Writer: Simon Oliver * Artist: Robbi Rodriguez
Yeah, I’m going all the way to 11, as I simply didn’t want to leave this one off my top 10. New agent Rosa is on the job (she has an interesting personality and an even more interesting past). The issue offers added mysteries to unravel, more weird science, and a lesson on Einstein’s theory of time dilation.
Writer: Greg Pak * Artist: Aaron Kuder
Greg Pak I could kiss you! Finally, FINALLY there's a Superman book that I can enjoy. This was a complete delight... moving, action packed, with strong character work - the chemistry between Kal and Lana is the most tangible and convincingly natural and real that he has shared with a woman (sorry Diana) since the New 52 launched. Are there cliché’s, sure. But when the execution, the telling of the story is this good it doesn't matter. Pak hit me in my heart and my brain. He pulled me in and made it all work. And the art was amazing, it really sold what Pak was selling.
Writer: Tim Seeley * Artist: Mike Norton
I like how Seeley has been digging deeper into the mysteries surrounding this series. Here, he zeroes in on Em, Dana and May’s investigations. There are so many threads running through this story that it reads a lot like it was intended to be TV series. Haunting cover from Jenny Frison conjures up images of Ophelia.
Writer: Brian Vaughan * Artist: Fiona Staples
Image had a digital Christmas sale so I gave this title another shot. I’m glad I did as the story has really taken off. Politics remains a constant, but what works best for me is how it has built up and focused on its unconventional family units. Even The Will has his family group. This was an intense issue, a few things change, and it ends on a cliffhanger. Looks like one more to go before Vaughan and Staples take one of their breaks so I hope we get a satisfying resolution to that cliffhanger next month
Writer: Brian Azzarello * Artist: Goran Sudzuka
Though I don’t buy Zola taking anything Strife says to heart, I enjoyed this, I think the rest of the story is pitch perfect (and on a second read through the Zola bits weren’t off putting or a detriment). Self-sacrifice is the theme of the issue. Characterization and dialog is strong (I like the line where Diana points to an event, which could indicate that her faith in mankind is misplaced).
Writer: Jonathan Hickman * Artist: Nick Dragotta
Jonathan Hickman musters up all of his cool, and all of his genius, and funnels it into an apocalyptic Spaghetti Western/Samurai romance. One that stars a Clint Eastwood type as Death: Who rides the plains on a mechanical horse that spews canon hell-fire from its gaping maw. He’s searching for his great love and his son -- all the while looking to put in a bullet into the bastards who conspired to destroy his family… among them, the other Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I got goose bumps just typing that. Imagine what it’s like reading it?
Writer: Greg Rucka * Artist: Michael Lark
The best issue from the series so far IMHO. My favorite scenes were had the beginning when we see Forever Carlyle as a girl (how sad). I also like how she responds to the situation at the rivers edge (how smart). In a sub-plot, Greg Rucka gives the story some sociopolitical weight, without getting too preachy about it.
Writer: Jonathan Luna & Sarah Vaughn * Artist: Johnathan Luna
Even more impressive than the first issue, Jonathan Luna & Sarah Vaugh’s futuristic romance jumps up in my rankings due to its wise -and sometimes amusing- study of a character who struggles with the social stigma of owning an android companion -- and who then wrestles with his conscience when he decides to return her.
Writer: Ed Brubaker * Artist: Steve Epting
Brubaker & Epting’s spy/conspiracy story looks amazing and is thrilling as hell. The car chases and stunt work, the moody noir-like lighting, the city scenes and set design… it’s like cinema on the printed page. And Velvet Templeton is a great character: complicated, experienced. More than the mere “secretary” the male agents think she is.
Writer & Artist: Jeff Lemire
Lemire takes the flip-book format to interesting new heights with this issue. This is fascinating experimental comic art, but it’s not simply gimmick as it’s tethered to a tale that is unique, deep, thought provoking and a constant presences on my top 2. It’s difficult to describe: Call it an “end of the world, archaeological, sci-fi romance”.
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick * Artist: Emma Rios
Pretty Deadly is what you’d get if Fellini and Sergio Leone had a baby. Pretty Deadly is a haunting fever dream, a mythic western poem. It's the beautiful and terrifying nightmare fuel that courses through my veins and my mind and my soul. And Pretty Deadly reclaims the top spot, while last months #1, Rat Queens didn't publish in December.
Rocket Girl #3
Red Sonja #3
Umbral #2
Manhattan Projects #17
Motorcycle Samurai: A Very White Bolt Christmas
Harley Quinn #1
To Jan 2014
Back to Nov 2013
Head Writer, wide awake nightmare... bids you salutations citizens of Earth!
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