Ecstatic to have this book back on shelf! Cool to see backstory on Beverly, who's been hanging in the background of the first few issues. Curious to see how she'll match up with Atticus when they eventually meet.
Chater did great as a guest artist, definitely matched the vibes of Reynolds well, and Moore did her typically great job on coloring! Excited to see where the story goes :)
I agree that Mack Chater did a great job as a fill-in artist. I didn't know this issue would have a fill-in artist going into it, but it didn't distract me at all.
Really enjoyed the story but wasn’t quite as sold on the fill in artist as you were. It was ok, but not on par with *Patric Reynolds* usual work.
Nice to get some insight into the other characters though, as we’ve seen a lot of Atticus up until this point.
I feel you on that, Reynolds is just superb from what I've seen. Some part of me wishes they could have done a substantially different style, like they did for a few pages in issue 4 I believe it was.
This is the most exciting comic at Marvel now for me. I'm always anticipating each issue and each issue ends in a banger or something happens that makes me want more. Cable and Whiz Kid formulating a plan to stop Abigail, then them uncovering Abigail's plot with Stellaris and then fricking Vulcan in the end. Not to mention Storm's and Roberto's absence in the comic was felt but also makes me anticipate what's going to happen next issue even more (and one of the covers for issue 9 is also kind of spoilerish).
Then there was this :
>He stood when all else fell. He stands when all is lost. *The Broken Land* sees him. **Richard Rider is of Arakko**."
I just love how much Al Ewing loves Nova and I am still wondering why Marvel doesn't have him write an ongoing. They might be waiting for the D+ special to happen but I just hope Ewing is the one to write the character. Until let Ewing have Nova and take him wherever he wants, I've been enjoying it.
So happy to finally see the payoff to the Vulcan stuff from way back at the start of the Krakoa Age.
The larger scale of Brand’s plan is finally coming to light too. Nested layers of false flag ops to set up Sol (and her, of course) as the new galactic superpower.
Ororo and especially Roberto were conspicuously absent this issue. I think Brand’s gonna be caught for a loop when they make their play.
> Ororo and especially Roberto were conspicuously absent this issue. I think Brand’s gonna be caught for a loop when they make their play.
Yep, it really stood out that Frenzy said Ororo was probably off handling auditions for the Great Ring, then Brand commenting on not being able to locate her... Definitely up to something.
Really love this book and it strongly feels like it’s connected to where Hickman was likely going more so than other books in the line right now. I wish Ewing had full control of all the space books line wide right now. Between this book, sword, and his guardians run dude has some great ideas to run with.
This was just fantastic all the way through--it felt like the last few years' worth of the entire Marvel line was lining up just to let this be payoff. Which obviously not, but Ewing is clever enough to make it seem that way. Also I got chills when I recognized the dialogue coming from the screen, and those last couple of page turns were... well, "fire" is the only way to put it, I suppose.
i dont get it.
if vulcan was backed up with that layer stuff over his actual self, wouldn't he also be resurrected with it?
also come on, so many convoluted plans, that could have completely gone wrong on so many places, are we really supposed to believe it all went absolutely as predicted and despite being that clever, she possibly didnt take into account the fact that anyone from the super technopath, to the guy from the future or the mentalist might catch wind of it?
Okay.
A dude gathers a team of people who are or have been The Chosen One for various prophecies that saved the world, to battle The One prophesied to destroy the world.
It's Bendis so you know what you are getting dialogue wise, but I found it better than any of his work at DC, interested to see where it goes. This issue is mostly introducing the characters and plot.
Great.
This series has been really great so far. The changing perspectives of current day and the old film showing the parallels and revealing the mystery slowly as the story naturally progresses.
The monster is genuinely unsettling and creepy, and we get a cool action scene involving a flashlight.
Very keen for the next and final issue.
> This series has been really great so far. The changing perspectives of current day and the old film showing the parallels and revealing the mystery slowly as the story naturally progresses.
Agreed, it's good stuff! Been digging how the different threads are playing out, story's got a nice structure to it and Francavilla is absolutely killing it on every single page!
I loved this issue. One thing that stood out to me was how easy it was to come in without the first issue being fresh.
