New Avengers #14
Writer: Al Ewing
Penciler: Paco Medina
Inker: Juan Vlasco
Color Artist: Jesus Aburtov
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Marvel
The New Revengers fully infiltrate A.I.M.’s home base while some of the team is away rescuing Songbird from SHIELD and their army of Dum-Dum Dugans. Needless to say, it’s a crazy issue, but not one that loses the reader at any point. Ewing zips along at a brisk pace, but devotes enough time to each scene to make it feel warranted. The art team contributes the majority of this effect, doling out amazing shots and action sequences galore. It’s fine marks all around as the title races along to its frantic conclusion.
Detective Comics #937
Script: James Tynion IV
Pencils: Alvaro Martinez
Inks: Raul Fernandez
Colors: Brad Anderson
Letters: Marilyn Patrizio
DC
With their base taken over by the Colony, the team make a last ditch effort to rescue Batman from their clutches. But when has Batman ever actually needed rescuing. It’s a brilliant issue by Tynion, one that reveals the inner machinations of the Colony and revealing the multiple reasons for their existence. The only minor quibble is that certain characters, like Spoiler, Orphan and Clayface, don’t really get much of a chance to show their stuff. Conversely, the art team’s prowess is on full display, with numerous, detailed double-page spreads that continue to amaze. Detective Comics is shaping up to be a really good book.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Ms. Marvel #9
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artists: Takeshi Miyazawa & Adrian Alphona
Colorist: Ian Herring
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Marvel
The cracks are started to show as Ms. Marvel’s feelings about her idol, Captain Marvel’s, mission begin to shift. The book as always been great a young super-heroic tales, but now that its shifting to a bit more serious territory, it’s reaching new heights. Wilson’s characters all feel natural and Kamala’s voice-over is both insightful and expertly crafted. Meanwhile, on art, Miyazawa handles the main story with aplomb, masterfully expressing action and feeling simultaneously. While is comedy panels are always delightful, Alphona’s incredible take on the more dramatic prologue makes me wish he’d do more stories like it. All of this, of course, is united under the astounding palette of Ian Herring. Ms. Marvel’s taking a more dramatic turn, one that seems to be a boon for an already incredible book.
The Autumnlands #12
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Benjamin Dewey
Color Art: Jordie Bellaire
Lettering: John Roshell & Jimmy Betancourt of Comicraft
Image
The mystery of the Galateans, and much of the world, is revealed as Learoyd struggles to make a tough choice. Busiek’s mastery of character voice holds the reader’s attention as we go down the rabbit hole of the world’s origins. Dewey and Bellaire continue to astound as the art is some of the best of the series. Even as some questions are answered, more are raised, but, in a series like The Autumnlands, that’s part of the fun.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #10
Writer: Ryan North
Penciler: Erica Henderson
Inker: Tom Fowler
Color Artist: Rico Renzi
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Marvel
The Mole Man has been submerging all of the world’s greatest landmarks…all so Squirrel Girl will go on a date with him. What’s a Doreen to do? Eat nuts and kick butts? Probably. North and the art team deliver a satisfying conclusion to one of their more longer running stories on the title. While her one-offs are fun, it’s always enjoyable to see an SG story play out over multiple issues. Henderson continues to have the best comedy faces in the biz and Renzi’s colors liven up every page. USG is a can’t miss for anyone who wants more funny in their funny books.
