-Couldn’t pick a book of the week at all so I Tied it for DC
DC:
BOOK OF THE WEEK (TIE)
Action Comics #6
Written by: Grant Morrison
Drawn by: Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang
-Story: The Anti-Superman Army gathers and the future Superman travels back to the past with the Legion of Super-Heroes in order to help old Superman prevent a catastrophe. The story develops some complex parts and builds towards grander things in typical Grant Morrison fashion. Action Comics incorporates a lot of sci-fi aspects into its storytelling and a multitude of improbable things, all going towards the building of something bigger.
-Writing: Morrison obviously knows what he’s doing on the writing part, and #6 of Action Comics is no exception. He uses sci-fi wordplay and poetic devices to build a complex narrative with psychedelic trappings and a slightly grounded story.
-Artwork: Rags Morales may have the realism thing down pat, but Andy Kubert is just a much better artist. His work is more angular, dynamic and it visually pops off the page as opposed to Rags’ artwork, which just seems dull and bland in comparison.
4.5/5
BOOK OF THE WEEK (TIE)
Swamp Thing #6
Written by: Scott Snyder
Drawn by: Marco Rudy
-Story: The Rot has finally risen and is taking over the Green and killing it. Alec decides to become the Swamp Thing again, but it initially rejects him. I love how Snyder builds up slow stories like this. In single form it always reads kind of iffy, even if it is brilliant, but the payoff is always worth it in the end. The slow-buildup always leads to something exciting from Snyder and Swamp Thing plays on all of his strengths in horror storytelling. I can’t wait to see where more of this goes.
Writing: Snyder has always coasted off building suspense in his work. In Swamp Thing which is pretty much unapologetic supernatural horror he still builds suspense across the course of six issues. His work is always dialogue-heavy, but the exposition is necessary in order to help tell the story. He writes Alec Holland and William Arcane as natural polar opposites, and it’s amazing. Snyder is a master of his craft.
Artwork: Marco Rudy’s art is a near carbon-copy of Paquette’s pencils, although with a much softer, lush tone. However, he is the perfect substitute for Paquette, copying his page layouts and designs but adding in some elements of his own, like making the mood softer during a darker piece of the book. It’s pretty meaty and enjoyable.
4.5/5
Animal Man #6
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Drawn by: John Paul Leon, Travel Foreman and Jeff Huet
-John Paul Leon does about 4/5th’s of the art in Animal Man #6 as we see Buddy Baker’s low budget indie movie that he starred in called “Tights.” “Tights” is a unique film to read as we see a down-on-his-luck drunken man try to regain his former glory as a hero. It’s unique, emotionally resonating, and it relates to the main story in a lot of ways. Along with the unique cinematography for this comic comes some great character development courtesy of Jeff Lemire. He focuses on developing Buddy Baker and his son this issue while slowing the plot down for the big stuff in later issues. A great issue overall. 4/5
Justice League International #6
Written by: Dan Jurgens
Drawn by: Marco Castiello
-JLI’s beginning of the second arc with this issue was a lot better than the first arc was. I keep saying I’ll drop this series, but I keep forgetting to for some unknown reason. And honestly, I’m looking forward to the way Booster gold leads his team. Dan Jurgens incorporates comedic aspects while Castiello’s pencils are noticeable different from Lopresti’s. 3/5
Marvel:
BOOK OF THE WEEK:
Venom #13
Written by: Rick Remender
Drawn by: Tony Moore
Story: Venom, Red Hulk, Ghost Rider and X-23 all gather together to stop an event from hell spreading all over the world. Remender begins a six issue crossover with a bang, making things get chaotic with story beats being juggled all over the place. Remender tastefully balances each character and has them interact in order to solve their problems. It’s a simple story building toward more remarkable things.
Writing: Remender has a knack for giving character personality and defining them separately so that they just aren’t characters on a piece of paper. His dialogue doesn’t seem natural at all and it feels a little forced and contrived. What is here works though, especially the scene between Blackheart and his father.
Art: It’s finally great to have Tony Moore’s detailed pencils back on a book that was gaining simplicity since the moment he left. His Flash Thompson drawings are especially good and he is a master of the art of the fight scene. It’s great to have you back Tony
4.5/5
Defenders #3
Written by: Matt Fraction
Drawn by: Terry Dodson
-Only 3 issues in and this arc is already over. The story is too quick for my pace but Fraction does a commendable job of building these characters to function more like a team. Dodson’s art is boring this time around and he’s not great at drawing physical movement, a problem most Marvel artists have. I hope this book gets better because it has 2 of my favorite Marvel characters ever and it just moves at too quick a pace for anything to get really expanded upon. 3/5
Winter Soldier #1
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Drawn by: Ed Guice
-This was just a boring espionage story with boring art. Sorry Brubaker, even your great writing can’t save a crappy character in a crappy comic. I look forward to not reading more of this. 2/5
Image:
Fatale #2
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Drawn by: Sean Philips
-Brubaker is the master of comic noir. His work in the genre is masterful and deserves as much attention from your eyes as possible. His collaborations with Sean Philips have been great as well. Buy this now please. Go, buy it NOW. 5/5
Alpha Girl #1
Written by: Jean-Paul Bonjour & Jeff Roenning
Drawn by: Robert Love, Dana Shukartsi & Diego Simone
-This was extremely cheesy, art and story wise. The dialogue was cheesy, the characters were cheesy and the plot was cheesy. However, it is a fun book and it deserves at least a second try around from me. 3/5
Vertigo:
Sweet Tooth #30
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Drawn by: Jeff Lemire
-Jeff Lemire continues an awesome Sweet Tooth story full of awesome Sweet Tooth thing. I recommend you buy Sweet Tooth. 4.5/5