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!
Wolverine #19 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Ron Garney
Color: Jason Keith
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
I almost can’t put into words how good this issue was and how much I enjoyed reading it. I’m not going to say too much because you should just take my word for it and buy this book.
It was just one big adventure that has everything a comic book fan loves.
Wolverine, Fat Cobra and Gorilla-Man are hiding inside the stomach of three dragons, using them as a disguise to break into Jade Claw’s secret hideout. If that doesn’t hook you then I don’t know what will. The art and colors are wonderful and one of the panels on the last page is a bar scene where one of the dragons poke their head in the window and takes a sip of Fat Cobra’s 24 ounce beer mug. The conclusion shows a unknown group of people looking at various targets and they get the word they have to take out our adamantium-clawed Canadian. These last few pages really put over how much of a bad ass Wolverine is. I’m done typing, please, just buy it right away.
It is the must read Wolverine book of the year!
Grade: A+
Daredevil #6
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Marcos Martin
Color: Munsta Vicente
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the main event of the evening! Daredevil’s confrontation with The Bruiser and the way it was laid out reminds me of a professional wrestling match.
Even the cover of this book is reminiscent of a fight event poster.
The Man Without Fear took the beating of his life in the last issue and he comes back for seconds as he tries to take down this behemoth once and for all. The Bruiser is the perfect professional heel (bad guy in wrestling terminology) because he talks a lot of trash while he beats up Daredevil. He sports a green full body singlet with a lucha libre mask and wears sponsor logos on his costume.
I was hesitant to pick this up since I haven’t been interested in Daredevil in years. Waid’s run has made me a fan and will make you a fan too if you are in the same boat. His writing in this book reminds me of a 1960’s spy thriller. Panels are laid out with the some noir style and the art does a fantastic job of displaying how Daredevil’s powers are truly unique and make you wonder if most super heroes could escape his perilous predicaments.
Grade: A-
Star Wars: Crimson Empire III – Empire Lost #2
Writer: Mike Richardson
Art: Paul Gulacy
Colors: Michael Bartolo
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
The Empire is putting plans in place to crush the New Republic with one swift stroke. There is not a lot from Kir Kanos in this issue, but we meet some more of the key figures in the Empire.
One thing I want to point out is that there is one of two sides the imperials fall on. One is the new wave and the other is dedicated to restoring the Empire of Palpatine. Mirth Sinn is the focal point of this story as she is the head of security for Senator Organa’s family. She doesn’t want the job because she is conflicted on how she will act if dangers strikes because of a crucial piece of information that will peak your interest when revealed. Paul Gulacy’s work is always spot on and does an outstanding job of capturing the emotion and facial reactions of the characters as sometimes, I don’t have to read the word balloon to know what someone is thinking. Good book overall.
Grade: B
X-Men Legacy #259
Writer: Mike Carey
Art: Khoi Pham & Tom Palmer
Colors: Antonio Fabela
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Rogue is emotionally caught between a rock and a hard place. Even though she remained on Utopia with Cyclops’ team, she wonders if Wolverine’s team would be a better fit.
The difficulty of her decision making is based on who’s ideology she can get behind.
On one hand, she believes Cyclops is correct in trying to keep mutants together but all she sees is an army barrack. On the other hand, she believes Wolverine is also correct in trying to teach the next generation, but she wonders if the times we live today are too complicated for the type of education she received at the Xavier Institute.
In true X-Men fashion, Rogue gets pulled into a mysterious investigation that causes her to remain on Utopia for the time being. I thought the books explaining the X-Men split were good, but some characters needed a little more explanation for the choice they made. Exploring Rogue’s decision post-Schism is a move in the right direction since she is one the most prominent X-Men. The art could have been a lot better. The characters have no facial expressions which makes the dialog cumbersome in a sense that I found myself re-reading many of the word balloons just to make sure I read it correctly the first time. I’m not an art snob by any means and if the same goes for you, this was not a bad issue to read as the ending will make you want to come back for #260.
Grade: C+
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4
Writer: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz
Art: Dan Duncan
Colors: Ronda Pattison
Publisher: IDW
Price: $3.99
The mysterious origin of the Ninja Turtles has been revealed and Raphael has united with his long lost brothers.
This book has a little something for everyone.
There is plenty of fighting between the Turtles and Old Hob and a little comedy when a police station full of cops laughs at April O’Neil for telling them “Ninja’s, like the ones on TV” tried to kill her. The scientists in charge of the mutagen are scared to report their losses to their supplier and we are treated to the feel good moment of the year when Splinter displays the emotions of a proud papa when he and Raphael are finally united. The art is always rock solid and the page layouts create an exciting pace. The circle is now complete.
Prepare to be shell-shocked.
Grade: B
Green Lantern: The Animated Series #0
Writer: Art Baltazar & Franco Aureliani
Art: Dario Brizuela
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
If you saw the debut of the animated series on the Cartoon Network or are interested in seeing it, you will enjoy this book. There is no origin provided so you will need to be familiar with the characters to appreciate the story.
The main arc shows the partnership of Hall Jordan and Kilowog as they battle the Red Lanterns on the far side of the galaxy. Make no mistake about it though, Kilowog is the star of this book with plenty of attitude to go around. There is one point in the story where the Kilowog remains unflappable as the Red Lanterns taunt him while they try to cut his arm off. The dialog is simple and fun to follow and the art and page layouts are on par with mimicking the color and style of the TV show just like the Batman Adventures book of old. This galactic comic version of a buddy cop show is sure to have you calling your friends “Poozer” in no time.
Grade: B-
