It may be a holiday week in the US, but the comic book industry certainly didn't take the week off. DC delivered the long-awaited hardcover edition of DC Universe Rebirth, the first issue of Super Powers and new issues of popular series like Wonder Woman, Detective Comics, Harley Quinn and Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. Marvel unleashed the penultimate chapter of Civil War II, capped off Death of X and debuted two new ongoing series, Venom and The Ultimates 2. Along with the debut of a new Hellboy comic and the release of Scott Sndyer and Jeff Lemire's A.D., it was a pretty great week all around.
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. Also, you'll notice that our review lineup is a little lighter than usual because of the holiday, but we'll be back in full force next week.
Written by Dan Jurgens | Drawn by Tyler Kirkham
"Men of Steel" shares a few similarities with Marvel’s Civil War II event, including apocalyptic visions of the future and the “Kill baby Hitler?” morality question. Parallels aside, the execution here is far superior to Marvel's series. Jon’s petulance at being stuck on the sidelines (not that he stays there long) is quite charming; he’s quickly becoming one of the more endearing characters in all of Rebirth. Lex remains his usual cocky self, and one wonders if he’s truly opposed to becoming the ruler of Apokolips. Lois’s slip up in front of Clark should produce interesting revelations. Tyler Kirkham gets to flex his muscles a bit more in this issue, really letting loose as Superman and Lex face off against their menacing foes. He’s teamed up with Ulises Arreola on ink duties, and the duo give this book’s art a deep, rich look that really pops off the page. - Joe
Final Score:
Written by Hope Larson | Drawn by Rafael Albuquerque
Hope Larson wraps up her first arc on Batgirl with the strongest issue of the series so far. All the country-hopping caused previous issues to feel a bit scattered, but the final battle against Teacher is focused and exciting. One of the more charming aspects of this book since its debut has been the subtle manga/anime influence, and that is on full display here. Not just through Rafa Albuquerque’s stellar art, but Larson’s script features all the classic “big battle” anime tropes, particularly the mid-battle journey into Batgirl’s mind. It basically plays like an episode of Dragonball Z, minus the giant energy beams. And now Babs has a new trick up her sleeve, though it may ultimately do more harm than good. As mentioned, the slick anime style Albuquerque infuses this book with is outstanding. He and colorist Dave McCaig give Teacher a great Sailor Moon villain look. - Joe
Final Score:
Written by Dan Jurgens | Drawn by Bernard Chang
There’s a lot going on in Batman Beyond #2, and fortunately it’s all pretty good. Terminal’s quest to resurrect The Joker seems pretty straightforward, but a brief history lesson brings the true identity of the cadaver on his table into question. However that plays out, the former Carter Wilson is at his megalomaniacal best with an army of devoted Jokerz behind him. Terry’s really up against it this time, but so far his infiltration scheme is going according to plan. This series admirably captures the tone of the beloved animated series and seems poised to potentially take things to a much darker place than its predecessor ever could. Bernard Chang’s art plays a big role in creating this spiritual successor, admirably rendering the mayhem of Batman and Joker’s (alleged) final battle. His past Joker has a certain Caesar Romero quality, which is greatly appreciated. Matches Malone references are always welcome. - Joe
Final Score:
Written by Geoff Johns | Drawn by Various
"DC Universe Rebirth #1 really set the tone for DC in 2016. It ushered in a bold new era for the publisher, one that cast aside the darkness of the New 52 and worked to restore sense of hope and joy in the DCU. Needless to say, that oversized one shot was a major success, and it paved the way for many great comics to come. Now, with the release of a Deluxe Edition HC, DCU Rebirth becomes ever so slightly better." -Jesse
Click here to read the entire review!
