Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #19
Written by Ethan Sacks; Art by Ramon F. Bachs
Published by Marvel Comics
This installment of Star Wars: Bounty Hunters gives us a perfect blend of thrills and emotional punch.
Technically a prequel to Darth Vader #19, we learn what convinces Bounty Hunter Valance to take sides with his nemesis, tormentor and savior, Darth Vader. Valance continues to be one of the best fleshed out characters in the Marvel Comics Universe, giving us no choice but to sympathize with him.
The B-story with Losha and T-Onga is tight as well, setting up a mission that could change both the criminal underworld and the Rebel Alliance forever with fan favorites Bossk, Zuckus and 4LOM tagging along.
High quality craftsmanship all the way around. (– Anthony Sword)
Grade: A
Action Comics #1038
Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art by Miguel Mendonca
Published by DC Comics
This series has been epic! Phillip Kennedy Johnson continues his towering run writing this book with this issue. It is really something else. Each issue is full of excitement and it only seems to be getting better. This issue is pretty fantastic as well and it has some real surprises in it that I did not see coming.
Following last month’s shocking moment, Johnson takes us around to the places in Warworld that we normally don’t get a chance to see. We get to meet a new character that might help the heroes that are left out of their situation. There is a big incident that happens and then the issue has one hell of an ending. The writing is good and the art is strong. I can’t wait for the next year’s worth of stories. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Aquaman/Green Arrow: Deep Target #3
Written by Brandon Thomas; Art by Ronan Cliquet
Published by DC Comics
This series has been pretty decent thus far. It features two heroes that I normally don’t see teamed up together too often. Because of that, it feels like a fresh and natural team up has happened. The batter between the two heroes is the best part of the book, even when it fails to rise above the cliches.
Aquaman and Green Arrow are trying to escape their current predicament. They are having a hell of a time trying to do so. There is a lot of action that happens as this is al occurring. It is pretty cool when they discover where they have been this whole time. The writing and artwork are decent enough here. It’s not the greatest book ever but it’s also not half bad. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B
Human Target #3
Written by Tom King; Art by Greg Smallwood
Published by DC Comics
This series has been really great thus far. I enjoy it every time that writer Tom King writes one of these 12 issue maxi-series. He puts a lot of time making sure that they are full of some great storytelling as well as some excellent characters and dialogue. This series is no exception and it really works well in his style.
Christopher Chance is on a deadline trying to solve his own murder. He is coming up with a lot of dead ends. He does have one lead suspect but he has fallen in love with her. It gets messy for sure. It also gets messy when Green Lantern shows up because he is the suspect’s ex boyfriend. The story is fun and the artwork by Greg Smallwood is excellent. Well done! (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Task Force Z #3
Written by Matthew Rosenberg; Art by Eddy Barrows
Published by DC Comics
This has been a fun and dark take on a typical comic book type of story. This issue focuses on Floyd Lawton aka Deadshot. He falls into this storyline perfectly here and I loved the way Rosenberg handled him. He’s been recruited into Task Force Z and it is super cool to see.
We get to see Deadshot join the team and go on a mission with them. It is a pretty deadly mission and it doesn’t end well to say the least. Deadshot also doesn’t enjoy playing by anyone else’s set of rules so it leads to some interesting conflicts. The story is fun and the artwork by Barrows is awesome. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B+
Swamp Thing: Green Hell #1
Written by Jeff Lemire; Art by Doug Mahnke
Published by DC Comics
Jeff Lemire always writes really interesting comics. I have to say that everything that he touches seems to work really well. I love this take on Swamp Thing and I have to say that this book works really well. The story is strong and the artwork by Doug Mahnke is extremely strong as well. I liked this very much.
