In the land of DC, the New 52 label was expunged from headers and 20-some fresh titles were added to the line-up. Ranging from the smart (Prez) to the silly (Bizarro, Bat-Mite) the supernatural (Dr. Fate) and the tragically hip (Black Canary).
They also rang in the new by garbing their classic heroes in some butt ugly costumes. The most ridiculous was that Robo-Bunny suit Jim Gordon was forced to wear as the new Batman.
DC is counting on these changes thrilling fans, because they were crushed in May (according to Diamonds charts) by the beast known as…
Marvel
Secret Wars was full speed ahead, which had some critics questioning the relevancy of it all? For me, it doesn’t matter if this comes to nothing in the end; relevancy is in getting a good story. And I’ve been getting good stories from many of the event Tie-In books. Including first issues for Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps, 1602: Witch Hunter Angela and Jason Aaron’s twin triumphs, Weirdworld and Thors.
And the rest…
Marvel and DC overshadowed everyone, though Image still held their own on my Top 10. They didn’t have any debuts that left an impression on my pulls list, but did publish the final issue of Alex + Ada.
Dynamite continued on with Sword of Sorrows, Boom closed the books on Suicide Risk and RoboCop.
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Art by John Romita Jr. * Colors by Dean White
The “Truth” story-line will weave its way through every Superman title this summer, and Gene Yang was tasked with showing the events leading up to Clark’s current woes. This does not disappoint: I found the dialog crisp and sparkling, the story moves at a clip, there’s an interesting mystery at its center, and I liked the newsroom interactions, which were reminiscent of movies from the 30s and 40s.
Written by Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher
Art and Colors by Mingjue Helen Chen
The plot is ridiculous, but the dream-teaming of the gadget loving, investigative Maps and the no-nonsense Damian Wayne is full of charm, youthful exuberance and hilarity... I laughed myself silly.
Written by Caitlin Kittredge
Art by Inaki Miranda * Colors by Eva de la Cruz
And now the horrifying reveal of what the Coffin Hill house is all about, as the series spins headlong towards its conclusion. Sadly, that 20th will probably be cramped as DC cancelled the 21st issue.
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Marley Zarcone * Colors by Jen Vaughn
This issue presented some Interesting new developments, as things went all “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” on our hero’s asses. The trio also found a powerful new ally. Seeley’s pop culture satire and murder mystery has gotten stronger with each issue, in both plot and character. Chondra, especially, has grown as a person.
Written by Gabriel Hardman & Corinna Bechko
Art by Gabriel Hardman * Colors by Jordan Boyd
Arthurian parallels abound in this political mystery that just gets more and more intriguing. It boggles my mind that certain reviewers have been lukewarm to this series. To me this is the equal to critical darlings like Saga (and it’s far more mature. In that it lacks Saga’s “sexualized shock for shocks sake” nonsense). An additional plus is that Maia has emerged as a well-rounded and identifiable character.
Written by Robbie Thompson
Art by Stacey Lee * Colors by Ian Herring
Boy, this issue had me disliking the Black Cat - What she does here is low... but judging by the curious cliffhanger, it seems there’s a bigger game at play, and a more dangerous foe. My favorite scene was the kindly exchange between Cindy and JJJ. Who knew there was a heart hidden under all that bluster?
Written by Ming Doyle & James Tynion IV
Art by Riley Rossimo * Colors by Ivan Plascencia
The new #1 pulls John away from the superheroes and makes him the "right bastard" of old. Story was wordy, but I was completely spellbound by it.
Written by Warren Ellis
Art and Colors by Jason Howard
This was brilliant, but I wanted more. It just ends without really ending, and the series as a whole would probably read better in trade form. But when you have a writer who scripts the kind of razor sharp dialog, with fully formed characters and sociopolitical intrigue we get here. When you have an artist who can draw breath-stealing disaster scenes - you just can’t wait for a trade, you need you’re Trees NOW!
Written by Haden Blackman
Art by Dalibor Talajić * Colors by Miroslav Mrva
Even better than the first issue. Comedy and tragedy collide as Haden Blackman fleshes out his cast and his plot. This is an alt world, with Shang making like Jackie Chan’s drunken master. But while it’s a different take, it is such a good story that I don’t mind.
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips * Colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser
Is Dottie hiding a dark side behind that smile? She sure seems more than the simple ‘Girl Friday’ she started off as? And Charlie tries to get away from his troubles (in a most enjoyable way) but trouble has a way of finding him. That scene on the beach was haunting, a beautiful example of the artistic synergy to be had in this series.
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Ben Caldwell * Colors by Jeremy Lawson
This political satire has some bite! It’s funny, sad and reflective of the path we in the States are heading down (and are already embroiled in). I like the protagonist: Beth is not in the book a lot, but the fact that she left such an impression says much about the creative team’s ability to make the most of her brief scenes. Even that quick look of fear, horror, compassion in the game show sequence is revealing. I am looking forward to seeing her development as a person and a President. Art is a boon, Caldwell’s great with expressions, comedic body language and in bringing this futuristic world to life.
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art, Colors and Lettering by Tyler Crook
Things certainly went south fast for Emma, in this rural horror elegy. Bunn’s evocative dialog is both beautiful and spine tingling. And artist Tyler Crook’s ability to put the reader right in the thick of tangled, shadowy woods and abandoned graveyards full of crumbling tombstones is a huge asset.
Written by Genevieve Valentine
Art by David Messina * Colors by Lee Loughridge
This intelligently scripted tangled web earns the top spot this month for its dense plotting, insightful characterizations and powerful emotional center.
A Plethora of Honorable Mentions
Image: Injection #2 * The Wicked + the Divine #11 * Nameless #4 * Wayward #9
Marvel: Secret Wars #3 * Amazing Spider-Man #18.1 * Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #1 * Superior Iron-Man #9 * Weirdworld #1 * 1602: Witch Hunter Angela #1 * Spider-Gwen #5
DC: Justice League #41 * Doctor Fate #1 * Harley Quinn #17 * Harley Quinn & Power Girl #1
Geneviève Valentine (Catwoman) – She had a lot of competition (Brubaker, Ellis, Russell) but I was so impressed with the way she scripted the current issue of Catwoman, that there was no question who I was selecting for this honor in June.
Ben Caldwell (Prez) – Though cartoony in style- the world Ben has constructed lives and breathes as if it were a real place. I admired the way he stages his actors in scenes, and the comedic body language. And the way Caldwell draws Beth’s facial expression says as much about her as a person as the words do. He’s such a vital storytelling partner that Prez just wouldn’t be as good without him.
Art Panel of the Month
So yeah, this finally happened.
Also, the page of the month would have to go to Gotham Academy #7, when Maps falls in love with Damien's Grapple Gun, Ha Ha...
Also, the page of the month would have to go to Gotham Academy #7, when Maps falls in love with Damien's Grapple Gun, Ha Ha...
To July 2015
Back to May 2015
Head Writer, wide awake nightmare... bids you salutations citizens of Earth!
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