Dynamite Comics
Army of Darkness #2: The first issue of this new ongoing was flat out terrible. #2 starts to improve, but not by that much.
Elliott R. Serrano's script is a lot better this time around. The jokes land more, and we focus more on the Ash we care about. He fills it with plenty of moments of Ash being a total badass. If I'm reading dialogue and hearing Bruce Campbell's voice in my head, then he's doing his job right. And a good amount of the time that happened. But then he goes down to Mexico and the plot goes south as well. It's not interesting or compelling at all. It relates to nothing else about the story. We see the other Ash quickly, which reminds me of the crap of an issue last month. If this issue has shown us anything, it means the more that Serrano focuses on Ash Williams, the book ends up being better for it. I was prepared to not want to pick up the next issue of this series if the book focused on the other characters, but it looks like I'll be back for #3.
Marat Mychaels art is still absolute shit. Character's don't look the same from panel to panel. While Bruce Campbell's chin is present in this comic, it changes sizes drastically. I'm a long time comic reader, and I know women are shown to be idealistic to guys, but these women shouldn't be able to stand. Their bodies shouldn't work within the laws of physics. During the action scenes on Route 66, he uses a blending technique to convey speed way to often. Every once and a while is fine, but it looks like he spilled water on the page and is trying to clean up.
Army of Darkness #2 gets 2.5/5.
Marvel Comics
Avengers: X-Sanction #4: So Spider-Man and Wolverine don't wear the uniforms they are wearing on the cover. What's that about?
Jeph Loeb's miniseries really has nothing to do with Avengers vs X-Men. It's suppose to be the prologue for the big event, but barely ties in. The only thing I can see is that Cable is going to do something big near the end. And Loeb practically screams to the reader that that is going to happen. He writes a surprisingly good Spider-Man, who is quippy as all hell. His Wolverine is a pain in the ass, and he somewhat puts down his own team of Avengers. It's very odd, and has me questioning why Marvel approved this script. It may be me, but it's clear that Wolverine is putting emphasis on the word "New," thus making it seem like he is talking down to them. The ending wraps everything up nice and neat. I'm left with the feeling that this series didn't need to happen. Or be called a prologue to an event. Cable could have been brought back in one of the numerous X-books that are out right now instead of it's own miniseries.
While Loeb's writing has been less than stellar, Ed McGuinness' art has been great. Characters have a big muscular look that suits the big fight scenes. While very simple, I really liked the exclamation point double page spread. It's a little cheesy, but it fits well with the cheesy nature of Loeb's script. His Hulk is still one of the best looking Hulks around. If this team is going to be tackling Cosmic Marvel, I'm hoping he will be penciling the Nova book.
Avengers: X-Sanctioin #4 gets 3/5.
DC Comics
Batman #7: Well what do you know. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo one upped themselves again. Seems to be the norm with this series.
Scott Snyder really digs deep with the history of Batman and Nightwing. I'm astounded how he ties in Haley Circus and Bruce and Dick's past. My jaw dropped. Snyder also digs deep into what makes Batman Batman, letting Dick lose on him with his problems. Dick hasn't had a lot of time in this book, but Snyder shows that his hold on the character during his run on Detective Comics is still there. I reread Dick's and Bruce's entire conversation and the amount of emotion that is in every sentence is phenomenal. It plays off their history so well without making it seem like something we have read before. Snyder makes the Court of Owls even more creepier, if that is possible. He makes them a truly terrifying villain, making the more than the rest of the personality disorder villains that make up Batman's rogue gallery. By the end of this issue, it puts Batman and Gotham in an interesting position as well. It shakes up what the reader knows about the status quo of Batman, making the coming months that much more interesting to read.
Greg Capullo is given a quieter issue to pencil this month, but it's still one of the best issues that DC has put out this month. The opening pages are haunting, with the first splash page sending a chill up the spine of any Batman fan. The dead Talon is beyond creepy, and it's hard to take your eyes off of him, incase he suddenly springs to life and attacks the reader. Dick's and Bruce's conversation perfectly shows Snyder's script, with any reader being able to slice the tension that Capullo pours into each page.
Batman #7 gets 5/5.
Marvel Comics
Deadpool #52: Daniel Way seems to be delivering on the title, even if it's only in spirit.
