Cover To Cover: THE MIGHTY THOR #6

THE MIGHTY THOR #6
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales & Laura Martin
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: Has it really been 6 issues already? This heavy-hitting arc is over? By the ever growing and unpredictable beard of Thor, that was quick!

The old adage ‘never judge a book by it’s cover’ is thrown around rather flippantly from time to time but with this series, more often than not, you really have ended up with a cover that summarizes the awesomeness that would be contained with the shiny, stapled outer layer. This final chapter of the Galactus Seed arc is no exception to that rule with Thor, Galactus and the Destroyer armour present in brilliant Olivier Coipel fashion upon the front and within. The sense of scale and impact has been amazing and it’s echoed the themes woven throughout Matt Fraction’s interesting and explosive story.

Kickstarting this series with such a detailed look at the balance of higher-powers within the Marvel Universe has been a true success; with it we’ve been able to gain an insight into the rules that govern such godly beings as well as a glimpse at the status quo that is required to prevent their might from ripping the Universe, and each other, apart. I for one had never even pictured what a conflict between Odin and Galactus might look like and I’ve come away from this six month reading experience believing that Fraction has well and truly nailed it. In this final act we bear witness to the steps that one would take to prevent the other’s victory and, while still high on spectacle, it’s actually far more exciting to see the cogs of thought whirring within the characters rather than the whirring of omnipotent fists.

Another tick in the ‘win’ column for Fraction lies in how he has managed to keep all of the characters and elements involved, from the humble human citizens of Broxton to the cosmic deities who could wipe the surface of a planet with a single thought, every ingredient keeps the scale of the story broad yet engaging. Okay, so Volstagg’s beef with the local ‘peasants’ doesn’t really get resolved at this point, but it becomes clearer to see that that particular clash of wills was more to highlight the viewpoint of humankind in the face of becoming victims of galactic collateral damage and to acknowledge that despite the elevated level of self-importance, there is still many a mystery that keeps its secret elusive from their/our comprehension.

One mystery that certain eludes me is just how Olivier Coipel manages to produce such works of beauty time after time. The man is truly a master illustrator of this generation and his vision and skill are immense. I really don’t believe I’m overdoing things with that level of praise as the page-to-page read of his work here has been an absolute joy. In actual fact I’d like to start the smallest ripple here and now to get Marvel to, if possible, release the collected version of this arc in a double-spread size so that those epic landscape pages can remain unspoiled by staple or spine fold. C’mon people, let’s try to make that a reality!

While we don’t get an ending with the Moon split asunder or the seas burned with Asgardian fire, that’s not to say that the conclusion is any less ground-shaking. Fraction goes about casting the wind of change, impacting particularly on the life of one long-time Marvel character greatly and it should definitely make for some interesting stories to come, here, and in other Marvel titles. I really like the current family dynamic in the house of the All-Father, with the younger Loki now being a point of scorn and objection for Odin yet a new influence to the ever-changing outlook of Thor as he grows as a man, as a god and as an older brother. The new characterization spun by Fraction may not be to all die-hard fans' tastes but I for one am loving every minute! Now only one question remains: how will the upcoming, second ‘difficult’ arc fare in the face of this first arc’s triumph? 9/10

Incoming... 28/09/2011

New comics are released Wednesday in the States and guess what, in the UK too! Here's a brief look at our expectations for the books we're picking up this week.

Stewart R: Wowsers! Where did that month go? We’ve had four Wednesdays fly past since Flashpoint #5 and Justcie League #1 came out and now we’ve only one more week of brand new DC #1s before we start analysing the battlefields that are our pull-lists, or the shelves of our friendly neighbourhood comic book store, and start to decide if there’s room for all those comic books to sit happily side-by-side. I’ve made things a little easier for myself this week by only showing interest in two of the thirteen titles that DC are offering up, and even then they’re titles that I’m merely ‘interested’ in rather than ‘excited’ by.

I’ve little desire to pick up Flash #1, Superman #1 or Savage Hawkman #1 at this time; these prime DC characters don't seem to scream out at me to buy, buy, BUY when it comes to their individual titles. Aquaman #1 on the other hand is going to sit on the periphery, waiting while I see if my fellow Paradox Comics chums give it the thumbs up of approval. The Geoff Johns / Ivan Reis combination is certainly a good move but I just want to ascertain if having a good working knowledge of Brightest Day is going to make it a better reading experience should it prove to be a winner. Having picked issues of BD off the shelf for an occasional flick through over the past 18 months, it certainly seemed that Aquaman and his enemies were given a (sea)lion’s share of the page count as the series progressed.

Green Lantern: New Guardians #1 wasn’t going to make my pull-list when it was announced as I’d started to have doubts about the Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham partnership, but a solid rounding off of his work on Green Lantern Corps has seen me warm to Bedard’s writing talents and I’m intrigued to see where this title might take us, and how quickly it could get us there! The idea of several different alien races, with differing allegiances, not to mention a handful of them carrying grudges might come together to sculpt out a future for the Universe. Bedard's characterisation of Kyle Rayner will be all important as I was unconvinced by his depiction during the Weaponer arc. With Kirkham on pencils and BATT once again picking up the inking duties, I just have to hope that their combined style matures and edges away from the jarring, jagged art that distracted my enjoyment of later Green Lantern Corps issues.

The ‘other’ DC title lurking in the shadows, waiting to leap out once I’ve handed over the $2.99 for it is David Finch’s Batman: The Dark Knight #1. It is something of a poor show that this is the second #1 for this title within the space of just over a year but needs must I guess, and a publisher-wide relaunch waits for no man, or book. The premise for the new arc seems entertaining enough as the inmates of Arkham Asylum are subjected to a monstrous transformation that makes them a far deadlier prospect to tackle than ever before... and they’re all loose at the same time! The initial solicitation also promises that the ‘legal ramifications’ of Batman Incorporated will be looked at which shows that this is not a title standing out there on it’s own like the previous incarnation appeared to. With Paul Jenkins coming in to help with the scripting process we should hopefully get this title appearing in our hands on a more regular basis than when Finch was tackling the writing AND art.

It seems like it’s been a while but Marvel are a company that can sling the odd #1 at a reading audience and this Wednesday they’ll be doing it with two very different titles. Abnett and Lanning get the opportunity to go all ‘cosmic’ at us once again in Annihilators: Earthfall #1 as the recently formed team of powerhouses - Quasar, Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator, Ronan The Accuser and the newcomer, Ikon - head to Earth on some yet unrevealed quest of galactic importance and come face to face with the planet’s mightiest heroes. I’m really looking forward to the impending clashes of perspectives and fists and to see if my slight criticisms of artist Tan Eng Huat’s style on the last Annihilators miniseries were perhaps misplaced. Oh yes, and there's to be five pages of dedicated Rocket Raccoon and Groot action in the back of each issue which can only be a good thing!

