August 22 Reviews

Mouse Guard Winter 1152 #1
Archaia
Written by: David Peterson
Art by: David Petersen
5/5

I absolutely adore this book. There's just something about it. It has a childlike warmth that I usually associate with teddy bears and aged anthologies of Calvin & Hobbes.

If this first issue is any indication, the second volume of Mouse Guard may actually surpass the first. Presentation is as beautiful as ever, sticking with the recognizable square format. The artwork is fantastic, and the story itself is far more multifaceted than the opening issue last time around. The cast of characters is quickly growing as well with most the mice from the Fall returning alongside some new faces.

Petersen claims to have stories planned for several more volumes of Mouse Guard following Winter 1152. The thought of a whole series of those gorgeous hardcovers gives me goosebumps. Let it be so.
-Tom



Black Summer #2
Avatar
Written by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Juan Jose Ryp
4/5

This issue picks up immediately where the last one left off, with Tom and Zoe attempting to reach safety in the hours following their ex-comrades murder of the President. Ellis introduces the rest of the team this time and really gets the ball rolling. The relationships between these characters are quickly fleshing out and are interesting & believable. There's plenty of action as well highlighted with colorful language, dismembered bodies, and the use of pistols that pack the firepower of small tanks.

Ryp and Sweeney are great again on the art with this being their best offering yet. Sweeney's inks in particular really sell as the colors truly explode off the page. Also impressive is their presentation of television screens, something Ellis often likes to write in. It's little things, like static lines cutting through weak broadcasts, that add a great deal to the experience.

Not only am I enjoying what we've seen thus far, but I also cannot escape the feeling that there are many more layers here yet to be revealed. I'm loving this title, and have even been able to get the smooth wrap-around covers for both issues. Color me satisfied.
-Tom



Thunderbolts #116
Marvel
Written by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Mike Deodato Jr.
4/5

After the explosive events of last issue the Thunderbolts take some downtime this month, though with Ellis at the helm 'downtime' is quite a relative term. There are plenty of classic Ellis traits throughout this book, not least of which is his always snappy dialogue. Also present though is his particular attention to the media and culture of both the Marvel U and our own reality as well as some savage, cringe inducing violence.

At this point the man is just having fun playing with his new toys. Penance is a fresh creation for him to mold in any way that titillates him. The same is true for Mindwave, a new character he introduces in the final pages. I can't wait for Ellis' Astonishing X-Men.

-Tom

Astonishing X-Men #22
Marvel
Written by: Joss Whedon
Art by: John Cassaday
4.5/5

To say that I'm excited for Ellis' eventual takeover of this title should not in any way imply that I'm unimpressed with Joss Whedon's creation. Lord no, as that would mean that I haven't read it. Which, I have.

There isn't a whole lot of action in these pages which gives Whedon some time and space to really get into the conversation and move things forward. Quesada claims this book is going to be back to shipping consistently throughout the remainder of its run. If that's true I'm extremely excited. Between what Whedon and Cassaday have done in their volume of this book and what Ellis and Simone Bianchi will undoubtedly do in theirs, Astonishing is going to have established itself as the height of standards.
-Tom



Conquest: StarLord #2
Marvel
Written by: Keith Giffen
Art by: Timothy Green II
4/5

Thank God. With this issue we've now seen the second installment of all four Conquest titles and with Wraith and especially Quasar both making relatively weak offerings, it was up to StarLord to step up and make Marvel's cosmic epic two-for-four on the month. Thankfully, Keith Giffen was up to the task.

The debut of this series was met with wide acclaim for its humor and charismatic style. Expect similar responses this time around because this is pretty damn fun. The keyword is 'banter,' though not necessarily of the battle variety. Giffen could have everyone just sitting around a living room and it would probably still be enjoyable. The story itself seems somewhat inconsequential so far, save for one small reference in a conversation between two Phalanx that may have some future implications.

