Books of the Week: 11/06/19

1. Daredevil #13 (Marvel) ★★★★★
‘Through Hell – Part 3’
Writer: Chip Zdarsky / Art: Marco Checchetto / Colors: Nolan Woodard / Cover: Julian Totino Tedesco
A cover-up, and a huge twist ending. Very cool. The opening sequence with Elektra & Matt is perfect. Lots of great stuff in this cool, low-key issue.

2. Spider-Man & Venom: Double Trouble #1 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Mariko Tamaki / Art: Gurihiru / Colors: Gurihiru / Cover: Gurihiru
Delightfully hilarious book featuring Spider-Man theme song and some truly wonderful artwork. The pages are so expressive and the dialog consistently pops. Bonus: it’s NOT a One-Shot. There’s more to come. Huzzah!

3. Fantastic Four #16 (Marvel) ★★★★★
‘Point of Origin – Part 3: Fantastic Planet’
Writer: Dan Slott / Art: Sean Izaakse / Colors: Marcio Menyz / Cover: Nick Bradshaw & John Rauch
Wonderful issue showcasing each of the FF’s members in situations that suit them beautifully. I loved Ben with the freaks, and the Sue & Reed scenes were just delightful. “No Undersea Monarchs…” Hilarious. The Johnny story is intriguing. Let’s see where all this takes us.

4. Doctor Doom #2 (Marvel) ★★★★★
‘Mother Morgan Comes to Me’
Writer: Christopher Cantwell / Art: Salvador Larroca / Colors: Guru-eFX / Cover: ACO
Interesting book. Lots of things happening in this one. I like the mystery of the frame-up. I like Morgan & HERBIE. I like a lot of things about this book. Oh, and that ending… woah.

5. Black Cat #6 (Marvel) ★★★★
‘Date Night’
Writer: Jed MacKay / Art: Mike Dowling / Colors: Brian Reber / Cover: J. Scott Campbell & Sabine Rich
Tons of fun with Cat a on a date… with Batroc! The sparkling dialog throughout, plus the back and for the forth with the Fox action and Cat’s date make for an entertaining & compelling read.

6. Absolute Carnage: Weapon Plus #1 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Jed MacKay / Art: Stefano Raffaele / Colors: Dono Sanchez-Almara / Cover: Skan
One of the better AC One-Shots, this book was packed with action and was truly unpredictable. It feels like this story is FINALLY coming together (it’s about time). Yeh, this was a big surprise, and a welcome one.

7. Undiscovered Country #1 (Image) ★★★★
Writer: Scott Snyder & Charles Soule / Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli & Daniele Orlandini / Colors: Matt Wilson / Cover: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Interesting take on a dystopian future where America is walled off from the rest of the world. Mostly an introduction & exposition issue, but there were a few big moments that caught my attention. Def interested to read more.

8. Batman #82 (DC) ★★★★
‘City of Bane – Part 8 ‘
Writer: Tom King / Art: Mikel Janin / Colors: Jordie Bellaire / Cover: David Finch & Alex Sinclair
Pretty cool fight between Batman, Cat & Bane. The ending was a bit of a surprise. Looking forward to see how this all wraps up.

9. Immortal Hulk #26 (Marvel) ★★★★
‘Status Quo Ante’
Writer: Al Ewing / Art: Joe Bennett & Run Jose / Colors: Paul Mounts / Cover: Alex Ross
A new chapter opens with a Banner manifesto and a lot of intrigue and semi-alliances. Its an interesting direction to be sure. Loved the Namor cameo. Bennett’s art has looked better. Maybe it was the bright colors.

10. X-Force #1 (Marvel) ★★★★
‘Hunting Ground’
Writer: Benjamin Percy / Art: Joshua Cassara / Colors: Dean White / Cover: Dustin Weaver
The inevitable blowback begins in this dark, brooding book. They really were careless on Krakoa. Too careless… feels out of character. I know it was necessary for the story, but it doesn’t ring true. I would have been surprised at the ending if it hadn’t been spoiled for me. Thanks WhatCulture.

11. Amazing Spider-Man #33 (Marvel) ★★★
‘Point Blank’
Writer: Nick Spencer / Art: Patrick Gleason / Colors: Matthew Wilson / Cover: Patrick Gleason & Matthew Wilson
A lot of story set-up in this book and not much else. The cover is very bait and switchy as Spidey 2099 barely appears. Still, there are some interesting seeds being planted that could be pretty entertaining going forrward. We’ll see.

12. New Mutants #1 (Marvel) ★★
‘The Sextant’
Writer: Ed Brisson & Jonathan Hickman / Art: Rod Reis / Colors: Rod Reis / Cover: Rod Reis
Nothing like arrogant, self-righteous New Mutants to get themselves into a mess. The whole bunch aren’t very likable. They acted like privileged jerks. I’m rooting for the Shi’ar.

13. Justice League #35 (DC) ★★
‘Justice/Doom War – Part 6’
Writer: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV / Art: Francis Manapul / Colors: Francic Manapul & Hi-Fi / Cover: Rafael Albuquerque
A universe dies, Perpetua is all-powerful and instead of simply killing Hawkgirl & Shayne she disables their ship in the hope(?) that it crashes and does the job for her? Why do characters in this story keep making stupid decisions? It’s so… stupid. bah! This story better have an amazing finish.

14. Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 (DC) ★
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Art: Ryan Sook & Wade von Grawbadger / Colors: Jordie Bellaire / Cover: Ryan Sook
A bit of a jumbled mess. Lots of exposition and characters talking over each other in lame attempts at “youth humor”. I just don’t see a point or need for this book. Also, have I mentioned how much I hate aged up Jon Kent? It’s not working.