On the other side of the Marvel fence, at their Icon imprint, Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagely - arguably the most successful creative comic partnership seen so far this century - have come up with a new creator-owned comic. Brilliant #1 is set in a world where superheroes only exist in fiction, but a small group of college friends set about trying to unlock the super-powered potential in anyone and may well succeed. Bendis has already impressed with his other recent creator owned project in the form of Scarlet (which has now evidently taken an unfortunate backseat to his commitments to... ugh... Moon Knight) and I’m hopeful that this series will yield another positive result. It certainly seems to me that he produces some of his better work when steering away from the standard superhero fare and I’m also keen to see what Bagely can produce in that respect too.

Just doing the quick final survey of the week’s must-buys it seems that there’s quite a few titles looking back into the ripples of the past couple of centuries for their storytelling inspiration. Ed Brubaker’s Captain America and Bucky #622 is looking likely to be another window into the (fictionally amended) battlefields of World War II, Sixth Gun #15 by Cullen Bunn is courting with that late 19th Century, Wild West locale and Scott Snyder’s American Vampire #19 is going even further back to the turn of the 1800s to explore the childhood of Skinner Sweet and his earliest experiences with vampirism. Fair enough, it’s all history with a twist but a delicious, tempting twist I’m sure many of you would agree! C’mon, who’s excited about their visit to the local comic book store this week?

Mini Reviews 25/09/2011

While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.


WONDER WOMAN #1
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Art: Cliff Chiang & Matthew Wilson
DC $2.99

Matt C: For a long time it’s seemed like DC have had a tough time getting the modern audience to engage with Wonder Woman. There have been some well-regarded runs over the last few years, but nothing to raise her above the second tier to the same level as her partner’s in DC’s ‘holy trinity’, Batman and Superman. The interest is definitely still there though; look at the hoopla that surrounded the Wonder Woman TV pilot earlier this year, and that was all for something that NBC decided not to pursue for a series (no doubt swayed by negative fan reaction). You wouldn’t get that much interest for a Blue Beetle TV show! What was blatantly needed was a new perspective on the character, preferably not one from the mind of J. Michael Straczynski! Step forward then, Mr Brian Azzarello. I didn’t take to his brief runs on either Batman or Superman, but the man’s clearly a talented writer and perhaps just needed the right mainstream superhero to fit with his sensibilities. Who ever would have guessed that would be Wonder Woman? It’s not a character reinvention by any stretch of the imagination but it’s a new take on the mythology with a far darker slant than we’re used to. Azzarello doesn’t give much away in this first issue, instead letting just enough to whet our appetites so we have no choice but to come back for more. This is complemented by Chiang’s retro-tinged visuals that possess the edge needed to bring this weird, wonderful and gory tale to life. An impressive start and there’s a strong possibility that, for the first time ever, Wonder Woman could become a permanent addition to my pull list. 8/10

Mike S: This book really tears me in two with a definite love/hate thing going on. I am a loyal and long standing fan of Diana, having stuck with her through some pretty disappointing creative teams, so I was really looking forward to this new run and in all honesty, it doesn't disappoint. Azzarello certainly brings a new twist to the tried and tested Wonder Woman vs the Gods story by creating some pretty gruesome and horrific sequences of godly power. The idea of protecting Zola (and the reasons for doing so) makes for an exciting and promising story for Diana, not least because I’m something of a mythology nut and love this sort of thing. However I have to say - and this might be an unpopular opinion - that I really do not like Chiang's artwork. I'm not even quite sure why. It is relatively expressive, suits the action sections to a degree but, to me, seems a tad flat and cartoony, and not in keeping with the darkness of the story. Maybe it will grow on me over time but regardless the story is enough to draw me back and to make me more excited about Wonder Woman than I have been in a long time! 8/10


DAREDEVIL #4
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Marcos Martin & Muntsa Vincente
Marvel $2.99

James R: Firstly, what a cover! Marcos Martin's work is in a different league on this book, and before the story even begins, he delivers a striking visual image to draw us in. Once inside, Mark Waid continues to do a grand job undoing the egregious Andy Diggle-penned Shadowland arc, as Matt Murdock continues to be a defender of the public who is now staying out of the courtroom due to the (frankly true) rumour that he is Daredevil, becoming embroiled in the mystery of a blind man fired from his job at an investment firm after identifying Latverian accents visiting the office. So far, I love how Waid has incorporated the greater Marvel Universe with a deft touch - Klaw last time out, and the shadow of Doctor Doom in this issue – as it makes the comic all the more enjoyable if you're au fait with these characters, but it stands up just as well on its own. In terms of art, Marcos Martin raises the bar here - this month sees the story beginning with a two page, 30-panel introduction that sets the mood and propels the story with a series of beautiful vignettes. My only gripe is the length - all told we get 20 pages of story, and it feels a little curtailed as a result. But if you've ever had any love for Daredevil, I implore you to take a look at this book as it's on the cusp of turning into a classic run, and if you've resisted the charms of ol' Hornhead before now, you could do worse than taking a leap of faith with this issue. 8/10


BATMAN #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion & FCO Plascencia
DC $2.99

Stewart R: It’s been quite a year for Scott Snyder with American Vampire going from strength to strength, a run on Detective Comics showing his crime-fiction talents and now he finds himself in charge of the creative direction of one of DC’s biggest titles and arguably their most popular character. And for his first attempt I’d say he aces it as this is just what I want to see in a Batman comic. The Arkham Asylum brawl could have been dubbed a ‘safe play’ had it not been for the great way that he uses the Batman Rogues Gallery to explore the different way that the denizens of Gotham view their city and the appearance of the Joker was a very nice and unusual touch. Snyder highlights the socialite element of Bruce Wayne’s lifestyle and then immediately counters it with Batman in full detective mode as he investigates a gruesome and far from usual murder. The whole book flows incredibly well and is certainly helped by the increased page count which also gives Greg Capullo the opportunity to deliver some decent art. It’s a slick, dark and atmospheric aesthetic and the moments where a cape and cowl are visible make it clear why DC secured Capullo’s talents for this job. The only slight problem arises when we’re dealing with Bruce Wayne as a lack of variety in facial construction leaves many of the men at the included society event looking like close family. A small blip in an otherwise terrific read though! 9/10

