Bane goes on the warpath and The Walking Dead gets dark.
March promises to be a busy month for the comics industry, and it started off strong this week. DC delivered another memorable chapter of Batman while also kicking off the "Superman Reborn" crossover in Superman #18. Marvel debuted their latest ongoing series, America, and officially wrapped up The Clone Conspiracy. Elsewhere, Dynamite relaunched their flagship James Bond comic while Image added more promising books to its lineup with Royal City #1, Extremity #1 and the relaunched Rat Queens.
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.
Batman #18
Written by Tom King | Drawn by David Finch
"It's obvious that writer Tom King is fascinated with the symmetry uniting Batman and many of his enemies. That symmetry has been a driving force of pretty much every story arc on this series, whether the focus has been on Gotham and Gotham Girl or Catwoman or, as in this issue, Bane. There's a lot of mileage to be had in exploring the parallel lives of Bruce Wayne and the boy who became Bane, and this issue capitalizes on that potential nicely." -Jesse
Click here to read the entire review!
Final Score:
Green Arrow #18
Written by Ben Percy | Drawn by Eleanora Carlini
There’s an argument to be made that superhero origin stories are always meant to be updated for a new generation of comic fans. If the creators really have to do that, wouldn’t it be great if they didn’t do it in the most boring way possible? Benjamin Percy has done some great work on Green Arrow, and he’s even made it one of DC’s best books since the relaunch. But this take on Oliver Queen’s first meeting with Roy Harper lands with a thud. In the present, Roy’s going home to a Native American reservation where he crosses paths with Oliver once again. And it’s the old protégé resents the mentor storyline that we’ve seen so often with these two. There are some things to enjoy in the issue, including a brief flashback to happier times. However, Eleonora Carlini’s artwork just isn’t enough to salvage this one. Hopefully the remaining parts of this storyline can redeem the opening chapter. -Blair
Final Score:
Harley Quinn #15
Written by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti | Drawn by Joseph Michael Linsner, Khari Evans & John Timms
After the recent Jokeer story arc left a sour taste, Harley Quinn needed a change of pace. Luckily, that's exactly what this new storyline is providing. Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti are essentially crafting a sequel to the Harley Quinn & Power Girl mini-series here, with the added bonus of Terra being thrown into the mix. This issue finds a nice balance as it focuses both on the two heroines cleaning up Harley's mess and Harley herself schooling a rather naive alien conqueror in the ways of human society. This is Harley at her most charming. Sadly, the haphazard art detracts from the overall experience. The book opens strong with a sequence from Joseph Michael Linsner (a creator whom I'd really like to see draw a complete issue of Harley Quinn one of these days), but it then makes a series of jarring transitions as it bounces between Khari Evans and John Timms' pages. -Jesse
Final Score:
Justice League #16
Written by Bryan Hitch | Drawn by Fernando Pasarin
Fernando Pasarin really deserves praise for this issue, because if the credits hadn’t made it clear, this could have passed for an issue that was drawn by Bryan Hitch. Pasarin does a pretty strong impression of Hitch’s style, although I suspect that Matt Ryan’s inks may have also helped pull that off. It’s no substitute for Hitch’s art, but still very good. Unfortunately, the story is less impressive. The Justice League is stranded in different time periods, again, and something is rewriting history in a way that threatens them all. It seems like this is Hitch’s favorite go-to plot for the League. While Hitch’s ambition is appreciated, this story is starting to get old. There are some genuinely great moments involving Aquaman’s visit to ancient Atlantis, as well as the Green Lanterns’ experiences in the future. But the bulk of this issue revolves around three characters we barely know, as they tell Batman and Superman what to do. And that’s never fun. -Blair
Final Score:
Midnighter & Apollo #6
Written by Steve Orlando | Drawn by Fernando Blanco
