The Week in Revue (May 8-14, 2013) (update)

------- Spotlight

Batman and Red Hood #20
(w) Peter J. Tomasi     (a) Patrick Gleason

------- DC Reviews

Batman #20
(w) Scott Snyder     (a) Greg Capullo

Justice League of America #3
(w) Geoff Johns     (a) David Finch

Superboy #20
(w) Justin Jordan     (a) Brett Booth

------- Marvel Reviews

Uncanny Avengers #8
(w) Rick Remender     (a) Daniel Acuna

The Week in Revue (Apr 24-31, 2013)

------- DC Reviews

The Flash #19

(w) Brian Buccellato     (a) Marcio Takara

DC'S "WTF" MONTH CONTINUES WITH A BRAND NEW VILLAIN FOR THE FLASH!

Batman Incorporated #10

(w) Grant Morrison     (a) Chris Burnham

MORRISON'S EPIC BATMAN SAGA IS WINDING DOWN!

I, Vampire #19

(w) Joshua Hale Fialkov     (a) Fernando Blanco and Andrea Sorrentino

FINAL ISSUE! AND REALLY, FIALKOV'S FINAL ISSUE FOR DC! DANG.

------- Marvel Reviews

Young Avengers #4

(w) Kieron Gillen     (a) Jaime McKelvie

LOVE ME SOME YOUNG AVENGERS! 

Avengers #10

(w) Jonathan Hickman     (a) Dustin Weaver

HONESTLY, IT'S SUPER HARD TO KNOW WHAT HICKMAN IS GOING TO THROW AT US NEXT WITH THIS SERIES. WHATEVER IT IS, THOUGH, IT'LL BE GREAT.

Uncanny X-Men #5

(w) Brian Michael Bendis     (a) Fraiser Irving

IT'S THE ORIGINAL COMIC BOOK WITH 'UNCANNY' IN THE TITLE, NOW THAT THERE ARE, LIKE, 30.

Uncanny X-Men #4

(w) Brian Michael Bendis     (a) Chris Bachalo

This was a cop-out issue.

I'm sure -- sitting there -- writing both All-New X-Men and Uncanny X-Men at the same time got old Brian Michael Bendis thinking about how much these two books needed to connect. 'Quite a bit' is putting it mildly when it's not even solicited that these two titles interconnect to the point where you find out plot points from one within another.


**SPOILERS AHEAD**


Uncanny X-Men #4 is basically just a retelling of All-New X-Men #10 from the perspective of Cyclops' team; more specifically, Emma Frost. Most of the pages are filled with psychic banter between Emma and the Stepford Cuckoos about their attending Scott's new Xavier School. 

At first, they're all like "Nah" because they felt abandoned by Emma. Then, Emma shows them how Scott basically power-raped her for her portion of the Phoenix Force. The Cuckoos feel so bad for Emma that they decide to forgive her and join Scott's school.

How does this make any sense? The girls literally just saw Scott forcibly removing their mentors' powers, and now they're going to attend his school? Plus, it shows a severe lack of morality on Emma's part, to -- in as much as she can -- 'forgive' Scott for his actions under the influence of the Phoenix, only to use those actions against him later on for her own gain. Maybe it's what Bendis intended, but it doesn't feel that way.

This issue would have been a whole lot more interesting if it had hit a few important beats. First, there should have been some new information. We already knew the Cuckoos were going with Emma and Scott, so why spend most of an issue explaining that they do? Second, if Magik is on the cover, she should have had a much more central role in the issue beyond a few foreboding panels. Third, don't change character personalities at the drop of a hat (here's looking at you, Triage).

At least Chris Bachalo's artwork is still awesome.

GRADE

5/10

The Week in Revue (Apr 10-16, 2013)

------- Spotlight

Ultron #1
(w) Kathryn Immonen     (a) Amilcar Pinna
THE RETURN OF VICTOR MANCHA: THE SON OF ULTRON!

------- DC Reviews

Batman #19

(w) Scott Snyder     (a) Andy Kubert

WHY IS BRUCE WAYNE AIMING A GUN? 

Constantine #2

(w) Jeff Lemire, Ray Fawkes     (a) Renato Guedes

I DON'T KNOW WHY DC IS TRYING TO CONVINCE ME CONSTANTINE IS DEAD IN THE SECOND ISSUE ALREADY...

Green Lantern Corps #19
(w) Peter J. Tomasi     (a) Fernando Pasarin
"WRATH OF THE FIRST LANTERN" CONTINUES! NEED I SAY MORE?

---------- mini reviews

Batman and Red Robin #19
(w) Peter J. Tomasi     (a) Patrick Gleason
THIS ONE MIGHT TURN INTO A FULL REVIEW SEEING AS THE REVEALED "WTF" COVER REVEALS A LOT MORE THAN EXPECTED.

