Amazing Spider-Man #653: Long time readers know I love Dan Slott and his writing, so my praise of his writing will keep coming in this review. The guy knows Spider-Man. I can't think of any other way to put it. His writing has a very classic way about it, from the way Smythe talks to the way he goes through with his plans. That doesn't mean to say Smythe is being unoriginal, as Slott has villains learning Spideys tricks and putting him into situations that he shouldn't survive. One thing I wished that Slott had capitalized on was Spider-Man's quick interaction with Ms. Marvel. The two were kind of an item for a few months there, and it would have been nice to see what she said about Peter having a girlfriend (if she knows). The Scorpion has moved up in the rogue gallery as a major threat to Spider-Man.
Stefano Caselli was one of the best choices for Spider-Man. His art is flowing, and just looks plain beautiful. It's great to look at, and his story telling abilities are astounding. His faces are so expressive I sometimes didn't have to read the words to understand what the characters where trying to convey. As much as I can't wait to see Marcos Martin return to the title, I will be sad to see Caselli go.
With Ock making another appearance, I wonder what he is up to now. He is making an appearance in Invincible Iron Man #502, so it will be interesting to see how that ties into ASM in the long run.
Amazing Spider-Man #653 gets 4/5
Carnage #3: Marvel seems to want to bring back the 90's. Thunderstrike has a mini-series, last year there was the Clone Saga mini. And now Carnage. For the most part, the title has been good, but the art has been making this book lag when the dialogue is some of the best out there right now.
Carnage has bonded to Shriek's psychiatrist and turned into a female Carnage. Most of the plot is Spider-Man and Iron Man following Carnage while she goes to an unnamed location. The issue also focuses on Tanis Nieves and her history. It's interesting for a bit, especially when Carnage starts to mess with her and having her try and focus. What is high point is Spider-Man actually getting mad. It sounds weird, but we don't see it enough in Amazing. Zeb Wells has a knack of writing an emotional Spider-Man and not having any of it feel forced or a plot device.
Now the art......god the art. Clayton Crain and his computer generated art can sometimes be good in a book. I remember a few issues of X-Force that looked great. But this....this is just crap. I really don't like using words like that to describe an artist, as I can't draw for shit myself. But the art just doesn't look good. The book has a fog over it that makes everything so muddled I can't see what is happening. It just irks me because the writing is so good and to have that great dialogue coated in a thick fog just bothers me. Crain does a great symbiote, but nothing else.
Carnage #3 gets 3.5/5
This one and done issue has Deadpool fighting the supposedly most fearsome merc in the galaxy, named Macho Gomez. As the name implies, he is stereotypically Mexican and a bad ass. Deadpool makes quick work of him, but this changes his ambition in life. Instead of being a hero, he wants to be the most fearsome merc in the galaxy.
I was a fan of Way's trip of taking Deadpool through the ringer to try and become a hero. It was a natural progression for the merc with a mouth, but it has been wearing thin a little bit. I'm glad to see Deadpool going back to his old ways though. Way has always been a big user of the inner dialogue boxes, and they have been funny. But sometimes Deadpool just needs to be funny on his own. The boxes make an appearance, but Way sticks to Deadpool doing all the talking this issue. It's refreshing to see and I hope Way keeps up with it in the future.
The best surprise of this issue was Sheldon Vella on art. HOLY SHIT does his art suit this book. It's quirky, cartoony, and over all perfect for the absurd feel of the book. His characters are hyper expressive and the action scenes look stunning. Can someone tell me if he is staying on the book for a while?
Deadpool #32 gets 5/5
After a couple of issues with out the star of the book, Barry Allen is back to what he does best......solving murders. It's kind of funny that this issue is so slow for a book that's title is "Flash." I didn't notice this until IGN pointed it out, but when Barry Allen is finger printing the dead man, the fingers switch. Now this may be a small goof by Francis Manapul, or it could be the Prof. Zoom messing with history like we saw in issue #8. I'm going to give Manapul the benefit of the doubt, as he is a great artist. Barry also skips hanging out with the rest of his Flash family to solve the case, much to the chagrin of his wife. Part of me wants to say that this will have ramifications in the Flashpoint book, but that might be me being fanboy and looking to closely into things when nothing is there at all. The last page reveal is interesting, but for some reason didn't hit me as hard as I thought it was going too. Maybe I'm a jaded comic book reviewer. Who knows, but the reveal still leaves me interested for the road ahead.
Manapul makes his return after taking a few months off. His art is as good as it has ever been, and I hope he doesn't need a break for a while.
The Flash #9 gets 5/5
This issue starts off with Paladin trying to figure out what is happening to Misty Knight. While the reader knows that she is under the control of the Puppet Master, none of our heroes do. It's interesting to see Paladin in a somewhat hero role as he has been perceived as a villain for the longest time. And it was only a matter of time before Iron Fist came into the book. Luke has been getting plenty of time at New Avengers, but our favorite kung fu master has sadly been left a little short. Hopefully he will play a bigger role in the coming months. Moon Knight is the main hero for hire in this issue. After finding some seedy men kidnapping Savage Land girls, he attempts to stop them. Only to be attacked by a raptor. I shit you not. Moon Knight fight a raptor. And it looks amazing. Walker's art looks it's best this month and that is saying something after the first two issues that he pulled off.
Fact is, if you aren't reading this book, there is something wrong with you, and you need to be
Heroes for Hire #3 gets 5/5
This is a one and done issue and looks at Luke Cage and Jessica Jones going on a date. Naturally nothing goes as plan. Most the issue act as character development for Jessica, as she decides what she should do with her life. It's very funny at some points, including the discussion for if she should be Power Woman. The dinner gets interrupted by a Doombot and Ms. Marvel makes an appearance. I'm not sure where the Doombot came from, but I'll take a guess that it has to do with Fear Itself.
Daniel Acuna makes another appearance after doing for a few issues before the relaunch. His art looks great, especially the action scenes. Some of the talking head panels are a little lack luster, but they are still pretty for the most part.
New Avengers #8 gets 4/5.
Most of the issue is Cap getting the low down on how Frank Simpson became Captain America during the Vietnam War and what could have possible shoved him over the edge to turn into the flag hating person he is today. Including how he got that massive flag tattoo on his face. The entire book has a big Vietnam-esque feel to it, and Aaron (being the great writer that he is) uses that feeling to it's potential without the book feeling like a spoof of the era. If this were a movie, it would have "Fortunate Son" by CCR playing the background.
Garney's pencils aren't as detailed as they have been in the past. That's not to say they aren't good, and it' might be the inkers fault. Some of his characters just blend in with the background. But his action scenes are as kinetic as they ever have been.
Ultimate Comics Captain America #2 gets 5/5.
Due to me not having enough hours in the day, I'm just going to put the reviews for the other books I read this week here.
Ultimate Comics Avengers vs New Ultimates #1 gets 5/5
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #152 gets 5/5
Widowmaker #4 gets 3/5
Wolverine 5.1 gets 3.5/5
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