Monday, July 16, 2018
Jee-Riz had another successful Capital Trade Show yesterday even though attendance goes way down during the summer. No hockey means it’s a lot less crowded in the arena. Thank Thor for regular attendees looking for old comic books.
Plastic Man #2 – Gail Simone (writer) Adriana Melo (art) Kelly Fitzpatrick (colours) Simon Bowland (letters). It would be great if Gail Simone took over writing Deadpool after this 6-issue mini is done. She would make the Merc with a Mouth much better.
Archie #32 – Mark Waid & Ian Flynn (writers) Audrey Mok (art) Kelly Fitzpatrick (colours) Jack Morelli (letters). All is well that ends well. I thought using Archie’s doofusness to save the day was brilliant but what actually happens is a complete surprise. I like surprises.
X-23 #1 – Mariko Tamaki (writer) Juann Cabal (art) Nolan Woodard (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). This is awesome sauce. Now that the original Wolverine is back, Laura’s book reverts to her original nom de guerre. I felt chills reading the X-23 NYX story drawn by Josh Middleton over ten years ago because his art was so beautiful. Few artists make me feel that way and Juann Cabal is on that list too. You need not have read any All-New Wolverine comic books before this number one to get what’s going on. Mariko did an excellent job introducing Laura and her sister Gabby/Honey Badger so you can join in the fun right away. I’m so happy that Gabby plays a major role in this. She’s like Molly in Runaways.
Superman #1 – Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Ivan Reis (pencils) Joe Prado (inks) Alex Sinclair (colours) Josh Reed (letters). If you didn’t read the 6-issue weekly Man of Steel mini, not to worry, just read the recap on the first page and you’ll be fine to continue with Brian’s first issue of this title. There were no “wow” moments for me reading this issue, just good storytelling. Even the last page twist didn’t give me that “holy cow” feeling. Superman is a “take it or leave it” character as far as I’m concerned, but this was good enough that I will put it on my “to read” list.
She Could Fly #1 – Christopher Cantwell (writer) Martin Morazzo (art) Miroslav Mrva (colours) Clem Robins (letters). The main character in this 4-issue mini is a 15-year-old girl named Luna who suffers from mental illness. She is not the one who can fly but I’m guessing she might end up flying. It certainly looks like she might take off eh. Oh yeah, part of this story takes place in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada eh. Comic books is the perfect medium for telling this weird story. The art is terrific so I’m going to read the rest.
Amazing Spider-Man #1/802 – Nick Spencer (writer) Ryan Ottley (pencils) Cliff Rathburn (inks) Laura Martin (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). I’ve read hundreds of Spider-Man stories. Over 800 counting Marvel Team-Up, mini series, graphic novels and appearances in other comic books. Spider-Man is my favourite super hero. This new creative team didn’t do anything historic here. As a matter of fact they are going “Back to Basics”. We’ve got the old Parker luck rearing it’s ugly head. There are two classic foes showing up. I’m most excited about the relationship with Mary Jane. I’m glad this didn’t suck and I look forward to following the continuing adventures of the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.
Detective Comics #984 – Bryan Hill (writer) Miguel Mendonca (pencils) Diana Egea (inks) Adriano Lucas (colours) Sal Cipriano (letters). On the Outside part 2. Black Lightning arrives in Gotham City just in time to save Cassandra Cain/Orphan from the bad guy Karma. This Karma’s a bastard and the mystery of who he is makes me pick each issue off the racks as they come out. So it looks like they’re bringing back the Outsiders. Batman put the original Outsiders together in the eighties. This new team seems darker. What they need is Plastic Man to join them.
Die Die Die #1 – Robert Kirkman (writer) Scott M. Gimple (co-plot) Chris Burnham (art) Nathan Fairbairn (colours) Rus Wooton (letters). This new book is about a secret organisation that kill people to manipulate all kinds of global events. It’s bloody good. We start with a Mission Impossible type chase scene and end with a surprise twist that made me guffaw with glee. Chris Burnham has the same style as Juan Jose (Clone) Ryp and Jacen (Moon Knight) Barrows so the art is outstanding. This gets added to my “must read” list.
LOEG: The Tempest #1 – Alan Moore (writer) Kevin O’Neill (art) Ben DiMagmaliw (colours)
Todd Klein (letters). I was surprised to see a new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen on the racks and delighted that Al and Kev have a new 6-issue mini to read. This is loads of British fun. Most of these characters are new so you need not have read previous League of Extraordinary Gentlemen stories to understand what’s happening, but I suggest that you do because they are so very good. I read every single page of this $4.99 US extravaganza and got the most laughs from the ad and letters pages. The best thing about an Alan Moore comic book is that every page is worth reading.
Hunt for Wolverine: The Adamantium Agenda #3 – Tom Taylor (writer) R. B. Silva (pencils) Adriano Di Benedetto (inks) Guru-eFX (colours) VC’s Joe Sabino (letters). Wow, R. B. Silva and Adriano Di Benedetto draw an amazing Spider-Man. With the Guru-eFX colours Spidey fairly leaps off the page. The “unbelievable” thing in this issue is that Tony would have custom armour for everyone. I don’t think this team is going to find Wolverine but they sure stumble onto another big mystery. This team by these creators would make a really good on-going series.
Domino #4 – Gail Simone (writer) David Baldeon (art) Jesus Aburtov (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). I love Domino’s friends going after the bad guys and the flashback with Shang-Chi. The Deadpool guest appearance was a bonus. This book and Plastic Man #2 by Gail are my top picks for this week.