Daniel Way shows us that, while Deadpool is insane, the guy can occasionally stun when it comes to strategy. It fits well with what Rick Remender is doing with him in Uncanny X-Force. Still, X-Force still seem rather naive to Deadpool's ways. It's a gripe that I hoped Way wouldn't do at this point. He has often made characters seem dumb to Deadpool's antics, and it really takes the reader out of the comic book. Wolverine especially, who knows what Wade Wilson is capable of. He wouldn't have invited him to X-Force if he didn't. Way does a great job of showing how Deadpool's chess pieces are moving around. The final page has me interested for the next issue. I like the character of Wade Wilson, so I'm glad it seems that "Dead" is meant to be that Deadpool is spiritually dead instead of actually dying.
Ale Garza's pencils are good. Women look odd, with many back breaking positions. The action scenes are frantic, and display the chaos that Deadpool has created well. What surprised me was the final page. There is a surprising amount of emotion in Bob's face. That final page made me most excited about next month's issue. It's become a running joke to see how he makes Typhoid Mary NOT show her nipples. I get a chuckle every time he finds a new way.
Deadpool #52 gets 3.5/5.
Marvel Comics
Generation Hope #17: Another X-book is gone. Sad to see such a great title end before it's prime.
With many books, when they are cancelled, the reader isn't given a sense of closure. James Asmus gives the entire book a sense of closure, and I had a smile on my face after. Character threads were tied up nicely while still leaving some threads open for other books to tackle if the so choose too. The rotating internal dialogue can be a little confusing, but that's more the letter's fault that Asmus' fault. It gives every character a chance to speak their mind about the team, and really the book. Asmus also gives other writers a lot of potential for Sebastian Shaw. I like this hero side to him. It's sad that this book has to end, as Asmus would have done some amazing things given the opportunity to bring this book into Avengers vs X-Men. He made this book standout amongst the ever growing X-books, and that is commendable in it's own way.
Takeshi Miyazawa's pencils are clearly inspired by anime. This is fine for the most part, but occasionally a character looks somewhat different than they normally do. The action works well though, with Kenji's powers look great in every panel. Sometimes the lack of backgrounds is a distraction, and understanding where the characters are during the battle makes having a consistent background that more important. If Miyazawa can tone down the anime influence to a degree, I have no doubt that he will have a great career at the House of Ideas.
Generation Hope #17 gets 4/5.
Zenoscope Comics
Grimm Fairly Tales: Alice in Wonderland #3: Well what do you know. Another issue, another piece of crap.
Raven Gregory turns out a weaker issue script wise than the past two issues. At one point he recaps the entire miniseries thus far, which is annoying with the series being this short. Although he probably realizes that readers don't give a crap about the story, as it's clear this book isn't for anyone older than 13. At this point in the series, I don't know what else to say about how bad this book is. It's just one scene to the next of him trying to find ways to bring in more borderline nudity and senseless violence. They should have made a pinup book of Alice in Wonderland female characters instead of trying to make a story.
Robert Gill's pencils have become slightly more sketchy throughout the series. For a series that is showing girls wearing almost nothing, it's an odd choice. He gives the book a fairly creepy vibe, which I guess is good? I say this considering that everyone who is reading this book is only looking for the art. Zenoscope should just slap a mature rating on this book and let him pencil these women naked already.
Grimm Fairy Tales: Alice in Wonderland #3 gets 1/5.
Raven Gregory turns out a weaker issue script wise than the past two issues. At one point he recaps the entire miniseries thus far, which is annoying with the series being this short. Although he probably realizes that readers don't give a crap about the story, as it's clear this book isn't for anyone older than 13. At this point in the series, I don't know what else to say about how bad this book is. It's just one scene to the next of him trying to find ways to bring in more borderline nudity and senseless violence. They should have made a pinup book of Alice in Wonderland female characters instead of trying to make a story.
Robert Gill's pencils have become slightly more sketchy throughout the series. For a series that is showing girls wearing almost nothing, it's an odd choice. He gives the book a fairly creepy vibe, which I guess is good? I say this considering that everyone who is reading this book is only looking for the art. Zenoscope should just slap a mature rating on this book and let him pencil these women naked already.
Grimm Fairy Tales: Alice in Wonderland #3 gets 1/5.
