Ether #1
Script: Matt Kindt
Art & Lettering: David Rubin
Dark Horse
This book is essentially Sherlock meets Adventure Time and it’s pretty great. Boone Dias is a scientist who attempts to catalogue and analyze the magical aspects of the realm of Ether. Because of this, he’s called in to solve an unexplainable murder. Kindt’s voice is fantastic throughout but really shines when the shoe drops at the end of the issue. Rubin’s artwork is expressive and detailed, cartoony but not exaggerated. The land of Ether comes alive because of his effort and the switch in tone and scenery when Boone goes back to Earth is great. A small quibble is that the lettering was a bit hard to follow as the flow would sometimes be disrupted. Other than that, Ether is a really great book for readers looking for something a bit different.
Silk #14
Writer: Robbie Thompson
Artist: Irene Strychalski
Colorist: Ian Herring
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Marvel
Hey look, another crossover event I stubbornly don’t care about. What’s its deal? Idk, clones and shit. Anyway, things are going great for Cindy Moon. Her family is finally reunited after years of separation and an issue of anticlimax. She’s reconnected with her former boyfriend who’s sorta half dead but is still cute (her words, but also yes). So why is she so anxious? That’s the question that runs through the issue, and though Thompson may overplay it a bit in some places, its a good hook and one that takes this book back to better quality. Also, Silk and Spectro’s interactions are fantastic. More of that please. Strychalski’s art is serviceable, if a little stilted at times. Maybe this tie-in thing will work out for Silk?
Batman #11
Writer: Tom King
Pencils: Mikel Janin
Inks: Mikel Janin & Hugo Petrus
Colors: June Chung
Letters: Clayton Cowles
DC
Batman’s plan to infiltrate Bane’s fortress has gone off without a hitch and now he’s ready for the final pieces to fall into place. Problem is there’s a traitor in his midst. King does a wonderful job of showing us Batman’s plan without telling us anything expository. His dialogue, particularly that between Catwoman and Batman is rather incredible, clever with just the right amount of tense emotion. Janin's work this issue is nothing short of phenomenal, ably moving from the grandiose and intricate to the simple in delicate without any hiccups. Unlike Batman’s plan, this book has taken a turn for the better.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #14
Writer: Ryan North
Artist: Erica Henderson
Color Art: Rico Renzi
Lettering: VC’s Travis Lanham w/ VC’s Clayton Cowles
Marvel
USG is just the best, guys. I don't know what else to say. Every week it comes out, I think, “Yeh there’s no way it’ll keep this up.” And they almost always do, guys. This issue is no exception.
