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The Pull List: SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #19, LETTER 44 #1, ZERO #2 & More!

Another week, another stack of comics.

I read them all.

The good and the bad, so you don’t have to.

Welcome to The Pull List.

And, as always…Spoilers ahead!

Batwoman #24 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: W. Haden Blackman & J.H. Williams III
Artist: Trevor McCarthy
Colorist: Guy Major
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99

Batwoman #24 serves as the series’ swan song for W. Haden Blackman and J.H. Williams III. Despite all of the great stories that has come out of these remarkable pages, it is fitting that the duo gives us the one thing they’ve been teasing for twenty four issues: The showdown between Batwoman and Batman.

Blackman and Williams have done a superb job of giving Kate Kane her own voice and identity even though she is wearing the mantel of the Bat. Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake all know they could never beat Batman in a fight.

 Kane respects him, but is not afraid of him, and believes she can defeat him under the right circumstances which are masterfully illustrated by Trevor McCarthy.

“Oh god. I knew he hits hard, just didn’t expect THIS HARD” is Kane’s reaction as The Dark Knight lands the first punch in their combative affair and the panel this occurs in does a good job of showing the pain on her often expressionless face.

Marc Andreyko has his work cut out for him as he takes the helm on this series next month. There is so much going on in in this issue that carries over to the next, I fear that a new writer might not be able to execute all of the important elements to deliver the desired result. Batwoman is not just a great book to read, but a wonderful series to look at.

The imagery is not only enticing, but is also drawn differently than other books featuring the other Bat characters because it truly shows Gotham from a similar, but different, perspective of Kane. The bottom line is that you need to buy this issue, and the next one as well, if you want to know how the main event turns out.

Grade: A

Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #1
Writer: Brian Buccellato
Artist: Patrick Zircher & Scott Hepburn
Colorist: Nick Filardi
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99

The Rogues are unlike any group of villains in the DC Universe.

While they have done their fair share of harm, world domination is where they draw the line when it comes to evil intentions.

The Crime Syndicate has issued a worldwide ultimatum: you are either with them or against them. Captain Cold and the rest of his band stand alone and become enemies of the new state. Current Flash scribe, Brian Buccellato set a fun and serious tone in this mini-series by establishing how concerned the Rogues are about the coming events, but how the world, in its current form, is currently against them.

One of the things that stood out is how difficult things will be for the super crooks.

They almost never defeat The Flash when working together and he is just one guy. How are they expected to defeat an army of villains who will kill just because? This time around, Buccellato cleverly answered that question in regards to powers and abilities of those who were sent after them. However, that was C List. What happens when the B and A team eventually gets involved?

Are the Rogues the heroes of the day or are they just roadblocks in the much larger scheme of things to come? I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out!

Grade: B+

Superior Spider-Man #19
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Ryan Stegman
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

The conclusion to the Spider-Man 2099 story arc signals the beginning of things to come for the series.

Hats off to Dan Slott for writing an action packed issue where you felt the weight of peril with each passing moment that went by as NYC was on the verge of being destroyed. You always know good will triumph over evil, but the pacing of the story, along with the energy filled artwork of Ryan Stegman, just sucked you in and made you believe that this time Spider-Man might not save the day.

The temporal damage done provided some interesting moments including witnessing the genesis Alchemax which means they will now be a factor in the Spider-Man landscape going.

Dan Slott has made a lot of changes to this franchise over the last twelve months from Spider-Ock to Miguel O’Hara now being stuck in 2013. Remember the hate mail he received over such changes?

I think this book is proof positive that people should calm down, relax and repeat the words “In Dan Slott we trust.”

Grade: A-

Letter 44 #1
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque
Colorist: Guy Major
Publisher: Oni Press
Price: $1.00

Stephen Blades is the incoming 44th President of the United States who reads a letter left for him by his predecessor revealing the threat of an alien invasion.

The concept behind this book is fascinating but fades in some areas. The beginning is great, the middle could have been better and the very end ties it all together.

After the plot is revealed, there is a lot of talking and very little action. The truth and fiction behind the idea of aliens actually being in existence does enough to keep your interest.

For one stinking dollar, you should give this one a try and see if it tickles your fancy.

Grade: B-

Buzzkill #2
Writer: Donny Cates & Mark Reznicek
Artist: Geoff Shaw
Colorist: Lauren Affe
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99

If you are not reading this series then you are really missing out on something spectacular.

I wish I wasn’t writing this very review because telling you how good it is just doesn’t do it justice. The creative storytelling of Cates and Reznicek shines in every word balloon and Geoff Shaw’s artistry does a phenomenal job of getting the point across.

Super powers fueled by addiction comes at a steep price for Ruben who just wants a normal and sober life.

However, the forces of evil come together to end his miserable existence.

The beating Ruben receives is painfully drawn by Shaw because every punch, kick, stabbing and looks like it truly hurts.

We also learn a little more about Ruben’s powers as well. Different drugs of choice give him different powers and it was humorous to see him finish a pack of cigarettes in attempt to become more powerful in order to fend off every bad guy he ever fought during his time as a superhero. If you are looking for something different, Buzzkill is the vice for you.

Grade: A-

Zero #2
Writer: Alex Kot
Artist: Tradd Moore
Colorist: Jordie Nelson
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99

Edward Zero is a bad asses bad ass.

If you want the objective finished, he is the man for the job. We discover in this issue how Edward has been trained for this life since he was a child by the agency.

A young Edwards learns that reward can be found in failure which is kind of cold considering the type of mental training he is put thought in order to achieve success in the field.

One of things that sets this type of story apart from others is how certain elements are set up to make the book look like a classified document. Tradd Moore is the artist assigned for this issue and he brings an exaggerated tone to the story which makes sense because after all, kids are known to embellish.

I’m really enjoying what Alex Kot has given us with this series so far and look forward to see more of Edward’s trials and tribulations unfold.

Grade: B+

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