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!
Avengers #3 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Jerome Opena
Colors: Dean White, Frank Martin, & Richard Isanove
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
The Avengers were put together to fight the fights no hero could defeat alone. That was a while ago. Times have changed and threats are bigger than ever before. “We need to get bigger” is Tony Stark’s response.
Jonathan Hickman gives us two stories that flow together seamlessly. Thor, Iron Man and others are trapped on Mars by god-like foes while Hickman takes us to previous events where Steve Rogers accompanies Stark on a mission to expand their roster. Some selections are obvious while others not so much, and then you have those who declined the invitation.
The gorgeous artwork of Jerome Opena was a pleasure to look at and impeccably captures Hickman’s grand vision of a new initiative.
Some heroes got more page time than others and some made an indelible impression such as Spider-Man being unable to break through something, and when he complained about it, the next panel shows Wolverine and the word, SNIKT!
Even a smaller image of Captain Marvel flying into fight highlights the majesty of Opena’s work. While the battle on Mars ended very abruptly, it didn’t take away from the awesomeness that was this issue.
I’m not the biggest Hickman fan, but with three issues into this Marvel NOW series, he seems to be on to something epic.
Injustice: Gods Among Us #2
Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Jheremy Raapack
Colors: Andrew Elder
Letters: Wes Abbott
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: 99¢
The events in the last issue and in this one are pushing Superman towards a fall from grace in the worst possible way.
Friends are dying, loved ones are in peril and The Joker is holding all of the cards.
Suffice it to say, Tom Taylor’s impressive storytelling has thus far heightened the gravity of the situation the Man of Steel is facing. Jheremy Raapack’s art direction delivered some great moments such as Batman telling Flash to run faster so no one can see Flash carrying him. Speaking of Flash, there was another great visual moment where one minute he is vegging out on his couch in Central City, and the next minute, he’s in Metropolis and already investigating. It was the perfect way to not only show how fast he really is, but to show Barry Allen’s personality.
There is a lot of content packed into these digital shorts which makes it disappointing when you get to the last page. In a way, Tom Taylor is giving fans a story filled with those speculative “what if” scenarios you shared with your friends. For example, what if Superman is trapped in a room full of Kryptonite and Doomsday is blocking the only exit?
Grade: A-
Peanuts Vol 2 #5
Writer: Charles Schultz, Mona Koth, Shane Houghton & Vicki Scott
Art: Matt Whitlock, Mona Koth & Vickie Scott
Cover: Vickie Scott & Paige Braddock
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Price: $3.99
No matter how old anyone gets, people who grew up with Charles Schultz’s iconic Peanuts characters will always crack a smile or two at their lovable antics. Snoopy’s most beloved personality, The Flying Ace, battles it out in aerial combat against his arch nemesis, the Red Baron.
The chaos that ensues is a wonderful example of classic Peanuts at its finest. The story is strong and the art flawlessly sets a fun and enjoyable pace.
There is also an original Schultz strip in the book along with a dirty tale where Linus wants to see what life is like in Pig-Pen’s shoes.
Is cute worth $3.99? In this case, absolutely!
Grade: B
Nightwing #16
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Art: Eddy Barrows
Colors: Eber Ferreira
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
“Death of the Family” rolls on with what may be the creepiest book of the arc, and that covers a lot of ground. The Joker has with toyed Jason Todd, Tim Drake and Damian Wayne and now he springs his most elaborate trap in an abandoned amusement park for the original Robin.
Beaten and blown up so badly that he should be dead, Nightwing‘s showdown heavily suggests a big “yes” to the burning question if The Joker really knows both Nightwing’s secret identity, and those of the entire Bat-Family.
Kyle Higgins brought his A-game to this issue with by capitalizing on a particular and fitting set of circumstances.
The Joker looks at Batman as someone who, in his eyes, is so pathetic, it’s comical to the point that if he doesn’t have the Dark Knight in his life, he himself, would have nothing. Obviously Joker would have serious discontent for anyone who follows Batman and saves his best for the one who followed him first. Eddy Barrows’ pencil work was fun to look at and did its job to the fullest. A dark and stormy night with Nightwing getting the shit kicked out of him at every turn while dealing with a mind &$#@*, here and there, was intensely depicted.
