Z Talks About Comics: June 25th, 2014

HERE IT IS. THE BIG ONE. POTENTIALLY THE MOST FERTILE WEEK OF COMICS THIS YEAR (that I can recall). We've got Batman, Justice League, Johns and JRJR's first issue of Superman, a new issue of The Amazing Spider-Man after what seems like forever (considering Superior Spider-Man was double shipped). Last but not least is a new issue of Saga! I've mentioned it before, but after this week's comics i wont have access to my comics until July 25th. During the summer I go back to my hometown (7 hours away from my LCS) so I can only have comics when I take a trip to the city. My next trip is July 25th, and after that will be the last week of August, when I return to university and this posts will hopefully be back on a regular basis. Even though I wont have my comics, i'll be trying my best to post news, rumours, and perhaps separate reviews of what i'm reading digitally. Anyways, on to the comics.

Batman #32
Written By: Scott Snyder
Art By: Greg Capullo
SCORE: 7/10

For the love of God, just END ALL READY. This story arc has being going on for a year, and it's really starting to lose steam. You know those story-arcs that don't last long enough to be fully realized? THIS IS THE OPPOSITE. Zero Year could have ended a LONG time ago. I'm so ready see what Snyder has planned next, it's just this is taking way too long. The only real bad thing about this issue is the complete lack of any sort of action or excitement. It's a classic Snyder "Everyone stand around and spit long winded dialogue and do let the reader know fun facts about architecture, bats, or sphinxes or some shit". Seriously, this issue is nothing but talking, and trying to find Riddler. They could have accomplished the goals of this issue in perhaps, two pages. Capullo's art is exceptional, but that can't carry the issue alone. The dialogue is pretty good, but there is just so much of it. The stand out is definitely Batman's message to Alfred. Snyder truly understands the character of Batman. This issue feels like a waste of time, but from a technical standpoint, it is pretty good.

Batman Eternal #12
Written By: James Tynion IV
Art By: Mikel Janin
SCORE: 8/10

I've recently joined the review roster for Batman Eternal over at DC Infinite, so i'll be doing reviews of one issue every month over at that site. Batman Eternal #15 will be my first published review, but i'm doing practice reviews leading up to it's release so I can get a hang of DC Infinite's style guidelines. As a result, my reviews for Batman Eternal #12-15 will be quite lengthier than what i usually do on my personal blog. I'll be doing brief reviews for 3/4 of the issues every month, with one extra sized one that will be posted at DC Infinite. Here was the review I wrote for the site, but if you want a TLDR version, Janin is a good artist, but no Bertram. Tynion writes a good Red Robin. Solid Issue.

Batman Eternal #12 features James Tynion IV, and artist Mikel Janin, revisiting plot threads from earlier issues of the series. It’s Tynion’s first script since Batman Eternal #5, and it’s great to have him back. Also of significance, is the introduction of long time Justice League Dark artist: Mikel Janin into the Batman line of books. Their efforts combined make Batman Eternal #12 one of the better issues of the series thus far.

The most assuring part of this issue is Tynion’s characterization of Tim Drake. After 3 years of abuse over in Scott Lobdell’s Teen Titans, it’s lovely to see Tim acting like his old self once again. Tynion definitely shows prowess in giving voice to the young characters of the DCU. While sometimes unbearable, Tynion writes a good Harper Row sequence in this issue, that will surely make casual fans and Tim Drake fans alike very happy.

While Tynion writes great exchanges between Tim and Harper, his sequences with Vicki Vale can get a little too clunky and wordy at times. Seeing multiple subplots play out in a single issue is very nice for a change, as we see the Tim/Harper story, the Vicki Vale/Jason Bard story, as well as more with Batgirl and Red Hood in Brazil and Alfred and Julia back at Wayne Manor. Returning this issue is Snyder’s favorite spooky psychopath; James Gordon Jr. Hopefully Tynion and co. can make Jr. just as frightening as he was during Scott Snyder’s Detective Comics run.

Mikel Janin is an excellent artist, and DC should be very thankful to have him working for them. His art is crisp, clean, and easy on the eyes. You can also add Janin to the list of artists who can draw Red Robin’s costume properly. Janin is an amazing addition to the already solid roster of artists. His style is very “house”, and doesn’t take nearly as many risks, compared to  the art of Ian Bertram in Batman Eternal #11. Comparing the art of Janin to that of Bertram is like comparing Peanut Butter to Bacon. Both are great in a different, yet unique way. Fans looking forward to the upcoming series: Grayson should be very excited to see more of Janin’s artistic styling. 

Overall, Batman Eternal #12 is a solid entry into the series. It’s got solid writing despite getting clunky at times, and great artwork that all audiences can enjoy. Characterization is the key to Batman Eternal’s story, and Tynion continues to deliver it to the reader.

Superman #32
Written By: Geoff Johns
Art By: John Romita Jr.
SCORE: 9/10 (PICK OF THE WEEK)

I've been waiting so long for this issue. I've had the ROMITA IS COMING poster on my wall for months. For those who don't know, Romita drew the first comic I ever purchased, Peter Parker Spider-Man #2, which I still have to this day. This is the perfect issue of Superman. After 3 long years, and 31 issues of mediocre Superman stories, we finally get the Superman book we originally deserved. Geoff Johns absolutely delivers (as he does with essentially everything he writes), and JRJR and Klaus Janson moisten my loins with glorious art. I know a lot of people aren't found of JRJR's art, but then again not everyone can have taste (burn). Ulysses origin is an excellent parallel to that of Superman's, and i'm definitely interested in seeing his motivations and morality. Johns writes a great Clark Kent, and we really see just how sad and lonely he can be. This issue is mostly set-up, and that's my major gripe with it. Do yourself a favour, and start reading this sure to be legendary run of Superman. One last thing i'd like to point out is Johns reference to Richard Donner's Superman with the "opening titles" and the Superman title on the front cover. Good job Mr. Johns.

