6/13 Comic Week In Review

American Vampire: Lord Of Nightmares #1

Writer: Scott Snyder, Artist: Dustin Nguyen

Well written suspenseful story. The art is dark, gritty, ominous, and menacing. It looks a little sketchy and messy which is fitting dealing with all the bloody. The end of the issue was too cliche and therefore anticlimactic to me in hopes that this "Lord of Nightmares" would be an original character like most of the American Vampire villains and characters. Overall still impressed and hoping that they put a new spin on this classic vampire villain.

Verdict: BUY

Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1 of 6

Writer: Darwyn Cooke, Artist: Amanda Conner

The art is soft, smooth, and cool. The writing and art are perfect for this title as Darwyn Cooke captures the tough yet girlish charm of Laurie’s perspective as Amanda Conner’s art does the same. I feel like I know Laurie Jupiter more than I ever have. I’m already falling in love with Laurie and not just because she's a beautiful redhead but because she is so different and tough than her mother, the original Silk Spectre.

Verdict: BUY

Deadpool #56

Writer: Daniel Way, Artist: Shawn Crystal

The art is darker, grittier, and more realistic than ever before with this story arc. I wasn’t sure about picking this one up so I skimmed it at Kaboom and it looked promising but fell short. Deadpool or Dp as I call him wants Taskmaster to help him “tighten up his game.” Taskmaster agrees to some on the job training by taking something from a SHIELD warehouse. This just ends up turning into DP trying to avoid death. I really enjoyed the art and the writing is still the funny but so far the story is kind of weak. I will give this one more chance before I drop this title entirely in hopes that the next issue makes up for it.

Verdict: PASS

The Incredible Hulk #9

Writer: Jason Aaron, Artist: Pasqual Ferry

I’m glad its not Dillon’s art but this isn't much better. Hulk looks bigger but he's still bald and kind of looking like a roided out Brock Lesnar. The art looks cheesy, kiddish, cartoony, and stupid. At least Aaron matches this with redneck Atlantean moonshine makers and users. For me this got too ridiculously stupid. Hulk even breathes and talks underwater with as little explanation as “My body can adapt to breathing underwater. It’s done it before.”I feel like Aaron’s writing has taken a dip in quality and I no longer care about Hulk or Banners story any longer until a decent or stellar artist like Whilce Portacio returns to this book.

Verdict: PASS

Avengers VERSUS X-Men #3 of 6

The Thing VS Colossus

Writer: Jeph Loeb, Pencils: Ed McGuinness, Inks: Dexter Vines, Colors: Morry Hollowell

1/4 of Fantastic Four and strongest member Bejamin Grimm of Yancy Street versus Steel-skinned X-Man Peter Rasputin Colossus+Juggernaut=Colossunaut

If you've been reading anything with Colossus right now you know that he also has the raw power and evil of Juggernaut so anybody that is not god-level powerful is not a fair fight or challenge. It seems like as this series goes on it has become less and less fair fights with obvious victors.

Black Widow VS Magik

Writer: Christopher Yost, Pencils: Terry Dodson, Inks: Rachel Dodson, Colors: Guru eFX

Ex-KGB Russian spy weapons and hand-to-hand combat expert, Natalia Romanova versus Soulless magic using mutant X-Man sister of Colossus, Illyana Rasputin

Seriously, a magic using mutant named Magik without a soul vs a non-powered human spy. I wonder who’s going to win that one, NOT. They did do a good job of keeping you guessing but it still ended as expected. Without the all impressive art this series would be nothing. It would be nice if they had better match ups though.

Verdict: SKIM

Spider-Men #1 of 5

Writer: BMB, Art: Pichelli, Ponsor

Interesting suspenseful opening to a limited series event with high quality art deserving of this special crossover. I knew at some point that either Peter or Miles was going to somehow crossover into the others universe but I didn't know when or how. I'm surprised and impressed how they did it and that they didn't drag it out. Also I really enjoyed that they didn't drag out their meeting which leads me to say that I can't wait for the next issue. Cover is horrible though as Miles looks like a full grown man and Peter doesn't.

Verdict: BUY

The Amazing Spider-Man#687

Writer: Dan Slott, Artist: Stefano Caselli
The Ends of The Earth story arc finally comes to an epic end. Caselli is back on art making this title look as good and cool as ever. Spidey, Black Widow, and Silver Sable duke it out with Doc Ock controlled Avengers. Someone sacrifices everything to help ensure Peter's success. This may go down as a classic issue and moment in Spider-Man history as it reminded me of a past one. Never doubt Peter Parker as a man or true hero.

Verdict: BUY

Batman & Robin #10

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi, Art: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray

The art was ugly at first as it was just the Wayne "family" taking a family portrait. Once all the former and current Robin suited up it began to look a lot better. This was a really fun, quick, and interesting read. I've always preferred Robin so it was great to see all the generations together as Damian Wayne challenged them all. There is also an impending threatening thread building to add to the suspense. I sincerely enjoyed this issue and I am intrigued to see what the next few issues have in store for us.

Verdict: BUY

Batman #10

Writer: Scott Snyder, Art: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion

The Night of The Owls is has come to a conclusion with Batman doing what he does best, solving and closing a case. Having put the Talon on ice, Batman is now going after the Court of Owls. Using intimidation, scare tactics, and downright great detective work Bruce gets to the bottom of all of this. With a mind-shattering ending that my mind is still reeling from and have yet to except not only has Night of The Owls been the best event and crossover I have ever experienced but this title and its writer, Scott Snyder, are the greatest things in comics today. The Fall of The House of Wayne part 2 of 3 also written by Snyder with the help of James Tynion IV and Rafael Albuquerque on art only enrich this issue and story arc even further and deeper than I could have imagined.

CoTW: American Vampire: Lord Of Nightmares #1 - Well orchestrated cover with so much going on I could look at it for hours.

PoTW: Silk Spectre #1 - So much thought and work put into it I instantly knew it had to be my panel.

SoTW: Batman & Robin #10 - Seeing Red Hood and Nightwing in attack mode with their respective weapons of choice looks wicked awesome and detailed.

BnBoTW: Batman #10 - MIND BLOWN, ’nuff said.