This week for our written comic book reviews we covered a couple books that we talked about on
Comicast #78 and quite a few that we didn’t.
Dark Horse Comics
Star Wars Legacy #2 $2.99
Writer: Corinna Bechko, Artist: Gabriel Hardman
Personally I'm not feeling this story. I'm just not into the characters. I really couldn't care less if any of them died. Ania Solo is still on the run. This time an imperial knight gets involved and wants her dead for having his lightsaber. I don't understand why people aren't questioning this guard. He's not acting much like himself and he returned with white hair. Shouldn't this send up some red flags for people. I like the art style. It's gritty, sketchy, and rough. It works and fits. This may be a good series as a whole but right not I'm not all that interested. If you have followed the Legacy series in the past I think you would enjoy this otherwise much like myself you feel confused and aren't attached to any of the characters yet.
Verdict: weak SKIM
DC
ARROW #6 $3.99
Writer: Marc Guggenheim & Andrew Kreisberg, Art: Mike Grell, Xermanico, Sergio Sandoval & Pol C Gas
It's interesting to see that this character still has much to learn and has space to grow. This book is composed of three "digital first" issues. Each story usually corresponds with that weeks episode as it is connected with the show. The first story was about perception, assumption, and mercy. Oliver is taking down some gangsters. One of them is a young man who pleads for his life, explaining that he was forced into the business by his father as a young boy. They lead you and Oliver into thinking that he is a slave. In the end we find out that things are not at all what they seem but once again he offers the young man a chance to change his ways and be different from his father. Maybe Oliver knew the whole time though, who knows. The second story was about a football hall of famer with a wrap sheet and a grudge against football fans. He plans to blow the stadium full of fans up and Green Arrow has to stop him. It's more complicated than you would think as well as the resolution. The third story is actually about Detective Lance catching a cold case and his failure to reconnect and be there for his daughter. I always love getting somebody else's point of view and this did it exceptionally well. The art always impresses me how similar each story looks despite usually having different artists. The artist always make their art fit their perspective story. Personally I think these stories would be better digitally but if you like having it in hand it's the better choice.
Verdict: BUY
INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US #4 $3.99
Writer: Tom Taylor, Art: Jheremy Raapack & Mike S. Miller
This one was great because it had a full comprehensive story arc within one issue. The reason I say this is because it is actually released as a "digital first". This issue is comprised of three 99 cent digital issues. In the past some of the digitals don't flow well together as one issue. This story was about some fishermen poaching whales. Aquaman and his people attack the poachers and their ship. Wonder Woman shows up to stop the violence before anybody is killed. They each state their arguments and then things get out of hand. In the end Superman gets fed up with Arthur's crap and maybe takes it a little too far. Arthur has some good advice and counsel for Supes but the messenger never delivers the message. Diana has always been aggressive and it truly shows in multiple facets throughout this issue. It's interesting to see where it's headed and its always nice to see some high quality art on a story like this.
Verdict: weak BUY
Marvel
AVENGERS #10 $3.99
Writer: Jonathan Hickman, Artist: Mike Deodato
I really enjoyed the art as I have been almost every issue. The story escapes me as it was confusing and also felt very uneventful. This story is about what happened to Alpha Flight. Some parts were rather gruesome. If you give a crap about any of those characters I imagine you might be rather upset otherwise its just really cool death scenes. So Department H of the Canadian government requests the Avengers assistance with this hot zone that destroyed Alpha Flight and that they cannot get into and not for lack of trying either. Sometimes you gotta call in the best and that's exactly what they do. When they get inside it doesn't seem all that bad at first but the situation goes south quick. Forty hours later they get out and conveniently have no recollection of the events that took place. Whether they're harboring secrets or truly mind wiped I'm not quite sure of but I don't understand why they would want to protect the place or things of that area. I found the story too confusing for my tastes. The art was spectacular but that only does so much for me when the writing is lacking.
Verdict: weak SKIM
SCARLET SPIDER #16 $2.99
Writer: Christopher Yost, Artist: Khoi Pham
This one was just a Kaine issue. This was about Kaine, his personal life, and friends. He gets forced into going to a rodeo. A girl who likes him, flirts with him, and like an idiot he screws it up without even realizing it until he's already hurt he feelings. His friends get him to go after her. In the process he gets between her and her ex boyfriend who is a hulking huge guy who is possibly roided out. Some massive armadillo character shows up and interrupts the rodeo. Kaine suits up to save the day but it turns out that love was the only way to fix the situation. So he decides to go for it. It was a nice change of pace considering all the nonstop action we’ve seen the last few issues as well as being able to get to know this character and his friends more. It was a fun and enjoyable read. The art was just classically well done spider-man art.
Verdict: BUY
UNCANNY X-MEN #5 $3.99
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Artist: Frazer Irving
The art looks like a water color based mess but its for good reason. The reason is because for a good amount of this issue "limbo", the hellish dimension that Magik uses is depicted. Magik is finally feeling the effects of her touch with the Phoenix. She is dragged into limbo and challenged by Dormammu for control over this domain. As she appears to get beat down by this entity she seems to hold it together despite getting whooped. At a certain point she loses control and becomes a hellish, demonic version of herself. She looked rather terrifying. After putting Dormammu back in his place she returns to her uncanny cohorts. Scott confronts her about these recent outburst and outbreaks. At first she leads on that its ok but over time she breaks down and tells him tue truth of it all. In the end they all get sucked into limbo with her demonic self at the helm. A lot of the characters looked downright awful and hideous. I understand that this art was chosen for a reason and it works well when they're in or showing limbo but anywhere else with anyone else it just looks bad most of the time. Magneto looked like a cancer patient, Cyclops was odd looking. Some characters looked ok while others were just horrid. I'm all about thematic art but I truly felt like the artist could have toned it down with certain characters in certain settings. I personally enjoyed seeing Magik vulnerable, losing control, and finally being affected. The insight to her character and situation felt much needed. I just couldn't get over the art.
Verdict: SKIM
YOUNG AVENGERS #4 $2.99
Writer: Kieron Gillen, Artist: Jamie McKelvie
The story and art really picked it up in this issues from the get-go and only got better as it went on. Kate Bishop & Nohh-Vahr show up to save the day right in the nick of time. There was a two page spread layout/display with small triangular panels surrounding it showing Marvel Boys' finesse and abilities through a show of force of the likes of which I had never seen before. It was so unique and original that it just blew me away. After the crew escapes and all seems fine for a moment they are once again forced into a very tight spot, and its decision house for our heroes, give Kid Loki Wiccans powers or submit to possible death. Backed into a corner with nothing left to do they make a decision. They leave it with a well crafted cliff hanger. Honestly the story is still progressing rather slowly but with the inclusion of the other two characters and brilliant art style made this a knock out issue. If you haven't been reading this series then just wait until the trade comes out which is what I suggest anyway but this issue definitely was worth it.
Verdict: BUY
You can pick up these comics at Kaboom Test Labs or Twin Suns Comics & Games
SNBF
Sack Time
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IRON MAN: THE COMING OF THE MELTER! 1 #1, 3.99
INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #2
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