Keepin' It 360: "Star Wars: Darth Vader" #21

Darth Vader #19 is far away from the lows it reached several months ago, but especially with the series' end looming on the horizon, neither the team around writer Kieron Gillen nor editors seem to care much about it any more (the scary number of typos tells a lot). No glaring issues, just the same story and aesthetics all over again. Only for hardcore fans.

5/10

Further Links:

Darth Vader #20

Star Wars #19

Obi-Wan & Anakin #5

Review: "Aquaman: Rebirth" #1

How do you approach a title that, over the years, has been so divisive as Aquaman, and help it off to a fresh new start? Why not be as self-referential as you can and remember the old principle that acknowledging a problem is often as good as actually solving it. 

While it might not be particularly clever, writer Dan Abnett knows that openly addressing some of the persistent stereotypes and misconceptions about Aquaman (you know, weirdo who talks to fish, I guess we all have seen this Family Guy skit by now)  so early on might actually benefit the series in the long run. It's also not often that you'll see a comic put so much emphasis on its narrative mode, but Abnett's virtuous play with it will leave you in for a big surprise at the end.

Only held back by its somewhat lacklustre art, whose sturdiness never quite manages to reflect the thoughtfulness of the comic's text, Aquaman: Rebirth #1 is a skillful attempt to redefine the titular superhero, and much more of an actual "rebirth" than many other DC titles at the moment.

7/10

Keepin' It 360: "Daredevil" #8

Matt Murdock goes James Bond, as he goes to Macau to win big in a poker tournament. Sounds stupid, but is actually brilliant stuff, as writer Soule and artist Sudzuka meticulously dramatize the action on the poker table with tense inner dialogues and stunning art. We even get a bit of Daredevil, as he unexpectedly meets an old friend. Casino Royale, indeed.

9/10

Further Links:

Daredevil #7

Daredevil/The Punisher #1

Daredevil #6

Review: "Home" #1

Home is the story of an orphan finding new meaning in life and distraction from her taxing job by the discovery of a super-power. What may sound like your usual super-hero story is, however, decisively spiced-up by what protagonist Elysia's power actually is. Being suddenly able to see and change digital code in her environment, she takes the opportunity to make the world around her, and thus her own life as well, a better place. Although readers are left a little bit in the dark when it comes to a more specific angle on Elysia's super-power, subsequent issues will hopefully shed a bit more light on that.

Writer Todd Black narrates Home mainly by protagonist Elysia immediately addressing readers. While it does allow for a deeper look into her motivations and motifs, the bond one is supposed to have with her unfortunately never quite materialises. Following issues will hopefully be able to draw a sharper, more distinct picture of Elysia, which will allow readers to be more invested into her. 

Home's core art may appear to be a bit too simple at times, as one is wishing for artist Dinh Nguyen to go for more detail, especially in the environments. But the whole art team shows their exceptional skill when creating some beautifully complex panels and images. It's especially the visualization of the code that protagonist Elysia sees and some seriously heartfelt emotions in character's faces that manage to stand out. Colorist Beth Varni chooses a stunning azure blue as a leitmotif, popping up everywhere in the comic and  giving it a very distinct character and recognizability.

This is a strong first issue, not just for an independent comic creators team, which surprises with a fresh take on super-hero powers and how they are presented. With still room to improve in some areas, this has the potential to be really really good in the future once it fully finds its groove.


7/10


PS: Home can only be purchases online, and further issues depend on this Kickstarter campaign.

Keepin' It 360: "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #5

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money's first story line ends here, as we finally get a full backstory of the recorder robot and artist Salva Espin continues his dynamic art approach with some impressive big panels. Even though its conclusion is a bit effortless, the comic still convinces as a high-paced, colorful roller-coaster ride that will keep you entertained. 

6/10

Further Links:

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #4

Deadpool #12

Deadpool: Last Days of Magic #1

Review: "Detective Comics" #934

Batman and Batwoman set out to train a bunch of rookies for the fight against a mysterious threat as Detective Comics #934 starts out with a blast into the "Rebirth" era, posing as a blueprint for how the series might look in the future.