James R: A little while back, I tweeted at the editor of the Bat-books, Mike Marts and implored him to let Scott Snyder write a Batman story with Bruce Wayne as, following his outstanding work with Dick Grayson in Detective Comics, I was keen to see what he could do with the psychology of Bruce Wayne and his relationship to Gotham. Well, sometimes wishes come true! This week sees Snyder taking the reigns of Batman and, by thunder, it's outstanding stuff! Whereas the other Bat titles have been very much a continuation of pre-Flashpoint stories (with the exception of Batgirl) this is perfect for anyone looking to get back into, or pick up a Batman comic for the first time. Snyder gives us a sit-rep of Bruce's world whilst introducing us to a (trademark Snyder) creepy murder scene that has potentially explosive ramifications for one of the former Robins. Huge kudos must also go to Greg Capullo - I know the other Paradox group members have appreciated his work before, but he takes it up to a whole new level here. With the exception of mayoral candidate Lincoln March looking almost identical to Bruce, he renders everyone with terrific style, and Jonathan Glapion's inks capture the Gotham aesthetic perfectly. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Scott Snyder is a perfect fit for Batman, and for my next wish, I'm hoping he stays on this book until it's triple figures again. 9/10


LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1
Writer: Paul Levitz
Art: Francis Portela & Javier Mena
DC $2.99

Mike S: Long live the Legion! As an established fan, this book was great! If, however, its aim is to hook in new readers it’s not so much of a winner but nor in the same breath would it alienate them (excuse the pun!). Here the Legion reacts to the incidents of Legion Lost in a subtle way that doesn't directly tie in with this title and we also get to see the Espionage Squad in action as well. A good mix of old and young characters works well for long time readers, though newcomers might find it a touch inaccessible without a bit of effort, but it shouldn't put anyone off. On top of this, not only is the writing strong, the artwork from Portela - reminiscent of Jiminez or Perez in places - is stunning! If that wasn't enough, the mystery of the hooded woman running through the DCNU might be solved with the inclusion of Glorith who, in previous continuities was the Time Trapper. In this debut she mentions rewriting time at the same as Dream Girl mentions the Flashpoint event - is this a coincidence? Do such things even exist anymore? Time will tell! A strong start and looks like it might be a good read as the series progresses. 7/10


X-MEN: SCHISM #4
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Alan Davis, Mark Farmer & Jason Keith
Marvel $3.99

Matt C: I hadn’t been entirely sold on this miniseries up to this point: there’ve been a lot of elements I’ve liked, and it was good to spend some time at the centre of the X-Universe again, but the change of artists each issue didn’t work for me and the teenage villains weren’t entirely convincing. No such problems here though. If Alan Davis had been on the book the whole way through it might have been a different story; as it stands, he brings his considerable talent to bear, and thanks to the timelessness of his style (and, of course, his regular inker, the ever excellent Mark Farmer, in tow) this is a visual tour de force. The whole issue focuses on the lumbering advance of a super Sentinel towards Utopia while Cyclops and Wolverine bicker about how to proceed, until the bickering turns to full-on arguing and then fists, claws and optic blasts start flying. The moment I knew I was indeed reading a fantastic issue was the moment the slanging match evolved into violence. It’s a moment that boils the history of these two characters down to one very specific thing – or person – and if you’ve been reading X-Men comics for any length of time it should really resonate with you. Up until now, I figured this would be a brief foray back into the main X-books and I wouldn’t stick around for the relaunches. Now, even with DC pumping out several books that have made their way onto my pull list, I’m not so sure. 9/10


UNCANNY X-MEN #543
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art: Greg Land, Jay Leisten & Justin Ponsor
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: A strange one this; on the one hand Gillen does well with what he has but on the other it’s as if he and we have been robbed of something truly spectacular thanks to the greater needs of the Fear Itself event. He certainly does well with the influence and effect that the power of Cyttorak has on Colossus; the change in him being quite subtle and all the more saddening as a result. I’m not fully convinced by the interactions with Kitty, finding them to be all too brief considering the pairs’ overall history and the fraught recent past but then that’s probably down to page count and the time restriction thanks to the impending fraction and title renumbering. The interactions and politics witnessed between Mayor Sadie and Cyclops make for decent reading, save for Greg Land once again letting the ball drop at a key moment with a somewhat baffling choice for an all important facial expression. It’s a shame as he’d been doing so well up until that point. In fact I could say ‘it’s a shame’ about a few things on this particular issue but thankfully it doesn’t look to be down to Gillen’s talent and that’s important leading into a new era where hopefully he’ll get greater control and freedom on this title. 6/10


CATWOMAN #1
Writer: Judd Winick
Art: Guillem March & Tomeu Morey
DC $2.99

Matt C: My real fondness for Selina Kyle as a main character (rather than a supporting player) came through the last volume of Catwoman. It launched brilliantly with the winning team of Ed Brubaker and Darwyn Cooke at the helm, and while Brubaker sailed the ship into enticing waters for a good while (Cooke bailed early) I’m of the opinion that it improved when Will Pfeifer took over, with the human dimension really implanting itself firmly in the ground. I was sad to see the back of it, tried Gotham Girls but didn’t get on with it, and then saw this new book as part of the New 52 relaunch. I wasn’t convinced by the creative team but I decided to give it a whirl because I’d missed looking through that window into Selina’s life. I wasn’t expecting much, but I certainly wasn’t expecting this! It’s the ending that undoes all the slightly agreeable work that comes before it, because up to the last few pages it’s kind of okay. Very bog standard, very predictable in its approach to the character, and definitely not a highlight of the New 52 so far, but then those final scenes come along and completely pull it into the direction of – without giving too much away – adolescent fan fiction. It’s titillation for titillation’s sake, does nothing to develop either character involved, and instead it cheapens them both. That final page is fucking terrible, no two ways about it. March’s art is fine in places, but way too obsessed with cleavage shots, and considering how smart and sophisticated the last series of Catwoman was, this feels like an enormous step backwards. This reboot of Catwoman already needs it’s own reboot! 3/10

Mike S: Another favourite character of mine gets a comeback title and it's business as usual. We get Selina running from danger and an exploding home (really, this is a stock Catwoman ingredient it seems; just how careless is she at covering her tracks?) and the inevitable Batman appearance - I was going to say entrance but considering they do the dirty, possibly not the best word to use!. And on that matter… I get that they have a relationship, and that it might well be overtly sexual but this really was bordering on porn and I'm certainly no prude. The artwork was okay, quite fluid at times although not necessarily to my personal tastes but it worked for the character. A quite promising start, despite the gripes, and certainly worth a look, but it’s another case of "One arc to hook me or I'm out of there!!” 6/10


GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna & Gabe Eltaeb
DC $2.99

Stewart R: While Geoff Johns disappointed with his efforts on the new Green Lantern title, Tomasi delivers a far better demonstration of how to use 20 pages to highlight the everyday problems of not one, but two of Earth’s Green Lanterns and also set up a brutal mystery to pique the interest of this reviewer’s brain box. DC have played a very sensible card in moving this creative team (or just the title of the comic?) sideways as Emerald Warriors was the far more consistent title over the past 12 months and Tomasi is the ultimate writer of Guy Gardner and the wider Corps in my opinion. In this first instalment he shows perfectly just why Guy and John Stewart find it so difficult to adjust back to life on Earth and why they make such a good team, being two very different characters in terms of outlook and temperament yet sharing a common sense of justice as well as isolation from their old lives. Pasarin is a superb ‘Lantern’ artist, seeming to jump with ease from everyday scenes on Earth to those in the outer sectors of the Universe and provided that he can keep to the DC schedule (early reports suggest a fill-in artist stepping in around issue #3-4) this should remain a damn-fine looking and entertaining series for some time! 8/10


STUFF OF LEGEND: A JESTER’S TALE #2
Writer: Mike Raicht & Brian Smith
Art: Charles Paul Wilson III, Jon Conkling & Michael DeVito
Th3rd World Studios $3.99

Matt C: Handsomely produced, gorgeously illustrated and with well-defined characters that ensnare you and draw you into their world, The Stuff Of Legend continues to be on of the most impressive titles being published today. The second issue of the current series reveals the reason behind the case of mistaken identity Jester is experiencing, and seeing how that plays out is one of the numerous reasons why it’is such an essential read. Raicht and Smith continue to explore the world of the Dark and the increased scope keeps pulling in more fascinating, intriguing characters whose motivations and desires – never predictable – make them seem more ‘human’. Even though the cast find themselves travelling down increasingly darker paths, the writers make sure that wit and genuine emotion remain present, and while it’s a fairytale to all intents and purposes, it feels ‘grown up’ at the same time. An absolute treasure of a comic book. 9/10


NEAR DEATH #1
Writer: Jay Faerber
Art: Siomne Guglielmini & Ron Riley
Image $2.99

Matt C: Jay Faerber appears to have been off the comics radar for a while since the excellent Noble Causes and the pretty good Dynamo 5 wrapped up (still waiting on Gemini to conclude though!) so I was please to see him back with Near Death and curious to see what how he would tackle the crime genre when he’s made his name with superhero comics. I really wanted to like this but just couldn’t get onboard at any point. The main stumbling block is this: we meet a contract killer just before he ‘dies’ on the table, has a near death experience and decides to take a path to redemption, which is all well and good but since we don’t experience this guy up to his bad old ways his decision just doesn’t have any impact. It’s not badly written or anything, but if you can’t connect with the story at that point then everything that comes after isn’t going to connect either. The art’s very tasty though; Guglielmini comes at the page from a similar kind of place as the likes of Sean Phillips and Michael Lark - in other words, it suits the genre right down to the ground, but without any emotional engagement with the story no amount of pretty pictures can prevent this from being a disappointment. 5/10


SAMURAI’S BLOOD #4
Writers: Owen Wiseman & Michael Benaroya
Art: Nam Kim, Matthew Dalton & Sakti Yuwono
Image $2.99

Stewart R: Well this really is a series that is growing and maturing just as its three protagonists are. Following the harrowing corruption of Mayako’s hope last time out, Wiseman turns his attention to the relationship between Jun and Katashi as the lines between the master and retainer roles become blurred through the influence of friendship, love, family and a need for vengeance. The constant corruption of the three youngsters’ innocence at the hands of the harsh realities of their brutal world is really gripping stuff and for every glimmer of hope that Wiseman casts he quickly dispels it with two clouds of doom which certainly makes for a compelling read. The art from Kim, Dalton and Yuwono has been capturing the period well and Kim certainly has the broad library of grim facial expressions required at his disposal. This remains a must-read for those of you looking for something a little different from the usual superhero fare. 8/10


BIRDS OF PREY #1
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Art: Jesus Saiz & Nei Ruffino
DC $2.99

Mike S: I have been a dedicated follower of the Birds since the very beginning and it is a title that has had more than its share of ups and downs, but the latest incarnation is a little anticlimactic if I am honest. It was an adequate beginning but hardly earth-shatteringly good. Black Canary didn't seem herself, I’ve no idea who Starling is other than a generic gun toting agent (with a ridiculous bird name!) and the story itself, while not awful, wasn't exactly original. Still, Barbara Gordon showed up, Katana will be there soon and the cover promises Poison Ivy, so I could be tempted to stick with it for the first establishing arc, but beyond that it might have its work cut out! 5/10


NIGHTWING #1
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Art: Eddy Barrows, JP Mayer & Rod Reis
DC $2.99

Matt C: I enjoyed Dick Grayson’s short time in the famous cape and cowl far more than I expected to, so now that Bruce has returned to active duty I was kind of keen to keep track of what Dick did next. This is another ‘soft’ reboot, which is another way of saying not a hell of a lot has changed from the pre-Flashpoint DC Universe here. It’s not a bad start really, but it very much feels like a by-the-numbers DC comic book; it’s not exactly stale but then it’s not really feeling that fresh either. Barrows art is decent, coming across with what often looks like a grittier version of Alan Davis’ trademark style, but the overall impression is that this is another Nightwing comic rather than a brand new start. I like the character, and this isn’t too bad, but whether that’s enough to get me back next month remains to be seen. 6/10

Stewart R: Originally a title I turned my nose up at when seeing the solicitations, this has proved to be one of the surprises of the week. I loved Dick Grayson when he took on the Batman role and wasn’t too keen to see him almost demoted in the New DC 52 but Higgins does well to show that Dick appreciates his new-found freedom and opportunity to operate by his own rules in Gotham. I like the presence of Haly’s Circus throughout as it forces Dick to look at his past and how, despite the growing maturity he shows as a superhero, there are still elements of his past that trouble or haunt him. It’s those emotional instabilities that make him such an interesting character and also add a vulnerability that he has to overcome when facing new and deadly opponents. Speaking of which, there’s a slight mirroring with Snyder’s Batman #1 as Dick Grayson - as opposed to his alter ego Nightwing - finds himself targeted for assassination by a skilful assailant and it’ll be interesting to see if that proves to be a simple coincidence or something more. An enjoyable start and another DC lock in for the old pull list. 8/10


CAPTAIN AMERICA #3
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Steve McNiven, Jay Leisten & Justin Ponsor
Marvel $3.99

Matt C: This is much more like it. The first two issues of this relaunch felt formulaic and uninspired, as though Brubaker was simply going through the motions. Here though, everything snaps firmly into focus resulting in a real return to form. We get an extended fight sequence between Cap and a giant android version of himself (yes!), Sharon Carter going up against Baron Zemo and one hell of a ‘Trojan horse’ moment that, while signposted, is still brilliantly effective. It’s all rendered with smooth dynamism by McNiven, and Brubaker’s script is far more confident and lively than the we saw in the previous instalments. A slower start to the series than I’d have liked, but Captain America is finally back in business. 8/10


FEAR ITSELF: UNCANNY X-FORCE #3
Writer: Rob Williams
Art: Simone Bianchi, John Lucas & Simone Peruzzi
Marvel $2.99

Stewart R: For the best Fear Itself stories this summer it seems that it has been the miniseries that only loosely touched on the themes and repercussions of the Serpent’s plans without direct involvement that offered up the better reads. Rob Williams managed to make the most out of the wave of fear gripping the world and conjured up an Uncanny X-Force story that matched Rick Remender’s tone from the ongoing title and and also nailed the characterisation while ensuring that this was a mission that only this team of mutant special agents could deal with. I liked the way that Williams also adds a level of balance to this final chapter by delving into Jonathan Standish’s motives and showing just where his extreme and fundamental views have come from. It adds an extra layer of depth and certainly enhances the themes of faith and fate that are sewn throughout. Bianchi was a fine choice on artistic duties and I certainly think I made a fine choice in picking up all three issues! 8/10


CAPTAIN ATOM #1
Writer: J. T. Krul
Art: Freddie Williams II & Jose Villarrubia
DC $2.99

James R: So far, I've been really pleased with the DCU relaunch - my mantra has been 'As long as their are good stories, I'm happy', and that's been the case with the books I've picked up to date. Captain Atom represents one of the titles I took a gamble with as I love a comic that has an intellectual or reflective edge (yes, I'm horribly pretentious!) which can be found in the work of Grant Morrison, Warren Ellis, and of course, Alan Moore's work. When I read the solicit for this title, I felt that J. T. Krul had similar aspirations to these comics greats. The idea behind this re-imagining of Captain Atom is to explore what effects god-like powers would have on a human psyche and, before you can say ‘Doctor Manhattan!’, the Captain also bears more than a passing resemblance to Watchmen's demigod. So is it worth picking up? It's a tough call - it's a neat first issue, but it also felt a little vanilla at the same time. For reasons which may become clear later, Krul choses not to tell us who Captain Atom is, how he got these powers, or where he stands in relation to the new DC Universe who have only had superheroes for a few years rather than decades. I'll pick up the second issue as there was enough here to keep me interested, but on this evidence, Krul's script doesn't quite match his lofty aspirations for the title. 6/10

Incoming... 21/09/2011

New comics are released Wednesday in the States and guess what, in the UK too! Here's a brief look at our expectations for the books we're picking up this week.

Stewart R: Well here comes week 4 of the New DC 52 knocking on our doors and for me the novelty of more new titles is starting to wear just a little. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been very impressed by much of what I’ve read these past few weeks but it’s almost the situation where it feels that there might be ‘too much of a good thing’ going on. I’m going to attribute my slight comic-based lethargy partly down to the fact that I was never the biggest of DC readers previously, only getting stuck into the worlds of Batman and Green Lantern in comic form over the past few years and so it's an onslaught of new characters and ideas all at once. I also have to consider that there has been a countless supply of fresh #1 issues for me to dive into week in, week out since Image went crazy for new material and ideas back in about February/March time of this year and I think I might be close to saturation point with the constant novelty of a ‘Brand New #1’ - or five! - each week. I’m also starting to look nervously at the number of comics I purchase each month after some of DC’s initial 52 took me by surprise and demanded a permanent spot on my pull-list.

Scanning DC’s solicitations for the week it’s apparent that while being the skinniest for the month - there are only a paltry 12 comics out this Wednesday whilst the other Wednesdays in September have 13 to their names - it’s full of potentially heavy hitting titles. Characters such as Supergirl, Catwoman, Blue Beetle alongside teams like the Legion of Super-Heroes and Birds of Prey all get themselves new titles and I’m sure that they’ll get plenty of support from readers out there. Unfortunately, none of those appeal to this reader presently so they’ll have to wait to see what the wider critical response to them is before I think about picking any of them up.

Of DC’s offerings only 4 of them really appeal this week. Some were locked in from the moment they, and their respective creative teams, were announced and others have worked their way into my focus of interest. Top of the list is Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo as Snyder has been one of the breakout writing stars of the comic book world in the past couple of years with the terrific American Vampire still providing a terrific read each month and his recent run on Detective Comics proving that he’s a Batman writer for the future. Meanwhile Capullo is a proven talent who has only recently returned to the industry after a few years away following a long stint pencilling Todd McFarlane’s Spawn which made him a fan-favourite. His recent work on Image’s Haunt - teaming him once again with McFarlane and Walking Dead scribe Robert Kirkman - demonstrated that he was shaking of the 'rustiness' that came with a protracted break and I’m interested to see what he manages to bring to Gotham City.

Sticking with the ‘Bat books’ I’ll be looking on with interest to see where Nightwing #1 and Kyle Higgins take Dick Grayson as he once again strikes out on his own to forge a superhero’s path through Gotham’s underbelly of crime. Having read Batman And Robin last week - and what a comic that is! - it’s been made evident that Dick did wear the cape and cowl of Batman for a time but has stepped aside to let Bruce take back his rightful role so it’ll be intriguing to see how Higgins portrays Dick having lifted that hefty weight that is being Batman from his shoulders. I’ve no experience with Higgins’ writing before and have only seen artist Eddy Barrows work in Superman #701-702 so I’ll have give it a chance to see if this is a promising partnership.

Peter J. Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin blew me away with their run on Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors and so the news that they would be teaming up to deal with Green Lantern Corps #1 was welcome news and made that a definite entry on September’s pull-list. Wonder Woman #1 by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang however was not a sure thing but somehow, and mostly through the preview images of Chiang’s art, this has made it through to earn an exchange of $2.99 from my pocket this week. Wonder Woman seems to almost be the awkward child of the DC universe with the powers that be seeming to have no clue how to portray or package her to ensure she gets maximum exposure and guarantee that her comics maintain high sales and equally high critical acclaim. It was only a year ago that she was given a new Jim Lee makeover and placed in the hands of JM Straczynski to try to raise her profile but the endeavour crashed and burned. Here’s hoping that a ‘soft reboot’ is what just what the doctor and readers ordered!

I might have to take that same doctor to task though if he’s the one responsible for prescribing 11 must-read Marvel titles for release upon the same day! Four of those are dedicated to mutant activities with Uncanny X-Men #543 and Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #3 being dedicated to Marvel’s big event of the summer. Kieron Gillen has been doing fantastic things with Cyclops’ attempted defence of San Francisco from the rampaging of Juggernaut and I cannot wait to see what happens when Colossus - newly imbued with the powers of Cytorrak - takes on Kuurth: Breaker of Stone this week. Meanwhile on the X-Force miniseries, Rob Williams has also been reaching in to the potent theme of the event and managed to show a world very much gripped by fear and panic, something that the main event title has struggled at times to do. He’s also managed to capture a very similar team dynamic and tone to that which Rick Remender has been impressing with on the main Uncanny X-Force book and for that he and Simone Bianchi must be applauded.