Humanity is doomed. It is time to wipe the earth clean and there are now monsters that have taken over the earth. The only thing that might foil this event is Alex Holland. Holland is all that stands in the way of earth being destroyed forever. The promise is that he has been dead for decades. This first issue is awesome and it worked great. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Stray Dogs: Dog Days #1
Written by Tony Fleecs; Art by Trish Forstner
Published by Image Comics
Stray Dogs was a surprise hit from Image this past year. It told a really great story, and I have to say it is a very compelling book overall. I love the way the stories are handled. I love the way the stories feel fresh and unique. This is a nice continuation of that story.
The story features all of the characters from the comic. They all get short stories this time around and a lot of them are really well done. I lost track of what happened in the series so I was a little lost. But it is well done enough that I enjoyed it without too much concern. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B
Devil’s Reign #2
Written by Chip Zdarsky; Art by Marco Checchetto
Published by Marvel Comics
Mayor Wilson Fisk and his allies are on a warpath. Using every lever available to him, he takes on every hero in New York City. This second issue reveals glimmers of hope, including the least likeliest (or most depending how one looks at it) mayoral candidate.
Chip Zdarsky has scripted a taut, fun story with high stakes. He takes full advantage of how central New York is in the Marvel Universe. He has a strong feel for how Mayor Fisk’s actions affect every Marvel hero. We also get what might be my favorite Sue and Reed Richards scene of recent memory.
Marco Checchetto’s art adds to the sense of propulsion in this story. The choices he makes all move the action packed story. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
Superman ‘78 #5
Written By Robert Venditti; Art by Wilfredo Torres
Published by DC Comics
Brainiac makes his attempt to shrink and seize Metropolis. Meanwhile, Superman attempts to escape with his father’s help. All in an action packed, surprisingly emotional issue of Superman ‘78.
Venditti and Torres collaborate on another issue that does more than rely on nostalgia. It expands on this version of Superman. Bringing back Jor-El in a way that the original films were never able to adds an unexpected dimension to this issue.
Torres clean lines evokes the cinematic moments from the original films. The action scenes even seem to capture Reeves movements. I think I even spied a cameo of Richard Pryor’s character from the third film. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
Detective Comics #1046
Written by Mariko Tamaki; Art by Dan Mora
Published by DC Comics
This issue spends some time retreading ground from Fear State Omega, while forging a path ahead for other Gotham heroes.
A previously captured villain, Anna Vulsion, kills again. Spoiler and Batman are on the scene. Meanwhile we check in on Huntress. We also get an idea of how the rapidly built Arkham Tower will work.
This issue works best when various characters that don’t usually get their own moments shine. Spoiler and Huntress in particular. The Arkham Tower subplot might work in the long run, but getting bogged down in the details of the bureaucracy isn’t that interesting.
But Dan Mora’s work here is pretty great.
Sharp, detailed, and stylish. You’ll find yourself enjoying a page dedicated to Spoiler jumping over a car. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: B+
Justice League #70
Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art By Phil Hester
Published by DC Comics
The Royal Flush Gang has stolen Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. Spurred on by Mark Shaw, they are clearly in over their heads. Can Superman and the League get the Fortress back before things get out of hand?
Bendis has certain tics in his storytelling. Certain bits of dialogue and plot twists he engages in. Sometimes it comes off as repetitious. Other times it just feels comforting. Justice League #70 is a solid bit of storytelling from Bendis. He makes the Royal Flush Gang an interesting crew that can at least challenge the League.
Phil Hester’s art works well with the script in that it’s fine. Nothing that truly jumps out and yet competent beginning to end.
The Justice League Dark back up tale continues to outshine the main story. Ram V gives Zatanna a great story. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: B
DC vs. Vampires #3
Written by James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenberg; Art by Otto Schmidt
Published by DC Comics
The Justice League discover that Barry Allen has fallen, while Green Lantern attempts to cover his tracks. Batman suspects their is a connection to a disappearance. And various factions of heroes don’t quite trust each other yet.
Each issue of this series just builds in suspense. That feeling that the world is breaking continues to increase. Tynion and Rosenberg clearly know what they are doing. A story that is gory fun to watch unfold.
