3/27/13

Marvel and DC galore! I had a "balanced" pull-list with many treasures and only one disaster. I also want to thank everyone who joined the G+ community this week +Sam's Pull List is also doing great. I am so thankful that all of you read and enjoy this blog.

My Pull-List this week. Enjoy!

• Deadpool Killustrated #3

This is one of the funniest non-Millar comics ever. With a hilarious new cast of story-book characters for Deadpool to butcher and some of the wittiest one-liners yet. The art was luscious with dark inks and bright colors and the cover art was spectacular. One of the most endearing parts of this particular storyline is it's ability to make supporting characters more than just mindless lackeys. When Deadpool takes over Frankenstein as a home for his "second mind" I thought: "We won't be seing much of him." I was so wrong. Frankenstein is the perfect sidekick for an insane mercenary and together they slash their way through many dear children's story characters. Some victims are:

• Scrooge
• The little Mermaid
• The jungle book characters

I mean, the Jungle Book characters? It was quite a battle to behold, complete with a Shakira reference. Great issue!

• Age of Ultron Book 3

I was so confused when this issue began. They showed a scene that seemed disconnected from the arc so far, and it was. Only when I began to read deeper into the issue I realized the thought behind the opening scene. What followed was an issue of lots of dialogue and very little action. This was quite enjoyable because BMB is a master of the craft of conversation. The plan that the survivors came up with was smart but risky. All of the major heros played a large part in the making of the final decision  but it was Hawkeye who really made the best points. The best part of this storyline is the ability to switch between little groups of survivors. Seeing how different heros are taking in the apocalypse.

About the art. Everyone LOVES Bryan Hitch. I do not understand that at all. His terrible facial expressions cause dialogue to be less meaningful which is tragic when the writer is the legendary BMB. I am excited for next issue and am thinking about buying the Ultron title.

• Batman Incorporated #9

I would have thought that it would be hard to settle back down to the normal BI after the universe altering #8. This issue was perfect in all aspects. A emotion filled funeral, suspenseful flashbacks, a sidekick becoming a hero, a tank and a speech that said that Batman was no longer welcome in Gotham. Bruce's speech at Damian's funeral was meaningful without crossing the line into cheesy-hell. The book was well paced and bleak with Chris Burnhams art remaining to be the perfect fit for this title. Batman is a very emotional character and Grant Morrison makes that very clear. I am sad that Morrison is leaving but think he has done a superb job on this crazy title. 

• Guardians of the Galaxy #001

I didn't know that this issue was being so hyped until I received a promo card and info card from the comic store tonight. They had already given away all of their posters. The issue was a great debut and I felt like I really got a good feel for all of the characters. I usually don't like Iron Man but in this story he is portrayed as less of a self-confident snob but more as a team member. The encounter of Peter and his dad was exciting and well-written, it is a very interesting dynamic that I am sure BMB will explore in more detail. The action sequence was terrific. I enjoyed how BMB split the Guardians into a few "mini-teams" within the team. 

• Batman: The Dark Knight

This is now one of my favorite DC title. The artwork is unmatched, with the best inking for a long time and Batman at his finest Ethan Van Sciver is a top-notch illustrator. It's emotionally driven. Gregg Hurwitz make the Mad Hatter one of the best in Batman's rogues gallery. The frequent flashbacks make this title less about Batman and more about the villains. This book deserves more than a T though, maybe T+ borderline A. There is a ton of brutal, immoral murder and gallons of blood. The Hatter seems to be planning some kind of performance and I can't wait to see what it entails. 

• Talon #6

The Grandmaster! What an ominous title. Calvin delves deeper into the court and finds things that were meant to stay hidden. The battles are great and suspenseful, the Washington's are their emotion driven selves and a HUGE secret is revealed. The art is beautiful and plays well with the writing. I was skeptical about this spin-off but know I am digging it. 

• Teen Titans #18

One word: Unreadable.

3/20/13

Three from DC two from Marvel. I think that I am moving more towards being a marvel fan as I headed straight into my Marvel books this week. As you will see in the reviews to come there wasn't a whole lot of quality in the comics on my Pull-List this week. Nonetheless, here are the weekly reviews my faithful readers...

• All-New X-Men #009

This is one of the best series going, there is no denying that. I think having a switch in art was a bad move for the near-perfect creative team of Bendis and Immonen. To my surprise and excitement Immonen was back on the book with a crazy new story. It starts off with a drill in the danger room that was reminiscent of old Claremont and Lee X-Men. From there the issue was exciting, surprising and nicely paced. I was worried that the whole idea of the O5 coming to the future wouldn't last much longer than five issues, but boy was I wrong. I feel as though the X-Men have a weaker rogues gallery than say, Captain America. My experience is that the X-Men are a flawed team and their issues are internal, this also strengthens them as a single issue will not solely focus on one character but flip back and forth through characters like and episode of Lost. Bendis captures both as this team faces the challenge of themselves and a couple rogues shown on the cover.

• Nightwing #18

This new"I am sulking" Nightwing is boring and non-productive. "I'm so sad about the circus, I miss you so much Damian." I mean, get over yourself, everyone else in the Bat-Family has. Besides being boring when he thinks about his life there is not much action to make up for it in this book. The one kicker was, Dick's response to Damian's death was the most meaningful thus far in the "Requiem" books. I continue to dislike the art in this book, the facial features are a complete mess, but who am I to judge? I also find it really strange that Dick would be going out with the girl whose dad killed his parents. He splits up a crime auction that was actually the most compelling part of the book (probably because all of the characters wore gas masks so the artist didn't have a chance to give them giant eyes). I really want the old "happy go lucky" Nightwing that was so awesome in the beginning of the New 52. Why can't we have him back?

• Red Hood and the Outlaws #18

I think that Scott Lobdell should be band from ever even attempting to write a comic again. I thought he could redeem himself with last month's mildly promising issue, boy was I wrong. His ability to write dialogue is none and he is so very repetitive. He is really repetitive. And he repeats himself all the time. And says the same thing more than once. And repeats the same cheesy lines.

That little tirade was completely nesscesary. I am fairly certain that Lobdell has a basic script that he has on command-v "My name is             I used to be                    Then I was                      After that I was        

                (Sentimental Garbage, Sentimental Garbage, Sentimental Garbage.) It's awful writing. And I coud've sworn he said the exact same thing about Alfred in two issues in a row. The art was pretty good but I will never forgive this kind of writing. Thank god this was Lobdell's last issue on the series.

• Indestructible Hulk #005

I am usually really annoyed with how this creative team creates an action team but I have to say: this issue was an exception. It seems that Hulk is always getting himself involved with the supernatural, this time he picks a fight with a bad ass ex-Atlantean named: Attuma. Attuma is an awesome character design whose back-story is interesting and makes perfect sense. I think that the whole rebel resistance was a pleasant touch that I didn't see coming, and all of the characters within it were compelling. What also felt strange was Hulk kissing a woman twice who Hulk knew was betrothed.

• Catwoman #18

Even though Catwoman is usually a pretty bad series and crossover titles are pretty bad this issue proved to be a fascinatingly heartfelt issue. Catwoman helps Bruce work out some of his pain and anger and Bruce helps Catwoman learn to do the right thing. This is a rare and beautiful occourance. The artists depiction of Batman was great and all of the Bat-Family was drawn well as well. The plot was in and out and all over the place but that's what I have come to expect from this series. I think that Ann Nocenti has a very good interpretation of what goes on inside Catwoman's crazy head which makes for an interesting view as the reader.