Swamp Thing #19
(DC – writer: Charles Soule; art: Kano)
What a difference an artistic team can make! Scott Snyder redefined Swamp Thing for a new audience, but writer Charles Soule lacks the same panache, instead delivering an issue that is out of character, unfocused and slow. (more…)
Green Lantern #18
(DC – writer: Geoff Johns; art: Szymon Kudranski)
Seeing Hal Jordan return to the narrative lead in Green Lantern was an exciting experience. I like Simon Baz, but he’s no Hal Jordan. It’s clear when reading this issue that the one thing Johns does best is to write with Hal in the lead. (more…)
Before Watchmen: Comedian #4
(DC – writer: Brian Azzarello; art: J.G. Jones)
Four issues in, and I’m still trying to find the spine of Brian Azzarello’s story. I don’t mean that in a sense that Azzarello is afraid to utilize the established characteristics of Edward Blake; I mean that so far, the motivation of Comedian is lacking. What exactly the story has set out to accomplish is a mystery, and this issue feels like one more disjointed entry. (more…)
Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1
(DC – writer & art: Darwyn Cooke)
The transparency of DC’s decision to create a line of comics entitled Before Watchmen is not lost on this reviewer – it’s purely a money-making scheme. The name recognition alone will generate a bevy of sales for DC. So, in picking up Minutemen #1, I’m reminded of all the fans of the original Watchmen series who are boycotting it and all the supporters of Alan Moore who are hoping DC goes and pounds sand on its new venture.
In the end, I think they’re missing out. (more…)
Supurbia #2
(BOOM! — writer: Grace Randolph; art: Russell Dauterman)
In the second issue of her unique take on the mundane lives of superheroes’ better halves, Grace Randolph doles out a bit more characterization and mystery in her increasing popular series Supurbia. In an issue that is perfectly paced, Randolph gives enough face time to each character to make for solid execution in character development, as well as a climactic final page that seems to be leading towards an epic conclusion. (more…)
Action Comics #1
(DC – writer: Grant Morrison; art: Rags Morales)
If there’s one person who can actually write Superman, it’s Grant Morrison. His inimitable All-Star Superman set the bar for recent Superman stories, so I felt confident that he would deliver a stellar first issue. Action Comics isn’t stellar, but it sure is fun. For the first time in a long time, Superman looks alive again. (more…)
