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Graphic Breakdown: ‘The War of Jokes and Riddles’ Continues, Plus More!

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

It’s August! Things are still hot over at DC!

Let’s look at some of the Rebirth titles hitting the stands today.

 

Batman #28
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mikel Janin

Tom King has really turned this title around. This is another installment of the awesome storyline “The War of Jokes and Riddles.” King is killing it with Janin. They gave this title an identity that was sorely needed.

After a harrowing first six pages (and I mean HARROWING) the book goes full throttle. The Joker and the Riddler each have the same demand: “Bring me the Batman and the war ends.”

Needless to say, Batman does not comply. This leads to Gotham being put under siege from the two villains. Because of that, we have an awesome fight between Deadshot and Deathstroke. It ends on a high note too.

Mikel Janin is awesome. His art is the best this title has seen since the Rebirth started. This storyline is a great turn for this book. Read it.

RATING: A

 

Shade: The Changing Girl #11
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by Marley Zarcone

Ah, the weird and wonderful world of Shade: The Changing Girl. The team of Castellucci and Zarcone are one of the best in comics right now. Shade’s on a trip and this issue has a new destination.

That destination is Los Angeles. Zarcone immediately makes Los Angeles appealing with the art. Shade is off to find the person who starred in her favorite television show. She eventually does. It’s a wonderful meeting and spins this title in another direction.

Castellucci does a great job of giving us characters to care about both in dialogue and actions.

I would recommend this title to anyone. Start from the beginning though. The journey to this point is worth it. Give it a read. It’s excellent.

RATING: A

 

Superman #28
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Illustrated by Scott Godlewski

The Kent family is on vacation! This is the second issue where they are traveling around and I’m loving it. This issue takes them to Washington D.C. as Clark and Lois take their son to learn some good old American history.

Tomasi and Gleason make that the thrust of the issue. There are no real threats. Just the Kents traveling around Washington looking at the Washington Monument etc.

A really nice moment is when the Kents accidentally meet a family called the Dowd’s. I don’t want to spoil it but it’s a nice honest and human scene.

The art is not bad at all. This title is sharp and every month it’s unique. Tomasi and Gleason have made Superman relevant and that’s an achievement for sure.

One of the better all time Superman runs for sure.

RATING: A-

 

New Gods Special #1
Written and Illustrated by Shane Davis
Written and Illustrated by Walt Simonson

I have to come right out and say it: I’m an unabashed Shane Davis fan. I love his art. There’s something about it I’m drawn to. Sadly, I can’t say the same for his writing. The art is wonderful here, but the story is pretty standard.

Kalibak has taken over as leader of the Bug colony! Orion and Lightray must help out Bug and his people get out of the predicament they are in! Will it happen? Davis doesn’t give us any real twists or turns. Everything is matter of fact.

Again, great art, standard story.

The backup by Simonson is much better. Simonson is still a master and he proves it here. The tale of young Orion and his friend Seagrin is wonderful. It’s too short, but I’m glad it’s there.

Pick this up for the Davis art and the backup story.

RATING: B

 

Deathstroke #22
Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Diogenes Neves

Priest continues his cool run on this title with the second part of the “Defiance” storyline.

Deathstroke is now leading a team called Team Defiance and it’s great…This issue finds them trying to retake a U.S. Embassy in a foreign country.

The character moments are really what make this title sing.

When Dr. Light tells Deathstroke he led the team into a situation where they got their butts kicked, Slade simply replies: “Builds character.” I laughed out loud.

Priest can also handle the action scenes extremely well. The art works great for this new direction.

Pick it up. It’s a constantly evolving, exciting read every time.

RATING: A-

 

Bane: Conquest #4
Written by Chuck Dixon
Illustrated by Graham Nolan

The cover alone on this issue is great. It’s like living in the 1990s all over again. Then, you actually read the comic. At that point, it DEFINITELY feels like your living in the 1990s.

Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan create this comic like the last 25 years of comic books didn’t happen. Bane is on a conquest!

Bane wants to conquer the Vor, as they have made Bane very upset. He runs into Catwoman in this issue as well. It’s all very bombastic. Chuck Dixon makes it enjoyable though, even when things seem over the top.

The art by Nolan is great. He’s probably at the top of his game now. Pick this up.

It’s not the best Batman story currently on stands but it’s still reminiscent of a time when comics were excessive. That’s just a good time in general.

RATING: B

 

DC Comics Bombshells #32
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Illustrated by Mirka Andolfo, Laura Braga, and Aneke

This is a good book if you don’t take it too seriously. I only read the last three but I am liking this enough. The writing by Bennett is light but suits this title well.

Supergirl fights Faora in this issue and it’s a good fight.

Hugo Strange lets loose his failed lab experiments. He sends them to Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s crazy circus.

A third storyline involves Killer Frost as she sends her mythical army into the city.

All of this is leads to one thing: a supernatural Nazi invasion!

The story was good. The art was a bit off, but that happens with three different artists.

All in all, a good second tier DC book!

RATING: B

 

Harley Quinn and Batman #1
Written by Ty Templeton
Illustrated by Rick Burchett

This short comic is a wonderful surprise!

This was created by the classic Batman and Robin Adventures team of Templeton and Burchett.

This is the preview comic of the upcoming Batman and Harley Quinn animated film.

It’s wonderful to see this team together again. Besides the nostalgia factor, we are treated to a cool tale with Batman, Harley Quinn, the Joker and other Batman characters. It’s awesome.

The only downside is that it’s only 11 pages. Still, there will be seven chapters released digitally coming up. I can’t wait to read them all. This is too perfect.

RATING: A

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