Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Jesus Saiz
This has been one of the Villains Month issues that I've looked forward to most, as although I've not been as excited about Swamp Thing as I was when Scott Snyder was writing it, it's still been an amazing series. I also have really been looking forward to seeing both Anton and Abby Arcane again.
Plot
Abby Arcane visits her uncle Anton in his own personal hell to try and learn who her mother was.
Review
This was a fantastic issue, and one of the best Villains Month issues so far, being by far the best from this week. Charles Soule did an outstanding job with this issue, as with it using characters that were key to Snyder's run there was always the risk that it wouldn't quite live up to the high standards of what he produced. Character wise Soule matched Snyder easily, showing both Anton and Abby perfectly in their current predicament. Soule also did an amazing job of making this a very gritty and gory issue, as it was full of grotesque sequences that although may seem disturbing to some, added a great atmosphere to the issue.
The art in this story was also amazing, and this is probably the best artwork that I've seen from Jesus Saiz, as although he's done good artwork on this series before, nothing quite as spectacular as his artwork on this issue. The detail was simply outstanding, as everything from the rabbits to Anton's grotesque from looked amazing. I also loved the layout of Saiz' artwork as although it wasn't the most unique style I've ever seen it suited this story perfectly, adding plenty of depth as well as great tone. I also loved how Saiz handled the more grotesque sequences as he didn't shy away from gore, which was needed to make this issue feel as impactful as it did.
The setting for this issue would be the prison that the Parliament of Decay have placed Anton Arcane in, focusing as his own personal hell. Now I won't go into any details over the location as I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, but I will say what I thought of it. Soule really did a great job here, and I loved how well thought out this place was, as although it wasn't anything spectacular, it worked well with the character which at the end of the day is all that matters.
The thing that I was most looking forward to in this issue was seeing Abby Arcane return, even if it was only for one issue, as bar Swamp Thing himself she was my favourite character throughout Snyder's run. Soule however got her characteristics spot on, and I loved seeing her utilise her new powers to get what she wants. I also enjoyed the interaction she had with Anton, and how weak she made him look due to their current states. I do however hope that she will eventually return to the series on a permanent basis, though not straight away as Soule is working well on his current story.
This issue would also see parts of both Anton and Abby's origins told throughout, as Abby would demand answers about her mother from Anton. This was actually the part of the story that most appealed to me, as although it went away from the usual type of Swamp Thing storytelling that I enjoy, the tone was perfect, and I loved the slightly disturbing nature of it. I also liked how this would show how Anton has always been a sick individual, and that he always had it in him to be an Avatar of the Rot. I also enjoyed how we saw a more human side to Anton as well, and especially considering the fact that he was rotten then as well.
Final Verdict
This was an amazing issue, and one of the best Swamp Thing issues of recent months, as well as one of the best Villains Month issues so far. The story itself was very gory, also being slightly disturbing which suited the characters perfectly. The dram and suspense throughout was also outstanding, and overall the issue had the perfect tone to it. This makes this issue easy to recommend and I'd especially recommend it to any Swamp Thing or Arcane fans.
Rating: 10/10
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jesus Saiz
Coming of the breathtakingly brilliant Throne of Atlantis story, Justice League has big shoes to fill, and with the upcoming Trinity War story coming it needs to show that it can continue being brilliant, especially considering within two issues Justice League of America has been a better series (although it's only been two issues).
Plot
After the events of Throne of Atlantis the Justice League agree that there needs to be new members that can act on a more permanent basis in case something prevents a current member from acting, so Cyborg uses the Grid to find candidates.
Shazam! Part 10
Mr. Bryer comes to Billy Batson's foster home with the police wanting him arrested, but with Billy not being there he is dismissed. After that the remaining children in the foster home follow Freddy Freeman in searching for Billy.
Review
This wasn't the best issue in the series, so far, but it wasn't the worst. Geoff Johns had a lot to live up to after the brilliant Throne of Atlantis story, but I never expected this issue to match that. I did however find the issue very interesting, and liked how Johns handled the whole Grid situation. Although not very exciting, Johns did however do a good job on the issue besides that, as it had some very interesting sequences, and concepts, a well as leaving some interesting teasers. I also liked that Cyborg had a bigger role in this issue, and felt Johns also handled this well, but I'll talk more about this later on in my review.
