Welcome to another addition of Hits and Misses. This is where I will be taking a look at the comics I liked and dislike this week, and things about certain comics that made it stick out. This Hits and Misses is for the comics I read released on the 12/12/12.
Hits
First up this week is Batman #15 which continues the main part of Death of the Family. This issue saw the other members of the Bat-Family confront Batman about the calling card from Joker that Batman supposedly has, and whether Joker actually knows all their secret identities. This was another amazing issue, and this story is looking to be the best Batman story in years. The way Joker has turned the entire Bat-Family slightly against Batman was brilliant, and the Joker has been brilliant throughout this story. Although not all of the tie-ins have been good, I'm happy that this, the main story has been fantastic. Scott Snyder has done a brilliant job of brining Joker back into Batman's life, and although Joker's always been an unpredictable psycho, there hasn't been a Joker quite like this one. I've also enjoyed seeing previous encounters between Batman and the Joker retold throughout this story, and love how the pages have lines through them giving a scratched tape feel about it, so you know it's old. The addition of the Bat-Family in this issue also allowed Joker to take a step back, and although Joker's domination of this story has been very well written, it's nice to have a break, and add more variables to the story in the form of the Bat-Family. Greg Capullo's artwork has also been very good over both this story, and the entire series. Although his artwork isn't as beautiful as other artists, it's still very detailed, and the way he draws Joker in this story is marvellous.
Next up is The Walking Dead #105. I started reading The Walking Dead after hearing about it getting turned into a TV series, and ever since I've been hooked buying all the trade paper backs, and comics from that moment on. It's been about the only series I can think of where I've enjoyed every single issue, and that's saying a lot when there's over a hundred. Okay, not all of them are as good as the previous, and some are much better than others, but I've enjoyed them all. This issue sees Carl caught after killing several of Negan's men. Negan later asks him to remove the bandage over his eye, and for the first time since he was shot in the eye, we get to see the damage. Most issues in this series average at a 4 or a 4.5, but this shot the rating all the way to the to. Besides that the story was also very good, and you could feel the emotions coming from Carl, who has tried to act as tough as he can. It's easy to forget that Carl is only a child, but this issue reminds you easily, and it's hard not to feel sorry for him. It also shows that Negan isn't totally cruel, and that there is more to him than meets the eye. This series has also been known for it's brilliant cliffhangers, but this issues isn't as good a cliffhanger, and some people may not even consider it as one. This is easily forgiveable as the issue was amazing in ever other way with brilliant writing from Robert Kirkman, and amazing art from Charlie Adlar.
Batgirl #15 was also a very good issue, and has easily been the next best instalment in Death of the Family. This issue sees Batgirl placed with the ultimatum of marrying the Joker to save her mother. This issue also jumped back and forth from a flashback showing a therapy session of Joker's. It's this last part that made this issue not quite as good as the previous, and although it revealed it's purpose nearer the end I still felt that in unnecessarily clogged up the issue. The interaction between Batgirl and Joker in this issue was brilliant, and I loved that Batgirl thought of her mother before herself. It was also nice to see Batgirl let loose in this issue, and finally get a little revenge on the man that made her paralysed. It was also interesting to see her contemplating breaking her vow not to kill anyone, but after all Joker has put her through in the past it's hard to blame her. There was also sad news, not much longer than a week ago when it was announced that Gail Simone would no longer be writing Batgirl following issue 17. This wasn't nice news as I've recently became a fan of this series, and it's her writing that makes it as good as it is.
Another couple of good issues this week was Scarlet Spider #12 and Before Watchmen: Rorschach #3. Christopher Yost did an amazing job on Scarlet Spider and it was probably one of the best issues I've read in the series, and was a brilliant Christmas story. Although Rorschach was still a very good issue, it was slightly disappointing compared to the previous two. With only one issue left I hope it ends with a bang, and is worthy of not just the character, but the first two brilliant issues.
