I take a look at a selection of this weeks comic releases. This week I read and review Blood Hunt, Nightwing, Green Lantern: War Journal, Ultimate Black Panther, and more!
Fall of the House of X #5
Colourist: Bryan Valenza, Letterer: Travis Lanham
Not only does the issue deal with Nimrod, finally putting the machine down for good (hopefully), but we get a conclusion to Omega Sentinel's turn as a villain. Having had her body inhabited by a version of herself from a dark future, Karima has turned on her former allies and has been fighting for their extinction. Thanks to Psylocke, however, her true psyche gets freed, and the injured and traumatised Karima is saved. I know fans of the character haven't been completely happy with her villain turn, so this issue addressing it, and setting her up to have a decent story come out of this with her journey to forgiveness, should hopefully keep fans satisfied.
The art team on the issue do a hell of a job, and deliver some fantastic action sequences and it feels like most of the key players in the issue get a moment where you just have to stop and take in what they're doing because it's incredibly cool. The issue really hammers home how great the X-Men can look when they're backed into a corner, fighting to save the world, never giving in. There are some great moments here that really reinforce why people love these characters so much. With the AI's put to bed, things are still not finished though, with Xavier still working his schemes, and the danger of Enigma still looming, the final two issues of the Krakoa Era look set to be just as pack as this one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Spectacular Spider-Men #3
Colourist: Edgar Delgado, Letterer: Joe Caramagna
As with most 'dream' scenarios that Peter has been in in the past (think House of M) his dream life is him living in a post-Spider-Man retirement with his loving wife Gwen Stacy, and their two kids. Having seen this kind of scenario before it does feel a little bit like a rehash, especially as Ultimate Spider-Man also has a happily married father Peter Parker going on; however, it's Weisman's writing that keeps it from feeling stale, and makes these parts of the issue enjoyable to read. Whilst Peter is stuck in that reality, Miles is going on his first date with Kamala. Building upon seeds planted in past interactions, we get to see a little bit of what the two of them becoming a couple would be like; and it's pretty adorable.
The art on the issue, with pencils by Humberto Ramos and inks by Victor Olazaba, looks great. The art on this series has been a genuine joy so far, with even the more mundane and realistic scenes being packed full of energy and tiny details that will bring a smile to your face. However, this issue it's perhaps the splash pages that are the best looking, with the second page in the book being a great reveal of some sneaky trickery going on with the first page. Overall, this has been a really enjoyable title so far, and those feeling disappointed in the flagship Spider-Man book should definitely be checking this out. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Titans #11
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Mixed into this we also get a little furthering of the evil Raven arc, with Dick having been onto her for a while now and investigating her. But how do you investigate someone who can read your mind? Well, this brings us to the part of the issue that I honestly didn't really like too much. Dick having set up a mental safe room to hide his thoughts, fine, I can go with that. But the word that activates it was a little too much for me. Batman is currently driving Zur-en-arrh into the ground for me, and this issue taking some inspiration from that just lost me if I'm honest. Hopefully Circ-en-arrh will never come up again; I've already seen it relentlessly mocked dozens of times online, so I don't think I'm the only one who isn't down for that particular one.
Outside of the story that has some ups and downs the art on the issue is great, and Lucas Meyer does some great work at bringing Vanadia to life. She's got a pretty decent design, reminiscent of Amazo, yet also retaining a lot of elements of her human form, and she's utilised well in the action scenes she's in. Hopefully we'll get to see her do some more stuff next issue, and hopefully away from Titans Tower too, as we yet again have another story where a lot of stuff seems to be happening around the building. I'd like to see the Titans get out of the house a bit more as this arc goes on. ⭐⭐⭐
Predator: The Last Hunt #4
Arciniega, Letterer: Clayton Cowles
As this volume of the series comes to a close (and I wish they didn't start a new volume each story arc) it's the third or fourth story arc of the series and as with the others it kind of just limps towards it's end goal. The issue opens with Theta having been healed by the Nightmare Predator, and taken to a new hunting ground. Finding her armour waiting for her, she engages in a fight with the hunter with her allies Paolo and John being the prize. One of the biggest problems with the Marvel Predator titles for me has been that there's little memorable about them. This time round we've got John Schaefer popping up, and a cool looking new foe, but John doesn't do much and of course Theta beats the Predator at the end. There's no big wow moments, it just moves from one story to another without any sense of big resolution or pay off. Perhaps stopping the ongoing adventures of Theta and doing self contained mini's like Dark Horse would be the better way to go.
