Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
It’s April and things are heating up in comic book land. Let’s get started!
Aquaman #20
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Phillips Briones
The cover on this book by Joshua Middleton is pretty amazing. I actually love it so much if I was a kid, I would have bought the poster. It’s super cool. The story and art underneath that cover isn’t so bad either.
This is part two of the “H2.0” storyline and things here have gotten a little more interesting to say the least.
Aquamarine has partnered with the Aquamarines and the Scavenger on a task for the United States government. Abnett writes a tense tale here.
There is this crazy creature (see cover) that has killed everyone in a research lab. And it’s up to Aquaman and gang to take this creature out.
It’s a good story accompanied by decent art. Aquaman has been better the last ten issues or so now that it has found a groove.
Let’s hope that groove continues!
RATING: B
Deathstroke #16
Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Carlo Pagulayan
Another great cover gets this issue off to a great start. This one is by Bill Sienkiewicz and it’s a beauty.
There is also one by Shane Davis which is quite nice as well. The issue that is contained within is also very, very good.
This is part five of the “Twilight” storyline. Deathstroke has had someone close to him murdered. He wants revenge. The problem is, he’s been wounded pretty badly. And the guy he is fighting, Deadline, is a pretty tough son of a gun.
All hell is about to break loose.
Priest is at the top of his writing game as usual. This is a taut, exciting book. Pagulayan does a great job on art. This is an excellent book…how long can they keep it up?
Let’s hope for a good long while.
RATING: A
Nightwing #18
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Javi Fernandez
“Nightwing Must Die!” Part three!
This issue bring back one of my least favorite Batman villains…. Professor Pyg. I guess the tap must really be running low to have this guy back. Anyway, here we go!
Nightwing and Robin team up here, and the results are sort of boring.
I blame the writing. The whole issue sort of clunks along until the ending. I feel like I should like these characters better. Seeley doesn’t swing for the fences either….so we get a pretty basic story.
The art is pretty good however…if there were something stronger behind it, I would like this more.
Instead, it’s just disposable entertainment. Disposable entertainment with Professor Pyg…and he sucks.
RATING: C+
Shade The Changing Girl #7
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by Marguerite Sauvage
This is one of the best issues of the year. It’s well written and extremely well illustrated.
Shade has been a great comic book thus far, having finished up the first arc. This is a special one off issue. And it’s wonderful.
After the first arc, Shade starts to wonder what life has to offer her in the future.
There is a prom approaching and Shade reflects on her time on the planet Meta…and then questions why the hell she would ever want to go through it all again.
Having Sauvage do the art is a treat.
It’s well drawn and well put together. The story is sweet, funny and nostalgic. I really loved this.
It’s a great starting point for new readers too.
Pick this up. You’ll be glad you did.
RATING: A
The Fall And Rise of Captain Atom #4
Written by Cary Bates
Illustrated by Will Conrad
Man, Will Conrad is doing the work of his career on this title. The artwork is just top notch. Captain Atom never really was a standout character…but in this series he certainly is thanks to Conrad’s art and Bates’ steady writing.
In this issue, Captain Atom is reeling.
After the events of last issue, he tries to rebuild and reclaim his life. It does turn out to be trickier than he thought. And that leads to plenty of drama with a small dose of humor.
Like I said, he’s never been a standout character to me. I never could relate to him.
Now that this series has come along, I finally can. This is just super.
Hopefully it becomes a regular series.
RATING: B+
Batman #20
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by David Finch
I was really hoping this newest storyline would have been great. Alas, it’s not. This is the final chapter of “I am Bane!” It’s very underwhelming.
And why is it?
Tom King has proven he can write with the Sheriff of Babylon.
I feel like I’ve been cheated out of my time and investment with his writing here. That’s never a good thing.
Batman fights Bane. That’s about it. This is really all the drama King creates.
The art is pretty decent.
As a whole? It doesn’t work.
Let’s hope next issue’s Watchmen tie-in fares better.
RATING: C
Savage Things #2
Written by Justin Jordan
Illustrated by Ibrahim Moustafa
This is a fairly cool comic book.
It’s a kind of combination of a Bourne movie and a Quentin Tarantino bloodbath. And I’m enjoying it.
I’ll have a better perspective of it when the eight issues end (it’s a limited series), but right now it’s a hell of a lot of fun to read.
Abel, our main character, escaped a government terrorist cell years ago. He now finds himself under surveillance again. The government apparently needs him back to stop some of his former colleagues.
Things get intense from there.
Jordan does a great job writing the book. He’s never been my favorite, but here he shines. The art is appropriate for this book as well.
I can’t wait to read all eight issues together. This is some pretty solid stuff!
RATING: B+
Superman #20
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Illustrated by Patrick Gleason
This is turning out to be one of the best Rebirth books, just behind Deathstroke. The stories are intense and interesting. And the art is the top the DC line has, month in and month out. It used to be Snyder and Capullo as the top creative team at DC. Tomasi and Gleason are certainly giving them a run for their money!
Batman comes to Superman’s house in this issue to check things out.
It seems things aren’t to Batman’s liking. He starts questioning things. Then all hell just breaks loose.
This is another great jumping on point for this series.
Pick it up. The creative team will leave you breathless and wanting more.
RATING: A
