There were a lot of great books in this week's comic lineup, with DC delivering strong new issues of Batman, Superman, Green Arrow and Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye. Marvel held their own thanks to new issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Black Panther and Jessica Jones and also launched a new Thanos comic. Elsewhere, Dark Horse debuted a promising new series in the form of Ether #1, Valiant kicked off a new Harbinger comic and Image moved Invincible closer to its dramatic final year.
Scroll down to check out our reviews for these and various other new releases, and be sure to let us know your favorite books of the week in the comments below.
Written by Dan Abnett | Drawn by Phillippe Briones
If issue #11 of Aquaman is merely the prelude to "The Deluge," then clearly we’re in for one wild ride. Dan Abnett gets the ball rolling on his next major story arc quickly, a remarkable accomplishment given that the first third of the issue takes place in Arthur’s hospital room. Following a reunion with Mera and reconciliation with Superman and the rest of the Justice League, Aquaman begins his quest to...find...N.E.M.O. (sorry not sorry). Unfortunately, Black Manta is several steps ahead of our hero, and by issue’s end all hell has officially broken loose. Briones and his team deliver some very purple, painful-looking battle damage on Arthur’s face. The brutality of his fight with The Shaggy Man lingers as he pursues the truth behind the shadowy, clandestine movements of N.E.M.O. Black Manta and his giant robot scorpions make for very formidable adversaries. -Joe
Final Score:
Written by Tom King | Drawn by Mikel Janin
"This new story arc has been nothing if not inconsistent in quality. The first chapter ranks as one of the series' strongest to date, while the follow-up hit a major snag with its murky storytelling and weird fixation on broken backs. Fortunately, issue #11 puts 'I Am Suicide' back on track, as it focuses plenty of attention on the Batman/Catwoman dynamic and how the rest of Batman's new team factor into the conflict." -Jesse
Click here to read the entire review!
Final Score:
Written by Gerard Way, Jon Rivera & Tom Scioli | Drawn by Michael Avon Oeming & Tom Scioli
It's difficult to pick a favorite among DC's Young Animal lineup, as often it's whichever book I've read most recently. Cave Carson is shaping up quite nicely. This issue offers a more action-packed counterpoint to the first, with Cave battling foes who would abuse his royal family connections and fighting to protect his daughter. The emphasis on action gives Michael Avon Oeming's art more room to shine. His style expertly captures the weird blend of moody noir, Lovecraftian horror, Jonny Quest-style adventure and simple slice-of-life drama that embodies this book. Gerard Way and Jon Rivera's script is great about exploring pieces of Cave's tragic background without bogging down the story in exposition. Tom Scioli's backup script offers a nice palate cleanser, to boot, putting a subversive but almost sentimental spin on several DC icons. This book really is DC's answer to The Venture Bros. in many ways. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Benjamin Percy | Drawn by Juan Ferreyra
Green Arrow #11 is the kind of comic book that leaves a big smile on your face. It has the feel of a classic James Bond caper, and not just because it takes place on a fast moving train that just so happens to be at the bottom of the ocean. Ben Percy and Juan Ferreyra work in beautiful unison here, with both script and art delivering in spades. The banter between Ollie and Dinah is downright adorable, and complimented wonderfully by Ferreyra’s little touches like Ollie’s reflection in the assassin’s watch. The absolute highlight has to be Green Arrow and Black Canary’s motorcycle escape from menacing sharks and confused turtles, and it all ends with another fun touch by Ferreyra as the motorcycle’s owner is revealed. The two-part Murder on the Empire Express sets a great new standard for Percy’s Green Arrow run and will not easily be topped. -Joe
Final Score:
Written by Sam Humphries | Drawn by Robson Rocha
At this point, the rainbow corps are a familiar trip to the well, which makes the initial introduction of the Phantom Lantern feel somewhat ho-hum. What ultimately proves the difference here is Sam Humphries' layered characterization, the writer imbuing glory-hound Frank with just enough earnest passion to keep him relatable. Everyone wants the adulation (and accompanying abs) that comes with being a hero, and Frank's first foray into solo stardom appropriately focuses on that one desire. While the character's devolution into power-mad loony comes as no surprise, it's the way Humphries uses him against Lanterns Simon and Jessica that gives the issue its substance, his psychological manipulation hitting harder than any construct. Though a battle of the minds, artist Robson Rocha still has plenty to do. His excellent tornado sequence definitely deserves mention, but ultimately it's his complex work with Frank that really stands out, his many conflicting emotions easily readable from panel to panel. -Jeff
