Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Brightest Day #8 – It was a thin week for me and nothing in my pull stack really glowed, but if I had to give the weekly prize to some book, I’d have to go with Brightest Day #8.

Most Anticipated: Legion of Super-Heroes #4 – a mystery is afoot and someone seems to be trying to hand the blame of Darkseid. That’s dangerous for everybody!

Other Top Picks: Batman #702, Captain America #609, Justice League of America #48, Daredevil #508, Namor: The First Mutant #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Ex Machina #50 – Chew #13 and the power of fricken would’ve won on any other week, but unfortunately it had to go up against the final issue of what will go down as one of the greatest comics of all time.  Ex Machina #50 was a perfect, if somber, conclusion that I will remember for years to come.  Wonderfully executed and a true testament to Vaughan and Harris’ abilities and their peak.

Most Anticipated: Action Comics #892 – A very, very tough choice between this and Fantastic Four.  Unsurprising given that they were in a dead heat for pick of the week when they came out together last month.  Action Comics ultimately gets the edge due to the back-up, which is an intro Superboy story by Jeff Lemire.  My curiosity in this, as well as the sheer genius of Cornell’s Lex Luthor makes this a book that you need to pick up.

Other Picks: Fantastic Four #582, Avengers #4, Invincible #74, Madame Xanadu #26, Wonder Woman #602, Captain America #609, Scalped #40, Secret Warriors #19, Thor #613, Unknown Soldier #23, The Legion of Super-Heroes #4

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Wolverine Weapons X #16 – This was a really great issue that got to the bottom of the odd-couple relationship that Logan and Kurt have always had as we see Kurt teaching his old friend was last life lesson from beyond the grave.  Is there any kind of story that Jason Aaron doesn’t write well?

Most Anticipated: Lady Robotika #2 – None of the “major” titles are lunging out at me this week and I could have picked Scalped #40 here, but I’ll always have the tie-breaker go to the little creator owned title when possible.  The first issue of Lady Robotika was a wacky surprise that showed rocker chick Jane Wiedlin kidnapped by aliens to perform a concept for their emperor.  That might have been fun enough, but the aliens were into Earth culture, drink Colt 45 malt liquor, etc.  Zany fun and I hope this issue can keep it up.

Other Top Picks: Scalped #40, Fantastic Four #582, Avengers #4, PunisherMax Happy Ending #1

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week – Thunderbolts #147 – This title consistently has been getting better and better every month since the Heroic Age reboot and has been finding it’s way to the top of my stack whenever it comes out.  Jeff Parker has been hitting some great beats and Kev Walker’s art is, in one word, awesome.

Most Anticipated – Avengers #4 – Surprisingly, none of the releases this week would I classify as “most anticipated”, but I have to admit Avengers is the one title I’m hoping will be “most improved”.  Bendis and Romita on a title with Thor, Cap, Iron Man, Spidey, and Wolverine should be a no brainer, for some reason it’s been lacking that special something.  Here’s hoping this week it will all finally click for me.

Other Picks – Batman #702, Superman Secret Origin #6, Astonishing X-Men #35, Captain America #609, Namor the First Mutant #1, Secret Warriors #19, Ultimate Mystery #2, X-Factor #208, X-Men Legacy #239, X-Men:  Blade #1, X-Men: Storm & Gambit #1

Daredevil #508 – Review

by Andy Diggle & Antony Johnston (writers), Roberto De La Torre (art), Matt Hollingsworth (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story: Foggy and Dakota try to get to Shadowland to talk some sense into Matt while Hell’s Kitchen finds itself in a state of martial law.

What’s Good: This issue of Daredevil does an absolutely fantastic job of establishing the mood and atmosphere of Shadowland, immersing us in the grim NYC of Matt Murdock’s construction.  If Shadowland #1 set the narrative groundwork for this event, this book sets the tonal groundwork.

In this sense, Daredevil #508 feels like it puts meat on Shadowland’s bones.  Hell’s Kitchen feels nightmarishly sinister and Diggle and Johnston do solid work in putting forth a really oppressed environment.  Daredevil’s Hand ninjas create a sense of foreboding, particularly given how they seem to be everywhere.  It’s a paranoid atmosphere where Daredevil and his ninja are constantly watching.  More than anything, we really get the sense that Matt has reshaped and isolated Hell’s Kitchen; the roadblocks are ugly and cops are not welcome.  I loved how in this new Hell’s Kitchen, wearing a badge is dangerous to oneself, not protective.

Things only get darker when we see Matt’s new brand of justice in action.  His dealing with a group of thieves is unsettling and darkly iconic.  It puts an evil, nasty twist on a traditional, superhero action and it’s sure to give chills, especially thanks to De La Torre’s efforts.

Speaking of De La Torre, it’s great to have him back on Daredevil and he’s really well suited to this arc.  Everything is bleak, pitch dark, grimy, and generally unpleasant in the best way possible.  It’s the very darkest sort of noir artwork you can ask for, really, and that suits Shadowland perfectly.  De La Torre’s gritty style only makes Hell’s Kitchen all the more sinister.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: X-Force #28 – This is drawing from a smaller than normal sample due to some vacation time, but I really enjoyed this penultimate chapter of what has been a really good X-Men event.  I especially liked that “they” let Wolverine kill Bastion and even though it’s old hat now, isn’t it nice that Wolverine can kill a bad dude without all this “heroes don’t kill” moralizing we get in some other places (see Shadowland #1).

Most Anticipated: X-Men: Second Coming #2 – This is a really big week of non-Marvel/DC books for me, but I am most looking forward to the finale of this comic event.  For me, the world is just a nicer place when the X-Men family of books are good.

Other Top Picks: Orc Stain #4, Bulletproof Coffin #2, Sweets #1, Daytripper #8, Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #2

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Shadowland #1 -Shadowland gets my pick of the week if only because it was the first issue of an event that actually got me excited for said event, and it’s been a while since I could honestly say that.  Everything about this book was a pleasant surprise, including the artwork.

Most Anticipated: Daredevil #508 -It’s my most anticipated issue for most of the reasons that Shadowland was my pick of the week; I really want to see where this goes and, hopefully, this issue will give a heavier focus to Matt Murdock than Shadowland #1 did.  Either way, Shadowland has my fullest attention right now.

Other Picks: Birds of Prey #3, DMZ #55, Invincible Iron Man #28, Superman #701, The Unwritten #15

Joe’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Scarlet #1 – I would’ve thought X-Force #28 would’ve had a lock on this position, but the fact that I wanted to go out and buy this comic right after reading a friend’s copy sort of sealed the deal for me.  Bendis and Maleev delivered a surprisingly engaging comic considering the politics at the heart of the plot and the fact that it’s lots of pages filled with the lead character talking and talking.  Despite all of that, I closed this issue eager to read more, and that’s all I can ask of  my funnybooks.

Most Anticipated: X-Force: Sex and Violence #1 – Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!  X-Force returns (one week after it’s last issue) for this three issue miniseries with art from Gabrielle Del’Otto.  I’ve been waiting for this mini for a long time now, and I’m hoping it’ll be a worthy swan song to Kyle’s and Yost’s X-tales.

Other Top Picks: Birds of Prey #3, X-Files/30 Days of Night#1, Absolute Planetary 2 HC, Hack/Slash My First Maniac #2, Amazing Spider-Man #637, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #2, Avengers Academy #2, Daredevil #508, Invincible Iron Man #28, Thanos Imperative #2, Ultimate Spider-Man #12, X-MEN: SECOND COMING #2, X-MEN: REVELATIONS – HELLBOUND #3