There is a lot to cover on Wednesdays. We should know, as collectively, we read an insane amount of comics. Even with a large review staff, it’s hard to get to everything. With that in mind, we’re back with Wrapping Wednesday, where we look at some of the books we missed in what was another great week of comics.
Let’s get this party started.
Aquaman #24
Written by Geoff Johns
Illustrated by Paul Pelletier
Reviewed by Zach Wilkerson
After last issue’s terrific cliffhanger, Johns spends the majority of his penultimate “Aquaman” issue tying up loose threads and paying off threads from the book’s first year. Although the revelations are interesting, full of the usual mythic scope Johns is known for, they feel rushed, unearned. It’s almost as if Johns realized he was about to leave, and realized he had a ton of story left to tell. “Aquaman” had been extremely decompressed, but the contents of this issue could’ve made up an entire “Secret Origins”-esque arc. While the pacing feels off, the story is still a lot of fun, and the art team of Pelletier and Rod Reis is as great as ever. Plus, bearded Aquaman. Bring on the finale!
Final Verdict: 8.0
FF #13
Written by Matt Fraction and Lee Allred
Illustrated by Lee Allred
Review by Brian Salvatore
While it would be a little disingenuous to say that this book hasn’t slipped at all since Matt Fraction stopped scripting, the difference has been far less than many worried it would be. The Allred brothers have this locked down, though, and the book is still one of the most fun being published. A large chunk of this issue takes place on the moon, and features a view of the Watcher’s home life that I can’t imagine was ever even considered before (Spoiler alert: Watchers poop). There is a sequence with the Red Ghost and his Super-Apes that is a complicated, time-travel-y sequence that would be nearly incomprehensible in the hands of a visual storyteller less gifted than Mike Allred, who instead transforms the sequence into something incredible.
Final Verdict: 7.5 – Buy
Red Lanterns #24
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Alessandro Vitti
Review by Brian Salvatore
This issue is a big ol’ bucket of water being dumped on the ‘Lights Out’ campfire. Up through this issue, the crossover was one of the most successful Lantern crossovers in years (perhaps even since ‘Blackest Night’ or, if I’m being really generous, ‘The Sinestro Corps War’). However, as it has done since the New 52 launched, “Red Lanterns” drags down the rest of the crossover with this middling piece of work. Vitti is an artist I can usually take or leave, but compared to the other Lantern artists, his work comes off as rushed and sloppy here. I think what Soule has done with the Red characters (mainly, making them more verbal) is an improvement, but there is so little to these characters (beyond the totally wasted Guy Gardner) that no matter who the scripter is, interesting stuff is hard to come by. There is one small piece here that is interesting, regarding the Reds getting their own sector, free of the GLC, but it isn’t nearly enough to carry this entire issue to anything worth buying, outside of the crossover appeal.
Final Verdict: 4.5 – Skip
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #28
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by David Marquez
Reviewed by Matt Dodge
With the “Cataclysm” event looming, “Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man” ends its current volume with issue #28. Artist David Marquez and long-time writer Brian Michael Bendis waste no time in getting right to the action as Miles Morales, Jessica Drew, Clock and Dagger, and Bombshell team up for a final assault on the Roxxon Corporation. Bendis makes sure to include plenty of emotional beats within the story that keep the issue from becoming a hodgepodge of mindless action, while Marquez beautifully renders this diverse team and their many different powers. This issue wraps up many long running plot threads within the series in an extremely satisfying way that is sure to please fans, but leaves enough behind to ensure the readers that the story of Miles Morales is not over just yet.
Continued belowFinal Verdict: 8.0 – Buy. It’s the end of an era for Miles Morales.
Uncanny Avengers #11
Written by Rick Remender
Illustrated by Daniel Acuña
Reviewed by James Johnston
Somehow, “Uncanny Avengers” is still doing that story with The Apocalypse Twins. Even though the story feels like it’s been dragging on forever, it’s still reaching some interesting places, even at a snail’s pace. Acuña’s art here is more unified than in past issues, with a dark aesthetic all throughout that fits in with the nearly constant Apocalypse related contents of the story. The real shining artistic moment however, comes from Captain America who, stricken in a certain condition, has the best faces when yelling out his lines. “Uncanny Avengers” #13 is definitely above-average issue of a series that’s been trudging along for a while, but if you’ve been hoping for the title to move on so Remender and Acuña can move on to new territory, the end is not likely to come anytime soon.
Final Verdict: 7.4
