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 #30 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Chris Samnee
Colorist: Javier Rodriguez
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Thirty issues in, and Mark Waid has been the mastermind behind what is arguably not only the best Daredevil run of all time, but also the best series in the game today.
The preview at the end of last month’s issue made me super excited. I mean come on: A Daredevil and Silver Surfer team up!?
How are they going to pull this off?
I’m here to report that it was pulled off in spectacular fashion.
Ru’Ach, an Achian, is a galactic fugitive who seeks the counsel of Matt Murdock.
This moment is great because his idea about hiring Murdock is based on an inebriated commencement speech. Silver Surfer comes in to apprehend Ru’Ach and Murdock stops him in his tracks since he feels his “client” is innocent until the Surfer proves otherwise. The adventure they embark on was an absolute pleasure to be a part of, and Chris Samnee’s two page spread of Daredevil driving Silver Surfer’s board was priceless and needs to be made into a poster ASAP.
This issue has a little bit of everything from comedy to action and everything else in between. This is definitely one of the best single issues of the year and you owe it to yourself as a comic book fan to read this issue.
Grade: A+
Superman Unchained #3
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Jim Lee, Scott Williams & Dustin Nguyen
Colorist: Alex Sinclair, Jeromy Cox & John Kalisz
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Superman Unchained gives fans an opportunity to see the Man of Steel under a light that makes him compelling while keeping his old school essence intact.
Scott Snyder’s writing gives you that aura of concern for the titular character while Jim Lee’s work provides the in your face imagery that speaks to your imagination.
In many ways, you really can’t call any book a Superman book without Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Lex Luthor.
Their inclusion in the story doesn’t exactly tell you where
they’re headed, but everything is slowly building towards something bigger on the horizon.
Luthor has broken out of prison and he wants to kick some Kryptonian tail and takes an interesting path towards that objective which is explained in the backstory. General Sam Lane has Superman on the ropes courtesy of his mammoth ace in the hole, Wraith. However, Wraith pulls an audible and shows Superman some unexpected respect. Snyder’s plotted course towards their inevitable encounter is riddled with convincing hints that makes you believe that Superman doesn’t stand a chance.
We all know that Superman always finds a way to win, but his inner dialogue gives off a sense of self-doubt as he is thinking of combat tips that he received from Batman instead of doing what he does best. I’m genuinely excited to see where Snyder and Lee decide to take us because with three issues in, this series is running on all cylinders.
Grade: B+
Star Wars: Darth Vader and The Ninth Assassin #5
Writer: Tim Siedell
Artist: Ivan Fernandez
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
WOW! Talk about flipping the script in a way that nobody saw coming.
All this time, we have been led to believe that this Ninth Assassin was going to be the one that gives Darth Vader a serious run for his money.
As it turns out, the assassin was just another victim, but its aftermath is what provides that holy shit moment that makes you realize we’ve all been played, including Vader.
This book answers questions that the reader didn’t even know were being asked.
The genesis of certain ideas not only makes this series more entertaining, but also reverberates into Episode IV.
This is a great miniseries, but I think it will read much better as a graphic novel. However, it is worth reading in any format.
Grade: B
Chin Music #2
Writer: Steve Niles
Art: Tony Harris
Colors: Matt Cahill
Letters: Bill Tortolini
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: 2.99
Chin Music serves as a complicated tale filed with demons and gangsters and Elliot Ness is in the center of it all.
The quote, “As far as the world is concerned, Al Capone is still alive and I want to keep it that way” kind of says it all as it relates to the overall seriousness of the plot.
Steve Niles works his magic in a way that perfectly blends Prohibition era matters with supernatural evils.
I can look at Tony Harris’ artwork all day.
While it has a cartoony application, it’s more defined and serious when it needs to be and the coloring augments the depictions.
Image Comics has a real winner here. My hope is that future issues come out monthly instead of it’s delayed rotation.
Grade B+
Justice League Dark #23
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Mikel Janin
Colorist: Jeromy Cox
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
The three eyed golden skull that has caused all of the trouble in Trinity War proves to be the main antagonist of this tension filled fifth chapter.
Various Justice Leaguers play hot potato with Pandora’s Box, while others hold Amanda Waller accountable for her actions.
Jeff Lemire is something of an artist when it comes to storytelling because the fine points are all in the details. Everyone feels that they can handle the power of the “Box” and while there appear to be many qualified suitors, the one who can actually handle the responsibility is a real doozy.
Then again, after thinking about it, it’s not that much of a shocker and it makes total sense. Mikel Janin’s art is on point as always, and the coloring of Jeromy Cox makes the images pop.
With one issue to go, the finale should prove to be something spectacular.
Grade: B
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