Hello all. So here we are again. Another week and more reviews. There are some fantastic books that come out this week and I have the reviews of what I’ve been reading as always, but I wanted to do something a little different.
With so many assets present in the comic book industry, graphic novels and trades can unfortunately sometimes take a backseat to issues. Graphic novels and trade paperbacks are fantastic ways to get into comics and catch up on events readers might have missed. So I thought maybe I should highlight one a month and maybe more if I’m feeling like it. So I’m kicking it off this week with one of my favorites “Identity Crisis.”
DC has about five different series that are loosely connected because they have the word “crisis” in the title. My favorite and one of the best is “Identity Crisis.” The other “Crisis” events usually rely on big action set pieces and large scale battles with sometimes over a hundred heroes duking it out against evil. “Identity Crisis” is different because it’s a much more character driven event that focuses on the human element of heroes. It starts off with a murder of a loved one of the Elongated Man and escalates there into something that is amazing. I really don’t want to give too much away, but this book is one of the few that is adored by both critics and fans. Plus the creative team of Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales is absolutely fantastic.
So anyway, let’s start with the reviews:
“Avengers #4” Jonathan Hickman (W)/Adam Kubert (A)
“Avengers #4” has a lot to live up to. Last week’s issue was fantastic and unfortunately, this week’s issue doesn’t live up to what the last one was. This issue isn’t bad, in fact it’s great, but it lacks some of what past issues had. Adam Kubert’s art is solid here, but the story isn’t as tight as it could be, The main heroes used in this one include Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Captain Marvel, Spider-Woman and Hyperion, who takes center stage here. The conflicting events between Hyperion’s origins and the main events in the Savage Lands can get confusing at times, but this issue remains solid. In addition, it’s awesome to see some of the smaller heroes in the massive line-up getting attention, more like this are very much welcome. FINAL GRADE: B
“Hawkeye #7” Matt Fraction (W)/Steve Lieber, Jesse Hamm (A)
“Hawkeye” is easily my favorite book Marvel puts out each month. Matt Fraction does a fantastic job of taking Clint Barton and Kate Bishop, both of whom have the alias of Hawkeye, and giving an entertaining, simplistic look into their lives. The art this month is solid, offering a simplistic approach. The story here feels like it isn’t anything that jumps out since it involves Kate and Clint’s experiences with Hurricane Sandy, but it still remains entertaining. One of the best parts about the series – it’s episodic, so anyone can jump on at any time. This month, like any, is a perfect time to start reading Marvel’s best series. FINAL GRADE: A
“Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill” Len Wein (W)/Steve Rude (A)
“Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill” had a lot going against it. For some time, DC’s “Before Watchmen” miniseries were regular weekly releases, but unfortunately that’s slowed down. These books have some of the best talent around combining for a mega event. One of this week’s issues, “Dollar Bill” explores the relatively unknown hero of Dollar Bill, who was barely in the original series. While this isn’t necessarily a bad issue, it just feels like this was overdoing it. Parts of the story have already been established in Darwyn Cooke’s “Minutemen” series and they feel unnecessary. The rest of the story is good yet predictable, and as a fan of “Watchmen,” this is a welcome book. Plus Steve Rude’s art is fantastic. FINAL GRADE: C+
“Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #5” Len Wein (W)/Jae Lee (A)
Ozymandias’ series is the underappreciated book in the “Before Watchmen” series. Not many fans were looking forward to it, but the first few issues delivered. The last two left a little to be desired. Issue five is the hook that this series needed. We finally get to see Veidt’s plan slowly falling into place and for fans of the original, this issue is a must read. In addition Jae Lee’s art remains spectacular and has definitely been the series’ high point. The end of this book definitely brings back the feeling of anticipation for the next issue, just like the first one. Hopefully, the release date won’t get pushed back yet again. FINAL GRADE: A
“Teen Titans #16” Scott Lobdell(W)/Brett Booth(A)
After the “meh” issue of “Red Hood and the Outlaws” last week, Scott Lobdell has redeemed himself a little bit. This issue of Lobdell’s tie-in within the larger picture of DC’s Bat Family Joker event “Death in the Family,” is such an improvement. It doesn’t feel forced like the last issue and is what “Red Hood #16” should have been. However, there are two moments where irrelevant characters are introduced. One of them is just a little something that doesn’t serve much of a purpose at all, but the other is very much a welcome moment. I won’t say too much about it, but a classic member of the Teen Titans makes a return. Overall, this issue was good and thankfully the cards are on the table for the epic finale to “Death of the Family.” FINAL GRADE: B
“Talon #4” Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV (W)/Gullem March (A)
“Talon” is the best original series that DC has launched since they launched “The New 52.” Month after month, the creative team of Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV release a fantastic book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The basic idea is that Calvin Rose is a Talon, the assassin for the Court of Owls, that has escaped the grasp of the Court and trying to live a life away from them. Currently he is planning to bring him down. In this issue, tension is building to the final confrontation, which seems a little early. However, the book remains solid. FINAL GRADE: B+
“Aquaman #16” Geoff Johns (W)/Paul Pelletier (A)
Geoff Johns keeps “Throne of Atlantis” going strong. His work on “Aquaman” so far has been amazing, but this event is raising that bar even higher. At the beginning of this book, things look bleak. Aquaman, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are stuck underwater and reserves are fighting the armies of Atlantis in Boston. The issue may not focus as heavily as it could on the big action scenes and it’s a good thing it stays away. The story that drives forward here is fantastic and puts the biggest cliffhanger the event has so far. If you can, I highly recommend going out and catching up on this event. You won’t be disappointed. FINAL GRADE: A
“Batman Incorporated #7” Grant Morrison (W)/Chris Burnham (A)
Grant Morrison delivers again with “Batman Incorporated.” After a slow start and delays since its re-launch in May, this book is firing on all cylinders. Everything in here is fantastic, making it hard to find faults. Honestly my biggest complaint is that it can seem like the finale from “The Dark Knight Rises,” but here there’s just so much that trumps it. This is without a doubt the best book that released on Wednesday. FINAL GRADE: A+
