Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
What a week for comic books! Here are a few titles from DC starting with the two best!
Dark Nights Metal #2
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Greg Capullo
If you haven’t yet picked up any of the Metal books, do so immediately.
Scott Snyder has done great work before, but this may indeed be his masterpiece. This is due to his ability to take risks and on a grand scale.
Superman and Wonder Woman are on the hunt for a missing hero.
While they are doing that, Batman does what he does best: he tries to solve a mystery. The mystery is so deep however it keeps opening up new doors. Snyder makes each of those new doors interesting and expansive.
It’s a surprise every few pages. Its also very inventive and it’s things we have not seen before.
I want to spoil it but I won’t. Man, I want to though.
The art by Capullo is out of this world. Metal is a fantastic looking book. If you had any doubts Snyder and Capullo could do it again, be at ease. They have. And they have exceeded those expectations. This is one of the top two books of the week.
RATING: A
Mister Miracle #2
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mitch Gerads
This is another comic book that knocks it out of the park completely this week. Tom King and Mitch Gerads have completely transformed comic books with this title and it’s just plain awesome to read.
Scott Free is going to war! He has avoided death!
So what does he do?
He heads to New Genesis instead to take on the invading armies from Apokolips. He then starts to wonder why there is a need for this war in the first place.
The writing is great. King asks the big questions here. He also takes a typical comic book format and writes in a new way we haven’t seen before. It’s spectacular. The art by Gerads is terrific as well and compliments the writing perfectly.
Pick this up. It’s amazing.
RATING: A
Detective Comics #964
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Carmen Nunez Carnero
This is another chapter of Tynion’s take on the character of Anarky.
I have to give the man props. He has taken these kinda crappy characters from the 1990s and has now made interesting stories about them.
In this issue, The Spoiler tracks down Anarky. He then takes her to a world he has built. The world he has built resides under Gotham City. She then tries to figure out who helped him build it.
Batman, meanwhile isn’t thrilled with either of them.
Tynion does a fine on writing this story. The art on this title has been a bit spotty since Eddy Barrows left but it isn’t bad.
It’s a decent enough comic book.
RATING: B
The Flash #30
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Neil Googe
Man, is The Flash darkly fun these days or what?
This new Negative-Flash concept that Williamson has come up with is amazing. Why? Stay tuned.
First off, Barry’s powers have gone nuts. He can’t get a handle on them. It’s funny as hell to me.
Then, even better, his personal life has gone downhill.
All of this and somebody is tampering with police evidence!
Can it get any worse? Yes, it can! Barry also has to contend with a new villain called Bloodwork.
The writing is hilariously malicious and fun as can be. The art lacks a bit here.
Still, I’m loving this storyline.
Pick it up. It’s definitely worth the read!
RATING: B+
Suicide Squad #25
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Eleonora Carlini and Eddy Barrows
This is the oversized anniversary issue for Suicide Squad!
It’s also the last chapter of the story “Kill Your Darlings!” Williams writes another out of control issue and why not. I have given up trying to find meaning in it. I am now just sitting back and letting it wash over me as I read.
This storyline has people imitating the Suicide Squad.
The real Suicide Squad has to deal with them. But can they?
It’s fast paced, wacky, and just a whole mess of stupid. Why not?
Williams writes a wild tale I can’t quite follow but who cares?
The art is okay (the Barrows stuff is great though).
Not a terrible issue. This book is just bananas though overall.
RATING: B-
Red Hood and the Outlaws #14
Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by Joe Bennett
This is the beginning of a Bizarro storyline in which he is reborn! It’s even called “Bizarro Reborn!”
Lobdell has done something really cool with this book: he’s made us emotionally care about Bizarro.
Bizarro is back!
He’s new and improved and ready to fight! And not a moment too soon. The Outlaws find themselves hunted by Batwoman. She’s mad and she has decided to take down the Red Hood.
Lobdell makes the issue fast and funny. Things go quick. The whole time , you are sitting on the edge of your seat. The art is pretty decent too.
This is a good book each month. Give it a shot!
RATING: B+
New Superman #15
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by Brent Peeples
Yang is consistently writing a great tale in this book each month.
It’s just a really different take on the Superman mythos that I like. This issue starts a new storyline. It’s fairly decent as well.
This issue has the Suicide Squad trying to get information on the new Superman of China. When that goes south, they have to team up with the Justice League of China to defeat the Emperor Superman.
It’s a fun, all ages book.
Yang does a great job of keeping it lively. The art isn’t as strong as I’d like but it’s a solid read overall.
Worth looking into.
RATING: B
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #14
Written by Julie and Shawna Benson
Illustrated by Marcio Takara
This issue was a little better than it’s been on this title. It’s mostly because the Benson’s loosened up while writing it and it’s damn fun. This issue is Huntress oriented and it’s quite enjoyable.
Helena (aka the Huntress) decides to take her students on a field trip this issue. They are leaving Gotham for a day.
Sadly, trouble follows her wherever she goes. This leads to the Birds helping her stop the bad guys, and also keep her class from catching on.
This is a fun set up. The Benson’s take off with it too. There is a lot of invention in how the Birds pull this off. The art isn’t bad either. I hope more issues become like this.
It shows that it can be more enjoyable when the stories on this title are just standard.
RATING: B+
Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special #1
Written and Illustrated by Various
This is the 25th anniversary of Harley Quinn!
DC has decided to do a special honoring her creation. It’s a fun issue overall, but like most of the Harley Quinn books there just isn’t a lot of weight on them.
Still, Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Connor keep it fun. The writing is a good time and they only work with the best artists on this. So there is a couple of fun stories and then a couple of really nice pin ups.
If you are a Harley Quinn fan you’ll love it. She has become a major character at DC. So much so, that she will stand the test of time.
And that’s to be commended.
RATING: B
