May 29 Reviews

Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1
Marvel
Writing: Joss Whedon
Pencils, Inks, Cover: John Cassaday
Colors: Laura Martin
Editing: Will Panzo, Nick Lowe, Axel Alonso
5/5

It's impossible to discuss this finale without thinking about the series that it's concluding. Whedon and Cassaday's Astonishing X-Men has given us so many things. It introduced Logan's camaraderie with Armor in a charming and convincing way while still paying respects to his history with Kitty. It gave us the most interesting and empathetic Emma Frost we've ever seen. The incredibly believable love between Kitty and Peter. The big never-forget moments like Peter's return and the definitive Cyclops story culminating in the blockbuster issue #23. But the best thing it gave us was 25 issues of accessible, cinematic, emotionally moving X-Men stories that easily set the benchmark for modern mutant comics. It may have suffered delays at the press, but now that that no longer matters there's no denying this as one of the best superhero books ever produced.

This issue is a fitting conclusion to this great story. On the first read-thru I wasn't as impressed but subsequent, slower, readings have driven home just how many amazing moments there are and how well plotted it is. The issue has a great deal to accomplish, many questions and obstacles to attend to, and it does so well. Visually some details aren't as immediately clear as they need to be, and Whedon's glee in playing with Spider-Man may come across too strongly. The sudden inclusion of all these other heroes is a little off-setting as well and several other X-centric pages wouldn't have hurt, but on the whole this is a very powerful final installment that will impact people's perceptions of these characters for years to come.

Astonishing X-Men has been of a quality almost all its own. It's rested alongside All-Star Superman as the best that mainstream hero books have to offer for a long while now. Whedon got to write his love song to Ms. Kitty Pryde while readers got a story worthy of oversized hardcovers and frequent re-readings. Like All Star Supes it's been as fun as it has beautiful. And with this -- it is over, but in such a way that it feels alive. It lingers. And not long from now you'll probably find yourself wanting to read it all again. Unless you're one of those haters; silly sad bunch you are.

Coming up next: Warren Ellis and the Complete Change of Tone.



Northlanders #6
Vertigo
Writing: Brian Wood
Pencils, Inks: David Gianfelice
Colors: Dave McCaig
Cover: Massimo Carnevale
Editing: Casey Seijas, Will Dannis
5/5

Brian Wood is all up on. This series has become as enjoyable or more so than DMZ, a book which is also on a roll right now. Hopefully you're paying attention because these are things you should be reading.

Wood writes living dialogue that snaps and leaps off the page. Gianfelice firmly establishes his commanding legitimacy, helped in force by McCaig's beautiful coloring. This is quite simply one of the most captivatingly good looking books out there.

The story's initial slow-burn worked perfectly to create the dynamics and momentum that come into this issue, which is fantastically loaded and compelling all over. It's soaked in awesome. It's the type of book that makes you immediately wish Vertigo did more hardcovers. One or two moments are too explainy, but overall this is one of the best books of the week, and definitely one of the best new books of the last year.



Fables #73
Vertigo
Writing: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Mark Buckingham
Inks: Steve Leialoha, Andrew Pepoy, Mark Buckingham
Colors: Lee Lougridge
Cover: James Jean
Editing: Angela Rufino, Shelly Bond
4.5/5

Everything we've read so far in Fables has been leading up to this. The war has begun.

In this issue we get thrown headlong into a grand tour of the attack plan for a battle that's already underway. A good deal of the cast gets face-time and though there's far more setup than emotional substance things move along briskly enough that the end result still feels plump, juicy and filling.

Willingham writes with his usual classical air and most of it goes down smoothly. There are several instances though that feel he took an easy way out, or missed an opportunity to do more. These moments are really only found in character's jokes, one-liners, and so forth but while they aren't crucial to the story itself they do hamper the tone of the big picture.

Buckingham really gets a chance to shine with multiple double page splashes, and the immense scale of everything that's happening in the series right now. Almost all emotional conveyance here is found in his pictures. Tack on the beautiful page borders and overall production caped by the ridiculous cover work of James Jean and you're looking at one of the most attractive books you can buy.

A strong beginning to what by all accounts should end up being the biggest Fables story we've seen. As long as future issues are able to incorporate a more poignant and personal perspective than what we saw here then there's no reason to believe this will be anything less than the moment fans have been waiting for. Everyone should be reading this.



Immortal Iron Fist #15
Marvel
Writing: Matt Fraction
Pencils, Cover: Khari Evans
Inks: Victor Olazaba
Colors: Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic, Paul Mounts
Production: Irene Lee
Editing: Alejandro Arbona, Warren Simons
4.5/5

Even in the stand-alones this book can't help but be great. Which is entirely the fault of Matt Fraction. The narrator's voice throughout the issue comes across very naturally, and it really demonstrates the key skill that makes Fraction as good as he is -- his ability with language. Most the issue is carried by his 'telling,' and your watching, while events unfold like a slideshow in the background. In most cases with most writers this would probably turn out pretty dull. Here, with Fraction's knack for wordplay, it's a breed of fun all its own. Very entertaining.