Misses
First miss of the week is Ultimate Comics Iron Man #3. Although this series has been slightly enjoyable, most of it hasn't, and with only one issue remaining I can only hope it ends fantastically. I had high hopes for this series and it's no were near lived up to them. We've not even seen the Ultimate version of Mandarin yet, and although it's probably a good idea in theory, as it builds up suspense, the story that has circled around it has mad me care less about the conclusion, as I just want the series to end. This issue was also very dull, with the end of Iron Man's battle with the drones from last issue, followed by a boring sequence where Tony thinks of a way to infiltrate Mandarin. It did however end very well with a nice cliffhanger, but unless the final issue is brilliant I will be very disappointed. Although I've liked that it's referenced from previous series, and kept stuff from current series, the things that it's dropped have been a bit disappointing. Like for instance the tumour he talks to in Ultimate Comics Ultimates. Although some people may have not liked that concept, I did, and for this series not to even mention it questions the whole continuity of the Ultimates universe, and whether this is nothing more than another Iron Man story, but in the Ultimate universe.
Next miss of the week was Suicide Squad #15. I had very high hopes for this tie-in to Death of the Family but it was very disappointing. The starter issue revolved around the Suicide Squad a lot more than the story between Harley, and Joker, and although this issue showed the conclusion to the story it wasn't what I'd hoped for, and I questioned whether it was necessary. The relationship between Joker and Harley has been a big thing since her introduction in the 90's Batman Animated Series, but this story didn't utilise the full potential of their relationship. It has also always been known that Haley would do anything for "Mr. J", and although it's obvious she wouldn't let him kill her, I would have still thought she would have tried to reason with him more. Amanda Waller also mentioned that Joker was doing this because he loved Harley, and that he felt he lost her. Although Joker's possibly crazier than ever I still think he wouldn't want to kill Harley, especially if he loved her, and due to Deadshot being dead why would he think he'd lost her. I've not read much of Suicide Squad before this but I understand that Harley and Deadshot had a relationship, which wouldn't have amused Joker. Although Joker would have been mad due to this I still think due to Deadshot being dead that he would try to win Harley back round to him and not kill her. I also think this is a disappointment for anyone like me who has gotten this due to the Death of the Family crossover, as this didn't really add much to the overall story.
Final miss of the week is Iron Man #4. This series has been very inconsistent, and after the last issue showing promise for the series future I was sad to see the quality drop. I think the main thing that has hindered the constancy of this series has been that each issue is a stand alone issue, within a bigger story. These stand alone issues have also been very different from each other with only the Extremis armour being the thing that links them. I understand that writers want to vary a series, but I don't think it's a very good idea to be doing this at the start of a series, as it may confuse newer readers. There were however a few good points in this issue, and the catacombs, and "Lovecraft" women were amongst them. Although I didn't like the reference the women themselves were brilliant, and the way they've been turned into unemotional monsters was very interesting. The art from Greg Land was also not perfect, but it never is. Don't get me wrong his art is nice to look at, but the way he draws women similar, and that they are all beautiful is annoying. I was however happy to see that the awkward facial expressions were minimal in this issue, with only a few in it. I don't know whether I want this series to get better, as it would be nice, but at the same time if it didn't it would be one less series I'd get, as I'd drop it from my pull list.
That's it for this weeks Hits and Misses. Tell me what you think of it, and what your opinions of this weeks comics in the comments section.
Welcome to another addition of Hits and Misses. This is where I will be taking a look at the comics I liked and dislike this week, and things about certain comics that made it stick out. This Hits and Misses is for the comics I read released on the 5/12/12.
Hits
First up this week is Deadpool #3. This has been one of the best things to have came out of Marvel NOW! Okay, it may not be the best series in Marvel NOW! but considering the difference between this series and it's predecessor besides Indestructible Hulk there isn't anything with a bigger increase. Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan have been doing a tremendous job and they've been able to make this a fun series with some brilliant jokes, and ton's of action. This issue sees Deadpool ask Doctor Strange for help against the undead presidents, and he also lands up facing not 1, but 4 undead presidents in the form of, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Gerald Ford together, and Richard Nixon later. My favourite part of this issue was when Deadpool said, "I can't wait to pound that Dick," referring to Richard Nixon, then asking Dr. Strange if he has a spell to undo what he said. Besides that there is great action and ton's of brilliant fights. Tony Moore also has to get a big thanks for his artwork so far on this series as it's been one of the best Deadpool art I've ever seen. I'll finish talking about this comic by saying that I also liked how Deadpool broke the fourth wall in this issue, as he's well known for it, so I was happy to see it in this issue.
