New Comics - 29th February 2012

Two books for me this week. I nearly bought a few more but decided to be resilient and not buckle and settled for my usual books: The Amazing Spider-Man #680 and Justice League #6. On to the reviews:

Justice League #6

So the first arc of DC's flagship title Justice League is finally over. It's been a good run but there's definitely been something missing to make it the amazing series we were all expecting. The art by Jim Lee was superb (of course) but Geoff Johns's story felt bit underwhelming in the end. Issue 6 saw DC's finest pull together to send Darkseid back to whence he came and transform them from vigilantes into role models in a single fight. But this issue definitely lacked the resolution I wanted. Darkseid wasn't defeated, he was just sent back through his portal, which kind of sucked as an ending in my opinion - maybe I was looking for a more definitive finale. Jim Lee's work on the action scenes were terrific though. When Wonder Woman and Aquaman went for Darkseid's eyes, those characters have never looked so good.

Altogether, the first 6 issues of Justice League have been okay but they haven't been great. Now normally I'm alright with okay from my comics, but from the leading title in DC's New 52 relaunch I expected a little more. I think these issues will probably read better in trade format, instead of 6 week gaps inbetween issues. Also, maybe now the team has been established some real stories can be told and the characters can begin to develop, and the team come together properly. I really liked the scene with Superman breaking free (with help from Batman) from Darkseid's minions to join in the fight - he finally got some attention in this book. It felt like despite being DC's most recognisable icon and de-facto leader of the Justic League, he was barely used in these 6 issues, and we had to endure a lot of Johns's personal favourite Green Lantern instead (not necessarily bad).

Overall, Justice League was just okay when it really needed to be great. I'll still be buying this but in the future I'd like a little bit more story because most of these issues felt like a Jim Lee art exhibition. That's not all bad but I want some reading material in my comics from time to time too.

Rating: 3/5

The Amazing Spider-Man #680

Wow. This was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Slott's run on ASM has been a lot of fun and pretty silly most of the time but when I saw that Spidey was gonna be in space, my first thought was "Oh God, please don't go down a really stupid road with this." It turns out I had no need to be worried because issue 680 was really, really fun.

The main reason issue 680 was so enjoyable is purely down to the fantastic writers. Yost and Slott are on fire here, especially during the scenes between Peter and Johnny Storm. In the past, some of my favourite Spider-Man stories have featured the Human Torch (which ones you say? Ultimate Spider-Man #69 and Spider-Man, Human Torch #5, coincidentally written by Slott). It's all about the witty dialogue, the constant back and forth bickering between Peter and Johnny. Their squabbles really make the issue a joy to read and I was actually laughing out loud on same pages. Fantastic writing and the book benefits immensely when the writers understand their characters completely. The art by Giuseppe Camuncoli was good, but nothing to write home about; it was solid stuff and better than Camuncoli's last issue on ASM (#675).

If you've been wanting to read some Spider-Man but have been hesitant to jump on because of his enormous history, fear not because issue 680 is the perfect issue to get back into the world of Spidey. It's a brand new arc and #680 has been the most enjoyable issue I've read since Spider-Island concluded. It's well worth trying out.

Rating: 4/5

Thanks for reading.

New Comics - 1st February 2012

Just the one for me this week since there's nothing from DC I usually pick up. Wasting no time, let's get to it:

The Amazing Spider-Man #679

Issue 679 of The Amazing Spider-Man (ASM) wrapped up a two issue arc involving Spidey getting mixed up in a time-travelling disaster that potentially threatened to destroy New York. In ASM #678, we saw Peter step through a work colleague's latest invention, a "door into tomorrow", and inadvertently altering the future in the process. This issue saw our hero go to every length to ensure that New York would be safe, that it wouldn't explode after all. After saving the city and it's citizens from impending doom countless times, nothing Spider-Man did seemed to solve the problem, until a little sit down at a diner with Mary Jane made everything clear for our favourite wall crawler. Peter realised it wasn't Spidey who needed to save the day, but Peter himself. 

Overall this was an enjoyable little story and it's clear writer Dan Slott doesn't take himself or the characters too seriously. The outcome is a fun, easy-reading comic. This two issue arc wasn't anything special, but it didn't really have to be because it's clear Slott has cooked up something a little bigger for the next few issues. This story was essentially filler, but was enjoyable nonetheless and that's all I want from my Spider-Man comics. The decision to combine Slott's witty writing with the excellent Humberto Ramos has been one of Marvel's best decisions in recent times as the two creators are perfectly suited for a book like ASM. Peter Parker has had his fair share of drama in the past, more than most actually, but Slott's light hearted approach to the character really works. Spidey is the guy who takes the piss out of criminals when he's knocking them out, he's not silent and serious like Batman, so it's good to see Peter having some fun whilst he fights crime. That's exactly the Peter Parker I want to see and ASM is all the better for it.