The events of the story themselves are fun and rewarding as well. A great deal is crammed into this single issue, and it hits on all the historical, kungfuyural, mythological, and supernatural angles that've made the book so good this whole time. There isn't a moment of this series you should go without reading.

Only one issue of Fraction-related material remaining, and at this point it's an all but guaranteed good time so don't miss it. Hopefully, once Swierczynski's run is underway, we'll be able to see Fraction return from time to time in the form of one-shots, annuals, and the like. Because while we're holding out hope for the future of the title, and while indicators suggest it may maintain some of its fun-filled nature -- it's hard to imagine it having the same electricity its had for this too-short time under this particularly gifted creative team.



All Star Superman #11
DC
Writing: Grant Morrison
Pencils, Cover: Frank Quitely
Inks, Colors: Jamie Grant
Editing: Brandon Montclare, Bob Schreck
5/5

They really have put together something special with this book. It's so simple and enjoyable yet has such fantastically absurd sci-fi ideas and moments of deep emotional clarity. It's everything I want from a Superman comic and I wish it would never end.

This issue continues to meet the standards that have made the series so highly and widely regarded. Morrison switches between soothing restraint and appropriate excess at all the right moments and is one issue away from bringing to a close a book that will go down as a landmark moment in both his career and the medium.

Quitely and Grant earn just as much credit for their roles on the art which is once again incredible. Simply put -- this wouldn't be this good were anyone else behind the visuals.

Every issue of this title is a gift and it hurts to accept there only being one left before it's over. It will be very very missed.



The Astounding Wolf-Man #6
Image
Writing: Robert Kirkman
Pencils, Inks, Colors, Cover: Jason Howard
4/5

This title continues to show that it has a lot to offer. It's got the same type of complex character driven scenarios that've made Invincible the resounding success it is, as well as a similar exuberant fun-ness. This particular issue happens to forgo fun-ness, letting frayed relationships and past mistakes take the reigns.

One of Kirkman's greatest gifts is quietly developing an amazingly layered web of plot threads and seemingly sideline type details that he can drift between as he pleases, and crash together as seen fit. He has demonstrated time and again his knack for having a lot going on while still having his writing feel simple, light and neat. Every issue Kirkman develops this book a little bit more and suggests that soon he'll really have this on its feet and running. If you enjoy any of his other work this is easily recommended.

Jason Howard's work is again very stylish and packed with personality. It's hard to imagine anyone else doing art on this. So much of the character of the series is established thru him. He suits Kirkman well and fits nicely with the other artists working on books in the author's growing superhero universe.

If there's a complaint to be had it's that long breaks and delays between issues have killed some of the series' momentum and make it seem like things are moving too slowly. Thankfully the title is switching to a monthly shipping schedule in July, and this should help the title quite a bit.

This is a good book that deserves and audience. Check it out. They're planning on shipping a trade that collects the first seven issues which will be more than enough to hook most people.



Proof #8
Image
Writing: Alex Grecian
Pencils, Inks, Cover: Riley Rossmo
Colors: Fiona Staples
4.5/5

This was a great issue. Dinosaur toddlers crash through walls, creative fantasy spy master discussions are had, and jungle justice is viciously served! Proof ends its action-heavy Company of Men storyline here and has a blast doing so.

This arc accomplished two things -- It was an effective jungle-bound espionage action royale, and it developed Proof significantly along the way.

It also, did both those things well.

Seeing the book really cut loose and find exuberant freedom in more over-the-top visceral questing was convincing and totally exciting. It's going to be nice to see the book turn back to some more introspective stories for a bit, but it is good to know that Grecian and Rossmo have this type of thing in their skill tree. The action, at the same time, provided plenty of opportunities for them to sneak in some character moments. Seeing Proof legitimately threatened, in itself, gave whole new weight to his story. His brutally primal reaction though, revealed even more. The instinctive animalistic violence he's resorted to these last two issues reminds us just how formidable a guy he really is. At the same time this turn, powerful and righteous as it is, exposes his mortality. At the conclusion of the story Proof seems more imposing but also more vulnerable. In other words, more interesting.

Proof utterly encapsulates the idea of 'better with every issue.' It really is. The attention to production values can't go unnoticed either. The cover and title page always look great, and every issue has a true plethora of bonus materials. You will never feel this book didn't give you your money's worth. Highly worth reading.



Batman #677
DC
Writing: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Tony Daniel
Inks: Sandu Florea
Colors: Guy Major
Cover: Alex Ross, Tony Daniel
Editing: Jeanine Schaefer, Mike Marts
4.5/5

Damn. Hello Grant Morrison. Hello Batman.