Demon Knights #19
(w) Robert Vendetti     (a) Bernard Chang
CAIN IS GETTING EVER CLOSER TO HIS GOAL OF WORLD DOMINATION.

------- Marvel Reviews

Uncanny X-Men #4
(w) Brian Michael Bendis     (a) Chris Bachalo
MAGIK TAKES CENTER STAGE BECAUSE SHE'S STILL GOT A LOT OF POWER.

X-Treme X-Men #13
(w) Greg Pak     (a) Giuseppe Camuncoli
FINAL ISSUE! SPECIAL REVIEW FOR THE FINAL ISSUE OF AN AMAZING SERIES.

---------- mini reviews

Wolverine #2
(w) Paul Cornell     (a) Alan Davis
THIS SERIES IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN SAVAGE WOLVERINE!!!

The Week in Revue (Mar 13-19, 2013)

------- Spotlight

Age of Ultron #2 of 10
(w) Brian Michael Bendis     (a) Bryan Hitch

------- DC Reviews

Batman #18

(w) Scott Snyder     (a) Greg Capullo

Green Lantern Corps #18

(w) Peter J. Tomasi     (a) Fernando Pasarin

---------- mini reviews
Demon Knights #18

(w) Robert Vendetti     (a) Bernard Chang

Batman and Robin #18

(w) Peter J. Tomasi     (a) Patrick Gleason

Superboy #18

(w) Scott Lobdell and Tom DeFalco     (a) R.B. Silva


------- Marvel Reviews
Wolverine #1

(w) Paul Cornell     (a) Alan Davis

Uncanny X-Men #3

(w) Brian Michael Bendis     (a) Chris Bachalo

---------- mini Marvel Reviews

Secret Avengers #2

(w) Nick Spencer     (a) Luke Ross

Thor: God of Thunder #6

(w) Jason Aaron     (a) Esad Ribic

Featured Review: Uncanny X-Men #1

(w) Brian Michael Bendis
(a) Chris Bachalo

Much like his work so far on All-New X-Men, Brian Michael Bendis strikes gold with the 'Marvel NOW!' relaunch of Uncanny X-Men #1. Since becoming possessed by a cosmic death god, taking control of the planet, murdering his father-figure and beloved face of all mutantkind, then escaping from prison, Scott Summers doesn't have a lot going for him. What he does have is a group of devoted followers who believe that mutantkind is in dire need of a revolution in the wake of a massive mutant population spike. Bendis' intimate writing style lends itself extremely well to the interpersonal relationships of the X-Men, combining the franchise's natural affinity for drama within his own framework of decompressed, character development-heavy storytelling. Uncanny X-Men has very much been 'The Cyclops Show' for the past few years, and though that doesn't seem to be changing, it's going to be a whole lot more interesting.

Even though the focus is squarely on Cyclops throughout Uncanny X-Men #1, it's done indirectly through external narrative and and interwoven sequence featuring some new and improved Sentinels (because whenever there's a need for a menacing X-Men villain, it's all Sentinel, baby! But more on that later). Like a psychologist submitting a thesis, a mysterious traitor to Cyclops' movement presents his case against Scott Summers to S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Maria Hill in the plainest and most succinct way he can. As Dean Pelton so eloquently put it, "Well I guess we don't see our patterns until they're laid out in front of us." Cyclops has a long history of struggle and hardship in his ongoing quest for mutant equality and proliferation, and in the most important moment of his life, he destroyed the symbol of hope and peace for all mutantkind.

Uncanny X-Men #1 hits a lot of important beats, but misses a few as well. The focus on Cyclops is done well because in his current situation, it's more important and sensible to analyze and study Scott externally. Bendis' style is all about the long haul, and it simply feels more organic see Scott from a more relatable viewpoint than from looking in on the (assumedly) chaotic thoughts of a man living in his own shadow. Similarly, Bendis' formal introductions of Tempus and Healer (he doesn't have a name yet, but he heals) are interesting and give enough information without feeling overbearing. Chris Bacahlo's artwork is usually a lot busier, but he manages to tone it down a bit in these pages, and his costume design (I'm thinking it's Bachalo's?) for Magneto is like Cyclops' only better. 

As far as the bad, there's very little to complain about. The use of Sentinels is a tried and true plot device, but it's one that became cliche in the mid-90s. It's not really even a big deal to use them every now and again, but didn't the Jean Grey School students get attack by Sentinels built by the Kid Hellfire Club not too long ago in Wolverine and The X-Men? The only other problem is that, as good as Bendis is, there's no escaping that this issue was mostly expository narration. It was interesting and plot-advancing, but at the end of the day, there was a lot of telling and now showing, and that kind of hits the brakes on the momentum from time to time.

