This week's comic book lineup included the start of the "I Am Bane" storyline in Batman #16, the debuts of Marvel's Bullseye and Darth Maul mini-series, a new Assassin's Creed comic and a dirt-cheap new installment of The Walking Dead.
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 Brad Walker
The ending of the Deluge storyline has left Aquaman in an usual place: he’s suddenly one of the most popular heroes in the DC Universe. It’s probably not going to last, because when has that status quo ever lasted? But it is refreshing to see Aquaman treated with the reverence and respect that’s often been missing. In terms of story, there’s not a lot happening here. But Dan Abnett takes the time to give Aquaman and his supporting cast some interesting beats, including a confession that Erika Watson shares with her high school crush. That said, the subplot about Mera refusing to marry Arthur over a dark prophecy is still pretty tedious. If Abnett had come up with that as a temporary way to keep Aquaman and Mera apart then it wouldn’t be as bad. But now it feels like it is becoming a crutch for their interpersonal drama. This issue gives Walker a lot of opportunities to capture the subtle expressions and body language of Aquaman and even the random townspeople around him. That’s an impressive skill, and it makes for a more enjoyable reading experience. The only real downside of the issue is that the latest villain isn’t very compelling. If you can overlook that, it’s worth flipping through. -Blair Final Score:
Written by Tom King | Drawn by David Finch
"For better or worse, there aren't many DC books right now that manage to offer a consistent creative team. The best most writers can do is tailor each story arc to its respective artists. In that sense, Tom King's Batman really sets the gold standard. Each new arc feels like a completely new book even as it also contributes to King's larger road map. That trend continues as artist David Finch returns to the table to chronicle a cataclysmic showdown between the Dark Knight and Bane." -Jesse
Click here to read the entire review!
Final Score:
Written by Cary Bates & Greg Weisman | Drawn by Will Conrad
It’s strange to read a comic where the ‘90s are the strange and distant past, but such are the ways of The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom # 2. After the events of the first issue, Captain Atom finds himself forced to live through the ‘90s again without the benefit of any superpowers. In fact, there’s barely any superhero action in this issue at all. However, Cary Bates and Greg Weisman have given Captain Atom more of a personality and an achievable goal than he’s had in a long time. Their dialogue is also very strong and entertaining; and it's paired well with Will Conrad’s crisp artwork. In this time period, Captain Atom is pretty cautious despite never fully leaving his heroic persona behind. But this is only the second issue, so of course the good times can't last. Given the length of time that unfolds within this issue, Captain Atom may have a very interesting surprise waiting for him a few decades in the future. This issue was an unexpected pleasure, and now this miniseries is firmly on our radar. -Blair Final Score:
Written by Sam Humphries | Drawn by Neil Edwards
Green Lanterns # 16 is a comic with really terrific artwork by Neil Edwards. Every page in the issue looks great, and that’s down to Edwards and inkers Jay Leisten and Keith Champagne, as well as Blond the colorist. However, this is also an issue that may cause you to ask unintended questions about tight continuity in shared comic book universes. Case in point, this issue takes place within the “I Am Bane” story that is currently going on in Batman, but it’s a tie-in that feels completely unnecessary. The ridiculous conceit is that Batman has a few hours to kill and a case to solve before Bane arrives in town to make his life hell. Therefore, Batman turns to the Green Lanterns for help when it appears that someone is creating the yellow light of the Sinestro Corps Rings to spread peer and panic in seemingly random people (as well as a deep hatred of the Batman). Humphries really went out of his way to force the conflicts in this issue, especially during a shouting match between Batman and Simon Baz about Simon’s gun. That was on top of some out-of-character moments from Commissioner Gordon as well. But while he stumbles there, Humphries captures the perfect reaction from both Jessica and Simon when they finally see the Batcave. The reveal of the threat is interesting as well, although now it’s making us wonder if the Blackest Night crossover is still in continuity. Either way, it’s the art that makes this issue worth checking out. -Blair Final Score:
Written by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti | Drawn by Chad Hardin, John Timms & Brett Blevins
It's been clear from the beginning that there's something Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti haven't been telling us regarding the return of the Joker in this series. Rather than form the basis of a compelling mystery, however, that fact has only caused frustration. This issue finally peels back the curtain on that mystery, but not in a way that feels particularly satisfying. The explanation is still full of holes and doesn't entirely address the fact that Joker has seemed so off-kilter in terms of look and personality. Visually, the book is also pretty jumbled. Chad Hardin and John Timms are both established veterans, but their styles are just different enough that the transitions from one to the other are jarring. That Brett Blevins is called on to provide layouts on some pages only adds to the sense of inconsistency. The one saving grace with this issue is that it does leave Harley in an interesting place, emotionally. This series has generally emphasized her more lighthearted, benevolent side, but here we see Joker is still able to bring out the worst in her. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Brian Buccellato & Christopher Sebela | Drawn by Tom Derenick & Jheremy Raapack
