Books of the Week: 09/18/19

1. Batman #79 (DC) ★★★★★
‘City of Bane – Part 5’
Writer: Tom King / Art: Clay Mann & Seth Mann / Colors: Tomeu More / Cover: Tony S. Daniel & Tomeu More
A perfect Batman book. This comic has it all. Gorgeous art, snappy dialog, great action scenes, romance, humor. I love Bat & Cat together. Aces.

2. Absolute Carnage #3 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Donny Cates / Art: Ryan Stegman & JP Mayer / Colors: Frank Martin / Cover: Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer & Frank Martin
Venom takes control in this a-mazing installment of AC. Love the way the narrative shifts from quiet moments to big action so smoothly. This was a great read.

3. Show’s End #2 (Mad Cave) ★★★★★
Writer: Anthony Cleveland / Art: Jef Sadzinski / Colors: Julian Gonzalez / Cover: Julian Gonzalez
Wonderful writing continues to make this book a stand out (I practically shed a tear during the Show’s End sequence). The art again, fits the work completely. And that ending. WTF? More please!

4. History of the Marvel Universe #3 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Mark Waid / Art: Javier Rodriguez & Alvaro Lopez / Colors; Javier Rodriguez / Cover: Steve McNiven, Mark Farmer & Morry Hollowell
Covering the period of Marvel History from my childhood, I found this to be the most enjoyable read of the series so far. It’s like a love letter to Stan, Jack, Roy, Steves E & D, and Co. The Galactus/Franklin interlude was a nice touch too.

5. Justice League #32 (DC) ★★★★
‘Justice/Doom War – Part 3’
Writer: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV / Art: Howard Porter / Colors: Hi-Fi / Cover: Francis Manapul
A little confusing with so much going on, but the visuals are stunning and the narrative moves at a non-stop pace. Great work by Porter, Snyder & Tynion.

6. Flash Forward #1 (DC) ★★★★
‘Chapter 1: Incursion Point Zero’
Writer: Scott Lobdell / Art: Brett Booth & Norm Raymond / Colors: Luis Guerrero / Cover: Doc Shaner
I really loved the art in this book. A nice mix of exaggeration and a fluid style that moves, even in panels with no action. That Wally is remorseful without wallowing in self-pity is a welcome surprise. A solid read.

7. Once & Future #2 (Boom! Studios) ★★★★
Writer: Kieron Gillen / Art: Dan Mora / Colors: Tamra Bonvillain / Cover: Dan Mora
Awesome creepiness combined with swords and sorcery. Delightfully strong follow up to the first issue. Dan Mora clearly loves drawing Duncan as his faces have the most expression of any in the book. Fun stuff, even if the undead trope seems a bit too traditional at times.

8. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #12 (Marvel) ★★★★
‘Shot Across the Bow’
Writer: Tom Taylor / Art: Pere Perez & Jay Leisten / Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg / Cover: Andrew C. Robinson
Fun read, with a great running gag regarding irony. Plus we get a Fantastic Four appearance. I swear, they’re everywhere.

9. Death’s Head #3 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Tini Howard / Art: Kei Zama / Colors: Felipe Sobreiro / Cover: Nick Roche & Felipe Sobreiro
Fun book, yes? Kate Hawkeye makes for a great addition to the troupe. The story pops with sweet action, humor and relationship drama. What’s not to love? This books a climber. Each issue gets better and better. Cool.

10. Spider-Man #1 (Marvel) ★★★★
‘Bloodline – Part 1’
Writer: J.J. Abrams & Henry Abrams / Art: Sara Pichelli & Elisabetta D’Amico / Colors: Dave Stewart / Cover: Oliver Coipel
I really enjoyed this book. Sure, its an alt reality, but I gereraly enjoy those. That opening battle scene – yikes. Curious to see where this goes.

11. Superman #15 (DC) ★★★★
‘The Unity Saga: The House of El – The Conclusion: Part 2’
Writer; Brian Michael Bendis / Art: Ivan Reis, Brandon Peterson & Evan “Doc” Shaner with Joe Prado & Oclair Albert / Colors: Alex Sinclair / Cover: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado & Alex Sinclair
I didn’t expect to enjoy this issue as much as I did. A satisfying wrap up of the House of El story, that makes sense and was enjoyable to read. I really liked the nobility and honor of Zod. Nice touch.

12. Second Coming #3 (Ahoy) ★★★
Writer: Mark Russell / Art: Richard Pace & Leonard Kirk / Colors: Andy Troy / Cover: Amanda Conner & Paul Mounts
I like where they went with this issue, especially the back and forth with Satan. I do feel like Jesus’ innocence is being portrayed as him being slightly dim. Hasn’t he paid any attention to Earth since he left? Still, a solid read. Loved the ransomer aka: Jimmy.

13. House of X #5 (Marvel) ★★★
‘Society’
Writer: Jonathan Hickman / Art: Pepe Larraz / Colors: Marte Gracia / Cover: Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia
Love the art, but the morality and practicality of the Mutant resurrection along with the over abundance of text, had me scratching my head. This can only end badly. Also – how was Krakoa able to include Wolverine’s adamantium in his rebirth?

14. Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #3 (DC) ★★★
Writer: Matt Fraction / Art: Steve Lieber / Colors: Nathan Fairbairn / Cover: Steve Lieber & Nathan Fairbairn
Slightly confusing at the start, but comes together at the end. More fun hijinks with Jimmy, err… Timmy, Olsen.

15. Tony Stark: Iron Man #16 (Marvel) ★★★
‘The Ultra Agenda – Part 1: Man & Machine’
Writer: Dan Slott & Jim Zub / Art: Valerio Schiti / Colors: Edgar Delgado / Cover: Alexander Lozano
Picked this up based on the cover, so I was a bit lost. The story is packed with great action and high stakes though. Ultron/Pym is creepy as heck. Not sure who all the players are, but Janet Van Dyne is there, so I’m in… kinda.

16. Guardians of the Galaxy #9 (Marvel) ★★★
‘Faithless – Part 3 of 6’
Writer: Donny Cates / Art: Cory Smith & Victor Olazaba / Colors: David Curiel / Cover: Patch Zircher & Dean White
Grim opening, followed by some cool fights and a big surprise. A bit bait and switchy having a full GoG cover and only featuring 4 members in the book.

17. Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda #1 (Marvel) ★★
Writer: Jim Sub / Art: Lan Medina & Lenil Francis Yu / Colors: Marcio Menyz & Sunny Gho / Cover: Jorge Molina
Interesting, if unspectacular book. I kind of like the mix of characters (Janet van Dyne is always a treat), but it doesn’t really click. The reveal at the end has me intrigued though, so I’ll stick around.

18. Valkyrie: Jane Foster #3 (Marvel) ★★
‘The Sacred and the Profane – Part 3’
Writer: Jason Aaron & Al Ewing / Art: Cafu, Ramon Perez , Cian Tormey with Robrto Poggi & Frazer Irving / Colors: Jesus Aburtov & Frazer Irving / Cover: Mahmud Asrar & Dave McCaig
Visually interesting book if a bit confusing narrative-wise. It feels like we’re finally ending one story and launching another one. Still on the fence about this title, and this book didn’t change that.

19. Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors #2 (Marvel) ★★
Writer: Frank Tieri / Art: Flaviano / Colors: Federico Blee / Cover: Iban Coello & Jason Keith
Another bogus cover? Seriously, who’s the editor on this book? I enjoyed the banter when the Protectors finally got together, but this book’s a bit of a mess.