Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
It’s time for the best day of the week…comic book day! Here we go!
Aquaman #18
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Scot Eaton
This is the finale to the Warhead storyline! This has not been a bad storyline overall. The title still has been stronger than this.
Dan Abnett writes a decent enough story, yet it doesn’t feel like it’s “important” overall. You could miss this and pick up the next issue and you wouldn’t be missing much.
Aquaman’s fight with Warhead concludes in this issue. And maybe that was the problem: I didn’t think Warhead was that impressive as a badass. He was okay at best. The tragic backstory of Warhead didn’t endear me to me.
Maybe I’m heartless. Probably not though.
The art by Eaton is good however. I say it each time I review this book however: it needs a consistent art team.
Otherwise, it always feels all over the place from issue to issue. It’s not a bad issue again. I do wish it were stronger however.
RATING: B-
Batman #18
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by David Finch
I don’t know what happened. Maybe someone over at DC told Tom King to pick up the pace, but these last few issues of Batman have been great! It’s action packed, full of drama, and just fantastic. I moved this to the top of my reading list now every time it comes out.
Bane is back in Gotham City stirring up a crapstorm for Batman. He’s looking for the Psycho Pirate and will stop at nothing to get him.
Bane is the most peeved off that we have ever seen up until now. And it’s fairly awesome. He’s the threat he should be. And that is a credit to King’s writing.
The art by Finch is some of the best of his career. He works great with King on this, making for a truly memorable comic book.
I’m loving this title and am awaiting the next issue with glee.
RATING: A-
Superman #18
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Illustrated by Patrick Gleason
Holy crap! This was awesome!
If you haven’t picked up this title in the Rebirth storyline, you need to. Right now. Put everything down and get a move on. The storyline relates to Watchmen and this is a great issue to pick up.
After the best opening I’ve seen in quite awhile, we are treated to an equally cool rest of the issue. I got chills is all I’m saying.
I don’t want to spoil it. Read it. This story is dark and just all kinds of messed up…and it’s damn thrilling.
I’ve never been the biggest fan of Patrick Gleason’s art…until now. My god, he kills it in this issue. Kudos to him.
This is the start of a storyline “Superman Reborn.” Give me the next issue now. Because it stinks that I have to wait.
RATING: A
Shade the Changing Girl #6
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by Marley Zarcone
I’m really enjoying this weird book.
The art is the best thing about it. Marley Zarcone makes every panel pop, and it’s just a strange experience every time I get a new issue.
This is the conclusion of the first story arc on this title.
Megan is back from across the universe and wants Shade to give back her body. And she is completely mad.
The drama in this issue is totally bananas and I loved it.
This is a well written series. It’s hard trying to describe it. You just have to experience it. And it’s a joy to experience.
Expand your comic book horizons and pick this up. You’ll be glad you did.
RATING: B+
Nightwing #16
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Javier Fernandez
I picked this up to read and I was excited to read it. It has a cool cover with both Nightwing and Robin and I was giddy. It looked good. Then I opened the book.
And it was okay again at best. Nothing too important happens and I was sad about that.
Something dangerous is coming to Bludhaven and Nightwing is trying to figure out what it is.
Robin comes in because he’s mad that Nightwing has more online attention than him.
These are the two plot lines in this issue. And they are okay. Again, nothing earth shattering…but okay.
Tim Seeley writes a semi-interesting book here. It’s not bad, nor amazing. It just is.
The art is rather eye popping so I enjoyed that. It’s a solid B- book. I wish there was more going on…but the ending is nice and sets up what could be a good issue…next month.
RATING: B-
Harley Quinn #15
Written by Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti
Illustrated by John Timms, Joseph Michael Linsner and Khari Evans
You’ve got to hand it to the Harley Quinn creative team.
They really have the best artists working on the title. From Neal Adams to Michael Kaluta to Jill Thompson, they know how to pack their issues with the best artistic talent still out there.
This is part two of the “Red Meat” storyline. It’s just as basic as the first one but it does bring a smile to your face. It’s just a silly good time.
The first three pages that take place in the future are best as they feature Linsner’s art and he’s as good as ever.
Again, this book feels the same as the previous issue. Nothing new to see here. It’s cool that they have a bunch of great artists on this title.
Maybe we can switch up the writers? Just to see what happens.
RATING: B
The Fall and Rise Of Captain Atom #3
Written by Cary Bates and Greg Weisman
Illustrated by Will Conrad
This has been a pleasant surprise. I’ve enjoyed this series up until now.
Cary Bates and Greg Weisman are strong writers and they finally made Captain Atom palpable to me.
Nathaniel Adams struggles in this issue to leave his shattered life behind him.
But it seems like that pesky US Army is not letting him do so.
The issue has some good adventure to it. The storytelling just works great.
Will Conrad is doing the work of his career. The art is crisp and detailed. It’s also pretty original.
Pick this up. This series has been pretty great.
RATING: B+
And the rest…
Green Lanterns #18
Written by Sam Humphries
Illustrated by Robson Rocha
The story on this is a snooze for me. Some may like it, but not me. The art however is really great and Rocha is a fantastic talent. I always feel with a stronger writer this could be great.
RATING: B-
Ever After #7
Written by Dave Justus and Lila Sturges
Illustrated by Mark Buckingham
This series has been pretty decent. Then they had to put Mark Buckingham on this issue illustrating. Suddenly, I can’t take my eyes off this book. This issue takes a closer look at the events of Fables #150. Every Fables fan needs to pick this up!
RATING: A-
Death of Hawkman #6
Written by Marc Andreyko
Illustrated by Aaron Lopresti
Well, this series comes to a conclusion. Which is a good thing. Because maybe now we can get a good Hawkman series going. One can only hope. This series was the definition of just average. Let’s move on.
RATING: C
Flintstones #9
Written by Mark Russell
Illustrated by Steve Pugh
This issue is titled “A Basket of Disposables.” Which is pretty much every issue of this series: disposable. Besides the Pugh art there is nothing redeeming about this. Pass.
RATING: F