I'm looking forward to what Slott has lined up for the near future. Looks like it'll have something to do with Peter finding himself in space, which sounds a bit wacky but hey, everything else Slott has done so far on ASM has been good, so I'm being optimistic (for a change).

Rating: 3/5

Thanks for reading.

New Comics - 18th January 2012

This is traditionally my biggest Wednesday of the month, what with Batman and Nightwing always shipping at the same time, and normally Daredevil or the bi-monthly Amazing Spider-Man making an appearance too. I would have had even more to read this week if Justice League was released on time (rumour has it issue 5 will be out next Wednesday, the 25th). So let's get to the reviews of this week's purchases (there may be SPOILERS ahead, naturally).

Batman #5

We're 5 issues deep into Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's run on Batman and it has been sublime so far. Every issue has left me wanting more and this week's edition was so no exception. Snyder has crafted one hell of a story here and Capullo's artwork bowls me over every month. This book is haunting, pure and simple. Issue 4 saw Bruce fall into the Court of Owl's lair and this week is the fallout, seeing Batman trapped in their labyrinth. I've read that some readers found this issue frustrating, because we didn't learn anything new and meaningful about Talon and the Court. I can understand their frustration but good things come to those who wait right? I'm certain Mr Snyder will reveal everything at the precise moment to cause maximum effect. This was all about seeing Bruce as a human being, stripped down and vulnerable, a man slowly losing touch with reality. This was a horrifying issue as we had to watch Batman be chipped away mentally, as the Court of Owls tortured and teased until our hero began to break down. Don't get me started on the whole "turning the pages" thing; it really weirded me out and for a second there I thought there was something wrong with my individual issue, like it had been bound wrong. The scene with Damian at the end was pretty touching, and it was nice to see him show some emotion for his father. I just hate how I have to wait another 4 weeks into I can find out what happens next; the suspense is unbearable.

Rating: 5/5

Nightwing #5

After 5 issues I've been enjoying Kyle Higgins' work on Nightwing. It's not knocking my socks off but its solid, entertaining stuff and a good read overall. However this week Nightwing seemed to take a bit a step backwards. The whole fight with a demon thing irked me a bit and I felt it didn't make for a great story. Eddy Barrows' art was the saving grace on this issue, possibly his best work on the book so far. Overall issue 5 wasn't great but the reveal at the end has kept me intrigued and I'm very interested to see where the plot goes from here. Dick Grayson is one of my favourite DC characters so even if this book was awful (which it isn't) I'd no doubt buy this book regardless of it's quality, such is my love for the character. Here's hoping the story heats up a bit from now on.

Rating: 2/5

The Amazing Spider-Man #678

Ever since the enjoyable epic that was Spider-Island came to an end, Amazing Spider-Man seems to have gotten a bit lost. After a couple of filler issues involving the Vulture, the dismal issue 676, and the first part of "Devil and the Details" which concluded in this month's Daredevil (I'll come to that), I was hoping Dan Slott would get the show back on the road and that's largely what we got this month in issue 678. I have to admit I was slightly disappointed this issue didn't mention or remark on the events that occurred in Daredevil #8 but I suppose its not really important in the grand scheme of things. Humberto Ramos returned on art duties and in some style too. A lot of people are a bit "marmite" when it comes to Ramos' style; you either love him or hate him. I am very much loving his take on Spidey and I feel he draws a brilliant Peter Parker, bringing some much-needed fun and humour to every issue. Despite his cartoon-ish ways I really enjoy Ramos' art and coupled with Slott's witty take on the wall-crawler, it all makes for an entertaining read. Keep it up please.

Rating: 3/5

Daredevil #8

Quite possibly Marvel's most celebrated title at the moment and I'm proud to say I've been there since the start. Well, if we consider issue 1 last summer to be the start. Mark Waid is still firing on all cylinders and continues to bring fresh and interesting stories to the life of Matt Murdock and Daredevil. This issue concluded the story that began in Amazing Spider-Man 677 and wrapped it all up beautifully. Waid made sure there was a bit of everything; some humour, lots of action, even some romance. I look forward to this book every month as it never fails to deliver the goods. This panel in particular made me burst out in laughter: 

Filling in for Paolo Rivera this issue was artist Kano, who did a stand-up job in the art department. His pencils were perfect, very Rivera-like and kept with the tone previously set by Rivera and Marcos Martin on the series. I hope Marvel can get Kano to fill in every time Rivera or Martin can't make it. Overall this was a great issue and a lot of fun. I enjoyed it so much that Daredevil narrowly edges out Batman as my pick of the week. It had the perfect blend for me and it seems Waid can't put a foot wrong at the moment. Long may he reign on Daredevil.

Rating: 5/5 Pick of the Week

Thanks for reading.