Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
It’s a heck of a fall season so far for DC. Let’s get talking about some books that came out this week!
Dark Nights: Metal #3
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Greg Capullo
Metal is just plain awesome.
It is so whacked out and wild that you can’t look away. Yet, Snyder grounds the entire story with strong characterizations and dynamic action. I just can’t get enough of this storyline.
In this issue, we find out that there may be a weapon that could combat the dark forces. So, the Justice League sets out to find this weapon. We also see more of that Dark Multiverse. It feels like Snyder has been holding onto these ideas since childhood and finally has a place to let them loose. It’s wonderful to see.
The art by Capullo is superb . Capullo is a great accomplice. He and Snyder are clearly just throwing in every idea they can think of, and it all works.
Metal is one of the top books of the year. Pick it up now and read it and enjoy.
RATING: A
The Flash #32
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Howard Porter
Joshua Williamson is killing it here.
The Flash is has been unlike any Flash series that has come before it. That’s an excellent thing for readers. He’s keeping the story fast and fresh and the whole experience is just great.
Barry is still the Negative Flash.
All of this is starting to take its toll on his life. Barry has to figure something out and quick. Meanwhile, Black Hole has finally made a move and they have taken over S.T.A.R Labs.
Can Barry all of these problems? Yes he can!
Maybe!
The story has been great and this is another fine issue. The art by Porter is awesome. He is one of those artists I love every time.
Pick this up as it’s one of the better books on the stands.
RATING: A-
Mister Miracle #3
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mitch Gerads
Tom King continues to push what can be accomplished in a comic book.
This issue of Mister Miracle is both surreal and exciting.
King is killing it here. He and Gerads have created one of the best new series of the year.
There is a war happening on New Genesis!
Darkseid and Orion’s armies are fighting mad at each other and chaos is in order. Scott and Big Barda try to escape the maze of war and make it to safe ground.
But can they?
The art by Gerads is amazing. He proves himself to be the perfect artist for King’s mad writing. The two make one hell of a comic book.
Pick up this series and read it! It’s damn exciting!
RATING: A
The Wild Storm: Michael Cray #1
Written by Bryan Hill
Illustrated by N Steven Harris
Michael Cray aka Deathblow gets his own series here! I was intrigued to see what it was like. My hopes may have been a little high since The Wild Storm is a great series, but I was a little bored with this sadly. I wanted it to be better than it was.
Michael Cray is one of the world’s deadliest assassins. He’s been betrayed by his bosses and now he has an alien life form in his head that’s either killing him or transforming him.
Or both!
So, to get over his troubles, he does the one thing he does best! You guessed it! Kill people.
The story is just okay and the art isn’t bad. It just didn’t move me the way I wanted it to. It’s not horrible by any means but it could have stood a bit more oomph.
Maybe it’ll pick up as this is just the first issue. We shall see.
RATING: B-
New Superman #16
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by Brent Peeples
I like this comic.
Yang’s endless enthusiastic writing makes it a real treat.
This issue is no different. Everyone should give this series a shot.
Kenan’s battle with the Suicide Squad ended in a really bad way. He lost big time to everyone!
So when he wakes up, he wakes up in Gotham City!
Then he has to gather himself together to stop All-Yang’s sinister plan.
The writing is fun and lively. The art is a little too second rate for my tastes in this issue. It brought it down a little for me to be honest. Still, you should check out this series. It’s definitely worth a look.
RATING: B
Suicide Squad #26
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Eleonora Carlini
Here we go!
The storyline is entitled “The Secret History of Task Force X.” This is a good first part of that storyline. Williams takes his writing up a notch and it’s actually pretty damn cool.
Somebody knows all of Amanda Waller’s secrets! They know everything! And they let Waller know too! What is she going to do?
Well, turns out this it of news is coming from outer space! So guess where the Suicide Squad is going?
You guessed it! Outer space everyone!
Williams writes a pretty solid issue. It’s typically nuts. It has more suspense for sure this go around. The art is just okay and again brings the issue down a bit.
Still, it’s much better than usual. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
RATING: B
Detective Comics #966
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Carmen Nunez Carnero
This is a great storyline here in Detective Comics.
James Tynion IV is writing his heart out and it shows.
Tim Drake is loose in Mr. Oz’s dastardly prison and finds himself in one challenge after another! Holy Hannah!
He’s trying to find a way out.
But can he?
Also, he’s trying to escape this godforsaken place while Superman fights Mr. Oz. There also maybe another prisoner on the loose.
Tynion writes a tight storyline. The art isn’t as good as Eddy Barrows, but it’s not terrible. It’s a good solid issue overall.
This is one of the highlight books of the Rebirth line.
RATING: B+
Gotham City Garage #1
Written by Collin Kelly
Illustrated by Brian Ching
I had read a little bit of this before, but not the entire issue as presented here.
This is a comic based on the DC Comics Collectibles statue line. It has a story that is pretty out there and different and I always like those.
So Governor Lex Luthor has saved Gotham City while the rest of the world is a damn wasteland. It seems it is a modern utopia!
But this utopia isn’t for everyone. If someone give any lip, the Bat comes around and restores the order. It’s up to young Kara Gordon to fight the power and try to change the way life is.
The story is whacked out beyond comprehension and I love it. The art isn’t half bad too.
Pick this up as it may be a sleeper. Worth a look for sure.
RATING: B+
DC Bombshells United! #3
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Illustrated by Marguerite Sauvage
The all Marguerite team up continues in this issue!
Honestly, it’s been so much fun I’ve been reading with giddiness!
It’s such a fun series and it’s good to see women superheroes in the spotlight.
World War 2 has started!
It’s 1943 and Cassie Sandsmark and Donna Troy have to put on their Wonder Girl costumes to fight in the war! Do they have what it takes?
Of course they do!
Bennett writes with passion. The art is truly awesome.
This is all you need for a solid series. Pick it up. Worth a read.
RATING: B+
Red Hood and the Outlaws #15
Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by Joe Bennett
Lobdell continues writing one of the most underrated and underappreciated series out there.
This is the second part of the Bizarro Reborn storyline and it’s a good one. Things are really taking off!
Bizarro’s war on crime has taken a dark, dark turn in this issue. Red Hood and Artemis have to figure out what the heck to do with him. In the meanwhile, Batwoman and her team are closing in on the Outsiders!
Things are tense!
The story is strong and the art by Bennett is especially good. Pick this up.
It’s a damn fine funny book indeed!
RATING: B+
