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!
Daredevil #25 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Chris Samnee
Colors: Javier Rodriguez
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Many have tried, but the genius that is Mark Waid has finally done it.
He has managed to instill fear into the Man Without Fear. The awesome cover drawn by Samnee and Rodriguez tells the whole story. This is a brutal battle involving a killer specifically trained and designed to not only kill Daredevil but to do it while being better than him at his form of fighting.
It’s the ultimate mind %$#@& that Daredevil may not be able to come back from.
That says a lot, considering what Mark Waid has put this man through.
Every aspect of this fight from bloody punches to bone crushing blows is brilliantly illustrated by Chris Samnee. This was not your typical back and forth battle where the bad guy pulls out a fluke victory. The killer, whose ninja outfit is a combination of Daredevil’s red and yellow costume, was three steps ahead at every turn. He looked pretty bad ass while handling.
This is the type of work that made Mark Waid the Eisner award winning writer that he is. Super-heroes always triumph in the end. However, Waid manages to put the Devil in such peril that it seems inconceivable that he can actually win. Then, out of nowhere, he comes up with a plan that ensures victory.
Like every story arc before this one, I have no idea how he gets out of this one but I can’t wait to see how he does it.
Grade: A
Age of Ultron #6
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Brandon Peterson, Carlos Pacheco & Roger Martinez
Colors: Paul Mounts & Jose Villarrubia
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Nick Fury and Captain America lead the charge in the future to battle Ultron.
Meanwhile, Wolverine travels to the past to stop Hank Pym from creating the metallic menace.
A member of Fury’s band makes a last minute decision to stowaway with Wolverine and be his voice of reason.
What-if scenario after what-if scenario enters our mind as the story progresses.
Can Hank Pym be reasoned with, or will he try to prove to everyone that he can build an Ultron that doesn’t destroy the world?
The meat and potatoes of this issue deals with what occurs in the past, as opposed to the future. This is a different direction that this event needed as the end result of this issue will end up creating the biggest domino effect ever.
Brian Michael Bendis is Marvel’s big event writer because he is able to get the most bang for your buck by utilizing a lot of characters to their utmost ability in their given situation. The artwork keeps pace with the stark splendor this series had exhibited while the vibrant colors make the imagery pop.
With four issues left, the light speed pace of this event looks to produce a big finale, especially if the rumors regarding the tenth and final issue are true.
Grade: A-
Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #1
Writer: Tim Siedell
Art: Stephen Thompson & Mark Irwin
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Cover: Ariel Olivetti
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
How far would you go to kill Darth Vader?
That is certainly a loaded question if there ever was one.
Eight assassins have tried and they’ve tasted the glowing red blade of death. A Ninth candidate has offered their services for the hit and the fee comes at a considerable cost to the applicant.
Tim Siedell did a good job of establishing a story where the galaxy’s elite are completely turned off by how Vader conducts business.
We are several months removed from the Clone Wars. While he is feared, Vader doesn’t have that legendary reputation yet. Most liken him to a watch dog who broke away from his master’s leash. The irony is, in this time period, Vader is in his physical prime. Of course, they don’t know that which makes it all the more interesting.
However, Dark Horse has released a plethora of Darth Vader stories where someone, some group or something, is out to get him. So what makes this one so different? Siedell has crafted a tense situation that carries political and very personal stakes. The benefactor has no fear of any imperial repercussions as he willingly cut out his own eyes as part of the bargain.
The artwork established the dark and desperate tone of the book and the shot of the actual Ninth Assassin gave the intended impression that Vader is going to have his hands full with this guy.
This is a fantastic start to what should be an entertaining voyage.
Grade: B
Justice League #19
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis & Joe Prado
Colors: Rod Reis & Brad Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Justice League’s new story arc proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
A masked assailant breaks into the Batcave and steals a Kryptonite Ring from a container marked with Superman’s S-Shield.
This has “Tower of Babel” written all over it as there were several containers marked with League member’s insignias. What made this even more interesting is that the assailant had expert knowledge of the Batcave; knowing how to override all of the security protocols.
Geoff Johns is phenomenal at writing stories with mystery and intrigue. Batman has a plan in place to stop each Justice League member in the event they go rogue. The plan is well hidden, but how did the bad guys know about it? Why did they only take something that could hurt Superman instead of taking all of the weaknesses? Things are going to get interesting between now and this summer’s “Trinity” mega event. Once again, the Shazam backstory comes out swinging and delivers a knockout punch of excitement.
Black Adam’s humble beginnings are revealed while young Billy Batson has a plan to simply talk things out in order to avoid a violent altercation. What makes this fun to read is how well everything comes together. Batson’s good nature, accompanied by his teenage angst, brings about the reluctant hero that he never knew he had inside of him. His foster brothers and sister who take part in this journey remind the reader that Batson is just a kid, even when he harnesses the power of the gods. This is one of the better Justice League issues that didn’t actually annoy me.
It was entertaining from cover-to-cover and worth every penny spent.
Grade: B+
Todd, The Ugliest Kid On Earth #4
Writer: M.K. Perker & Ken Kristensen
Art: M.K. Perker
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99
This dark comedy involving Todd’s most unfortunate circumstances makes me laugh and cry at the same time, over and over again.
His mother and father are so consumed with becoming famous or getting laid, they forget that their son is in prison for a murder he didn’t commit.
The thing that makes this issue so good is how the comedy escalates to ridiculous proportions.
The artwork shines best in this series during the emotional end of things from facial reactions to the body language of the characters.
This is the final issue of the arc that ends with one hell of a shocker for poor Todd.
Grade: B+
Sonic Universe #51
Writer: Ian Flynn
Art: Jamal Peppers & Jim Amash
Colors: Matt Herms
Publisher: Archie Comics
Price: $2.99
My mind went into geek overload when the Sonic Hedgehog and Mega Man crossover was announced. I spent so much of the early 90’s playing Mega Man 2 and the first Sonic game that it is probably unhealthy.
Dr. Wily and Doctor Eggman meet through a chance encounter and a bromance is formed over their hatred of their blue rivals. Ian Flynn perfectly captures the essence of these legendary icons as they engage in battle.
Sonic is cocky and in your face, while good hearted Mega Man is trying to subdue the threat. They did a good job of making sure neither one looked weaker than the other which I guess is to be expected.
New robots are created from the combined knowledge of Wily and Eggman so that means double the danger and it will take the combined efforts of Mega Man and Sonic to win the day…if they can ever get on the same page.
Grade: B
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro Series – Krang #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Art: Mike Henderson
Colors: Ian Herring
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
The TMNT micro series brings about a different type of origin story.
Instead of the once innocent kid who was tormented into his evil way of life, Krang was a spoiled prince of an evil alien empire. Think Joffrey from Game of Thrones but smaller and pink.
Reading this, you hope he falls flat on his face as it is appears he lacks the fortitude to be a leader. Several pages later you kind of want him to win which is the emotional flip flop Williamson was aiming for.
This is certainly a surprise hit that is worth going out of your way for. Kevin Eastman’s cover is my favorite of the week and would make one cool poster.
Grade: B+