Justice League #31
Written By: Geoff Johns
Art By: Ivan Reis
SCORE: 8/10

I'll admit, I haven't read much in terms of Shazam, but damn, Geoff Johns just makes me love the guy. I really love the idea of this Man child being bored as hell on the Watchtower. Johns' promises of Shazam and Cyborg being buddies seems to be coming to fruition here. Shazam is just a super loveable character, and I would definitely play ping pong and Xbox with him. This issue has a a lot of things going on, and i'm throughly interested in all of them. We've got reclusive Jessica Cruz becoming Power Ring, and I legitimately feel bad for her. The Power Ring is such a friggin' douche. We get more with Lex and Batman, not to mention a super rad Alfred moment. Hey look, the Doom Patrol is back! And Element Woman is with them (plot twist?). This issue has some great moments, and I always feel like what happens here actually impacts the DCU, so just about anything can happen. Doug Mahnke fills in for Ivan Reis this issue, and personally I wouldn't care if he filled in regularly. Mahnke's art is really nice, and I love his facial expressions. Solid issue, and i'm definitely going to need more awesome Shazam moments next issue.

Futures End #8
Written By: Azzarello, Giffen, Jurgens, Lemire
Art By: Scot Eaton
SCORE: 6/10

Nothing of interest really happens this issue. Futures End is reaching Bendis levels of treading water, but i'll cut it some slack due to it being a weekly series. This issue contains no Batman Beyond, and no Tim Drake. There was definitely an increased focused on the Grifter story, which is proving to be one of the more boring ones. The highlight of this issue is again the Ray Palmer/Frank/Amethyst stuff. The continuous references to Sword of The Atom prove how great Jeff Lemire is. Scot Eaton is also a nice addition to a pretty stale art team (YES, NOT COUNTING ZIRCHER). Not too much to say about this issue, decent art, but kind of doesn't accomplish anything.

Red Lanterns #32
Written By: Charles Soule
Art By: J. Califiore
SCORE: 7/10

Atrocities begins! The greatest Lantern of all time takes the fight to Atrocitus. Sort of. It seems like Supergirl will be leaving the Red Lanterns according to this issue, and it's continuation in Supergirl #32 from last week. Gardner and Kara have a nice heart to heart, and it'll definitely be sad to see her leave the title. Maybe we'll finally find out how Kara showed up in Justice League United. Geoff Johns said we will eventually see Kara in Superman, so thats great seeing as i'm done with Supergirl after the July issue. Back to Red Lanterns, this was a nice issue. It was a little too heavy on setting the stage for the arc. I like Red Lanterns and everything, but it sure would be nice to see Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner as Green Lanterns, and once again being the focus of Green Lantern Corps. J. Calafiore fills in for Alessandro Vitti, and honestly their styles are so similar it's hard to tell the difference. Charles Soule does a great job writing the Reds as usual, and the previously mentioned scene with Kara and Gardner. Solid issue, but slowly losing interest.

The Amazing Spider-Man #3

Written By: Dan Slott 

Art By: Humberto Ramos

SCORE: 6/10

I wish Marvel would double ship this book, and get that super meh Learning to Crawl series out of the way. Christos Gage scripts this issue (despite receiving any credit), and it really shows. Gage is a much more capable scripter than Slott, and it also gives Slott time to work on better storylines. This Black Cat story really doesn't seem to be going anywhere, and with the new status-quo there is so much more that Slott could be focusing on. Electro feels forced into the story because of Amazing Spider-Man 2, and it really doesn't make much sense for him to be there. Spider-Man clearly explains to Black Cat that he was mind controlled, and she is all "I DON'T CARE". It just doesn't make much sense at all. On the bright side, I really like Humberto Ramos' art, and I love having Peter written like good ol' Peter. I think if Slott and friends could focus in on Silk rather than Black Cat and Electro, things would be much more interesting.

Ms. Marvel #5
Written By: G. Willow Wilson
Art By: Adrian Alphona
SCORE: 8/10

Originally, I was super sceptical of Ms. Marvel, 5 issues later I realize how wrong I was. Ms. Marvel is an excellent book, and a joy to read every month. The books just feels like a classic superhero book, and Ms. Marvel is just a really likeable character. The character has humble origins that we told very precisely over the course of 5 issues. I think 5 issues is the perfect number for telling an origin story. Adrian Alphona's art is just so pretty to look at, and Is a nice departure from the darker and grittier books on the market these day. Ms. Marvel is a book I look forward to every month, and one of the few All-New Marvel Now titles to actually remain on my pull list (I'm done with Moon Knight in August). The next story arc involves Wolverine, which just seems really odd for a book featuring a new character only at issue #6. I'm getting the feeling that Marvel is trying to market the book every harder than originally, or that the book needs a sales boost. This a nice issue, and i'm looking forward to the next.

Saga #20 
Written By: Brian K. Vaughan
Art By: Fiona Staples
SCORE: 8/10

Yay! Saga! Drugs! Affair! Murder! Babies! I feel like I can never talk about Saga in single issue format. It's a book that needs to be talked about all together. As usual Vaughan and Staples are amazing, and everything looks really good (just don't look at the backgrounds). The janitor guy sequence was really well written, and has plenty of BKV zingers. Why does BKV open every issue with some weird alien sex stuff or child birth? I was sitting on my patio back at my parent's house reading this issue, and I open up the book just to immediately close it. The only gripe I really have with the single issues of Saga, is that they work much better when read in trade format. Still a great issue on its own, and i'm eagerly awaiting issue #21.