A story like this could easily come off as plodding with the wrong artist.
But Otto Schmidt’s work balances the horror and super heroics just right. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
Deathstroke Inc #4
Written by Joshua Williamson; Art By Howard Porter
Published by DC Comics
Black Canary and Deathstroke agree to work together. But they are quickly discovered. With this new exposure, they are forced to fight their way out of TRUST.
Joshua Williamson brings us a story that feels paint by numbers and generally forgettable. It isn’t awful by any means, it just never escapes the feeling of having been done before. I know there are only so many superhero stories to tell, but the best feels fresh. Deathstroke Inc feels stale.
Howard Porter’s art can be over stylish to the point that it veers on parody. Here his style just points out various cliches in this tale. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: C
Harley Quinn #10
Written by Stephanie Phillips; Art by Laura Braga
Published by DC Comics
Harley and Ivy attempt to have a date. But things don’t quite work out as planned as a Night at The Museum becomes awfully tempting with a diamond that is begging to get stolen. .
Stephanie Phillips has been writing Harley as a former villain that wants to change. Apparently, this has led to yet another break up for Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. There are other places, such as the excellent HBO series, to see them together. But all that work to keep them apart the previous nine issues only to split them up right away feels awful.
Laura Braga steps in for an issue, and the art is stylistically different from previous issues. It’s not bad, but this issue just feels like a downer and the art doesn’t quite deliver in a way that changes that. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: C
Robin #9
Written by Joshua Williamson; Art by Roger Cruz
Published by DC Comics
Robin faces down a demon summoned by his Grandmother. With the odds stacked against him, a heartfelt meditation on Alfred and the Wayne legacy has Damian choosing a course of action. Now working with the other fighters, Damian can be a better hero and might just come out victorious.
One could argue that the Tournament storyline took way too long. It sure was lackluster in parts. But this issue wraps things up in a pretty satisfying conclusion. Williamson gives us truly touching moments between Damian and his version of Alfred.
Roger Cruz’s art feels less cartoonish, more impactful than we have seen in recent issues.
The last couple of pages are setting up the next story arc. And it looks real promising. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: B
The Flash #777
Written by Jeremy Adams; Art by Fernando Pasarin and Matt Ryan
Published by DC Comics
The Flash travels to Gemworld. Together with the Justice League Dark and Amethyst they aim to stop Eclipso. Meanwhile Jai and Irey, along with their mom Linda, do the best they can while worried about Wally. But something lurks as Irey is up to no good.
The nature of ongoing monthly comic books make it difficult to write a character with a family. So it’s great to see Jeremy Adams take that chance. His story gives us what is shaping up to be a fun adventure for Wally West. But the family side keeps things grounded while setting up something ominous for the hero.
The art is dynamic and clear capturing all the action. It even brings a spark to the scenes with the kids at school.
What Jeremy Adams brings to the table continues to be energetic and fun. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: B+
Monkey Meat #1
Words & Art by Juni Ba
Published by Image Comics
Juni Ba, a Senegalese-born French comics artist and writer, came to some prominence with the fantasy series Djeliya, a post-apocalyptic fantasy story based on West African folklore that explored how storytelling can explain, or obfuscate, truth and power. Ba returns with another series that uses its fantastical elements to satirize these absurd times in human history of capitalism, content culture, climate annihilation, and more.
Framed by a piece of advertorial film, the comic introduces Monkey Meat, the world’s top-selling food product, and the mysterious island where it is manufactured. Through the eyes of Thaddeus Lug, we see how his island home is turned into a company town, and how a slick sales strategy can win over God despite mutagens and atrocities that, in turn, beget the unnamed company’s latest release. With an art style that evokes Kyle Baker, Mike Mignola, Paul Pope and Jamie Hewlett, Ba has created something as entertaining as it is scathing. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Rain #1
Words by Joe Hill & David M. Booher; Art by Zoe Thorogood
Published by Image Comics
Amid times where nature itself appears deadest on attacking humanity, whether by randomness or as consequences for our behavior, this adaptation of Hill’s horror novella appears.
