Brightest Day #0 (of 4) — Writers: Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi; Pencils: Fernando Pasarin; Inks: six people
This is worth getting as an epilogue to Darkest Night; it offers more clues about the 12 “resurrected” characters, as Boston Brand (what do we call him now — Liveman?) gets zapped around by his white ring and we see various set-up developments for later comics. Pasarin does a good job making a huge cast, and multiple settings, distinguishable and clear — although the tag-team inking, while understandable, doesn’t help the art. Will I keep reading this as a mini-series? I’m not sure; having it be four issues over two months is a smart way to attract event-weary readers, and if it’s the linchpin to events in the DC Universe that it’s advertised to be, then probably. Of the spin-off issues, the Gail Simone Birds of Prey looks like the only sure bet, with the Giffen JLA: Generation Lost a possibility (if they had Dematteis co-scripting, and Adam Hughes, or Kevin Maguire, on the art, I’d be there in a heartbeat).
PunisherMax #6 — Writer: Jason Aaron; Art: Steve Dillon
This has developed into a worthy addition to the Garth Ennis books (and, with the Frankencastle stuff over in the “other” Punisher comic, it’s really the main title now if you’re looking for “classic” (i.e., relatively realistic) stories of the character). Aaron’s got a good grasp of Frank’s psyche; his dialogue with a doctor about his various injuries, what they’ll do to him, and why he doesn’t care is dead-on, and giving Dillon a chance to draw early versions of the Kingpin and Bullseye is can’t-miss stuff; it got me to buy the book, and I’m a hard sell on new Punisher stories at this point. These are worth it, though.
B.P.R.D.: King of Fear #4 (of 5) — Writers: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi; Art: Guy Davis
Events (life-altering ones) proceed apace, and Davis gets to draw even more creepy characters and settings, and large-scale apocalyptic spreads; what more do you want?
Fables #94 — Writer: Bill Willingham; Pencils: Mark Buckingham; Inks: Steve Leialoha
Back to the regular creative team, after a few side-story issues, as Willingham closes in on the 100th issue of Vertigo’s best (and best-selling) comic. The story’s nominally about Rose Red, but there are plenty of other plots perking, including Geppetto vs. the Blue Fairy, King Cole’s conversation with Ozma, and, most intriguingly, developments with Mister Dark, as a couple of Fables work on ways to fight him, and his worthiness as a major adversary becomes more and more clear.
Ultimate Enemy #3 (of 4) — Writer: Brian Michael Bendis; Pencils: Rafa Sandoval; Inks: Roger Bonet
Typical Bendis superhero romp (one that could have been an issue of Ultimate Spider-Man), as 3/4 of the FF, the Spidey cast, Danvers and Fury all deal with a massively-powered enemy who’s not above attacking everyone and everything around them to get at them. There’s a good Danvers/Fury scene, another good scene at the Parker house, and a decent (even chilling) cliffhanger, which makes it this week’s best mainstream superhero book.
Daytripper #5 (of 10) — Creators: Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba
No, they haven’t changed the plot, but since it involves a kid this issue it’s particularly affecting, and the art continues to get better and better — in places, it’s Eisneresque, along with the usual Messner-Loebs influences and even some Hernandez takes, but it all blends into its own exotic style; I don’t feel the need to have every issue of this run, but this one’s a keeper.
Stuff I read and liked enough to buy, but don’t have much to say about, so read previous reviews in the archives if you’re interested:
Secret Six #20 — Writer: Gail Simone; Art: J. Calafiore
Powers #4 — Writer: Brian Michael Bendis; Art: Michael Avon Oeming
Phil Mateer
