Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
It’s nearing the end of August and summer is winding down. Here is a look at some of the DC titles that came out this week.
Batman/The Shadow #5
Written by Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando
Illustrated by Riley Rossmo
This crossover has been damn awesome.
I have loved every second of it. This issue is no different. I sat there and read this like a little kid. It’s fun, well written, and the art is just fantastic.
In this issue The Stag and the Joker have kidnapped all of the Shadow’s allies. They are ready to go into Shamba-La. Batman and The Shadow must stop them, otherwise the world will plunge into darkness.
Can they do it? Orlando and Snyder keep you on your toes throughout.
I love the story but honestly the art by Rossmo really is the best part of the book. Rossmo should be put on a Shadow book immediately after this.
His art is vibrant and just moves. This is the penultimate issue of the series.
Pick it up!
RATING: A
Kamandi Challenge #8
Written by Keith Giffen
Illustrated by Steve Rude
The last issue of this series had a truly shocking ending.
Now this issue shows up with a new creative team (again). It’s another supercharged issue and it’s also quite wonderful.
This issue Kamandi is transported to a place where Grecian sheep and the Wolf Garibaldeks are on the eve of war. Kamandi lands and is at once mistaken for being their folk hero.
Will he bring peace or destruction? Find out here!
The team of Giffen and Rude is amazing. Giffen writes an exciting tale filled with excitement and humor.
The art by Rude is top notch. He’s one of the best this business has ever had.
Pick this up. It’s another good issue in a uniquely exciting book.
RATING: A-
Suicide Squad #24
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Agustin Padilla
This is part four to the storyline “Kill Your Darlings.”
It’s a pretty wild storyline Williams has concocted.
Amanda Waller is using a newly created Suicide Squad to take out various metahumans at her behest. This turns the book very dark and I very much enjoy that turn.
What follows is that the most dysfunctional members of the old Squad have to make a decision to stop this. They have to make some tough choices to save the world this time.
Williams actually does very well with the writing of this issue.
I believed the characters and the choices they made. The art brings it down a bit for me. It just didn’t flow as well and I think they need a stronger artistic identity for this book.
Not bad overall though.
RATING: B
The Flash #29
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico
This storyline about the Negative Flash is tops.
The Flash has pretty much lost his mind and it’s so damn entertaining. Williamson makes this storyline a good time and it’s fun to read and flip the pages seeing what happens next.
So basically, the Rogues gallery in prison in Iron Heights have grown up to full fledged villains.
They decide to send a new villain named Shrapnel after the Flash. That’s all well and good but this Flash is the Negative Flash. He’s not very nice and I love it.
The art is fantastic. Carmine Di Giandomenico is one of the best artists in the business.
The storytelling is awesome and I am giggling madly throughout.
Pick it up. It’s worth it.
RATING: A
Mother Panic #10
Written by Jody Houser
Illustrated by Shawn Crystal
This issue has an awesome variant cover by Sana Takeda. I wanted Takeda to illustrate the entire issue. Instead, we got Shawn Crystal. Crystal hasn’t won me over on art yet so this issue left me a little cold with the Illustration side of things.
This issue has everyone excited about something called s**t.
Everyone is loving s**t!
People can’t get enough of it!
Everyone is eating it.
It’s up to Mother Panic to solve the mystery of s**t.
Houser keeps the writing entertaining and fun. I laughed out loud a few times with this. The art is just tepid.
Ah, well. An entertaining book nonetheless!
RATING: B
Detective Comics #963
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Carmen Nunez Carnero
Tynion has been taking these old Batman characters and giving them a revitalized look. His take on the character of Anarky starts here.
It’s a good start too. I have to say that I very much liked this issue.
This is the first part of the “Longer Chains” storyline.
The Spoiler had almost ruined herself. She has been exposing corruption with Gotham City’s vigilantes.
But not to worry! Help has arrived! Anarky is here! Is Anarky crazy though? Or is he on the side of the people.
This is a boatload of fun. Tynion keeps its interesting throughout. The art isn’t bad, though it’s not my favorite.
A good start to a new storyline overall!
RATING: B+
Batman Beyond #11
Written by Dan Jurgens
Illustrated by Bernard Chang
This has been quite awesome.
This futuristic Ra’s Al Ghul storyline has been great. There was quite a twist that happened last issue.
It sent this story into overdrive as the elder Bruce Wayne has to deal with his demons…literally!
High above a Tibetan mountaintop, Terry must battle for his very soul.
Terry has to stop the machinations Ra’s has put forward. Can he succeed?
Jurgens keeps things rocking and rolling here. The ending is so strong. It’s great comic book work.
The art by Chang is his career best. This is a nice ending to a good storyline.
I hope they can keep the quality of this series up. It’s been great.
RATING: B+
Manhunter Special #1
Written by Dan Didio and Keith Giffen
Illustrated by Nicholas Bradshaw
These comics based on Jack Kirby’s work are quite excellent. I love the way they are being handled. This issue is no exception with this issue being about the Manhunter, Paul Kirk.
Didio and Giffen have this character down, and it’s truly awesome. They take his character and it feels like old times. Crime is out of control. Things are looking dark. The only person who can’t stop this is…no, not Batman.
The Manhunter!
There are some truly great moments in this. I love how the beginning just sucks you right in. It does get a tad wonky in the middle but it finishes nicely. The art isn’t too bad in this either.
The backup by Sam Humphries and Klaus Janson is just plain awesome. I love Janson as an artist and he doesn’t disappoint here. Their take on Etrigan the Demon is well done.
Give this a shot. It’s very good.
RATING: B+
