A very quite week for new comics when you have a fifth week in a month. DC Rebirth titles are only scheduled for a four-week period so they were MIA this week. So there were some new indy titles that I got a chance to get to, so lets see how they stack up.
Future Quest #4
DC Comics Writer Jeff Parker Artist Evan “Doc” Shaner, Ron Randall, & Jeff Parker, Colorist Hi-Fi, Letterer David Lanphear
I have been a big fan of this book from day one and the fourth issue disappointed me a bit. It’s not that Parker and Shaner are delivering the goods but this issue is very disjointed with three stories that slam into each other. The main story starts out fine then in the middle of the book there is a story that comes out of nowhere that is a back up story that ruins the flow of the main story. While I love backup and side stories such as the third issue, the book needs to focus on the main story line at this point. Parker has some good story elements but they all come crashing together and leaves you with an unsatisfied reading experience this issue. Then we come to the other issue that Shaner has only fully drawn the first issue of the book and there have been fill in artist in the last three issues. While I love his work and I know that he loves doing the book he needs to step up to the plate and either do the book or DC needs to get someone else to draw the book. While a seasoned comic book reader can deal with these obstacles for a non regular comic reader it could be very confusing and that is what this book does not need at this early in the game.
Is this book worth your time and money? While I’m still a huge fan of this book, this issue was a real letdown. Parker needs to focus the main story and while I love the idea of back up stories to introduce more of the characters the main story needs to move forward and not frustrate the readers. While having multiple artist on the book is not a fatal problem, but the announced artist was only able to do one issue is a problem. The book is still worth reading but let’s just hope that this is a minor bump in the road and not a continuing issue.
The Legend of Wonder Woman #9
DC Comics Writer Renae De Liz, Penciller Renae De Liz, Inker/Colorist/Letterer Ray Dillon
This final chapter of the series wraps things up very nicely but keeps the story open for more in the future. De Liz really kept the book on track for the nine issues and really captured the mythology of Wonder Woman. Not only was her story great for regular comic readers but was a great gateway for new readers interested in Wonder Woman. The best thing about De Liz’s scripts have been the balance of all of the elements of the story. She really blended them all so well that made for a very satisfying read to the conclusion. The one thing that really stuck with me while reading it was the prevailing element of hope and optimism in the book. So many comics have gone down the dark story path that it was really refreshing to read a superhero comic that was hopeful. She also wisely used the supporting cast to make it more than just a standard superhero fight fest. There was a great infusion of humanity in Wonder Woman that made the story feel relatable. The art by De Liz and Dillon was a simple yet very detailed style that gave the book a great visual charm and warmth that really brought the story to life.
Is this book worth your time and money? This series has been a real shining light at DC before the Rebirth Wonder Woman and delivered a solid story for both new and old readers. I really have to give it to De Liz and Dillon for simply delivering a really great comic that was a solid read with wonderful artwork. If you missed this great series there is a collection coming soon. VERY RECOMMENDED!
Skip to the End #1
Heavy Metal Writer Jeremy Holt, Artist Alex Diotto, Colorist Renzo Podesta, Letterer Adam Wollet
I was very excited to see Heavy Metal publishing comics again but sadly Skip to the End is a book that simply ends up as a forgettable mess. The main problem lies in Holt’s script that doesn’t have a clear direction to it. There is no real set up nor any real character development to it and what little there is is disjointed and forgettable. You simply don’t care about anything in the story because of the lack of direction. Diotto’s artwork is decent but does have a little stiffness to it. I will give him credit for at least making the book try to be interesting with the art that can only do so much here with the problems in the script.
Is this book worth your time and money? This book is a major misfires and simply has no direction to it. There might me an idea here but Holt lack of story and point simply sinks this book into one of the most disappointing reads in a long time. The biggest problem is that it simply has no point to it. SKIP IT!