Final Score:
Written by Rob David & Lloyd Goldfine | Drawn by Freddie E. Williams II
The second issue of this crossover is more enjoyable than the first, partly because it makes more of an effort to actually blend the two franchises. Writers Rob David and Lloyd Goldfine build a pretty clever link between Eternia and Third Earth in this issue, while also introducing a pretty significant development in He-Man's mythology. But perhaps more importantly, they downplay the overly self-serious nature of the first issue a bit and simply have fun with the concept. Whether it's He-Man fighting off a horde of evil minions from both camps or Skeletor asserting his dominance over a defeated Mumm-Ra, this issue does a better job of appealing to the '80s cartoon fanatic in all of us. Freddie E. Williams' powerful figures and dynamic action scenes do a fine job of bringing the conflict to life, though the murky coloring doesn't suit these two franchises as well as it did on Batman/TMNT. This issue could also stand to ditch the narration, which is framed from the perspective of a character who plays almost no role in the actual events. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Bryan Hitch | Drawn by Neil Edwards
Justice League continues to show signs of life, delivering its strongest issue to date. Granted, that isn’t saying much considering what’s come before, but those hoping for more substance should come away feeling a bit encouraged. The force behind the attack on the League is revealed, and on one hand it could be seen as a huge letdown. But there’s potential for one of the more unique and layered antagonists our heroes have gone up against. The main meat of this issue features Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg battling Simon Baz (well, Baz’s ring), which allows Neil Edwards to let loose with some outstanding Lantern construct designs. There’s a “stop hitting yourself” joke in there somewhere. Diana and Arthur look particularly heroic here, Edwards is a great fit for this series. The dialogue between the heroes is humorous, with Aquaman uncharacteristically pulling off the funniest line in the book. -Joe
Final Score:
Written by Tim Seeley | Drawn by Marcio Takara
Rather than transfer Dick from one frying pan to the next, Tim Seeley instead uses issue #9 as a buffer between arcs. The issue - which features a dreamscape confrontation with Dr. Destiny and a team-up appearance by the pre-52 Superman - concerns itself more with development than progression. Nightwing's rebirth has been anything but smooth thus far, and Seeley uses the subconscious setup to really flesh out the character's long running fears and anxieties. What really makes the issue shine, however, is how Seeley gets him past these hang-ups, using the ever optimistic Superman as a way of reminding Dick of the impact his good and hopeful nature has on the DC Universe at large. It's some solid stuff, made more so be the equally strong art by Marcio Takara. Beyond the more outlandish dreamscape imagery, it's the artist's clear injection of personality that's most enjoyable, his characters more than the usual buffed-up cutouts. -Jeff
Final Score:
Written by Rob Williams | Drawn by Jim Lee & Carlos D'Anda
"Suicide Squad readers should know the drill by now. The new series is a solid read, but the less than ideal structure ensures that the pacing is all over the map. It's frustrating how little the plot has advanced over the course of six issues. But when each new chapter of the main story is only 10 pages long, what else can readers expect?" -Jesse
Click here to read the entire review!
Final Score:
Written by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason | Drawn by Patrick Gleason
If the purpose of this issue is to drum up enthusiasm for next year’s Super Sons series, then mission accomplished. The relationship between Damien and John is rife with possibilities, and their reluctant team-up for Parental Boot Camp together is quite entertaining. Much more than Clark and Bruce, Robin and Superboy are VERY different people, and this issue displays their clash of styles wonderfully. John’s naivete pairs well with Damien’s hard edge, particularly since we know the littlest Wayne isn’t nearly all that heartless. This is also a great showcase for Batman and Superman as they dote over their boys, though one is far more willing to rush in and help when things go sideways (yes, it’s the one you think it is). As always, Patrick Gleason’s art is what really gives this book its charm, as he literally displays the yin-yang relationship between the two mini-heroes. Mister Squish?! Amazing. -Joe
Final Score:
Continues
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