Plenty of new comics made their debut this week, with DC launching Vigilante: Southland and Teen Titans, Valiant relaunching Bloodshot, Dark Horse kicking off a new Call of Duty mini-series and Marvel giving Prowler his own solo series. Marvel also delivered a new chapter of Civil War II and capped off one of their best ongoing series with Vision #12.
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 Stephen Segovia
Issue #966 is far from the most exciting installment of Action Comics, but there’s still quite a bit to like. The opening scene with Clark and Jon is very charming and mirrors their relationship in the main Superman title very well. Readers who aren’t familiar with the goings-on over in Superwoman may feel a bit lost, but Dan Jurgens does a mostly capable job of making things clear. The scene between the “Smiths” and Superwoman acts as both a farewell and a welcome back for Lois Lane, and it just feels right to have her back at the Daily Planet. Artist Segovia renders this quiet, character-focused issue competently, with Superwoman coming off as particularly imposing. This is a book full of emotional beats, and while a few panels lack precision the book conveys its character’s feelings clearly. The new players introduced at the end are quite impressive. - Joe
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Written by Hope Larson | Drawn by Rafael Albuquerque
The plot in this first arc has become a bit convoluted as Batgirl continues to bounce from one Asian city to the next. What began as a simple tale of Batgirl taking a vacation and getting in touch with her inner warrior has suddenly become an international romp involving wacky villains spawned by the horrors of cram school. Still, at least this series has a flavor all its own even as it builds on what came before in the New 52. And writer Hope Larson easily captures Babs' voice as a woman relishing the opportunity to spread her wings and test her mettle outside of her familiar Gotham surroundings. And naturally, Rafael Albuquerque's art is a huge selling point. Albuquerque renders some truly dynamic fight scenes, tossing in a healthy amount of manga-influenced flourish to match the setting. Dave McCaig's colors enhance the textured quality of Albuquerque's work and bring a more vibrant feel to the usual grim Batman universe. -Jesse
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Written by Dan Jurgens | Drawn by Bernard Chang
Terry McGinnis may have reclaimed the mantle of Batman, but the transition back into superhero life goes far from smoothly. It’s not often that we see Batman overwhelmed, and it’s a pretty jarring visual, regardless of what decade or which Batman it is. Given the threat posed by the Jokerz and the fact that our hero is already backed into a corner, writer Dan Jurgens does a great job of capturing the trademark darkness of the beloved animated series. Bernard Chang aids in that, as his visuals feel like a slightly updated and improved version of the show. The gang of Jokerz surrounding Batman is effectively creepy, and Joker himself is easily the most terrifying cadaver ever captured on a comic book page. The reveal at the end of the issue feels a bit rushed, but this is still a quality and welcome return to the world of Batman Beyond. - Joe
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Written by James Tynion IV | Drawn by Alvaro Martinez
Batman has already amassed an iconic catalog of creepy villains. Though this is their first appearance, The Victim Syndicate are impressively unsettling in a way that’s reminiscent of more well-known foes like Joker and Scarecrow. Alvaro Martinez renders their introduction well, the fragmenting video screen panels are very effective in conveying the menace this new threat poses. Like much of the pre-Night of the Monster Men issues, this new era of Detective Comics feels more like a Batwoman book than Batman, and Kate continues to prove more than capable of handling the spotlight. Between Renee Montoya, the splintered Bat-team, and of course her cousin, Kate has a lot to juggle in this one. Orphan and Clayface are an entertaining pairing, and the most interesting thread here may be Stephanie’s handling of her grief. With Harper Row AND Luke Fox in the mix, this team book just got more crowded. - Joe
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Written by Joshua Williamson | Drawn by Jorge Corona
This standalone issue operates on a terrific premise, as the Wally Wests of the pre-Flashpoint and New 52 universes team up from the first time. Seeing the older Wally mentor his younger counterpart gives this issue a ton of heart, to the point where you have to wonder if Barry really should defer to his former sidekick in this area. The script gets a little hokey at times as the younger Wally deals with some unwanted revelations and the elder Wally gives him a pep talk, but in general, Joshua Williamson does a great job capitalizing on this team-up. This issue also delivers plenty of great interaction between the two Flashes themselves, in the process offering more tantalizing hints at what's to come for the larger Watchmen mystery. Unfortunately, the art doesn't quite measure up to the series' usual standard. Jorge Corona's pencils approximate Carmine di Giandomenico's style, but in a much looser and and chaotic form. Even the coloring loses some of the bright, vivid quality that has made this book such a standout n the DC Rebirth lineup. -Jesse
