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!
Daredevil #23 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Chris Samnee
Colors: Javier Rodriguez
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
This is the perfect jumping on point for anyone who has heard the hype about the all-around greatness of Mark Waid’s work on this series.
Honestly though, if you haven’t been reading this series, what the hell are you thinking?
This is coming from someone who was always a Daredevil fan, but never liked his comics until this run.
This issue serves as an emotional whirlwind for both Matt Murdock and Daredevil.
Foggy Nelson is sick and is showing symptoms of cancer while persons unknown are trying to recreate the accident that gave Daredevil his heightened senses and using prison inmates as guinea pigs.
The last story arc tested the bond of Foggy and Matt like never before. The threat of life’s worst enemy looms as the two lawyers have a jolly old time and crack a few jokes at the expense of Stilt-Man.
The script just tugs at your heart strings as their night out on the town via rooftop is comparable to time well spent with your best buddy. Chris Samnee had some big shoes to fill since coming on in the stead of Paolo Rivera. This is the issue that takes him from substitute to co-captain. His art direction and visuals are what a hardcore comic book fan lives for. Fight scenes, body language, emotion, and everything in-between are done with an expertise that make me want to bow down and yell “I’m not worthy.” Javier Rodriguez’s coloring is a cross between something you would see in an arcade game and Keith Harring’s pop art with a slightly darker tone.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this issue received an Eisner nomination for best single issue of 2013.
Grade: A+
Justice League of America #1
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: David Finch
Colors: Sonia Oback & Jeromy Cox
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
The Justice League series has garnered mixed results since the inception of the New 52.
Infighting and intolerable egos sometimes drown out the story at hand. In a way, Geoff Johns gets a second chance to make a first impression with the Justice League of America.
The majority of this book is spent watching Amanda Waller and Steve Trevor debate over the cast of characters for the new JLA. This provided some enjoyable moments because every candidate has their own reason for joining the team.
Public opinion of the Justice League is at an all-time low following the “The Throne of Atlantis” saga.
Waller doesn’t want to repeat the political entanglements of the Justice League International as each member of her band is selected for a purpose and to fend off a particular member of the Justice League should it come to that.
For example, Vibe’s placement on the team is designed to neutralize Flash should it come to that. If you’re a professional wrestling fan, Macho Man Randy Savage vs. Koko B Ware is equivalent to a matchup Waller has booked. Geoff Johns has his work cut out for him to make some of these members ready for prime time since DC’s Comics “Trinity War” is scheduled for this summer.
David Finch draws a mean Hawkman with great facial reactions, and does a fantastic job putting together the right visuals in order to augment the story. Despite very little in terms of action taking place, there is a lot going on as things are being set in motion.
Next month’s issue should be very interesting.
Grade: B+
Happy #4
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: Darick Robertson
Colors: Tony Avina
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99
“It’s Santa Claus on drugs, Nick!’’ is the perfect quote to sum up not only this issue, but what has been Grant Morrison’s entire run on this dark buddy cop story.
You will never look at the Christmas season the same way again as child pornography, F-Bombs galore, and violence, violence, and more violence is the backdrop for the crappy world of Nick Sax. H
appy is his only hope if he is to save his daughter from unimaginable horror. Besides the blue flying horse, you really didn’t feel for any of the characters because none of them, including Nick, have any redeeming qualities.
That makes it hard to get into a story but the overall story that Morrison and Robertson produced does a good enough job of getting their point cross.
Grade: B
Nova #1
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Art: Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines
Colors: Marte Gracia
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
The original creative team of the Superman/Batman series bring their collective talents to the Marvel Universe and introduce the new Nova.
I’ve never been a Nova fan and had no interest in reading this book, but I absolutely loved it.
An origin story with Dad issues sets the stage for Sam to become a member of the Nova Corps. Sam is a typical teenager with an atypical sense of reasonability. He doesn’t believe the adventurous tales he’s been told until a visit from a rather angry raccoon changes his perception of things.
Loeb, McGuinness, and Vines are always in sync and produce great action, solid artwork and a comic book that may turn out to be one of the best books in Marvel’s catalog.
Grade: A-
Saga #10
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Art: Fiona Staples
Colors: Brian K. Vaughan
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $ 2.99
Saga is the gift that keeps on giving and this month’s issue is no exception.
The book opens with the final flashback of Marko and Alana’s budding love and then we zip back to the present where their ghost babysitter, Izabel, is recused from the planet she was banished to.
Baby Hazel’s narration really gives this book that extra oomph that sets itself apart from the rest. It adds an extra mysterious element because, while this may be her adult self telling her parent’s story, nothing is ever what it seems.
Fiona Staples is money as always in the art department and Brian K. Vaughan has once again written one of the best comic books of the week.
Grade: B+
Justice League #17
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis, Paul Pelletier, & Joe Prado
Colors: Rod Reis & Nathan Eyring
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
The who, what, where, when, and why are all revealed in this “Throne of Atlantis” conclusion.
Aquaman’s most trusted Atlantean confidant, Vulko, is responsible for the war that has claimed numerous lives. The reason for his plan is explained, but is not excusable, and this causes Aquaman to rethink his purpose in life.
The artwork of Paul Pelletier is slowly but surely filling the void that Jim Lee left. I hope more people will recognize this since comic book stores are reporting cancellations off individual pull lists due to Lee’s departure from the series.
The end signifies lasting changes and repercussions for the League as they have several reserve members in mind but some of them have been recruited for Amanda Waller’s JLA.
Grade: B+
The Black Beetle #2
Writer: Francesco Francavilla
Art: Francesco Francavilla
Colors: Francesco Francavilla
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
If you are looking for something new or something different to add your personal pull list, you can stop looking because you found it!
Francesco Francavilla has produced a brilliant homage to the pulp noir. This comic book is exquisite from head to toe and amazes the reader at every turn of the page.
Colt City’s mob bosses have been murdered and The Black Beetle is hot on the trail until he finds some serious adversity in a foe that is one step ahead of him.
Bold statement time.
The Black Beetle might be a better detective than The Batman. I know sounds ludicrous, right?
The expertise in which Francavilla displays the Beetle’s skills of deduction is simply awe inspiring. The artwork is truly something to behold as its old school flair shows that you can never go wrong with a classic as everything is drawn with such painstaking detail.
I have never had as much difficulty making my pick of the week as I did this week. I went with Daredevil in the end but this series is truly something special and fans should enjoy the awesomeness that has been unleashed by Francesco Francavilla.
Grade: A
