By: Cody Chavers
DC
Batman and Robin #35 – 4/5
Robin Rises continues as Batman carves a brutal path to the heart of Apokolips to retrieve the stolen body of his son, Damien. Red Robin, Red Hood and Batgirl come together to help Bruce, and this is where writer Peter J Tomasi really shines this issue. Artists Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray perfectly capture the mood both on Apokolips and Earth.
Batman/Superman #15 – 5/5
A spectacular issue this month with the conclusion of the amnesia story arc. Writer Greg Pak really nails the dialogue between Batman and Lois Lane, as well as portraying both Batman and Superman as completely different characters without their memories, while simultaneously making them very familiar. A large team of artists came together to create some of the best panels this series has to offer.
Batwoman #35 – 3/5
Batwoman takes the fight against Morgan Le Fay’s demons to space this issue and it is definitely weird. With her team of Clayface, Rag Man, Etrigan and her sister Elizabeth, fantasy and sci-fi collide with mixed results. The art is overall well done, but some of the dialogue, especially Batwoman’s quips, falls flat.
Green Lantern: New Guardians #35 – 5/5
The Godhead event continues with its best issue yet. Kyle Rayner and Carrol Ferris finally step onto the stage as Kyle’s powers take an unexpected turn and help comes from an even more unexpected source. The writing in this issue perfectly portrays both Kyle and Carrol’s feelings, but the art is where this book really stands out. Godhead may be the best Lantern crossover yet.
Justice League #35 – 4/5
Geoff Johns comes out strong with the introduction to a new Justice League event, the Amazo Virus. Doug Mahnke and Ivan Reis contributed solid art throughout, with the exception of a panel or two. Moments that especially stood out include the back and forth between Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne and the League working together to deal with an unexpected threat late in the issue.
Red Hood and the Outlaws #35 – 3.5/5
A decent issue from the Red Hood crew this month as events and people from Starfire’s past continue to catch up with her. Scott Lobdell’s writing really keeps this book afloat. With so much Jason Todd in other books this month, it’s painfully obvious that other artists do better with the Red Hood than Geraldo Borges. Not to say his work is bad, just not as good as some others this month.
Supergirl: #35 – 4.5/5
An awesome team up this month as the Red Hood, Jason Todd, shows up to ask for Supergirl’s help stopping some intergalactic arms dealers. Wonderful banter between the heroes and smart writing in the thought bubbles really showcase Tony Bedard’s writing skills. Artist Jonboy Meyers does well with the calm moments of dialogue and does even better with the action.
Teen Titans #3 – 4.5/5
The new team behind the Teen Titans continues to impress in their third issue since the renumbering of the book. A mysterious robot returns to cause our favorite teens trouble and the team is left wondering what they are going to do about it. The art and writing is amazing and this continues to be a book to keep an interested eye on.
IDW
Judge Dredd #23 – 4.5/5
The Black Light District arc comes to a surprise-filled end this month with Dredd fighting off hordes of Dark Judges and a trapped Anderson providing psychic back up. Writer Duane Swierczynski stays at the top of his game and leaves the reader guessing at the end of every page. Artist Nelson Daniel sticks to his guns with his almost cartoon-y style lending surprisingly well to the violent action.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #39 – 4/5
Written by a crack team including series veteran Kevin Eastman, TMNT continues to ride the line between gritty action and Nickelodeon style humor. Tensions are building as an army of mutants is assembling and preparing to go to war to defend the planet from inter-dimensional invaders and humans alike. TMNT has always been and continues to be a series to watch.
Marvel
Daredevil #8 – 4.5/5
Things take a dark turn for the Man Without Fear this month. The Purple Man is back, but things are quite different this time. The writing is good, to be sure, but the real star of this run so far is the artist. Every panel, be it dialogue or action, is very stylishly done and gives the reader a sense of what it’s like to observe the world as Daredevil does.
Deadpool’s Art of War #1 – 5/5
All of Marvel’s Deadpool books have been brilliant and Art of War is no exception. Deadpool comes across the original scrolls for Sun Tzu’s classic instructions for waging war and decides to make a fortune translating and selling it to a major publisher. When the publisher declines, major hijinks ensue. The Merc with the Mouth heads to Asgard to start some major league trouble. Fourth wall breaks and jokes occur throughout and there is no shortage of action. A must read.
Edge of Spider-Verse #5 – 4/5
Marvel continues to build momentum for their upcoming event Spider-Verse, this week with a futuristic, cyberpunk version of Spider-Man. A Japanese teenager named Peni with a psychic symbiotic spider known as SP//dr and a huge mech suit, this issue reads more like a manga than anything else. The art and writing are both well done. Marvel is really sparing no expense leading into this mega-event.
Loki, Agent of Asgard #7 – 3.5/5
Al Ewing’s writing keeps this issue afloat when the hit and miss art tries to drag it down. Loki has been captured by Dr. Doom and it’s up to Verity Willis to convince the young genius Valeria Richards to free him. There is definitely more than one laugh out loud moment and a ton of quality dialogue, but a noticeable lack of action.
Ms. Marvel #9 – 4.5/5
Ms. Marvel continues to be one of Marvel’s best books in part two of the Generation Why story arc. One of the Inventor’s giant robots attacks Kamala’s high school and she is understandably none too pleased with it. Her counterattack is not as effective as she expects as her powers are on the fritz. Help and clarity on her power’s origins comes in the form of Medusa, Queen of the Inhumans. Writer G. Willow Wilson continues to completely nail the teenage feelings and humor.