Next up is Avengers #1 which starts an new Avengers series written by Jonathan Hickman with art from Jerome Opena. This series begins with a new Avengers foe named Ex Nihilo wants to evolve Earth into a new era and how he plans on using the Avengers to do that. This was a brilliant start to what I hope will be an amazing series. Hickman brings a similar style to the one he used during his Fantastic Four run and adds it to this new Avengers book giving a different feeling to the team. This issue also features the Avengers that where in the Avengers movie (Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, and Black Widow) which helps ease newer readers who have seen the film into the series. This issue also had a small teaser for the upcoming New Avengers series, which is also written by Hickman. The teaser has Captain America dreaming of this new team and although I think the New Avengers series sounds good it wasn't necessarily the best way to advertise it. The new villain Ex Nihilo was also very interesting and I look forward to seeing more of him. Opena brings his amazing artwork to this series, and I'm happy to see his work again, as I've missed it since he left Uncanny X-Force.
As Spider-Man crawls towards his big 700th issue during his 50th year The Amazing Spider-Man #699 produces another great teaser for the upcoming milestone issue. This issue explains how Doctor Octopus was able to switch bodies with Spider-Man. The way it was explained was very interesting, and I loved how the story was told through Peter's thoughts in Doc Oc's body was also very good, and showed the sense of desperation that's going through Peter very well. Dan Slott has really done something great and I have really enjoyed his work. Although the last couple of issues of this series haven't been as fun as the others they have still been very good and I've never been as excited to read a Spider-Man issue as much as I am waiting for issue 700 to come out, so I thank Slott for that. Humberto Ramos also returned doing art on this issue, and although I still don't like how he draws Doc Oc, the rest of his art is amazing and I loved how he showed the evil on Spider-Man's now that Doc Oc is in his body.
Another couple of brilliant issues were Punisher: War Zone #2 were Black Widow was in search of the Punisher, and Hawkeye #5 which concluded Clint's tale to retrieve the tape that has him killing a terrorist on it. Both these issues are great and I will be sad when Greg Rucka's run on Punisher ends at the end of War Zone. Matt Fraction also continues amazing work on Hawkeye, although the ending of this story wasn't quite as good as the start.
Misses
The first miss for this week is Action Comics #15. I loved the start of Grant Morrison's run on this series but the last couple of issues have been poor, and this one was extremely poor. I can understand why some people may like this issue but I personally didn't. I felt that the story was all over the place too much, and at times hard to understand. I try my hardest to like Grant Morrison's work, as he's done such great work in the past, but the last couple of issues of this series have been very poor. I understand that Morrison is trying to do something different in the series but all this 5th Dimension stuff isn't pleasing me. I also didn't like how the issue jumped backwards and forwards in time, and how the old woman was giving Superman memories of things that are yet to come. the new villain in this issue was also a bit disappointing, and doesn't actually seem serious. Overall I think the jumping about, and confusion of parts in this issue made it hard to read and I personally hope the series goes away from this direction.
Earth 2 #7 is the next miss for this week. This issue wasn't actually that bad, but at the same time disappointed. The cover for starters suggests that Hawkgirl and Green Lantern would fight, apparently to the death also. This never happened, and the issue was mainly revolved around Amir Kahn not trusting Terry Sloane. It's already been established that Sloane isn't to be trusted, so is there any need to waste the better part of an issue emphasising it. The sequence between Hawkgirl and Green Lantern was however good, and the only thing I really liked in this issue. However it didn't last as long as it should have, and after expecting to see a fight it was disappointing that it never really happened. Flash also not appearing in this issue was also disappointing as he's the character I've liked the most in this series. I also didn't like the change in artist. Don't get me wrong, Yildiray Cinar's art was good but I'd much rather Nicola Scott was doing the art as her arts been one of the main things I've liked about this series. Overall I didn't mind this issue, but it felt to much like a filler and was very disappointing in most parts.
