Comic of the Day 28/4: "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #3

Frankly, there is not much to say about Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #3, except that it's just a piece of hyped-up, over-the-top, colorful fun. From the hilarious back and forth of Evil Deadpool's and Taskmaster's skirmish to the auction of the Fortune-Telling Future-Bot, the comic is never too clever or enthralling and, in all honesty, does not even try to be.

Cullen Bunn and Salva Espin are merely running riot with the possibilities they are given here, offering an excessive cast of hilarious villains (Deathstrike!!!), gory violence, and a Deadpool in top form. What more can you ask for!?

Comic of the Day 27/4: "Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin" #4

One of the issues with Obi-Wan & Anakin #3 was that it posed more questions than it actually answered. Consequently, one of Charles Soule's greatest achievements as a writer here is that he answers many of these questions without making the comic feel jam-packed with facts or information. Step by step he delivers small pieces of the bigger puzzle while maintaining a high level of suspense throughout. Marco Checchetto's art is impressively detailed and polished, even though some of the environment and creatures of Carnelion IV might feel alien to what audiences are accustomed to in the Star Wars universe. 

Obi-Wan & Anakin's second big story line is that of Anakin's training in the Jedi Temple and the gradual seduction by Palpatine. The dialogue is as excellent as always here, perfectly illustrating the nuanced cunning and plotting by the Chancellor. It's also intriguing to see the comic take a more critical stance on the recruitment of young Padawans in general. Anakin in particular is written with an exceptional depth and complexity that is missing from the main Darth Vader comic.

In just one issue, Charles Soule has managed to set the comic up for what will be its final instalment next month, filling in enough holes to focus entirely on the story's conclusion.

Comic of the Day 26/4: "All-New Hawkeye" #6

Jeff Lemire's and Ramon Perez' remarkable run at Hawkeye has come to an end. All too soon, as it was one of the best and most consistent comic series of 2016 so far. But, fortunately, they are not leaving without giving us one final issue that sums up what has made All-New Hawkeye so outstanding over the last couple of months.

Perez art gives the two ongoing story arcs (Kate's struggle as a young girl to find her calling in life and cope with her family/her and Clint's rescue for the Project Communion children) a very unique and individual tone. The blurry, washed out lines and colors in the former enhance the feeling that Kate's memories are in fact not accurate, and that her heroics when freeing herself from Matador are strongly exaggerated; and the latter captivates with its established but nevertheless sleek retro style.

The Avengers play a sizeable role here, as Lemire reveals how Kate was inspired to carry the "Hawkeye" moniker. However, the comic is at its best when depicting Kate's and Clint's relationship by presenting us with extraordinarily nuanced and carefully woven dialogues, that make it perfectly plausible why the comic had to end the way it does.

All-New Hawkeye was funny, honest and human, with great art and a captivating story. Hopefully Marvel's next volume will be able to come close.

Comic of the Day 25/4: "Action Comics" #51

There's not much going on in Action Comics #51. It's still enjoyable, but as a part of the larger "The Search for Supergirl" story arc, it falls into the old trap of not sufficiently existing in its own right. While it starts out with a spectacularly paced action scene that sees Superman take his daughter away from the D.E.O., the comic doesn't have much too offer afterwards, with an apparent lack of pace or tension.

Peter J. Tomasi's dialogue between Supergirl and her father is stale and clichéd, while Paul Pelletier's pencils and Tomeu Morey's colours are often too playful to add a real dramatic tone to the story. Taking some risks would have benefited Action Comics #51, as its safe approach does not allow for too much creativity or fun.

Comic of the Day 21/4: "Deadpool" #10

"Deadpool" #10 is a bit of a mixed bag. The Merc with a Mouth and Sabretooth still make for an entertaining lead duo, and the underlying issue of who killed Deadpool's parents is balanced out well, never being too light or too serious in tone.

But it's hard to overlook that the comic does hardly more than advance its plot to what is the inevitable finale in the next issue. The dynamic between Deadpool and Sabretooth is strangely off, and the jokes don't click any more like they did in #9. Matteo Lolli still excels at capturing the fun and scale of the action scenes, and the comic has some outstanding comedy elements (the references to Canada are hilarious, and look out for the joke with the bird).

But ultimately, Deadpool #10 is a wasted opportunity and just prepares the ground for the story arc's conclusion in #11.