October 24 Comic Week In Review

Hey fellow nerds, here’s our reviews of the weeks comics. The Ambassador and Pablo Gunner give you their thoughts on each book they picked up but sometimes we don't pick up the same books so we cover more books here on the Comic Week In Review than the Comicast. See what we think and maybe give us your thoughts.

Captain America #19 $3.99
Writer: Ed Brubaker, Art: Steve Epting
Pablo Gunner
The goodbye letter by Brubaker at the end of this issue was actually better than the issue itself. That's not to say that this issue was bad but the letter did have more heart. Of course the art was impressive with Epting drawing and D'Armatas colors. It was a little confusing at first then switched quickly to something were use to seeing Cap do, whoop on some bad guys. Then it got confusing again when another Captain showed up to save a lady from a mistake that the first Cap we saw did. We see a different retelling of Steve Rogers as a boy. They even do a nod to Simon & Kirby the original creators. Most of this issue shows us a quick history of the Captain America series from beginning to end, his entire history. This kind of felt like more of an intro story than a closer. It was confusing for the most part and scatterbrained because it tried to do too much. I would have preferred to see a recap of Brubakers run on Captain America. Brubaker had a stellar run and he will most definitely be missed especially after he leaves Winter Soldier but it's unfortunate that he didn't leave the Captain on a high note.
Verdict: SKIM
Ambassador Jbemms
This is the last issue of Captain America. I was very disappointed in this one. The art was awesome, but the writing was strange. This felt like an intro to Steve Rogers and not a conclusion. I wish this actually did a good of ending the book. 
Verdict: SKIM for the art
Talon #1 $2.99
Writers: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Artist: Guillem March
Pablo Gunner
This book instantly sucks you in with a visually enticing 2 page spread. An ex-talon runaway shows back up in Gotham after finding out that Batman took out the Court of Owls. He soon finds out that there are still remnants of the talon as he gets attacked by one and it is a lethal fight. The runaway talon, Calvin Rose, also finds out that he's not alone in his hatred and fight against the Court. This is the premise of this title. It's not bad but it's been done before. I'm not completely hooked but I am interested.
Verdict: BUY
Ambassador Jbemms
The art was the reason why I picked this up. The writing was well done. I really like the ideas in this story and wonder where they are going to go from here. He used to be the most fierce Talon until he ran away. He comes back to Gotham to see if Batman really defeated the court of the owls. Batman did not defeat them, really weakened them. Now he teams up with another person to take out the court of the owls so he can live in peace. 
Verdict: BUY
Journey Into Mystery #645 Everything Burns Aftermath $2.99
Writer: Kieron Gillen, Artist: Stephanie Hans
Pablo Gunner
The intro page is stylistically ingenious with a very twilight-esque opener. The art is soft, smooth, dreamy, and cool tones and colors. There were quite a few heartfelt moments my favorite being between Thor and young Loki. This title wraps up very nicely being the most satisfying end of a crossover event and end of a title. 
Verdict: BUY
Ambassador Jbemms
Another good example on how to end a series. This truly shows that young Loki is a good person. This also shows that old Loki had this as his master plan just in case he failed. He did not expect young Loki to actually have a good nature. The art is amazing on this issue. The first page does this cool twilight zone intro. The only thing that makes me so sad about this series is the fact that is it ending.  
Verdict: Strong BUY
Avengers #32 End Times $3.99
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Art: Mike Mayhew, Brandon Peterson
Pablo Gunner
This issue kind of undoes or explained what happened at the end of secret invasion to one of its Avengers. I really enjoy Mayhew's art because it makes me feel like I'm watching a movie but Peterson's art really slowed and brought this book down. This issue was just great Bendis fun storytelling and writing. Bendis killed it on great character moments. It almost feels like Wonder Man is being forced on us at this point though as he makes a pointless reappearance in this issue. Overall it was a great ending issue that leaves me wanting more.
Verdict: BUY
Ambassador Jbemms
Bendis finishing up his run on the Avengers. Finally we find out who the girl was using the Avenger's card. It is someone who has been thought to be dead for a long time. This person was actually shrunk down so small that she was in a whole other world in Central Park. Now Iron Man, Ant Man, Captain America, and Thor must fight their way out with their old friend. The art was well done in this issue. Verdict: BUY
The Flash #13 $2.99
Creative Team: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Pablo Gunner
In this issue we have the return of Gorilla Grodd. He arrives with his Gorilla army to take over. The rogues are forced to ally themselves with Flash to save the city from certain destruction. The art is a brilliant use of color tones for mood. This art team is absolutely genius in the way they design panels and structures. By the end Grodd is as terrifying as he should be. I love how the focus has been put more on Barry than his rogues and villains in this issue.
Verdict: BUY
Ambassador Jbemms
This issue finally shows Grodd returning for vengeance on the Flash.  You also have the Rogues teaming up to protect the city/their turf. The art was amazing in this issue. Buccelato not only does the Flash well, but kills at doing Grodd. I would be scared of this villain if I ran into him drawn the way he is in this issue. 
Verdict: BUY

