My Top 12 Comics For June 2013

12. All-New X-Men #13 (Marvel)

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis * Artist: Stuart Immonen

Finally starting to see movement in the plot - and Bendis whips up some thoughtful discourse, as he has Kitty respond to Havoc’s “M-word” speech in a way that had me cheering. Immonen is also very strong in regards to expression and body language, and conveying great power… as witnessed in those stunning opening and closing pages.

11. The Movement #2 (DC)

Writer: Gail Simone * Artist: Freddie E. Williams II

The strength of this issue for me is Simone's character work. Even the small details say something about these people. The patient and gentle way Virtue responds to the childlike, psychologically broken Mouse. How Tremor acts as the teams conscience. The conflict between Virtue and Katharsis says much about their personalities, their ideologies and what not. Even a character like Vengeance Moth, who has only been seen in a few short panels, is given some color and definition by the way she cheerfully speaks to the prisoners and offers them some of her candy. Good work Gail!

10. Demon Knights #21 (DC)

Writer: Robert Venditti * Artist: Chad Hardin

Some cancelled series limp off into the sunset, not so with Venditti’s DK – at least not so far. I like a book that’s smartly structured and features crisp character work, and issue 21 is all that and more -- as Jason Blood shows that he is not someone you want to take for granted.

9. Journey Into Mystery #653 (Marvel)

Writer: Kathryn Immonen * Artist: Valerio Schiti

Another notch in Immonen and Schitti’s collective belts. There are delightful bits of humor, but the issue is also tinged with sadness as Beta Ray Bill loses all that he cares for. It’s difficult to make a horse face like Bill’s convey much expression, but Schitti wrings every ounce of emotion he can from the big lug, and really makes you feel for him.

8. Justice League #21 (DC)

Writer: Geoff Johns * Artist: Gary Frank

My favorite part of this title has been the Shazam backup stories, so I was happy to see this issue devoted exclusively to the concluding chapter in his origin story. It was everything I wanted a more. We get to see Mary Marvel and the rest of the family. There's that youthful enthusiasm and a sense of wonder and awe as they work with their new-found power. And Billy comes up with a clever solution to his dilemma. Art is fantastic; Frank excels with expression and body language, as well as overall composition.

7. Batman/Superman #1 (DC)

Writer: Greg Pak * Artist: Jae Lee and Ben Oliver

Another release this month that is marked by razor sharp dialog (Bruce’s line... "The problem with kids today is that they don't have enough nightmares." Could be the quote of the year). Each word smartly reveals character (I chuckled at Selina’s response to being in Metropolis. That’s so ‘her’).

In Greg Pak's look at the early days of the Bat and the Kryptonian, the differences between the protagonists is quickly established -- Kent wants to save people, while Bruce wants people to save themselves. Each is a little raw, a little immature. I like how we get their inner thoughts, and what they think of the other. Jae Lee illustrates the first 18 pages and his dreamy art deco/art noveau design work fits this story like a glove. That 2-page spread where we see Clark and Bruce’s personal loses is a an example of what he does so well -- We are shown the differences between Smallville and Gotham, and it’s like Norman Rockwell meets Hieronymus Bosch.

It can be a tad confusing – I had to read it again before I understood that the mysterious villain had Boom-tubed our version of young Superman, to Earth 2 where he meets with their version of still alive Batman but I found that more a challenge than a detriment.

6. Uncanny X-Men #7 (Marvel)

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis * Artist: Frazier Irving

While All-New has been the better of the Bendis X-Books, this week Uncanny takes center stage as it concludes the Limbo saga. Magik narrates the piece, as she relays these events to Dr. Strange. Their conversations prove that Brian actually can write mature, thoughtful dialog when he wants to. The art is a little too murky and unclear for my tastes but appropriate for the dark setting and subject matter. I also like how green the young recruits are, and that at least one doesn’t want anything to do with these X-folk. I find that refreshing: Having a power doesn’t mean you’re automatically suited to being an action hero.

5. Animal Man #21 (DC)

Writer: Jeff Lemire * Artist: Steve Pugh

Lemire frames this piece with twitter posts (which says a lot about the cult of celebrity and the loss of privacy) and tells a suspenseful, terrifying tale. Steven Pugh's art gives a great sense of horror and revulsion on the reveal of the Splinterfolk and their nasty work. Maxine is a delight, she truly is the Red Queen.

4. Lazarus #1 (Image)

Writer: Greg Rucka * Artist: Michael Lark

This is a sci-fi laced examination on the ‘haves and the have nots’ (a hot topic of late). Its title character, named Forever, works for one of the haves –her family- as its enforcer. Only her conscious is beginning to gnaw at her. It is a quick read, very decompressed – but the character work and dialog sparkles. There are some beautifully scripted exchanges -- most especially in that scene between Forever and a doomed worker. And if you want plausibility in your comic book world, Rucka does his homework on every aspect of this subject. He even engaged Warren Ellis (who is knowledgeable in such things) for advice on how science could conceivably bring someone back from the dead.

3. Dial H #13 (DC)

Writer: China Mieville * Artist: Alberto Ponticelli

Breathtakingly brilliant! This, like 0 month is arguably the most accessible issue of the series. Which after last months chaos, was welcome. China Mieville offers a clearer view of the various Dialers, which gave me a better sense of who they are and where they came from and what they are doing.  The Batman parallels, the graffiti world, the way Open Window Man finds a way to the dial, the horrible feeling upon seeing the devastation caused by the villains... it was just an incredibly imaginative and heartfelt story. Blew my socks off.

2. Thor: God of Thunder #9 (Marvel)

Writer: Jason Aaron * Artist: Esad Ribic

I like how Jason Aaron skillfully captures the voice and personality of each Thor. Each has a particular maturity level and life experiences that makes one somewhat different from the other, even though they are the same God. Ribic’s art is equally as thoughtful: Note the sketchy way Gor is drawn, he’s cold and dark like oil and shadow… whereas the Thor’s are rendered with clear, clean lines – they are warm blooded and vibrant.  The book is perfection: It’s funny, chilling, pulse pounding, intelligent and at the end, haunting.

1. Wonder Woman #21 (DC)

Writer: Brian Azzarello * Artist: Cliff Chiang

Everything I want in a comic is right here -- this left me breathless and hungering for more! Brilliantly clever scripting from Azzarello, with Cliff Chiang capturing all the power, glory, drama and humor with his pencils. First born is a force to be reckoned with... but Zola's baby might not be as defenseless as one might think. Wonder Woman gives no quarter, and Lennox has earned even more of my admiration. All this and New Genesis!

Honorable Mentions

Revival #11

Swamp Thing #21

Green Arrow #21

Aquaman #21

Phantom Stranger #9

Constantine #4

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