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.
Justice League of America: Rebirth #1
Writer: Steve Orlando
Penciler: Ivan Reis
Inkers: Joe Frado & Oclair Albert
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
DC Comics
In the wake of Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, Batman’s putting together a new team, one with more grounded, human heroes…and Lobo, I guess. Orlando does a good job of introducing the members of the team as they recruit each other per Batman’s initiative. The choice of members is an interesting one and is ripe for a whole host of dynamic interactions. Ivan Reis is a veteran of the superhero genre at this point, so it’s no surprise that his work here excels in every way it needs to. JLA looks to be a promising, if unconventional, series.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #17
Writer: Ryan North
Artist: Erica Henderson w/ Chris Schweizer
Color Artist: Rico Renzi
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Marvel
Squirrel Girl gets a new costume! And a benefactor! And a new villain?! Not saying anymore cuz this series is too delightful to spoil! But it is the perfect jumping on point, so you should totally buy it!
Detective Comics #950
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Marcio Takara, Alvaro Martinez, & Eddy Barrows
Inks: Raul Fernandez & Eber Ferreira
Colors: Dean White, Brad Anderson, & Adriano Lucas
Letters: Marilyn Patrizio
DC Comics
In this jam-packed anniversary issue, we get some set up for future events as well as some excellent character work for faces new and old. The crux of the issue is a Cassandra Cain story, who has admittedly been a bit underserved in the series, but makes up for it in a big way here. Tynion’s scripting, dialogue, and most importantly narration are tragic and flawless, and Takara and White bring a scratchy, haunting quality to the book that hopefully makes a return in the future. The second tale introduces us to new team member, Azrael (sans Knife-Fingers) and quickly catches us up on the characters backstory, ably depicted by series’ regulars, Martinez, Fernandez and Anderson. The final story is a short flashback that mostly sets up the road ahead and is wonderfully portrayed by Barrows, Ferreira, & Lucas. There’s so much talent involved in this issue and the series in general. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
The Wicked + The Divine #26
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Jamie McKelvie
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Image
The Great Darkness stands revealed. What are a bunch of 20-something year-old gods going to do about it. If you answered, “make good decision,” you haven’t been paying attention.
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