It’s going to be short and sweet this week due to a hectic life schedule so here we go!
Superman American Alien #1
DC Comics Writer Max Landis, Artist Nick Dragotta, Colorist Alex Guimaraes, Letterer John Workman
This new mini series about the life of Superman is supposed to be seven short stories about different time periods in Superman’s life and the first issue takes place as a young boy and he is just discovering that he can fly but can’t control it. Landis script hit all the beats and is enjoyable but it never really quite takes flight entirely. It’s not that the book is bad but I liked it just didn’t love it. Dragotta’s artwork fits the story very nicely and give the book a nice storybook quality that is a nice clean style that I liked. There was a few times where there were little background work but overall wasn’t fatal. Is this book worth your time and money? I do think that the book has a lot of potential and the first issue is good just not great but I do see a lot of promise for the future issues. I think its worth getting if you’re a Superman fan and looking for something a little different.
The Goddamned #1
Image Comics Writer Jason Aaron, Artist r.m. Guera, Colorist Giulia Brusco, Letterer Jared K. Fletcher
Aaron’s take on the Cain story from the Bible is intriguing I was not totally sold on the first issue. It’s one of those stories where there is a lot going on but nothing is really happening. The story is a nice twist on the mythology and there is some interesting elements that Aaron has set up in the story. The big win for the book was the gorgeous artwork by Guera that give the book a great visual punch that helped move the story along. His attention to detail was really amazing and was blown away by the art, I just wish that I was more excited for the story. Is this book worth your time and money? I thing the book has potential but the big problem is that Aaron script didn’t blow me away and didn’t get me excited to come back for more in the next issue. The artwork was stunning but it’s going to be a tough sell for me to pick up the second issue. I’m on the fence on this one this week.
Last Sons of America #1
Boom! Studios Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Artist Matthew Dow Smith, Colorist Doug Garbark, Letterer Jim Campbell
This is one of those books that starts off with a very good idea and really runs with it and goes in a direction that will surprise you. Johnson’s script is quite ingenious and has a really nice build up over the course of the first issue. It was nicely paced and a very enjoyable read. Smith’s artwork gave the book a nice gritty feel that worked well for the story and the location setting in the story. He did a good job with conveying the emotions of the story and the dramatic elements. Is this book worth your time and money? I was very impressed with this first issue and the concept is really good. With the ending of the first issue it’s going to be very interesting to see where the book is going to go. Nice artwork and very good color work by Garbark gave the book a great look to go along with a solid story. RECOMMENDED!
All-New Hawkeye #1
Marvel Comics Writer Jeff Lemire, Artist Ramone Perez, Colorist Ian Herring, Letterer Joe Sabino
Another Marvel post Secret Wars reboot gets off to a bit of a slow start. One of the problems is that if you’re a new reader you really feel as if you were dropped into the middle of a story that has already been going. Lemire is a good writer and the story is pretty decent but it seems when he writes for the big two the books are nowhere nearly as good as his creator owned ones. The other problem is that nothing really happens in the issue and then there is the time jump elements in the story that seemed to confuse more that inform. I did like Perez’s artwork and made the read a bit better. His style is bold and simple at the same time and has a great dramatic impact. Is this book worth your time and money? If you’re a new reader and haven’t read either Secret Wars or the previous Hawkeye series by Lemire and Perez then I think that your going end up being lost and disappointed. It’s a shame because there are really good story elements but overall the story is a huge letdown. SKIP IT!
Limbo #1
Image Comics Writer Dan Watters, Artist Caspar Wijngaard, Letterer Jim Campbell
Limbo is one of those books that leaves you literally in limbo after reading it. Watter’s script is throws a lot out there in the issue but it never quite falls into place. There are elements of the story that are interesting but the book comes off very disjointed and the story just sort of ends and you’re not sure what to thing and it seems as if they forgot to put in the last couple of pages. The artwork is nice and Wijngaard’s color work is very nice but his talent seems pretty wasted here on a book that it more confusing than it should have been. Is this book worth your time and money? The big problem with this book is that the story is just too unfocused and never really goes anywhere. There are a few ideas here and there but the book left me cold. SKIP IT!
Slash & Burn #1
Vertigo Comics Writer Si Spencer, Penciller Max Dunbar, Inker Andy Parks, Colorist Nick Filard, Letterer Travis Lanham
I really liked Spencer’s last Vertigo book Bodies but Slash & Burn gets off to a really slow start. Spencer’s script has some fair elements but the story never quite goes anywhere. There is nothing to really draw you into the story or the characters to care much for either. I really wanted to like this but it just kind of sits there. I will say that the artwork by Dunbar and Parks is quite good and made the story more enjoyable than in the hands of a lesser artist and that is a real shame. Is this book worth your time and money? While the book is not a train wreck it never really grabs you either. There are things to like here but overall the book never gels together 100%. This has been a rare miss for the new Vertigo titles. SKIP IT!
All-New, All-Different Avengers #1
Marvel Comics Writer Mark Waid, Artist Andy Kubert, Colorist Sonia Oback, Letterer Cory Petit, Back-Up Story Artist Mahmud Asrar, Colorist Dave McCaig
The All-New and All-Different Avengers is not all that new and certainly not all that different. Waid delivers a by the numbers affair with a story that is average at best and just sits there and not much really happens. The issue sets up things but you really don’t care what is happening with any of the characters. The story is so basic that you can see every element a mile away and by the time the story is over you could care less about reading the second issue. The only redeeming thing about the book is Kubert’s strong artwork that is wasted on the weak story. This is a great looking art that is wasted on a mediocre story. As far as the back-up story goes it’s not any better. It’s a bad teen movie plot that is embarrassing use of Ms. Marvel and Nova that just adds to the cover price of the book and adds zero value for it. The artwork by Asrar is nice but a little basic but it’s not like he had a lot to work with here. Is this book worth your time and money? For a big launch book with big name title this book is a real mess. Waid really drops the ball on both stories and gives no reason to read beyond this first issue. It’s a shame that Kubert’s talent is wasted on this book that I won’t read again. SKIP IT BIG TIME!
The Twilight Children #2
Vertigo Comics Writer Gilbert Hernandez, Artist & Letterer Darwyn Cooke, Colorist Dave Stewart
I saved the best for last and The Twilight Children builds upon the first great issue and makes this a must read book. Hernandez continues the mystery set up in the first issue and while there are no clear answers yet he starts to develop both the characters and the story at a great pace. This is one of those stories that make the mystery of it all very satisfying and intriguing at the same time. The reason that the story is working so well is that they concentrate on the character development that make the story work so well. As good as the script is the luscious artwork of Cooke is reason enough to buy this book but the book is such a perfect blend of art and story that it’s a perfect collaboration. Add in Stewart’s wonderful color work that makes this book nearly perfect. Is this book worth your time and money? This is how to do a great book. Hernandez and Cooke have not only crafted a great story with fantastic art but what is even more impressive is the feel that you get from reading the book. It really transports you into the story and as with the first issue ends all to soon. At this pace it looks like this could be the book of the year. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
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