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.
Afterlife With Archie #7
Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Illustrated by Francesco Francavilla
Reviewed by Jess Camacho
“Afterlife Witch Archie” on paper reads very gimmicky. Pitting classic Archie Comics characters against zombies is exactly what cynical fans say is wrong with the industry. It’s cashing in on a hot concept while making classic characters dark and gritty. “Afterlife With Archie” returns after a break and once again proves why those cynical comments don’t apply to this series. The focus of this issue is on Betty. Through her we’re caught up to what’s happened during the very small time jump. Aguirre-Sacasa is in touch with these characters’ personalities in a way that no other Archie Comics writer has been. He knows them so well and is able to retain their most known traits while adapting them to this more mature and dramatic story. The emotional core of this is a much more mature look at Betty’s life as she tries to recreate her diaries. Many moments here will pull at your heartstrings but not because they’re necessarily tragic. It’s because they feel real, which, is what Archie Comics has always done in just a much more wholesome way. The kids’ adventures were always teenage drama in high school, learning to drive or the struggle of passing a big exam. All this Aguirre-Sacasa and Francavilla have done is make it much more horror centric and mature.
Francesco Francavilla is a really a master of his craft. I’m always in awe of what he does within this story. Much of the horror factor comes from what Francavilla does artistically. It’s in the way the zombies attack and in the facial expressions of the characters. There’s a distinct classic horror movie look when something happens thanks to the overexaggerated expressions. The color scheme can be a little repetitive but it’s his signature and in this story, it works.
Final Verdict: 9.3 – “Afterlife With Archie” returns from a lengthy break and doesn’t lose a step. Consistent and one of the year’s biggest surprises.
Flash Gordon #7
Written by Jeff Parker
Illustrated by Evan Shaner
Reviewed by Brian Salvatore
I have a bit of a reputation among the MC staff as the guy who loves “Flash Gordon” a bit too much. Well, that rep is well deserved, because I love this book so much. This issue, Parker and Shaner introduce us to an endlessly fascinating character in Vultan, king of Skyworld. He is half Volstagg, half Hawkman, with a touch of Troy McClure playing Hercules tossed in for good measure. And yet, we only get to spend an issue or so with him before Flash and co. are whisked back to Earth for the end of this all-too-brief run.
Shaner is so adept at drawing this cast that his work appears effortless, despite it being incredibly complex and nuanced. [The “cannonball” page would be atop my Christmas wishlist, if anyone is asking, by the way.] He and Parker have truly breathed new life into these characters, and created an entire universe that is in dire need of exploration. Hopefully, the soon to be relaunched title continues to be as fun, exciting, and damn near perfect as this run has been.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – A truly fun experience.
Uncanny X-Men Annual #1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Andrea Sorrentino
Reviewed by Jess Camacho
At the beginning of Brian Michael Bendis’ run on “Uncanny X-Men” a group of brand new, younger mutants were introduced. One of them was Eva Bell, a teenager with high level time stopping/time travel powers. On a mission, Eva vanished for a few minutes. When she returned, she was older and changed. She knew things and wasn’t being very forthcoming. The first of two annuals within the Bendis books begins revealing the mystery of what happened to her. Opinion has been split on what Bendis is doing with the X-Men and I fall on the favorable side. “Uncanny X-Men Annual #1” finally answers some long lingering questions and these answers ended up being something so much more than I could have guessed. Bendis has been building to this and in typical fashion he answered some questions while opening up even bigger mysteries. Fun fan service was also a part of this thanks what Magik’s future looks like.
The real star was Andrea Sorrentino making his Marvel debut. This book was visually, unlike any X-Men book all year. Sorrentino doesn’t use conventional panels and the darkness to this book was never overdone. He fell into this series very naturally because he didn’t reinvent any of the designs but still gave it his own spin. As much I like Chris Bachalo’s work, I do want to see Sorrentino doing more X-Men work. “Uncanny X-Men Annual” #1 finally gave us some answers and they were very gratifying.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – Some of the strongest stuff Bendis has done so far with this title
