Monday, September 18, 2017
I have recurring back pain that’s a pain in the back and it hit so hard yesterday I could barely walk. It’s better today but I sure am glad that I don’t have to work so that I can recover some more. I want to make sure that I’m well enough to attend the book launch of “The Wind In His Heart” by Charles de Lint tomorrow. Here’s a link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1663452530396893/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2222%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%2222%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&pnref=story
Fishing season is winding down even though the weather has been sunny and warm recently here in Ottawa. David and I only caught 3 fish yesterday in the 3 hours we were out. My fishing buddies are like me and just appreciate being out on the water for some time away from the city. We don’t need to catch fish to enjoy our time out there.
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #28 – Robert Venditti (writer) Rafa Sandoval (pencils) Jordi Tarragona (inks) Tomeu Morey (colours) Dave Sharpe (letters). A great art team can elevate an average book to an outstanding one. The artists they get make a huge difference to my enjoyment of this book.
Ms. Marvel #22 – G. Willow Wilson (writer) Marco Failla (art) Ian Herring (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). I love this story about tolerance and equality. It affected Kamala deeply. It made her think about her city and her neighbours and that will colour her actions from now on.
All-New Wolverine #24 – Tom Taylor (writer) Leonard Kirk (art) Michael Garland & Erick Arciniega (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). Another infestation of Brood is wiped out and the galaxy is saved yet again. I liked the guest appearance of the Guardians of the Galaxy, especially Rocket Racoon. Looking forward to a new story starting next issue.
Weapon X #8 – Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente (writers) Marc Borstel & Ibraim Roberson (art) Frank D’Armata (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). The team continues to pursue Weapon H, AKA Hulkverine (I like that) and more is revealed about the big gray galoot’s alter ego. I cheered when I saw the reinforcement that the good guys call in.
Runaways #1 – Rainbow Rowell (writer) Kris Anka (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). The gang isn’t all here as this team makes it back to the racks but that’s okay because this first issue did a very good job of introducing Nico Minoru, the spell caster, and Chase Stein, the screw up gadget guy to readers old and new. Kris’s art has gotten better since I first noticed his name in the credits of an X-Men book. This debut was good enough to make me stick around until my favourite Runaway shows up.
Wonder Woman #30 – Shea Fontana (writer) David Messina (art) Romulo Fajardo Jr. (colours) Saida Temofonte (letters). Both the writing and art for this issue was very stiff. I feel like I’ve been beaten over the head with the not too subtle “women are strong” message. I’m hanging around until artist Emanuela Lupacchino starts to draw this book and I hope the writing improves then too.
American Gods #7 – Neil Gaiman (writer) P. Craig Russell (script & layouts) Scott Hampton (art) Rick Parker (letters). I would still enjoy this, being a fan of Neil Gaiman and Scott Hampton, even without the benefit of having already read the novel but I wonder if other comic book fans would think this is way too weird. Shadow’s story about his adventures with gods old and new isn’t for everybody but if you stick with it I think you’ll find the payoff to be worth your time.
Generations: Captain Marvel & Captain Mar-Vell #1 – Margaret Stohl (writer) Brent Schoonover (art) Jordan Boyd (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). I felt like this was written by a tweener for tweeners. If this is an indication of what to expect in Carol’s solo book (Mighty Captain Marvel) then it’s much too unsophisticated for this old coot.
Detective Comics #964 – James Tynion IV & Christopher Sebela (writers) Carmen Carnero (art) Ulises Arreola (colours) Sal Cipriano (letters). This is it. You all saw it coming. The cover even gives it away. Clayface has reformed, or so it seemed. This issue was so well done I wasn’t even disappointed in the outcome. If that’s not enough, the Anarky and Spoiler story continues with a solid mystery to keep me engrossed.
Mech Cadet Yu #2 – Greg Pak (writer) Takeshi Miyazawa (art) Triona Farrell (colours) Simon Bowland (letters). The new cadets start basic training with their Mechs. I like how the robos and cadets are paired up like in Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series of fantasy novels. I also like the conflict between the lower class janitor’s son Yu and the upper class general’s daughter Park. I am drawn to good stories about underdogs.
Star Wars #36 – Jason Aaron (writer) Salvador Larroca (art) Edgar Delgado (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). Hooray, it’s R2-D2 to the rescue. Poetic ain’t I?
Dark Nights Metal #2 Dark Nights: Metal #2- Scott Snyder (writer) Greg Capullo (pencils) Jonathan Glapion (inks) FCO Plascencia (colours). Whoever did the lettering did a great job. The gateway opens and evil arrives. Meet the Jaundiced League. Darkseid is a baby now? I have so many questions. This is one of those instances where I have enough of an interest in the big picture that I will accept stuff I don’t know about the DC multiverse and keep on reading.
Kill or be Killed #12 – Ed Brubaker (writer) Sean Phillips (art) Elizabeth Breitweiser (colours). I like how the character of Dylan has grown over the course of this series. He started out full of fear and uncertainty and now can control his fear and plan ahead to what he needs to do to stay alive. It makes him more relatable.
Hulk #10 – Mariko Tamaki (writer) Julian Lopez & Francesco Gaston (art) Matt Milla (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). It’s a fricking big monster fight issue. Jen subdues Oliver but she comes close to losing control of herself as the Hulk. I wonder if she shops at Target to save money on clothes. You’ll notice a change in art styles about halfway through. I would be a very happy fan if Julian Lopez was the regular artist for this book even though I like Francesco Gaston’s art just fine.
Action Comics #987 – Dan Jurgens (writer) Viktor Bogdanovic (pencils) Jonathan Glapion, Jay Leisten & Viktor Bogdanovic (inks) Mike Spicer (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). “The Oz Effect” starts here. I’m glad that the villain’s identity isn’t being teased for a bunch of issues just to keep us reading. Who Oz is will shock fans and it will make it harder for Superman to fight him. I still think it’s all a ruse so I’m going to keep reading to see if I’m right in the end.
The Defenders #5 – Brian Michael Bendis (writer) David Marquez (art) Justin Ponsor (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). They’re going to get hate mail for this issue. When you get to the end you’ll know why.
Amazing Spider-Man #32 – Dan Slott (writer) Greg Smallwood (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). Greg fixed Norman’s face for this new Green Goblin origin story. I forgot that Norman can’t change into the Green Goblin now. Something is going to trigger the transformation and I am waiting to see what that is.
