Saturday, June 25, 2016

Weekly Comic Pull #10: Rebirth Rolls On


Welcome, one and all to this week's Weekly Comic Pull, the show where I run down everything on my pull list this week to hopefully introduce you guys to some great, unappreciated, or underrated comics, or just to gush about the latest and greatest from DC, Marvel, Image, and otherwise.

This week is mostly going to be a DC spotlight with a few Marvel books thrown in there. That's one thing worth noting before I get started. With Civil War II now in full swing (which I've elected to skip because I'm just not at all excited about what they're doing), my pull is increasingly being dominated by DC books. Is this a sign of changing trends? I'm not sure, but let's get into it and see how DC's books are shaping up.





Wonder Woman #1

Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Liam Sharp

The first thing that really captured my attention with this issue was the art. I've read issues drawn by Liam Sharp before, but the art in this, particularly the way Sharp drawn Wonder Woman herself, is just breathtaking. The opening page has some gorgeous shots of her against a vast waterfall that's just brilliant. And what makes it even better is that the story inside is even better than I had hoped for this series. This issue sees the contradictions in Diana's memory leading her to a small African nation, seeking out an unexpected ally to try to find out what the truth is. Meanwhile, Diana's former allies, Steve Trevor and Etta Candy, are running a military operation in the same nation, and become wary when they find evidence of her presence. The pacing in this issue and the buildup is absolutely superb. All in all, not a WHOLE lot happens, but the way Greg Rucka presents it really gives it weight. Plus, his voice for Diana herself is perfect, which makes sense given his experience with the character. The build to the reveal of WHO Diana is trying to find and they way they present it makes the final reveal all the more exciting. Greg Rucka clearly knows what he's doing, and I would urge everyone to pick this up. If this is what we can expect from Wonder Woman, then this is going to be a run to remember. 

Tony's Score: 9.5/10



Detective Comics #935

Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Eddy Barrows

Easily one of my favorite aspects of Batman has always been the Bat Family. It's something of an inherent contradiction having this "lone wolf" type character having more allies and sidekicks than anyone else in the DCU (except maybe the Green Lanterns by proxy), but it's always really worked for him, and that's what this Detective Comics run is taking full advantage of. This issue sees Batwoman training Robin, Spoiler, Orphan, and Clayface, trying to prepare them for the threats that lie ahead. Meanwhile, not everyone might be as invested in the enterprise as it seems, and not the people you would expect. It's a lower key issue, but it's one that brings the character into the story more prominently. Batwoman's character is shaping up to be far more core to the series so far than even Batman's, and Tim Drake ends up being faced with a choice this issue that could fundamentally change everything between him and Batman. Clayface, Orphan, and Spoiler have a smaller role (with Spoiler's main development is the reveal that she and Tim and dating like they were pre-Flashpoint), but they still get some nice character building moments. Clayface in particular is shaping up to be one of the more sympathetic characters in this story. All told, it's a solid issue to a, so far, solid arc from Tynion, who hits far more often than he misses, in my book.

Tony's Score: 8/10



Uncanny Avengers #10

Written by Gerry Duggan
Art by Pepe Larraz

What do you do when your former friend and ally has returned wearing your old enemy as a skin? Well, if you're Captain America, not a whole lot without people yelling at you to do something. This is really the biggest complaint I have about this issue, that Cap's characterization seems to be pretty inconsistent. Last issue, he and Cable were the first to be skeptical of Hank Pym's return, but come this issue, he seems to be the least willing to accept the idea that this may not be the Hank Pym they remember. Slip up by the writer, or result of HYDRA indoctrination??? Well regardless, it's really my only complaint with this one. This issue is actually probably one of the most solid issues in this whole run, with a real classic Avengers feeling to it, which is helped by the guest appearance of Janet van Dyne as the Wasp. It maybe trades on this nostalgia a little, but it's a trade-off I'm more than willing to make. Captain America brought the Wasp in basically to test Hank to see if he really was who he was claiming he was (the answer is pretty obvious by the cover, though). It's an issue that has everyone (minus Cap) acting actually pretty rationally. Janet, someone who spent enough time with Hank back in the day to know him very well, can easily see through Ultron-Hank's facade, and Cable's solution makes a lot of sense when you really think about it. I was really surprised with this. So far, Uncanny Avengers has usually just been okay. I'm actually really looking forward to how this arc resolves itself.

