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!
Jupiter’s Legacy #1 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Mark Millar
Art: Frank Quitely
Colors: Peter Doherty
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99
This Mark Millar fella is pretty good at this writing thing, and proves he is still on top of his game, with Jupiter’s Legacy.
This is a superhero tale with generational depth. Sheldon, the protagonist, was born into privilege and saw how far his life and country had gone downhill during the Great Depression. His journey to makes things better gifted him and those around him with superpowers and made a mark on the world the likes of which may never have happened otherwise.
The story picks up in the present where Sheldon’s offspring don’t share his devotion to the cause.
Endorsements, parties, and living up to a seemingly impossible ideal hinder the current crop of heroes. The Golden Age collides with the Modern Age in attempt to dictate the future. Some stick to their beliefs, while others begin to see things in a different light. Truth, justice, and the American way may not be the best thing in 2013, according to Sheldon’s brother, who also gained super powers on that fateful journey. Superheroes in comic books are one thing, but super heroes in the real world are a different story, exactly the kind Mark Millar is telling in exquisite fashion.
Grade: A
Star Wars: Legacy – Prisoner of the Floating World #2
Writer: Corinna Bechko & Gabriel Hardman
Artist: Gabriel Hardman
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $2.99
Issue #2 picks up the pace in action from its predecessor and delivers on all fronts. A new Sith Lord captured a Jedi Knight and assumed his identity.
Ania Solo and her friend, Sauk, are being persued by local police as a result of the lightsaber they found, which unbeknownst to them, belongs to the captured Jedi.
The art did a really good job of laying out the chase scenes in the tunnel where the chase occurred. Sauk’s facial expressions, as he clumsily makes things go boom with the lightsaber, was priceless.
Bechko & Hardman add an element of romance and mystery to the fold which opens all sorts of possibilities.
Grade: B+
East of West #2
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Nick Dragotta
Colors: Frank Martin
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.50
Jonathan Hickman’s tale of an alternative America shows a fractured nation where anarchy and deliverance are welcomed by a powerful few.
Death, the book’s main character, kills the President in order to send a statement to the other three Horseman. “The Message” is the prophecy that drives everything, as its intention is to end the world.
Jonathan Hickman is never one to hold the reader‘s hand as he tells the story. While it may be requisite for some, this is what makes his comics either hit or miss and this one is in the process of being a big hit.
This tension-filled issue climaxes at the end, as Death discovers the existence of something that was once lost.
Nick Dragotta’s artwork is something of a mystery to me. It’s is refined at times and dull at others. I’m not sure if this is by design, since the moments such as The Horsemen “selecting” the new President was eerily depicted.
Overall, this looks to be one of Image Comics’ breakout successes of 2013. While it can be hard to follow at times, it is a splendid read that gives comic book fans more than enough to sink their teeth into.
Grade: B
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #22
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Sara Pichelli
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
The thrilling conclusion to “Venom War” brings about a personal tragedy for Miles Morales.
These things and Spider-Man go hand-in-hand so it was only a matter of time before our young hero suffered this particular wound.
While Peter Parker suffered his first loss before he became Spider-Man, Miles has been Spider-Man for a little bit before he suffered his.
Plus, he is in middle school which shows how much younger is.
Bendis pulls a bait and switch with the finish of the story. It is not only heart wrenching and excellently drawn by Sara Pichelli, but makes the road ahead for Miles even more tumultuous.
The cover of the next issue features Miles walking away from a trash can just like Peter did in Amazing Spider-Man #50. Obviously, they are going the route of Miles quitting until something forces him back into action. The seeds are planted in this book for that to occur, but it is the journey along the way that will have to be the hook that draws the reader in.
In my opinion, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man is one of most consistently great comic books on the shelf today. There is no doubt that Bendis’ knack for storytelling on an emotional scale coupled with Pichelli and Ponsor’s unique talents will be more than up to the task.
Grade: B+
Masks #6
Writer: Chris Roberson
Art: Dennis Calero
Cover: Alex Ross
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Price: $3.99
Masks shows how the greater good can rise against a great evil.
The stronghold of the Justice Party has been infiltrated and its secrets are deadly. Finally, we begin to gets some answers as things start to heat up.
The first two issues of this series were incredible, and then things kind of fell off with some bright moments here and there.
This issue had everything you could ask for.
Black Bat and Zorro battle Black Legion troopers and begin to wonder why they only carry clubs despite being so heavily armored.
This adds to the mystery that surrounds The Justice Party because they have more than enough resources to do whatever they want. Dennis Calero’s art was at a series best and flawlessly depicted the fight scenes that augment the story’s progression because of the stakes involved.
We are at the half-way point of this dramatic series, and things are about to become even more interesting.
Grade: B+
The Flash #19
Writer: Brian Buccellato
Art: Francis Manapul & Marico Takara
Cover: Francis Manapul
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
Barry Allen lost his powers in the last issue and is now stuck in Iron Heights where it totally sucks not to have super speed.
Of course, we are so consumed with the speedy aspect of this character; we forget that Barry is a forensic scientist.
This means he is pretty smart and it is this aspect that comes to the forefront of this book.
There is a Dial H tie-in that is a nice addition to the story while most cross-overs can be cumbersome and done just for the hell of it. When all is said and done, this issue might have you saying, “Flash who?” and chanting “Barry, Barry, Barry!”
Grade: A-
Titles that didn’t make the list but might tickle your fancy.
Avengers #10 (Marvel Comics)
The world ending event makes its way to Canada where Omega Flight members will never be the same.
Judge Dredd Year One #2 (IDW Publishing)
The first year in the career of Judge Dredd shows that even the lawful has his doubts about the law.
