Taking a Look at Another Stack of Comics
Welcome to another edition of the Why I Love column, where I, Eric Ratcliffe, pick something I've read, played, listened to or watched to discuss with you, fair readers. Another 2 weeks' worth of books, a new review system and the last of the Avengers relaunches all are what you can look forward to in this edition. So let's jump right in folks!
Sadly only one indie book to be talked about in this edition but it's a good one. Chew #11 as Tony's life seems to change for the better and we have some new mysteries set up for our heroes as John gets a very odd phone call and there is a showdown in a restaurant. I really like seeing the evolution of the cast from Tony, his partner, his boss and his new girlfriend - it's really just an awesome read.
Rob's art is as great as always here and you can tell it's getting stronger each issue. The plot moves along in an interesting way and Tony actually getting comfortable in his role is a real pleasure to read.
Verdict: It gets a solid 4 out of 5 as I have really fallen for this book. I think it's one of the best books on the stands currently and highly recommend people picking up Taster's Choice, the first trade.
Daredevil #507 gives us an answer to exactly what is behind Shadowland, shows us that Matt is being played like a violin and that our hero might want to realize this before it's too late. It's an incredibly strong read that manages to make you want to bite your nails as you turn each page.
The betrayal from an unexpected force and just seeing Matt being tricked the way he is is interesting and I really hope the heroes are able to snap Matt out of this before it's too late. His intentions are as noble as ever, but the Hand is an evil entity as basically pointed out by the actions in this very issue.
Verdict: 9 - This really is a surprising book that I think will shock some people. I was worried about the direction with Bru leaving but Diggle seems to really understand it and feed perfectly into the Daredevil mythos.
Deadpool Corps #3 sees our heroes come face to face with the enemy, Dogpool brings in someone that we thought the team got rid of and the Deadpool Corps manage to show exactly why they are a force to be reckoned with. There was a lot to enjoy with this issue. I loved Dogpool hitching a ride with all the different aliens he was able to and reuniting with a friend who the others left abandoned on a planet just last issue.
Rob's pencils really manage to hit the comedic timing of Vic's script here, which continues to surprise me. As I've said previously, I really think this is the best Rob's artwork has been in a long time. I really love Wade not having a plan at all here either, that made me laugh pretty hard. Jade's overall disgust of her teammates was a recurring joke that also made me laugh. Yes, I know Marvel wants to call her Wanda, but it's Jade dammit!
Verdict: 9 - This is a strong comedy book that packs action and adventure into it and has Victor Gischler at his best.
Book of the Week #1! Young Allies #1 brings together an odd group of young heroes to save New York from the threat of the Bastards of Evil who seem to all have evil parents. Our 5 heroes are all unique and fun characters that you can easily establish a connection with.
I can kind of see who is going into what roles in the book and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I really enjoyed seeing the interactions between each of the heroes. Gravity back with Sean McKeever as his writer is certainly not a bad thing, and Firestar, Nomad and Arana are all a blast to read in his scripts. Toro is a brand new character with a very interesting backstory.
Verdict: 10, easily a highlight of the last two weeks that I think any fan will enjoy, especially teenage readers.
Incredible Hulk #610 gives the perfect ending to World War Hulks and was probably one of the more enjoyable reads of the event, which has been really weak overall. Seeing a hulked out Amadeus Cho amused me more than it should have. It was great seeing him get some respect, though, and seeing what he could do at hulked out levels. Reed/Hank/Henry and the others all working together to come up with a solution was pretty great as well.
Banner making a huge sacrifice towards the end of the issue, finding out why Betty became what she did and Samson redeeming himself were all things that truly made this a read filled with so many great moments.
Verdict: A solid 8, I highly enjoyed it. W0uld maybe be a 10 without the useless back up.
Book of the Week # 2! Avengers Academy #1 gives us a fun book, which will be right in line with what the Initiative was. We are introduced to 6 characters, 1 of which we'd met previously in the other book. These characters all have different powers and are being looked after by Hank Pym, Justice, Tigra and Speedball to help them become heroes...or so we are led to believe.