Uncanny X-Men #1 is another solid entry in the 'Marvel NOW!' lineup. Brian Michael Bendis started his tenure as head X-writer strong with All-New X-Men, and he keeps it going here with Cyclops and the Uncanny X-Men. Sure, there's already a traitor in their midst in the first issue, but that's the kind of thing the X-Men franchise needs to shake things up. The status quo has changed and Bendis is taking the opportunity to do amazing things with these characters. Uncanny X-Men by Brian Michael Bendis is going to be different than any incarnation of the series before it, and that's more exciting than anything else.

GRADE
9/10

The Week (Feb 13-19, 2013)

------- Featured Review

Uncanny X-Men #1 PREVIEW

------- DC Reviews

• Batman #17 - Death of the Family Finale!
• Demon Knights #17

---------- mini DC reviews

• Katana #1
• Superboy #17

------- Marvel Reviews

• Fantastic Four #4

---------- mini Marvel reviews

• Avengers Assemble #12
• Powers: Bureau #1
• X-Treme X-Men #10

EXTRA! EXTRA! (OCT 3-9, 2012)

AvX: VS. #6 of 6
(W) Kieron Gillen
(P) Jim Cheung
(I) Jim Cheung, Mark Roslan, and Mark Morales

As an experiment, AvX: VS was a learning experience more than anything - it showed what creators could do under a different set of rules, some more freeing, others more strict. AvX: VS #6 showcases the best of what the series has to offer, with the main event between Scarlet Witch and Hope Summers not only taking the prize for most interesting duel in the entire run, but also giving readers more than just a fight, which is what we wanted all along. The latter half is filled with awesome one-page bouts that we didn't get to see throughout the Avengers vs. X-Men event, but in a humorous light (like showdowns between Jeeves and Toad, the science-y characters in the Marvel U, Red Hulk and Domino, Iceman and Iron Fist, and lastly, Squirrel Girl and Pixie, whose magic dice may have caused more damage than they anticipated). This was a strong finish for a tumultuous series.

GRADE: 8/10

Before Watchmen: Rorschach #2 of 4

(W) Brian Azzarello

(P/I) Lee Bermejo

While I very much enjoyed Rorschach #1, this second issue has really mutated into something I now don't want to read - somewhere along the line, Brian Azzarello decided it would be good sport to make Rorschach as much like Batman as possible, except here, Rorschach talks in two-to-three word sentences exclusively. I seem to remember that good ol' Inky Face didn't like prostitutes that much - going so far as to kill them - yet here, he's readily defending a woman of the night against her pimp, albeit to get to a bigger catch, but it's hypocritical nonetheless.  Azzarello is now batting zero for two with Rorschach and Comedian, the two least enjoyable books of the entire Before Watchmen line. Seriously, just stick to the other four (and upcoming Moloch) series because these two are simply unnecessary and silly.

GRADE: 4/10

Stormwatch #13
(W) Peter Milligan
(P/I) Will Conrad and Cliff Richards

I love me some Stormwatch - it's a series that, so far, has been set literally and figuratively at the fringe of DC's 'New 52' universe. Stormwatch #13 starts a new arc for the title, as Peter Milligan gives us more and more connections between the Stormwatch organization and the group of heroes banded together in Medieval times over in Demon Knights. There has already been a lot of foreshadowing that the Demon's Knights eventually become that era's Stormwatch, but here, Milligan finally brings Etrigan the Demon into current day continuity! Demon Knights has been one of my favorite titles from DC's 'New 52', and Stormwatch has been getting better and better ever since Milligan took over and stared planting the seeds of this awesome crossover.

GRADE: 7.5/10

Uncanny X-Force #32

(W) Rick Remender

(P/I) Phil Noto

Uncanny X-Force is so good, it makes me excited and worried for Rick Remender's upcoming 'Marvel NOW!' titles - I know Uncanny Avengers will be good, but I'm concerned Captain America will suffer because Remender seems to only be able to focus on one title at a time, as evidenced by his lackluster arc on Secret Avengers. Uncanny X-Force #32 is another brilliant chapter in possibly the best series Marvel currently publishes each month. "Final Execution" heats up as Deadpool and Evan (clone of Apocalypse) are confronted by the Evil Brotherhood of Mutants as Deadpool tries to break Evan out of their stronghold. Wolverine and Psylocke offer back-up, but times are looking grim for X-Force, as the premonition of Evan's ascension to the Apocalypse throne seems to be getting closer and closer.

