Daytripper #4 Writer/Artist: Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba
I like it. It’s pretentious, repetitive and sometimes predictable, but I do like it. My specific apologies to the Professor, but I think Moon and Ba are fully aware of what they are doing, and loving every minute of it. The pages are beautiful to look at even if the plot is a little rocky.
Criminal #5 Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Sean Phillips
There goes another round of the best crime comic currently in existence. This group as always knows what they are doing and provides it in a quick and easy way. It leaves the audience with a clear resolution, but desperately wanting more. Damn it Phillips, why ya gotta go do Stephen King stuff? I want more Criminal!
Batman and Robin #10 Writer: Grant Morrison Artist: Andy Clarke
This is finally completely back on track. The Quitely arc was fantastic, the Tan arc was weak, the Stewart arc was improving, and this one takes a huge jump forward. Clarke delivers amazing visuals to go along with the fun-loving Morrison plot. Hopefully this continues over the next couple of issues, but at least we get one really good one.
Punishermax #5 Writer: Jason Aaron Writer: Steve Dillon
The first arc comes to a close, and everybody gets their character moments. Aaron really thrived with this first arc, and I fully believe that it wouldn’t be the same without Dillon. Dillon has this ability to make things look simple and cartoony, and then overwhelm you with the intensity of violence. Aaron gives him plenty of violence to work with, and it works. This is the logical successor to Ennis, and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain even a sliver of the quality of the past.
Powers #3 Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Powers is always good, but the release schedule is absolutely killing me. I have trouble keeping track of where characters are and what was previously happening. Oeming knows how to lay out a proper page and often times it looks completely amazing. This book is always worth buying, but to help with coherence, it might be more of a trade-waiting type of book.
Sword #5 Writer: Kieron Gillen Artist: Steven Sanders
So ends another pretty good book that never stood a chance. Sword was a fun trip through the more obscure pieces of the Marvel Universe (Death’s Head, awesome). It clearly had to come to an end, because I liked it enough to want to know where it was going. So like the latest Exiles, Doctor Voodoo and many others, this has been cancelled because it was too good for us. Shame.
Ultimate Spider-Man #8 Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa
This spidey book is back on track after the terrible world of Ultimatum. I don’t really like the art, but it fits the mood that they are trying to cover. It also works that Bendis is referencing his old Ultimate Mini (what was its name?). The Rick Jones stuff is on the right track towards making this as great of a book as it once was.
Amazing Spider-man #624 Writer: Mark Waid Artist: Paul Azaceta with Javier Rodriguez
The Gauntlet stuff has been some of my favorite Spidey stories ever, and this is still just as good. They keep getting solid artists to help create this, and everyone is contributing at the top of their game. I look forward to Amazing Spider-man every week it comes out.
The Mystic Hands of Doctor Strange #1 Writer/Artist: various
The surprise of the week, this black and white magazine style issue really has a powerhouse of creative teams. The main story from Kieron Gillen and Frazer Irving really shines, and kept me interested in Dr. Strange which is really saying something. It only gets better from there with a fun Peter Milligan story, a solid Ted McKeever piece. And a lit piece with accompanying picture from Marcos Martin. Amazing.
Secret Six # 19 Writer: Gail Simone Artist: Jim Calafiore
This is the best book that a lot of you aren’t reading. Simone consistently delivers despicable characters and writes that in a way that keeps the reader interested. I’ve liked Calafiore since I started reading comics with Exiles (a couple people just sighed and felt old after that). This is the perfect carry over from the Suicide Squad from the 80’s that people love so much. This issue also works as a great jumping on point, so do it.
Quick List of things that came out that you either already know is how good they are or you should buy the trades and find out:
B.P.R.D: King of Fear #3: Writer: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi Artist: Guy Davis
DMZ #51 Writer: Brian Wood Artist: Riccardo Burchielli
Ex Machina # 48 Writer: Brian K. Vaughan Artist: Tony Harris
DC Super Friends # 25 Writer: Sholly Fisch Artist: Dario Brizuela
“The” Dan Jacka
