This week, AvX ends, finally, with three words. “No more Bullshit [tie-ins, shoddy writing, and largely rushed art, and a plot that makes sense only if you’re a brain-damaged incontinent with a massive cocaine addiction]”. Ok, I might be paraphrasing that last part. Here’s some comic reviews up in your face.
SPACE JAM OF THE WEEK
Action Comics #13 written by Grant Morrison and Sholly Fisch, drawn by Travel Foreman and Brad Walker, colored by Brad Anderson:
“That, in the end, against all the odds… Good is stronger than evil”
Gosh, Morrison just gets what’s great about Superman, doesn’t he? This is like a lost issue of All-Star Superman, it’s so good. Morrison writes some great lines, Travel Foreman makes me wish we had him from the start instead of Rags Morales, and even the coloring by Anderson all come together nicely into one great package. Morrison’s on a roll with single issues between this and Batman Inc #3, and it’s issues like these that make me glad I still read comics monthly. Also, the backup story was sweet.
IF THIS COMIC WAS AN APPLE IT WOULD BE:
A fuji apple, because it’s a simple, but deliciously crispy treat that’s over too quickly. Don’t eat this comic.
Danger Club #4 written by Landry Q. Walker, drawn by Eric Jones, colored by Michael Drake:
“The tumultuous heart of the teenage girl can be a terribly tortured thing!”
It’s really a very difficult thing to imply through character dialogue and background hints when a massive event has happened before the story even begins, and to make the whole thing not sounds like exposition being read off a teleprompter is even more difficult. That the creators of Danger Club have been able to do such fluid world-building is very impressive, and every issue is a joy in panel layout and timing. I guess it just goes to show that no story’s so broken that talented creators can’t fix, even one about teenage sidekicks killing each other graphically (This makes Kick-Ass look likes shit! Mostly because it’s actually good!).
IF THIS COMIC WAS AN APPLE IT WOULD BE:
A honeycrisp, because it’s a very consistent high quality treat, but if you take the time to unpack it a little, you can make your own applesauce with it!
Fairest #8 written by Lauren Beaukes, drawn by Inaki Miranda, colored by Eva de la Cruz:
“You fucking fuck! You think you can fuck with me?”
IF THIS COMIC WAS AN APPLE IT WOULD BE:
A Granny Smith, because I can’t decide if I got a really bad version of a great apple, or a decent version of a bad apple, and it changes every time.
Sweet Tooth #38 written and drawn by Jeff Lemire, colored by Jose Villarruba:
“This is how the end begins. This is the final war. The last gasp of mankind. This is the death of us all.”
The second to last issue, and Lemire’s sill blowing me away with some of his panel layouts; in this issue, there’s a really brilliant way to convey a lit fuse that, even though it seems incredibly obvious, isn’t anything I’ve ever seen before. It shows the passage of time while utilizing the layout of panels in a way only comics can do; simple, innovative and just further proof that a unified artistic vision for a project can lead to great things, something 50/52 titles of DC should keep in mind.
IF THIS COMIC WAS AN APPLE IT WOULD BE:
A Braeburn, because it’s dependable and consistent, and every once in a while, just an incredible thing to eat.
Uncanny X-Force #32 written by Rick Remender, drawn by Phil Noto, colored by Frank Martin Jr:
“Never trust the fusty heart of an eavesdropper!”
IF THIS COMIC WAS AN APPLE IT WOULD BE:
A Jonagold, because sometimes it looks great, sometimes it looks terrible and lumpy, and the taste is usually pretty good to excellent.
Uncanny X-Men #19 written by Kieron Gillen, drawn by Dale Eaglesham, colored by Matt Milla:
“Lucifer was an angel too.”
This comic has been the sole bright spot in all of AvX, minus the surprisingly sixth issue of AvX:Vs #6, when everyone involved suddenly remembered that they made stories in an inherently goofy genre, and wrote accordingly. Anyway, the event’s been good to Kieron Gillen; he got to have people, more than probably ever have before, read a Mr. Sinister story (and drawn by Dustin Weaver and Daniel Acuna to boot!), and Greg Land’s been off the book. Plus, by focusing in on Cyclops’ point of view and reaction to the Phoenix, it aaaaaalmost makes AvX seem interesting. Still, it’s gotta be a shame to end the X-Men twice, and then get moved to another title with Greg Land again because of the whole Marvel NOW! business.
IF THIS COMIC WAS AN APPLE IT WOULD BE:
A pippin, because it usually looks weird, but tastes great.