GRADE: 9.5/10

Uncanny X-Men #19
(W) Kieron Gillen
(P/I) Dale Eaglesham

Uncanny X-Men #19 is "The Passion of Scott Summers", a look at what the leader of the X-Men was going through - internally - as he amassed the cosmic power and became the Dark Phoenix, ravaging the world before being defeated by the Scarlet Witch and Hope Summers. I typically don't like stories being told exclusively in formulaic first person perspective, but Kieron Gillen does an apt job convincing me that Scott Summers (of all people) is actually thinking these thoughts. It's incredibly hard to convey the idea of omnipotence (obviously), but Gillen somehow finds a way to come close by showing that even with all his power, Scott is still just a person, mostly unable to control or understand how that power actually works. It's sad knowing that Gillen is moving off UXM (due, mostly, to it's cancellation), but he's moving on to the newly announced Young Avengers, which gives me high hopes for the series.

GRADE: 8/10

THE WEEK (OCT 3-9, 2012)

Reviews
Action Comics #13
(Morrison, Foreman)
The Phantom Stranger makes a guest appearance this month, as well as Krypto: The Super Dog! I'm not sure there's a big fan base itching for Krypto to be included in the 'New 52', but Grant Morrison does, so why not.


Avengers vs. X-Men #12 of 12
(Aaron, Kubert)
It's the final chapter of Marvel's half-year-long event that's going to completely change the landscape of the Marvel universe. Okay, probably not, as Charles Xavier is already dead, we've had enough time to process it, and now we just want to see a cool battle between Dark Phoenix Cyclops, The Scarlett Witch, and Hope. Plus, we already know that Cyclops survives from October-December solicits, so what's the big change going to be? Well at this point, change for change's sake may not be so ridiculous.


Green Lantern #13
(Johns, Mahnke)
"Rise of the Third Army" is here, at last! Geoff Johns & Co. have been teasing this crossover event for some months now, and while the first Third Army solider was seen last at the end of Green Lantern Annual #1, it's time for the army to grow. Plus, new Green Lantern Baz makes his first appearance in his costume, and fights the Justice League.

Hawkeye #3
(Fraction, Aja)
Seriously, if you're not reading this series already, do yourself a favor and pick up the first two issues along with this third. Matt Fraction and David Aja have a clear and distinct vision for Clint Barton, and the first two issues are absolutely some of the best comic book work I've read in a long time (on par with Brian K. Vaughan's Saga). This is about Clint being himself, not an Avenger and not in the public eye. It's engrossing, relatable, grounded, emotional, and just plain great.

Uncanny X-Force #32
(Remender, Noto)
I finally started reading Uncanny X-Force and now I don't want to stop. Unfortunately, Rick Remender is stepping off the title he's taken two years to craft into one of the finest series currently available soon to focus on Uncanny Avengers and Captain America, both of which I'll be covering here on "The Endless Reel." The good news is, there's still a few issues of UXF left with Remender at the wheel, so I'll be covering these as well.

Leagues Beyond

It's the debut post of 'Leagues Beyond', the column that focuses on Justice League-related titles each week. This first week's offerings include two Earth 2-based titles, the eponymous series and World's Finest. I'll be talking about the formation of the Justice Society as they stand up against Grundy and the military-backed Atom, as well as Power Girl and Huntress' attempt to get back to Earth 2 via the boom tube that brought them to Earth 1!

Earth 2 #5

(Robinson, Scott)

World's Finest #5

(Levitz, Perez)

Shadowy Happenings
It's my first column of 'Shadowy Happenings' which covers all the 'Dark'-related titles DC releases. This week, both Animal Man and Swamp Thing delve into "Rotworld", each in their respective kingdoms to fight against the Rot and stave off a worldwide decay. In The Phantom Stranger, Dan Didio will introduce us to Raven, a character fans have been clamoring for since the 'New 52' relaunch, and the recent subject of Scott Lobdell's plans for an upcoming Teen Titans spinoff focused on a new team led by Raven herself.

Animal Man #13 - "Rotworld: The Red Kingdom"
(Lemire, Pugh)

Swamp Thing #13 - "Rotworld: The Green Kingdom"
(Snyder, Paquette)

The Phantom Stranger #1
(Didio, Anderson)

Extra! Extra!
4-SENTENCE REVIEWS are no more, as they are being replaced by 'Extra! Extra!', the section of titles that don't get standard reviews and also don't fall into an specific category of new columns. This isn't to say that these issues are any less good (or bad, in some cases) than the titles featured under the standard REVIEW header, it just means that I found a way to more eloquently talk about them in four sentences better than I could in four paragraphs. It's lika a haiku - sometimes creativity comes out of restrictions.

AvX: VS. #6 of 6
(Gillen, Immonen)

Before Watchmen: Rorschach #2 of 4
(Azzarello, Higgins)

The First X-Men #3 of 5
(Adams, Gage)

Stormwatch #13
(Milligan, Conrad)

Uncanny X-Men #19

(Gillen, Garney)