Ultimates Comics Ultimates #17 $3.99
Writer: Sam Humphries, Artist: Luke Ross
United We Stand hits a high point as we see an all out war between SHIELD and HYDRA.  President America makes a stupid strategic move just to boost morale and make a statement and pays for it instantly. The end result is an epic splash page with panels that give you the reason and context for it. Ross does a great job at close ups but not so much on far away views/perspectives. There was a lot of cool and interesting moments some that play out quite nice and others that don't event make sense. Overall the awesomesauce outweighed the lamesauce.
Verdict: BUY
Ambassador Jbemms
We find out that Thor's son wants to rule Earth and wants the US to fall. Thor is forced to fight Captain America. Modi, Thor's son has a Gem that allows him to Control minds. He is forcing Thor to fight Captain America. The art is outstanding in this issue. 
Verdict: Strong BUY

Punisher War Zone #1 of 5 $2.99
Writer: Greg Rucka, Artist: Carmine
Pablo Gunner
Essentially this issue is about Spider-Man going after Punisher and he has something to say. After their exchange it becomes an Avengers problem. The art is kind of ugly but I guess it works. The story and dialogue are absolutely stellar and completely make up for any dislike of the art. I won't deny that the artist does a great job at drawing Spidey and his acrobatics. I can't wait to see how this all plays out.
Verdict: BUY
Ambassador Jbemms
Punisher team has a new artist Di Giandomenico. He did an awesome job with the punisher and Spider-man. He had a hard time with drawing the avengers. Rucka really tears it up with an awesome story. He writes spider-man well. It is interesting how he does the jokes really well with Spider-man. Verdict: BUY/BnBoW


AvX Consequences #3 $3.99
Writer: Kieron Gillen, Art: Scott Eaton, Andrew Hennessy
Pablo Gunner
Starks faith in science and technology following the events of AvX. Cyclops effs up some inmates and it's was one of the most awesome displays of Scott's abilities. Kitty Pryde has a nice talk with Emma Frost and completely shuts her down making this one of the most satisfying moments of AvX. We see Hope trying to live a normal teenage life and Cyclops begin to concoct a plan. The art was spectacular, realistic, peak of comic book art. There were so many great moments in this issue and I love what they're doing with Cyclops.
Verdict: BUY/BnBoW
Ambassador Jbemms
The art was well done on this book from start to finish.  I really like how the art was done during the  Cyclops jail fight. The writing did just as well art at portraying the story. This issue alone makes this series worth picking up. Everything in this book works as hook and went right. This is the best aftermath comic I have ever read. 
Verdict: Strong BUY

The Invincible Iron Man #527 $3.99

Writer: Matt Fraction, Art: Salvador Larroca

Ambassador Jbemms
Fraction does a great job wrapping this series up. After Everything Tony goes through he wants some away time to reflect on everything. You still get to see an awesome seen with him and a girl. The art is top notch as usual. I am sad to see this series end, but it did conclude well. 
Verdict: BUY

Superman #13 $2.99

Writer: Scott Lobdell, Art: Kenneth Rocafort

Ambassador Jbemms
The art was really good. I understand this story was a intro into a starry arc. I felt that it did not explain a lot. I felt lost some of the way. I thought the writing was weak. This did not make me want to pick up anymore Superman issues. 
Verdict: PASS

Gambit #4 $2.99
Writer: James Asmus, Art: Clay Mann, Leonard Kirk
Pablo Gunner
This starts off exactly where it ended. Don't bother picking up this issue if it's your first because you will be lost. This issue takes a trip into ridiculousness of another world with dragons. Gambit risks everything to save the girl and in a last ditch effort saves the world. I don't mind a book being amped up but this was a little too over the top for me. I hope this title returns to form like the other issues. I like the art. It's colorful, surreal, and fits well with the master thief. Despite enjoying the story arc thus far this issue got too ridiculous for my tastes.
Verdict: SKIM

Pablo Gunner
COW: Ultimates #17
POW: The Flash #13
SOW: Ultimates #17
BnBOW: AvX Consequences #3

Ambassador Jbemms

COW: Avengers #32
POW: The Flash #13
SOW: Invincible Iron Man #527
BnBOW: Punisher War Zone #1

You can find any and all of these at Kaboom Test Labs or Twin Suns.


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