Books of the Week: 12/04/19
1. Annihilation: Scourge – Fantastic Four (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Chrstos Gage / Art: Diego Olotegul & Juan Vlasco with Cam Smith & Scott Hanna / Colors: Erick Arciniega / Cover: Josemaria Casanovas
A wonderful FF book. Going back to the Death of Johnny Storm days to add an unexpected twist to the overall story. I loved the writing. Doubt, regret, fears, it digs deep into the FF’s (especially Johnny’s) minds in a way that added a lot of new depth to the characters. The art was sometimes hit and miss, but the final battle scenes were outstanding.
2. Daredevil #14 (Marvel) ★★★★★
‘Through Hell – Part 4’
Writer: Chip Zdarsky / Art: Marco Checchetto & Francesco Mobili / Colors: Nolan Woodard / Cover: Julian Totino Tedesco
DD’s back… sort of. A lot of things good going in this book. It could have been a jumbled mess, but Zdarsky keeps the narrative tight, weaving all the threads together beautifully.The art remains moody and surprisingly dynamic for such a talky issue.
3. Annihilation: Scourge Nova #1 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Matthew Rosenberg / Art: Ibraim Roberson / Colors: Carlos Lopez / Cover: Josemaria Casanovas
Another great installment of the Annihilation Scourge mini EVENT!. The art was solid, with some fun battle scenes. Annihilus looks off, but it works. The writing is where this book shines. The narraitive moves smoothly, with a perfect blend of humor and tension.
4. Black Cat #7 (Marvel) ★★★★
‘The Want’
Writer: Jed MacKay / Art: Travel Foreman / Colors: Brian Reber / Cover: Otto Schmidt (Venom Island Variant)
The slice of the history featuring the Guild, Odessa and Fox, anchors this exposition heavy book. It does manage to remain compelling even with little action. The return of Forman to art duties is a big plus. This title is one of Marvel’s best kept secrets.
5. Batman #84 (DC) ★★★★
‘City of Bane – Part 10’
Writer: Tom King / Art: Jorge Fornes / Colors: Jordie Bellaire / Cover: Mikel Janin
An interesting narrative construcution, along with Fornes’ art, make this book pop. Things are finally beginning to make sense. I really liked this issue.
6. Amazing Spider-Man #35 (Marvel) ★★★
‘Doom’s Day’
Writer: Nick Spencer / Art: Oscar Balazuda / Colors: Steve Firchow / Cover: Tony Daniel & Edgar Delgado
A very talky book, although the dialog pops and does a lot of the heavy lifting in an otherwise dull story. Bazaldua’s art provides a kick this title has needed for a while.
7. Doctor Doom #3 (Marvel) ★★★
‘Death in the Afternoon’
Writer: Christopher Cantwell / Art: Salvador Larroca / Colors: Guru-eFX / Cover: Aco
I found the Hell/Mephisto sequences in this book somewhat confusing. The writing still clicks, but the narrative felt a bit… choppy. Storywise we don’t get much new, except for another one of Doom’s visions. Read like a breather between acts, of sorts.
8. Spider-Man & Venom: Double Trouble #2 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Mariko Tamaki / Art: Gurihiru / Colors: Gurihiru / Cover: Gurihiru
Not nearly as fun as the first issue. More a straightforward body-switching story. What jokes there are fall a bit flat or don’t live up to their potential. Still, an entertaining read, if only for the passcode sequence.
9. X-Men #3 (Marvel) ★★
‘Hordeculture’
Writer: Jonathan Hickman / Art: Leinil Francis Yu & Gerry Alanguilan / Colors: Sunny Gho & Rain Beredo / Cover: Lenil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho
Somewhat old-fashioned story, in that the ‘villains were ridiculous. Will these X-Men ever learn to fight as a a team? (Did that bullet to the head make Scott forget how?) Solo they each get beat. Duh. An interesting idea wrapped up in a dumb story. “S-Word”?, “A-word”?. Please.
10. Justice League #37 (DC) ★★
‘Justice/Doom War – Part 8’
Writer: Scott Singer / Art: Jorge Jimenez / Colors: Alejandro Sanchez / Cover: Francis Manapul
An immediate cut away from the promised battle, finds Supes and crew holding hands in a circle and.. talking. So. Much. Talking. Meanwhile, the Anti-Monoitor is hit by a car. Perpetua hurls a planet at Earth and we get promised, yet another, Great Battle. Completely ridiculous, but at least things are happening, and people aren’t acting stupid. There is that.