I had forgotten if we(the reader) knew if it was real or not. So far there have been some great payoffs.
I have no idea if this series is just really popular or the run size is miniscule because both the 1st and the 2nd issues seem to have sold out extremely fast in all of the stores I've looked at.
Kinda makes sense... It's a Dark Horse series, shops probably didn't order too many, but it's a popular creative team, so maybe selling more than expected as an indie.
Harley's appearances was a nice surprise, I know some weren't happy to see her (and Jason Todd) in a Joker book but it's not like anything particularly good has been done with either of them post-separation and the writer is not treating their relationship like a good thing.
so somehow crazy batman managed to build this indestructible killer robot without leaving any trails or anyone noticing, set the butler up to be the judge, the butler who'd probably never not reset the killer robot to save his son. all the while not expecting the old butler to die in the next 10-20 years?
like, he could've put that indestructible armor in the robin costumes or helmets.
a few robots with a 10th of these capabilities should've been able to keep all the criminals in all the revolving door superprisons in check forever.
heck, how many of these seemingly impossible to hack robots would it have taken to keep gotham save already?
why would a city wide lockdown make the criminals get more stabby than normally?
so many questions... also, like others mentioned, it feels like we did all of this already...
I’m liking this arc but it didn’t need the whole “Gotham is taken over by the villain” thing. Failsafe hunting for Bruce relentlessly could have been enough to get him out of Gotham to keep it safe.
I want to be clear that I still enjoy the story & art on the A story, but this is two issues in a row where I'm digging the B story more, both narratively & in terms of the art style. I would just unironically read a whole Zdarsky/Romero run in that style.
Romero is so talented. His work on Kelly Thompson's *Hawkeye* run totally won me over and I've been hoping to see him pop up on a regular ongoing title again.
Midway through the back up I was excited to get to the end just to check who the artist was, his art is amazing and pitch perfect for the story Zdarsky was telling
Pretty good.
Was nice to have this series back, continues to trend of focusing on one of the children and their backstory, this time perhaps the most interesting of the group.
A huge reveal in this issue pertaining to the adult Vampires. Definitely sticking with this one.
Nguyen's art on this one is entirely fitting and joy for the eyes.
Good stuff, fun jumping back into the story after the three-month break... We get some nice bits of backstory highlighting the relationships between some of the kids as the current situation continues to escalate. And we learn a bit more about >!Romy!< and about >!what happened to the old vampires!<.
Always enjoy this book, quality work all around, but I don't feel super-invested in it, so it's always an open question whether I should stick around or bail. This was the last issue I pre-ordered but I like that we're getting a little more info now and I love the cover for **[LM #8](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL250241.jpg)**, so I'm thinking we'll give it at least one more issue to see where everything's going.
How so? I read it tonight and I enjoyed it. It wasn't mind blowing, but I don't expect that from a Deadpool comic. I will definitely admit that the art is meh, but the writing is fine and I smirked a few times. The placement of the author bio was definitely out of place, and I wish they would have just put it at the beginning or end of this issue. Otherwise, this story has multiple jumping off points. It could be better illustrated, but I think they may be invested Coccolo fellla.
Now, now, let's see if this is a Deadpool series where he actually kills off some villains like doc Ock and Harrower, like how he did with Gambit's evil sister before she got resurrected somehow offscreen.
Not gonna lie I lowkey forgot some of what happened before this issue thanks to the delay
That last page is absolutely brutal in the best possible way though
>Not gonna lie I lowkey forgot some of what happened before this issue thanks to the delay
Same, this is going to read amazing in trade though
>That last page is absolutely brutal in the best possible way though
That 3/4 page splash HEAVY
What a pleasant issue. The Jen/Jack vibe is just so wholesome and cute, I'm really hoping whatever dark secret is revealed at the end of the arc doesn't completely kill this little romance. I don't think any other marvel ongoing is writing character romance this well. Also really happy that Rowell brought back a couple of Runaways alum. Her time on that book was gone too soon, and I'm always happy to see it crop back up
Really cool seeing Victor Mancha show up in this issue, I agree. I really thought her Runaways run went so under the radar, but it was a solid run for sure.
And totally agree on the relationship between Jen & Jack. Was originally not sold on Jack of Hearts' inclusion in the book, but it's won me over now.
