Monday, August 14, 2017
Had fun fishing this morning. Between that and reading life is good. I’m enjoying life while I can because you never know.
Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1 – Cullen Bunn (writer) R. B. Silva (pencils) Adriano Di Benedetto with R. B. Silva (inks) Rain Beredo (colours) VC’s Travis Lanham (letters). Pulled this off the racks to read because of my crush on the old Jean Grey. I think Marvel is doing these one shots to mollify the whiny old timer fans who have been lamenting the loss of the old timey characters that they grew up with. I’m not reading the new Jean Grey comic book about the adventures of the younger Jean from the past trapped in the present so this struggle she has with the possibility that the Phoenix Force will get her is news to me. R. B. Silva and Adriano Di Benedetto prolonged my crush on Jean that started with John Byrne and Terry Austin.
Mister Miracle #1 – Tom King (writer) Mitch Gerads (art) Clayton Cowles (letters). This 12-issue series brings Scott Free back to the racks. I love that alias. Unfortunately, this isn’t the escape artist I fell in love with in the late seventies whose comic books were done by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers. This guy has got some mental health issues which won’t be helped by having to go to war with Darkseid. This is pretty heavy stuff and cheaper than therapy so maybe give it a try.
Redlands #1 – Jordie Bellaire (writer & colours) Vanesa R. Del Rey (art) Clayton Cowles (letters). Welcome to Redlands, Florida circa 1977. I hope you get out alive. This here’s a horror comic book about a coven of witches in a small town. It’s raw and rural and infused with southern stereotypes. If you like the new Sabrina, you’ll like this too.
Inhumans: Once & Future Kings #1 – Christopher Priest (writer) Phil Noto (art) VC’s Joe Sabino (letters). This story harkens back to when Black Bolt, Maximus and Medusa were just kids. I grabbed it mainly for the Phil Noto art. The Lockjaw backup story by Ryan North (writer) Gustavo Duarte (art) VC’s Joe Sabino (letters) was cute.
Detective Comics #962 – James Tynion IV (writer) Alvaro Martinez (pencils) Raul Fernandez (inks) Brad Anderson (colours) Sal Cipriano (letters). A very satisfying conclusion to “Intelligence”. I loved the surprise that Batman gets and the villain reveal at the end.
The Shadow #1 – Si Spurrier & Dan Watters (writers) Daniel HDR (art) Natalia Marques (colours) Simon Bowland (letters). Anytime a new comic book starring this old pulp character hits the racks I will give it a try and this one is very well written. The double 45s toting crime fighter is barely recognisable here which makes the story even more of a mystery. I was very impressed with this first issue and will put it on my “must read” list.
Ms. Marvel #21 – G. Willow Wilson (writer) Marco Failla (art) Ian Herring (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). Kamala tries diplomacy with one of the bad guys but we all know how that usually goes.
Action Comics #985 – Rob Williams (writer) Guillem March (art) Hi-Fi (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). I missed reading #984 which was the conclusion of the Superman Revenge Squad story where Superman was blind. Looks like he survived those bad guys okay and got his sight back. This issue starts a new story called “Only Human” and has Lex Luthor, that arrogant arch nemesis, back in the picture. I was very disappointed with the art here. It looks like Guillem March was trying to draw like John Romita Jr. He did a much better job with Gotham City Sirens. I think I will bench this book but will keep reading Superman and Super Sons.
Groo: Play of the Gods #2 – Mark Evanier & Sergio Aragones (writers) Sergio Aragones (art) John Ercek & Tom Luth (colours) Stan Sakai (letters). I don’t get why religious fanatics need to convert others to their beliefs. This story makes me lament all the harm that’s been done in the name of some make believe diety. Groo might be a comic book for simpletons like me but I find that it’s goes beyond just stupid jokes sometimes.
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #11 – Kieron Gillen (writer) Kev Walker (pencils) Marc Deering (inks) Antonio Fabela (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). The killer robots take center stage this issue and then the truly villainous arrives. The art this issue was very nice for some reason.
Amazing Spider-Man #31 – Dan Slott (writer) Stuart Immonen (pencils) Wade von Grawbadger (inks) Marte Gracia (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). And it’s “curses, foiled again” for Doc Ock. Dan Slott presses the rewind button and does it in a way that makes sense. Peter’s back in his old analog costume but there’s nothing stopping him from going high tech again. Another classic villain is waiting in the wings and I can’t wait to see what nefarious plot this one has.
Hulk #9 – Mariko Tamaki (writer) Julian Lopez & Francesco Gaston (art) Matt Milla (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). Now that Jennifer has accepted her role as the Hulk this book has that good old super hero feel to it again. I like that.
Defenders #4 – Brian Michael Bendis (writer) David Marquez (art) Justin Ponsor (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). So that Bane/Batman back breaking move that Diamondback pulled last issue sure was a shocker. It served to get Jessica riled up enough to beat the crap out of the bad guy. I can’t wait for the next issue to see what the special guest at the end of this issue does to Diamondback.
