Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
It’s Wednesday so you know what that means…comic books!
The Flash #20
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Neil Googe
This issue feels like the definition of a filler issue. It’s not terrible, but it feels like they needed SOMETHING to come out…so they went with this.
The scientists of the Black Hole have been stealing the bodies of dead speedsters. I enjoy how morbid that idea is for sure.
So, The Flash and Iris West go undercover to figure out why.
The rest of the issue goes pretty much how you expect.
The issue promised a “shocking revelation.” Well, I don’t know how shocking it could really be.
The variant cover gives it away. The writing is standard. The art is okay at best…so it’s a solid B- book.
RATING: B-
Detective Comics #954
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Marcio Takara
I love Detective Comics now. The “League of Shadows” storyline presently going on is pretty fantastic. Tynion has created a hell of a story that is full of drama and action packed.
This issue is part four of the story.
Batman must confront Ra’s al Ghul. The reason is that good old Ra’s may know the secret to taking the League down.
Is he going to help Batman though? Or does he have other plans?
This issue is thrilling. The whole story is thrilling. The art is top notch too. I’m telling you, pick up this book.
It’s a great storyline and I can’t get enough of it.
RATING: A-
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #9
Written by Shawna and Julie Benson
Illustrated by Roge Antonio
This book is okay. I wish it had more of an identity (like it did when Gail Simone was writing it). There’s some good things in it however that make it passable.
The Birds fight against the mysterious Blackbird in this issue.
Blackbird is giving major power increases to a lot of Gotham’s villains. So to fight this, Black Canary goes undercover. She gets involved in a black market superhuman fight ring.
It feels like this whole thing should be more fun than it is.
The writing is okay and the art is nice.
I just want a stronger narrative pull.
It’s not there right now.
RATING: B-
Suicide Squad #15
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by John Romita Jr. and Eddy Barrows
The art on this title is pretty spectacular. Having John Romita Jr. and Eddy Barrows on this book is a one-two punch. This is certainly amongst the better looking books on the stands these days as a result. The story has improved a bit as well.
This is the finale to the storyline “Burning Down The House.” The Squad takes on Rustam. It’s action packed to the hilt. The drama is thrilling as well.
There are also two surprises.
One of the “surprises” in the book doesn’t work. It’s too obvious. Then, there is another surprise that DOES work on the last page that was pretty cool. I liked that one.
This book has made some strides in recent months and I like it now. Pick this up as Rebirth heats up over the spring and summer months.
RATING: B
Titans #10
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Brett Booth
I love this book. It’s full of crazy storylines, crazy energy, and excellent characters. You can’t ask for more than that.
Month in and month out, this book is killer. This is another great issue.
The Titans battle against the Fearsome Five. The two teams beat the hell out of each other the entire issue.
That’s pretty much it. It’s a blast throughout, and you can’t take your eyes off of it.
A lot of that has to do with the crazy page layouts from artist Booth. The art is full of style and impact. I can’t get enough of it. When you combine the art with Abnett’s cool writing, you get a comic book you can’t put down. Thumbs up.
RATING: B+
New Superman #10
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by Viktor Bogdanovic
This issue is part two of the “Superman Reborn” storyline and it’s actually pretty entertaining.
The classic Superman guest stars and it’s a crazy issue.
The craziness is handled well by Yang’s writing. He seems to be having a blast.
Superman steps in to help New Superman fight against Lex Luthor. There are some nice touches on the story and it’s very creative.
The art is pretty spiffy here too. Bogdanovic really has come into his own here. There are some downright gorgeous pages.
Pick up this series and give it a read. It’s definitely worth a look.
RATING: B
Gotham Academy: Second Semester #8
Written by Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl , Becky Cloonan
Illustrated by Adam Archer and Msassyk
I totally have lost interest in this book.
It just seemed very unimportant. That’s not to say other people shouldn’t read and enjoy it.
It’s just not in my wheelhouse.
This is the final chapter of the second semester! Everything comes to a head in this issue. I read it and I was I underwhelmed. Everything led to this?
The story is flat for me. The art however is very good. I got a lot of enjoyment at looking at the art. It’s beautiful.
Sadly, there wasn’t much else for me to grab onto.
RATING: C
Red Hood And The Outlaws #9
Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by Dexter Soy
Damn, this title is pretty good. Lobdell writes a good story. The art by Dexter Soy is top notch. This book has been one of the more underrated books in DC’s Rebirth line.
This issue starts off the “Who is Artemis?” storyline. Artemis finds out the Bow of Ra has been used to decimate an entire city. This prompts Artemis, Red Hood, and the entire Outlaw clan to Qurac to find out who is responsible.
It’s an awesome first chapter of a storyline.
I like the Rebirth books that really take their time developing their stories. This book certainly has done that. It’s a sleeper book that doesn’t get a lot of attention.
Buy an issue and help change that.
RATING: B+
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