This week's comic book lineup included the debut of Marvel's new Elektra series, a Clone Conspiracy epilogue in Amazing Spider-Man #24, the real start of DC's Justice League of America and the first chapter in yet another promising new Image series, The Old Guard.
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 Jurgens | Drawn by Patrick Zircher & Stephen Segovia
At this point, the fake Clark Kent is definitely going the full Fatal Attractions on Lois Lane and the real Kent. It’s a little jarring to see the fake Clark descend into obsessive villainy, but Dan Jurgens is actually starting to make him seem dangerous. And while that turn may be a little predictable, the mystery of who or what is behind the fake Clark is still very interesting. That part of the issue also has the benefit of Patch Zircher’s extremely sharp artwork. It’s pretty easy to distinguish Zircher’s pages from those of Stephen Segovia. Their styles don’t exactly mesh well. That doesn’t mean that Segovia’s art is lackluster, it’s just not quite as polished as Zircher’s efforts. Segovia has to handle the other story in this issue, which deals with Superman’s attempts to save Lana Lang as a break-in occurrs at this other fortress. It really feels like the Lana/Superwoman plot belongs in another book, but this was still an entertaining read. It’s also a crossover story, which means that we’ll only have to wait a week to see how that cliffhanger plays out. -Blair
Final Score:
Written by Kurt Busiek | Drawn by Brent Anderson
This may be Astro City #41, but it’s also the 100th issue of Astro City since its debut 22 years ago. For the occasion, Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson have finally told the extra-length tale of the Astro-naut, the man for whom the city was named. The Astro-naut’s personality seems to be part Tony Stark and part Flash Gordon, with a little Howard Hughes thrown in. He’s definitely charming, but Busiek also gives him more of a personality than he really had to. Of course, the format of the series means that the Astro-naut isn’t the man telling the story of his life. That job falls to Joseph Greenwald, one of the last men alive who really knew the Astro-naut and what he stood for as a hero. The tale of the Astro-naut is truly affecting, and it’s another instant classic issue from a series that’s almost always great. -Blair
Final Score:
Written by Gail Simone | Drawn by Walter Geovani
Clean Room is the kind of book you can't look away from for even a second. It's not just the horrifying imagery - something issue #16 churns out with extra relish - but also its pinpoint use of language, both subtle and otherwise. Gail Simone kicks her twisted tale into a newfound gear, the noose that is her narrative pulling ever tighter. At this point the book is a full on ensemble piece, the writer having spent great care in cultivating the many different and wildly unique personalities that make up the read. That variance makes the book's events all the more engrossing, Simone's sudden escalation leading to plenty of surprising instances. That same ramp up plays right into Walter Geovani's strengths, the artist turning in everything from serene forest backdrops to disgusting bug monsters. The final pages promise the standoff this arc has been building up to all along, making it an easy pick for any pull list. -Jeff
Final Score:
Written by Christopher Priest | Drawn by Joe Bennett
For the second issue of his new storyline, Christopher Priest finally starts letting the readers in on where this tale is going. It’s also reaching some pretty dark territory that may remind some fans of “The Judas Contract” storyline. Nobody’s quite innocent here, especially not Deathstroke or his son, Jericho. Joe Bennett really has a chance to show off what he can do in the opening battle between Deathstroke and Raptor before Priest sends the story off in an unexpected direction. It’s pretty amusing to see how Deathstroke casually ropes his ex-wife, and their son, Jericho, into his latest mission. But that lighter touch takes a much darker turn later in the issue, once it became clear that Deathstroke has crossed the line with his son. More impressively, Priest manages to make Deathstroke #13 a satisfying read while still serving the larger “Twilight” storyline. It’s a lost art, but that’s why Priest is still one of the best writers in the industry. -Blair
Final Score:
Written by James Tynion IV | Drawn by Christian Duce
After teasing the League of Shadows since the beginning of his run on this title, James Tynion IV finally lets them loose in Detective Comics #951. But aside from the weird shadow-eyes that they have, the League of Shadows still feels a lot like the League of Assassins. The one member of the League of Shadows who really registers as a threat is Lady Shiva. She gets an interesting intro in the opening pages, and Shiva definitely seems to be greatly changed from her previous incarnation. The best parts of this issue are still the interplay between Batman and his surrogate family/team. Batman and Batwoman are both smart enough to realize that Orphan is slipping away from them, but probably not fast enough to do anything about it. However, their conversation gives the issue its most human moment. Christian Duce’s artwork is passable, but definitely not up to the standards set by Eddy Barrows and Ben Oliver on this title. Still, Duce does enough to hold up his end of the bargain, even if the script is far superior to the art. -Blair
