Books of the Week: 10/09/19

1. Joker: Year of the Villain #1 (DC) ★★★★★
Writer: Warren Ellis / Art: Bryan Hatch & Kevin Nolan / Colors: Alex Sinclair / Cover: Bryan Hitch & Alex Sinclair
Well damn, if that wasn’t just incredible storytelling. Not at all what I expected, but just great. Six of Heart’s journey is so compelling and tragic. Its absolutely captivating. Wow.

2. Event Leviathan #5 (DC) ★★★★★
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Art: Alex Maleev / Colors: Alex Maleev / Cover: Alex Maleev
Okay, this was amazingly good. Compelling and tension filled storytelling at its best. Nothing really happens, but a lot of talk and a couple (yes, just 2) of surprises, but it just works. Great stuff. Can’t wait for book 6.

3. Invaders #10 (Marvel) ★★★★★
‘Dead in the Water – Part 4’
Writer: Chip Zdarsky / Art: Carlos Magno with Butch Guice / Colors: Alex Guimaraes / Cover: Butch Guice & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
One of Marvel’s best under-the-radar titles continues its impressive run. Suspenseful espionage and a battle full of twists and turns, complete with a truly unexpected ending. Great stuff. Easily one of my favorite recurring titles.

4. Doctor Doom #1 (Marvel) ★★★★★
‘Potterville’
Writer: Christopher Cantwell / Art: Salvador Larroca / Colors: Guru-eFX / Cover: ACO
Okay, that was incredible. Great set-up, a fascinating script, a side of Doom we rarely see. The visuals were just as strong. I like this story a lot. It feels fresh and new. Not at all what I thought we were going to get.

5. Superman #16 (DC) ★★★★★
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Art: David Lafuente / Colors: Paul Mounts / Cover: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado & Alex Sinclair
I hate everything about the aging up of Jon. Having said that I absolutely loved this book. It had all the feels of the best of the Super Sons series, and was a fitting farewell to one of my favorite comic characters. Goodbye Jon Kent, you’re now just another generic Superboy. Sigh.

6. Loki #4 (Marvel) ★★★★★
‘The God Who Fell to Earth – Chapter 4: Loki, There Shall be an Ending (Conclusion)’
Writer: Daniel Kibblesmith / Art: Oscar Bazaldua & Victor Olazaba / Colors: David Curiel & Carlos Lopez / Cover: Ozgur Yildirim
Tons of fun and a truly epic battle between Loki & Nightmare. The art continues to delight, and the writing remains breezy and humorous. Aces.

7. Contagion #2 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Ed Brisson / Art: Stephen Segova / Colors: Veronica Gandini / Cover: Juan Jose Ryp & Jesus Aburtov
Nice pacing and solid storytelling in this book. Segova’s art is very dynamic, if a bit exaggerated at times (those collars!). Nice to see Cloak & Dagger in the mix. Good stuff.

8. Gwenpool Strikes Back #2 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Leah Williams / Art: David Baldeon / Colors: Jesus Aburtov / Cover: Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson
MCU Beach Party with Gwenpool. This issue was fun, but it did feel a bit forced. I prefer a more carefree GP. Still, It closes with a cliffhanger, so there is that.

9. Powers of X #6 (Marvel) ★★★★
‘House of X’
Writer: Jonathan Hickman / Art: R.B. Silva & Pepe Larraz / Colors: Marte Gracia & David Curiel / Cover: R.B. Silva & Marte Gracia
That was certainly interesting. I think I can see where this is going to go, and I’m not exactly thrilled. Still, the whole PoX/HoX series was quite intriguing, if nothing else.Lets see what’s next.

10. Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #3 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Saladan Ahmed / Art: Federico Vicentini / Colors: Erick Arciniega / Cover: Clayton Crain
Carnage Carnage everywhere. The best part of this book, aside from the art, (which is tops) was constantly reading the name ‘Happy Dan’. Mile’s turning down the kicks was nice too. Cool book, but this AC Event is beginning to overstay its welcome.

11. Amazing Spider-Man #31 (Marvel) ★★★
‘Absolute Carnage – Part 2’
Writer: Nick Spencer / Art: Ryan Ottley & Cliff Rathburn / Colors: Nathan Fairbairn / Cover: Ryan Ottley & Nathan Fairbairn
Ottley’s art just doesn’t fit this story. It’s too bright, angular and cartoonish. Kills a lot of the drama from the lights out script. So the blue millipede guy is Harry? IDK. I am enjoying this story – just please change the artist.

12. The Batman’s Grave #1 (DC) ★★
Writer: Warren Ellis / Art: Bryan Hitch & Kevin Nolan / Colors: Alex Sinclair / Cover: Bryan Hitch & Alex Sinclair
Where to begin? Batman the magical detective? Alfred the alcoholic fatalist? The lack of blue trunks making Bat look a bit off? There’a ton of batman stories right now. I’m not sure I need this one.