As you'd expect from Detective Comics, it's lighter in tone and theme as compared to the main Batman series, with the Caped Crusader not quite being as sharp and relentless as you'd probably hope for. Admittedly, some dialogues are close to being kitsch, with scenes a bit too much over the top at times, but writer James Tynion IV knows how to keep the action exciting throughout the whole comic. And artist Eddy Barrows, inker Eber Ferreira and colorist Adriano Lucas create a Gotham that impresses with its dark, fearful and threatening atmosphere, even though they are somewhat out of their comfort zone when the pace and action pick up, leaving us with a few too many confusing panels.

But the comic's most important aspect is the large cast on offer here, showcasing the extended Batman family that will be at the center of Detective Comics. From more prominent characters like Azrael, Clayface (whose scene is an absolute success) Red Robin and Batwoman to lesser known heroes such as The Spoiler and Cassandra, it's an exciting potpourri of what DC has to offer in the future. 

PS: See if you can find the "Punisher" reference.

8/10

Further links:

Batman: Rebirth #1

Review: "Action Comics" #957

There's a LOT going on in Action Comics #957. Not just do we see Lex Luthor become the self-proclaimed new Superman, and pre-Flashpoint Superman coming out of retirement before it even began, but the comic keeps throwing other surprise appearances (which are, unfortunately, all spoiled by the cover) at you whenever it can.

But writer Dan Jurgens' greatest achievement is that this sheer amount of information and action hardly ever seems cheap or to be there just for its own sake. Admittedly, Superman's decision to wear the cape and shield again appears too hasty and inconsiderate, as Jurgens does not give the event enough time to properly unravel and fall into place. But apart from that, Action Comics #957 offers a well-balanced affair that knows to impress with its pace and artist Patrick Zircher's epic battles in the skies of Metropolis. His approach of drawing characters and environment not too sharp also adds some beneficial grit to the comic, and his inks (especially on faces) are simply superb.

After all, this is a more than satisfying start into the "Rebirth" Action Comics series with much to look forward to.

8/10

Further Links:

Superman: Rebirth #1

10 Things We Learned About "Civil War II" in #1

1. It's absolute high-polish entertainment with first-class standards throughout.
2. Tony Stark's moustache will haunt you in your dreams.
3. The built-up to the comic's main conflict is well-told and superbly interwoven.
4. Think of a Marvel character. They'll be in here. The cast is gigantic.
5. Writer Bendis and artist Marquez know how to stage some strong emotions, especially with Stark and Danvers. 
6. We don't really need any product placement.
7. Marquez' large panels are simply breathtaking. 
8. Luckily, Tony Stark's arrogance never becomes annoying.
9. The action scenes are stunning and among the best in comics this year.
10. Marquez' various art approaches manage to keep the comic fresh at all times. 

    Further Links:

    8 Things We Now Know About "Civil War II"

Review: "The Punisher" #2

The Punisher #2 picks up exactly where it left off, for better or for worse. Becky Cloonan still delivers an enthralling story full of grit and grind where the baddies are really bad and the heroes only slightly better. It's not black and white here, but rather black and dark gray. 

However, it seems for every single thing Becky Cloonan gets right on the narrative side, artist Steve Dillon gets one wrong. Characters look weirdly alien and waxy, not being able to add some extra depth to the comic's story. Similarly problematic is his depiction of action scenes and its inherent violence. Blood looks like it was just blotted onto the page and fights seem strangely clumsy and uncoordinated. If Dillon is intentionally going for a b-movie style in his art approach it is, however, by no means supported by the comic's narrative. 

Overall, it is still a highly recommendable comic, despite some major shortcomings in the art department, which keep it from achieving an even higher quality. 

7/10

Further Links:

The Punisher #1

Daredevil/The Punisher #1

Review: "Green Lanterns: Rebirth" #1

Sadly, Green Lanterns: Rebirth doesn't do particularly much to keep its readers invested, even though protagonists Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz are wonderfully complex characters, whose back stories are signified by loss and perseverance in the face of public and private adversity. 

