10. Earth 2 #12 by Robinson and Scott
Earth 2 #12 Review
The wonders of Earth 2 are finally learning to work together. Dr. Fate has accepted the mantle and with the help of Nabu is quite the force to be reckoned with. Hawkgirl is hot on the trail of Sam’s murder. Flash is the standard by which all the other heroes hope to obtain. All this and more brought to you by James Robison with the purdy, purdy art of Nicola Scott.
9. Suicide Risk #1 by Carey and Casagrande
Suicide Risk #1 Review
Sometimes it doesn’t pay to get out of bed, only staying in bed isn’t an option when you’re on the police force and having to fight super powered criminals like Officer Leo Winters. The villains and one unfortunate hero that are introduced (and killed) are pretty entertaining. The traumatic event that leads Leo to take drastic actions is quite believable. Though not a home run, the series is off to a good start. Who else is ready for the next issue?
8. Iron Man #9 by Gillen and Eaglesham
Iron Man #9 Review
Gillen wants you to know that there’s nothing normal about Tony Stark. His childhood just got a little weirder with the realization that his dad was an associate of a genocidal robot. Death’s Head has a bigger than life personality that fits his massive size. Tony just can’t win for losing. Maybe he should have just stayed on Earth and things would’ve been better off for everyone.
7. Hawkeye #10 by Fraction and Francavilla
Hawkeye #10 Review
Raise your hand if you were confused at the beginning of this story. Go ahead, you weren’t the only one. Thankfully, that’s how Fraction intended it. By the end, he’s crafted a very spooky story that wraps up wonderfully. Frankavilla’s art is beautiful even if it’s not some of the best storytelling this go round. Kate just might be the best character in this series. I swear she steals every scene.
6. Snapshot #4 by Diggle and Jock
Snapshot #4 Review
The creative team with the funniest name (come on, try saying Diggle and Jock without giggling a little) wraps up their story about a comic shop guy, a phone, and an unfortunate set of circumstances. The story goes into hyper drive for this last issue. Don’t expect a happy ending though. Diggle calls upon the gods of noir to craft a dismal, “well that’s life” ending. It. Was. AWESOME!
5. Green Arrow #20 by Lemire and Sorrentino
Green Arrow #20 2013 Review
Komodo had his chance and boy did he blow it. Green Arrow was put through hell and he’s still standing. Sure, he might have a few bumps and bruises and arrow wounds to show for it, but at least he still has both his eyes. Not sure I like the sound of this mysterious character called The Bear. For someone who is apparently on GA’s side, Magus sure is tough on him. Was that blow to the head really necessary?
4. Animal Man #20 by Lemire and Leon
Animal Man #20 2013 Review
Time out. Let’s take a pause for a moment from our current story to take a look at the latest movie that Buddy Baker starred in. A downtrodden super-hero that’s dealing with a divorce and recovering from a beating he took at the hands of some bad guy, gee that sounds a little too close to Buddy’s real life. Well, except for the fact that his character suddenly finds tons of fame and becomes bigger than fill in the blank. Yeah, that’s nothing like Buddy. Until Buddy gets that phone call telling him possibly the last thing he ever expected to hear. I love where Animal Man is going after the whole Rotworld thing.
3. Ten Grand #1 by Straczynski and Templesmith
Ten Grand #1 Review
So Straczynski’s new series has a hitman with a lot of baggage, demons, angels possessing strippers, and that dark, distinctive art of Ben Templesmith. These are all ingredients for Image Comics next hit series. We get just enough of a few different plotlines to get us interested. The protagonist, Joe, has so many layers to him and the onion has only begun to be pealed. I hope I’m not the only one that reads this with a Bogart voice for the character. It fits him so perfectly.
2. Thanos Rising #2 by Aaron and Bianchi
Thanos Rising #2 Review
That didn’t take long. Thanos went from being a somewhat emoish young kid to a downright frightening murderer. The depths in which Aaron is taking Thanos is astounding. It’s only a matter of time before his obsession with death takes on a different form, by which I mean the physical manifestation of death, Death. Bianchi continues to turn in some of the best art I’ve ever seen from him. That final page is bone-chilling. I hate it when the wild ramblings of a mother during birth come true.
1. Superior Spider-Man #9 by Slott and Stegman
Superior Spiderman #9 Review
Somebody has some ‘splaining to do. I’m looking at you Mr. Slott. People will be calling for your head for this one. You give us the showdown of Peter Parker and Doc Ock with the mind and body of Peter Parker going to the winner. We all know who is going to win this. We are going to throw you a ticker tape parade for finally righting this wrong you committed. But wait, that’s not what’s supposed to happen. What has two thumbs and knew this would be the outcome of this story? This guy! I love that Slott could tease us so much and then just keep going with his crazy, controversial story!
