Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Artist: Rafael De Latorre
Colorist: Rob Schwager
Letterer: Marshall Dillon
Aftershock
In order to get Jessie across the country to her Uncle in California (her parents are dead, evidently), Sandor is going to have to do some favors for the Animilitary, but what he finds may lead to more trouble. The timeskip in the issue, the one where Jesse’s parents die, is a bit frustrating, but some of the genuinely great character interactions within stymie it. De Latorre manages to breathe wonderful expression into the mostly animal cast of characters. While the jumping plot is a bit of a sticking point, Animosity still manages to give enough to keep readers coming back.
The Woods #27
Writer: James Tynion IV
Illustrator: Michael Dialynas
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Boom! Studios
The kids reunite and wayward, superpowered Isaac explains the origins of the planet they’ve been trapped on. It’s one of those reveals that’s not mind-blowing but fits in well enough with the established story that makes for a tidy explanation. With the last page revelation one of the best in the series, The Woods looks really great heading into its final issues.
Spider-Woman #13
Writer: Dennis Hopeless
Artist: Veronica Fish
Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenburg
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Marvel
Hey, remember when Roger aka Porcupine used to be a bad guy and then he switched sides to help Jessica Drew be a super heroic investigator/manny? And remember how there were very few repercussions for Roger? Welp, unremember that last part. After putzing around with CW2 for the past arc (“putzing” is prolly too harsh of a word as they were good issues), Hopeless really amps up the tension and emotion as we get back to the core of the book. There’s a bit of a quibble when it comes to the issue’s “big moment” but beyond that, the title is back in top form. Fish’s clear and concise storytelling do a superb job as well, and several of her emotes are excellent. Combined with Rosenburg’s evocative colors, Scare Tactics looks to be a hell of an arc for Spider-Woman and an intense one for readers.
Batman #10
Writer: Tom King
Pencils & Inks: Mikel Janin
Colors: June Chung
Letters: Clayton Cowles
DC
This issue Batman attempts to storm Bane’s island fortress/prison Santa Prisca. And it’s weird. Like the framing and delivery is off imo. There’s a great Catwoman monologue running throughout explaining why she was convicted of murdering 237 people. And it’s great. Possibly one of the best monologues King has ever written (and this is the guy who wrote The Vision, remember, and that’s, like, 75% amazing monologues), full of emotion and heart. But Catwoman isn’t on page until the closing moments. Instead, it’s coupled with Batman storming the castle and acting all weird. Which looks amazing, by the way, thanks to Janin’s beautiful choreography and Chung’s complementary colors and excellent use of light. Still, a really disjointed issue from a plot standpoint.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Moon Knight #8
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artists: Francesco Francavilla, Wilfredo Torres, James Stokoe, & Greg Smallwood
Color Artists: Francesco Francavilla, Michael Garland, James Stokoe, & Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Marvel
Batshit crazy, the comic. So good, so beautiful, so Moon Knight. This might be the best Moon Knight series I’ve ever read. Better than Huston & Benson, possibly better than Ellis. It’s pure unadulterated genius. I cannot hype it enough.
The Wicked + The Divine #23
Writer: Kieron Gilen
Artists: Kevin Wada & Jamie McKelvie
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Image