Final Score:
Written by James Tynion IV | Drawn by Al Barrionuevo & Carmen Carnero
Night of the Monster Men put a brief hold on the emotional fallout from Tim Drake’s “death”. Now that things are back on track, the effect Red Robin’s loss has had on the various team members is far more pronounced. Spoiler, obviously, is feeling it the most, and combined with her encounter with The First Victim it’s put a serious strain on her relationship with Batman. It’s clear she’s nowhere near her right mind. Tynion continues to deftly balance the team aspect of this book, though Orphan can always use more screen time. This series has done wonders for Clayface as his evolution continues, though it remains to be seen just how heroic Basil can be. Barrionuevo and Carnero split art duties, and while their styles aren’t so different that it’s jarring, it’s definitely noticeable. Carnero’s a bit more straightforward, meanwhile Barrionuevo’s pages have a slight noir tint to them. -Joe
Final Score:
Written by Joshua Williamson | Drawn by Davide Gianfelice
"The Speed of Darkness" got off to a solid though uninspiring start. Fortunately, this second installment ratchets things up considerably. The direction this story takes is pleasantly unexpected, it’s one of the more fantasy-based arcs we’ve seen from Flash recently. There’s even a big, menacing thing called The Tower of Darkness! It’s clear this adventure will be as much about Wally as Barry, and he’s slowly coming into his own. Hopefully by this story’s end he’ll have earned the approval of his two heroes. The Shade’s “light vs. darkness” speech gets a little heavy-handed, but for the most part Williamson’s script serves its characters well. The more fantastical elements at play here are expertly handled by Davide Gianfelice, who starts things off with an impressive double-page splash featuring Wally in peril. The barren, desolate setting of The Shadowlands looks like something ripped out of the pages of Conan or Dungeons & Dragons. - Joe
Final Score:
Written by Robert Venditti | Drawn by Rafa Sandoval
If this series' first story arc focused a bit more on the "Hal Jordan" side of the equation, this follow-up arc emphasizes the "Green Lantern Corps" half. Robert Venditti creates a nice sense of scale as the resurgent Green Lanterns find themselves simultaneously liberating a planet and battling Brainiac. He's ably assisted by Rafa Sandoval, who delivers a nonstop dose of sweeping battles and powerful, dynamic figures. This series represents some of Sandoval's finest superhero work to date. At the same time, Venditti also positions the Sinestro Corps for a compelling new status quo, one that begs the question of whether this group is inherently evil without its namesake pulling the strings. The reluctant alliance between the two Lantern Corps also allows Venditti to play their warring personalities against each other. Guy Gardner's antics are frequently a highlight, but it's also fun seeing Soranik reconnect with her former comrades. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti | Drawn by Chad Hardin, Andrew Robinson & Brett Blevins
I'm at the point where I wouldn't mind seeing this series phased out in favor of a dedicated Harley & Ivy comic, so an issue devoted specifically to that relationship is always welcome. It's unfortunate that the long-awaited Bahamas vacation only amounts to one single-issue adventure, but it makes for an enjoyable read all the same. The playful Harley/Ivy banter is amusing, yet it's offset by an undercurrent of sadness as Harley comes to grips with the fact that Ivy can never be the permanent presence in her life she craves. Maybe that right there is a strong argument against a new Harley & Ivy series. Visually, this issue impresses even despite the absence of the previously solicited Joseph Michael Linsner. Chad Hardin tackles the majority of the issue, offering plenty of his expressive character work. There's a fair amount of cheesecake to the visuals, but as the issue mostly takes place at a senior-friendly nudist colony, a lot of it is played for laughs. Andrew Robinson also impresses in a darker, more unsettling flashback to Harley's early days with Joker. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Art Baltazar & Franco | Drawn by Art Baltazar
What a fun, weird little comic Super Powers is. It’s a true all-ages book, as there are elements that will appeal to readers old & young. The artwork and delivery are all obviously directed at the youth market, but like the finest animated film there’s plenty for adults to enjoy, too. Clever humor abounds, particularly the play on the classic “It’s a bird…” routine. It’s also hard not to laugh as Superman’s quest to clean up Gotham leads to Penguin asking “When do we get Batman back?” But it’s not all fun and games, as a mind-controlled Brainiac abducting Batman is just the tip of the iceberg. Baltazar’s crafted quite the book here, and while it may look like a Saturday morning cartoon, older readers can delight in the little touches, like Wonder Woman’s training montage. It may look silly, but Super Powers has an interesting story to tell. - Joe
Final Score:
Written by Ben Percy | Drawn by Diogenes Neves
This new series was dealt a major blow with the premature departure of artist Jonboy Meyers, and it may take some time to recover. Diogenes Neves is a perfectly serviceable replacement in this issue, but his style is disappointingly traditional compared to Meyers' kinetic, manga-esque approach. The coloring may be the most disappointing change, however. Jim Charalampidis' formerly bright, cheery hues have been replaced by a darker palette that makes the book feel more akin to the rest of the Batman family. Not to mention the jarring shift that happens when John Kalisz takes over late in the issue, creating he sensation that a completely different penciller has suddenly stepped in. Art woes aside, the series is still on solid footing in terms of its general story direction. Ben Percy puts Damian in defensive mode here, forced to account for his actions and quickly forge bonds with his new teammates in order to deal with a mutual threat from teenage Ra's al Ghul's minions. The series not only feels like a return to a more classic (and frankly better) Teen Titans era, it's also a logical next step in the saga of Damian Wayne. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Greg Rucka | Drawn by Liam Sharp
This may be the conclusion to the "The Lies" storyline, but it’s clear the mystery is far from being resolved. There’s no great revelation here, and we’re left with even more questions than answers, but when Greg Rucka’s in charge that’s always a good thing. It’s unclear if Wonder Woman’s conflict plays into the grander story of Rebirth itself or if it will be self-contained, but either way there’s a lot of intriguing stuff going on here. Of course, once Diana figures out what’s happening on Themyscira, there’s Doctor Cale and whatever she’s up to waiting back on the mainland. A person who names her dogs Terror and Panic can’t possibly be up to anything good. Pairing Rucka with an artist like Liam Sharp always leads to great things, and this issue is no exception. Sharp and colorist Laura Martin craft everything from amazons to possibly demonic dobermans with beautiful detail. - Joe
Final Score:
Continues
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire