Last Week's Comics
Stopped by the comics store today and caught up on a few books from last week, as well as a few I'd missed over the last few months. Here's some reviews of the more interesting ones...
Chosen #2-3: I missed #2 when it came out and couldn't find it until today, so I finally got to read the rest of the series. There seemed to be alot of negative reaction to the end of the series, but I'm not sure why. Given that it was a 3 issue series it seemed the most likely twist that we would get in a story so brief. Mark Millar's script amps up in volume in the concluding issue, which may alienate some, but it fits the pacing of the series well. The art by Peter Gross is top notch and tells the story well. The Tradepaperback should be out soon, and this miniseries is defintely recommended. A-
Gotham Central #23: Greg Rucka climbs back aboard for a new story arc this issue. I normally give a slight edge to Ed Brubaker's stories in this book, but Rucka's off to a great start with this issue, which VERY loosely ties into the gang war going on in the Batman family books. Allen and Montoya are involved in a shootout, and get wrapped up in the bureaucratic repurcussions. Sounds boring, but reads like a really good police drama. A
Powers Vol. 2 #4: Walker searches for Pilgrim, who went missing while he was dealing with the "new" Retro Girl. Powers is a weird read, as I don't find it entirely satisfying in monthly doses, but there's always enough to keep me coming back each month. It really does read better in extended doses (such as the Trade Paperbacks.) Regardless, this is a good issue, with some evocative art by Oeming and a relatively tight script by Bendis. B+
Punisher #11: "Kitchen Irish" continues with the way to many parties to count slaughtering each other. Read monthly, this arc isn't nearly is strong as the prior arc, although it may hang together better in one sitting. You need a score card to follow all the different factions involved here. This issue's more fulfilling than prior issues, however, as we begin to get some resolution and Ennis spends more time writing about ideas than setting up different characters. Leandro Fernandez provides some nice art to fill the book out. B
District X #5: "Mr. M" continues, and the plot keeps taking big lurches each issue. It's not particularly fluid, but it's a really interesting read. By issues end we've got a situation that could go one of two ways, and I'm honestly curious how this will pan out... A-
The Pulse #5: The first story arc concludes and a major change in the Green Goblin's status quo is enacted (although one presumably spoiled by Norman's appearance in Millar's MK Spider-Man months ago.) This issue is focused mostly on Jessica and Luke's reaction to the fallout of the Goblin's attack. It's well done, and the completed arc acts well as a strong setup for this ongoing. A trade will surely be out sometime soon from Marvel, so if you're not reading this, get it... A
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #6: Pay no attention to the cover. Only Rachel Grey is actually featured guest staring in this book. Cyclops, Kitty Pryde, Wolverine, and Emma Frost only walk by a window in the background of a scene. Sneaky. But if it gets people to try this book out it's a good thing, since Mark Millar's telling several intersting stories here. Peter keeps searching for answers about May's dissapearance, and stumbles upon info on Venom's auction. Millar's handling of Venom and his motivations is darkly amusing, and gives me hope for the character's future. He also does a good job developing things between Peter and MJ in a way that makes alot of sense. Terry and Rachel Dodson provide the very, very nice art. B+
Spectacular Spider-Man #19: Nice Scheduling. 3 Spider-Man books in one week. I know it's a cash cow, but can they spread these out a little. Anyway, Paul Jenkins continues this Avengers Disassembled tie-in, where not much happens that's not indicated on the cover. Spidey mutates a little more, while Captain America tells Nick Fury about where Soria's bomb comes from. Jenkins writes Cap a little wierd, as his matter-of-factness about coverups and such seems more like "Ultimate Cap", but I'm flexible enough not to really care that much. The story's well told, and Paco Medina's art is ok, I just wish it was moving slightly quicker. C+
Captain America #31: Robert Kirkman continues to channel the ghost of Mark Gruenwald. Cap Fights the Serpent Society with Diamondback, and all those pesky subplots of doom keep grinding along in the background. This run on the book feels like a fun afterthought, a quick dodge to fill a few months with a tour of characters that we never get to see anymore. For what it is, its fun, but I'll be really glad when Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting take over in November. C+
Ultimate X-Men #51: Well, it's better than #50. Rogue and Gambit talk about her situation and meet her captor, who has an unusual offer. Brian K. Vaughn uses Gambit and Rogue pretty well in this issue, and it's amusing to see more villains get "Ultimate" versions. The book feels like it's regressing slightly into soapiness, as it's lost much of the "big stuff" that made the early run on the book by Millar fun. Still, Kubert's art is nice and there really isn't anything wrong with Vaughn's story. It just feels like the book needs to kick into something big soon... B
Stopped by the comics store today and caught up on a few books from last week, as well as a few I'd missed over the last few months. Here's some reviews of the more interesting ones...
