Last Week's Comics Today - 01/30/2017

The Justice League / Suicide Squad ramble below could have gone much longer.

Pick of the Week

Saga #42 - This issue ends with several all-black pages.  I don't know if those are really to hammer home what just happened or to allow your brain a slight mental break before returning to the real world after what just happened.  At one point I said, "They killed [redacted]!" and then tried to explain to her both that scene and the final scene.  She was more concerned with The Stalk.  Maybe someday she'll read it and understand.  Then we can share in the goodness and sadness.  Damn this book for being so good.

Honorable Mention

Aliens Defiance #9 - I'm not sure if it's surprising or expected, but things continue to get worse for the small crew of this beleaguered ship.  When faced with very likely dying very soon vs maybe dying sometime later, they choose the latter and let loose the alien queen they've had on ice.  So now they'll have to deal with that and it won't be nearly as "easy" as it was the first time.  Once again, an amazing read.

Briggs Land #6 - This tends to be near the bottom of my weekly read pile -- not as any sort of indication of quality, as it's outstanding work, just that I need to be prepared to read it.  I'm not sure if that's been the case the entire time, but definitely since the Nazi uniforms issue.  Anyway, multiple plans are hatched or set in motion here setting the stage both short- and long-term.  This is a book that's incredibly well executed.  I'm looking forward to the forthcoming TV series so the comic can hopefully reach a wider audience.

Ether #3 - There's a hand drawn map in here that reminded me of Weirdworld.  There's enough similarities between the titles that for anyone that enjoyed the Secret Wars title, I recommend picking this up.  While that heavier on action, this is a murder mystery with a gut-punch of humanity at the beginning or end of each issue.

Frostbite #5 - The cliffhangers in this series are great by themselves, but even better is how the characters get out of them in the next issue.  It's really well done.  If last issue weren't enough, Vic shows she's nowhere near helpless.  The cast should arrive at Alcatraz next issue and what happens there will be anyone's guess but it should definitely be interesting and make for a fun read.

Everything Else

Abe Sapien v8 - The end of the series snuck up on me.  I mean, I probably read about it months ago whenever the solicits came out, but must have promptly forgotten about it.  It's been clear for a while that BPRD is building toward a finale and as much as I'd like to see it, I'm a little in denial about the whole thing.  We learn a lot in this volume about Abe's early years, about how he became Abe (even if you think you already know), and where he fits in the broader picture.  It's fantastic and makes me want to re-read the entire Mignola-verse to refresh my memory.  For anyone that read Hellboy but not BPRD or Abe, you're missing a significant chunk of the story.

Detective #949 - This two issue arc went well enough that I'm signing up for Batwoman Rebirth #1.  Kate's father is in a completely different place than when I last read, but I'm not sure I want to go back to read how all that went down.  It's good and I'm looking forward to reading more Batwoman.

Justice League Suicide Squad #6 - It's a better ending than these things usually get, and it's satisfactory in places, but my brain wouldn't stop reminding me of certain aspects.  Eclipso "unlocks the darkness within" ...which only manifests as violence, for some reason.  With all the talk of "secret desires" I kept thinking sex was being felt out, and I understand why, but there are other base instincts that could have been represented and the variety would have been nice.  The eclipse itself reminded me heavily of Forever Evil, especially given the cast similarities.  Finally, there's the large-scale destruction.  The Earth has faced a fair bit of global damage due to metahuman fighting in recent months, which reminded me of Hitch's opening Justice League arc and how - unbelievably - only one person died.  Surely more people died here, but I don't know if it will ever be addressed or even commented on in either title, especially given Hitch's detachment from this event.  All I'm saying is, it'd be nice to see some consequences.  There's constant fighting, constant destruction, but hardly any rebuilding or downtime.  For me, that's where the real fatigue of events and "widescreen" stems from.

I've gone off topic long enough.  I'm interested in Batman forming his own league and have no comment regarding the last page.

Reborn #4 - Millar gets Bonnie and her father out of the scrape from the end of last issue, then gets them into and out of two more before this issue wraps.  It's a wild ride and I love seeing Capullo draw all of the craziness.

Teen Titans #4 - I can't quite put my finger on what but something about this feels off.  It's a fine read, kinda typical monthly superhero stuff, which isn't really my usual bag.  There's just something about Damian here that makes me wish only Gleason and Tomasi would write him.  They get him in a way that makes this feel hollow.  Ra's too, if I really think about it.  Hopefully I can enjoy the book more when the entire arc isn't focused on him.  Otherwise, I'll probably drop this in a few months.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #66 - Raph and Angel search for Alopex in Alaska.  It wasn't until that sentence I realized how many female character names start with "A."  It's a good read that moves Alopex forward in a significant way, even if it does seem implausible to borrow a helicopter in New York to fly to Alaska.  I'll just let that one slide.  Sophie Campbell is back and does an outstanding job illustrating everything.

Thief Of Thieves v06 - Honestly, this seemed a bit rushed.  The job within the comic, not the comic itself.  There was a lot of setup, virtually no planning, and then suddenly the plan was getting executed.  I feel like this title has historically taken more time to flesh those events out, with at least one storyline going on the side.  There was no story going on other than the job itself.  Still good, still highly enjoyable, but a minor mis-step I think.  Oh, and an ending that ensures I'll be back for more.

Last Week's Comics Today - 11/01/2016

For the first time, I thought about creating a new category after "Everything Else" as a place to put the truly bad books.  Then, I thought about putting everything into Honorable Mention except those few.  In the end, I didn't do either.  Quality naturally sorted things out on their own and you'll know the bad books when you reach them without any extra emphasis from me.