StarLord is a wonderful reminder that there is still a lot to be offered from Conquest before the main event kicks off. I'm also terribly interested to see if Marvel can get Giffen on any cosmic titles following this event.
-Tom



Amazing Spider-Man #543
Marvel
Written by: Straczynski
Art by: Ron Garney
3/5

This was a satisfying conclusion to all the Back in Black hooplah and quite frankly may be my favorite issue of the arc. 'Conclusion,' by the way, is a bad word to use toward this issue as it is more of a transition than anything else. There is no Spider-Man here, only Peter Parker, and it is easy to see how these events serve as a setup for the One More Day storyline.

Spidey is real to me again. Zyn is focused on what has always made great Spider-Man titles so great - Peter's heart and his life. I hope this is where it starts to get really good, otherwise it will have been a very cruel tease.
-Tom

Iron Man #21
Marvel
Written by: Dan and Charles Knauff
Art by: Roberto De La Torre
3/5

After a two issue time-out during World War Hulk, the family Knauff have resumed their duties on Iron Man picking up on threads from both their and Warren Ellis' recent installments of the series. It is nice to see Extremis taking on more than a one and done role which I was somewhat worried was going to be the case. All in all, this is a strong return for the normal Iron Man team with a fun mystery plot and some good insight into the many dimensions of Tony's life. I did, however, hate the dream sequence the issue opens with. I don't need to see Captain America morphing into Brad Pitt and stomping out a bunch of post-modern furniture. Not only did Fight Club come out almost nine years ago now, but it was never nearly as transcendent as so many people seemed to think it was. There are an infinite number of less-tired references that would have delivered that scene far more effectively.
-Tom



Sensational Spider-Man #40
Marvel
Written by:Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art by: Slayton Crain
1.5/5

I couldn't have cared less about this issue. Quite frankly I would have rather they simply skipped a month before returning for One More Day. Crain's art worked well in the out-of-body experiences several issues back but doesn't hold-up throughout the course of an entire issue. The story itself is wholly disposable.

I'm no longer 'increasingly' sold on the idea of swallowing all the Spidey titles into one, I'm just plain sold. Let's do this thing, the sooner the better really.
-Grady



Green Arrow Year One #4
DC
Written by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Jock
3.5

If you've been enjoying this so far, you will continue to do so. For those who weren't fans yet it's hard to imagine that anything here is going to change your mind. We do, finally, get some moments of insight and connection with Queen which in turn probably makes this the best issue of the series yet. With two more issues to go it is foreseeable that this will likely end up being a moderate success though won't be regarded as having any memorable impact.
-Tom



The Order #2
Marvel
Written by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Barry Kitson
4/5

Though not as fresh as the first issue, The Order continues to demonstrate itself as a series that's going to be a hell of a lot of fun to follow. There are so many things this book is doing right, straight out the gate. Take several structural successes, for example, such as the effective use of interviews, press conferences and various other on-camera confessional style flashbacks. They cater to the Hollywood base of the story, as well as to this generation's attention deficiency. The literary/culturally-relevant quotes scattered throughout add a surprisingly great deal as well. The overall production and presentation of this title is excellent and hopefully is a main tenant of the series and not just a tool for opening introductions.

Things kick off where the debut ended, pitting the new team against a horde of insane Soviet nuclear monsters. This all serves as the backdrop for the introduction of Becky "Aralune" Ryan who receives a treatment similar to what was given Anthem last issue. The format works quite well and set against a battle reminiscent of old Saturday morning cartoons the experience is quite enjoyable. There's also a bit of an X-Factor tone, were it on Fox instead of the WB (CW). Fraction continues to solicit praise, the scene in Kate Kildare's office being particularly witty. I hope he and this title have a long scandalful relationship.
-Tom



X-Men #202
Marvel
Written by: Mike Carey
Art by: Humberto Ramos
3.5/5

Marvel has put the X books in a very good position. With the four main titles all aimed toward a common convergence, a sort of 'Countdown to Messiah Complex,' there is a sense of increased weight and relevance to the things that are happening right now, of which there are a lot. Some pieces are working better than others. The art during the Cannonball/Bobby Drake scenes looks absolutely tremendous and Carey should create more reasons for everyone to hang out on ice platforms in those incredible suits. We're also slowly getting a feel for what the Marauders' deal is, the more of which we learn to better.
-Grady