The Rest Of The Stack

Superman: Secret Origin #1

Geoff Johns (Writer), Gary Frank (Pencils), Jon Sibal (Inks)

The Good and the Bad: Superman: Secret Origin is a near perfect “jump-on point” for those who haven’t picked up a Superman book in a long time. In this new mini-series Geoff Johns and Gary Frank don’t offer us a mere summary of how Superman came to be, instead they give us a funny and moving coming-of-age story of a small town boy that transitions from adolescent to a young man aware of his capabilities. However, since this is a story about Superman after all, Johns and Frank waste no time jumping straight to the superhero scenes. Right away they gives us the superhero puberty scenes, showing Clark realizing his powers in the most common teenage boy ways. From realizing his bone-breaking strength on the field, to his premature heat discharges with Lana, Johns and Frank win big in drawing the similarities of a hero in the making and the familiar and awkward moments of a young boy. Even though the pacing may be unfolding a little too quickly, we get a much-needed background on how Superman came to be. This is definitely worth checking out.

Grade: A-

-Raymond Hilario

Avengers: The Initiative #28

Christos N. Gage (Writer), Rafa Sandoval (Pencils), Roger Bonet (Inks), and Edgar Delgado (Colors)

The Good and the Bad: Avengers: The Initiative is one series that’s definitely making the most of the whole Dark Reign thing. As the Avengers Resistance assembles to help some like-minded Initiative members in need, it’s hard not to smile as the whole Marvel sandbox concept gets used to full effect. On a technical level, Avengers: The Initiative #28 is a winner. Christos Gage does a fine job of cramming in some really nice character work among all the clever action. The artists prove that they are certainly up to the task of handling anything (and anyone) that Gage throws at them in an entertaining, slightly chaotic way. That said, it’s unfortunate that the impressive artwork, as a whole, doesn’t really fit the surprisingly dark script all that well. Simply put, it’s too lively and vibrant for the story being told.

Grade: B

The Darkness/Pitt #2

Paul Jenkins (Writer), Dale Keown (Pencils & Inks), and Frank D’Armata (Colors)

The Good and the Bad: I never would have considered the likeable Jackie Estacado to be a racist homophobe until reading The Darkness/Pitt #2, but, Paul Jenkins’ questionable character work aside, the Top Cow mini-series is proving to be a fun, violent romp. The dialogue between Pitt, Estacado, and Timmy is mostly entertaining in that “odd couple” type of way and Dale Keown’s slick, polished artwork is elevated by Frank D’Armata’s moody, dark colors. If you don’t mind a generic, forgettable plot, give the mini-series a look at some point if you are in the mood for something with that special “90s” vibe.

Grade: C+

No Hero #7

Warren Ellis (Writer), Juan Jose Ryp (Art), and Digikore Studios (Colors)

The Good and the Bad: Whoa! That’s the word that comes to mind when I think about the conclusion to No Hero. Warren Ellis throws a very cool curveball into the plot that makes main character Josh Carver infinitely more interesting as a character. The downside is that the brutal, violent ending pretty much puts the kibosh on any more exploration of the very character that you’re probably going to want to follow a bit more (though a prequel might work…). Oh well. At least Ellis ends things with one hell of a finish, mostly thanks to the incredibly disturbing, disgusting, detailed artwork provided by the talented Juan Jose Ryp. Whether you want it to or not, because of Ryp’s work, No Hero #7 will stick in your mind for quite some time.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

WCBR’s Picks Of The Week

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Blackest Night #3 – 4 words: Black Lantern Elongated Man.

Most Anticipated: Superman: Secret Origin #1 – Geoff Johns and Gary Frank are back, and we can expect the same things they gave in their run with Action Comics: compelling storylines, and amazing art. With this 48-page debut, fans and newcomers can come to expect a much-needed in depth origin of Superman.

Other Top Picks: Detective Comics #857, Madame Xanadu #15, Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2 #606, Spider-Woman #1, Wolverine Old Man Logan Giant-Size #1

Kyle’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Dark Avengers #9 – The scene between Fury and Ares was a prime example of great character work.  Also, the general strangeness of the stuff happening at Avengers Tower left me dying for more.

Most Anticipated: Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant-Size #1 – It’s been one hell of a wait, but that hasn’t diminished my anticipation for the conclusion to Mark Millar’s Old Man Logan one bit.

Other Top Picks: Detective Comics #857, Wednesday Comics #12 (do it again DC!), Dark Reign: The List – X-Men, Avengers: The Initiative #28, Fantastic Four #571, Incredible Hercules #135, Ms. Marvel #45, New Avengers #57, Uncanny X-Men #515, Darkness/Pitt #2, Hack/Slash #26, No Hero #7

Rob G.’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: X-Men Legacy Annual #1- I have to say, this was one of the best weeks in comics in a while and it was very hard to choose this comic over the likes of Dark Avengers and The Brave and The Bold. The main reason X-Men Legacy beats out the other two is for purely subjective reasons, in that Acuna is my favorite artist and Carey is crafting old school X-Men stories.

Most Anticipated: Wolverine Giant Size Old Man Logan#1- Another tough decision as there are ton of great books coming out the is week, but will any of them be as legendary as the completion of Millar’s insanely entertaining Old Man Logan arc?

Other Top Picks: Amazing spider-man #606, Blackest Night Superman #2, Buck Rogers #4, Dark Reign List X-men One Shot, Detective Comics #857, Fantastic Four #571, Guardians of Galaxy #18, Invincible #66, New Avengers #57, Nova #29, Spider-Woman #1, Superman Secret Origin #1, Uncanny X-men #515, Wednesday Comics #12, Wolverine Origins #40

DS’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Blackest Night #3 – Black Lantern Firestorm really stole the show, even as Green Lantern and Flash tried to keep their world from crumbling around them.

Most Anticipated: Blackest Night: Superman #2 – Loonie-Toon crazy Black Lantern Psycho Pirate is billed to make an appearance, and the Golden Age Kal-L Black Lantern Superman is still on deck to cause lots of problems for Superman and Superboy.

Other Picks: Power Girl #5, JLA #37, Guardians of the Galaxy #15, Immortal Weapons #3, Ms. Marvel #45, Nova #29.

Alex’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Ex Machina #45 -With an awesome new villain, it’s clear that Vaughan is writing this series to go out not with a bang, but an outright explosion. This was an issue representative of many of the reasons Ex Machina has always been a fantastic series, and the cool layouts and solid art from Tony Harris doesn’t hurt.

Most Anticipated: Spider-Woman #1 – I loved Bendis and Maleev’s work on Daredevil and what I’ve seen of the art on Spider-Woman looks stunning and some of Maleev’s best work, which is saying a lot.  Also, at heart, I’m still a Brian Michael Bendis fan.

Other Picks: Detective Comics #857, Invincible #66, Madame Xanadu #15,Fantastic Four #571, New Avengers #57, Uncanny X-Men #515

Tony’s Picks

Best of the Past Week: Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1 – Despite a groan-inducing title, the first issue of this relaunched book was dynamic and benefited from a great creative team.  Fans of Marvel’s urban heroes like Daredevil and Punisher will want to check this one out!

Most Anticipated: Incredible Hercules #135 – I’m not sure how well an Amadeus Cho issue can hold up without having Hercules around, but I have faith that Pak and Van Lente can deliver the goods.