Check out what I checked out this week.
Whether the comics are inspiring or disappointing, I read them all.
Welcome to The Pull List.
And, as always…Spoilers ahead!
Batman #6 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Greg Capullo & Jonathan Giapion
Colors: FCO
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
In my humble opinion, Detective Comics and Snyder’s Batman have been going neck and neck for the top spot in the New 52.
I think it’s safe to say that Snyder wins the battle because he and everyone who contributed to this book did an amazing job and somehow topped last month’s issue which I didn’t think would be done.
Readers are treated to a phenomenal story that shows the undeniable will of the Dark Knight in the face of the gravest adversity from the Court of Owls. Just as it looks like the Talon, the court’s hired gun, is going to land that fatal strike, Batman finds the strength to fight back.
Capullo’s art work captured this moment brilliantly as Batman looked as big as the Hulk, which is obviously a mental depiction of how mad he was since we all know he is not really that big. The price is going up a dollar in May with eight more pages of Bat-Insanity to sink our teeth into.
Daredevil #9
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Paolo Rivera & Joe Rivera
Colors: Javier Rodriguez
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $2.99
This is an issue that not only was a great read but it’s a story that really gets in your head and makes you think about how you would handle the situation Matt Murdock is in.
He ignored a case regarding a sinking graveyard until the graves go missing and one of them is his father’s. He is the only one who has the courage to go below ground to find the caskets and he suspects Mole-Man is pulling the strings.
Meanwhile, Black Cat breaks into Murdock’s apartment and the art work and page layouts depicting the incident were stylish and clever.
If you haven’t jumped on the Mark Waid Daredevil bandwagon, this is a great time to start.
Grade: A-
Wonder Woman #6
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Art: Tony Akins & Dan Green
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
I have to confess, Wonder Woman has never been my cup of tea.
Even with numerous attempts at reading the books, I found myself bored. Brian Azzarello has slowly but surely has changed my outlook on all things concerning the Amazonian.
Maybe it’s the fact that she is now the daughter of Zeus?
Greek mythology is an excellent vehicle to use and Azzarello does it with a style that still keeps the superhero element intact. Marvelous ideas that are well executed are common place in this book as Wonder Woman battles Poseidon, who is in the form of a giant octopus while Hades is working on a plan of his own as both Gods want the top spot in Olympus.
The art is vibrant with nice attention to detail. Azzarello has some serious cojones for taking on the Watchmen prequel. Nevertheless, his work on this series has done wonders for a wonderous woman who could kick my and your asses in a heart beat.
Grade: B+
Wolverine #301
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Steven Sanders, Billy Tan, Jason Keith & Sotocolor
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $3.99
There is not much to say about this issue so I’m just going to go with a pro wrestling analogy.
This book is one big 5 way elimination match to the death featuring Wolverine, The Hand, Yakuza, Silver Samurai Jr and Sabertooth. There is a ton of stuff going on this issue and Jason Aaron puts it together in a way where it’s not too much for the reader.
People are getting killed left and right and Wolverine is getting more pissed off by the second.
The art does a fantastic job of depicting action that doesn’t let up and there is a standout one page layout where Wolverine battles Sabertooth.
This book is on par with the last issue which is in the running for the single best issue of 2012.
Grade: A-
The Amazing Spider-Man #679.1
Writers: Dan Slott & Chris Yost
Art: Matthew Clark & Tom Palmer
Colors: Rob Schwager
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Peter Parker thinks he is going to have a great day at work.
That is until he can’t get rid of a kid named Uatu Jackson who is a super smart know-it-all with no social skills (and shares a first name with The Watcher, himself).
To make matter worse, Peter discovers the mystery scientist in lab six who happens to be a super villain.
Most people would have taken a personal day but this kind of adventure is what makes Spider-Man so fun to read. Clark and Palmer offered their artistic talent to this issue and while their work didn’t bring the usual vibrant presentation, the work itself was nothing to complain about.
Uatu was the star of the story and I don’t think we have seen the last of him either.
Grade: B
Winter Soldier #2
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Butch Guice
Color: Bettie Breitweiser
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $2.99
Ed Brubaker has done it again with the second installment of The Winter Soldier as we are treated to mystery and intrigue wrapped up in a nice spy thriller package.
Someone has recently reactivated a sleeper agent to kill Doctor Doom on his own front porch.
Lets think about this for a second. You go to home of Victor Von Doom and try to kill him?
WOW.
I think the term you can’t beat a dog in his own back yard rings pretty true in this case. Doom is pissed and wants answers. Bucky and Black Widow are on the clock and have to figure who’s trying to kill the good doctor before he takes matters into his own hands.
It’s not an easy endeavor since they have to get back a 500 lb gorilla with a 50 caliber machine gun and a jet pack.
Grade: B+
Road Rage #1
Writers: Joe Hill, Stephen King & Chris Ryall
Art: Nelson Daniel
Colors: Nelson Daniel
Publisher: IDW
Price: $3.99
I kind of feel like a bad comic book fan because I had no idea this was coming out until went to the store on Wednesday.
The story follows a motorcycle gang called “The Tribe” that is ran by Vince and Race, who are in the midst of a power struggle following an expensive drug deal done wrong. They plan to recoup their loss while drawing the attention of a mysterious trucker and all hell breaks loose.
The dialog is a little hard to read at first if you’re unfamiliar with biker jargon like me.
Business starts to pick up when the trucker makes his first appearance. The art has a 70’s horror style to it that creates an atmosphere that we don’t see very often.
While Road Rage doesn’t re-invent the wheel by any means, it’s a creepy book that will have you coming back for more.
Grade: B-
Green Lantern Corps #6
Writer Peter J Tomasi
Art: Fernando Pasarin & Scott Hanna
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
The Lantern Strikeforce assembled by Guy Gardner is coming to kick some Keeper ass and they don’t plan on taking prisoners.
John Stewart commits another notorious act in order to save OA and a yellow fear bomb may be in someone’s future as the war reaches its final act. The highlight of Pasarin and Hanna’s work is during the fight scene as an all out brawl ensues.
Tomasi’s writing provides a solid story that is fun for the entire 32 pages.
Grade: B-
Supergirl #6 (Shelf-Listed: Disappointment of the Week)
Writer: Michael Green & Mike Johnson
Art: Mahmud Asrar
Cover: Dave McCaig
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
Another issue where some cheap shortcuts gets the Girl of Steel out of trouble and back in the saddle.
It’s a shame because the book started off strong and lately produced all sizzle and no steak.
Kara is trapped and powerless on a dead Argo City orbiting a blue sun.
Just as all hope is lost, the ghosts of her parents appear and re-energize her and she escapes and finds her way back to Earth to find an uninteresting villain with a back story that tries way too hard and fails as a result.
