Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
It’s Valentine’s Day! And over here at Forces of Geek, we love comics! Here are this week’s releases!
Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt #1
Written by and Illustrated by Various
Scott Snyder. Joshua Williamson. James Tynion IV. Grant Morrison??? The amount of great writers on this title is superb.
So why isn’t the book itself amazing?
I think it may be time to wrap this whole thing up.
The Dark Knights are on a damn mission together! That mission is to stop the heroes that are planning to save the universe!
Meanwhile, that damn Challengers Mountain is starting to crack open! And it may be releasing a bunch of nightmares upon the world! This issue also answers the question of where the Metal Men are!
The story is crazy and unfocused. The art is the best part from the likes of Doug Mahnke and Ivan Reis.
It’s not enough. Metal feels like it tried to reinvent the wheel. None of it was grounded though.
And that’s where it lost me.
RATING: C+
Detective Comics #974
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Jesus Merino
James Tynion IV has been writing this comic book for almost two years now. It’s had its moments.
Now however, I feel like he’s covered all of the ground that we are going to see from him.
This issue is called “Knight’s Fall.” In it, we see the follow up from recent issues.
Will the Dark Knights fall apart?
And will Tim Drake be able to patch together his recent dreams?
Find out here.
The art by Merino is pretty decent and it may be the best part of this book.
We have 25 issues until the big issue 1000. Hopefully this picks up before then.
RATING: C
Red Hood and the Outlaws #19
Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by Marcio Takara
This book has been one of the best books of the DC Rebirth relaunch.
Month after month, Lobdell writes one hell of a tale. It’s full of energy and verve and I’ve love it. It has great characterization too.
So in this issue the Red Hood and Artemis go out on a date. It’s hilarious to read. These two characters who are super serious go out for a night on the town! The results are amazing.
And what does Bizarro do now that he has a night off?
Find out in this very issue!
The story is a bunch of laughs. Lobdell makes any memory of the previous series fade away and brings us a strong issue yet again. The art is damn good as well.
This will put a smile on your face. It’s really a wonderful issue.
RATING: A
Suicide Squad #35
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Eduardo Pansica
Rob Williams is back writing on this title and we are back to Crazy-Town!
Hey, sometimes that is okay!
This issue is completely over the top. So why not sit back and just enjoy it!
This is the first part of the storyline entitled “Hacked.” I could make the obvious joke about that writing but I won’t.
Or maybe I just did.
Anyway, a villain has come back who knows all of the Squad’s secrets! So they have to break into prison to combat this person!
It’s pretty out there like I said before. At least it’s not boring. The art isn’t the greatest at all, but it serves the story.
Enjoy it for what it is, but don’t expect a masterpiece.
RATING: C+
The Wildstorm: Michael Cray #5
Written by Bryan Hill
Illustrated by N. Steven Harris
Well, this has been a nice surprise.
Writer Bryan Hill has picked up the reins on this spinoff from The Wildstorm title. He’s done a nice job of fleshing out the Warren Ellis version of Deathblow.
In this issue, Michael Cray starts to delve deeper into his powers he is receiving from having a tumor. He uses them to find Arthur Curry who is also known as the Aquaman.
But Cray’s power may be going out of control! Can he control them in time to stop the man from the sea?
The story is very good. Hill has a great way of making everything compelling. The art is very well done as well.
I’m enjoying this book very much. It’s been a good first arc thus far.
RATING: B+
Deadman #4
Written and Illustrated by Neal Adams
My only hope is that after this comic book limited series finished is that Neal Adams doesn’t write another comic book ever again. His art still isn’t half bad, but his writing brings it down.
This issue has Ra’s Al Ghul meeting up with Deadman.
What reason do you ask?
Deadman is still trying to figure out why he was killed. And Batman is involved for some reason or other. Probably because Adams wanted to draw him.
The art is the best part here. I just had a hard time following the story. It’s not captivating at all. I’ve checked out emotionally from this comic. Oh well.
RATING: D+
The Flash #40
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Joshua Williamson is writing one hell of a story! This whole thing is leading to The Flash Wars storyline! It looks like it’s going to be one hell of a time!
But first, the Flash has to take on one of this old foes!
Gorilla Grodd wants the Speed Force for himself and he will stop at nothing to get it!
Barry is running the hell away from him! But Grodd knows one of Barry’s secrets! What’s going to happen?
This is awesome. Williamson really structures the story well. It’s leading to something big! The art is fantastic. I’m loving where this is headed!
I can’t wait until the next issue.
RATING: A-
Shade the Changing Girl/Wonder Woman #1
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by Mirka Andolfo
We have here part three of the Milk Wars storyline!
This time, Shade the Changing Girl meets up with Wonder Woman. Castellucci writes this story and does a great job here as per usual.
Shade has been spilt up into multiple parts, much like the Pixar film Inside Out.
She does it all to please Wonder Woman who has now turned into Wonder Wife.
Can they get out of this crazy made up world and see the truth?
Let me just tell you: This book is weird. It may be one of the weirdest books of all time. But that’s okay! It works so why not! The art is good on this as well.
Pick his up and expand your mind!
RATING: A-
Titans #20
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Paul Pelletier
Sometimes, a certain artist just makes a book go downhill for me.
I’ve never like Paul Pelletier’s art. He’s not a bad artist and is certainly capable enough. It just hit me wrong. Such is the case here.
This is the first part of the “Titans Apart” storyline.
In it, the Justice League decides its time the Titans took a break. Arsenal decides he’s not taking a rest. Instead he’s going to New York City to investigate the rise of a new drug hitting the street.
Cheshire decides to join him…but for what purpose does she?
The story is very well done. Abnett really knows what he is doing here. I just wish again it has a stronger artist. Still, there’s enough to enjoy overall.
RATING: B
Gotham City Garage #9
Written by Collin Kelly
Illustrated by Lynne Yoshi and Neil Googe
This take on the DC Universe is inventive and crazy. You need to start from the beginning to really get into it. But once you are there you’re in for quite a lot of fun!
The Garage needs allies.
Luthor is bringing war to them! Barda travels to a radio station to try to recruit Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane to take down the Garage.
This causes Kendra Blackhawk to have to decide which side she might be on.
The story is good and well done. The art is pretty damn awesome. Put that together and you get a good package.
Pick it up! People need to read this!
RATING: B+
New Super-Man and the Justice League Of China #20
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by Brent Peeples
You have got to hand it to Gene Luen Yang. He really has taken this title to bold new directions.
Here, he decides to add The Justice League of China into the mix and it adds a fun new element to the book.
This is part one of the storyline “Sea Of Change!”
The New Super-Man Of China and The Justice League of China have decided to go off on their own.
But of course trouble is stirring! Will they be able to fight off this dangerous new threat?
And just how powerful is this new challenger?
Yang clearly is having a lot of fun here. There is a really nice natural flow and it shows. The art is pretty good too. Pick this up. It’s a good starting point for new readers!
RATING: B+
Ragman #5
Written by Ray Fawkes
Illustrated by Inaki Miranda
This series has been a nice take on a forgotten character.
Ray Fawkes does an excellent job setting up the story and it’s very strong. I have enjoyed this very much thus far.
Ragman is busy trying to get to Mandy and Frank Jr.
The problem is Frank Jr. is possessed by a hell demon bent on destroying the world.
Ragman is out of time. Can he possibly save the world in time?
Or is everything going to Hell in a hand basket?
Let’s find out!
Miranda does a great job on the art. It’s fluid and works really well. The whole package is very well done. Give it a chance! You may surprise yourself.
RATING: B+
