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!
Ant-Man #1
Artist: Nick Spencer
Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Colorist: Jordan Boyd
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Marvel timed the release of this book perfectly as the teaser trailer for this summer’s Ant-Man film recently debuted. More people are talking about the micro-hero than ever before. Hank Pym is the predecessor of this insect mantel, but this new generation will predominately associate the name Scott Lang with the character.
Nick Spencer puts together an entertaining story that serves as an introduction to the mythos of the character.
There is a lot of exposition in the form of a job interview that works very well. Lang is someone who wants to do right by his daughter but things keep getting in his way.
Sometimes, it is Lang himself who can’t get out of his own way, although it’s certainly not for a lack of trying which makes him an enduring protagonist. Tony Stark’s role as the potential answer to all of Lang’s problems is in sync with his new cavalier persona in the Superior Iron Man series.
The success of the titular character is paramount, but Stark points to a philosophical elephant in the room that questions the justifiable nature of Lang’s exoneration of past deeds and shortsighted decisions. Ramon Rosanas’ artwork really brings this story to life almost in animated form. Clean and detailed imagery coupled with great page layouts moved the story along at a nice pace. Seeing a security guard wonder how an intruder suddenly disappears was fun to watch and a cool way to highlight Ant-Man’s shrinking ability.
Spencer and company have put together a great first installment that firmly establishes the hero’s motivation which will play a key role in everything that occurs going forward. Those who never heard of Ant-Man and are jonesing for more information after watching the trailer would be well-served to pick up this book.
Score: 5 out of 5
Green Lantern #38
Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Admira Wijaya
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
What happens when three superheroes get into a bar fight?
They gets their butts kicked.
It’s not as bad as it sounds. Let me set the stage: the Green Lantern crossover event, Godhead is over, Hal Jordan is summoned back to Oa and then ordered to go back to Earth for some downtime.
Sounds like a reasonable request, but Robert Venditti makes home feel unfamiliar for Hal since he hasn’t been here in over a year. To make things more uncomfortable, the one person Hal can usually go to in times of dejection is no longer an option as Carol Ferris is dating Kyle Rayner.
Hal expresses his dissatisfaction at the union but Ferris is unwavering in her new found romance. Even though these two will always be linked together, Venditti conveys the notion that Hal had his chance and he just needs to take solace with being in the friend zone. Solitude with the comfort of a good drink at his favorite watering hole is even too much to ask for as friends are just too excited to see their buddy.
Lover’s lament and drinking beer with the fellas doesn’t sound like an action pack comic book worthy of your $3.99. However, Venditti makes it so by conveying strong conviction in the characters that gives the reader a good jumping on point while filling in some of the blanks for a lapsed reader. There was nothing that stood out to me about Admira Wijaya’s artwork.The coloring of Andrew Dalhouse complements the tone of the story quite nicely.
Robert Venditti has had his work cut out for him as being the beneficiary of Geoff John’s departure from the series. Going from someone who has such passion and a perceptive vision for the universe to someone who was an unknown in mainstream comics automatically leaves a lot to be desired regardless of creative quality. Last’s month’s annual demonstrated that Venditti has made this series his own and this issue puts the breaks on everything and lets things just simmer for a little bit.
With Green Lantern Corps, Green Lantern: New Guardians, and Red Lanterns recently being canceled and ending their runs in March, Venditti will have more color coded toys to play with on a consistent basis and that will only make the series stronger going forward.
Score: 4 out of 5
RoboCop #7
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Carlos Magano
Colorist: Marissa Louise
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Price: $3.99
RoboCop has been getting his ass kicked over the last few issues because he is no longer allowed to use his gun due to Detroit’s firearms law, influenced by honest folks at O.C.P..
Killian is turning the city into a war zone with the help of a vastly upgraded ED-209 and officer Lewis is working diligently to find a connection between the two nefarious parties.
On top of capturing the essence of the original RoboCop film, Williamson has managed to put Murphy into some precarious situations which is not the easiest thing considering there are no super powers in this world and we are talking about a cyborg with enhanced strength.