Whilst the story is fairly middle of the road, the art at least is good, and the pages of Theta fighting the Nightmare Predator are absolutely packed. There are a couple of pages that cram in as many panels as possible, showing the length and brutality of the fight, and how over powered Theta is by her new foe. And, the new Predator itself is a great design. Perhaps one of the more interesting looking Predators in this entire ongoing saga, it's a shame he's dispatched at the end and couldn't be used as an ongoing threat. With this story at a close we'll have to wait to see what comes next; but at least while we wait for news on the Predator series we know there's another cross-over coming in the near future. ⭐⭐⭐
Black Widow & Hawkeye #3
Iacono, Letterer: Joe Sabino
That's the main thrust of this issue, Clint dealing with the comedown of the experience, of feeling just as sick from the alien creature as he did the poison. Natasha tells him about how it heightens negative feelings, and how this is something that he's going to have to deal with for a short while as a result, and it's interesting to see how just a brief exposure to the symbiote has such a dramatic effect on him. It definitely raises questions as to how much it might be affecting Natasha too, and if this series is going to be using the history between the two characters to help her through this and make her see she needs to get rid of the symbiote I'm definitely going to be interested in that. Kind of like a story of an old friend confronting you about an addiction.
Interspersed into this are flashbacks to the early days of the two leads, and we get to see some great scenes of them in their classic costumes, with a little cameo appearance by an old Avenger. The big, colourful costumes and the trick arrows definitely feel like a stark contrast to the more realistic and dour modern day parts of the book, and it's interesting to see how comic sensibilities have changed over the decades, where the silliness of old has been replaced. The flashbacks are definitely where the art excels too, and whilst it's fine seeing Clint recovering in a dark room watching him in bright purple breaking his way into the Russian embassy is just way more fun. ⭐⭐⭐
Superman #14
Colourist: Alejandro Sánchez, Letterer: Ariana Maher
Joshua Williamson isn't just content to let the fight take centre stage and take it easy for the rest of the issue though, as the plot moves forward in some important ways. The other members of the Superman Family get some stuff to do, we discover more back story, and one of my favourite characters from L.E.G.I.O.N. makes his appearance, and I'd totally forgotten he was a part of the story so it was nice to see him pop up again. The issue ends with the introduction of the Brainiac Queen, the new thing that has been teased for a while now, and those expecting a female version of Brainiac and that's all will be pleasantly surprised, as the Queen very quickly becomes a scary new threat in relatively short time on the page. With the story moving forward at this pace, and still managing to get some great character moments into things too I can't wait to see what the rest of the upcoming chapters do. The Warworld Saga was definitely a high point for Superman fans in recent times, and this story definitely feels like it's going to be standing alongside it as a modern classic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider #1
Nolan Woodard, Matt Milla, Letterer: Ariana Maher
The reason for her coming into the main Marvel universe is a major plot point in this new series it seems, but the first issue shrouds it in a lot of secrecy, with OB from the TVA popping up to tell her it's important that she be there, but that she can't do anything super heroic or talk to any other heroes. The why's aren't brought up, yet the situation is spoken with with such weight that I couldn't help but feel like I'd missed something important. The issue tries it's best to draw you in, but it does feel like you've accidentally picked up issue eight of a series rather than the opening chapter. This, coupled with the loss of the world and characters that readers have come to like (including the beginning of a much anticipated queer relationship for the hero) makes the issue feel very flat.