This was fantastic. Up until now Morrison and Daniel have put together an exciting run that, while taking a regrettable dip in worthfulness during the Ra's crossover, is overall a consistently great read. With this issue they push out of the crossover slump and step into the diabolical madness they've hinted at occasionally and that everyone has somewhere inside been waiting for the whole time.

Morrison gathers up some of the major questions surrounding the character from over the years and shoves them right in Batman's face. 'Maybe you're crazy and damaged,' type things. It's an aggressive and fresh exploration of some familiar ideas as well as a birthing ground to many entirely new ones.

Sometimes experimental panel play has spiced up Daniel's more traditional penciling style throughout Morrison's run, making the whole thing more stylish, tense and vivid. As they've started turning away from such explorations since the end of the 'Black Hand' arc though, Daniel's work has begun to look less and less impressive. Combined with inks and colors the visuals certainly deliver the mood, but in themselves the images are a bit too traditional and plain to mix well with Morrison's more abstract tendencies. It works, but at times is very wanting.

If you're at all interested in Batman this is pretty much do not miss territory right now. Even if you've not read any of this run, you could easily jump on with this issue. Between this and a couple more issues of Frank Miller's psychizo-sadistic All Star book it's looking to be a good rest of the year for Batman fans.



Uncanny X-Men #498
Marvel
Writing: Ed Brubaker
Pencils, Inks: Mike Choi
Colors: Sonia Oback
Cover: Choi, Oback
Editing: Will Panzo, Nick Lowe
3.5/5

This is the loosest and most enjoyable storyline we've seen from Bru on the series, though the speech is still a bit waterlogged at times and there are some weirdly annoying themes. It's amazing he can be so consistently great everywhere else yet still find himself struggling to get his feet under him here with the X-Men. The good news is that he's obviously closer to getting there, and the better news is that he's about to have the help of Matt Fraction in two issues. The union of Frubaker returns. Uncanny hasn't been great lately but its horizon hasn't looked this good in years.

The colors, by Oback, are beautiful. Choi's art is impressive throughout but does have some moments that don't totally succeed, particularly in the way of facial expressions. Overall though the work is mature, attractive, and brings a sense of realism that serves the book well but that, unfortunately, can still underwhelm at times.

This is a title that should be on your radar right now. It's still got some problems but is definitely moving forward. It's bubbling with a sense excitement that it's about to become something special. If you saw Fraction's Nightcrawler short in Divided We Stand you know what we mean. Quite frankly it will be surprising if this isn't a must-read title a few months from now and issue 500 looks like a perfect place to start following.



Ultimate Spider-Man #122
Marvel
Writing: Bendis
Pencils: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade von Grawbadger (sic)
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Cover: Immonen, Richard Isanove
Editing: Lauren Sankovitch, Bill Rosemann, Ralph Macchio
4/5

While the writers on Amazing continue to flop around and struggle to find a Spidey that everyone will enjoy, Bendis makes it look simple in Ultimate Spider-Man. His Peter Parker is easy to love, root for, and identify with.

This issue is a one-n-done encounter with a villain that's popped up a few times in the series before. The rather generic circumstances, however, result in something much more meaningful in how they're approached -- which really gets to the crux of what makes the title so effective. It relies heavily on its supporting cast, and is always better for it, this issue being no exception. It's Bendis' great use of the people surrounding Peter that makes this as good and enjoyable as it is.

Immonen continues to show himself as the perfect artist for the series. His characters look their age, which has a surprisingly big influence in helping these stories deliver. His style is nuanced enough that the emotional aspects of the book play, but stylish & modern enough to keep it feeling fresh and appropriate for the Ultimate U.

In the end this wasn't the most crucial USM story we've seen in a while, but with a series as consistently good as this it doesn't matter. Any self-proclaiming Web Slinger fans owe it to themselves to pick this up every time it comes out.



New Avengers #41
Marvel
Writing: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils, Inks: Billy Tan
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Cover: Aleksi Briclot
Production: Joe Sabino
Editing: Molly Lazer, Tom Brevoort
3.5/5

After the recent Mighty issue there were suddenly doubts about the quality of the remaining Avengers tie-ins to Secret Invasion. Thankfully this issue is closer to the levels established by the earlier ones and while it's not as exciting as the Nick Fury installments, it's certainly better than the Sentry-centric bore we got last week. It's pleasantly readable and manages to flesh out some backstory, answering long-standing questions and filling in a couple gaps.

Tan's art is serviceable but not great and the cliffhanger is a bit of an eye-roll at this point, but overall this was decently well done and brought some constructive elements to the event as a whole. Compared to the typical tie-in extortion we've become accustomed to, Secret Invasion continues to be better assembled and more respectful of its readers.