On a normal August day in Boulder, Colorado, Honeysuckle Speck is moving in with her girlfriend, Yolanda. But suddenly a storm rains nails – sharp needles of crystal that shred anyone caught outside. The first issue begins with Honeysuckle narrating in past tense, adding a layer of foreboding to it all, as snapshots of moments lay out her relationship with Yolanda and their process and fallout of the young lovers coming out. I finished this issue feeling upset and unnerved, particularly given the tropes of LGBTQ people paired up in stories only to see death befall one of them, but I can’t judge this one until I see where it’s going.
Thorogood is key to this story coming alive visually, as she does not shy away from depicting what that cloud of nails would do, but balancing that graphic destruction with fully rendered slice-of-life moments between Honeysuckle and Yolanda, and crafting the pair in authentic images of queer twentysomethings in this here early 21st century. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Aquaman: The Becoming #4
Written by Brandon Thomas; Art by Scott Koblish and Wade von Grawbadger
Published by DC Comics
I wasn’t sure where this story was going, but now that the antagonist Deluge has been revealed as Jackson’s heretofore unknown half-sister Delilah? Issue #4 takes this series into a parable of colonialism, sectarian war, and the line between freedom fighting and terrorism. In this version of the Xebel/Atlantis conflict, it’s easy to draw parallels between the nations of haves at the expense of nations of have-nots. We see Atlantis’ glowing towers and cavorting citizens displayed against the gloomy shipwrecks in Xebel.
Furthermore, Thomas underpins this with racial elements: the Xebelians we meet in this issue are nearly all Black, and yet here’s someone of Xebelian blood working for Aquaman (who’s every bit the Aryan-looking golden boy of the comics) and the Atlantean throne. As his mother Lucia’s murderous, extremist past is revealed piece by piece, Jackson is thrown by it all. After all, his mother was the kind one, and his father, Black Manta, the murderous villain his mother escaped from!
Lucia says there’s more to her story, and I look forward to the further complexity if this issue is any indication. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Mega #1
Words & Art by Salvador Sanz
Published by Red 5 Comics
In short, Mega is a kaiju story. But like all kaiju stories, the human element has to be worthwhile, too. As an earthquake in Antarctica reveals a crevasse, 6-year-old Tina sits at the breakfast table with her father. He explains that her grandfather’s ship has gone missing. A creature starts emerging from the Antarctic waters in Sanz’s arresting vistas and watercolor hues. And Tina’s grandfather appears in her dreams to tell her of the creature, an ancient evil imprisoned deep in the planet, and a protector who must be called upon to send it back.
The kaiju known as The Salamander makes landfall in Uruguay, with disastrous results that are eerie, Sanz’s art well-schooled in this genre. Nonetheless, the mystery at the heart of Tina’s family – her explorer grandfather, her father who mutters “it can’t be” upon seeing the gigantic sea creature, and whoever let The Salamander loose – will be intriguing to see unfold. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Search For Hu #4
Written by Jon Tsuei & Steve Orlando; Art by Rubine
Published by AfterShock Comics
I asked for MK to get in on the action, and this issue doesn’t disappoint. A drug heist of tractor trailers is the main set piece, with Aaron and his Margolis family bungee jump off a building to land on the trucks. Aaron continues his downward slide, as he misses his father’s funeral and fails to even call his mother. Rubine pulls together a bunch of good action layouts, sharp clothes, gnarly gunplay, and big emotions.
Unfortunately, one really big action moment doesn’t quite land for me – not enough detailed panel work to lead us up to what happens. But the story gives us enough twists and turns to put Aaron at odds with both Margolis and Hu. How he’ll hold it together emotionally, I don’t know. But now we’ve finally got Aaron and MK together against the world. Let’s go. ( – Marvin Pittman)