The absence of Ivan Reis was noticeable from page one, and I was disappointed as he was solicited as bring the artist. Jesus Saiz did however do a very good job of the art in this issue, and although I'd prefer Reis working on the art, Saiz did do better than a lot of other artists who have worked on Justice League titles in the past. Saiz' art was very detailed, and I actually liked how he drew the characters. Although his art wasn't as beautiful as Reis', it was still very lively, and showed a lot of dynamic. Saiz' also did a brilliant job of the characters facial expressions, and the odd action sequence that featured in this issue was drawn perfectly, giving a very dramatic feel. I do however hope that the solicits are true for the next few issues of Justice League, and that Reis is doing the art, as I really missed it on this issue.
What is the Grid? The Grid is what Cyborg uses to find the potential superheroes to be members of the Justice League. He uses this to find their phone numbers, and homes, and I personally found this controversial, and something unexpected of Cyborg. I'm not surprised that Cyborg is capable of this, as to be honest it's something that I'd imagine wouldn't be that hard for him to do, but I do question whether it's morally right prying into the affairs of other hero's, as some may hold their secret identity close. I would expect this sort of thing from Batman, and when it was revealed that he was involved in some way I wasn't surprised, but at the same time I never thought that Cyborg would do such a thing without consulting the League, although I understand him using it during the Throne of Atlantis storyline, as that was a life an death situation for the planet, let alone the League. I do however wonder if the League will follow up on this, showing their feelings towards it. It was however a very interesting concept, and Johns handled it brilliantly.
Despite finding it morally wrong, I like how the Grid was put into effect, with hero's receiving random messages from the Justice League telling them that they could help. What was most interesting about this was the reaction from the characters on the receiving end, as the shock was obvious, and Saiz' art showed it well. I also liked that Johns took the time to delve into the normal lives of some of these hero's as having not read any of the series the featured characters receiving messages are in, it was nice to see their world.
The meeting at the Justice League Satellite was very interesting, and so was the discussion between the League before that. What I really liked during this conversation was actually that Flash (Barry Allen) made a reference to not being present in the Throne of Atlantis, and why, which helped show that the timelines were in sync. The sequence where the selected hero's arrive in the Satellite was interesting, but not as interesting as I'd have hoped. There were some conversations that were more interesting than others, like Firestorm's conversation with Superman, but overall it wasn't as interesting as I'd have hoped. I did however like Nightwing's (Dick Grayson) reaction to the meeting. Zatanna's appearance was also interesting, as she was a member of the Justice League Dark, but apparently John Constantine's removed her permanently from the team. I've never read Justice League Dark, but I have recently acquired most issues from issue 9, so I don't know exactly what happened with the JLD, and Zatanna, but this makes me more interested to find out.
As I said there wasn't much action in this issue, but the small sequence to feature action was exciting. I won't go into details as it happens late in the issue, and I hate spoiling anything, but I will say that it was an interesting turn of events, and the attentive reader will see it coming. The way everyone reacted to the event was also very interesting, as due to the circumstances most would be shocked about it even happening. Another thing I liked about this was the aftermath, as it provided a brilliant conclusion to the issue, and has me interested in the next issue.
The Shazam! back-ups featuring Billy Batson as the magical Shazam! character has been the thing I've loved most in this series over the last year, and although this wasn't the best chapter in the story so far, it was still very good, and very interesting. There was two things that I really liked about this issue, and the first of them was the involvement of Mr. Bryer. This showed that the development of character, with Billy standing up to Bryer wasn't for nothing, and also that it wasn't forgotten, as it showed the characteristics that made Billy the perfect candidate for becoming Shazam! The other thing I liked was that the rest of the foster family, and more importantly Tawky Tawny were involved. I've not read a lot of Shazam! prior to the New 52, but I have read-up on his history, and from what I have read, the tiger, Tawky Tawny was my favourite character, bar Shazam! himself, so it was nice seeing him featured. I also loved that it showed that Billy wasn't an idiot, and that he was afraid of Black Adam. The art from Gary Frank was once again fabulous, and it's really detailed, making Johns amazing story look phenomenal.
Final Verdict
This wasn't the best issue in the series so far, but it was interesting, and it does have a very interesting conclusion. It didn't have much action, or excitement, but I never expected it to, but it was still interesting, and still better than a lot of series out there. I would still recommend this issue, as it was interesting, but I would advise newer readers to tread with caution, as it isn't the best issue to entice you into the series.
Rating: 3/5
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