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!
Polarity #1 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Max Bemis
Art: Jorge Coelho
Colors: Felipe Sobreiro
Letters: Steve Wands
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Price: $3.99
If I had the ability to fly and then lost that ability without knowing I had it in the first place, all while dealing with mental illness, there would probably be no amount of medication that could make me feel normal.
I would always feel that something was missing, and that search for normalcy would be infinite.
Tim Woods is a bipolar artist who feels that there is something missing. He feels his medication could be the problem, so he stops taking it and feels he is free. However, strange things start happening that he attributes to side effects from stopping his medication.
However, there is more than meets the eye to everything that that is transpiring.
Polarity is marvelously crafted from head to toe. It speaks to you in a way that most comics could only dream of achieving. Punk rocker Max Bemis created and wrote this story, and admittedly suffers from mental illness. Whether you are familiar with bipolar disorder or not, his script has you so captivated by everything going on in Tim’s life.
Jorge Coelho’s art work presented a bohemian flare, and the coloring by Felipe Sobreiro is trippy and augments the pencil work as well as the story. Buy it now. This is some Eisner Award winning quality stuff that you won’t want to miss. Oh, the book comes with a free song for download by Max Bemis.
Grade: A
Thanos Rising #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Simone Bianchi
Colors: Simone Peruzzi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Thanos Rising is an origin story of how one of the most powerful villains of all time became so evil.
It’s a simple formula that has been used over and over again.
Thanos, who was born on Saturn’s moon, Titan, looks different from the other kids.
He mother wants him dead, his father has no time for him, and he feels like a social outcast. He’s a timid child who doesn’t want any trouble from his classmates and becomes physically ill at the idea of dissecting an animal in science class.
Again, this has been done before, but Jason Aaron adds little something that makes this more of a “poor me” type of story.
Young Thanos makes some social headway with his classmates. Then, enter the devilish girl who is fixated on our purple friend. Simone Biaanchi’s character work shined most as facial expressions spoke more than any word balloon. Interest in Thanos has increased dramatically ever since he appeared in The Avengers post-credit scene.
Obviously, things are going to be a big deal in the months and years ahead and Marvel made the right call with this getting to know you miniseries.
Grade: A-
Detective Comics #19
Writer: John Layman & James Tyninon IV
Art: Jason Fabok & Andy Clarke
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $7.99
The cover may say issue #19 but this is really the celebratory 900th issue of Detective Comics.
The renumbering caused by the New 52 doesn’t allow this to officially be the 900th release, but that won’t stop us geeks from calling it that anyway.
John Layman doesn’t let it stop him, as the main story called “The 900” speaks to a section of Gotham where hardworking and peaceful people reside.
Of course, we find out that no place in Gotham is really safe as a Man-Bat virus is released and spreads to the area’s inhabitants. There is a lot of Man-Bat in this book and while I find the character boring, it was the right call for this book.
Also, James Tyninon IV gives us a preview of what is in store for his ongoing Talon series as Bane and the Court of Owls are in the midst of a conflict. If that combo doesn’t send chills down your spine, then Bane might as well put you over his knee.
There was also the set up of several plot points that suggest this is going to be the main Batman book for current events once Scott Snyder’s Batman hits Zero Year this summer.
Grade: B+
Miss Fury #1
Writer: Rob Williams
Art: Jack Herbert
Colorist: Ivan Nunes
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Price: $3.99
Miss Fury returns in her own series that shows the pulp heroine doing what she does best, being a master thief.
Fury currently appears in Dynamite Entertainment’s hit crossover event, Masks. Although not as popular as her masked counterparts, Green Hornet or Zorro, putting her in her own series will gives fans more appreciation for the character.
Miss Fury debuted all the way back in 1941 when she was originally called Black Fury. Yes, she wears a skintight cat suit like Catwoman but there is a difference between the two.
Batman’s femme fatale is looking for the next big thing to move her way up the food chain and her services have been known to be for hire at times. Marla Drake, Miss Fury’s alter ego, is a wealthy socialite who steals for the thrill of the hunt and from those who wish to do harm upon their fellow man.
The first part of the book shows a fiercely illustrated origin story that more than explains Drake’s edge when in costume. Colorists don’t get enough credit in the comic game, so I will raise my glass to Ivan Nunes whose treatment enhanced the depictions in the book to give it that noir spirit.