Speedball is still dealing with what he's been through the last few years with Justice and Tigra being the people he can bounce off of. The kids have problems of their own as we can easily identify with 3 out of the 6 off the bat and the other 3 seem a bit tougher to like. Mike's artwork is the best it's been since those early Exiles issues and it seems like it will be a great read throughout.
Verdict: 9, and it seems like a read for the teenage to about 30 range for readership. Can't wait to see where they take things from here.
Black Widow #3 has a really strong and just plain awesome fight between Elektra and Natasha as Elektra is one of the people who seemingly believes the lies being spread about our lead femme fatale. I really enjoyed seeing the two spar as you can see what the difference between the two women are.
Rose is a great mysterious supporting character whom I'd honestly love to know more about. Tasha is pulled into this horrible situation that she finds some answers to by the end of the issue in a strong fight scene that gives us hints into exactly where the story will head.
Verdict: 8 - I really wish that Marjorie Liu wasn't leaving the book after the first arc. I'm going to miss her storytelling, but this is one hell out of a read.
Book of the Week #3! New Avengers #1 gives us an unnecessary new #1 but a strong story with some very surprising and shocking things in it. This has been set up so far in advance that casual and new readers wouldn't have caught on to how far in advance it's been set up. (Hellstrom gave a cryptic warning that something big was coming at least a year and a half ago in New Avengers.)
Anyway, we get Luke Cage being stubborn, which leads to a revelation that Avengers mansion has been rebuilt and the fact that Steve Rogers wants this Avengers team to still be alive and well. It also looks like Luke will be the team leader, which is odd as he's also leading the Thunderbolts, which I am sure will be referenced down the line as things change for both teams.
It looks like for at least the first arc we are dealing with the biggest roster yet ranging almost 10-11 members depending on how long certain players stay possessed. (It's obvious to me that Doctor Voodoo will be staying on the team. Though Strange is in the preview art as well, so I guess we'll see.)
I enjoy the character interactions just as much as the other two books that Ed and Brian have already launched and it's always great to see guys like Danny and even strong female leads like Carol and Jessica getting plenty of limelight.
Verdict: Solid 9 and definitely a great book.
Batman #700 gives us 4 different Batmen at four different points in history and a crazy amount of artists working on it. It felt a little like that Starman 80 page giant story to me. But Bruce, Dick, Damien and Terry were all there in this really fun read. I like seeing a story that basically had the theme that the world will always seemingly have a batman, or at least that's what I got from it.
The artwork is strong throughout the book and seeing each of the Batmen through time was something I thoroughly enjoyed. There is also a pinup gallery and an inside tour of the Batcave.
Verdict: 8.5 - great issue, I'm just not sure how new-reader-friendly it would be.
Book of the Week #4! Booster Gold #33 is one of the strongest issues of the series to date, which is good as I was really worried with Dan leaving and everything. Booster gives an incredible speech to Cyborg who really shouldn't have been starting anything with Booster in the first place.
He heads back to the classic JLI days to find some proof about Max and runs into a Martian Manhunter who knows that he's not the Booster he claims to be, which leads to some fun issues.
Verdict: 9 - great issue with some really surprising material that I didn't see coming while reading. Great to see the book bounce back from last issues horribleness.
Secret Six #22 is Book of the Week #5! And it may be my favorite issue of the book so far. From Thomas Blake's decision on what to do about his son to Ragdoll standing up straight for the first time in the series, there really is a lot to love about the book.
I really loved Ragdoll standing up for Alice and thought it was the best moment in the book. Also, Catman having to make that impossible decision leading to those last two pages was some strong character material. Gail should never, ever leave this book.
Verdict: 10, no question on this one. Secret Six is a book that should be read!
Well that's it for this week, folks. Join us next time as we talk whatever is on the pull!
Eric Ratcliffe is a young writer/pop culture journalist/interviewer currently working on pitching a project named the Hunter chronicles. When not reading his weekly stack Eric can be found watching DVDs, playing on his 360 (gamertag: Zack Hunter) or just surfing online trying to find a scoop or two. Brand new to the Comic Related family, Eric is a fun new voice. Eric shops at TJ's Collectibles. Visit them on the web at www.tjcollect.com!
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