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All-Star Batman #8
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli
All-Star Batman has been a cool ride thus far. What I’m really enjoying about it is Scott Snyder is trying to flex his writing muscles with each book. And he succeeds very well. He also succeeds in his interpretations on Batman’s various rogues, making them feel fresh again.
This issue, Snyder takes on the Mad Hatter. I’ve never really enjoyed him as a villain as I have always found him to be a tad silly. Here though, Snyder succeeds yet again. The Hatter is downright scary in this issue.
Kudos to Snyder for making a strong character finally out of the Hatter.
The art is also nice here as well. Camuncoli doesn’t get nearly as much respect as he deserves. This issue feels a tad mad and he creates that atmosphere with the art. A thumbs up book overall with a nice backup feature as well.
RATING: A-
Aquaman #19
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Phillipe Briones
Dan Abnett has been writing Aquaman since the Rebirth happened. He’s been doing a fairly decent job. The book has settled into a solid B book. It’s enjoyable and each issue has had a fair enough story to enjoy.
This issue starts up a new storyline. In this issue Aquaman, against his better judgement has to form an alliance with the group The Aquamarines. Problem is, they tried to kill him before! But they now need his expertise so why not? Things of course don’t work out as planned and then the chaos ensues.
Briones does a good job on the art. It’s solid. The cover though by Brad Walker is wonderful. Can we please get a four issue arc from that guy? It’s be worth waiting for and it would propel this book forward.
Maybe it’ll even get a grade higher than a B for more than one issue.
RATING: B
Nightwing #17
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Javier Fernandez
The newest Nightwing storyline rages on!
Nightwing is going on an international tour! Why not? Tim Seeley brings Nightwing to Paris in this issue and hijinks ensue!
In this issue, Nightwing must fight a Talon…who just happens to be his great, great Grandfather by the name of William Cobb! Why not! The issue is kinda nutty but I’m not sure if it’s a good nutty or if Seeley is running out of gas. Probably the latter. I kind of chuckled through most of the book, and it felt like maybe we need a new writer. Hmm.
The art is very good. Fernandez has been solid whenever I have seen him..maybe it’s time for a run on a title?
All in all though, it’s a good looking book with an almost too painful to not laugh at storyline.
RATING: C
Batman #19
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by David Finch
This issue is the most fun I’ve ever had with a Batman story. Ever. Not because it’s particularly special or anything. I think this actually may mark the moment where Tom King has completely lost track of what the holy heck he is writing…so much so that it had me in stitches.
Bane breaks into Arkham Asylum and literally spends the issue beating the hell out of Batman’s rogue gallery. That’s what you’re paying for if you buy this book. I wish I were kidding. But I was in tears laughing. I am just waiting now to see if anyone reading this book is going to be offended by this.
Why is this funny? Because apparently King’s style of writing is based on repetition…he just keeps repeating the same story beats and moments issue after issue. At least by reading this you may finally get to experience what it’s like to have dementia.
Finch is at least not rushing his art anymore. There are some great images in this book. I give him credit for getting through it…but wonder if he thought to himself “oh geez” when he was done. Any way, I’m giving this book an A.
Any comic book that can make me laugh so hard my sides almost split is worth the grade, intentional or not.
RATING: A
Superman #19
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Illustrated by Patrick Gleason
Man, when did Superman become one of the top titles on the stands?
Probably when nobody was looking.
Tomasi and Gleason make for a hell of a writing team. The stories have me on the edge of my seat and I’m loving where this is going.
Superman’s search for his son Jon (Dr. Manhattan??) continues here as he and Lois Lane run afoul of Mister Mxyzptlk. Time is running out.
And what’s going to happen?
This whole issue is thrilling. Everything about it. It’s yet another step towards the Watchmen crossover. Patrick Gleason does great on the art too…that board game sequence is priceless.
Pick this up as it’s one of the best of the week!
RATING: A
The Wild Storm #2
Written by Warren Ellis
Illustrated by Jon Davis-Hunt
Leave it to Warren Ellis. He has taken characters you could barely give a crap about and spun them into gold. This book is full of ideas, intelligence and emotion. It also has one of the best beginnings and endings of a comic book for me this year…just by being simple.
Angela Spica is a great character who did something heroic. And now that something is ruining her life. She runs afoul of all sorts of old Wildstorm characters now…including it looks like Skywatch and the Grifter. It’s damn exciting.
The story is good and the art is top notch. Davis-Hunt is doing killer work here and It’s a beautiful book to look at. The opening sequence has a few pages with no dialogue…and he pulls it off with the body language and facial expressions of his characters. It’s brilliant. I can’t recommend this enough.
One of the best new releases of the year.
RATING: A
He-Man/Thundercats #6
Written by Rob David and Lloyd Goldfine
Illustrated by Freddie Williams III
This book had some of my favorite artwork I’ve see the last few months. Freddie Williams III deserves a medal for his work here as it is truly spectacular. It’s ridiculous as all get out but what the hell?
Enjoy yourselves with this one.
He-Man and his gang have one last epic team up with Lion-O and his gang. Together they fight against Mumm-ra and his gang and Skeletor and his gang.
It’s stupid, loud, and violent and a hell of a good time!
The story won’t make anyone smarter. But the hell with it. I enjoyed it for what it was.
And sometimes you can’t ask for more than that.
Great last page too.
RATING: B
Trinity #7
Written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Clay Mann and Miguel Mendonca
Anytime I get a book by Cullen Bunn I shudder.
Bunn is GREAT when he’s not writing mainstream superhero characters. His independent work is stellar.
His corporate work? Not so much.
This issue is another example of why I shudder when I see his name…I had no idea what was going on…nor did I care to know.
The art is decent…I like Clay Mann. He always does a solid job. I have to be honest though, I enjoyed his work on the Valiant Universe more. Mendonca isn’t half bad either.
This just bored me and I flipped through it after a few pages.
Why waste time with something this dull?
RATING: C-