The ending produces one of those cliff hanger moments where even though you know Nightwing will survive, you truly don’t know what will happen next.
Grade: B+
Fables #125
Writer: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham & Steve Leialoha
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Publisher: Vertigo
Price: $2.99
Have you ever read something that you knew was good but at the same time, you weren’t sure what you actually read? Well, that was my experience with this issue of Fables. Fairy tale characters living in the contemporary United States if a funky concept to wrap your head around.
Of course, Bill Willingham’s superb writing in this brand new story arc makes you appreciate the genre a little bit more. Snow White is the main character but we don’t see much of her because she is waiting for her missing children to return.
This issue takes place sometime during the “Cubs in Toyland” storyline.
The artwork was not only skillfully depicted, but cleverly executed, throughout the book. One sub-plot involving different fencing swords serves as a great example of fairy tale done right for this Vertigo series. What would Fables be without something to hang your hat on while waiting for the next issue?
Snow White certainly has some shocking developments to deal with as Fabletown might never be the same.
Grade: B+
The Winter Soldier #14
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Butch Guice & Brian Thies
Colors: Jordie Bellaire & Bettie Breitweiser
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Every hardcore comic book fan has that one particular creator whose work speaks to them more than most. For me, that creator is Ed Brubaker. I know, that suggests some bias in my selection for this column. However, any fan who was captivated by Brubaker’s legendary run on Captain America will notice the difference between the rank and file monthly release and some of the best work of the week.
This heartbreaking finale of The Winter Soldier serves as a reminder of the tortured soul Bucky really is. The art direction of Guice and Thies not only sets a dramatic tone, which is saying something, considering this series, but also brings a lot of hope and lasting pain to this story’s conclusion.
Brubaker made Cap relevant again, but Bucky is his baby. Instead of stamping happily ever after on the story, Brubaker goes in the opposite direction thus making the never ending tragedy of James Barnes opened to continuation for future creators who are looking to fill some heavy shoes.
Grade: A-
Green Lantern #16
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy & Keith Champagne
Colors: Tony Avina & Alex Sinclair
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
B’dg takes Simon Baz under his wing in the next installment of the Third Army Saga.
So far, Baz is a good guy who appears to want to do the right thing. Still, Hal Jordan is coming back someday and when that day arrives, why should we care that Baz will most likely be pushed to the B-List like Kyle Rayner. Geoff Johns tries to make us believe Simon Baz is the next big thing as this rookie pushes the power ring to heights no Lantern has seen before. It just may be a one time thing or it could be a game changer that only Baz can control.
What’s scary about this is that he still doesn’t know how to use the ring and pulled off a miracle.
B’dg barking orders during his travels with Baz was highly entertaining and pulled off in a way that didn’t come off absolutely ridiculous.
I mean, come on, a grown man being talked down to by a chipmunk, even one who is a Green Lantern, but still, A CHIPMUNK!?!? Honestly, I forgot about B’dg’s existence until the Robot Chicken DC Comics Special. Johns answered my prayers and we get more B’dg!!!
Grade: B
Here are some titles that didn’t make the list but may just tickle your fancy,
Justice League #16 (DC Comics)
Crazy amounts of action and water as the League is in peril and Cyborg has no choice but to call in reinforcements. This decision could be the precursor the new “Justice League of America” series, out next month.
Deadpool #4 (Marvel Comics)
Wade Wilson takes on Abraham Lincoln in a Mixed Martial Arts slug fest that not even the UFC can contain.
Masks #3 (Dynamite Entertainment)
Nice story progression but horrible artwork. Note to Dynamite, please, have Alex Ross do draw every issue instead of just working on only the first issue. It takes away from what could be an epic series.
Homecoming #3 (Aspen Comics)
The life of a teenager is never easy and when you add alien hybrids and hidden superpowers, high school is anything but fun. Emilo Lasio produces the best artwork of the week.
