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.
Batman/Superman #5
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Brett Booth
Review by Brian Salvatore
After a truly outstanding opening arc, this issue falls flat for a few clear reasons. First of all, the art change has been really damaging to this book. Even when pages were being filled in by Ben Oliver and Yildiray Cinar, there was a certain class and majesty to the proceedings that made the book feel special and unique, especially when main artist Jae Lee was drawing it. Brett Booth is excellent at what he does; what he does just doesn’t fit the same tonal area as what Lee does. This, visually, no longer is set apart from the usual New 52 scrum, and suffers greatly. It is also the all too present “gamers” issue. Although many creators must be gamers, and the audiences must overlap quite a bit, whenever this is broached, it feels forced and phony. This new Toyman is weird and creepy, too. While there are still lots of nice Bruce/Clark moments (the cornerstone of this series), most of the issue feels off a bit.
Final Verdict: 5.0 – Browse, but know this is below the series’ standards
Captain Marvel #17
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Illustrated by Filipe Andrade
Review by David Henderson
It’s not an ending so much as a new beginning for “Captain Marvel”, but I can’t help be bittersweet about this issue. On one hand, it’s easily one of the strongest issues of the series as whole, but on the other I have to wait until March for more. DeConnick is on fire here, blending her marked wit with heartfelt emotion for the character in a tribute to the fans that have made this series a success. Teamed with the art team of Filipe Andrade and Jordie Bellaire that have almost defined the look of the book, this is just a marvel to look at with warm and lush browns and oranges washing over a loose and stylistic New York that makes Captain Marvel even more vibrant that ever. All that and it culminates in a moment that should have you in tears if you’re not some heartless robot that laughs at children’s sadness. This series could not ask for a better end-cap and what’s better is that there’s even more on the way.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – Buy because even though it’s a last issue, this is something to experience.
Cataclysm: The Ultimates’ Last Stand #1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Mark Bagley and Andrew Hennessy
Reviewed by James Johnston
To be perfectly frank, I know next to nothing about Ultimate Marvel so I expected “Cataclysm: The Ultimates’ Last Stand” to feature some continuity I wasn’t completely familiar with. Thankfully, this issue is very good at bringing in new readers on the threat: Galactus eating Ultimate Earth. Honestly, nothing much happens here aside from Galactus blowing some stuff up and The Ultimates just losing their minds for a page or two. Even though Galactus coming for Ultimate Earth is something that has been discussed for literal months, it makes sense for this issue to be practically all set up for this situation. It’s not like there was an entirely different miniseries that could have set this all up and got us straight to the plot.
Oh wait, there was? That’s hilarious!
Final Verdict: 4.3 – Skip, though it’d be a browse if this was the actual first issue and not part 8 of an insanely decompressed story that already cost readers at least $20.
Earth 2 #17
Written by Tom Taylor
Continued below
Illustrated by Nicola Scott
Reviewed by Zach Wilkerson
While the thought of anyone other than James Robinson writing “Earth 2” feels almost heretic, Tom Taylor does a terrific job. Taylor carries the fantastic momentum of last issue’s diabolical cliffhanger, weaving in a few genuine surprises of his own. Taylor also does a fair job of balancing the extremely large cast. Anyone fearful that “Earth 2” would become yet another Batman vehicle, rest assured that the series large scope remains intact. Needless to say, Nicola Scott’s work is as gorgeous as ever, cementing her spot as one of DC’s top artistic talents. Indeed, this issue sits tall amongst the best of the Robinson penned issues. My only qualm is the slight similarities between this new status quo and that of Taylor’s work on “Injustice.” Hopefully Taylor will continue to focus on the aspects that separate the two series. Its safe to say “Earth 2” has bright days ahead yet, creative changes be damned.
Final Verdict: 8.8 – Buy
East of West #7
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Illustrated by Nick Dragotta
Review by David Harper
This comic is so great, you guys. The style and storytelling of the book is almost more of a fable passed along around campfires back in the New Old West than a comic book, but it works to emphasize the heft of what is happening on the page. Hickman is doing a marvelous job of building the world and moving the story, and Dragotta’s art elevates the material in sometimes shocking ways. When it comes to Ezra, the “son” of Conquest, the pain and anguish you can see in him is stunning in the hands of Dragotta, and it never ceases to floor me in seeing what he can accomplish unleashed like this. Truly a masterpiece in the making, East of West #7 is yet another stunning chapter of one of the best comics around.
Final Verdict: 9.5 – Be thankful everyday that you don’t have a creepy, sentient monster for an arm
Forever Evil #3
Written by Geoff Johns
Illustrated by David Finch
Review by Brian Salvatore
Can you hear that? That is the sound of Geoff Johns firing on all cylinders.
This mini, thus far, has been really great. Finch’s art, something I’m not the hugest fan of, fits the tone of this book to a tee, and his crosshatched moodiness actually adds a compelling element to the pages. Johns is absolutely killing this, as well, allowing Luthor to shine, making the Rogues as compelling as he did a decade ago, as well as working in two of his more recent villains, Black Adam and Black Manta, as well. Overall, this issue feels more like a Justice League comic than almost any issue of “Justice League” or “Justice League of America” that Johns has written for the New 52. The “team” is coming together, and it is an exciting thing to see.
Final Verdict: 7.5 – Buy
“Mighty Avengers” #3
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Greg Land
Review by Vince Ostrowski
It’s such a shame that the story of this book has to be Greg Land’s art, month in and month out, because Al Ewing is setting up one hell of a team. That said, Land’s art has to be the story of any review, because it’s just not effective in telling a story. Actually, his tendencies weren’t as present in issues #1 & #2, but here they are back with a vengeance. The creepy-ass mile wide smiles. The incorrect body proportions. The visual self-referencing of his own past work. It’s all here.
Meanwhile, Al Ewing is trying to tell a great underdog story of a scrappy team on Earth during “Infinity”, with all sorts of unlikely characters coming together. He’s trying really hard – and he’s writing great scripts – but the art drops the ball. It drops the ball, because it’s not just the photo-referencing that is bothersome – plenty of artists do it to great effect. It’s the fact that the visuals are so choppy and incongruous because the referencing is done to poor effect.
Final Verdict: 5.7 – browse