The longer this series drags on, the more it calls into question whether it truly needed such a long-from approach. It's good that DC wanted to avoid publishing a straightforward adaptation of the Injustice game. But in execution, reinterpreting the game's story mode through the perspective of Harley Quinn doesn't do enough to shake up the formula. It's basically still the same story, but with liberal doses of Harley's narration and banter with her minions thrown in. Those elements are giving the book a very repetitive quality, to the point where it becomes a relief when the focus shifts to the familiar beats from the game. There's also the problem that this series rarely lives up to the previous Injustice books when it comes to visual quality. Neither Tom Derenick nor Jheremy Raapack bring much excitement to the page in this issue, and the clunky character designs and murky coloring only further weigh down the action. Harley may have been one of the best things about the other Injustice books, but that appeal is largely lost here. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written & Drawn by Bryan Hitch
It seems we can look forward to Bryan Hitch occasionally drawing the current Justice League series as well as writing. That's a welcome treat as the series moves forward from the events of Justice League vs. Suicide Squad. While Hitch delivers a few pages of his trademark widescreen action shots, much of this issue unfolds in close, claustrophobic quarters as the league find themselves buried alive under miles of rubble. This approach allows Hitch to hone in on his facial work and finer details. With Daniel Henriques' inks bringing an added sense of clarity, this issue is easily some of Hitch's best work in recent memory. Sadly, the story has little to offer, coming across as little more than a mish-mash of well-trodden Justice League tropes and questionable characterization. Once again, Hitch is pitting the League against a faceless alien threat with a penchant for causing massive collateral damage. Once again, the team bickers over the revelation that Batman has concocted secret countermeasures to take them down. The bickering and in-fighting and forced team-building might work better if this were a story about the League in its earliest months, but not one where they've had years to form close bonds with one another. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Steve Orlando | Drawn by Fernando Blanco
At this point readers just have to accept that this series, despite its name, doesn't offer much in the way of Midnighter and Apollo actually interacting. It's a little too direct a continuation of the previous Midnighter book in that regard. But writer Steve Orlando does highlight the strong love that unite the two heroes, even if Apollo himself shares but a fraction of his lover's page time. This issue also showcases Midnighter at his most bad-ass. Rarely have the odds been this stacked against him, yet even the prospect of battling one of the most powerful demon lords in the DC Universe isn't enough to dull Midnighter's cocky swagger. Fernando Blanco's figure work is a little stiff early on, but once the setting shifts and the battle begins, Blanco delivers some very striking, violent imagery. Colorist Romulo Fajardo makes the most of the hellish setting, bathing the issue in an eerie glow and highlighting the copious amounts of blood that begin to flow. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Tim Seeley | Drawn by Marcus To
Nightwing may get the cover billing, but Tim Seeley’s Bludhaven arc is very much a Dick Grayson tale. And in that regard his arc finale doesn’t disappoint, the book’s events leading to some interesting and well developed character growth for his titular tight-wearer. However, that payoff doesn’t fully extend to the book’s more costumed focus, as the reveal and subsequent apprehension of the arc’s signature string-puller reads as particularly hum-drum given everything leading up to it. More so, Seeley ties up everything so neatly that the issue reads almost like a series finale, with only a last second tease to inject any sense of momentum going forward. It’s still a solid and unreasonably pretty book — Marcus To again delivers an excellent mix of costumed splash pages and well-realized character work — it’s just lacking in the same excitement and punch we expect. -Jeff Final Score:
Written by Peter Tomasi | Drawn by Tony Daniel & Clay Mann
"Pete Tomasi is one of the few DC writers who seems regularly willing to play in Grant Morrison's toy box and directly continue Morrison's stories. It's been great to see Tomasi and his various collaborators craft a sequel of sorts to Multiversity in "Multiplicity." Sadly, though, a three-issue structure doesn't appear to be enough to do justice to such ambitious, high-concept material." -Jesse Click here to read the entire review!
Final Score:
Continues
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