The Week in Comics – Week of 06/03
Welcome to the first installment of The Week in Comics! Here I will be talking about all the comics that came out this week that I read each week. Please, feel free to agree, disagree, or suggest something I missed in the comments!
The week of June 3rd was pretty good overall, with a good number of standout books, but no real new heavy hitting books. Onward to the comics!
The Punisher Naked Kill One Shot (Marvel Comics)
In this Marvel Max comic, the Punisher runs across a torture and snuff porn distribution ring. While killing everyone in a distribution center for the movies, one of the lowlifes promises he can get Frank to the top. The only catch? They are working out of a high-security sky-scraper, and Frank has to get by with his bare hands and improvised weapons! There are plenty of awesome scenes in this book, and Frank proves he knows how to punish with anything he can get his hands on. The art is gritty and really gets across the brutality of each kill. Excellent dialogue, especially Frank’s inner thoughts. Highly recommended if you’re a fan of the Punisher.
Solomon Grundy #4 (DC Comics)
Ugh, OK, so Solomon Grundy breaks Alan Scott’s (Golden Age Green Lantern) Lantern, then has ANOTHER flashback to when he was a normal man, and then his swamp is attacked by Amazo. Yes, this comic IS as bad as it sounds. I’m fucking done with this shit. They never should have turned Solomon Grundy into this weird half-Hulk half-Swamp Thing bullshit. Avoid this book like the Swine Flu!
Britain and MI13 Annual 01 (Marvel Comics)
Normally, I am a big fan of this series, but this annual just bored the hell out of me. The main story is about Meggan Braddock, Captain Britain’s main love interest. We saw her earlier in the series, trapped in the demon Plotka’s dream world. Captain Britain believed she was just a dream, and when Plotka was defeated, she was sent to hell. And this book is about her experiences in Hell and OH GOD I DON’T CARE. Get me back to MI13 fighting vampires shot from the moon dammit. There is also a back-up story with some terrible art about the team playing Cricket. Skip this Annual, it’s rather horrid!
The Boys #31 (Dynamite Comics)
I am a pretty big fan of this book, to be honest. It’s basically about a group of people who police superheroes from the shadows using extreme means. This issue had a pretty shocking event amongst what would have otherwise been rather boring tale. It’s the start of a new arc in the comic, so this should get much better, I REALLY can’t wait to see what the Boys do in retaliation! A good place to jump on, although the event won’t have any real meaning to you. Check out the trades!
Atomic Robo and the Shadow fromBeyond Time #2 (Red 5 Comics)
Atomic Robo is the shit. In this series, it’s revealed that Howard Phillips Lovecraft once fought side by side with Nikolai Tesla (Robo’s creator) against an “alien from beyond time.” It comes back and possess’ Lovecraft’s head, and now Robo must defeat it before it consumes the Earth! Lots of witty dialogue, clean and sharp cartoon-esque art, and all around a good time. Go back and get #1, and if you like it check out the trades for the other two mini-series! Book of the Week!
Werewolves on the Moon Versus Vampires #1 (Dark Horse Comics)
Ugh, fuck me. Why does shit like this get published? It’s set in the future, some werewolves get on a spaceship and turn other people into werewolves, and then they are attacked by moon vampires. It’s not scary, and I think it’s supposed to be funny…damn, this book sucks. The art is horrible and the writing is just as bad. Stay far, far away!
Wolverine: Revolver One Shot (Marvel Comics)
Wolverine tracks down a demon and they fight. Terrible art, lame generic Wolverine plot, just all around middling. Skip it!
Dark Avengers #5 (Marvel Comics)
This issue starts immediately after issue #4, with Norman Osborn talking down the Sentry. In my opinion, this is the only comic to ever do a decent plot involving the Sentry, which isn’t saying much as this is plot isn’t the greatest. Norman then goes on TV to spin a response to Clint Barton’s live appearance a few issues back calling Norman and the “Avengers” out. This is dialogue driven and rather excellent, you can really feel Norman’s presence out and understand why people fall for his lies. I’m a fan of the series, and with only five issues so far it’s easy to get caught up. Recommended!
Amazing Spider-Man #596 (Marvel Comics)
When I first heard about the removal of Spider-Man and Mary-Jane’s marriage through demonic intervention, I thought it was the stupidest idea ever. It’s been over a year since that happened, and I’ll be damned if ASM isn’t one of the comics I look forward to every week it comes out. This week. Spidey makes a plan to take down Venom and infiltrate the Dark Avengers, because Venom is pretending to be him on that team. Good dialogue, a good fight between two enemies that have known each other for decades (in real-time) and excellent art make this a must read!
Batman & Robin #1 (DC Comics)
Huh. So, Grant Morrison is back on a Batman comic, and it’s the first series to showcase Dick Grayson as Batman and Damien Wayne as Robin? What could be more awesome? Well, frankly, most of the stuff that came out this week. Don’t get me wrong, I’m SURE the series will get better, but this was a really weak opening salvo. I don’t really like Damien at all, especially the way he interacts with Alfred, and Dick…well, he’s Dick. Grant’s going to have to pull off some awesome shit to get me to like this. Recommended only for hardcore Batheads, everyone else wait for the trade if it turns out to be good.
Deadpool: Suicide Kings #3 (Marvel Comics)
Deadpool teams up with Daredevil to find out what happened to the son of Deadpool’s client. The Punisher gets involved and wacky hijinx ensue! Deadpool is one of the funniest comics out there, and you owe it to yourself to check this mini-series out!
How does the new Deadpool compare to the earlier Cable & Deadpool stuff, both story-wise and art-wise? My GF bought the first 5 or so trade paperbacks, but then didn’t like the art style and stopped after that. I thought the writting was going down hill as well.