Weekly Pull List 11-26-14

A few books this week. I'll start with Rasputin 2. As intriguing as the first issue was, there isn't a whole lot that's new from this issue. He is drinking at a bar when a kindred spirit, Antoine, gets in a tussle. Rasputin joins in and brings him back when he gets shot in the throat. Later, Antoine shows up and invites Grigori on an adventure. Hence the start of a story... This runs the same trouble I've had with a handful of recent number 1s. It feels like the end of issue two is the real starting point (inciting incident if you will) of the series. It feels a tiny bit cheap to have that feeling after issue two. The bar fight takes up a good chunk of the first half of the book. It's a great scene, but feels a bit too early to take up that much of the book for a fight whose purpose could have come across in half the pages. The artwork if pretty freaking gorgeous. There's a nice cool palette which makes it feel like you're in a tundra wasteland. The book has potential, but is still finding its legs. I will stick with it for a while and hope for the best. 3 out of 5.

Also from Image comes Rucka and Lark's Lazarus 13. Politics abound at the Conclave. Everyone is on edge and carefully plotting their next move in the insane chess match taking place on a tiny island, with stakes as high as entire countries. While this book isn't the action packed thrill ride I was hoping for, Rucka is pretty awesome at the slow game of building up the world and raising the stakes. Lark, as usual, does some fine work in making these characters lovable and intriguing in this grim tale of family and what they do for each other. This issue is a pretty great read, but it's a "calm before the storm scenario". Especially after the last page. Some bad stuff is about to happen. 3.5 out of 5.

Lastly, G.I. Joe issue 3 was put out by IDW. In a plot that feels similar to Retaliation, the Joes are fighting to keep themselves alive as an organization since their funding has been pulled. This series is interesting as it's growing out of the last "season" of G.I.Joe comics. They have been running 2 year series' to make it easier for new people to jump on board. It's been working quite well story-wise as it allows creators to tell the story they want and then hand it off for a fresh new start. I recently read the Cobra Command event from a few years ago and there are some similar themes (mostly Cobra trying to fix its public face. Really this new series is showing a near direct result of that book. I', loving this new direction and the only actual complaint I have is that some of the characters can seem juvenile in their depictions. Great issue and I am excited to see where Traviss and Kurth are going to take us. 4 out of 5.

Weekly Pull List 7-2-14

Several great books this week. Let's start with Batman '66 Meets The Green Hornet 2. Since I already got number 1 and it's a 6 issue arc, I figured I might as well go all in. This book is mostly impressive at the way it captures the voices of the characters and the overall jokey and lighthearted feel of the show. General Gumm teams up with the Clown Prince of Crime in this issue and once again we are left in a harrowing cliffhanger!! A lot of fun. It's not the most exciting or brilliant story, but it's fun so I call it a win. 4 out of 5.

Next up is Lazarus 9. Been waiting several months for this one, but we finally find out about the Lift. Turns out the Lift is a test of sorts. It allows a few members of the serf population rise up and begin to work for the family populations. Art is still cool. This issue works great to expand the universe and give us a little of the history of Forever as well. Still a great book and I love Rucka and Lark's teamwork. Lark's artwork works so well with Rucka's writing style. There's a reason they've been working together for so long. All good things. I'm glad this issue finally came out. As usual I'm excited to see more. 4 out of 5. 

Thor God of Thunder 24. The epilogue of the Last Days of Midgard story cleans up Broxton and teases stuff for a future story arc. This is a nicely done issue. Not the most action filled issue, but it's very well done and good to see a transitionary story done right. Most of the issue discusses the rebuilding of Broxton and the decision of Asgard to move elsewhere in order to protect the people of Midgard. We see Jane Foster again and have a lovely conversation between her and Thor. Future Thor explores the newly flourishing, old planet Earth and Galactus is ravaging Mars when the remnants of the Black Blade of Gorr infect him to create the Butcher of Worlds. Great issue. Ribic's art is still stellar. It's a shame we don't get more until September. 3 out of 5.

Also in Marvel land comes Magneto 6. Magneto hunts down a bunch of clones of a mutant team who helped hunt down other mutants. He eventually finds the facility where they make them and alters the formula so they'll be loyal to him somehow. Strange jump to make and the plot doesn't move a whole lot, but the art is awesome. They use colors excellently to emphasize certain pieces of the art. The deaths are equally gruesome and gorgeous. All around an excellent book. This issue was a bit of a lull, but I'm sure it will pick up. 3 out of 5.

Lastly, Green Arrow shows some new tricks in issue 33. There's some great flashbacks between Diggle and Ollie exploring their history with Dragon. He's mad at Arrow for stopping before. It turns out that was during Oliver's depression after his mother died so Diggle ran out as the Arrow to stop some crime. Oliver finds Dragon and Diggle only to find Vertigo as a guard of sorts. The issue ends as Dragon throws Digg out a window and Fyff takes a gunshot to the abdomen while trying to rescue Emiko and get her to safety. Definitely the biggest cliffhanger of the bunch. As usual the art is incredible and the story is very fun. Great issue and it seems things are about to go nuts which is always fun to see. 4 out of 5.

Weekly Pull List 4-23-14

Only a couple books this week so I will dive right in. The first is Justice League United 0. This book is very much a set up issue. It's an interesting line up. It's introducing Adam Strange to the New 52 and follows Animal Man and Stargirl as they meet him and explore a disappearance of Strange's partner. Literally. His partner disappeared in front of his eyes. As they investigate, Martian Manhunter and Green Arrow show up. The aliens release some dangerous fiery being who attacks. The issue starts with an invasion of an alien science lab and then flashes back in a fairly cliched moment. At the end of this book I was left with a few questions which I'm sure will be answered in the first six or so issues. How does Strange get his armor? Who are these aliens and what are they up to? Why should I care about half these characters? Why are Green Arrow and Animal Man bantering so much? I'm mildly intrigued, but it's going to be a fairly cosmic story which I usually don't like so I will keep my expectations low. I do like Jeff Lemire so I will give it a few more issues. As far as art goes, I'm not a fan. Mike McKone is a solid artist, but the style feels inconsistent throughout the issue. Not sure if it's a pencils or coloring issue but it just doesn't feel right. Some panels are rather crisp and vibrant but others are muted and blurry. Some choices were made in that department that are not very clear yet. Middle of the line for me. 2.5 of 5.

My other book this week is Lazarus 8. More of the plot is revealed and we get introduced more to Forever's past and a few more of the caravan heading towards the Lift in Denver. Now, we still don't know what the Lift is, but I was instantly more attached to the people we get to explore. Forever gets yelled at to stop the imminent bombing at the Lift. Sweet middle part of the story. Not much to complain about other than it would work much better in a full story. If this book sounds interesting, I would definitely pick it up in trade paperback form. Art in this book is incredible as usual. It's a very gritty feeling book which matches the grim future world. Excellent book apart from being a mid-arc book. Still an incredibly fun read. 4 out of 5.