Haunt #12 – Review

By: Robert Kirkman (writer), Greg Capullo (pencils), Jonathan Glapion with Todd McFarlane (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors), Comicraft (letters) & Jen Cassidy (editor)

The Story: The first story-arc kinda wraps up as Haunt and his allies storm Hurg’s base, plus some nice character moments after the smoke has cleared and a tease for the next story.

What’s Good: Even though I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this first story arc on Haunt, I’m happy to see it come to an end.  One of the things that drives me bananas about “creator-owned” comics is when they have one really cool story idea and then the creators torture the hell out of that story for way too long.  Kirkman could have milked this story for another 12-issue cycle, and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of some of these bad-guys, but I appreciate that he’s moving the story along.  And, what a cool ending it was.  Seeing Haunt and his paramilitary allies storying Hurg’s base was really exciting.

We also get a lot of good character stuff in this issue.  “Character stuff” is not really the calling card for this series, but it is nice to reflect on how these characters have changed and grown since issue #1. Daniel is now a full-fledged operative who has the respect of everyone, he and Kurt have buried the hatchet, he has friends (male and female) and is just a more 3D character than the cigarette-smoking priest who sleeps with hookers that made a lot of people groan last fall when this series launched.

Capullo’s art continues to be top notch.  He gets most of his kudos for the big action scenes where you’ve got Haunt leaping around with ectoplasm, guts, blood and shell casings flinging all over, and there is plenty of that in the first half of this issue.  But, if you take a second to look at his story-telling skills in the more character driven second part of this issue, you can see that it’s really awesome too.  It’s just a steady stream of different perspectives, variable panel designs, backgrounds/no-backgrounds, panel borders, etc. that direct your eyes through the story.  Nice!

And the new “villain” – Apparation – also looks like something that Capullo can draw the hell out of.  Can’t wait to watch Haunt fight that guy!

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Amazing Spider-Man #650 – Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos are on a really good start to their run on ASM because this is the 3rd straight issue I’ve given an A to (and I sometimes go for a couple months without awarding an A).  The story is fun and fast-paced, the supporting characters get face-time and the art is great.  The epitome of what Spider-Man comics should be.  Runner-up: Velocity #3

Most Anticipated: American Vampire #10 – This series hasn’t taken a wrong step yet and has quickly become one of the best comics on the market.  After seeing how much Scott Snyder enriched the story with the last story arc, I can’t wait to see what he does as he starts a new arc in this issue.

Other Picks: Haunt #12, Morning Glories #4, Neonomicon #3, 28 Days Later #18, Fantastic Four #586

 

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Batman #705 – Green Lantern #60 came out swinging, but Batman #705, Tony Daniel’s offering of Dick Grayson’s Gotham, was just awesome. I really enjoyed the art, the mood and the story a lot. Highly recommended.

Most Anticipated: Warlord of Mars #3 – I’ve been waiting impatiently for this one! Green Lantern Corps, with the Weaponer of Quard and Sinestro would otherwise have taken the Anticipated title, but I can’t pass up classic new Barsoomian action!

Other Picks: Green Lantern Corps #55, Legion of Super-Heroes #8, Uncanny X-Men #531

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Uncanny X-Force #3 – You can read my review to see exactly why I enjoyed this so much, but let’s just say you need to own this.  Like, right now.  Actually, if you haven’t read these at all, do yourself a favor and pick up the last three issues as a holiday gift to yourself.  You won’t be sorry.

Most Anticipated: Stuff of Legend: The Jungle #3 – It’s been a little while since the last installment of this equally fun and suspenseful story of toys journeying into a magical land to rescue their owner, but that time hasn’t dampened my anticipation.  Mike Raicht’s & Brian Smith’s whimsical script combined with Charles Paul Wilson’s amazing pencils deliver a singular reading experience every time I pick a new issue up, and I have faith that this will be no different.  A perfect Christmas gift for me!

Other Picks: American Vampire #10, Green Lantern Corps #55, Green Lantern Larfleeze Christmas Special, Justice League Generation Lost #16, Morning Glories #5, Chaos War Dead Avengers #2, Invincible Iron Man #33,  Secret Avengers #8, Superior #3, Ultimate Doom #1, Ultimate Spider-Man #151, Uncanny X-Men #531, X-Men Legacy #243, X-Men #6