While we’re dishing out claps and back slaps a few should probably go Mark Waid’s way! Daredevil #4 hits shelves this week, only 7 days after #3 thanks to Marvel operating with the two-man retro-tastic art tag team of Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin, the latter picking up the reigns this time around. While the high-wire, death-defying leaps and bounds of Matt Murdock’s crime-fighting persona have been exciting, it’s been the more down-to-earth matters involved in the reconstruction of his and Foggy’s legal career that have engrossed me and I’m looking forward to seeing how their partnership handles the continuing ups and downs ahead of them.

Well, that’s nearly it for another dose of Incoming... but I do realise that I have been focusing a lot these past few weeks on just two publishers and so I will tip a nod in the direction of Samurai’s Blood #4 from Image which will be available from your local comic book store tomorrow. This Image series has really grown on me and following the last issue’s emotional rollercoaster, where the young Mayuko was taken to, and beyond, breaking point at the hands of her brothel-running captors, I have no idea what lies in store for the trio of Jun, Katashi and Mayuko as they continue to seek revenge against their clan’s killers. It’s a brilliantly unpredictable read and well worth picking up the earlier instalments if you can find them.

Mini Reviews 18/09/2011

While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.


GREEN LANTERN #1
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy, Tom Nguyen & David Baron
DC $2.99

Matt C: Before this reboot/relaunch I was finding that Green Lantern – at one point my favourite DC title – was slipping to the bottom of my reading pile every month. My enthusiasm had waned as, post-Blackest Night, the series had become more convoluted and overstuffed. I was ready to leave the book behind but I felt I owed it one more chance and so here we are with this new #1. I can’t deny it’s a pretty good read, expertly put together and smoothly paced, but at this point it really needed to be mind-blowingly good to retain its place on my pull list. If there wasn’t a ton of other books vying for my attention I might stick around, but in all honesty there have been several new #1s I’ve enjoyed a lot more, and considering we’re only halfway through the New 52, my wallet’s making my decision for me. 7/10

Mike S: In the wake of some sweeping changes to the status quo of some big books, Green Lantern remains unchanged from its last arc: Sinestro is now a Green Lantern and is not happy about it, while Hal has no power ring and is trying to adjust to life on Earth as a civilian. And that's pretty much it. A bit of token violence with a Sinestro Corps member, otherwise it’s all character driven stuff. So, leaving aside the HUGE issue of how Green Lantern remains unchanged when the rest of the DCU is rebooted, does it work? I guess the answer is a cautious ‘yes’. I trust that Johns has a purpose in this arc but it is a slow burn at this starting point. The conclusion sets up the rest of the arc (presumably) but as an issue in its own right it’s a tad disappointing. 6/10

Stewart R: Something feels slightly amiss here; we’ve been given a new DC #1 and it’s far, far less than the close-to excellent standard that we’ve been exposed to in many of the other titles to have hit the shelves so far. As far as I can see, Geoff Johns may be stuck between three different influences which may be affecting his usually succinct writing style. Firstly and importantly he’d set his stall out with the end of the War of the Green Lanterns, kicking Hal back to Earth and out of the Corps and in the same stroke putting Sinestro back in the Green garb of willpower which would probably work if this was to be a simple continuation of story. But then, having read this, it seems that Johns has inexplicably steered the feel and pace dangerously close to that of the sub-par live action movie that bombed at the box office this summer with the interaction between Hal and Carole AND struggled at the same time to give this a distinctive ‘something’ to make it feel like a brand new #1 to entice in the new readers. What results in an unspectacular debut that doesn’t quite know what to do with itself. Arguably the Sinestro sections of the issue are the most interesting parts but I’m not convinced that this was the time to play the old switcheroo considering what DC are aiming for with the whole New 52 venture. 5/10


BATWOMAN #1
Writers: J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
Art: J.H. Williams III & Dave Stewart
DC $2.99

Mike S: Another DC ‘New Universe’ title that really isn't. It’s a continuation of the previous arcs in every way, with the same distinctive and (in my opinion) beautiful artwork, tight story telling and strong characterisation. This title really works - perhaps because it is newer or more detached from the old DCU, it just meshes seamlessly with the new direction. Add to this the inclusion of Firebird/Bette Kane of Teen Titans fame - interesting how she references being a Titan when it isn't clear which Titans exist in the new DCNU! - and a creepy villain in the Weeping Woman and this is a cracking first issue! 8/10

Matt C: We’ve been waiting for what seems like an eternity for this issue to arrive, and now it finally has I’m sad to say it’s a disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the art’s phenomenal – no one composes layouts on a comic page quite like Williams III does – but the story felt lacking in comparison. It’s difficult to discern this at first because the visuals are so damn seductive, but there’s not the element of surprise that the previous Batwoman tales held in Detective Comics, nor is there the breathless mix of words and imagery that pins you to your seat. In comparison to what came before it felt – for want of a better word – safe. Of course I’m not going to say without the involvement of Greg Rucka this title is doomed to be a pale imitation of its former self – I sincerely believe there’s huge potential here. It’s just not reached that level... yet! 7/10

James R: In the new DCU there are a couple of titles that aren't relaunches so much as renumberings. This week both Batman And Robin and this book would have seemed mildly perplexing to a reader jumping on for the first time, but for those of us who have been on board with Kate Kane's adventures from Detective Comics this is very much business as usual. The story starts with Kate still estranged from her father (following the revelation previously that he had known about the terrible fate of Kate's twin sister, Beth) and investigating the disappearance of children at the hands of the spectral La Llorona. What I appreciate about this book is that it has a distinct flavour - it's very much 'Gotham: The Spooky Adventures'. So far Williams III has wisely avoided the Batman rogues gallery and familiar Bat-tropes to give us a wonderfully idiosyncratic book. It almost goes without saying that it's a thing of beauty too; ever since his incredible work on Promethea I remain in awe of J. H. Williams III who mixes grim and gritty sequences with amazing panel layout and design. I can only encourage you to pick this comic up, but if you are new to the character then I suggest checking out the Batwoman: Elegy trade - I guarantee both a great tale AND a vital primer for this book. In the meantime though it's business as usual for Batwoman’s great crime-fighting adventures. 8/10


LEGION LOST #1
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Pete Woods & Brad Anderson
DC $2.99

Mike S: Being a diehard Legion fan, this is the one I was most looking forward to in the New 52 and, in places, it didn't disappoint. The choice of characters was interesting - not the usual pick of the crop in some cases. It’s nice to see Yera, Gates and Tellus get some action (although it isn't looking good for two of them at the issue's conclusion!) and the concept behind the story is interesting: trying to save the past from a future bio-terrorist only to become trapped on a world that is now infected, trying to save the future. The characterisation was good with the distinctive narrative voices and personalities helped along with some solid artwork too. Timber Wolf is the stand out here, the love of his character from the writer is being quite apparent! My gripe though, which I am hoping might be addressed soon, is that with a cast of only seven, to seemingly remove two of them in issue #1 doesn't leave you far to go, not to mention the laziness that’s evident in using death as a comic book device! I am hoping that the early demises are red herrings and that they simply remain injured. I can think of at least three ways this could have happened but if the title is already resorting to deaths for tension building I worry that the writer lacks the imagination to make this potentially enthralling title as good as it could be. I will keep reading and hope that everything here is not what it first appears. 7/10