The main plot shows Miss Fury battling Nazi agents in 1941 and then all of a sudden, she is transported to 2013 which serves as the ultimate mind game for the reader. The why or how pieces of that puzzle will probably be given in the next issue, which is the hook for the reader to come back.
I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this and I ended up doing so very much. Rob Williams did a great job in getting his point across in a concise and exciting manner. This has the potential to be something. What that something is, remains to be seen, but things are off to a good start.
Grade: B-
Superior Spider-Man #7
Writer: Dan Slott
Art: Humberto Ramos
Color: Edgar Delgado
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
One of the fascinating things about Dok Ock being Spider-Man is that we see how powerful the wall-crawler really is. Peter Parker often held back, where Doc, on the other hand, has no problem crossing the line between right and wrong because he wants to prove that he is, like the title says, the superior Spider-Man.
People are starting to realize that Spidey is not as friendly as he once was by beating people within an inch of their life. The Avengers take notice and intervene. What happens next is the one of the greatest comic book lines ever! Spider-Man yells, “Get your hands off of me you flag wearing fool”, as he judo throws Captain America.
You usually want Spider-Man to succeed, but Dan Slott flips the script and makes the reader want to see Spider-Man fail in his endeavor to apprehend the medical do-gooding vigilante, Cardiac.
That alone makes this unique comic book experience worth checking out.
Grade: B+
Action Comics #19
Writer: Andy Diggle
Art: Tony S. Daniel, Batt
Colors: Tomeu Morey
Letters: Carlos M. Manqual
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Now, this is what I’m talking about!
Smashing giant robots and some great interactions between Lois and Clark make this the Superman book we should have got when the New 52 began.
The ongoing Superman series is a cluster&%#$@, Grant Morrison’s run on Action Comics had its hits and misses, and he borders on being an arrogant frat boy in Justice League.
The brass at DC Comics can’t agree on the Man of Steel’s character portrayal.
This is evident by this being the first and only issue written Andy Diggle since he left the company due to “professional differences.” Furthermore, Tony S. Daniel will finish scripting the arc using Diggle’s plot and will leave the series after. That is a real shame because this is the first time Superman has felt like Superman. This story takes place one year before the New 52 began, and Lex Luthor is up to his alien hating ways. His portrayal thus far has kind of been disappointing, but Diggle changes that. Luthor hatches a plot that will tear Superman apart from the inside out.
We’ve seen this kind of thing happen to Superman in the past. However, he has had Batman and others to help him. He doesn’t have that this time, so he is on his own.
Tony S. Daniel is always money in the art department and this issue is no exception. His depiction of Lois is spectacular and the perfect complement to Diggle’s interpretation of the character. Of course, his work shined most during the battle scene where Superman unloads on some bad guys after being blasted on the sky and charges at them after saying “Didn’t throw the first punch. I’ll throw the last.”
There was no Sholly Fisch backup story which was usually the best part of the book. Honestly, as much as it might be missed, it was not required as everything is straight forward. While I worry about future installments due to the creative shake up, this issue is something Superman fans can be proud of.
Grade: A-
Abe Sapien #1
Writer: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie
Art: Sebastian Flumara
Colors: Dave Stewart
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
My introduction to Abe Sapien took place during the first Hellboy movie. I found him to be a unique and likable character that I wanted to learn more about.
Reading Mike Mignola’s work gave me the chance to learn more about who Abe really is.
I was ecstatic when this ongoing series was announced.
The story centers on a demonic force being released from Hell and the B.P.R.D. turns to one person, Mr. Sapien, for help.
And unfortunately, Abe doesn’t want to be found.
There were some confusing moments in the book that were either meant to come across that way or just didn’t translate well.
The story is exactly what you would expect from a comic written by Mike Mignola. What else is there to say about Dave Stewart, except he is the best colorist for the horror comic genre. His coloring along with Sebastian Flumara’s pencil work shows a creepy looking Abe Sapien who is not to be trifled with. Overall, I was very happy with the first installment and hopefully that will continue in the months ahead.
Grade: B
Titles that didn’t make the list but may tickle your fancy:
Batwing #19: (DC Comics)
Out with the old and in with the new as the son of Lucius Fox is set to take the mantle.
Snapshot #3 (Image Comics)
Jake and Callie are on the run while trying to clear their name for a crime they didn’t not commit. This is a slow burn with a massive pop at the end.
Harbinger Wars #1 (Valiant Entertainment)
Decent start to the Harbinger/Bloodshot crossover. I have a feeling this is only going to get better.
