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!
The Walking Dead #91
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: #2.99
There are a few smaller story arcs that are developing within this issue.
It is another slower paced issue but the last page suggests that something big is coming.
The main story in a nutshell is that supplies are running short and food is more scarce because canned goods stopped being made since the zombie apocalypse began. There are some interesting dynamics with the sexual tension between Rick and Andrea and Carl’s humanity seems to non-existent. The writing was strong all around because the focus was on what we feel are the little things as fans but what are major things for the characters in this situation.
Not much action but it’s a good read overall.
Grade: B-
Nightwing #3
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Art: Eddy Barrows, Eduardo Pansica & JP Mayer
Colors: Rod Reis & Allen Passanaqua
Publisher: DC Comics
Price $2.99
Bat continuity remains out of whack as we open up with a flashback, five years in the past before Dick Grayson was Robin.
The purpose of this was to show how Mr. Haly looked out for Dick which we didn’t see in the last issue.
We move forward to the present and Dick is now the owner of Haly’s Circus. There are a lot of interesting characters within the circus which was beautifully illustrated at Mr. Haly’s funeral. There is a lot of potential for new and important characters to come out of this. I think it would be a good avenue to explore since they know Dick more than most. Nightwing heads to Chicago and investigates the actions of a former circus colleague that knows more than he is letting on. The new girl in his life seems to be a keeper but she looks too much like Barbara Gordon.
There is some hoopla over two pencilers, Eddy Barrows and Eduardo Pansica, working on this title. I thought their styles blended together well and I almost didn’t notice the change and it does not take away from this issue. Nightwing is getting better and better every month and I expect that trend to continue.
Grade: B+
Venom #9
Writer: Rick Remender
Art: Stefano Caselli
Colors: Frank Martin Jr
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Flash Thompson has finally let his emotions get the better of him as the true nature of the symbiote has once again been unleashed.
The art and colors match the dark tone of the story and the dark emotions going on in Thompson’s head.
Thompson is trying to put spider-island behind him while dealing with the death of his father and his missing girlfriend. As if he needed more on his plate, a greedy villain with an impenetrable tank reeks havoc on the streets of Manhattan. Remender’s writing hits its peak when Thompson is trying to remain in control of the alien as he witnesses the senseless death and destruction caused by the tank. The series has been hit or miss since it’s inception, but I think there will be a lot more hits now that the symboite we are familiar with is back in the picture.
Grade: A-
Green Lantern Corps #3
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Geraldo Borges & Scott Hanna
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
Judging a book by its cover is a smart move in this case.
Tomasi presents a story that is action packed from start to finish. His writing and Borges and Hanna’s art work are in sync because they amazingly portray the dire situation the Corps is in.
They are up against an unknown enemy dubbed “The Ring Slayer” on the cover. These slayers are immune to anything the green power rings can dish out and Lanterns are being lost by the minute. The slayers weapon of choice is a green light saber except the blade is shaped as a machete. I think it’s poetic that these slayers used this weapon since, well, it’s green. The ending will make you come back for the next issue and you also have to wonder if the Slayers are the “third option” the Guardians talked about in the last Guardians book?
Grade: B+
Avengers Academy #22
Writer: Christos Gage
Art: Sean Chen, Scott Hanna & Rebecca Buchman
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Hank Pym is devastated over the death of Jocasta and is desperate to find answers and there is only one person who can help him: Magneto.
Word of his visit spreads like wild fire across the academy and Hawkeye and Pietro are not in favor of his presence.
Magneto offers his assistance in exchange for Pietro agreeing to never interfere in mutant affairs again. Pietro refuses and Magneto provokes him with verbal jabs about “House of M” until Finesse, who is listening from a far, can’t stand anymore and all hell breaks loose. The writing was solid and created an interesting scenario when Hawkeye yells “Avengers Assemble” and the non-mutant students help right away while the mutant students are torn as to which side they should be fighting for.
No complaints with the art and the colors reminded me of the Avengers cartoon. The writing is solid all-around and provided a little bit of everything for comic book fans to enjoy.
Grade: B