FEAR ITSELF #6
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbdger & Laura Martin
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: There’s no doubting that Fear Itself really hasn’t lived up to the hype that Marvel spewed about it in the first half of this year but, as we near the finale, I will say that I thought this main event book has taken a slight turn for the better this week. I like how Fraction casts Steve Rogers as a man teetering on the brink of hopelessness, his every muscle and sinew screaming to carry on fighting yet the smallest cracks of doubt starting to eat away at him. Some may not take too kindly to his confrontation with Odin but I thought it was an emotional lift that was necessary to show that Captain America is not a man to give up regardless of what powers are telling him it’s hopeless and it also helps to highlight the doubt that a being as all-knowing and powerful as Odin can carry with him. That’s a point echoed with the interactions between the All-Father and Thor as the continuing themes of destiny, fate and the cyclic nature of the Asgardians existence are looked at once again through their tumultuous relationship. While an improvement on the previous instalments there’s still the lingering doubt that such an event, which has sold itself as a monumental doomsday tale yet remained strangely close and claustrophobic in scope throughout, can be wrapped up in one single issue sufficiently. I guess we’ll see what turns up next month! 7/10

Matt C: In a week where the DC Universe is a ridiculously exciting place to be again, this penultimate issue of Marvel’s main 2011 event seems to highlight how the House of Ideas has lost their way. We’ve got to this late stage and it still doesn’t seem like the story has really kicked into second gear. There’s been a lot of hot air expelled, some generally pointless fisticuffs, and a succession of characters not always behaving true to type (along with that inexcusable, cynical “shock” death). There are some nice, ‘human’ moments in amongst the bluster (May and Spidey, Thor and Odin) but they are few and far between and don’t really work as part of the whole, as the whole is essentially asking us to believe a wave of fear is sweeping the globe without backing it up with real evidence. The art’s great though, it’s just a shame it feels wasted on a project like this. Fraction is still one of the best writers Marvel has at their disposal, but this is a long way away from his finest hour. 5/10


BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray & John Kalisz
DC $2.99

Matt C: Well, this certainly pisses on last week’s cliché-ridden Detective Comics from a great height (“I am Gotham!” Please!). It’s one of the titles in the reboot where the fact that we’re dealing with a rejigged universe is barely apparent, but when confronted with such an assured handling of character and situation, it hardly matters. Obviously it’s Bruce back in the cowl with Damian in tow, so that leads to a whole different dynamic than we had when Dick was the Dark Knight, but Tomasi doesn’t just coast on that – he shakes things up. Most dramatically, Bruce makes a decision to stop marking the night his parents died, instead choosing to celebrate their wedding anniversary going forward. This is Bruce realising his priorities have changed, he now has a son (and potentially an heir) and so can no longer cling to the negative elements of his past. It’s a brilliant move, and it works because Tomasi makes it feel like an organic decision rather than a forced change in character. On top of that he not only introduces one (potentially more) villain whose motives make him an entirely worthy opponent, but he also keeps the back-and-forth between Bruce and Damian consistently entertaining. The art is kinetic but clearly defined and the whole thing holds together perfectly. The ball is most definitely now in Scott Snyder’s court for Batman #1 next week! 9/10


AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST #4
Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Sean Murphy & Dave Stewart
DC/Vertigo Comics $2.99

James R: With all the excitement surrounding the DC relaunch over the last month, I’ve found it to be an established favourite that has proven to be the read of the week. We've waxed lyrical on this blog over Snyder's skills as a writer, and in this miniseries it's great to see him really letting rip. You can almost feel him channelling the spirit of the Indiana Jones movies as he delivers another hi-octane issue jam-packed with double agents, noble sacrifices and buckets of blood. This is way out in front as the miniseries of the year for me and it's tough to find a weakness in this book. Sean Murphy's art is magnificent as usual, and it's clear he is in his element here, delivering panel after panel of dynamic action, moody landscapes and vivid emotion. The series isn't re-inventing the comics wheel, but it is corking good fun. After a pretty underwhelming summer of blockbusters at the cinema, it's great to see Snyder and Murphy showing us how blockbuster fun should be done in the comics! 8/10


MYSTERY MEN #5
Writer: David Liss
Art: Patrick Zircher & Andy Troy
Marvel $2.99

Matt C: Not the strongest ending to an otherwise fine miniseries, and that’s not because it features the predictable confrontation between the newly assembled team of heroes and the ‘big bad’, the General. Rather it feels like it rushes too quickly towards its conclusion and that certain things that would have given it a more natural pacing have been jettisoned in an effort to get to the end. This final issue could easily been spread across two, and been stronger for it I think. Despite that, Mystery Men has still been worth the time and money spent: discovering this previously unseen era of the Marvel Universe has been a thrill and Zircher’s pulp-inspired art has been resoundingly effective. I certainly wouldn’t be averse to seeing further adventures of these characters. 6/10


SUPERBOY #1
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Art: R.B. Silva, Rob Lean & The Hories
DC $2.99

Stewart R: Well this is a proper, good old-fashioned rebooting and no doubt about it as we get an inside look at Superboy’s origin story within the realms of the New 52. Lobdell leads us through Superboy’s increasing self-awareness as an elaborate test tube experiment being conducted by the shadowy N.O.W.H.E.R.E organization. The seasoned writer nails the part human, part Kryptonian’s perspective, his only experiences having been supplied to him by his custodians, be it intentionally or from his own secret observations, and while Superboy’s inner monologue has a feeling of the emotionless alien about it, we’re all fully aware of the potential that the young man holds within his combined DNA. To help this debut maintain an emotional heart Lobdell also drafts in a character of Jim Lee and Wildstorm’s creation in the form of Caitlin Fairchild of Gen 13 fame. Here she’s cast as a young scientist working within the ranks of N.O.W.H.E.R.E. and her battle to discover the secret of the human DNA donor while ensuring that Superboy remains safe is a much needed and engrossing element. The art from Silva is big and bold and aided well by Rob Lean’s simple and effective inks and that’s me booked in for a helping of issue #2. 8/10


SUICIDE SQUAD #1
Writer: Adam Glass
Art: Federico Dallocchio, Ransom Getty, Scott Hanna & Val Staples
DC $2.99