Final miss for this week in Worlds' Finest #7. This issue was actually better than the series has been so far but not enough to save it from the axe, as I will be dropping this series after this issue. This issue continues from the last with Damian and Huntress searching for the group that have been stealing money from Damian's dad Bruce Wayne, A.K.A. Batman. Meanwhile Power Girl travels to find the weapons base which this money is funding. I liked the interaction between Damian and Huntress as they both had a version of Batman as they're father. I actually liked how Damian was written in this issue, and felt that he stayed true to character. I also loved how Damian was wary of Huntress. I also liked how Damian and Huntress acknowledged each other as kind of brother and sister. Besides that the issue was still poor. The progression of the story felt slow at certain points, and then rushed at others. I also didn't like Power Girl's involvement in this issue. I understand that due to her being one of the two main characters in this series it wouldn't be right removing her from an issue, and that would probably annoy die hard fans. I however think it would have been better to have removed her from this story to give more time showing the development of Damian and Huntresses relationship. Overall this was a fun issue and it will please some people, but it was too little to late and will be the last issue I'll be getting.
That's it for this weeks Hits and Misses. Tell me what you think of it, and what your opinions of this weeks comics in the comments section.
This is a new feature I will be doing, and I will try and produce it each week. I will be taking a look at the comics I liked and dislike this week, and things about certain comics that made it stick out. This Hits and Misses is for the comics I read released on the 28/11/12.
Hits
First up this week is All-New X-Men #2. All-New X-Men #2 was written by Brian Michael Bendis, and drawn by Stuart Immonen, it featured the X-Men of the past coming to the present. This was the second instalment of All-New X-Men this month, and it didn't disappoint. This is what I wanted to see more of in the previous issue so it was nice that it got a full issue to focus on it. The interaction between the younger X-Men from the past and Wolverine's X-Men from the present was brilliantly done, with specific reactions being more entertaining (e.g. Iceman's at his younger self, and the younger Iceman at his future self).The way Immonen drew this issue was amazing and really made it lovely to look at, with great details and ton's of emotion. Beast's health is also an interesting subject, which has been brought up in this story, as it's easy to forget about his further mutation, and whether or not it's able to kill him. This issue has also set-up a lot for the next couple of issues, and I will be as interested to see what Cyclops' reaction to the younger X-Men, Jean in particular, as much as I was interested in Wolverine's reaction.
Next up is Masks #1, written by Chris Roberson and painted by Alex Ross. I wasn't originally sure if I was going to get this series due to my already stretched budget but when I noticed it was only an 8 parter, and with Alex Ross' artwork I had to get it. In this issue the law becomes unjust and Green Hornet and Kato's perspective of what the law stands for changes. They decide to work alongside the Shadow and the Spider to fight the law and bring justice back to New York. Zorro was also featured in this issue being unjustly arrested. This was a brilliant issue and Alex Ross' arts are truly beautiful. The story that brought all these hero's together was brilliant and it was interesting to see Green Hornet and Kato swayed towards the Shadows methods. The only negative thing I have to say is that the way the Spider was introduced wasn't very good, and felt like here you go I'll help, but apart from that minor thing the issue was brilliant, and worth the buy even if only for Ross' art. Future issues will also feature Black Bat, Miss Fury, Black Terror, Green Lama and others.
