Books of the Week – 07/10/19

The Hits: A lot of good books this week, but only one standout.

1. Symbiote Spider-Man #4 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Peter David / Art: Greg Land / Jay Leisten / Colors: Frank D’Armata
Another great book (that cover!). Loved the Kingpin/Mysterio sequence as well as how the symbiote is still mysterious. The art continues to dazzle. Next issue is the conclusion. I want more!

2. Invisible Woman #1 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: mark Waid / Art: Mattia De Iulis
Sue Storm, super spy? I’m in. Compelling story, kick-ass Sue and beautiful art by Matta De Iulis. What’s not to love?

3. Event Leviathan #2 (DC) ★★★★
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Art: Alex Maleev
Gripping storyteling. Griity art. This book has it going on. Nicely done.

4. Avengers #21 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Jason Aaron / Art: Jason Masters / Colors: Jason Keith
Enjoyable breather with some fun bits of business. Nice set up for the next story. Loved the hot tub sequence.

5. Black Cat #2 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Jed MacKay / Art: Travel Foreman / Colors: Brian Reber
There was a lot packed into this book. It’s bit of mystery mixed in with a fun heist story. Very enjoyable.

6. Wolverine & Captain America: Weapon Plus #1 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Ethan Sacks / Art: Diogenes Neves & Adriano Di Benedetto / Colors: Federico Blee
Solid action adventure book. Nice dialog and dynamic art. Turns out the one-shot is part of a bigger Weapon Plus story. Curious to see where it goes.

7. Thor #15 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Jason Aaron / Art: Mike Del Mundo / Colors: Mike Del Mundo & Marco D’Alfonso
The penultimate Thor issue. We get the fate of Maleketh and some set-up for WoR: Omega. Beautiful art, nice story. Hela steals the show (as always). Looking forward to the finale.

8. Second Coming #1 (Ahoy) ★★★★
Writer: Mark Russell / Art: Richard Pace / Colors: Andy Troy
Controversy aside, this was a really entertaining comic. All the characters tread familiar trope, but it what they say that makes them work. God steals the show, but Jesus comes across as an inquisitive visitor, wise beyond his years. I’ll take more.

9. Amazing Spider-Man #25 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writers: Nick Spencer, Zeb Wells & Keaton Patti / Art: Ryan Ottley, Humberto Ramos, Patrick Gleason & Kev Walker with Cliff Rathburn, Victor Olazaba, Dexter Vines, Patrick Gleason & Kev Walker – also: Todd Nauck & Dan Hipp / Colors: Nathan Fairbairn, Edgar Delgado, Dave Stewart & Laura Martin, also: Rachelle Rosenberg
Lordy, it took a small army to put this book together. Not a huge fan of the main Mysterio story, but I loved the Mary Jane, Team-Up and Robot Helpers ones.

10. Miles Morales: Spider-Man #8 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Saladin Ahmed / Art: Javier Garron / Colors: David Curiel
Good to have Garron back. Interesting book. Nice little mystery. Poor Miles.

The Misses: No outright flops, but a fair number of books that were just… okay.

11. Flash #74 (DC) ★★★
Writer: Joshua Williamson / Art: Howard Porter / Colors: Hi-Fi
A bit of a retread of the earlier chapters, but still a compelling read. Some of Porter’s art was bit wonkier than usual too. I’ll chalk this up a bridge issue. High hopes for chapter 6.

12. War of the Realms: Omega #1 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Jason Aaron & Al Ewing, Daniel Kibblesmith & Gerry Duggan / Art: Ron Garney, Cafu, Oscar Bazadua & Juan Ferreyra / Colors: Matt Milla, Jesus Aburtov, David Curiel & Juan Ferreyra
Nicely done wrap up of the Jane Foster, Daredevil, Loki & Punisher stories. All set-ups for new titles of course. As cash grabs go, this wasn’t so bad.

13. Batman Universe #1 (DC) ★★★
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Art: Nick Derington / Colors: Dave Stewart
Fairly straightforward Batman story. Interesting that it toes into Batman Who Laughs. Sweet artwork by Derington.

14. Superman #13 (DC) ★★★
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Art: Brandon Peterson & Ivan Reis with Joe Prado / Colors: Alex Sinclair
I’ll admit I love the art, but how many times can they retell the Krypton story? I’ll give points for keeping it interesting, but I’m having a hard time caring about what comes next.

15. Batman #74 (DC) ★★★
Writer: Tom King / Art: Mikel Janin / Colors: Jordie Bellaire
So much psycho babble. The tortures of Batman are beginning to torture me. It feels like forever since I fell for this title. I may be over it.

16. Secret Warps: Weapon Hex Annual #1 (Marvel) ★★
Writer: Al Ewing, Juan Vlasco & Tim Seeley / Art: Carlos Villa & Bob Quinn / Colors: Carlos Lopez & Rachelle Rosenberg
Not sure if I enjoyed this book or not. Like the previous one, It just feels so calculated. The art and action is good. It just lacks any soul.