked out of it over the years but can it survive Rot World?

Hawkeye #5 (Marvel Comics) 
Clint Barton has got himself in a pickle that not even he can get out of.

All New X-Men #3 (Marvel Comics) 
This is the true X-Men book of the Marvel Universe. The past and the present collide, to dictate the future.

Alpha Girl #5 (Image Comics) 
The zombie apocalypse continues as Frank embraces his inner zombie killer.

Daredevil: End of Days #3 (Marvel Comics) 
Ben Urich keeps pissing off the wrong people in his quest to tell the story of the late Matt Murdock.

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