Warren Ellis ended one book (Karnak) and began another (The Wild Storm)
Super Sons debuted at DC
Daredevil’s friends and foes were given solo series… Elektra, Bullseye and Kingpin, oh my!
The covers to Image comics included a 25th anniversary logo. The publisher dominated the month, and pushed Young Animal out of my top list for the first time (though YA did fill out the Honorable Mentions)
Written by Christopher Hastings
Art and Colors by Gurihiru
The gang is (mostly) all back (YAY!), Gurihiru returns to art chores (double YAY!) and I like how Gwen -the girl who knows our universe like the back of her hand- flusters that arrogant jackass Arcane, who I’ve always hated (triple YAY!)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Michael Gaydos * Colors by Matt Hollingsworth
I love how Secret Wars still resonates a year later. And while she wouldn’t fit tonally in this book, this does slot nicely into themes presented in Gwenpool, and appeals to my own rather solipsistic musings: Nothing matters if nothing is real. I enjoyed the conversation Ben had with Luke (so true) but has Jess really lost faith and gone to the dark side? What I admire about this issue is how Bendis is addressing this fictional world, but what going on in real life, politically, socially, even us as fans and how we react to comics.
Written by Mia Goodwin
Art and Colors by Michelle Wong
While I got lost with some of the plot details (I need to go back and read this series as a whole) I'm drawn so completely into its mythology and characterization that it didn’t detract. Great dialogue, strong art
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by John Davis-Hunt * Colors by Ivan Plascencia
I’m not all that familiar with these characters so I appreciate the interviews and such that were included in DCs January publications (I‘d have been lost without it). This sets up the chess board: reveals the players, the organizations they work for and establishes the conflict. Snappy dialogue from Ellis (Duh), nice clean line work, stark colors on the art. I like the overall design sense, the way issue numbers will be marked off, etc.
Written by Marjorie Liu
Art and Colors by Sana Takeda
The trio’s journey to the isle of bones continues. This was Nightmarish, and loaded with weird mythic creatures and ghosts. It’s like Miyazaki, if Miyazaki adapted Dante's Inferno.
Written and drawn by David Lapham
Funny, dark and Beth being Beth (who’d you think she was going to hit with that pot?)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Roland Boschi * Colors by Dan Brown
What a depressing end to the mini. Karnak comes off petty, and the true villain in this tale.
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Eduardo Risso and Colors by Risso and Cristian Rossi
Sets-up the coming gang war by adding new players and a twist at the end. Incisive character work and world building continue to be the hallmarks of this series.
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Jamie McKelvie * Colors by Matthew Wilson
Gillen mixes pulse pounding action and character defining debates to great effect. The Pantheon has split in 3 and I’m looking forward to seeing how each group addresses this new threat.
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Nick Dragotta * Colors by Frank Martin
I can’t say it any better than the IGN reviewer did when he called the issue… “a striking meditation on power, resistance and the way simple actions can have far-reaching consequences.” Hickman introduces new characters while the regulars continue their games of death and deceit. (To borrow a line from Shang Chi). Brilliant!
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton * Colors by Mark Englert
So it's over, and I don't know that a comic has ever made me cry the way this issue made me cry. So many tears streamed down my face I might have to buy a new copy (mine got a little wet). What a special series, what a beautiful and powerful end. RIP Revival, you will be missed.
Honorable Mentions
Shade, the Changing Girl #5, Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #5, Mother Panic #3, Red Hood and the Outlaws #7, Super Sons #1, Kill or be Killed #6, Spider-Woman #16, Amazing Spider-Man #24, Black Widow #11
Writer and Artists of the Month
The Revival gang: Tim Seeley, Mike Norton, Mark Englert (not pictured), Crank and Jenny Frison
To March
Back to January
Head Writer, wide awake nightmare... bids you salutations citizens of Earth!
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