Matt C: The first major surprise of the New 52 for me. The concept behind Suicide Squad has been familiar to me but I’ve never really investigated any of the comics before. To be honest, until the last week or so, this wasn’t even a contender for my pull list, so I’m glad I made the plunge into the unknown, so to speak. The series features a group of Death Row supervillains who are given the chance to either wait around for the lethal injection or go out on government-sanctioned missions where the chance of survival is only slightly above nil. This isn’t a putting-the-team-together issue though, as we’re thrown right into the middle of things with the Squad are being tortured by a group of unknown assailants. It’s frequently brutal and allows us to get to know who these guys are on the fly. Strong characterization wins the day and although the mix of artists (I’m not entirely sure who did what) results in some inconsistency, there are some really powerful panels, and at least we know it’s Val Staples setting the requisite tone with his wise palette choices. A twist ending hits the spot and confirms that this is absolutely a title to stick with for the foreseeable future. 9/10

Mike S: Now, I remember the Suicide Squad that contained Bronze Tiger, Deadshot, Punch and Jewelee, Lashina et al and (MUCH more importantly!) introduced the DCU to a certain Oracle! So I was kind of excited to welcome this new incarnation of the Squad and, while not totally blown away, I did enjoy the issue on the whole. The pick of characters is interesting - Harley doesn't really strike me as a good fit (but you never know), Deadshot is the link with the past and Killer Shark I loved from Secret Six. Additionally the issue allowed us to see the recruitment of the Squad members as well as setting up the premise with the reveal of the Wall. Now wait a second, a new Amanda Waller? I’m sorry, I just HATE it! How can someone who looks like she could snap in the breeze be ‘The Wall', who was imposing in name and nature??. The final mission looks interesting, and if it is as they’ve specified it’ll set the Squad against the rest of the DCNU, nicely avoiding the "bad guys turning good" motif that might cause comparisons to Marvel's Thunderbolts. Not totally sold yet, but an enjoyable read nonetheless with some nice, gritty art to complement the tone. 7/10


CRIMINAL: THE LAST OF THE INNOCENT #4
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Sean Phillips & Val Staples
Icon $3.50

James R: This week sees the final part of Brubaker and Philips latest slice o' noir, as the dark tale of Riley Richards comes to a conclusion. For the record, let me say that I love everything that this creative team do, (and I'm already looking forward to their epic Fatale coming in 2012!) but I have to crack under questioning and say that I felt this finale was a touch... underwhelming. Given the climaxes of Incognito and the other Criminal arcs, I was expecting a sting in the tale or a Colombo-esque "One more thing" for Riley to have to deal with, but everything was wrapped up a little too neatly - even the tale of the Brookview Stalker felt as if it was explained too easily. I normally close the final page of these books and exclaim 'Wow!' This time however, it was more of an 'Oh'. Don’t get me wrong, this is head and shoulders above any other crime book on the racks today, but given their own dizzyingly high standards, this felt less ‘bank heist’ and more ‘entertaining petty larceny’. 7/10


SEVERED #2
Writers: Scott Snyder & Scott Tuft
Art: Attila Futaki
Image $2.99

Matt C: The debut issue was impressive but this chapter cranks things up a notch and is even better. And by better I mean very, very good indeed. The horror element is put on the backburner to a degree (although when it does manifest itself, it has a hell of an impact) and in its place we get to know a little more about 12-year old Jack Garron as he heads to Chicago to meet up with his long lost father, hooking up with another runaway, Sam, who helps him out of a sticky situation and offers to show him how to survive on the streets. What makes this issue so effective and memorable is not only it’s well judged, believable characterization but also the way it evokes the era so definitively that you can almost feel dirt underfoot and smell the stench of poverty. Part of this is down to the writing obviously, but it’s the art from Futaki that really brings the words and situations to life. Absorbing and shot through with expressive detail, there’s a lightness of touch to his style which means that when we are confronted by a gruesome sight (even when it’s more implied than explicit) it hits like a sledgehammer. Essential stuff for horror fans and beyond. 9/10


DEATHSTROKE #1
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Art: Joe Bennett, Art Thirbert & Jason Wright
DC $2.99

Matt C: Another DC character I’ve not had a great deal of experience with but Kyle Higgins sets out his stall here straight away. This isn’t going to be a ‘fun’ book. An assassin for hire, Deathstroke is no longer a spring chicken but, as he ably shows in this debut issue, he still gets the job done. There’s a definite nihilistic streak running through this comic and that will no doubt put a lot of people off, but it kind of appealed to that adolescent, rebellious part of me that still resides deep down inside somewhere. Of course, this approach could potentially become wearying month in, month out, but I like what Higgins has done here and the art’s suitably incendiary, so I’ll be back for more. Whether or not there’s a big enough audience for this kind of thing remains to be seen, but kudos to DC for giving it a crack. 8/10


RED LANTERNS #1
Writer: Peter Milligan
Art: Ed Benes, Rob Hunter & Nathan Eyring
DC $2.99

Stewart R: This is one of the strange curiosities that has sprung up in the New 52: a spinoff title that is brand new but probably works far better if you already have a working knowledge of what Atrocitus and the Red Lanterns have been up to within the pages of various Green Lantern-related titles over the past few years. Peter Milligan does his best to provide a brief history of Atrocitus’ tragic past and a little insight into his wavering control over his Corpsmen but I don’t think this initial chapter goes deep enough into what these rage-filled beings can do. Milligan instead uses four pages of the twenty-page total to show brief glimpses of Earth-based stories or prophecies which I feel is something of a lost opportunity to have this debut and first arc be purely about the strange and wonderful alien characters that we only know so much about. I rank Benes as one of DC’s heavy hitters when it comes to pencillers so it’s a little strange to see him on something of a fringe title. Admittedly this is far from his best work but it’s serviceable enough considering that this isn’t much more than a serviceable first issue all around. 6/10


GRIFTER #1
Writer: Nathan Edmonson
Art: Cafu, Jason Gorder & Andrew Dalhouse
DC $2.99

Matt C: This title’s been taking a lot of flak from some quarters, and while I can understand many of the reasons why, I also can’t deny that I enjoyed this quite a bit. I’ve only read Edmonson’s current, rather excellent, Image miniseries Who Is Jake Ellis? and he brings a similar mystery vibe to the proceedings here, while Cafu’s smooth, confident penmanship keeps things nice and crisp. The big change here is that Cole Cash isn’t a badass marksman with a covert-ops military background, instead he’s a literal grifter, a conman ripping off the super rich. This perhaps isn’t the wisest move, as stripping Cash of his backstory changes the man, so essentially we’re dealing with a different character - the mask doesn’t maketh the man, after all! Still, this issue does contain a healthy amount of intrigue that ensures things remain interesting, and Cafu’s art is very strong, reminiscent of Gary Frank’s at certain points. I can see myself coming back for round two, but unless Cash starts to take on more traits of his former self, I’m not sure the audience will be there to make this an ongoing concern. 7/10