Thor #605 – Review

by Kieron Guillen (writer), Billy Tan (pencils), Batt (inks), Christina Strain, Emily Warren, & Paul Mounts (colors), and Joe Sabino (letters)

The Story: Thor confronts Doom, only to discover the Latverian dictator’s pet project.

What’s Good: Billy Tan is putting out the work of his life on this comic.  I’ve never really been a big fan of his, but this is fantastic, cinematic stuff with a really slick, “high budget” feel.  There’s a lot of detail, a lot of big, flashy images, and Doom’s creations look all kinds of awesome.  Also, while it’s thanks to a combined effort by Tan, Batt, Strain, Warren, and Mounts, the issue does wondrous things in its combinations of light and dark.  The team does “night in Latveria” really well.  Everything feels inky black, navy blue at best, while Thor’s flashes of lightning and the torrential rain really sets the mood and only highlights Tan’s already impressive work.  Tan also draws a deceptively “nice guy” Loki.  It’s a joy just to flip through this book.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Picks Of The Week

Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Fables #91 -Fables is on a roll these days, and this was the best issue yet.  It’s an issue that completely satisfies in every way that a Fables comic can and is also a very rich, dense issue that is a steal for $2.99.

Most Anticipated: Hellboy: The Bride of Hell – In a week absolutely jam-packed with quality releases, it’s the reunion of the Eisner-award winning duo of Mignola and Corben that has me most excited.  I’ve always enjoyed Hellboy’s shorter stories quite a bit.

Other Picks: Powers #2, Wolverine: Weapon X #8, Fantastic Four #574, Detective Comics #860, Invincible #69, Northlanders #23, Madame Xanadu #18, Secret Warriors #11, New Avengers #60, Green Lantern #49, Justice Society #34, Unknown Soldier #15, Spider-Woman #4, Thor #605, Uncanny X-Men #519

DS’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Power Girl #7 – Although Doctor Voodoo was a good, solid offering for a Sorcerer Supreme fanboy like me, Power Girl #7, against all my odds, edged the good doctor out by doing something fresh and becoming an overt sexual satire instead of just a funny book with eye candy.

Most Anticipated: Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield? #1 – do you even need to ask!? I’m a huge Bucky fan now – Steve: You deserve retirement!

Other Top Picks: Detective Comics #860, Blackest Night: Justice League #1, Green Lantern #49, Wonder Woman #39, X-Men Legacy #231, Uncanny X-Men #519, Guardians of the Galaxy #21.

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Green Lantern Corps#43 – With an emotional and action-packed issue, Tomasi delivers not only the best Blackest Night book of the week, but a solid, entertaining, and relatable comic book .

Most Anticipated: Detective Comics #860 – I cannot get enough of Kate Kane. I haven’t looked forward to a a conclusion to arc as much as this tale of Batwoman’s origin.

Other Top Picks: Detective Comics #860, Blackest Night: Justice League #1, Green Lantern #49, Wonder Woman #39, X-Men Legacy #231, Uncanny X-Men #519, Gotham City Sirens #7, Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield? #1