Writers Johns and Humphries, however, don't explore this intriguing potential enough here, but focus half the comic on their uninspired banter and quarrels, before Hal Jordan makes them team up to defend earth. Think of him as some sort of cosmic Edward James Olmos in a buddy cop comic story that you shouldn't already give up on now, but that needs to figure out what it really wants to be and where its strengths ultimately lie.

5/10

Review: "Green Arrow: Rebirth" #1

Green Arrow: Rebirth, featuring the titular hero and Black Canary as they go into Seattle's underground to rescue missing homeless, is a thoroughly engaging and heartfelt story. Oliver Queen's conflict between his own privilege and the quest for social justice is genuinely depicted, while writer Benjamin Percy makes him and Black Canary click right from the outset. And it's not often one has to praise a comic for its lettering, but Nate Piekos does a hell of a job here, perfectly mirroring the mood and action in the comic's story. 

Even though artist Otto Schmidt's interpretation of the homeless is a bit too dickensesque, Green Arrow's bon mots don't always find their targets (sorry for that) and the finale is slightly underwhelming, Green Arrow: Rebirth is a strong first entry in what could be one of summer's best series.                                         

                   8/10

Keepin' It 360: "Superman: Rebirth" #1

At least this one ties in nicely with the actual "DC Universe Rebirth", as pre-"New 52" Superman meets Lana Lang. It lacks excitement and doesn't have much to tell, but is solid in contextualizing the two universes and gives readers a crucial retelling of the Doomsday encounter, as artist Mahnke packs a lot of information into his amazing larger panels.

6/10

Further Links:

More Thoughts on the "DC Universe Rebirth"

DK III: The Master Race #4

Action Comics #51

Review: "Batman: Rebirth" #1

Batman: Rebirth #1 has a lot going for it in the beginning. Writers Scott Snyder and Tom King put Calendar Man in the spotlight of a Batman story again, and his story as well as artistic conception by artist Mikel Janin make you wonder why we haven't seen more of such a compelling villain in the past. 

Duke Thomas' fresh take on Robin shows great promise and potential too, as King and Snyder take up the strong narrative and character established in "The New 52". Batman himself is grittier and grimmer compared to the previous instalment, also due in large parts to Janin's art and June Chung's coloring, which is outstanding throughout the whole comic (especially the double-page batcave panel is an absolute eye-catcher).

However, after all Batman: Rebirth #1 does not manage to fully deliver on its huge initial promise, mainly because it's just over in the wink of an eye (half of the comic is promo material. Come on, DC!). Why the story ends so abruptly, and what exactly all this has to do with a rebirth is anyone's guess, and hopefully subsequent issues will shed a bit of light on it all. Until then, we're left with a somewhat half-baked experience.

7/10

Further Links: 

Final Thoughts on the "DC Universe Rebirth"

Batman #52

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6

After the Shitstorm: "Captain America: Steve Rogers" #1

I had Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 lying around for almost two weeks now. Anticipating its release for months, I couldn't wait to read it when it finally hit the shelves... And then the excruciating "Hail Hydra" shitstorm took over Twitter and other social media platforms for days, and I just couldn't be bothered anymore, annoyed by the spoiler and what I perceived to be a massive, collective overreaction.

Yes, some of the memes were funny, Chris Evans felt the need to throw in his two cents worth, and Nick Spencer had to defend himself and his story more than he really should. Some of it was a reasonable and heartfelt concern about a beloved classic character that turned evil right in front of people. But most of it was just unconsidered, misinformed gibberish by people who take far more joy in bashing stuff than in actually reading comics. 

What many people forgot, including the ones actually defending Spencer, was that we are actually having a masterpiece of modern-day comic book story telling at our hands. One that deserves far more attention for that than for its last page bombshell. 

It's especially the parts of the story that look back at how exactly Steve and the tragic Hydra suicide bomber Robbie came to be associated with the terrorist organization, and how they differ and overlap, that shine here. Both of them are victims to economically tough times and a broken family, Steve in the late 1920's and Robbie in the late 2000's. Both hold external forces responsible for their situation, and both share a feeling of supremacy to large parts of the society they live in. The only crucial difference is that Robbie made a conscious decision to join Hydra, while Rogers was influenced by his mother at an early age. Cap's story cleverly runs along the comic's main plot, slowly building up tension so that when he actually utters the inevitable (and now infamous) "Hail Hydra", it should hardly come as a surprise to any reader. 