Final Score:
Written by Joshua Williamson | Drawn by Carmine Di Giandomenico, Davide Gianfelice & Neil Googe
"Rogues Reloaded" lives up to its name in this final issue. This story arc has helped to both re-ground the Rogues and set the stage for bigger things to come for Captain Cold and friends. This issue in particular excels at exploring the weirdly harmonious relationship they have with Barry Allen and the complicated psychology of Leonard Snart. Why does someone who's capable of inventing such spectacular gadgets prefer to rob banks than be a productive, respected and wealthy member of society? This issue is nothing if not a reminder that the Flash Rogues are as compelling as Barry himself. Unfortunately, the art takes a hit as Carmine Di Giandomenico is joined by both Davide Gianfelice. But the good news is that colorists Ivan Plascencia and Chris Sotomayor helps smooth over the many art transitions. Plascencia is really this book's MVP at the end of the day. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Joshua Williamson | Drawn by Jason Shawn Alexander
For a finale, Frosbite #6 is perfectly serviceable. It wraps up the book’s signature focus well, brings its character arcs full circle, and even squeezes in a tantalizing promise of future issues down the pike. That said, Joshua Williamson’s capper can’t help but feel a bit bland when all is said and done. Some of that likely comes down to time. With only a single issue remaining there was only so much more the writer could add. The rest unfortunately falls to the narrative itself, which never seemed to fully take advantage of its strong initial premise. Williamson put the bulk of his focus in his characters, and while there are certainly some well developed moments—Keaton’s fate is particularly fitting—they never quite reach the heights that the drama of the narrative suggests. Jason Shawn Alexander’s thrilling art still makes this an easy read, just not one that feels up to its full potential. -Jeff
Final Score:
Written by Robert Venditti | Drawn by Ethan Van Sciver
Writer Robert Venditti has a lot of plates spinning as he charts a new future for the Green Lantern Corps and their partners. Fortunately, it all makes for enjoyable reading. This issue delves deeper into the complicated and often acrimonious working relationship between the two Corps, even as Hal and Kyle attempt to recruit Saint Walker back into the game. If anything, I wish this arc were an issue longer. This issue focuses a great deal on the misery-generating alien threatening Hal and Kyle, but there's not nearly enough room to explore the false, Black Mercy-style reality in which it entraps them or the emotional fallout that comes when they break free. Still, there's a lot to be said for a fast-paced plot that never lets up. And it's nice to see that Ethan Van Sciver's work only seems to be getting better as the series hums along. Van Sciver's detailed, cinematic approach really stands out here, and never more than in the pages focused on Guy Gardner's one-man quest. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Steve Orlando | Drawn by Ivan Reis
"This isn't actually the first issue of DC's new Justice League of America series, but it might as well be. Justice League of America Rebirth #1 was a very formulaic team-building story, which is all the more frustrating given the fact that this issue shows readers everything they need to know about the new JLA in itself. But the good news is that, freed of the need for setup, Justice League of America is already a stronger comic." -Jesse
Click here to read the entire review!
Final Score:
Written by Peter J. Tomasi | Drawn by Neal Adams
The Kamandi Challenge isn’t your typical book, and as such doesn’t make for a typical review. The bulk of the series’ appeal comes from the overall concept itself, making it tough to judge any single issue on content alone. With that in mind, the latest chapter from Peter J. Tomasi and Neal Adams does a great job of following in the same initial spirit of what came before, their story flowing with a rampant sense of escalation. Their story takes many inventive turns, something made all the more enjoyable by the book’s backup feature, which reveals just how the previous team intended for things to play out. Tomasi and Adams do plenty to add their own fuel to the ever growing fire, leaving a wide assortment of entertaining hurdles for next month’s team to navigate. Fast, fun, and brimming with creative competition, this series is a true treat. -Jeff
Final Score:
Continues
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