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!
X-Men: Schism #4 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Alan Davis & Mark Farmer
Color: Jason Keith
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: 3.99
This is the issue we all have been waiting for.
X-Men: Schism takes a dramatic turn as the bond between Wolverine and Cyclops is finally broken.
Scott is trying to figure out how to stop a giant Sentinel hell bent on destroying all mutants while Logan has a different idea in mind. An argument about the right course of action turns heated and personal as the two come to blows when both men feel the straw that breaks the camels back.
Jason Aaron did a wonderful job of writing the dialog that would convey the conviction Wolverine and Cyclops have in their beliefs. The seeds of their explosion have been planted in the previous issues. This book is the art work of the week as Davis, Farmer and Keith have depicted everything Aaron has written perfectly. The crème de la crème of their work is in the final pages where Cyclops draws a line in the sand as he gives the X-Men an ultimatum and the panels where the break-up happens. For my money, Schism is the best comic event of 2011 and we still have one more issue.
Grade: A+
***
Batman #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
The Dark Knight fights the forces of evil in the new chapter of this epic franchise. Perception is not always reality as Batman is determined to prove what Gotham stands for since it’s citizens have a negative view on what Gotham is.
Bruce Wayne on the other hand is determined to invest in the city’s future so we can show the world what Gotham will be.
A gruesome murder prompts Batman and Harvey Bullock to investigate. Upon examination of the crime scene, the duo discovers a fiery message for Bruce Wayne along with evidence that uncovers the shocking identity of the murderer.
Snyder’s script hooked you from the first word balloon and the art work is just right. Bruce, Dick, Jason, Damien, Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Bullock all look younger and we get a glimpse of what the villains look like. The Joker seems to be the top bad guy in town while the Riddler now has a green Mohawk shaped as a question mark. The story seems to be current because the GCPD works with Batman unlike Detective Comics where the police are hunting him down. Very good first issue and I can’t wait to see how the evidence pans out next month.
Grade: A-
***
Supergirl #1
Writer: Michael Green & Mike Johnson
Art: Dan Green & Mahmud Asrar
Color: Dave McCaig
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
Sometimes dreams turn into nightmares and sometimes nightmares turn out to be reality which is the case for Kara.
She has found herself in a strange new world covered in snow and darkness and has no idea on how she got there.
She is attacked by soldiers wearing mechanized suits, and while she tries to fight back, it is to no avail. Things look bleak for our newcomer until the yellow sun rises and the tide is turned in her favor. Kara is holding them off with her new abilities and she has no idea how she is able to do the things she is able to do.
Just as the battle is about to go from bad to worse, Superman flies in to put a halt to the action. I have no complaints with the artwork and the story telling is pretty intriguing.
A tease of the “Kansas Incident” is mentioned and we discover what Kara’s outfit represents on Krypton.
Grade: B
***
Blue Beetle #1
Writer: Tony Bedard
Art: IG Guara & Ruy Jose
Color: Pete Pantazis
Publisher: DC Comics
Price $2.99
Jamie Reyes is a teenager from El Paso, Texas who is looking to fit in.
He is friends with high school drop out and local tough guy, Paco, who looks out for Jamie. Their friend, Brenda, arrives to hand Paco an invitation to her birthday party to which Jamie has already been invited to.
At home, Jamie’s parents tell him that he is not allowed to attend Brenda’s party. The party is at her Aunt’s house where there will be armed security which concerns Mom and Dad. Jamie sneaks off to the party with Paco and they soon show up in the wrong place at the right time as a brawl over a backpack is taking place. Jamie gets the backpack and winds up with a blue scarab on his back, causing a transformation that will change Jamie’s life forever. The artwork is fun and the dialog has a mixture of English and Spanish. I found myself being pulled out of the adventure when I came across Spanish words I didn’t know, although they were simple enough to figure out.
Grade: C+
***
X-Men # 18
Writer: Victor Gischler
Art: Mirco Pierfederici
Color: Guru Efx
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price $3.99
The third installment of “Betrayal in The Bermuda Triangle” shows Emperor and his Scorpius Army preparing their invasion of Earth with the help of Doctor Doom.
Meanwhile, Thing, Wolverine and Pixie have found Lee Forrester and she is keeping unique company with the native population,The Kaddak. Reed Richards, Dr. Nemesis and Magneto are trying to figure out a way to provide the FF ship with enough power to get back home. The battle begins at Scorpius City as Wolverine’s team leads the attack while trying to free Emma Frost, Cyclops and Sue Richards from their powerless captivity. Magneto confronts Doctor Doom and is looking for answers.
This issue definitely picked up the pace from part two. The artwork jumps right out at you during the fight scenes and the EFx’s color is bright and fun.
Grade: B+
***
Captain America #3 (Shelf Listed – Disappointment of the Week)
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Steve McNiven
Published: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
I liked the first two issues of Captain America, but I was a little leery of the ending of the second issue since it ended with Steve Rogers fighting a 50 foot version of himself, Ameridroid.
It’s a wacky concept to me, I mean if you are going to hatch a plan to kill Captain America, why send this thing?
Just like the X-Men dispose of so many Sentinels, Cap has no problem taking out this supersized robot under Nazi mind control. The rest of the story was just hollow in my opinion. The art was the only good thing about this book as certain panels were drawn with great detail and depth. This has not turned me off to series but you can skip this issue.
