Monday, May 27, 2019
There was quite the spectacular lightning show on the drive out to the lake Sunday morning. Most of it was off to the north east. All was well at the boat launch so we were able to go fishing. It was very challenging in the windy conditions and we were forced to end our outing early when the battery ran out of power and the electric motor couldn’t help fight the wind anymore.
The Avant-Guards #5 – Carly Usdin (writer) Noah Hayes (art) Tasha Neva with Jenna Ayoub (inks) Rebecca Nalty (colours) Ed Dukeshire (letters). This issue focuses on Jay the artist. I haven’t liked a “slice of life” book as much as this one since Love & Rockets. These characters are very relatable.
Avengers #19/LGY #719 – Jason Aaron (writer) Ed McGuinness (pencils) Mark Morales (inks) Justin Ponsor (R.I.P.) & Erick Arciniega (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). “The Siege of Avengers Mountain” is narrated by Gorilla Man. It’s a sneaky way to get you to seek out the Agents of Wakanda comics. This issue ends with a traitor in the heroes’ midst.
Detective Comics #1004 – Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Brad Walker (pencils) Andrew Hennessy (inks) Nathan Fairbairn (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). The full origin of the Arkham Knight and what motivates this new character to kill Batman. This story is getting good.
Dial H for Hero #3 – Sam Humphries (writer) Joe Quinones & Arist Deyn (art) Jordan Gibson & Arist Deyn (colours) Dave Sharpe (letters). I like how this issue connects with the original series from the sixties. You’ll be dazzled by the Blue Bird of Happiness and Lo Lo Kick You. These creators must use drugs liberally to make up these characters.
Runaways #21 – Rainbow Rowell (writer) Andres Genolet (art) Chris O’Halloran (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). This is another great “slice of life” issue that shines some new light on some of the team members. Andres Genolet is an excellent substitute for Kris Anka. I like the art even more now.
Doctor Strange #14 – Mark Waid (writer) Barry Kitson (pencils) Scott Koblish (inks) Brian Reber (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). Herald Supreme part 3. It’s the “uh-oh” issue where the hero is just about to lose everything while the villain gloats on the verge of triumph. Mark Waid is great at this sort of stuff. I know that they’re just teasing us with the appearance of Clea but I really hope that she and Doctor Strange get back together.
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #3 – The McElroys (writers) Andre Lima Araujo (art) Chris O’Halloran (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). I love this team. They’re tons of fun while on this road trip in an RV. A pit stop in an abandoned Wild West Amusement Park is a chance to dust off a bunch of old Marvel Western Heroes like the Phantom Rider and the Rawhide Kid. This War of the Realms spin-off mini is way worth reading.
The Unstoppable Wasp #8 – Jeremy Whitley (writer) Gurihiru (art) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). Nadia and her G.I.R.L.s put on a Science Expo while Mockingbird and the Winter Soldier try to find Nadia’s mother in Russia. There are all kinds of menaces this issue which means plenty of action next issue. I love the emphasis on science in this book even though it’s science fiction.
War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Land of Giants #1 – Tom Taylor (writer) Jorge Molina (pencils) Adriano Di Benedetto (inks) David Curiel (colours) VC’s Joe Sabino (letters). This one-shot hit the racks out of order because we’ve already seen this sausage fest fight the Frost Giants while on their search for Thor in Jotunheim. It does fill in some gaps and I like how it gave significance to Spider-Man’s battle gear. Tom Taylor made this a good read and David Curiel’s colours enhanced the art beautifully.
Action Comics #1011 – Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Steve Epting (art) Brad Anderson (colours) Josh Reed (letters). Leviathan Rising part 5. All of the DCU’s espionage establishments are being put out of commission by Leviathan. Lois Lane gets intel to what Leviathan is and is about to expose it to the world. It’s been a slow rise to DC’s summer event and I hope May 29 kicks the story into high gear with SUPERMAN LEVIATHAN RISING SPECIAL #1. It’s $9.99 US so start saving now.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #6 – Saladin Ahmed (writer) Javier Garron (art) David Curiel (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). I like this Starling character from Detroit. Who her grandfather is explains the bird motif. She and Miles team up to take down Tombstone but Miles has to put his life on the line to do so. The last page was a complete shocker because didn’t he die? This issue was an improvement over last issue but I am giving this title a lot of slack because I love the art so much.
War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #2 – Greg Pak (writer) Gang Hyuk Lim (art) Frederico Blee (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). Who knew there were so many Asian super heroes in the Marvel U? this War of the Realms in the Pacific Rim spin-off showcases those heroes against Sindr and her fire goblins. Queen Sindr’s plan to conquer Midgard involves the molten core of the earth. Get ready for major global warming.
War of the Realms: The Punisher #2 – Gerry Duggan (writer) Marcelo Ferreira (pencils) Roberto Poggi (inks) Rachelle Rosenberg (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). Frank and his chain gang of escaped cons fighting monsters in the Lincoln Tunnel. Parental advisory: frequent gory violence.
Jessica Jones: Purple Daughter graphic novel – Kelly Thompson (writer) Mattia De Iulis with Filipe Andrade (chapter 5) (art) Mattia De Iulis with Stephane Paitreau (chapter 5) (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). If you love this character and the way that Brian Michael Bendis used to write her adventures then I think you’ll be impressed with how Kelly Thompson treats her. I am not a fan of Jessica’s arch enemy the Purple Man and this story brings him back but having Emma Frost helping was a bonus. The main reason I picked this up was because of Mattia De Iulis’s art. It’s worth the $19.99 US cover price alone.
