10. Clone #6 by Schulner & Co. and Ryp
Clone #6 Review
Characters are established by now, the concepts of the clones are revealed, and it’s time for Schulner to dive in deep with the story. The meeting of the original, Luke, and the newly introduced Beta is only made better by Ryp’s dynamic art. The twisted plotline with his wife is chilling and the cover for the next issue only raises more questions!
9. Avengers Arena #8 by Hopeless and Walker
Avengers Arena #8 Review
This issue made me want to scream The Breakfast Club, but you know, in a good way. Hopeless gave a great vibe in that way. The Katy/Tim twist was just as good as any DC WTF cover. Welcome back Kev Walker, the fill-ins were great but it’s good to have your unique style back. Who else is excited to see Justin vs. Darkhawk?
8. Helheim #2 by Bunn and Jones
Helheim #2 Review
Frankenstein meets Vikings! We get to see undead Rikard in action and it’s bloody. Very, very bloody. This issue was a quick read but set things up nicely. Rikard emerging from the water was a powerful image, my favorite part of this issue.
7. New Avengers #5 by Hickman and Epting
New Avengers #5 Review
The addition of Black Swan to the group should make for great stories. I hope she sticks around longer than just the immediate threat of Rabum Alal. Her reaction to Dr. Strange was absolutely priceless. Namor agrees with me on that one. Who knew that a group of nerds could be so powerful and dangerous? This book might be even better than the adjectiveless Avengers title.
6. Rachel Rising #16 by Moore
Rachel Rising #16 Review
Zoe creeps me out. Lilith creeps me out. That priest creeps me out. Who doesn’t give me the creeps in this book??? The only thing better than the dialogue and story in this book is the art. Crisp, clean lines and the black and white adds to the horror story just as well as it does books like The Walking Dead. It’s may be cold in that little town, but this book is red hot!
5. The Manhattan Projects #11 by Hickman and Pitara
Manhattan Projects #11 Review
This issue featured a terrifying, yet heartwarming, story of Harry Daghlian. The interaction between the eternal pessimist, Fermi, and optimist, Daghlian, made this issue a special one. That was some much needed character development from two we had yet to see much from previously. The only thing better was the revelation of Oppenheimer’s plans, including the mysterious fourth phase, Charon. What could he possibly have up his sleeves?
4. FF #6 by Fraction and Quinones
FF #6 Review
“Love my Tong.” That right there was the best damn part of this book. Those little Moloids made me smile. The culmination of the tensions between Darla and the Yancy Street Gang was worth it. They sure had some egg on their face. Scott Lang is a bad mama jama. Johnny Storm needs to watch out of he might lose Darla to Mr. Lang. Love that final page. Welcome to the danger zone, new FF.
3. East of West #2 by Hickman and Dragotta
East of West #2 Review
Who knew those Horsemen of the Apocalypse could be so downright nasty? The secret meeting did a nice job of introducing us to the players that will be part of this play. Of course, what good is a play if there isn’t a twist anybody saw coming? Chamberlain is playing a dangerous game when he plays with Death. That last page? That was the proverbial shoe dropping. Which shoe, knowing Hickman there’s about a dozen more shoes that will drop before this series is over. Read this book, drool over Dragotta’s art.
2. Jupiter’s Legacy #1 by Millar and Quitely
Jupiter’s Legacy #1 Review
First, pick a cover. Go ahead, there’s four of them to choose from. Next, open up the book and prepare to do a little reading. Finally, give Frank Quitely a warm welcome back. This book has many familiarities to it, but it feels like Millar is trying harder here than to just write another script for Hollywood. Classic heroic heroes and heroines, less than stellar children. Something has to give. Did I mention Frank Quitely is drawing this? I did, well his work is so good it’s worth mentioning twice.
1. Young Avengers #4 by Gillen and McKelvie
Young Avengers #4 Review
This book topped my best of the week. The dialogue is sharp and the art is clean. The first six pages might have been the best I’ve seen so far this year. Candi Staton has Kieron Gillen to thank for making her slightly relevant again. Seriously, go check her out on YouTube and you’ll see that I’m right. The surprise Cap and Thor appearance will give you a great chuckle. That little Loki is a real stinker. This issue finally has the band together and it just might be the end of them. Gillen’s writing is top notch but McKelvie is really stealing the show on this title. The way he plays with his panels and breaks from the traditional six or nine panel pages and splash pages is refreshing. This really might be one of Marvel’s most underrated books.
