Nova #2
This issue from the 'previously' page right up to the last page reveal is extremely well paced with really enjoyable dialogue that makes the whole thing a fun read that ends too quickly.
Issue 2 continues to set up Sam Alexander as the new Nova and there is nothing that hasn't been seen or done before inside the book that sets it apart but everything is done very well; Jeph Loeb is writing a believable and endearing youth in Sam, and McGuinness' art is amazing along with Gracia's colors which are slick and are completely in sync with the tone of the book. A straight up superhero book done really well.
Score 9/10
All New X-Men #9
Kitty gets her teach on and rocks it as the new Prof.X! The original X-Mens team dynamic is put into question and Mystique puts her plans into motion though the aim is flimsy and makes one think there is more to the blue lady's plot than getting rich (lame).
Bendis is knocking it out of the park and Immonen is awesome also this another great book being colored by Gracia; dude is on fire.
Bonus!: last page links up to Uncanny's last issue!
Score 8/10
Avengers #8
This book was good and going into it, (it being a comic book where two different heroes are meeting for the first time) I had a feeling that what happened was inevitable; spoiler! The Avengers get into a fight with the newly born Starbrand. This fight was really unconvincing; here we have a bunch of adult veteran heroes who have been and done it all, and their best way of dealing with a S#!£ scared omega level teen who has a 'loser' complex is to try and beat him up!! Wow.
Captain Universe and Nightmask step in to break up the kids and take Starbrand off to do some wordy explaining of the current universe encompassing dilemma.
Weaver's art is the gold in this book; it is fun, detailed and some of the panels e.g Hulk in Earth's outer orbit are super.
Part of me enjoyed the action in the issue but another was just annoyed at the flimsy reasoning for said action.
Score 6/10
New Avengers #4
A double dose of Hickman! Certainly my favorite of the two Avengers titles out this week; this issue continues the Illuminatis attempts to defend the earth against oncoming 'incursions' from parallel earths without having to destroy the other earth but all their plans seem to involve some sort of massive loss of life or sacrifice.
Up till now I've been on the bench with this title but I'm starting to accept the unforgiving nature that Hickman is instilling in it; it doesn't apologize for it's premise which has led the heroes towards hopelessness and dire action. I love the appearance of a certain someone's herald in the last quarter but his presence and that of his master make the gang take a bit of u-turn in their ethical resignation.
Epting's art is solid as always but D'Armata's pink and whites of the incursion sites is beginning to detract from the scenes.
Score 7/10
Justice League of America #2
JLA #2 continues on a strong path as readers see A.R.G.U.S director Amanda Waller and Steve Waller pull on different strings to further strengthen their team both from within and with the American people. The opening pages are great, giving an introduction to the new JLA's first real enemy; The Secret Society.
The polarity between the teammates makes for fun banter and the Manhunter's backup story reaffirms the less wholesome motivations of this books heroes.
Finch's art is really nice; sketchy and gritty and well suited to the story and any flashy panels/pages are a joy.
Score 8/10
Green Lantern; The New Gaurdians
Okay so now we have the First Lantern infect the pages of NG but thankfully we get a refreshing change of pace. Generally I'm not a fan of artist switches in an issue but here it works because each artist is working on 3 different stories; first is Danvers as the First Lantern tries to do the usual by screwing with her memories, the he does the same with Larfleeze and then White Walker. The best part of this book is that all 3 lanterns fight back in a much more convincing way and recognize that they're being screwed with, rather than just curling up and sucking their thumbs. YAY!
I think because I find the First Lantern to be extremely annoying that I love seeing him be rebuffed (especially by Larfleeze!) that this issue is a win for me.
Score 7/10
Star Wars Legacy #1
The second Star Wars title that I have added to my pull list Star Wars Legacy is an ambitious and well instigated book that not only sets up the current status quo of the universe but competently balances a lot of new characters and character dynamics. By knit-picking I could complain that sometimes the name-dropping of species and the quick change of planet can be confusing but this is greatly overshadowed by top notch story telling.
On top of the great execution, the action is awesome and all the panels are beautifully rendered by artist Gabriel Hardman.
This book with it's triumvirate politics and vast scope is a good counter to the tight character focused book by Woods.
I'm sure the book would be all the more satisfying for one who has read all the previous Legacy stuff but I haven't and still found it generally accessible and highly enjoyable.
Score 8/10
Nova #2? 9/10? Really? Our opinions on that book are vastly different. I found it to be incredibly mediocre, while a slight improvement from issue 1 (which wouldn't have been hard writing wise).
ReplyDeleteIt's no Saga or Stormdogs but i think it's above average when compared to more similar stories. Loeb has a good handle on writing a young teenager being thrown into an outrageous world with talking raccoons and flying etc. . In my opinion it's a better job than bendis's ultimate peter parker and crew with all the trendy banter that went on in US-M. And although I'm disappointed that his dad had to disappear (cause that's such an underused device for character motivation in comics!! *massive sarcasm*) I still think Sam's relationship with both parents offers more originality that most teenage superhero books do.
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