Writer: Cullen Bunn * Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Cullen Bunn’s Erik is a little older, a little low tech, and his powers have been a broken… But it’s clear that Magneto is still one bad ass SOB. This is the Magneto I like best. He's not subservient to Scott, he's Xaviers opposite -- the guy who’ll bloody his hands for the Mutant cause. Artist/Colorist Gabriel Hernandez Walta and Jordie Bellaire give us a gritty, street level figure, and the color pallet matches the somber and violent tone of the piece. The storytelling is strong, expressive -- Erik shows some wear and tear, but he’s still a cold, scary dude.
Writer: Jonathan Hickman * Artist: Nick Pitarra
The Infinite Oppenheimer stories have been a treat and rank as one of the highlights in this series. This mad caper doesn’t advance the plot and if your read the previous issue, then you know how it ends. But it was wild and fascinating to see the tale from the inside, and that last panel was a stunner.
It was a good month to be an X-Fan. Bendis wraps up the outstanding Trial of Jean Gray in the All-New X-Men/Guardians of the Galaxy crossover. And gets Uncanny back to its central plot lines. (And has Magik show off some new cool talents.)
Writer: Ed Brubaker * Artist: Steve Epting
The art from Epting and Breitweiser makes this a slick looking comic, it’s a spy flick come to life! And Brubaker is in peak form, he does the genre proud, as Velvet Templeton continues her investigation and receives a shock on the final page.
Bedard (Supergirl) and Soule (Red Lanterns) are giving us two sides of the Red Kara equation. Bedard has zeroed in on raw unfettered rage, as well as friendship. While Soule mines the humor of the situation, and makes this a family affair. In both we get what is basically your teenage coming of age story. I’m loving both to death.
Writer & Artist: Jeff Lemire
After treading water last issue, Jeff Lemire advances the plot and does so in a thrilling manner. One more to go and I can’t wait to see how all of this is resolved and what becomes of our time crossed lovers.
Writer: Greg Rucka * Artist: Toni Fejzula
Greg Rucka throws us right into the heart of the story: A strange and powerful woman wakes up -naked, surrounded by rats- in an underground subway station. She speaks in only in rhyme. And when she emerges from the underground and enters a part of city overrun by sex shops, some bad men immediately accost her. (Are they complete sleazeoids, or is there a ‘Jo/Fatale’ thing going on here?) A kind man named Dante comes to her rescue, and later offers to be her guide – Hmm, Dante as Virgil? Maybe this is a clue as to the direction this story will be going. I’m not sure, but I am looking forward to finding out.
Writer: Jonathan Luna & Sarah Vaughn * Artist: Johnathan Luna
Luna and Vaughn’s story isn’t filled with a lot of flash, it is however substantive. It’s a quiet, thought provoking exploration on the nature of humanity/sentience and of what it really means to love somebody (respect and selflessness, not ownership). This is one smart and beautiful comic.
Writer: Greg Pak * Artist: Aaron Kuder
Pak and Kuder are making me a Superman fan, and this issue brought me near tears, just a gut wrenching experience from start to finish. The character work, creating distinct personalities, has been one of Pak’s strengths. And the chemistry between Clark and Lana is honest and relatable. I hope she sticks around for the long haul, as I really like them together.
Writer: Greg Rucka * Artist: Michael Lark
Another smart chapter in this sociopolitical exploration of the haves and have nots. The waste family’s journey is breaking my heart, and Forever’s investigation is more than mystery, it too offers insights into character, and the character of this world they live in.
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick * Artist: David Lopez
She’s back! We touch base with Carol’s friends from the previous volume, and set up the direction for this one: with an action packed Star Warsian opening and a great exchange between Carol and Stark. The trademark Deconnick strengths are present -- Humor and character building. The Art from David Lopez is well suited to those strengths. While the line work is thin, Carol looks strong and commanding. The costume looks great under his pen.
Writer: Jonathan Hickman * Artist: Nick Dragotta
A weird new realm to visit, a clash of ideologies, and a bad moon on the rise in regards to the Beast. And Death, who is so close to finding the answers he seeks and yet seems fated, as we all are, for a hard journey, and a bad end.
Writer: Brian Azzarello * Artist: Cliff Chiang
Taking the top spot again, this ish had my adrenaline soaring. There just one epic moment, one surprise, one splash of humor, one heartbreak, one “Oh wow” after another. Wonder Woman embraces her mantle, and hot damn! Azzarello pays off the early exit of the Amazons with a return that had me doing an inner cheer with fist pump! The hero’s journey has brought Diana back full circle. Back with her sisters, back with Hera empowered… all restored, but changed by their experiences and ready to face a fearsome foe
Hon Mentions: Letter 44 #5 (Oni), Coffin Hill #6 (Vertigo), FBP Federal Bureau Of Physics #8 (Vertigo), Revival #18 (Image), She-Hulk #2 (Marvel), Ghost #2 (Dark Horse), The Double Life of Miranda Turner #3 (Monkeybrain), Batman ’66 Chapter 30 (DC)
To April 2014
Back to Feb 2014
Head Writer, wide awake nightmare... bids you salutations citizens of Earth!
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