The art is decent, and it's always nice to see Gwen doing her hero thing, no matter the setting, as she's got a fantastic design. But there are some moments where things feel a little off in places, with the shape and look of faces not always matching even on the same page. Spider-Gwen is a great character, with a huge fanbase, but I can't help but feel that bringing her into the 616 universe is only going to harm her in the long run; and this lacklustre first issue doesn't dissuade from that feeling. ⭐⭐⭐
Nightwing #114
Lucas, Letterer: Wes Abbott
This brings us nicely to a benefit being thrown by Bruce, who's trying to get his rich Gotham friends to invest in the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation to bring its good work to Gotham. Unfortunately, this is where Heartless' plan comes into motion. Having seen him earlier in the issue, forcing a group of high level bosses and mobsters to work for him, it seems that the first step of his plan is to try and publicly smear Dick, making it look like the Foundation is taking dirty money from criminals. And that's about it, the issue ends somewhat abruptly as the fire alarm goes off. It definitely feels like the first part of an arc, and has no sense of resolution within itself as part of the issue.
Taylor's run has felt very interconnected throughout, and even the odd issue here and there that initially felt standalone, such as the entirely first person issue, is all part of the bigger whole that's coming into play here. Whilst this issue failed to grab me as much as pervious ones have I get the feeling that it'll read much better when collected in a trade. The art on the book is, as always for Nightwing, decent, with Redondo doing some pretty fun and interesting panel layouts. My only criticism with the art on this issue is in the depiction of Damian. Despite being up to Bruce's shoulders in other books here he's a couple foot shorter, and looks more like a mini-Bruce than himself. The pale skin tone doesn't help either, and is yet another instance of DC whitewashing the character in certain titles. ⭐⭐⭐
Union Jack The Ripper: Blood Hunt #1
Colourist: Javier Tartaglia, Dee Cunniffe, Letterer: Travis Lanham
The book sees our small group of survivors about to be killed when Union Jack arrives on the scene. Less concerned with saving people than he is with killing any vampire that he can find, Jack is a bit of a dick here, and it creates a fun dynamic between him and the others. Where the other tie in's feel more like a super hero book that's trying its hand at horror, this title feels like an actual horror book. It has that look and feel of indie horror series, from both the writing and the art, and because of that it's maybe meeting the assignment better than the other titles in the Blood Hunt event.
The art is particularly good, and definitely helps with the grim and gritty feel of the book. Things are a little less clean than you expect from a Marvel book, and again it feels closer to an indie horror series than it does a big two event book. The vampire designs are much more monstrous than in other titles, and the art sells the idea that this could be the end of the world. With the big name heroes in New York fighting to save the world this series instead gives readers a fight for survival, making it a hidden gem of the event for sure. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Catwoman #65
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
One of the things that I noticed straight away about this issue is the change in artist, with Ivan Shavrin coming on board to both draw and colour the issue. I couldn't be happier with the change. Whilst there was nothing wrong with the previous art teams on this arc, they were all fairly standard looking, with nothing that really made them stand out. Shavrin, on the other hand, has a style that makes this issue instantly different. It's much more cartoonish and stylised, and it made the issue much more fun to read for me. There have been ups and downs with this current arc, and some of the issues have definitely dragged in places, but this kind of art style makes even some of the more dull moments have a sense of life and fun to them. Plus, the panel of the giant angry cat god holding Selina up and yelling at her might be my favourite panel of any comic this week; I absolutely loved it. Catwoman is doing a lot of weirder things with this story, and this issue seems to have embraced that weirdness a little bit more, and it feels like we're moving away from telling the same kinds of stories over and over again to do something a little bit more fun. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ultimate Black Panther #4
Letterer: Cory Petit
This issue opens with Queen Okoye having to reassure the citizens of Wakanda that their king is safe and well, despite him having vanished weeks before. We get to see some of the strain between Okoye and Shuri as they discuss T'Challa's absence, and Ra and Konshu start to plot their next moves, even sending an assassin to try to kill the queen. Thankfully, T'Challa returns and is able to help stop the assassin, alongside Shuri. He's also brought with him his new, trusted allies, Storm and Killmonger, who he calls his most trusted friends; forming an inner circle of trust along with his wife and sister.
