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The Pull List: BATMAN #18, STAR WARS #3, AGE OF ULTRON #2 & 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!

Batman & Robin #18 (Pick of the Week)
Writer Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Patrick Gleason & Mick Gray
Colors: John Kalisz
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99

There are no words that can truly describe what it is like to lose a child. Therefore, there are none spoken during Peter J. Tomasi’s Requiem of Damian Wayne.

Sadness and despair has engulfed Wayne Manor. Bruce, Alfred, and Damian’s dog, Titus have lost the one constant in their life that makes everything click.

No matter how hard Bruce tries to make sense of it all, sense is nowhere to be found.

They say the best artwork knows how to tell a story.

Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray prove that theory to be correct as no matter where the grieving turns, in or out of the cape and cowl, he can’t escape the constant reminders of his son which only become more profound as each is discovered.

The emotional straw that breaks the camel’s back is depicted with such rage and sadness that makes you wish you could reach into the page and console the Dark Knight who is in more pain than any super villain could put him through.

Once Grant Morrison killed off his pint sized creation, it was interesting to see how the rest of the Bat books would follow up with such a dramatic event. It was my hope that Peter J. Tomasi would release the strongest outing since Damian Wayne was the star of this series. It’s safe to say that Tomasi and company get the blue ribbon. Make sure you read this before you read Scott Snyder’s Batman #18.

Grade: A

Batman #18
Writer: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV
Art: Andy Kubert, Alex Maleeve, & Sandra Hope
Colors: Brad Anderson & Nathan Fairbairn
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99

In the wake of what transpired to Damian Wayne, we knew Batman’s downward spiral was going to be dark.

Enter Harper Row, the punky Gotham City electrical engineer who wants to repay Batman for protecting her and her brother from an assault.

She recognizes loss more than most, and sees it etched all over the Caped Crusader.

She is determined to show him there is some light at the end of the tunnel and it begins with resolve.

There is some foreshadowing that suggests Row could be in line to be the next Robin, but it is too soon and too obvious.

While a woman’s touch could be what the Robin character needs, Harper’s role wedged in between major Batman story arcs is perfect right now as she gives the series a certain je ne sais quoi.

Andy Kubert steps in for Greg Capullo in the art department and draws a ravaged Batman combing the streets of Gotham as he hasn’t attended to a single injury, or fixed the holes and rips in his costume. While the next big tale in the Batman universe has already been announced, Scott Snyder proves he can do no wrong when the title of his book starts with the word “Bat”.

Grade: B+ 

Uncanny X-Men #3
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Jaime Mendoza
Colors: Chris Bachalo
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

The revolution will be televised as Scott Summers reaches out to new mutants everywhere.

There are two problems, though; The Avengers, and a traitor in their ranks that may actually have their best interests at heart.

Bendis’ story in this issue almost makes the Uncanny Avengers series obsolete.

Captain America is trying his best to bring mutants and humans together. At the same time, he wants to arrest Cyclops and the new mutant teenagers he is helping.

Cyclops is a wanted fugitive, but what about the kids?

Why should they be brought in?

Steve Rogers tries to have everyone’s best interest at heart, but I think he got it wrong this time and that is what absolutely hooked my attention. Chris Bachalo’s depicting of a new mutant named Eva using her power to stop time was riveting to see because it could be a game changer in the overall scheme of things and will be hard to counter act for any enemy. Besides Cyclops’ new costume, which needs to go, the third time is quite the charm for this new and tremendous series.

Grade: B+

Todd, The Ugliest Kid on Earth #3
Writer: Ken Kristensen
Art: M.K. Perker
Colors: Cemal Soyleyen
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99

Poor Todd, everyone is out to get him in a way that is horrible and charming at the same time. It’s hard to explain. I mean, laughing at a bullied child who has been incarnated for a crime he didn’t commit.

This speaks to the talents of Ken Kristensen as he makes the reader laugh and cry at the same time. This issue focuses on the other people in Todd’s life such as his cheating parents, the cop who arrested him and the real killer who is still at large.

In prison, Todd gets invited to his first party, a blanket party and he couldn’t be happier even though he truly has no idea what he is in store for.

In my opinion, this is one of the best comics on the shelf today and you are doing yourself a huge disservice if you are not reading it.

Grade: B

Star Wars #3
Writer: Brian Wood
Art: Carlos D’Anda
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb
Cover: Alex Ross
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $2.99

Brian Wood continues to bowl nothing but strikes in this Star Wars series set after the Battle of Yavin.

The greatest thing to take away from this series is how accurately Wood echoes the voices of iconic characters. Leia has formed her secret squadron of stealth X-Wings to flush out a spy among their ranks.

The meat and potatoes in this issue lies with an argument between Luke and Leia as the princess shows signs of jealousy over a potential love interest. This is fascinating on a multitude of levels because obviously, they are brother and sister.

Of course, they don’t know that yet which makes this space opera drama all the more interesting. Carlos D’Anda’s art work is stunning as usual and Han Solo fans will not be disappointed with his contributions to the plot.

All and all, the force is strong with this one.

Grade: B+

Age of Ultron #2
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Bryan Hitch & Paul Neary
Colors: Paul Mounts
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

Black Widow and Moon Knight deal with the fallout of Ultron’s attack on the West Coast of the United States.

We still don’t know how it all started, but we get a little closer to finding out. While we know a lot more, we don’t have any answers. The mystery involved with everything that transpires is what drives the story in a unique direction that will not draw up any event burnout.

There is something up with Spider-Man and it makes you wonder if the whole Otto Octavius thing will come to light.

If so, being trapped in an underground bunker with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the midst of worldwide destruction would be the worst case scenario for the Wall Crawler.

Bryan Hitch drew some incredible images that convey the gravity of the situation the world faces. One example of this is when Moon Knight shoots someone and Widow takes their food.

With two issues in, Age of Ultron is off to a great start and hopefully continues to bring something different to the table.

Grade: B

Titles that didn’t make the list but may just tickle your fancy

Wolverine #1 (Marvel) 
Ray gun shenanigans puts our clawed hero in quite the predicament as a child’s life hangs in the balance.

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