If you're wondering why I'm late in posting this here's the reason. Plus now that I have to get up all early for work (3 more weeks of seeing the sunrise) this maybe a bit shorter then usual.
And now my musings on the good, bad, and the ugly this week in comics, there will be spoilers...role for initiative.
Daytripper #4
Last month I said this book was amazing. I haven't changed my mind. If you don't like this book you should be forced to watch Uwe Boll films until your head explodes and you smother yourself with your own freshly removed stomach lining.
Solomon Kane: Death's Black Riders #3
Solomon Kane is the kind of Christian who believes that God helps those who help themselves. He also believes in killing the fuck out of any monsters or demons foolish enough to get within a 100 miles of Solomon Kane. Shortly after the exchange above Kane blows the head off a four legged demon with not one but two musket shots, before stabbing it and then using it's corpse as a defensive barrier. Later he has to beat a skeleton apart with a big candelabra. So yeah, pretty fucking cool. Kane plans to hold a besieged position and pick the horde apart as the attempt to breach his defenses but when it's revealed that the demons have the power to light fires with their very touch...
...Solomon Kane ushers forth to meet the pack in open combat.
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #8
So Ultimatum happened and I didn't read it because Loeb is a bad (and not in a 90s slang kind of way) writer and it had been at least a year since I'd cared in the slightest about any of the Ultimate books but that lead to the Ultimate Spider-Man relaunch which, 8 issues in, is the best this book has ever been. That's actually saying quite a lot since the original 130 plus issues were some of Bendis' best work and it was one of Marvel's most consistent titles but it's true. This is an extremely fun book. Bendis speak, while sometimes sounding odd coming from the Avengers, sounds perfect as young Peter Parker and company quip their way through big superhero action. The art this issue is by Takeshi Miyazawa who, much like regular artist David Lafuente, brings a young vibrant energy to every panel. This issue starts out with Spidey, Iceman, and The Human Torch making fun of Rick Jones for being the typical reluctant hero despite having awesome superpowers. It's a nice bit of a tong-in-check look at the genre convention as Jones derides the trio's names, costumes, and missions while they call him out on being such a bitch. They all teleport to a SHIELD facility where the run into The Ultimate Serpent Squad along Rick to embrace his awesome powers and allowing a really good running joke as Bobby hits on the various members of The Squad.
Just good stuff all around. Having Gwen, Johnny, Bobby, and sometime Kitty move in with Peter was an inspired choice and I'm loving this book.
Batman and Robin #10
So Bruce is leaving clues in the past for Dick and company in the present. It's kind of surprising that Bruce never found them himself...unless, he did find them and knew this was going to happen this whole time. Which is the kind of wacky stuff that you can do with time travel. By weaving Bruce through time Morrison seems to be creating this weird, integrate back story for the Waynes and for Gotham its self. I'm officially excited for the adventures of Caveman/Pirate/Cowboy/Puritan/Detective Batman as he tries to escape the ultimate death trap; time. Also really curious what Morrison is going to do with Damien (and slightly worried that what ever he does will be quickly destroyed by the writers and editors that follow him) now that Talia wants him to kill Dick. With Bruce coming back I'm not sure Damian still makes sense as Robin but I've so enjoyed having him around, if only to fuck with the other Batcharacters, that I'd like to see him stay on even after his old man in back in cape and cowl.
The other two Battitles this week, Batgirl and Red Robin, were also pretty darn good. Not B&R good, but they're solid superhero titles with fun action, solid art, and a satisfying story. It's a really good time to be a Batfan (all things must have Bat in front of them as established by the TV show).
Unwritten #11
This continues to be fantastic. What really stood out about this issue was the amazing art (seriously maximize that pic above and check that shit out) as Jimmy Broxton joined the aways great Peter Gross on art duties. My usual heaps of love that I pile onto Carey still apply. If you're a reader with any interest in fantasy, history, or literature this is a book you must read, hell, even if you're not this is a book you should read.
Punisher Max #5
One look at Fisk's face in that last panel and you know how it's going to play out but damn if it's not fan-fucking-tastic. I don't do a book of the week but if i did this would be my hands down pick. Since I started the blog it seems like not a week goes by that I don't give a verbal hand job to Jason Aaron but that's not going to stop me from doing it again, this guy is the real deal. Seriously, in the span of just a few years Aaron has established himself not just as an up-and-comer but as one of the best writers in the industry. Why DC didn't lock him down while he was working for Veritgo I'll never understand and if Marvel is smart they will sign him to a 50 year deal. I haven't even mention Steve Dillon who is the perfect guy to draw all Punisher stories, or at least all the good ones. Dillon takes the comedy, tragedy, and violence and somehow makes them all work together. Plus he draws pages where Frank Castle kills people by dropping safes on their heads.
I said last week that the key to a good Punisher story was combining violence, comedy, and fucked up stuff and making them all work together. This issue certainly dose all that with an extra large does of the tragic fucked up stuff. (SPOILER: How fucked up was it that Fisk immediately tells his wife "We'll have another one."? That is one stone-cold motherfucker)
That's all for now. Make a D20 roll to comment below.
-egs
Reviews upcoming for Planet Hulk (the movie), Up in the Air, and I Kill Giants as soon as I stop wasting time sleeping.
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