Books of the Week – 07/17/19

1. Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #1 (DC) ★★★★★
Writer: Matt Fraction / Art: Steve Lieber / Colors: Nathan Fairbairn
Fun silliness with Jimmy getting himself into trouble. What’s not to love? Sparkling writing and some truly enjoyable artwork make this an unexpected treat.

2. Loki #1 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Daniel Kibblesmith / Art: Oscar Bazaldua / Colors: David Curiel
A surprisingly good book. If you’re a fan of Asgardian shenanigans (as I am) this is a very enjoyable story, filled with quality art, fun characters, crackling dialog, and Thor! Great stuff.

3. Invaders #7 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Chip Zdarsky / Art: Carlos Magno with Butch Guice / Colors: Alex Guimaraes
Excellent book that doesn’t ignore things that happenend in the previous issue, and keeps rolling along with even more intrigue and surprises. The writing in this series is incredible.

4. Daredevil #8 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Chip Zdarsky / Art: Lalit Kumar Sharma & Jay Leisten / Colors: Java Tartaglia
The first issue in the current DD series that has not rated my top BOW slot, its nonetheless an interesting book. There’s a lot packed in here. Contrivances aside, it’s a fascinating discussion about the ethics of law and crime.

5. Champions #7 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Jim Zub / Art: Steven Cummings / Colors: Marcio Menyz
My first check-in on this Champions series since issue 1. I do love a Nova story, and this pne was a lot of fun. Love the Kaldera character, and the Black Helmet Heist storyline. Fun stuff. Perhaps I should go back for those earlier issues. Note: Original Release Date: 07/10/19

6. Age of X-Man: Omega #1 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Zac Thompson & Lonnie Nadler / Art: Simone Buonfantino / Colors: Triona Farrell
This was actually far more satisfying than I had anticipated. Nicely wrapped up the AoXM saga and cleared up one my big problems with Uncanny #22 (more on that later), and provided a hint of the new X-world to follow. Nicely done.

7. Domino: Hotshots #5 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Gail Simone / Art: David Baldeon & Michael Shelfer / Colors: Jim Charalampidis
Exciting, fun and eventful ending to the Hotshots saga. Did the end feel a bit rushed? Yes. Should there have been a book 6 where Nina has to decide between power and responsibility, instead of resolving this major plot point in a single page? Yes. Do I care…? A little, yes.

8. Spider-Man: Life Story #5 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Chip Zdarsky / Art: Mark Bagley & John Dell / Colors: Frank D’Armata
It’s kind of funny Tony Stark has become Marvel’s de Facto bad guy in this type of story. Some pretty cool stuff in this issue, although the series may have benefitted from being longer. Perhaps they could have allocated two issues per decade, for better pacing. As it is, the whole thing moves a bit too fast.

9. Immortal Hulk #21 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Al Ewing / Art: Ryan Bodenheim / Colors: Paul Mounts
A guest artist plus a focus on a character, other than Hulk or Banner, make this feel like a very different book. Lots of death and surprises, but it felt a bit… empty.

10. Lois Lane #1 (DC) ★★★
Writer: Greg Rucka / Art: Mike Perkins / Colors: Paul Mounts
Torn from the headlines, as they say. Pretty straightforward press/espionage story. I enjoyed the dialog and the art. Lets see if it holds up. Original Release Date: 07/03/19

11. Secret Warps: Ghost Panther Annual #1 (Marvel) ★★
Writer: Al Ewing & Daniel Kibblesmith / Art: Carlos Gomez & Ig Guara / Colors: Carlos Gomez & Matt Milla
It’s only my OCD that keeps me reading this series. The art has been solid throughout, but the story is such a muddled mess. Two more books to go. Hopefully it will all come together in the end. Let’s see if I can make it.

12. Silver Surfer: Black #2 (Marvel) ★★
Writer: Donny Cates / Art: Tradd Moore / Colors: Dave Stewart
The art is beautifully unpleasant, which is tough to pull off. The story however is just more Surfer whining. That gets old real fast.

13. Uncanny X-Men # 22 (Marvel) ★★
Writer: Matthew Rosenberg / Art: Salvador Larroca with David Messina / Colors: Guru-eFX
Final issue before Age of Hickman. Everything gets conveniently resolved really fast. What was the point of any of this? Did I miss something? Bah. When will I learn?

14. Batman #75 (DC) ★★
Writer: Tom King / Art: Tony S. Daniel & Mitch Gerads / Colors: Tomeu Morey & Mitch Gerads
What the hell did I just read? None of this book made any sense. Honestly, I’m kind of tired of this never ending nightmare narrative. I just don’t care that much anymore. The second star is for the art, which continues to carry this series.

15. X-Liefelds #1 (Keenspot) ★
Writer: Rob Potchak / Art: Rob Nikolakakis & Eric Kent / Colors: Michael Sanders
Lightweight silliness poking fun at Rob Liefeld tropes & characters. It was fun, but I expected more. Especially at $4.99.