What’s this?! Two weeks in a row!? How dare I… Yup that’s right, Phil’s out this week, so you’re getting a good-ol’ fashioned double-dose of Dan. Let’s do this!
Fury Max #2 Writer: Garth Ennis Artist: Goran Parlov
Hey! Remember all those reasons you like Garth Ennis comics? And remember how you think when he resorts to fart jokes you find yourself just a little disappointed cuz’ you know he can do better? Well, this right here is where he does better. It’s Ennis telling a straight-up war story, with Nick Fury acting as any of a million different war characters you’ve seen him work before. Don’t forget that Parlov is cranking out solid line-work to make this a super compelling title. I’m not sure if this is a mini or an ongoing, but either way it’s a wonderful investment for anyone with a passing interest in Marvel characters or war comics. Great stuff.
Winter Soldier #5 Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Butch Guice
This issue kinda-sorta wraps up the first storyline, and what more can be said about the Brubaker comics that involve Captain America characters? This guy has single handedly been responsible for Bucky’s reintegration into the Marvel Universe, and almost every piece of it has been pitch perfect (ignoring the fact that his Cap uniform was a Cuban flag, but I blame Alex Ross). This latest Winter Soldier story has been no different, encompassing all the craziness you want from a monkey with a machine gun, and an embracing of the past while mixing it with whatever’s next. Guice’s art is a bit rushed, but I’m still digging it. Totally worth it.
Adventure Time #4 Writer: Ryan North Artist: Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb
Speaking of ending story lines, the adventures of Finn and Jake come to their sand princess conclusion (and yes, that makes sense if you read it). The art style on this book is completely faithful to the source material, and it’s probably the most fun children’s book that’s come out since the ridiculousness that was DC superheroes. The absolute best part of this has to be the asides that are running through the bottom of the page. They either make absolutely no sense at all, or put even more puns into place than there already are in the main story. It’s a damn good comic, and yes, I used the word “damn” to talk about a kids book!
Avengers vs X-Men #4 Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: John Romita Jr.
So at this point, four of the five ‘architects’ have scripted an issue of this book, and the best was clearly Brubaker. Hickman takes the reigns here and the plot moves along through his traditional text-heavy style. It’s just that this storyline is doing absolutely nothing to make me care. I sit through each issue wondering when they’re going to do something to make me care, and it’s just not coming around. Maybe it’s the Romita Jr. art. While he has been pushed as the main man for Marvel art, his style is absolutely not working for me on this book. I just don’t see a reason to care in all of this, and this week’s issue is no different.
Manhattan Projects 3 Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: Nick Pitarra
I can’t explain quite why I love this book so very, very much. The basic concept is that after completing the atomic bomb, the entire team of scientists stuck together and have made more projects. FDR is dead, but they’ve revived him underground, Truman is a member of the Freemasons who is essentially ignored, and the entire team of scientists have completely separate problems all their own. Hickman’s interpretation of Oppenheimer has me the most entertained, cuz’ that is insane, but don’t overlook Einstein or Harry Daghlian. Every character is fascinating, much like the book. It’s absolutely fantastic stuff. Pitarra puts in wonderful art making each character distinguished from one another. LOVE it.
Annnnnnnnnnnnd now, some quick hits!
Conan #4 Writer: Brian Wood Artist: James Harren: Even without Becky Cloonan, this comic is basically awesome. Great story that still looks good.
Catwoman #9 Writer: Judd Winick Artist: Guillem March: Possibly the best Night of the Owls tie-in as CW has to help save the Penguin. Giving the unfrozen Owls personalities and back stories is a good idea that I’ve liked in every issue.
Batwoman #9 Writer: J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman Artist: Trevor McCarthy: New artist comes in and things get a little better. I’m still jonesing for the next Williams-art issue, but aren’t you too?
DC Universe Presents #9 Writer: James Robinson Artist: Bernard Chang: The latest story from this anthology series gives Vandal Savage a new daughter. It gives you Silence of the Lambs meets Daddy Day Care, so there’s that.
Wonder Woman #9 Writer: Brian Azzarello Artist: Tony Akins: Wonder Woman’s wedding! This book has still been very interesting, and I’m happy it hasn’t been tied into anything else. A great self-containted story.
The Shade #8 Writer: James Robinson Artist: Jill Thompson: Another flashback issue giving more and more info about Shade. It’s great to see how easily Robinson can go back to the quality of his past. Great.
Hellblazer #291 Writer: Peter Milligan Artist: Gael Bertrand: More good Hellblazer stories from Milligan; what did you expect?
Glory #26 Writer: Joe Keatings Artist: Ross Campbell: Man, I’m sure this isn’t what Rob Liefeld envisioned, and I don’t care. I’ve really enjoyed every issue of this reboot, and it’s been keeping the same quality for the entire time.
Saga #3 Writer: Brian K. Vaughan Artist: Fiona Staples: The end of this issue made me burst out laughing, as the main character makes quite the death bed confession. This book is fun, and perfect for any casual reader.
Iron Man #517 Writer: Matt Fraction Artist: Salvador Larroca: Things just keep building and building, and I hope that Fraction can make this as epic as it is building too. I love this book.
Thunderbolts 174 Writer: Jeff Parker Artist: Declan Shalvey: So Fixer from the future killed himself in the past, and now both Thunderbolts teams have to solve that problem. They get clever, and then erase some memories. It’s a fun book that’s about to go through a huge change.
Reset #2 Writer/Artist: Peter Bagge: The story moves along, but I’m still not sure of the point. I feel like we’ll have to check back when it’s over and see as opposed to judging the set-up.
And that’s the week! Hopefully the Professor will have returned from his vacation, and we’ll be back to normal next week!
“The” Dan Jacka