Chosen #2-3: I missed #2 when it came out and couldn't find it until today, so I finally got to read the rest of the series. There seemed to be alot of negative reaction to the end of the series, but I'm not sure why. Given that it was a 3 issue series it seemed the most likely twist that we would get in a story so brief. Mark Millar's script amps up in volume in the concluding issue, which may alienate some, but it fits the pacing of the series well. The art by Peter Gross is top notch and tells the story well. The Tradepaperback should be out soon, and this miniseries is defintely recommended. A-
Gotham Central #23: Greg Rucka climbs back aboard for a new story arc this issue. I normally give a slight edge to Ed Brubaker's stories in this book, but Rucka's off to a great start with this issue, which VERY loosely ties into the gang war going on in the Batman family books. Allen and Montoya are involved in a shootout, and get wrapped up in the bureaucratic repurcussions. Sounds boring, but reads like a really good police drama. A
Powers Vol. 2 #4: Walker searches for Pilgrim, who went missing while he was dealing with the "new" Retro Girl. Powers is a weird read, as I don't find it entirely satisfying in monthly doses, but there's always enough to keep me coming back each month. It really does read better in extended doses (such as the Trade Paperbacks.) Regardless, this is a good issue, with some evocative art by Oeming and a relatively tight script by Bendis. B+
Punisher #11: "Kitchen Irish" continues with the way to many parties to count slaughtering each other. Read monthly, this arc isn't nearly is strong as the prior arc, although it may hang together better in one sitting. You need a score card to follow all the different factions involved here. This issue's more fulfilling than prior issues, however, as we begin to get some resolution and Ennis spends more time writing about ideas than setting up different characters. Leandro Fernandez provides some nice art to fill the book out. B
District X #5: "Mr. M" continues, and the plot keeps taking big lurches each issue. It's not particularly fluid, but it's a really interesting read. By issues end we've got a situation that could go one of two ways, and I'm honestly curious how this will pan out... A-
The Pulse #5: The first story arc concludes and a major change in the Green Goblin's status quo is enacted (although one presumably spoiled by Norman's appearance in Millar's MK Spider-Man months ago.) This issue is focused mostly on Jessica and Luke's reaction to the fallout of the Goblin's attack. It's well done, and the completed arc acts well as a strong setup for this ongoing. A trade will surely be out sometime soon from Marvel, so if you're not reading this, get it... A
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #6: Pay no attention to the cover. Only Rachel Grey is actually featured guest staring in this book. Cyclops, Kitty Pryde, Wolverine, and Emma Frost only walk by a window in the background of a scene. Sneaky. But if it gets people to try this book out it's a good thing, since Mark Millar's telling several intersting stories here. Peter keeps searching for answers about May's dissapearance, and stumbles upon info on Venom's auction. Millar's handling of Venom and his motivations is darkly amusing, and gives me hope for the character's future. He also does a good job developing things between Peter and MJ in a way that makes alot of sense. Terry and Rachel Dodson provide the very, very nice art. B+
Spectacular Spider-Man #19: Nice Scheduling. 3 Spider-Man books in one week. I know it's a cash cow, but can they spread these out a little. Anyway, Paul Jenkins continues this Avengers Disassembled tie-in, where not much happens that's not indicated on the cover. Spidey mutates a little more, while Captain America tells Nick Fury about where Soria's bomb comes from. Jenkins writes Cap a little wierd, as his matter-of-factness about coverups and such seems more like "Ultimate Cap", but I'm flexible enough not to really care that much. The story's well told, and Paco Medina's art is ok, I just wish it was moving slightly quicker. C+
Captain America #31: Robert Kirkman continues to channel the ghost of Mark Gruenwald. Cap Fights the Serpent Society with Diamondback, and all those pesky subplots of doom keep grinding along in the background. This run on the book feels like a fun afterthought, a quick dodge to fill a few months with a tour of characters that we never get to see anymore. For what it is, its fun, but I'll be really glad when Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting take over in November. C+
Ultimate X-Men #51: Well, it's better than #50. Rogue and Gambit talk about her situation and meet her captor, who has an unusual offer. Brian K. Vaughn uses Gambit and Rogue pretty well in this issue, and it's amusing to see more villains get "Ultimate" versions. The book feels like it's regressing slightly into soapiness, as it's lost much of the "big stuff" that made the early run on the book by Millar fun. Still, Kubert's art is nice and there really isn't anything wrong with Vaughn's story. It just feels like the book needs to kick into something big soon... B