Thor: God of Thunder #2 was also and exceptionally good issue, and Jason Aaron continues to do an amazing job. I was initially sceptical about how good this series would be after Aaron's poor run of Incredible Hulk, but both issues in this series so far have been phenomenal. The way he writes the God of Thunder is amazing, and the new villain he's introduced really pushes Thor to his limits. Another thing I wasn't initially sure if I'd like was Thor through the ages, but this has been one of the best things about this series, and the thing that makes it unlike any other Thor series. This issue sees Thor fight the God Butcher in his earlier life, prior to wielding Mjolnir. Thor's arrogance and overconfidence is shown perfectly throughout his youth, but once he realises how dangerous the God Butcher is he soon gets serious. Esad Ribic's artwork in this issue is amazing but some of the facial expressions are a bit awkward. It will be interesting to see the progression of the God of Thunders battle against the God Butcher.
Another couple of great issues out this week was Batman Incorporated #5, giving another look at Damian's future as Batman, and Superman #14, which start's the Superman section of H'el on Earth. Both issues were brilliant and both Grant Morrison and Scott Lobdell did a tremendous job writing their respective series. Chris Burnham also did amazing art on Batman Inc., whilst Kenneth Rocafort did beautiful art on Superman.
Misses
First and biggest miss of this week, from what I read, was Teen Titans #14. I have overall enjoyed this Teen Titans series and found it a really fun series, but the last couple of issues haven't been great, and this one was even worse. This issue just felt too rushed and all the things I was looking forward to seeing felt dull due to this. It's such a shame as Scott Lobdell did such a great job on Superman #14 this week, and seeing this rushed, mediocre issue was disappointing. I was looking forward to the Wonder Girl origin story but it was very disappointing. I was expecting to see a lot of emotion and chemistry between Wonder Girl and Diesel in this issue, but it turned out not to be as much as I expected. It's obvious during the issue that Wonder Girl still has feelings for Diesel, but the confrontation between the two just felt too rushed to show the right levels of emotion. I did however like how Red Robin's feelings towards Wonder Girl have leaved more questions and look forward to seeing the development of this. Overall I felt that this issue was just rushed, so it could easily get to the Death of the Family crossover next issue, whilst setting up possible future storyline's at the same time. I do however hope the Death of the Family crossover will be good and it's interesting that it's crossing over with Lobdell's other series, Red Hood and the Outlaws.
Ultimate Comics Iron Man #2 is next in the misses section. This series hasn't really done much to amaze me in the first two issue that have been released which isn't a good thing, especially when it's a 4 issue limited series. I don't know whether I like the main story or not. The mystery is a nice element, and I'm interested to see what the Ultimate version of Mandarin will be, whether the organisation like the story's hinting, or a similar version to the normal Mandarin. I wasn't too sure on the Drones in this issue, and I've always felt that Drones in an Iron Man story is just filler to have a fight. Although the way Tony just casually goes to ask for Rhodey's help during a test isn't a surprise I still think that it's a bit too much, and that it would be a lot easier calling, although it's nice to see the characteristics kept. The only thing I really liked in this issue was how it referenced Tony's fathers death, and Black Widow's betrayal from The Ultimates 2 . Overall this issue wasn't bad, and the overall story is interesting but for a limited series the story is slowly dragging along, and was one of the poorer comics that I read this week.
Final instalment of this weeks Hits and Misses section is The Savage Hawkman #14. Since Rob Liefeld took over the writing of this series it's started to decline in quality. I was initially going to drop this series all together but the way the last story ended left an interesting question about Hawkman's past, which I wanted to find out. I've been disappointed with the story so far, and wasn't to happy that it involved other series (Green Arrow and Deathstroke). I was happy that this issue integrated both the Green Arrow and Deathstroke issues, but didn't like how it was done. Although this is a good thing for people who haven't read them issues it made them issues feel necessary, and it also wasted a good chunk of this issue re-telling the events from them. The bits of action in this issue were nice but it wasn't enough to save what was a issue that barley moved the story forward, if it did at all. This story hasn't made me want to continue getting this series after this story which is a shame, as it might be good once Liefeld's plot is removed, and it's a shame that what was once a brilliant series is now a very poor and disappointing one.
That's it for this weeks Hits and Misses. Tell me what you think of this new feature, and what your opinions of this weeks comics in the comments section.
