I’ve already mentioned that reviews are definitely something that will be a big part of this blog, but I would like to do some stuff before and just talk about whatever I feel like each week.
While it’s still early in 2013, I figured something about the big, upcoming crossovers would be awesome.
This March, Marvel launches Age of Ultron, which I’m meeting with more skepticism than DC’s upcoming Trinity War. Marvel seems like they’re trying to force it down everyone’s throats, which is cause for alarm, only because it could fail to deliver. And I don’t really like how they’re handling it. Ten issues over the course of three or four months sounds like they could be covering up something. Hopefully nothing will go too wrong.
DC’s upcoming Trinity War is something I’m very much looking forward to, if only to find out exactly what it is. Nothing has been mentioned in too much detail yet and there are constant hints about what’s coming up with the event and I like that tactic. The suspense alone is enough to get more hype than Age of Ultron, which still seems promising. I read more DC than Marvel, so naturally I’m looking forward to The Trinity War more.
That’s really all I wanted to throw out at the moment since I just wanted to do something quick. I’ll end with my reviews of what I read this week and encourage everyone to jump on and pick a few of these titles up.
Rob
Reviews 1/23/13
Before Watchmen: Minutemen #6
Darwyn Cooke (W/A)
DC Comics
Grade: A-
The final chapter of “Before Watchmen: Minutemen” ends on a high note. It does a good job of keeping in light of its previous issues and delivers a fantastic story yet again. Unfortunately, since it’s the final chapter, it has its downfalls. Since this is one of the best “Before Watchmen” books, it’s disappointing to see it end so soon. It is, however, a strong finish that one could ask for and does a nice job of explaining why some of these elements aren’t in “Watchmen.” Overall, Darwyn Cooke delivers a fantastic issue with his ending of “Minutemen.”
Batwoman #16
J.H. Williams III (W/A), W. Haden Blackman (W)
DC Comics
Grade: A
“Batwoman” is one of the titles that I absolutely love picking up. Its story is completely unique to the series, and J.H. Williams III’s art gives it a distinct feel that involves multiple styles meshing into one for a fantastic, unique display. The story really shines in this issue with the basic premise being that monsters are invading Gotham and Batwoman has teamed up with Wonder Woman to stop them. It can sound like a marketing ploy, but the story works and this feels like a grand action set-piece from a movie. I could go on and on about this title, but since it’s the penultimate chapter in the story arc that’s been brewing since issue #1. I highly recommend picking up this series in trade paperbacks. I know for a fact the bookstore has a few copies in.
Wonder Woman #16
Brian Azzarellio (W), Cliff Chiang (A)
DC Comics
Grade: B
The current “Wonder Woman” series is definitely a stand out for DC. Wonder Woman has some more badass moments in this series than many in her history, but this issue felt a little lacking. It was a good issue, but it’s one of those issues where some story set-up needs to happen, so in terms of action and everything that’s been in the book, it delivers. Cliff Chiang’s art was fantastic here, and he’s definitely keeping a distinct style on the book. After finishing it I still couldn’t help but find something lacking here, but the series is still definitely something that deserves your attention.
Red Hood and the Outlaws
Scott Lobdell (W), Timothy Green II (A)
DC Comics
Grade: C
As a tie-in to DC’s Bat Family’s Joker crossover Death of the Family, this issue doesn’t serve much of a purpose other than to be a cross-over in a cross-over. Since The Outlaws without Red Hood are teaming up with the Teen Titans, who are without their leader Red Robin, it makes some sense to have an issue that shows them connecting, but at the same time, I would have expected to see Red Hood or the Joker in it. Plus the art could be a bit better and there are two pages that serve no purpose to the Joker story at all. Setting up future stories in this instance seems off. This isn’t necessarily a bad issue, but it did leave a lot to be desired.
Nightwing #16
Kyle Higgins (W), Eddy Barrows (A)
DC Comics
Grade: B-
Nightwing is one of my favorite DC heroes. This month’s issue is good, but it’s really making me thankful that Death of the Family is almost over. While Nightwing’s encounter with the Joker was one of the better tie-ins, each tie-in has the same ending, which doesn’t allow as much freedom with the story. This issue has elements that are lacking. Thankfully, Death of the Family ends next month and each Bat series can start fresh again, and I know I’ll be thoroughly looking forward to that moment.
Justice League #16
Geoff Johns (W), Ivan Reis (A)
DC Comics
Grade: A
DC’s current “Justice League”/”Aquaman” crossover, Throne of Atlantis isn’t disappointing. In fact, it’s exceeded my expectations in every issue. Justice League is always one of DC’s stronger titles and this month it doesn’t disappoint. Nothing in this book really disappoints, except for the Shazam backup, but that suffers only to newer readers of the title. The ending here is fantastic and I know I’m definitely looking forward to next week’s “Aquaman” issue when this epic story continues.
Avengers #3
Jonathan Hickman (W), Jerome Opeña (A)
Marvel Comics
Grade: A+
In the first two issues, Marvel got a lot right with its main Avengers title, including using the six heroes from “Marvel’s The Avengers,” using heroes people were familiar with for the expanded members and keeping a sense of urgency on the problem. The threat was a believable one and the conclusion to the first story arc in the first issue this month (the book publishes twice a month). Everything was similar to the Battle of New York that took place in the film and expanded on it into something that delivers on action and a satisfying conclusion. My biggest complaint is that the first arc was a bit too short for my liking, but the final result is nothing short of spectacular.
Uncanny Avengers
Rick Remender (W), John Cassaday (A)
Marvel Comics
Grade: C+
The flagship title of Marvel NOW!, “Uncanny Avengers” still could use a bit of work. It seems a bit like a tweaked version of what DC did with the first arc of “Justice League,” where the team encounters each other and then forms into a unit, but it makes its own twists. Captain America’s new team of mutants and Avengers and led by Havok, Cyclops’s brother Alex Summers, fight against Red Skull who is currently desperate to turn the world against mutants. Unfortunately the book has been plagued by delays so the growing hype for the release of issue three could have set too high of expectations. I find this book ignoring what it could be and creating a plot where the team just falls together. Now, it just seems overplayed, and this book deserves better, especially since there is so much potential a mix of the best mutants and Avengers.
