Monday, June 17, 2019
Marvel makes it hard to be a comic book collector kid. Spider-Man fans had to break into their Spidey banks to buy all 6 Spider-Man books that hit the racks last Wednesday. That’s over thirty bucks Canuck here in Ontair-ee-air-ee-air-ee-oh. Talk about binge reading this week.
Detective Comics #1005 – Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Brad Walker (pencils) Andrew Hennessy (inks) Nathan Fairbairn (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). The conclusion of the Arkham Knight story has Batman and Robin saving Gotham City from the misguided zealot. The art is what keeps me reading but I hope the next story arc is more interesting.
Catwoman #12 – Joelle Jones (writer) Fernando Blanco (art pages 1-8, 10-13, 15-17) Hugo Petrus (art pages 9, 14, 18-20) John Kalisz (colours) Saida Temofonte (letters). Using the old switcheroo for the heist of the art object during an auction may have been boring but the threat to someone that Selina cares about is what keeps me reading.
Archie #705 – Nick Spencer (writer) Sandy Jarrell (artist) Matt Herms (colours) Jack Morelli (letters). Archie and Sabrina part 1. The conclusion of a story arc is the start of a new one. I want to see how this whole new relationship started and find out what the ominous changes are going to be happening. Archie comics are much more interesting these days.
The Superior Spider-Man #7 – Christos Gage (writer) Lan Medina (pencils) Cam Smith (inks) Andy Troy (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). Otto goes to L.A. and teams up with the West Coast Avengers in this War of the Realms tie-in. If Marvel ever brings back a Gwenpool comic book with Christos Gage as writer I’d read it for sure. Bet you didn’t know that Doc Ock had invented a Phantom Zone eh?
Marvel Action: Spider-Man #5 – Erik Burnham (writer) Christopher Jones (art) Zac Atkinson (colours) Shawn Lee (letters). This story could be called “Kraven’s First Hunt”. Poopypants J. Jonah Jameson has hired Kraven the Hunter to capture Spider-Man and Sergei pursues his prey with gusto. I really like this book with Miles and Gwen getting schooled by Peter. It’s higher on my “must read” list than Amazing.
Ironheart #7 – Eve L. Ewing (writer) Luciano Vecchio (art) Geoffo (layouts) Matt Milla (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). Riri and Nadia team up to fight zombies at the airport. As if O’Hare needs any more reasons for flight delays.
Event Leviathan #1 – Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Alex Maleev (art) Joshua Reed (letters). This is billed as a 6-issue mystery thriller. The big mystery is who is Leviathan? This first issue wasn’t super thrilling but it did have its moments. Bendis is remaking the DCU and he’s started by destroying A.R.G.U.S. (Advanced Research Group Uniting Super-Humans), The D.E.O. (Department of Extranormal Operations), Kobra, Spyral and Task Force X. now Batman and Lois Lane are sleuthing to beat the band. It’s explicitly stated that Leviathan is not Lex Luthor so my guess is wrong. I want to see if this story actually changes things in the DCU.
Silver Surfer: Black #1 – Donny Cates (writer) Tradd Moore (art) Dave Stewart (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). Not to worry true believers, Norrin Radd is till silver. If you haven’t been following the death of Thanos story in Guardians of the Galaxy than suffice it to know that the Silver Surfer is trapped in a dark dimension after saving his fellow heroes from the same fate. Here he encounters a malevolent villain who is quite formidable indeed. The art in this space fantasy brings to mind Jean Giraud AKA Moebius’s work. I love the sleeker ballet dancer bod on Norrin. They’ve captured the tortured noble soul that appealed to me when I first read Jack Kirby’s creation so I will continue to read this 5-part arc.
Immortal Hulk #19 – Al Ewing (writer) Joe Bennett (pencils) Ruy Jose & Belardino Brabo (inks) Paul Mounts & Rachelle Rosenberg (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). Oh my god, this issue is incredibly gross and awesome. The new Abomination, Harpy and Hulk meet for the first time. The encounter gives a new meaning to “eat your heart out”.
The Amazing Spider-Man #23 – Nick Spencer (writer) Ryan Ottley (pencils) Cliff Rathburn (inks) Nathan Fairbairn (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). I give this epilogue to “Hunted” 5 eye rolls. First one was for the Avengers and friends rounding up the super villains after the force field came down. It’s okay continuity conundrum complainers, this story takes place before War of the Realms. The second was for the Vulture getting the band back together with a new name, the Savage Six. The third was for the fine bromance between Task Master and the Black Ant. The fourth was for the death of Kraven the Hunter which means there’s a new Kraven the Hunter now. The fifth and final eye roll was for the surprise super villain on the last page. The one thing that keeps me from benching this book is that there’s a hint to who the mysterious super villain with the creepy crawly is. It’s someone who knows Peter and Mary Jane and has the hots for MJ.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #7 – Tom Taylor (writer) Ken Lashley (art) Nolan Woodard (colours) VC’s Travis Lanham (letters). No eye rolls for this comic book. “Feast or Famine” part 1 starts a new story involving Aunt May and her charity work. I’m sorry to say that the art isn’t as nice as it was before this issue but the writing is still top drawer.
Spider-Man: Life Story #4 – Chip Zdarsky (writer) Mark Bagley (pencils) Andrew Hennessy (inks) Frank D’Armata (colours) VC’s Travis Lanham (letters). It’s 1995 and Peter is 48-yeards-old. This one has Peter’s clone Ben Reilly and old men Doc Ock and Norman Osborn. Now that I get what this mini series is all about, aging Peter Parker in real years since he got bitten at age 15 in 1962, I can stop ragging on the stories because they make a lot more sense.
Symbiote Spider-Man #3 – Peter David (writer) Greg Land (pencils) Jay Leisten (inks) Frank D’Armata (colours) VC’s Joe Sabino (letters). The highlight this issue was Felicia seducing Peter out of his black costume. The symbiote is not happy to have a piece of itself cut off by the Black Cat.
