Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1
Story: Robbie Thompson
Writer: Justin Jordan
Artist: Barnaby Bagenda
Colors: Alex Guimaraes
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Boom! Studios/DC Comics
Sinestro has discovered the location of the Universal Ring! It’s on Earth (surprise) but not in this time. It’s been found by a particular Ape scientist, one who has no idea of the power it holds. Can Hal Jordan save the day or will Sinestro or an unwitting Cornelius blow it all the hell? Thompson and Jordan craft a plot that nicely meshes the two franchises and introduces readers that are unfamiliar. While it’s an interesting choice to use the older Planet of the Apes movies as a setting, it does seem the more logical decision given the narrative potential of that section of the franchise. Bagenda’s art have a rough, but not unappealing, quality to them, and gives the book a cinematic look. Guimaraes provides a bright color palette that one would expect from a GL book, which contrasts nicely with his muddier choices on Future Earth. DC and Boom! Studios have been doing quite a few fun crossovers recently. This one appears to be no exception.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Hawkeye #3
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Leonardo Romero
Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Marvel
Just when she was getting to the bottom of a mystery, Kate Bishop gets cornered by a violent mob. Just another day for Hawkeye. Thompson keeps the plot moving, and manages to be both fun and dramatic throughout. Kate’s narration is engaging and clever, without being overbearing. Romero and Bellaire prove once again to be a great pairing, giving the Venice Beach night an open and haunting air, and spicing up a college party with wonderful crowd scenes and strobing lights. Hawkeye is fun with enough stakes to keep the tension at a great level. For this type of comic, you can’t ask for more.
Moon Knight #11
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Greg Smallwood
Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Marvel
Moon Knight has been tasked by Anubis to rescue a goddess from the Othervoid, but the forces of Set, as well as his own personal demons, keep rearing their ugly heads to stop him. Lemire splits the tale in twain, giving us the aforementioned present story as well as shedding some light on what we assume is Marc Spector’s past. Or it could be a hallucination. That’s how this story works. Smallwood and Bellaire handle all the weird this script throws at them (giant bugs and bird skeleton men) and gives the quieter emotional moments a good deal of heft. While this series is ending in three issues (cue bagpipes), it’s been a hell of a ride.
The Woods #29
Writer: James Tynion IV
Illustrator: Michael Dialynas
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Boom! Studios
Hoo boy. I don’t know if it’s because I recently read through an entire year’s worth of The Woods for my Top Comics of the Year list (coming soon!), but I am jazzed af for this series. Things are heating up, both in The Woods and at home. The creative team is firing on all cylinders. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it until this series end, you should absolutely be reading The Woods.