Carlos Magano’s artwork is a cornucopia of gritty and violent imagery. Explosions and bullets whizzing by the panels carry a sense of danger that made me harken back to my childhood when I watched the movie for the first time, without my parent’s knowledge. It was so cool, yet the level of R- rated mayhem on the screen made me think for a millisecond, “should I really be watching this?”
I had seen other movies with the same rating previously but this was different level for me at the time. RoboCop kicking someone’s head clean off was the holy shit moment that reminded me that there is always a way around the prime directives. I keep waiting for the issue that finally makes me say “this series sucks” but I don’t see that happening.
Comics based on a movie or a cartoon franchise usually don’t interest me too much because I already know what we’re going to get. RoboCop delivers the franchise’s definitive voice with an intriguing narrative that is easy to follow and large in scope.
Score: 4 out of 5
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1
Writer: Ryan North
Artist: Eric Henderson, Maris Wicks
Colorist: Rico Renzi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
I’m going to rant in an unfavorable direction towards the debut of Marvel’s newest ongoing series, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.
A series like this normally comes with a certain type of charm that allows you to suspend reality more than usual.
I read it a couple of times and all it made me do was wish that Kraven the Hunter shot Squirrel Girl with a coma-inducing dart and bury her like he did Spider-Man many years ago.
I’m all for a high level of ridiculousness in my comics, but I didn’t laugh once or crack a single smile, and I wanted to, I really did.
From the opening pages which sees her singing her own theme song to moving into her college dorm, the comedy of it all got lost due to lackluster execution and presentation. Eric Henderson and Maris Wicks didn’t make Doreen Green look cute or adorable in anyway. Her facial expressions make her look angry and nothing else.
The way she hides that enormous tail of hers is just preposterous and her bravery and skill in a fight made me feel like she is one of the wrestlers on WWF (yes, WWF) television that always lost to the big name wrestler. I get that the character is not supposed to be super tough, but she could have been made instinctually clever with a nut or something.
The witty nature of the dialog during some brief moments, such as Doreen’s arguments with her pet squirrel, Tippy-Toe failed to produce a hilarious back-and-forth that can normally be expected from a hero and sidekick conversation.
Some friends of mine think I’m crazy for not liking this book. While the premise is a good idea that could be very fruitful, right now, my advice is to spend your money on something else.
Score: 2 out of 5
Shaft #2
Writer: David F. Walker
Artist: Bilquis Evely
Colorist: Daniela Miwa
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Price: $3.99
Listen Snow White, you wanna read Shaft, ask yo mama.
Seriously though, Shaft is a character/film that is near and dear to my heart. Naturally, I was excited when Dynamite Entertainment announced they were going to produce a Shaft origin story. David F. Walker has been trusted with the keys to the Blaxploitation kingdom as this is the first time time the titular’s characters beginnings have been explored.
So far, he is two for two.
This issue opens with John Shaft seeking employment after his boxing career fails to pan out.
Shaft gets his first gig as a private detective and he is a natural since he is familiar with the art of theft but more importantly, it serves as the genesis of what we come to know.
The narration is powerful and really gets over what Shaft went through in the Vietnam War and he uses that experience to navigate the gang infested streets of Harlem. Walker deserves a lot of credit for bringing a faithful tone to the book as Richard Roundtree’s voice can be heard in every word.
I was also impressed with how the verbiage and slang was implemented at the right time like when a low life pimp says. “We ain’t fuckin’ round’ here, bitch.” This particular type of vernacular could have been injected as often as you might hear it in a DMX song but here it was done with a validity that falls in line with the time and genre represented.
There are way too many good things to say about Bilquis Evely’s artwork. It has a classic touch that matches the tone and time period of the 1960’s with great character work and excellent body language.
Despite hearing about how honored David F. Walker felt when landing this assignment to write this book, I didn’t expect much. I was wrong and got so much more in return.
The ending in this issue looks to serve at the turning point when John Shaft turns into the mythological bad ass we’ve come to know as Shaft. As history dictates, that is not a good thing for those who have wronged him.
Score: 5 out of 5