Tony's Score: 8.5/10





Action Comics #958

Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Patrick Zircher

There's a distinct difference between "action" and "mindless action." Dan Jurgens, who wrote this issue, was appropriately enough one of the lead writers during the Death of Superman, an event that is constantly labeled as being "mindless action." It seems fitting, then, that he'd write this, a prime example of non-mindless action. This issue sees the newly freed Doomsday beginning a rampage across Metropolis, with only Superman and Lex Luthor to stop him. What at first seems like a slugfest of an issue quickly shows some quite interesting character development underneath the punching and the explosions. Most interestingly, the fact that Lex Luthor seemingly really does WANT to help, choosing to either save civilians or help hold off and force away Doomsday. Something that will definitely please non-fans of Man of Steel is that both Superman and Lex Luthor make honest attempts to both move the fight outside of Metropolis (to little avail) and to reduce casualties. Meanwhile, Lois and Superman's son, Johnathan, watch at home, with Lois being reminded of the day Superman died in her world. It's a specter that keeps being brought up, mostly for good effect. What's clear for Superman is that this Doomsday isn't the same beast he fought back in the 90's. Most interestingly, though, was the mysterious Clark Kent lookalike, who said that he did what he had to, a cryptic message given that he's not giving any straight answers. It's another solid issue to a, so far, solid arc.

Tony's Score: 8/10



The Mighty Thor #8

Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Russel Dauterman

It's funny, for all the talk about the Jane Foster Thor and the rave reception of this newest Mighty Thor series, not a whole lot of time has been spent on Foster herself. This issue seeks to correct that issue in some way, with most of the issue having Jane as her normal human self. In this issue, Foster is taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody when the agency figures out that Jane has some connection to this new female Thor. Of course, they haven't yet figured out they're one in the same, but they're getting dangerously close. Meanwhile, the half-minotaur head of Roxxon Corp who teamed up with Loki a while back makes his power play against some of the most powerful and wealthy people on the planet. No spoilers, but, needless to say, it doesn't go well for him. Overall, this issue is actually a lot funnier than what we usually get from the Mighty Thor, which, after a few issues of hardcore Norse mythology and Viking action, makes for a nice change of pace. This is especially helped out by the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. They aren't exactly Nick Fury, instead more like cartoon good-cop/bad-cop guys. Meanwhile, the Roxxon subplot sets up very nicely the next threat for Jane to have to contend with. It's a great issue, another solid entry in Aaron's run, and one you shouldn't miss.

Tony's Score: 9/10



The Flash #1

Written bu Joshua Williamson
Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico

What words can I use to describe the Flash #1? Dynamic. Tense. Heartwarming. Optimistic. Inspiring. These are usually word I also associate with the Flash himself, ever since the Justice League animated show years back, and this perfectly captures that attitude. This issue sees Barry trying to juggle his life at the precinct as the forensics expert and his life as the Flash, both of which are becoming increasingly part of his life. Joshua Williamson, a writer who's largely been known for darker works, like the Image comic, Nailbiter, doesn't forget to bring the hope for this issue. Iris constantly remarks how Barry is always trying to help everyone, and this issue shows, with the climax featuring him trying to both save people trapped in a fire and keep a friend of his from being shot at the same time. It's this real sense of tragedy to the Flash I've always found to be endearing. The man who can do everything but doesn't always succeed. Giandomeico's art is also really nice. Highly detailed and very flowing, it really conveys this sense of movement. It's also an issue that takes advantage of the fact that the Flash is very much a forensics expert, with him using his skills to analyze a crime scene. It's a solid issue that paves the way for what I'm hoping will be a great run on this character.

Tony's Score: 9/10





The Unbelievable Gwenpool #3

Written by Christopher Hastings
Art by Gurihiru

Gwenpool as a series is something of an emotional rollercoaster. While it's an irreverent and self-aware story for the most part, it's also a story with a surprising amount of heart and even some somber or melancholic moments. For the most part, though, it's generally very funny. This issue sees Gwenpool having to find a way to create an identity for herself since she's not originally from this world, and therefore lacks a social security number or bank account that she needs in order to be put on M.O.D.O.K.'s payroll. This includes getting some help from an unexpected ally. It's a very silly issue, with Gwen also trying to convince a teammate that she's from a world where the Marvel characters are all comic book characters, but it's also surprisingly heavy at times. Without spoiling what she does to get an identity, it involves having to make a choice about her home, especially concerning her parents. It was a surprisingly sad moment that took me off guard a bit. It shows how in over her head Gwen really is in this universe and really puts things into perspective for her. It's perhaps a bit jarring to have that in the same book where we have M.O.D.O.K. wearing nerd glasses trying to organize his payroll, but it somehow works. Gurihiru's art is as adorable as ever, and it proves to be surprisingly flexible in that regard. It's a great issue that proves that its concept has far more depth than it seemed at first.

Tony's Score: 8.5/10


And that'll do it for me today. As always, let me know what you're reading. Did you like Wonder Woman as much as I did? What about the Flash? Have you been reading Civil War II or did you skip out? Let me know below, and I'll see you next week.


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