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!
Dawn of The Planet of the Apes #1 (of 6)
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: Dan McDaid
Colorist: Jason Wordie
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Price: $3.99
The recent Apes movies are amazing because the characters leave such an indelible impression of who they are.
Michael Moreci does a great job of translating that idea on to the printed page as BOOM! Studios’ newest comic book offering explores the ten year gap between Rise of The Planet of The Apes and Dawn of The Planet of The Apes films.
Any sort of prequel has an inherit disadvantage because we already know the result. Caesar becomes the one true leader at the end of the second film, however, getting to that point wasn’t easy. Seeing Caesar struggle with this new role he’s assumed is not required reading, but is nicely realized here because it gives us a backstage pass of sorts.
Malcolm, the character Jason Clarke plays in the sequel, is the human focus is attempting to find a cure for his wife, Rita. Malcolm’s determination to save her is designed to ultimately make us appreciate the character even more. The thing is, I’m not sure if I need like him even more because he was the unfaltering voice of reason and peace.
Let’s talk about Koba, shall we. He is my favorite movie villain of 2014 but that sneaky bastard deserves a foot up his behind. I know, I know, he gets his in the end, but witnessing a small dose of what he becomes was fun but left me wanting more. Dan McDaid’s artwork is gorgeous and captured the feel of a world ravaged by an epidemic.
Overall, I really enjoyed the movies and appreciate what is being done here, but this might not appeal to those who aren’t avid Apes fans and don’t need every blank filled in.
Score: 3 out of 5
Colder: The Bad Seed #2
Writer: Paul Tobin
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Publisher Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
Swivel is on a finger-chopping rampage throughout Boston while Reece is occupied with her patients at the mental hospital whom have had their insanity quelled by Declan.
Speaking of Declan, he takes a backseat in this issue which was by design, since the overarching theme will challenge his relationship with Reece.
Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra are a dynamite creative duo that are simply made for each other. Tobin’s knack for eerie storytelling is complemented by Ferreyra’s skin crawling imagery and the same goes the other way around which produces stellar work exhibited on the printed page.
Romance is used as a subplot to enhance the horror being unleashed.
Reece is admiring her man at every turn, only to be shown the darkness he comes from. This worked so well because the “Hungry World” created by Ferreyra looks like something that came out of the Hellraiser films. Experiencing horror like this would make most people second guess who they spend their evenings with. Reece knows that being with Declan means dealing with strange things, but how much can she take?
An interesting question coupled with a scary proposition looking to garner perilous results as Colder once again delivers a feast of scares.
Score: 4 out of 5
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles / Ghostbusters #2
Writers: Tom Waltz, Erik Burnham
Artists: Dan Schoening
Colorist: Luis Antonio Delgado
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
One of the fun, prominent moments in a franchise crossover is when the two parties realize that they have more in common than they thought.
In this particular case, Egon Spengler and Donatello discovering that they are science bros from another mother is worth the price of admission alone. They each have an expertise in different fields, which augmented their individual pursuits, while increasing their respect for one another.
The other team members find their inter-dimensional bromance, which sets up what’s ultimately to come regarding how well the two groups are going to get along.
The creative camaraderie between Tom Waltz and Erik Burnham is evident in the nuances of the narrative because it doesn’t feel like a balancing act of equality to satisfy the egos of either’s IP.
Dan Schoening taking the art reigns was the right call because he is the artist for the ongoing Ghostbusters series and the story takes place in their world. If you’re a regular reader, you’re familiar with how it looks and only the heroes in the half shell look out of place. If TMNT is your comic book of choice, the story looks brand new and gives you that feeling of exploration. In both issues so far, the charm of these iconic characters have not only been maintained but shine even more when they interact with one another.
There is a lot of fun in store for this event and the very last page puts the exclamation mark on that fact.
Score: 4 out of 5
Superior Iron Man #2
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artists: Yildiray Cenar
Colorist: Guru Efx
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Tony Stark’s mind has been altered due to the events of Avengers & X-Men: Axis. Now, instead of saving people, he wants to make them look good, for a price.
In many ways, this is a case study of how far the ego of Tony Stark can go. After all, Stark is stupid rich and has always enjoyed hot cars, hotter women, and gets anything he wants with the snap of his fingers.
If you read the first issue and saw Daredevil on the cover of this issue, it was very easy to put two and two together as far as the outcome.
Still, Tom Taylor makes it an interesting read because it is the vain, but good, intentions of Stark, throughout the book, that are producing villainous results.
I really enjoyed how Taylor writes Daredevil because at times it was his story which highlights what Stark can’t see for himself. Yildiray Cenar’s artwork is the definition of clean which is apropos considering we’re talking about a book that uses image as a vehicle. Guru Efx’s coloring equally matches that distinction and shines during several panels including a beautiful image of Stark Island.
The “Superior” in the title works perfectly because it’s about making others feel their absolute best, even though the end result requires a lot of ruffled feathers. Tony Stark has always believed he was larger than life. Now that part of his psyche has completed him and is on a narcissistic mission of self-indulgence which makes a bad guy Iron Man something you don’t want to miss.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
WWE Superstars #10
Writer: Mick Foley, Shane Riches
Artist: Paris Cullins
Colorist: Laurie E. Smith
Publisher: Super Genius
Price $3.99
The second installment of “Legends” rolls on as this twisted, nightmarish, game show of combat seems to know no bounds.
The Undertaker enters the fray and finds himself in a battle royal against virtually every giant that has ever competed in a WWE ring.
The 6’10 phenom is considered by many to be the greatest big man in the history of professional wrestling and this plays into the story to some degree as Diesel, Kamala, Earthquake, Yokozuna and others look to extinguish this myth.
Paris Cullins illustrated The Undertaker in his original garb which matches the Wild West setting of this brawl.
Shane Riches does a great job of keeping the story on track by not allowing the reader to be overwhelmed by the plethora of content by Mick Foley, who not only knows what wrestling fans want but has his pulse on what a general audience is looking for. The introduction of a half John Cena half Hulk Hogan androids was a clever plot device not only because it is an example of what some fans love and others despise about wrestling.
While many feel Cena is a vanilla character that can’t wrestle, he is currently WWE’s biggest star is compared to Hogan than any other past performer. There is another half and half creation and I want to talk about it so bad, but explaining it won’t do it justice. It needs to be seen to be believed which is a credit to Paris Cullins for making these illustrations look as ridiculous as it sounds from the tongue and cheek perspective that wrestling is known for while carrying the menacing vibe the narrative requires.
Laurie E. Smith’s coloring supplements the illustrations by bringing to life the various futuristic war zones the wrestlers have to travel to. What makes this particular story arc so fun is that it speaks to every facet of wrestling fan whether they are longtime aficionados or that those who stopped watching at the end of WWE’s Attitude Era.
Legends has been consistently full of surprises with a fun set of characters leading the charge.
Score: 4 out of 5
