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Graphic Breakdown: Superman, Batman and Deathstroke Lead The Week

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

This week things heat up over at DC. Let’s take a peak at some of the new releases!

 

Aquaman #22
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Philippe Briones

Man, the Brad Walker cover is amazing. Month after month, I wait for Walker to do a four issue storyline on this title. It just hasn’t happened yet. The art by Briones isn’t bad by any means, it’s just that Walker has a true flair for Aquaman. It’d be memorable.

This is the finale of the H20 storyline. Aquaman fights Dead Water! His friends are in danger! Chaos is raining down on the base! It’s a very good, action packed finale to this storyline.

Abnett has been keeping the stories engaging. This is a fast, but exciting read.

Pick it up. It’s very good. A solid book to start off the week!

RATING: B

 

Deathstroke #18
Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Joe Bennett

Speaking of covers, Deathstroke currently has two great cover artists in Bill Sienkiewicz and Shane Davis. Both bring a great energy to this book. Again, the art by Joe Bennett is very good. However, the covers on this book have all just been complete gems.

This is the finale of the Twilight storyline. It’s Jericho versus Deathstroke! Jericho wants revenge against his father for killing his lover. Then, Jericho starts to realize that perhaps his father didn’t kill her.

But if he didn’t? Who did?

The whole book is very exciting. Priest writes a killer book here again. I love it. It’s a fantastic finale for a fantastic storyline. I can’t wait until the next issue.

RATING: A

 

Nightwing #20
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Javi Fernandez

At least the covers were both nice on this issue.

I have to be honest: I have competently lost interest in Seeley’s writing on this title. I just find it increasingly predictable and not very fun or engaging. Maybe it’ll improve! Sadly, I’m not hopeful at this point.

This is the finale of the “Nightwing Must Die!” Storyline. You’d think it’d be better with such a cool title. Alas, it really isn’t. I didn’t care about the “surprise villain” nor his motivations.

The art is pretty good at least. It brings up the book a notch or two. Still, this should have been more entertaining.

RATING: C+

 

Batman #22
Written by Tom King and Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Jason Fabok

This is another fine installment of “The Button” storyline. It’s great, truly great.

I don’t want to give anything away except to say that this issue has the Flashpoint Batman in it and it’s damn exciting.

It also has Batman and The Flash trying to solve the mystery of the Button. The ticking clock towards the Watchmen crossover is coming and it’s truly spectacular what DC is doing.

The writing is good…but the Jason Fabok art is tops. Fabok is killing it like you wouldn’t believe in this title. It makes for a truly excellent comic.

Pick this up or you will regret it!

RATING: A

 

Bane: Conquest #1
Written by Chuck Dixon
Illustrated by Graham Nolan

Holy Hannah!! Bane is back! This time he is going solo! That doesn’t seem too interesting….but wait!

This book is by Bane’s creators Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan! How bad could it be?

Actually, it’s pretty good overall. Leave it to Dixon to write a tale that isn’t “I AM BANE” every five seconds. What a relief. It’s been awhile since I’ve read anything by Dixon and it’s quite refreshing to see that he still has it as a writer.

And Nolan? Well, Nolan is one of my favorite artists who isn’t doing a monthly book. I’m glad this series exists if only to see his art. This book may not be necessary but it’s great to have a book by this creative team out for the next twelve months.

RATING: B+

 

The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom #5
Written by Cary Bates
Illustrated by Will Conrad

This was fairly awesome!

The writing on this book is great! It’s fast, sharp, and exciting! I wasn’t expecting to like this but now I can’t wait to read it every month.

In this issue, Captain Atom faces off against a super powered villain who has powers.

These powers? They rival Captain Atom’s powers.

Then, after that, chaos ensues!

Will Conrad kills it again on the art. The illustrations are fantastically good. Pick this up. This comic will surprise you!

RATING: B+

 

Ever After #9
Written by Matthew Sturges
Illustrated by Travis Moore

I’ve been liking this title as well these past few months. I wasn’t the biggest Fables fan but this spinoff is fairly cool.

This issue takes place at a high school.  A hostage situation is going on.

Meanwhile across town there is an escape going on.

What do the two have to do with each other? Find out in this issue!

The story by Sturges is pretty good As is the art by Moore. I wish they worked a little more closely together as sometimes the storytelling got muddy for me. Still, a solid issue in a solid run of books.

RATING: B

 

Superman #22
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Illustrated by Doug Mahnke

Why is this title so damn good?

It’s because the stories are consistently well crafted and the art is truly awesome. I look forward to reading this each time it comes out and it’s at the top of my pile.

This is the first chapter of “Black Dawn!” It’s such a damn good read. Superman in this issue goes up against a strange evil. This evil pushes Superman’s morals to the limits. Will Superman survive? Well, of course he will.

The trick though is that the writers make you care about Superman. You may know he is going to survive no matter what. They make it fascinating. The art by Mahnke is great too. A good package overall.

RATING: A

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