Week 3 Roundup

Comics 7/13/11

Such a fantastic week to read comics. So many great stories by so many great producers. And I didn't have one bad issue this week! Exciting. I had a hard time choosing my pick for the week as well, because they were all so great.

Teen Titans #97 - Written by J.T. Krul and penciled by Nichola Scott. This issue closed the arc that brought us this fantastic new hero, Solstice, an Indian girl with mysterious light powers. This issue was probably chosen as my pick if the week because I got to actually meet J.T. Krul and got this issue signed. It was a cool day. 10/10

Green Lantern #67 - Written by Geoff Johns and penciled by Doug Mahnke. This was easily my runner up for pick of the week, simply because it was just so epic. Geoff Johns has really been redefining Green Lantern these past few years and this was him doing it again. It was the last issue of this volume, and we'll have to wait until September for the reboot to come and follow up. This is the one issue I don't want to give any spoiler alerts to. It's just too epic. Check it out, it's so good. Overall: 10/10

Superman #713 - Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Roberson and penciled by... 6 different artists. Come on. That's ridiculous. At least I couldn't really notice. Anyway, Superman needs a lesson on why the world actually needs a Superman, and it was kind of a cute little tale of him being told different reasons why he NEEDS to exist by random citizens. 6/10.

Amazing Spider-Man #665 - Written by Dan Slott and penciled by Ryan Stegman. The full page spread of Spidey's webs is amazing! This issue was beautiful. Not just the art but the gravity and the maturity of the tale that was told. This issue was a reminder to Peter that he has great responsibilities, not only as Spider-Man but also as a friend and the importance of putting others needs before yourself. Fantastic. This is a 10/10. Well done.

The Red Wing #1 of 4 - Written by Jonathan Hickman and penciled by Nick Pitarra. The idea that the development of time travel to fix problems isn't new. But the idea that time travel would negatively be used for warfare is. Very clever. Story is a bit slow, but if you're into SciFi, it's drenched in it. Really cool idea AND no advertisements. Winning. The cover sold me btw. It's beautiful. Overall: 7/10

Detective Comics #879 - Written by Scott Snyder and penciled by Francesco Francavilla. Batman wasn't in this issue at all, but it was certainly a mystery waiting to be solved. I didn't mind the art, although I'm not a huge fan of all that overexposure in color. In fact though, it worked out well. Fantastic story by Snyder. The Joker is such a creep sometimes. Lemme tell ya. Overall: 7/10

X-Men: Schism #1 - Written by Jason Aaron and penciled by Carlos Pacheco. This issue showed the entire world turn on the X-Men and ready their Sentinels for all out war. Awesome. Was wondering when the Sentinels would be showing back up. This'll be a series to keep on the lookout for! Overall 9/10

The Incredible Hulks #632 - Written by Greg Pak and penciled by Paul Pelletier. "Heart of the Monster: Part 3". First truly "incredible" Hulk story I've read in a very long time. He fights to save his loved ones, but alas, at what cost?

Green Lantern Corps #61 - Writtwn by Tony Bedard and penciled by Daniel HDR. This issue follows the aftermath of the War of the Green Lanterns arc, and how many that were gifted with power rings during that time returned them, except for one. She, Qurina Vint of Calados, sets out to make her place in the Corps known and asks for the help of Green Lantern John Stewart, who is also an outcast, as he recently killed Mogo. It seems as though this comic was a lesson for kids or something, but nonetheless, I always enjoy a good story. 7/10.


- A Dakota Lopez blog.

Week 1 Roundup

So what am I rounding up, on "Week 1"? Comics! I've decided that since this is the first week I started my Twitter feed, it's the first week I can round up all my reviews into one post. I plan on this being a weekly event, unless of course, life gets in the way, but we'll see! So this week we had:

The Amazing Spider-Man #664 - Written by Dan Slott and penciled by Giuseppe Camuncoli. Revolves around the plot that the Anti-Venom ties up Spider-man to, in his own twisted way, prove that he's the good guy and not crazy, and take down Mr. Negative on his own. Stuff goes wrong in classic Spider-Man style, and it came out to a good read! Overall, a 9/10!

Detective Comics #878 - Written by Scott Snyder and penciled by Jock. Dick Grayson, as Batman, has been trapped by Tiger Shark, who we learn is from some line of ancient mystical royalty. The story is told, just as a detective would take his notes: well. Overall, an 8/10!

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11 - Written by Peter J. Tomasi and penciled by Bernard Chang. Now, I've never been a fan of Guy Gardner, particularly because he's a douchebag, but I must give credit for a job well done in this issue. He succesfully died and came back to life! Anywho. Overall, a 6/10.

Justice Society of America #52 - Written by Marc Guggenheim and penciled by Tom Derenick. I guilt myself for never taking a liking to this supergroup in the past, but I think I'll make it an effort to read more into them. This book takes us to a story about a mysterious door that leads to a forgotten city; a City of Evil! Originally apprehensive about the art, but it grew on me. Has an old time feel! Overall, a 6/10.

Namor: The First Mutant #11 - Written by Stuart Moore and penciled by Carlos Rodriguez. Namor's a new concept to my palette, but I've grown to like the many facets he caries, and Moore has brought out the plights of a solid character, although his actions may at times be rash. Not sure if this is the last issue, it ended with epic finality... Hope not! Overall, a 7/10.

Uncanny X-Men #539 - Writen by Kieron Gillen and penciled by Ibraim Roberson. I'm really craving some more involvement with Hope and her mutant team with the X-Men and I got it with this issue. She seems to be coming into her own character and is worthy of her own book, but was a warm welcome back to Uncanny X-Men. I previously described the art by Roberson as "watercolor with a hint of life" and I'm sticking tho that. It felt soothing and real. Overall, a 9/10!

The Walking Dead #86 - Written by Robert Kirkman and penciled by Charlie Adlard. Always a worthwhile read, The Walking Dead lives up to it's name. Circling the story more around the lives of those who've survived into a post-apocalyptic zombie infested world than on the zombies themselves, Robert Kirkman has himself a steady ongoing gem. Full page spread near the end by Richard Adlard was fantastic! Overall, a 7/10.

(Hehe, I reviewed them in alphabetagammical order!)