Pick of the Week

Renato Jones One Percent #5 - What a ride!  If I haven't mentioned it before, this book is nuts.  This issue was cover-to-cover madness and I loved every second of it.  The good news is - we'll be getting more Renato Jones!  Though the bad news is it'll be early next year.  (Like so many other titles!)  Still, I'll take it.  Also, the cover is not a spoiler.  Although... maybe it is, based on that last page...  Highly recommended if you like a little violence with your politics.

Chew #59 - Fucking Hell.

Honorable Mention

Aliens Defiance #6 - This has one of the best opening sequences in recent memory.  Five pages of perfect marine vs alien action.  There's also betrayl here.  There's the obvious one, but I think another as well, that will quietly be forgotten until the series conclusion when everything goes spectacularly to hell.  I'm excited, but also a little sad.  With a cast of only two, now three, I'm not sure anyone is going to make it out of this alive.

Descender #16 - An emotional tale about a couple of robots.  I continually praise this books art and writing and can only hope some of you have decided to pick it up.  This issue starts "seventeen years ago" and for the first time I wondered if a collection would or could ever be made in chronological order.  I can't say it'd be better that way, but I'd take the opportunity to real the whole series again.

Exodus Life After #8 - I don't think there's been an issue of this series that hasn't put a smile on my face.  The artist is a good friend of mine and when each issue comes out, he makes a post on Facebook.  Last night's post was about naked Ernest Hemingway.  But I didn't read this then, I read some other garbage you'll see further down the page.  This would have put me in a better mood then, but I chose not to read it.  Instead, I saved it for the end of my lunch break, just before going back to my soul-sucking cubicle, all while thinking about how great Ernest Hemingway is.  Thanks, gents!  You're the best.

Saga #39 - It's been a while since I had to consider the implications of an "or."  Not too much happens this issue, but where that would tend to be a fault in other books, it's really not here.  Plans are hatched, plans are dashed, there's much to discuss, and all of it looks wonderful.  I'd say no one dies this issue, but that's not true.

Everything Else

American Monster -#5 - This would absolutely read better as a trade.  At the very least it would help just keeping track of what's going on with everyone.  Add to that the vagueness with which the characters speak to one another, and it's hard to follow.  Not impossible, and I happen to like the way the characters speak, but clearly difficult.  It's continues to be good.  Maybe not as good as Moonshine, but I'll take all the Azzarello I can get and I'm a fan of Juan Doe's art.

Birthright #20 - This issue starts with a dragon and it barely even registers with the revelations let loose this issue.  Some seriously major history is told here, but we're going to have to wait a few months to learn what any of it means because they're going on hiatus between arcs, like an increasing number of Image titles seem to be doing.  Each issue reminds me just how long it's been since the men and women of this family have been in the same place at the same time.  It appears that's being set up for next arc, which should be explosive given everything each group knows that the other doesn't.

Frostbite #2 - This book continues to be a solid addition to Vertigo's growing stable of new titles.  That may not seem like high praise when I'm raving about other indy titles, but thinking about past Vertigo titles I've enjoyed, they mostly had a slow burn for a solid 60 issues.  I hope this gets there one day, as the world these characters inhabit is wonderfully interesting.  Really only the main character has any depth yet, but they've gone deep on her and I find her a relateable, believable protagonist.  Recommended.

Teen Titans #1 - I'd wanted the Teen Titans Rebirth issue since, like a bunch of other Rebirth titles, I wanted to try it.  Except I screwed up my pull list and put this down instead of that.  I read the Rebirth issue once I realized I'd missed it, but didn't like it.  Writing just wasn't for me and wasn't a huge fan of the art either.  Then I wind up walking out of the shop with this in my bag without realizing it.  Turns out it's pretty good.  Much better than the Rebirth issue.  Except Jonboy has left the book, and I haven't seen a replacement artist announced yet.  Which makes recommending it a bit difficult.  Note: I now hear the new artist is Khoi Pham, which is pretty bad ass.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #3 - I feel like less happens in this series than the main book.  The main title generally feels dense with word balloons, though not in a bad way, simply that there's so much to cover in so little space.  Here though, we end in almost the same place as the issue started - trapped in a building under siege.  Raph gets some good panels, April takes action, Stockman helps out, and the scorpion character gets a name... but that's about it.  It's good, but not as solid as the main book.

Transformers Revolution #1 - This is bad and you should not read it.  Even if you're reading Revolution, which, I can't imagine why you would be if this is any indication of its quality, just skip this.

Wonder Woman #9 - If it hadn't been pointed out elsewhere, I'm not sure I would have seen it - the arc is called "The Lies" yet there's been very little lying going on thus far.  Expect the lie quotient to increase dramatically in issue 11 when this concludes.  This issue was good; they address Wonder Woman's relationship with both Superman and Steve Trevor and it all goes well.  There's also that ending, which I think bodes less well than it appears.  And whatever's been going on behind Wonder Woman's back all this time.  So, in all, much to look forward to.  Oh, and then there's that cover, a creepy Engineer-looking Matrix-y thing.  No idea what that's about.

Ultimates #12 - The Ultimates was a good series that got massively derailed by at least one major crossover.  I don't know what happened to Rocafort on art, but he only drew half the series?  Maybe a little more?  This series ends by demolishing what was built and seemingly promising to put it back together in the next series.  Except, when it all went so wrong this time, why would anyone give this writer and title another shot?  I'm getting off this train and if anyone else is reading, I recommend you do the same.