Other highlight of Spencer's story are Red Skull's monologue at the secret Hydra meeting and Cap's relationship to his wife Sharon. In the first one he cleverly incorporates quite unsettling modern-day themes of immigration, refugee crisis and terrorism, which repeatedly show his fine sense and understanding of these matters, while the second one gives Roger's more tender and human side, as Spencer paints a picture of a warm and intimate relationship that is signified by a resilient trust and understanding of each other, making both characters shine as a consequence.

The comic also finds the balance between more serious and funny themes, as Jack Flag and Free Spirit act as a recurring comical relief without ever damaging the overall tone of the story. And boy, does Jesus Saiz know how to draw a stunning Captain America costume. The comic would be worth your money for that bit alone.

So yes, is Captain America really Hydra now? Spencer has repeatedly stated that is is indeed a sane and rational Steve Rogers and no clone, multiverse Cap or whatever. But it seems hard to believe for me that Marvel execs would really go for a permanent transformation to a villain (that guy is a multi-million franchise, remember), and in a world of comics that usually rapid-fires its twists and turns, it only seems more than likely that we'll be all in for quite some ride over the next months, and a happy ending once all is set and done.

Until then, "Hail Captain America".

Review: "Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin" #5

Unfortunately, Obi-Wan & Anakin doesn't end on a high note, as Soule can't figure out a way to conclude the story in a way that does justice to the excellent quality of the series so far. 

The conflict between The Open and The Closed is explained too superficially, while their reasoning and motivations are still only vague. The Scavenger as a metaphor for hope is underwhelming and would have benefited from more depth in its approach; and the fact that the comic's finale relies on a deus ex machina only further emphasizes its narrative weaknesses. 

But it's not all doom and gloom. Checchetto and Mossa's art uses the freedom offered by a planet appearing for the first time in Star Wars lore with a captivating, imaginative and detailed effort. The Scavenger herself is subject to an entertaining revelation, while Soule continues to grasp the essence of the Jedi philosophy like few others can. The whole series is still highly recommendable, especially if you're interested in the education and character development of Anakin. This last issue, however, is a bit of a let-down.


6/10

Further Links:

Obi-Wan & Anakin #4
Star Wars #19
Darth Vader #20

Review: "Deadpool" #12

Although Chapter 2 of "Deadpool 2099" is thoroughly enjoyable, it has a hard time of containing its scope and characters within a coherent story, resulting in a somewhat messy and overambitious narrative. 

Old Wade Wilson is convincingly written by Duggan, while Filardi and Koblish do a great job of creating a Monster Metropolis and and overall environment that feel alive and are full of nice Deadpool Easter eggs and allusions. But it's the dynamic between Warda and her antagonist (whose unmasking might come somewhat surprising) that never really clicks and ultimately prevents the comic from being on par with a regular Deadpool entry.

6/10

Further Links:

Deadpool #11

Deadpool: The Last Days of Magic #1

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #4

Keepin' It 360: "Daredevil" #7

This is easily the best comic of Soule's, Buffagni's and Milla's run at Daredevil so far. Elektra is a compelling focal point and (part-time) narrator of a story that offers an engaging mystery, intense character relations, clever twists and an overall tension that is impressively matched by an art style that is as breathtaking as it is imaginative.

9/10

Further Links:

Daredevil #6

Daredevil/The Punisher #1

Keepin' It 360: "Star Wars" #19

It's a remarkably strong ending to an often mediocre overall story, that particularly impresses with a surprise revelation that no one saw coming. The art's vague tone and outstanding lighting capture the comic's atmosphere perfectly, as Sana and Aphra still don't really develop a chemistry and nobody knows why Han and Luke have to be in here at all.

8/10

Further Links:

Star Wars #18

Darth Vader #20

Poe Dameron #1