COMIC BOOK PICKS OF THE WEEK!
It's the final week of 2015 and since I haven't written one of these for a while I figure that now would be a perfect time. So here are some of my top picks for comics this week!
IMAGE COMICS
(W) Greg Rucka (A/CA) Nicola Scott
This is simply my favorite new Image title right now. Greg Rucka is crafting (pun intended) a deeply layered story here and peels away each one with purpose and anticipation. We still have now idea about all the powers of this witch coven but the but the police work Rowan Black does as witch and cop blends seamlessly. Nicola Scott's art is amazing and the black and white presentation let's you see all the nuances her art shows.
DC COMICS
(W) Matteo Casali, Brian Azzarello (A) Giuseppe Camuncoli, Diego Latorre
Most books that lose an artist like Jim Lee after one issue seem to be in trouble but issue #2 of BATMAN: EUROPA was still good and had me wanting to see where we go now that Joker and Batman are off to Paris. Romantic? No. Violent? We'll see. While I still have my concerns, writers Brian Azzarrello and Matteo Casali are moving the story forward and keeping my attention. It is a little jarring going from Lee to Giuseppe Camuncoli and Diego Latorre but they took the ball and ran with it to put they're stamp on the book. So far, so good.
IMAGE COMICS
(W) Jonathan Hickman (A/CA) Nick Dragotta
Every time I feel like I'm going to fall off this title I read an issue and kick myself for being such a fool. Issue #22 was all art but plenty of story. In issue #23 we get eye-opening reveals and some sly, slow burn consequences from the failed assassination attempt. Don't sleep on this title.
MARVEL COMICS
(W) James Robinson (A) Leonard Kirk (CA) Alex Ross
SQUADRON SUPREME #1 kicked off with a bang! Hyperion (Avengers), Nighthawk (Supreme Power), Dr. Spectrum (the Great Society), Blur (DP7) and Power Princess are the sole survivors of their Earth's and are willing to do anything to protect this one. Namor and Atlantis felt the wrath first with devastating, deadly and swift punishment. The cost and reaction are varied from the public but writer James Robinson has crafted an interesting and unrelenting cast of heroes here. Now that their first deed is done they find themselves in the cross hairs of the rest of the Marvel Universe.
MARVEL COMICS
(W) Tom Taylor (A) David Lopez
Honestly, I have been slowly eroded by the big shake up with Marvel since Secret Wars, Battleworld, Weirdworld, Civi War, etc, etc, etc. So with all the new characters and changes I have been slowly dipping my toe back into the Marvel comics pool. I am not so cynical that I don't think any good new titles will emerge. The new Daredevil book is very good, Squadron Supreme is on this list and a character I really wasn't sure about was ALL-NEW WOLVERINE. Surprisingly I enjoyed the first two issue a lot and look forward to issue #3. Writer Tom Taylor has made Lara Kinney a joy to read. She's tough, complicated and as much as a badass as anyone could hope for from Wolverine (All-New or otherwise). Lots of great action and color clean art from David Lopez. Give this one a try.
BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL #13
DC COMICS
(W) Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV (A) Fernando Pasarin
Weekly's can be tough, there's just so much coming at you and these stories tend to be pretty dense. But Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV have crafted a mystery about Batman and his Robin's that's on par with Court of the Owls. They ended last issue on a shocking and bloody note and it looks like Cassandra Cain gets a little more spotlight this go round. You may have to pick it up as a trade but weekly this is one of my top books to read in my pile.
SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #24
DC COMICS
(W) Peter J. Tomasi (A) Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza
I have said for a long time that SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN has been a tremendous book. It's not been without it's flaws and low points but overall continues to be in the good hands of Peter J. Tomasi who took over from original writer Charles Soule who is exclusive to Marvel now. Tomasi has put together a crafty and fun story by placing Superman, Wonder Woman and Parasite into an impromptu team to save Firestorm from the Pale Riders and after issue #23 Diana as well. Certainly this is the best of the Superman books out there right now.