The worst that can be said for this mini-series is that Apollo and Midnighter have spent so much time separated that writer Steve Orlando hasn't had much opportunity to explore their dynamic together. That finally changes in the final issue, as the two lovers are reunited in Neron's realm. That the two heroes are saved through their mutual love for one another might sound cheesy, but it's also a powerful testament to their bond (a bond that was in poor shape before Orlando started writing Midnighter). Orlando wisely downplays the humor and violence here, focusing more on honest character drama and delivering a sweetly emotional cap to his Midnighter run. Artist Fernando Blanco responds in kind, altering his style to give his normally stiff figure work a more organic, vibrant quality. The final pages in particular hit all the right notes as they pay homage to one of the greatest DC stories ever told. If this is the last we'll ever see of Midnighter and Apollo in the DCU (as is seeming likely at this point), i's a fitting send-off. -Jesse
Final Score:
Nightwing #16
Written by Tim Seeley | Drawn by Javier Fernandez
In the latest issue of Nightwing, Tim Seeley has ventured into an area that’s rarely touched upon in Dick Grayson’s various relationships. The short version is that things may be getting serious with his new girlfriend, Shawn Tsang. Maybe too serious for comfort, as Dick has a lot to think about even before someone finds a new way to strike at him. That is really well done and compelling. What’s less successful is the way that the issue forces Damian Wayne to be involved with the plot. Essentially, Damian gets upset that some people on DC’s version of Twitter think that Dick was the better Robin. Is that even common knowledge in the DCU? Was there really no better way to get Damian into Blüdhaven for a showdown with Nightwing? The issue almost redeems itself because Dick and Damian are actually enjoyable when they get on the same page. Javier Fernandez’s art really captures Nightwing’s fluid movements well, but it's more impressive when he deals with Dick and Shawn’s emotions. Even when they’re aping Spider-Man, they’re just a cute couple. Note to Seeley: that’s not an invitation to break them up or to do something horrible to them. This book will be a lot more interesting in the long term if it really explores the consequences of what happens here. Or what may have happened. We’ll see. -Blair
Final Score:
Savage Things #1
Written by Justin Jordan | Drawn by Ibrahim Moustafa
There are times when a new comic book series can reach out and grab you in a way that you never expected. This is one of those times, and Savage Things #1 is a very impressive debut. Justin Jordan and Ibrahim Moustafa display a lot of confidence in their abilities, and it shows in every panel, and every line of dialogue. Essentially, the book is about a group of sociopathic children who were recruited to be black ops monsters for the government a few decades ago. In the present, one of the children is making waves with some very high profile murders, which forces the agency to forcibly recruit one of the other survivors to stop him. At first glance, it’s fairly straightforward. But the storytelling is so crisp and clear that it’s easy to get sucked into the narrative. The only time there is some confusion comes because Moustafa draws the killer’s face a little bit too much like another character in the issue. Maybe that was the intent, but it’s difficult to tell. Despite that minor hiccup, Savage Things #1 has a great premise, fantastic art, and is almost flawless executed. If you love comics, this issue belongs on your pull list. -Blair
Final Score:
Superman #18
Written by Peter Tomasi & Patrick Gleason | Drawn by Patrick Gleason
I unabashedly love the new status quo of Superman and Lois as a married couple with their super-powered son. That’s what makes the first part of Superman: Reborn so effective, as Tomasi and Gleason find a way to strike at everything that Superman holds dear. And it’s all thanks to the fake Clark Kent. Whatever the larger DC Rebirth storyline is leading to, this appears to be a big part of it. As a few familiar faces note, “someone got out.” And while we don’t learn who that is here, fake Clark is really coming into his own as a villain. Fake Clark may not realize that he’s the bad guy, and he may not even be real. But it’s hard not to appreciate someone who can make Superman feel that much pain without laying a finger on him. Gleason’s artwork excels at capturing the happy mood of the Kents, and their growing horror. This issue doesn’t really have any traditional action, but it delivers an emotional gut punch that was very effective. Can’t wait to see where this is going. -Blair
Final Score:
Continues
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