Things definitely feel like they've started moving now, and it seems like we're getting to understand a little more about this conflict, the places where the enemy have infiltrated, and some much needed characterisation for the main villains. There's a part of me that can't help by question if T'Challa has been duped, and if Killmonger is going to turn out to be a villain or not, but that's my experience with the character in other universes colouring my experience, as there's nothing here to really hint at that. As it is, we're set for a series that feels like it's combining super heroics with an espionage thriller, and it's a great combo. ⭐⭐⭐
Blood Hunt #2
Letterer: Cory Petit
The issue mainly follows Jed MacKay's favourite characters, having Tigra, Miles Morales Spidey, and Hunters Moon being the main focus of the issue as the three of them try to make their way through a vampire infested city to Doctor Strange, who they assume is going to be working on a solution. Whilst they're right, he's in a pretty poor condition after the last issue and the previous issue of Doctor Strange. Meanwhile, the Blood Coven are sent after Blade's main targets, Dracula and Brielle, who come under attack from the gang of super vamps. Thankfully, the surviving Avengers find them, and for a brief moment are able to drive the Coven off with the return of a small piece of the sun. This group also heads to Strange, where Brielle's presence seems to activate Miles, who's a sleeper vampire. This final page reveal doesn't really come as too much of a surprise as Blade and Miles had a scene together in the first issue, and Miles still being alive clearly means that something untoward has happened. Despite it not being that big of a shock, the way in which his transformation happens is drawn well enough that it still feels like a big moment.
The art on the book is great, but that's what you come to expect from Pepe Larraz. The characters look great, and you can feel the tiredness and desperation on them, you can see them getting worn down by how terrible things have become. Yet there are also some moments of triumph too, and the Avengers coming back and managing to come out on top is a great high after the first issue events. Blood Hunt still feels like it's just getting started, and if it carries on with this quality it's going to end up being a rather enjoyable, if violent little event. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Green Lantern: War Journal #9
Lucas, Letterer: Dave Sharpe
This allows us to dive deep into the history of the Radiant Dead, and the Dark Star, revealing another hidden chapter of the Guardian's history. The Guardians having multiple shady secret things in their past that come back to bite the Lanterns is something that has become a bit of a joke, but I do kind of love it. It's a part of the series, it fits with who the Guardians are, and it does feel like it enriches the lore every time it's done. I'd love to see DC release a Book of Oa which is just a breakdown of every shitty thing the Guardians have ever done, but the cost would be quite high as it'd be a big book.
Whilst we dive into the history, John and the others stuck in the Dark Star dimension are having to fight against the evil forces there, and the Ellie construct is still protecting John's mother from her illness, and the Radiant Dead trying to get to her. The story is definitely a big draw for this series, and this is a great series that I expect that people will talk about whenever John Stewart gets brought up as one of his best, but another thing that makes this title a must read is the art by Montos. The issues have looked fantastic, particularly the way the Radiant Dead are drawn. This does not look like your average Green Lantern book, and its uniqueness is fantastic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Batman/Superman: World's Finest #27
Tamra Bonvillain, Letterer: Steve Wands
The plan might just be my favourite thing this series has done to date, as Mxyzptlk makes use of all of the weird Golden Age crap that Jimmy Olsen went through, by drawing out all of his transformations, monster forms, and super hero identities, and making them into separate beings that form the Olsen Squad. The way in which Waid pays tribute to these classic comics, creates something new, adds to the history of the DC Universe, and makes a truly, wonderfully enjoyable comic is nothing short of phenomenal and makes him one of the best comic writers around.
It also helps that he'd backed up by an incredibly art team. The issue looks fantastic, with Mora delivering jaw dropping moments and blending modern art with classic designs in ways that make things from the 40's and 50's feel old and silly, yet manages to make them work in this setting. The issue is also joined by Travis Mercer, who draws some unique moments in the issue that evoke the look and feel of the Super Friends television series. But again, I'm not sure if anything in this issue looks as good as the Olsen Squad. With a final page that had me laughing out loud, and super excited for the next issue, I can't help but give this top marks and name it my comic of the week. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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