ACTION COMICS #1000/ Stories by VARIOUS/ Art by VARIOUS/ Colors by VARIOUS/ Letters by VARIOUS/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
If you have ever enjoyed any incarnation of Superman, there is something in Action Comics #1000 you will like. Even those who don’t like The Man Of Steel may find something to enjoy here, with stories by Batman authors Scott Snyder and Tom King. As a tribute to everything Superman has been in eighty years of stories, this book is a fitting milestone.
It falters somewhat, however, in offering hope for the future of The Man of Tomorrow. The final chapter – Brian Michael Bendis’ first published work for DC Comics after nearly two decades as a golden boy at Marvel – is perhaps the most generic attempt at a Superman story ever, pitting Superman against yet another seemingly invincible enemy with ties to his past. This story is distinguished only by Bendis’ trademark comedy, as two women in the middle of a life-or-death situation have a random conversation about Superman once again wearing red trunks over his tights. The artwork is far from fantastic, with Jim Lee phoning it in on the pencils and the inks by Scott Williams proving uneven.
It remains to be seen if the upcoming Man Of Steel mini-series will give Super-fans reason to be hopeful about the over-hyped Coming of Bendis. As it stands now, this book works best as a tribute to what was rather than an inspiration for what superheroes should be. Not exactly a strong start for a creator meant to be revitalizing an entire line.
AQUAMAN #35/ Story by DAN ABNETT/ Pencils by ROBSON ROCHA/ Inks by DANIEL HENRIQUES & DANNY MIKI/ Colors by SUNNY GHO / Letters by TRAVIS LANHAM/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
As Aquaman and The Atlantean Resistance close in on the palace, the mad king Rath calls upon a magical power best left untouched to empower himself and his soldiers.
This issue is largely devoted to epic battle scenes, yet Abnett’s script takes the time to give us some character development, as Aquaman confronts his former ally Murk about his role in the rebellion against him. Unsurprisingly, Abnett balances the drama and the action perfectly.
The artwork by Robson Rocha is pleasing enough, filled with details while still possessing a smooth sense of clarity. The books’ two inkers have clearly different styles, but that does not distract from one’s enjoyment of this book. All the pages look fantastic, if different, and this remains one of DC Comics’ most underrated titles.
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON#4/ Story by EDDIE GORODETSKY & MARC ANDREYKO/ Script by EDDIE GORODETSKY & BRITTE ANCHOR/ Art by IAN CHURCHILL/ Colors by HI-FI/ Letters by A LARGER WORLD STUDIOS/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
Nick’s employed again, but he’s skipping work to avoid a man whose life he saved while leaving him paralyzed. Can Nick make amends before the scandal sinks the new Nick Wilson Experience museum?
Ian Churchill handles the art duties in this issue, but proves an able substitute for Steve Sadowski. Indeed, Churchill varies up his usual style several times over the course of the issue, emulating Sadowksi’s photo-realistic aesthetic while showing different events in flashback from the unique point of view of each of the participants. I wouldn’t have believed Churchhill capable of such a thing years ago, but am glad to see his progress as an artist here.
As for the story, this comic continues to impress. The only bad thing about The Further Adventures of Nick Wilson is that it is a limited series and I’ll have no more of it to look forward to after next month. Still, who knows – Maybe there will be further, further adventures to tell in the future? We can but hope.
Buy these comics at your local comic book store (don’t know where that is? here you go) or digitally via comixology.com!
Kabooooom! 