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!
X-O Manowar #30
Writer: Robert Venditti
Artists: Diego Bernardo, Alisson Rodrigues
Colorist: Wil Quintana
Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
Price: $3.99
In 1996, I was introduced to X-O Manowar via his crossover video game with Iron Man titled Heavy Metal.
Years later, Valiant has done a marvelous job of fleshing out the character in this vast comic universe that has been created. I would say this book is new-reader friendly, but any of Valiant’s books can have that designation since the back story and details on the current arc are written on the inside cover.
However, if you hate words upon words and prefer your storytelling with colorful illustrations, Robert Venditti gives a solid introduction within a new storyline that slowly burns into several intriguing avenues.
The invasion is over and the United Nations wants to police all extraterrestrial weapons and activity on the planet which means inspecting Aric’s Manowar suit.
Vendtti seamlessly produces layers of tension within the story as Aric is completely opposed to letting anyone near the armor while a private corporation hired by the U.N. might not give our hero an option. Mr. Zahan, the new emerging baddie is driven by money and fascinated even more by alien tech. The roadblocks in his way are not lost on him, but his sinister sway heavily advocates his ability to make things happen.
Diego Bernardo produces great visuals and brings a lot of life to the characters in the way he draws body language when someone leans back with their legs on the table or a face displays a stoic yet defining look that illustrates the sentiment of the situation. Also, for my money, no one draws a destruction scene better than Bernardo. The carnage he unleashes on the page is rife with detail that is hard not to examine. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the sleek and bold coloring of Wil Quintana which augments every page, being what it needs to me in every moment.
This is a tremendous jumping on point that will surely develop into an action packed series coupled with a pronounced story in the months ahead.
Score: 4 out of 5
The Amazing Spider-Man #10
Writer: Dan Slott
Art: Olivier Coipel, Wade Von Grawbadger
Colorist: Justin Ponsor
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
What separates big Spider-Man events from all other major storylines involving other superheroes is how personal the stakes are for Peter Parker.
Super-Villains trying to kill the good guy is nothing new, but when you think about tales like Spider-Island, The Clone Saga, and Kraven’s Last Hunt, they all chip away at a piece of Spider-Man’s soul, win, lose or draw. I think this is why Spider Verse is thought-provoking because we aren’t just dealing with murder, but the genocide of a heroic individual throughout time and space.
All Spider-Men are on deck here as the inheritors relentlessly look to satisfy their insatiable appetite for webslingers.
Doc Ock as Superior Spider-Man takes center stage as, of course, he believes he should lead the charge instead of Parker. The fact that the good doctor is in play presents endless possibilities. Slott gives us crumbs to nibble on when 616 Spider-Man is shocked to see his superior doppelganger while the same can’t be said for the reverse. There is also some creative humor injected with Ben Riley saying “It’s a clone thing” to his counter parts about a hunch.
Olivier Coipel’s artwork is always on point and truly shines in making distinguishing all of the Spider-Men so it’s not a chore to tell them all apart. This book has a lot of moving parts that are easy to keep track of which produces a fun read that is about to heat up.
Oh, Mr. Slott, if Spider-Ham has truly bought the farm, you and I will have serious issues.
Score: 3.5 out of 5
Criminal Macabre: The Third Child #3
Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
One of the things that Steve Niles does better than anyone is inject heart into his horror stories.
It might sound like an unnecessary concept, but when you think about the characters in his other books such as Breath of Bones and Frankenstein Alive, Alive, it becomes evident that blood and gore is merely a vehicle for a much larger design.
The newly demonic Cal McDonald seeks help from his long-departed father in order to understand his purpose in life. The back-and-forth between the two was so heartfelt that I almost forgot about the zombified state of affairs as rioting consumes the planet.
Christopher Mitten’s imagery provides a visual balance that complements the narrative while just having fun in certain panels.
I think what draws readers into Criminal Macabre is that Cal has never been the man he’s wanted to be. While he has saved a lot of lives, it’s hard for him to find solace in who he is. Now that he is the very thing he vowed to destroy, Cal can’t go down any further which is why, in a weird way, things are starting to look up for him.
There’s quite a bit to take in, but everything moves along in a manner that is highly entertaining and will keep you coming back for more.
Score: 4 out of 5
Godzilla Cataclysm #4
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: David Wachter
Letters: Chris Mowry
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
In the words of Ken Watanabe, “Let them fight” and damn, do the big boys fight it out in this one!
Cullen Bunn does a fantastic job of presenting a decent human story about mind control that ultimately leads to what we really want to see: Godzilla and Mothra throwing down in the middle of a major metropolitan city.
I wondered if it was worth my time to read this a comic book when there are so many Godzilla movies to choose from.
Well, I got two words for you: David Wachter!
The page layouts during the battle scenes have a cinematic ambiance that made me feel that I was watching something large in scale unfold before my eyes.
Mothra electrocuting Godzilla at every turn reminded me of a professional wrestling match where the good guy can’t catch a break. Then, out of nowhere, Godzilla hits that Hail Mary blow with his atomic breath that punctures Mothra’s wing and puts him down for the count. Hiroshi, one of the human characters, is responsible for the Cataclysm and his reflection of past events, along with his regret, echoes the sentiment that mankind is *&^%@$#.
IDW has something really cool on their hands with Godzilla Cataclysm because it is a story that speaks for itself, powered by a great collaboration between Bunn and Wachter.
Simply put, this is a main-event slugfest that is more than worth the price of admission.
Score: 5 out of 5
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Witches #3 of 4
Writer: Matthew Dow Smith
Artist: Matthew Dow Smith
Colorist: Matthew Dow Smith
Publisher: Archaia
Price: $3.99
The first installment of The Storyteller was a glorious triumph while the second chapter left a lot to be desired.
Matthew Dow Smith takes the reigns of the third issue and pens a tale about a storyteller telling stories. The pace is slow but the narrative is methodical in getting it’s point across. The word “witch” has a negative connotation but the ones in this book are generous and caring when they seek the aid of a fisherman who ends up stranded on their island.
There is no middle ground when a creator undertakes the writing and art duties on a particular comic. Either the book suffers because the imagery and or plot aren’t focused enough, or there is a perfect synergy with what the creator envisions for the medium.
Smith’s art is serviceable and sets a melancholy tone which advocates for a ghostly affair. While this issue falls short in some aspects when trying to give us the oomph it promises, it’s still a well-crafted story that makes for a pleasant read.
Score: 3 out of 5