ReincarNATE #1
Heavy Metal Writer Michael Moreci, Artist Keith Burns, Colorist Chris Beckett, Letterer Jim Campbell
While not the train wreck of Skip to the End, Heavy Metals other release this week never quite takes off. I will give Moreci credit that the script has some fair ideas going, it ends up being fairly forgettable by the end of the issue. At least the story has an idea but it never really goes anywhere and the script just plods along. At least it has a linear story to it. Burn’s art is a real mixed bag. There are times where it looks really good and then the next panel has some not so good art. I think that with a little time there is some potential for his artwork but still developing.
Is this book worth your time and money? There is an OK idea here but unfortunately the book ends up being standard and boring. While it’s not the worst book that I have read it is very forgettable. SKIP IT!
Afterlife with Archie #10
Archie Comics Writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Artist Francesco Francavilla, Letterer Jack Morelli
I guess we should be thankful that it only took three months for this issue to come out. The good news is that this is a great stand alone issue that brings Josie and the Pussycats into the Afterlife Universe and Sacasa delivers a solid origin story for them. What has made this book so great is that Sacasa keep the book feeling like classic Archie and yet puts a new and fresh spin on the stories. Josie and the Pussycats have always been a bit two-dimensional in the comics but with this version there is a lot to build upon in the future with the new concept of them. Throwing them into the Riverdale mix is going to be quite interesting in future issues. Francavilla’s art continues to be the shining star of the book. There is a lot of dialog in this issue and yet he visually bring it all to life that complements the story but delivers a mood that he brings out of the script.
Is this book worth your time and money? When this book does come out, it’s a must buy when it does. The story continues to impress as much as it intrigues. Sacasa continues to take the book in directions that you could have never imagined and that is why it is working so well. Add in Francavilla’s gorgeous artwork and you still have one of the best Archie comics in years. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Silver Surfer #6 (#200)
Marvel Comics Writers Dan Slott & Michael Allred, Artist Michael Allred, Colorist Laura Allred, Letterer Joe Sabino
It’s hard to believe but yes there have been 200 Silver Surfer comics over the years and that is quite a milestone for the character. While it would have been nice to have a stand alone issue for possible new readers but Slott and Allred are wrapping up the current back to earth storyline that comes to a nice conclusion of the story arc. The best thing that the book has going for it is not only it’s sense of humor but the heart that they have infused Surfer with. He has always been this great big cosmic being but they have found that by having him be more “human” makes for more interesting stories and throwing Dawn into the mix has given him a great companion who teaches him about emotions that are buried deep within him. As always Allred delivers wonderful artwork that has really made this book one of Marvels most consistent books but made it really stand out from the sameness and events that has dragged so many of their books to a mediocre level lately. This book reads and looks like no other Marvel book now and that is a very good thing.
Is this book worth your time and money? This is one of the few Marvel books that is worth buying and Slott and Allred continue to deliver a fun and wild book every month. They keep it fresh and simple and that is why its worth it.
Jim Thompson’s The Killer Inside Me #1
IDW Writer Devin Faraci, Artist Vic Malhotra, Colorist Jason Millet, Letterer Christa Miesner
Adapting a novel into another medium is very tricky and it either works well or fails miserably sadly this one falls into the latter category. The thing is that when your reading a novel the first few chapters can be all over the place because you always have the rest of the book that you can read anytime. With comics you have to do it in monthly installments. This is where the book fails because the first issue is so disjointed and confusing that leaves you with a very unsatisfying read. Faraci may have followed the novel too closely and really never seems to translate it to the comics medium well. The script never really draws you in and you never really care about the main characters. Malhotra’s art is nice but unspectacular with far too many panels that have no backgrounds that disappoints. I will give him credit for the facial expressions for the characters that does help the story as much as it can.
Is this book worth your time and money? Sadly this book was a real disappointment because it never grabs the reader and is all over the place with the story. You never really care whats going on and in the end the book is pretty forgettable. SKIP IT!
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