There were some great books out this week and I immensely enjoyed a couple of them. I am also quite pleased that some of the new Marvel titles are growing past their initial teething issues. International Iron Man was a competent comic, even though Maleev felt a little different to the work I am familiar with. I struggle with the shoehorning of a backstory to complement one that is happening in the main title. I fear this is just a supplemental title and worry that the art will not be as promoted as it should. All New X-Men doesn’t knit together well enough for me; the internal monologues of each character does not a coherent story make. Hopeless is brilliant at team books but this approach has not been effective. The solo stories as told in Avengers Arena worked but required patience, this was a long game that may not be an option for an important X-Men book. Moving onto Extraordinary X-Men, the lead title, we find a book that feels like an X-Men book but does not seem to cover anything new. The story is completely fine and solidly written but remains completely uninteresting and similar to those gone by. I worry I am becoming a tad cynical. Rat Queens was always a fun book but in recent issues has struggled to find a serious voice whilst maintaining the love between friends. The change in artist was the problem I initially thought, but over time it is essentially the writing that needs refining. Injection has become an unapproachable book for me this latest issue. The art and colouring is still amazing but the esoteric story jumping has led to changes in character personas and rapports. It is hard to keep up, especially as it reads completely different to the ones that came before. We shall wait and see….
Marvel Codes
Extraordinary X-Men #8 – FCMG9RGWARJD
Captain Marvel #3 – THM14PT2FKJB
International Iron Man #1 – FCMGZFJDN1Q7
All New X-Men #1 – FCMBLNL71K8A
Marvel
Spider-Woman #5 – THMB0X6ZD686
Just a brilliant comic in that it is well written and incredibly realistic with the stresses and strains of caring for a newborn. I admire the creators for taking this angle and how much love you feel for Jess and her own reflection on being a hero and a mother. Rodriguez is having a great time playing with his storytelling craft.
The Astonishing Ant-Man #6
I knew Nick Spencer had something up his sleeve when he decided Cassie should rebel against her father and become a super-villain. It sounds ridiculous right? However the explanation is really rather good and cleverly links all the story arcs of his run so far. I am genuinely excited to see how it comes together.
Power Man and Iron Fist #2 – FCMPV2L7C61N
No, no, no, no, no this deserved a full review….
Independent
empty zone #6
I was surprised to see this book back so soon, but also very please. The art is still superb, though there does seem to be an artificial slant at times, but it builds to the psychological effect nicely. The story seems so be completely new, but in true empty zone style is very disturbing and is really quite suspenseful.
Archer & Armstrong #1
This was my first time with these characters and I was very pleased at how amusing they were together. The story is ludicrous but so much fun and the idea that Armstrong has a world encased in his hand luggage is brilliant. There are so many nuances to the story that it makes it feel fresh again and again (e.g. like him breaking a grandma’s finger!)
Low #12
This was once again a stunningly gorgeous comic but I am beginning to worry. As Stel finds what she is looking for, the world is once again turned on its head. There is a point here where things could end and end well, but I worry we are entering a repetitive cycle unnecessarily…
The Legacy of Luther Strode #5
Quite simply Tradd Moore’s art is unlike any other and the attention to detail on his blood splatter is absolutely incredible. The story is straightforward but seems to be similar to the last, albeit in completely different environments. The change in aesthetic may just be enough for this book to remain compelling, but it will not last much longer.
Monstress #4
This comic seems to build a world akin to the Final Fantasy games which such depth and texture. I have gotten lost in the past but this issue is more complete in that it focuses upon a couple of key characters and dictates their missions. The artwork is just beautiful and is worth reading for alone.
House Of Flying Scalpels 