ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #31/ Story by TOM TAYLOR/ Art by MARCO FAILLA/ Colors by NOLAN WOODARD/ Letters by VC’S CORY PETIT/ Published by MARVEL COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
Honey Badger had discovered that something horrible is happening in a science lab down the street from her apartment and has turned to the only person she can trust…. her best friend, Deadpool! With Jonathan The Wolverine in tow, will the three of them be able see evil punished without Wolverine getting involved? Probably not. Normally I loathe Deadpool but the relationship between himself and Gabby is so utterly sweet and innocent that I can’t help but smile at this issue even ignoring the utterly ridiculous crisis they’re having to handle. The artwork is solid and the story is easily accessible to new readers. A must-read for anyone who likes fun and funny comics.
BATGIRL #20/ Story by HOPE LARSON/ Art by SAMI BASRI/ Colors by JESSICA KHOLINNE/ Letters by DERON BENNETT/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
Burnside is still blanketed in snow and the plot to turn The Penguin into the hero of the hour points to a more sinister crime to come and the return of one of Batgirl’s most powerful enemies! A definite step-up from the last issue, Larson’s script improves immensely when she’s focused on the action and less on trying to be topical. Basri’s expressive art proves a perfect match to Larson’s writing and the bright colors by Jessica Kholinne offer the perfect finishes to one fantastic comic all Batgirl fans are sure to enjoy.
THE FLASH#41/ Script by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON/ Art by CARLOS D’ANDA/ Colors by LUIS GUERRERO/ Letters by STEVE WANDS/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
As Barry Allen seeks a way to recover his connection to The Speed Force, it falls to the other assembled speedsters in Central City to evacuate the city as The Black Hole and Grodd threaten to grind Central City to an eternal standstill. The artwork by D’Anda and Guerrero seems oddly off, even ignoring D’Anda’s obvious panel recycling. The definition and coloration of the characters just looks strange, particularly in regards to the shading of costumes. It’s a shame because Joshua Williamson tells a fantastic story, particularly in the sections involving the older Wally West.
MOTHERLANDS #2/ Story SI SPURRIER/ Art by STEPHEN BYRNE/ Colors by STEPHEN BYRNE & FELIPE SOBREIRO/ Letters by SIMON BOWLAND/ Published by VERTIGO COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
To secure the bounty of a lifetime, Tab has reluctantly joined forces with her mother Selena. Can the two work together despite Selena’s using the whole affair as an excuse to revive the long-dead bounty-hunting reality show genre? Much as I liked Byrne’s work on Green Arrow, his animated style and the bright colors utilized here don’t match up with the grit Rachael Stott brought to the art in the first issue. This book is still a solid and often darkly hilarious read but the varying parts don’t quite match up.
RAVEN: DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS #2/ Script by MARV WOLFMAN/ Art by POP MHAN/ Colors by LOVERN KINDZIERSKI/ Letters by SAIDA TEMOFONTE/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
Tracking the mysterious illusionist called Azure, Raven finds herself contending with another new enemy. Wolfman is taking his time unfolding the action of this series, but this issue does a fantastic job of exploring Raven’s character through some quiet character moments. The artwork by Pop Mhan is fantastic, which is no surprise to those familiar with Mhan’s earlier work. A solid, but sedate story.
THE SILENCER #2/ Script by DAN ABNETT/ Pencils by JOHN ROMITA JR./ Inks by SANDRA HOPE/ Colors by DEAN WHITE & ARIF PRIANTO/ Letters by TOM NAPOLITANO/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
Honor Guest has managed to neutralize the first wave of assassins to come after her but there are more on the way. Desperate to save the life she built for herself following her retirement, The Silencer will have to get back into the game and make it clear that she wants out. Though this issue is light on action following the tense opening fight scene, Dan Abnett does a fantastic job of keeping things moving as we see The Silencer head back into her old world. This, coupled with the fantastic art, keeps things interesting visually and textually though this issue is largely concerned with world-building. Thankfully, the conclusion promises big action next month.
THE TERRIFICS #1/ Story by JEFF LEMIRE/ Pencils by IVAN REIS/ Inks by JOE PRADO/ Colors by MARCELO MAIOLO/ Letters by TOM NAPOLITANO/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
Mister Terrific. Plastic Man. Metamorpho. Phantom Girl. Together they team to explore the unknown, to answer the unknowable and just plain be Terrific. But first, they must ave the universe! As far as hooks go, this first issue could be stronger. Lemire does a decent enough job considering the book builds on references to comics that haven’t come out yet but the Phantom Girl is barely introduced and those who aren’t already familiar with Metamorpho’s supporting cast may find the opening sequence confusing. The artwork is similarly unbalanced, with Ivan Reis’ art rendered oddly off-putting by Joe Prado’s uneven inking and the strange lighting effects utilized by Marcelo Maiolo that leave whole pages looking washed out. While a solid comic, this isn’t the slam-dunk the early press suggested, though there is ample room for improvement.
Buy these comics at your local comic book store (don’t know where that is? here you go) or digitally via comixology.com!
Kabooooom! 