the Pull List #82 - November 23, 2016

A weekly column in which Jake gives short blurbs about the comics he’s picked up that week. Reviewed in the order read, which varies but generally by increasing anticipation.   Disclaimer: he knows very little about art, at least not enough to considerably honor such tremendous undertakings, so…yeh, there’s that.






White #1

Words: Dan Schaffer
Art: Dan Schaffer
1First Comics

Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope competently-made comic with just as much tension and drama as any shark movie nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope.




Cage! #2

Writer & Artist: Genndy Tartakovsky
Inker: Stephen DeStefano
Colorists: Bill Wray w/ Genndy Tartakovsky
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Marvel

Captured by unknown assailants and with all of his hero friends missing, Luke Cage is taken to a mysterious island and pursued by unknown foes.  To be quite honest, this issue is very much padding, story-wise, but we get some incredible and trippy art because of it.  Then again, you aren’t really buying this series for the story; you’re probably buying it for Tartakovsky’s art and, in that case, the issue doesn’t disappoint.  




Ultimates2 #1

Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Travel Foreman
Colorist: Dan Brown
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Marvel

Boy, Civil War II was so bad they had to relaunch this whole series, eh?  Anyway, after having disbanded after the events of Civil War II (which is still going on for some reason), the Ultimates are left directionless.  That is, until they are each attacked by a known entity.  Ewing really ups the heady sci-fi this iteration while still bringing us that excellent character work he’s known for.  Travel Foreman steps in as main artist for this volume and brings with him an incredible blend of epic imagery and grounded storytelling, assisted by series holdover Dan Brown.  Ultimates2 looks to get back to being the book it was supposed to be before it got derailed by a shitty event.  Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself.  




BOOK OF THE WEEK
Detective Comics #945

Writer: James Tynion IV
Art: Al Barrionuevo & Carmen Carnero
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Marilyn Patrizio
DC

The Victim Syndicate has sown dissension in the Bat Team’s ranks, but, that’s nothing a good ole’ round of psych-evals can’t cure, right?  Tynion’s story is pitch-perfect, flawlessly interweaving plot and character developments.  The examinations are particularly revealing and show just how much Tynion gets these characters on a fundamental level.  Barrionuevo handles the majority of the artwork this issue while Carnero and Hanna step in on a few pages.  The transitions are relatively seamless and both teams work well together, unified by the excellent moody colors of Lucas.  Again, Detective Comics continues to be one of the best books of Rebirth and one of the best books in general.



But wait, there’s more!


CharlieDanger82 is helping out this week to cover some the new titles for DC Rebirth. Think of it like a backup story in your favorite book, just with less talented writing.






Writer: Dan Abnett
Art: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
DC Comics

How fast does Wally need to be to rescue his friends and his future love? It's a tension filled issue chock full of triumph, self doubt, tragedy and sacrifice for the fastest man alive as Wally pushes the limits of the speed force itself to try and save his friends and Linda before time runs out. Along with Superman, this book is a solid recommendation for comic fans of all ages who want a true "SuperHERO" book. It's such a great series.



Writer: Simon Oliver
Art: Moritat
Colors: Carrie Strachan, Tony Avina
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
DC Comics

While Swamp Thing tries to fend off the Rot long enough for Mercury to find Abbie, John and Chas are at the mercy of the Whiteboys. Each issue I spend with John further endears him to me. He's a louse, but deep down he has a big heart and he knows that to the VERY precious few he can call a friend in this world, he has a lot to prove. And with the threat of the Djinn poised to destroy the world, John needs all the friends he can get. The series is still weird, still dark and ,thankfully, still Constantine.




So what did you pick up this week?
Agree or disagree with anything said here?
Let us know in the comments.

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