Hmmmmm I would like to say it was an interesting week but it really was not. It was more a list of disappointments than a list of surprises. Thunderbolts was reasonable but the new characters weren’t very well fleshed out and the narrative was uninteresting. A-Force has most certainly lost the appeal of the Secret Wars tie-in and the characters have lost that charm and charisma for one another. Sam Wilson Captain America was a solid book and aftermath of Pleasant Hill was handled well, but seriously why end the book with lame twist villains? Uncanny X-Men is an intriguing book but seems to be completely isolated from the others in its venture towards the Horsemen. I like the Warren aspects but I cannot help remember similar stories gone by. I actually thought Spider-Gwen was a decently written book and well drawn but I have no affinity for Silk as a character and so it is difficult to recommend. I quite liked Scarlet when it came out more regularly and as great as Maleev was, there is a huge disconnect with the story and characters after all this time. Finally Empress was thoroughly unremarkable and the story of a Queen in need of rescue by a heroic man is pretty archaic. But I am not surprised given the writer in charge. So much negativity eh? Lets bring on the stars of the week!
Marvel Codes
Dr Strange – Last Days of Magic #1 – THMCF2J7R1GA
Sam Wilson: Captain America #9 – THMX99QQCICH
Thunderbolts #1 – THMC54YQL270
Marvel
Black Widow #3 – FCM9XCCJRQLU
It is one of the great joys in comics to watch how Samnee next portrays the story of Black Widow. He has really becoming more inventive and a return of Natasha to her homeland yields some lovely flashback sequences, everyone should have the pleasure to read.
The Punisher #1 – THM7GNJ1VFU5
There is one reason and one reason only why this book should be read: Steve Dillon. I mean Cloonan is good but for all those Preacher fanatics out there, Dillon is wonderful in his depiction of violence and gore. It is wonderful to see again.
Moon Knight #2 – THMLRKB6S2H0
There is something very eerie about this book. Perhaps it is the conversation with Khonshu, the other inmates or even Spector himself behaving legitimately bizarrely. Smallwood’s art is lovely and Jordie’s colours are beautiful.
Independent
4001AD #1
Clayton Crain is glorious on this book and the initial pages see a lush rainforest collide with a futuristic cityscape. It is just breathtaking. The ideas from Kindt are interesting and the dictatorship of a new world is under threat, with crazy repercussions.
Baltimore Empty Graves #2
Empty Graves is such an odd book in that the story about the Red King has made no headway. However the character exposition is fantastic and so full of pain and passion. It is very impressive to read and Bergting is suitably gritty.
The Wicked + The Divine #19
Action, Action, Fighting, Fighting! Yup this book moves at rapid pace but the art and colour is fantastic all the way through. There has already been so much character work that this is welcome, especially seeing as it is so good.
Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #14
Those who have read the comic will know how Kretch was never involved in the heist of the strip bar. This issue explains why and its disturbingly tragic, as one would certainly expect. Once again it is pure in its intention and unforgiving in its delivery.
Weavers #1
Check out my entry for Aaron Meyers Honour Roll!
House Of Flying Scalpels 