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Written by Joshua Williamson | Drawn by Jason Shawn Alexander
Whereas Frostbite’s debut was almost overrun with setup, issue #2 presents darn near the opposite. His concept in play, Joshua Williamson puts the bulk of the focus here on the world, and how his characters hope to survive the challenges within it. There’s an undoubtedly interesting dynamic in play, what with Keaton needing Victoria to help cure her of her illness, while also harboring the secret of Victoria’s murdered father. And yet, Williamson’s dialogue is so on-the-nose in presenting those connections that it almost ruins seeing them play out. Secrets are well and good, but with everyone announcing their grievances aloud it’s a wonder they’re still secrets at all. On the visual end, Jason Shawn Alexander and Luis NCT again impress with their detail and tone. Alexander’s heavy lines are made all the more oppressive by NCT’s bleak hues, their sense of setting thus far the book’s strongest, and most consistent, element. -Jeff
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Written by Robert Venditti | Drawn by Rafael Sandoval
This issue caps off the series' first major story arc in truly grand fashion, delivering a memorable showdown between Hal Jordan and Sinestro in the process. The crux of the conflict is the same we've seen many times before. Sinestro touts the power of fear and tries to convince his old pupil to join him, while Hal digs deep and harnesses his will to overcome overwhelming odds. But the execution more than makes up for any familiarity. Robert Venditti's script is epic and filled with enough big emotional beats to recall the glory days of Geoff Johns' run. Artist Rafa Sandoval does a fantastic job of rendering that massive battle. There's scope to spare in this battle, but also an intimate quality as Sandoval hones in on the key players and the myriad of emotions they experience. Best of all, while this arc has generally relied on hitting the familiar (if effective) Green Lantern tropes, the ending promises a far more unpredictable future for Hal and his Corps. -Author
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Written by Rob Williams | Drawn by Jim Lee & Stephen Byrne
"This new series is continuing its trend of delivering flawed odd-numbered issues followed by stronger even-numbered issues. The consistency to that lack of consistency is becoming frustrating. But even in its lesser moments, this relaunched series is head and shoulders above what came before." -Jesse
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Written by Ben Percy | Drawn by Jonboy Meyers
"Forget Superman, Green Lantern or Wonder Woman. The Teen Titans were the heroes most in need of some DC Rebirth magic. This franchise's woes predate the New 52 by several years, and too often it's seemed as though animation is the only area where the Titans can still thrive. But the relaunched Teen Titans series serves as yet more proof that all a franchise needs to turn itself around is the right creative team." -Jesse
Click here to read the entire review!
Final Score:
Written by Gary Phillips | Drawn by Elena Casagrande
With the character making his debut on Arrow this season, obviously now is the time to revive Vigilante in comic book form. But this series foregoes the late Adrian Chase for a new take on the hero (one that shows no sign of existing in traditional DC continuity). That gives writer Gary Phillips plenty of freedom to build and develop a new cast. Phillips takes what could have been a very standard, formulaic tale of a wronged man taking the law into his own hands and makes it stand out through a combination of nuanced characterization and strong dialogue. The grounded approach and Los Angeles setting really help. As does Elena Casagrande's art, which creates a grim, shadowy tone and helps the series straddle the line between traditional superhero comic and gritty crime drama. Unfortunately, this issue suffers from some really wonky pacing and story flow. Scenes abruptly transition from one to the next, rarely taking advantage of the structure of the page. Even the cliffhanger ending is sudden and jarring. This is a solid comic that could do with some structural fine-tuning. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Greg Rucka | Drawn by Liam Sharp
The penultimate chapter of "The Lies" is heartwarming, charming and downright hilarious. Steve Trevor’s delivery of Urzkartaga (now reduced to nothing more than a simple houseplant) kicks things off in an incredibly entertaining issue that takes us and Diana one step closer to answers. Much of this book is spent reflecting on what Wonder Woman means, both to the world abroad and to individuals lucky enough to know her, with Trevor receiving the bulk of the attention. Their beach-side rendezvous at sunset could have come off as cheesy, but that’s why we’re lucky to have a writer like Greg Rucka handling scripting duties. Diana’s banter with both Steve and Etta is poignant and humorous, often in the same sentence. Liam Sharp continues his stellar work, particularly during the aforementioned beach scene. You’ll want to track down all the Easter eggs in the awesome double-page spread at the mall. Hello, Waldo! - Joe
Final Score:
Continues
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