Marvel Comics
Invincible Iron Man #514: Matt Fraction has proven before that he loves to tear Tony Stark down, and this issue is the culmination of the past few.
#514 is all about the Mandarin showing Tony his hand. It's immensely interesting to see Tony try to work out the problems at hand without letting go of the snark that is Tony Stark. People complaining about the slow pace of this arc won't have anything to complain about here, as there is a battle raging around all the talking head panels. The way the Mandarin takes down Tony is interesting and devious beyond belief. It's a way that makes you slap your head and go "dear lord why didn't anyone think of this before." Good job for Fraction for thinking this up and implementing it in the best way possible. The issue can be boiled down to one thing: the Mandarin out Tony Stark-ed Tony Stark. There is also a sub plot about the Melter, which thankfully doesn't take up more time than is required. Fraction keeps both stories running well.
Salvador Larroca's pencils have always been a dividing factor in the book. You either love them or hate them. His pencils do a great job this month, not letting Fraction's awesome script down. There are a few panels where it looks like he traced over a picture, but I have come to expect this from him by now so it doesn't bother me that much.
Invincible Iron Man #514 gets 5/5.
DC Comics
Justice League #7: Justice League seems to be a safe, yet fun, book. #7 continues this trend.
Geoff Johns brings us up to the present, and the team is still the same as they were five years ago. The issue slows down though, showing us Col. Steve Trevor's horrible job of being the liaison to the Justice League. Longtime fans will find a little of a surprise, as it appears Trevor has told Wonder Woman that he loves her and she spurned his advances. Most of the Justice League comes across as cocky assholes, but I look at it as a style choice. See, that's what the public sees them as. They don't seem like cocky assholes to each other, but to the public they do. For an issue like this, it really works. Trevor looks to play a bigger role in the book in the future as well. The fight scene is good stupid fun. And Wonder Woman still has zero characterization.
Gene Ha takes over for Jim Lee this month. His pencils are good, but jawlines vary wildly from page to page. The quieter moments fair better than the big action scenes near the beginning. There is one problem I see though, and that is it appears Batman is suppose to be on a panel when he isn't. This is Ha's fault or the fault of the letterer. The bubble clearly says Batman is right next to Wonder Woman, when nothing is there.
Justice League #7 gets 3.5/5.
DC Comics
Nightwing #7: If you haven't read this yet, make sure to read Batman #7 first.
Kyle Higgins ends his arc on a very high note. It's a brutal battle that really hits Dick rather hard. This issue ties heavily into Batman #7, but Higgins makes it his own. There are a few panels that are complete verbatim from Scott Snyder's script, but they still hit the emotional point they stride for, even after I already read them once today. While Higgins didn't develop Saiko nearly enough, the way he ties the character into the overall Court of the Owls crossover was a great choice. Higgins even shows off a little bit in not giving away what's going in incase someone hasn't been reading Batman every month. While it's not needed, but it's a nice touch. Higgins finally destroys Haley's Circus, which helps give the arc an emotional cap.
I didn't even realize that Eddy Barrows was helped by Geraldo Borges until the final page. Their art flows together seamlessly. As usual, Barrows experiments with the panel layouts and gives the book an acrobatic feel. The explosions have a huge feel to them, and Barrows gives each scene plenty of detail. Barrows is going to show off a lot when the Court of the Owls crossover comes next month.
Nightwing #7 gets 4.5/5.
DC Comics
Supergirl #7: Supergirl started off on a great note, but has been straggling of late. #7 seems to put the book in a new direction by the end.
Writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson have spent a lot of the past few issues having Reign monologue. To an almost annoying degree. Thankfully they let Mahmud Asrar do what he does best this issue and that is pencil big fights. They leave a plot thread open for the future of the book, but thankfully they put an end to this World Killer business. I'd like to see them start setting up a life for Kara. The fish out of water has a lot of potential with this book, but it hasn't been utilized as well as it could have. Hopefully in the coming months, these problems will change.
As stated before, Asrar pencils a beautiful issue. The big fights scene will bring you in, as things start to get bigger and bigger. While the writing hasn't been that great the past few months, Asrar has been consistently strong. His art is worth the money on the cover alone. Asrar's art is pops off the page because of Dave McCaig's colors.
