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Below you’ll find a quick rundown of my opinions on all the books I read today as well as a few panels, and the links to buy the comics. Remember, kids. The rule is for every negative, I have to write two positives.
This was surprisingly adorable and heart-warming. Traits I really don’t associate with the New 52 from this particular publisher. Revolving around Damian, Bruce, & Alfred this is a wonderful one-shot. For people looking for that glimmer of pre-reboot DC, this is for you.
Actual adult Bruce Wayne.
Well, this is Grant Morrison doing Grant Morrison things. I don’t think there’s been a moment of rest since this series began, but Morrison gets Damian and for that I’m thankful. Have some new Bat-Cat. And Bat-Cow. And Bat-Dog.
Following closely on the heels of the highly anticipated first issue, this book still remains intriguing. Learning about the volleyball work camps and the cutthroat world of corporate sponsorship was a bit of an exposition dump, but as always the art and colors (Doyle & Bellaire, respectively) remained ever-engaging. It felt like an exceptionally short issue. I do enjoy Mara’s pervasive sense of disgruntlement.
I think I figured it out. This book reminds me of every great Sorkin West Wing episode. It’s the cold open. I can’t, in recent memory, recall a comic that has ever used a cold open like this. (I suppose you can count the recent YA #1 as having a cold open, but I digress.) Hickman is producing theatre. He is on, arguably, the flagship Marvel title. This is a stage. The previous 3-issue first arc can even be viewed as a cold open. What I’m saying is that I really like it, and Hickman makes me want to punch myself in the face, he’s that good.
Natasha doesn’t have time for your jungle escapades, Jessica.
Thor is invited to any party I host, lbr.
I love this book. This is box of a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts book. There is nothing not short of fabulous. Greg Pak somehow fills this books with the best villainous tropes while keeping it fresh and original. Also, Paco Diaz can get it.
Mirrorball. Wedge. Boots.
Everyone go home.
24 pages. 2 complete and engaging stories. No one likes a showoff, Fraction. Just kidding, though. I loved it. This is a great example of micro-storytelling and keeping what’s essential in a book to make a great story.
Loved the art from Hamm and Lieber, and Hollingsworth always comes through and ties everything together with his muted palette.
Go away.
Apparently it’s a pre-requisite for Asgardian titles to just not give anything away. I have no idea where this book is going. At all. Still hanging in there, though. I do enjoy the Bayeux Tapestry feel to this opening page.
Go buy this. Go buy this now. I’ll wait. By far the most impressive title to come out of the Monkeybrain imprint so far, this book is just fantastic. The art is perfect for it’s slightly seedy setting, and the main characters are terribly enchanting, and I want to read more NOW. Did I mention it’s $.99?
Just a quick rundown on the books I read today. Slightly embarrassed that I neglected to read anything creator-owned. Oh well. Remember for every negative, I’m forcing myself to write two positives.
I think the overall tone and mise en scène was spot on, and it felt GREAT reading a #1 by KG and Kittens again. When they are on, they are fucking on. It’s like a really great band during a live performance with a great lighting rig by Matt Wilson. It felt good. I still want to beat Billy with every shoe I own. I’ve never liked him, and I have an aversion to superheroes avoiding The Greater Good. I’m not taken, but I love the creative team, so I’ll stick it out.
This is very much a first issue. I think for folks reading the previous UXF, this is a nice flow into the new team. Nothing was terribly appealing to me until the final few panels when Sam Humphries does what he does best which is being slightly and delightfully bizarre/perverse. Anka’s redesigns were exceptionally fresh and welcome.
Avengers Vol. 5 #3, POTW
Before talking about this book, I wanted to give myself until the first arc was over. Jonathan Hickman is a slow burn. This book is unlike any Avengers title that has come before it.
It’s stentorian in tone while simultaneously existing in a perfect moment of stillness. I credit Jerome Opeña’s gloriously static art and Dean White’s subdued color palette with maximizing this feeling. This is an incredibly voyeuristic comic. It’s grand and intimate at the same time. In a way, this first arc is essentially sequential storytelling of the Avengers organizational chart. “It started with two men.” By the end of the title, it’s a cross section. It’s brilliant. It’s new. It feels big.
It makes me feel small. Job well done.
I came for the blazers and ironic t-shirts. That’s about it.
I’m not wild about this team. At all. I’m here for the party. Also Wanda. This is still a “let’s get the team together” story, and I’m trying to find this engaging, but I’m struggling. Eventually Remender will always win me over.
And did I mention Cassaday? Because someone just won the “best entrance in comics this week” award. I appreciate this.
Can we just not? It’s so good, you guys. It’s just so good. Between Fraction’s subtle brashness and the sheer pop-ness from Allred, I don’t know where this book can go. It’s already sitting on top. Nega Johnny Storm is suitably terrifying. This book is so sharp. Who needs panels when you have a stairwell, right Mike?
Darla, I feel you. I feel you and your inner flawless bitch.
It’s possible that this book was written by strung-out seven year old boys with a fine coating of pixy stix around their nostrils. Exceptionally talented seven year old boys with a fine sense of humor to go with their lines of pixy stix. My only problem with this title (and it’s a personal problem), is that that it’s text heavy in panels. Brevity would be a blessing in this title, but having a character with multiple inner monologues makes that near-impossible. It’s possibly a lettering problem. I haven’t the foggiest how to fix it. It’s a terribly fun read.
I felt like leaving Sarah McLachlan on repeat while reading this. It’s so bittersweet. I just hate that this is Ed’s last Marvel book for the foreseeable future. Alternately, this feels very The West Wing circa season finale of Season Four Sokin exit.
This is some of Guice’s best work, and I love the complex coloring multi-talents of Jordie Bellaire and Bettie Breitweiser.
