Jonathan’s Comic Book Reviews – Week of Jan 28, 2015
This week I review Batman #38 from DC comics, Sex Criminals #10 from Image Comics, TMNT/Ghostbusters #4 from IDW, and Uncanny Avengers #1 from Marvel!
Batman #38
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
Inker: Danny Miki
Colorist: FCO Plascencia
Letterers: Steve Wands and Jared K. Fletcher
This story, Scott Snyder’s Batman Epic is starting to come full circle. Everything is falling into place and we discover some things about the Joker’s new toxin. This story is really digging deep into the history of Gotham which makes me curious as to what Snyder’s Endgame is for this story. I really like where the last page leads us so I am looking forward to watching the rest of the story play out. Snyder’s characterization is always excellent. He really gets what these characters tick, including Gotham because it really is a supporting character when it comes to Batman. I love Greg Capullo’s pencils; the way he draws Jim Gordon infected is so menacing it almost feels like there is a twinkle of the Joker in his eyes. The colors are simultaneously beautiful and creepy, which is a perfect mix with this book.
Rating: 7 (Out of 7)
Sex Criminals #10
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Chip Zdarsky
This series surprises me with every issue. They keep finding new ways to make this series interesting and appealing. They have introduced some characters within the last few issues that I think make great additions to the cast and I really enjoy the Jon seeking counseling aspect. I like that this series addresses the psychological aspect of love and sex as well as the physical. There is a twist in this issue that I like because it shows that not all those who can go to Cumworld/The Quiet (whichever you prefer), exist in the same manner. All humor aside, the characters feel real, Matt Fraction does a flawless job making you care about these characters. Chip Zdarsky’s artwork is a lot of fun and he does a great job displaying the range of feelings the characters experience, going swiftly from self-doubt to ecstasy. This book is very creative and the Sex Tips in the back are always ridiculously entertaining.
Rating: 6 (Out of 7)
TMNT/Ghostbusters #4
Writers: Erik Burnham and Tom Waltz
Artist: Dan Schoening
Colorist: Luis Antonio Delgado
Letterer: Neil Uyetake
This has been a fun little crossover. I have enjoyed the characterization and utilization of each and every character. I thought with such a large cast and only 4 issues, some characters might get much less screen time. That was certainly not the case. I enjoyed the artwork; the likenesses of the ghostbusters were definitely there with a bit of more exaggerated which works for me. I enjoyed the references to the two Ghostbusters movies. I really like that they had a villain that it would be plausible for either the Turtles or Ghostbusters to fight and it made sense for them to team up. The only thing I didn’t like about this issue was it seemed rather predictable.
Rating: 5 (Out of 7)
Uncanny Avengers #1
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Daniel Acuna
As an issue I loved this, but that is because I have been keeping up with Remender’s previous Uncanny Avengers run as well as AXIS. As a first issue I wasn’t too sure about it. It seemed to lay down a lot with insufficient explanation. For someone picking this up because it is a first issue, they might be turned off by that. I personally love what is set up in this issue and looking forward to seeing this new Uncanny Avengers saga unfold. It just didn’t seem too new reader friendly but if you’ve been keeping up it is worth checking out. The team is extremely diverse and I am like some of the chemistry or lack thereof they have going on in the first issue. Acuna’s artwork has really started to grow on me over the years, I used to hate it but now I am glad when I see his name on the cover of Uncanny Avengers. This is some of his best stuff and it is nice to see his ability with mostly a new cast.
Rating: 5 (Out of 7)
