Welcome, welcome. It’s the day after Halloween and I am getting over the candy rush. I hope you all had a good Halloween and enjoyed your extra hour of sleep. Good week in comics, though not much in the way of earth shattering news. So on, readers! To this week’s:
November 1st, 2015
“It’s just a jump to the left; And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips; You bring your knees in tight
But it’s the pelvic thrust; That really drives you insane
Let’s do the Time Warp again; Let’s do the Time Warp again”
– R. Hunter and the Time Masters.
Comic Book News: In comic news, Cullen Bunn is leaving Aquaman due to negative fan reaction. I have to say while I liked his ideas – the execution and art hurt his delivery. I think if he had a little help plotting and a different artist, we’d be looking at a different story.
Movie News: Empire Magazine has revealed a series of photos for the Suicide Squad movie – I think they are pretty good. And Deadpool confirmed they will have a traditional Colossus in it. Chris Pine has confirmed he’s in Wonder Woman, but not who he’s playing. Stan Lee is bringing the first female Chinese superhero to the big screen with Realm – and that’s about all we know about it. Pom Klementieff has joined Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and may be playing Mantis. Ant-Man topped $500 million, where it placed ahead of the obvious Marvel movies.
TV News: Supergirl has found it’s Toyman, which could make for an interesting story arc if they continue down that angle. Meanwhile, Gotham had a flurry of casting news including Mr. Freeze, Nora Freeze, and Hugo Strange. AMC has renewed Walking Dead for a 7th season and released a 12 second trailer for Preacher. And in celebration of Matt Ryan’s guest appearance on Arrow, Daniel Cerone has release the script for what would have been episode 14.
Black Magic #1 (Image Comics)
By Greg Rucka with art by Nicola Scott
Damn. Greg Rucka could teach a master class on how to hook a reader. This book was fantastic. And Ms. Scott was at the top of her game on art. I’m normally not a fan of black and white comics, but the use of color here was so strong I can’t see them doing it any other way. The main character, Detective Rowan Black, is a great character and the little we get to see of her makes me want to know more about her. And that’s kind of my only compliant. While we get a nice touch into the plot, we don’t know much about Rowan Black – in fact if not for the family tree at the end, I wouldn’t know her first name. It’s not said in the book. Hopefully, the next issue (which has jumped to the top of my read pile without even seeing a preview) will give us a bit more information. Regardless, you should get this book.
Justice League: The Darkseid War: Batman #1 (DC Comics)
By Peter Tomasi with art by Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan, and Gabe Eltaeb
Batman as a God is some scary s#!t. Seriously. And he’s got a warped sense of justice – one that the Amazons seem to appreciate. We gain a lot of insight into Batman and I think I’m seeing a shift coming for how DC handles the Caped Crusader in the future. The best part of this book was the confrontation between Batman and Chill. While Grant Morrison tried to give batman new motivation with the death of Damian and Talia, Mr. Tomasi is able to show that Bruce is still driven by the death of his parents. Also this shows a new wrinkle to the Mobius Chair and begs the question: Is it more alive than we thought? And if this is the standard that these one shots have, I can’t wait for the Superman one.
New Avengers #2 (Marvel Comics)
By Al Ewing with art by Gerardo Sandoval and Dono Sanchez Almara
So to steal a bit – the New Avengers know how to BE FABULOUS. The team is great and we have some great little moments. It’s also nice to see Songbird again – she was a favorite back when she was introduced in the original Thunderbolts. As with the first issue, I don’t think the art is the best for this comic, but it does get a bit better. Kick Squirrel Girl off the team and this will move up to my favorite Marvel book so far, not just my favorite Avengers book. Though I will say, having her and White Tiger dismantle the “Gamma Squad” by breaking their wristband was a great use of skill over strength. Overall, this is shaping up to be the most fun you can have on the Avengers.
Batman & Robin Eternal #4 (DC Comics); The Black Hood #6 (Archie Comics); Chewbacca #2 (Marvel Comics); Cyborg #4 (DC Comics); Gotham By Midnight #10 (DC Comics); Grayson #13 (DC Comics); He-Man: The Eternity War #11 (DC Comics); Kanan: The Last Padawan #7 (Marvel Comics); Sinestro #16 (DC Comics); Spider-Man 2099 #2 (Marvel Comics); Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #51 (IDW Comics); We Are Robin #5 (DC Comics)
Aquaman #45 (DC Comics); Art Ops #1 (DC Comics); Captain America #2 (Marvel Comics); The Flash #45 (DC Comics); House of M #4 (Marvel Comics); Justice League 3001 #5 (DC Comics); New Suicide Squad #13 (DC Comics); Prez #5 (DC Comics); Robin: Son of Batman #5 (DC Comics); What If – Infinity: Dark Reign #1 (Marvel Comics); Where Monsters Dwell #5 (Marvel Comics)
Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 (Marvel Comics)
By Frank J. Barbiere with art by Brent Schoonover and Nick Filardi
… What the hell was this? I mean, this was crap. Most of these guys are nobodies – I’ve only heard of three of them and one was created in the Superior Iron Man series, so I don’t know if that’s something to brag about. The others are all just ridiculous. Vampire by Night? Seriously? And If you have an army of Dum Dum Dugan, why the hell are you using these creatures? If you’re going to put together a group of Marvel Monsters, then pick the best of them – not the Z string.
Superman #45 (DC Comics)
By Gene Luen Yang with art by Howard Porter and Hi-Fi
Man, I was hoping that after the origin arc of Pre-Truth, this would get better. Sadly, I was mistaken as Superman acts completely out of character and joins a super-powered fight club because five hundred dollars is an apparently “a lot of tacos”. Are you screwing with me? One – why the hell would Superman think in those terms, even if he would take the money? And two, it’s just not Superman. He wouldn’t join this fight club. He also forgot apparently how to go under cover or investigate or anything that involves brain power. It’s sad that with the other Superman comics firing on all cylinders, the main title is just failing.
Angela: Queen of Hel (Marvel Comics)
By Marguerite Bennett with art by Kim Jacinto, Israel Silva, and Stephanie Hans
Sigh. Yeah, Assassin, Angel, or Queen of Hel – this character just isn’t for me and forcing her into Thor’s mythology isn’t work well at all. Especially when you have the mythology of a thousand other religions to mess with. You know like Christianity – where there are actual ANGELS. But anyway, I’m out.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (Marvel Comics)
By Ryan North, Erica Henderson, and Rico Renzi
Nope. Still not doing this. Not for me.
House of M (Marvel Comics)
Dennis Hopeless, Cullen Bunn, Ario Anindito, Marco Failla, Matt Wilson
Well, that’s it from me. See you all next week!