Supergirl #7 gets 3.5/5.
Writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson have spent a lot of the past few issues having Reign monologue. To an almost annoying degree. Thankfully they let Mahmud Asrar do what he does best this issue and that is pencil big fights. They leave a plot thread open for the future of the book, but thankfully they put an end to this World Killer business. I'd like to see them start setting up a life for Kara. The fish out of water has a lot of potential with this book, but it hasn't been utilized as well as it could have. Hopefully in the coming months, these problems will change.
As stated before, Asrar pencils a beautiful issue. The big fights scene will bring you in, as things start to get bigger and bigger. While the writing hasn't been that great the past few months, Asrar has been consistently strong. His art is worth the money on the cover alone. Asrar's art is pops off the page because of Dave McCaig's colors.
Supergirl #7 gets 3.5/5.
Marvel Comics
Uncanny X-Men #9: Hooray! This is the last week for those ugly Avengers vs X-Men banners!
Kieron Gillen has been creating some dastardly villains in this new volume of Uncanny. I'm starting to think he is having more fun with the villains than the heroes. Unit isn't terribly interesting, but his dialogue is witty. The plot is by the books team up. Gillen throws in a few character moments for the hell of it, but most of the issue is focused on the fighting. It's all fun to watch (more on that later), but I wish there was more character. There is some for Magik at the beginning, as well as Danger, but it still seems odd to have Magik this imprisoned considering she has done nothing as of late. Overall, I like what is here, but I want to love it. Gillen also misses a great opportunity to talk about the aftereffects of Schism. But sadly, nothing. Guess that will be saved for when the crossover starts next month.
Carlos Pacheco is back, and his pencils are a welcomed sight. And he doesn't even need a helper! His work seems more like his time on Ultimate Avengers, with the action not reverting to stiff action figures (a problem of his). Characters are expressive, except for the second they put a mask on, then it's all gone. Pacheco clearly loves penciling Emma Frost, and for once she doesn't have any camel toe.
Uncanny X-Men #9 gets 3.5/5 (yep, upon reread, it went down by .5).
Marvel Comics
Wolverine #303: Aaron only has one more issue with Wolverine. Wow.
Back in Japan finally ends. Jason Aaron sets up the new status quo of the Hand well. While many thought that Sabertooth had nothing to do this arc, Aaron gives him quite a bit to do in the future. But everything is wrapped up to nicely. Lord Deathstrike was never developed enough for my tastes. And sadly Melita isn't treated well in this issue as well. The issue is sound overall, and it's a lot of fun to read. But this issue puts Wolverine back to where he was when Aaron came onto the book. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I wish that a few of the threads that Aaron had started would be left there for Cullen Bunn. Maybe the Melita thread will continue somehow, but I don't see how this is going to come together in one issue.
Art is only a mixed bag. Billy Tan, Steven Sanders, and Paco Diaz rotate art. None of them blend together well, leaving every change jarring to the reader. I can understand the change in artist with every change of scene, but when all of the scenes are in the same two feet, there isn't a need for the change in artists.
Wolverine #303 gets 3.5/5.
DC Comics
Wonder Woman #7: Brian Azzarello finds another way to shake up the history of Wonder Woman.
Ever wonder why there are only women of the Amazon? Well it's explained here. It's very simple too, which are the best shake ups when it comes to status quos. Wonder Woman doesn't get much focus here, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The overall plot moves a long a little bit, but Azzarello spends more time explaining the reason for no men of the Amazon. It gives Azzarello a chance to have some T and A, but he doesn't even exploit it for that. It's necessary to the story. What gets me, is how simple of an idea it is. The cast is getting ever more expansive, and it is occasionally getting hard to remember everyones names. Maybe a page near the beginning with a picture of everyone? Marvel does this in a lot of their books.
Cliff Chiang is back on art, and everything looks beautiful. Every panel is full of comic goodness. Having to wait a few months was worth it. Chiang doesn't get as many opportunities to show off with battle sequences, but he makes up for it with the design for Hephaestus. He's intricately detailed, and hopefully will appear later in the story.
Wonder Woman #7 gets 4/5.
Old Comics
Avengers #23 gets 3.5/5.
Avengers #24 gets 4/5.
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