Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
A nice week of comic books ends the month. Let’s start with the best of the week!
The Dark Knight Rises III: The Master Race #8
Written by Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller
Illustrated by Andy Kubert
It sure has been awhile! At this rate, this miniseries will have taken two years to have published nine issues (maybe more!), but I have to say, it’s okay by me. If the stories within are this good, I’m all for it. The writing is certainly bonkers but it’s so damn enjoyable you can’t help but love it.
This is a huge battle issue. Wonder Woman plays an important role and the writers handle her perfectly. Basically, it’s a big brawl. And I love big brawls. It’s also very brutal what happens in this issue. To say more might spoil it, so I won’t. Suffice to say, it’s something you should pick up.
The art by Kubert is some of the best of his career. The storytelling is clear and damn fine to look at. Kubert makes every page filled with excitement and a love for the medium. It’s a great book overall and I can’t wait to see how this series ends.
RATING: A
The Kamandi Challenge #3
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti
Illustrated by Amanda Connor
How the hell did DC Comics turn one of their least relevant characters into one of the best books on the stands?
Simple. They decided to be creative.
They decided to put a cliffhanger on each issue and then have a new creative team take over the following issue. And the result are astounding.
Kamandi’s tale this time is told by Palmiotti and Connor, who have worked together for years. Palmiotti writes an exciting story filled with action and intrigue. It’s a rollicking good time. And Connor nails it with her art. It’s a killer combination and it works well.
I would actually like to point out the color work by Paul Mounts. Mounts is a veteran who never fails to give us top notch output. The colors are striking and work awesome with Connor’s art.
I can’t see where this leads to next month!
RATING: A-
Adam Strange/Future Quest Special #1
Written by Marc Andreyko and Jeff Parker
Illustrated by Steve Lieber
I hate Adam Strange. I could never quite figure out the appeal of the character and why he even existed. I have never read a story of his that I actually enjoyed.
Until this came along, that is.
Leave it to Jeff Parker and Marc Andreyko to finally give us a story where he fits in.
The story?
Well, Adam Strange meets up with those wacky Future Quest characters. The result is a happy, breezy story which makes me smile throughout. I couldn’t put it down.
Another reason I enjoyed this? The artwork by the amazingly underrated Steve Lieber. The whole thing is just awesome. It’s a good book.
And finally, I can say which Adam Strange story is my favorite: This one.
RATING: A-
Suicide Squad/Banana Splits Special #1
Written by Tony Bedard
Illustrated by Ben Caldwell
Maybe DC thought this would be funny to out near April Fools Day. But it’s a huge backfire. I remember The Banana Splits from when I was a kid…and I never thought I would hear the word “Suicide” near them.
So this is not for the kids.
The story is densely silly. It didn’t work for me on any level.
The only character I can possibly see working in The Banana Splits is maybe Harley Quinn?
The writing is hard to stomach. That’s a real shame because Bedard is a talent.
The art is okay…but it’s a real slog, man. I’m not sure who the intended audience was for this…and I’m not sure DC does either.
It stinks on ice.
RATING: D
Unfollow #17
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Mike Dowling
Mike Dowling is a real talent.
His artwork is truly a standout. I’m sure he will move on to a Batman title or something like that at some point…
I would pick this up so you have bragging rights later on that you saw him first. The story is pretty decent too.
This issue is basically a thriller set in a Venezuelan jungle, with the characters but the book hunting each other.
It’s taut, twisty, and well written.
Unfollow is one of those books however you can’t just pick up and read.
You really have to follow it from the beginning.
It’s worthy of taking the time to dig into it.
RATING: B
Clean Room #17
Written by Gail Simone
Illustrated by Walter Geovani
This is another book that you should seriously pick up from the beginning and read it straight through.
Gail Simone is a fantastic writer, and here she has really been allowed to shine. I’m glad she’s still writing for the medium. She’s excellent.
This is the penultimate chapter to the first series of Clean Room.
The book started off about a woman who had a great life. She was married, and lived a life of bliss.
Then, her partner read a self help book and killed themself.
And then things got stranger.
There are multiple dimensions and…oh, just read the book.
The art by Geovani is great. He’s another artist to watch.
The book as a whole is pretty entertaining. Pick it up. You won’t be disappointed.
RATING: B+
