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!
Batman & Robin #1 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Peter J Tomasi
Art: Patrick Gleason & Mick Gray
Publisher: DC Comics
Price $2.99
We got change in a big way as the Dynamic Duo is now comprised of Bruce Wayne teaming with son, Damian.
It’s the classic case of father knows best while the child thinks he knows everything.
Bruce feels Damian is too wild, while Damian feels he has already proven himself. This is all going on while they are fighting crime.
One of the most powerful moments comes when Bruce decides to honor his parents by celebrating their wedding anniversary instead of mourning them in crime alley every year on the day they died. Damian doesn’t understand why this consumed his father for so long. Everyone dies someday. Bruce calmly reminded Damian that these are his grandparents he is talking about.
It truly showed that Bruce has turned a corner where as before, he would have beaten someone up at the drop of a hat. A new villain enters the fray and as he takes out the Batman of Moscow he sets his sights on Bruce Wayne. The creative duo of Tomasi and Gleason makes a new, yet familiar story refreshing. The artwork makes you feel that you are part of the adventure. Bottom line, this book was pure fun to read.
Rating: A
***
Superboy #1
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Art: RB Silva & Rob Lean
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
The scientists of Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E. are studying a clone whose DNA is half human and half Kryptonian. They determine “It” is a failed experiment of data and code sitting in a tube.
The project coordinator, red haired Rose Wilson, believes there is more than meets the eye of this “Superboy” who displays zero brain function.
Perception is far from reality as he has been studying his surroundings the entire time as he can think with the cells in his body. The powers that be decide to pull the plug on “It”, much to the chagrin of Wilson. Superboy not only senses his pending termination but he sees that Wilson, who he calls “Red” is sad about his predicament.
Superboy breaks free and destroys everything and everyone in his path leaving Red as the sole survivor. The story ends with the big boss coming out from the shadows revealing that “It” is designed to serve as the ultimate weapon of mass destruction and has specific plans on the elimination of several heroes who are revealed on the final page. The writing and art work compliment each other throughout the book.
The strongest compliments come when the mystery of who the human DNA donor is brought to light as “Red” believes the answer lies in inherited memories of life in a small midwestern town.
Rating: B-
***
Green Lantern #1
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Doug Mahnke and Tom Nguyen
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
Sinestro is once again a Green Lantern and he wants absolutely no part it. We pick up where War of the Green Lanterns left off as Hal Jordan has been discharged from the Corps and his power ring selected Sinestro as its new bearer.
Sinestro flees from OA as he searches the galaxy for a way to rid himself of the ring. Meanwhile, on Earth, Hal Jordan is adjusting to life after the Corps. His bills are past due and he is months behind on his rent. He comes to realize how difficult his transition back into civilian life is going to be as he might have to get a 9-5 job in order to make ends meet. After Jordan explores a few options that are no longer available to him, Sinestro appears on the final page and makes Hal an offer that he better not refuse. Geoff Johns penned a great script which really conveys to the reader the difficulties Sinestro and Hal Jordan are facing and the art work was excellent, especially the last page as you feel as if Sinestro is right in your face.
Rating: B+
***
Jurassic Park: Dangerous Games #1
Writer: Erik Bear
Art: Jorge Jimenez
Color: Studio c-10
Publisher: IDW
Price $3.99
Jurassic Park takes its next dip in the comic book pool with the Dangerous Games series from IDW.
The story follows Espinoza, an undercover C.I.A agent who found employment in a Nicaragua drug cartel ran by the highly connected predator, Cazares.
How connected is he do you ask?
Well, he bought the Isla Nublar which happens to be the location of Jurassic Park. Just as Agent Espinoza is about to make a break in the case, his cover is blown and comes face to face with Cazares. Following the encounter, Espinoza is placed on the island and is informed by Cazares’ second banana that he has 24 hours to “enjoy” his time on the island before he comes to finish the job.
The art work was ok in some panels and awesome in others, especially the ones where the Dinosaurs are fighting among each other. The writing was solid and reached its apex when Cazares reveals his sadistic reasons for buying the Island. I do worry about the books ability to keep people interested for future issues. Like everything else, we’ll have to wait and see.
Rating: C+
***
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Sarah Pichelli
Color: Justin Ponsor
Publisher: Marvel
Price $3.99
Miles Morales takes his maiden voyage into the Ultimate stratosphere as the world is introduced to a new web slinger.
The fact that writer Bendis did not launch the first issue with any mention of the original cast indicates all intentions that they want this character to stand on his own.
Miles comes from a lower income family in Brooklyn and his parents work hard to provide the best possible life for their son. The three of them attend an all day lottery where 47 children out of 700 that applied will be chosen to attend a prestigious charter school. The father’s pessimistic attitude towards his son’s chances of being picked suggests he is accustomed to things not going his family’s way. The winds of change arrive, however. as Miles is selected to attend the school. Overwhelmed with joy, Miles runs out to tell his uncle the news. While sitting on the couch at his uncle’s apartment, he is met with an eight legged surprise that changes his life forever. The art work in this book is picture perfect for the story they are trying to tell.
I applaud Marvel for not casting Miles as the ghetto hoodlum with the heart of gold and made him an all around good person. Bendis’ dialog gives you no choice but to root for Miles Morales. I know a lot of fans are upset at Peter Parker being replaced. To these people I say the Ultimate universe is supposed to be different. Children from all walks of life and every creed and color look up to Spider-Man and have imagined what it would be like to be him. Miles is no different but unlike the rest of us, he actually gets the opportunity to live the dream.
Rating: A-
***
Fear Itself #6 (Shelf Listed: Disappointment of the Week)
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Stuart Immonen & Wade Von Grawbadger
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price $3.99
Not a horrible book by any means., it’s just one that you can on the shelf this week and put your $3.99 towards something else.
Just like many issues in a crossover event, nothing big really happens to add to the story at large.
The artwork is fine and the story seems to be more about soul searching instead of fighting the Serpent. Spider-Man leaves the battle ground to search for Aunt May. He finds her and she reminds him there are people that need his help a lot more than she does. I could have told you how that was going to go. Thor and Odin have yet another conversation about how Thor is a God and how it’s beneath him to fight for mankind. I felt that this conversation needed to go down a different route considering whats happening to the planet.
Steve Rogers was the highlight of this issue when he demands Odin to “fix” Thor. Rogers also demands the Avengers and the citizens of Broxton to hold the line as he’s concerned people will lose complete faith in their survival.