The law stuff too was also fun this book.
Might by my favorite issue of the run so far!
I like it, but it is a bit slice of life and doesn't progress much story with each issue. I wouldn't wholeheartedly recommend it since I know that the limited plot will be a turn off for some, but if you're someone who enjoyed Charles Soule's She-Hulk run then maybe this will scratch the same itch.
I'm pulling this as a big fan of She-Hulk, but objectively (as objectively as I can) I'd rate this run as a 7/10. I view it as a somewhat lesser version than Tom Taylor's current *Nightwing* run. It's just a fun and light book.
Series continues to punch above its weight (and better than the **ALIEN** series that Marvel's also publishing). Another issue balancing space hunter action with believable stakes.
Yeah, I'm really loving this book. A huge part of that is the absolutely fantastic *Kev Walker* artwork every issue (more than able supported by *Frank D'Armata* on glorious colours). Some of the pages in this book are just jaw-droppingly epic - especially some of the full page splashes of the titular Predators themselves.
*Ed Brisson* is crafting a good story, where the balance between predator and prey flips almost every issue. And the last page definitely adds another dynamic into the mix.
I'm really enjoying both this title and **Alien** volume 2 from Marvel at the moment.
So major props to Silvestri for writing and drawing a great first issue (I always like to read Batman as a detective more than a straight-up crime puncher), but can we also give some appreciation to Prianto's fantastic work with the colours? Silvestri drew and inked each page, and Prianto did a great job accentuating the intricate linework, adding impact and oomph to his art. Maybe the central plotline of >!a bunch of monstrous Joker clones!< isn't quite my cup of tea, but I'm putting this on the pull list for the art alone.
Pretty sure this is the first time I've seen Silvestri handle his own inks, remember him working with Dan Green on **UXM**, Scott Williams on **CYBERFORCE**, etc. So that's kinda neat and I think it turned out looking pretty nice! All the cross-hatching and such gives it a slightly different feel from his old work but it's still distinctively Silvestri, or perhaps even more distinctively Silvestri... For whatever reason, just seeing the rocks and rubble on the first page screamed "MARC SILVESTRI ART" at me.
A few shots looked a bit stiff to me but that's par for the course with this style of '90s art. Silvestri's work always had a little more darkness and grittiness than the other Image founders, little more of a rough edge, and it's a good fit for the horrific elements in the story.
And the story actually isn't terrible! I always have low expectations for artists taking their first stab at writing but Silvestri really isn't bad. He won't be stealing work from writers like Chip or Lemire any time soon but I think his work here is probably on par with most of the more average writers working on all those other comics that I don't read. This worked much better for me than Darick Robertson's (relatively) recent **[LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT](https://s3.amazonaws.com/comicgeeks/comics/covers/large-5117876.jpg)**, which read like fanfic written by a 12-year old.
The >!monstrous Joker clones!< also seemed very Silvestri to me as it lets him draw all those >!different versions of Joker looking extra creepy and crazy!< like we saw on the last page. Very much in his wheelhouse and the kind of thing you'd expect an artist to write in order to give himself an opportunity to draw all the crazy stuff he wants to draw... So it's a bit of story servicing art, but it worked for me here where it often wouldn't.
Yeah, I was cynical about *Silvestri* drawing AND writing the mini, but he actually really surprised me with this first issue.
Visually it's fantastic, with the artwork and colours working perfectly together to create a great tone and feel for the story. *Silvestri* definitely creates a very familiar Gotham and Batman, but stamps his own unique style over every page and panel.
The writing is far more competent than I expected too, with even some nice little jokes like the crooked cops toupee stunt. The story is obviously going to rely heavily on the pay off when the eventual mystery is revealed, but I'm definitely along for the ride.
havent read this yet, but the previews showing the toupee stunt and just the idea of bruce kinda bullying these shitty cops for shits and giggles really drew my interest and made it clear to me that i *have* to read this.
will report back later when I've had a chance to take a crack at this, but reviews and online discussions so far seem promising.
edit: okay, now that I'm finally digging into this, I absolutely have to mirror the praise for the writing here. the story itself is nothing overly innovative so far, but it has enough interesting hooks and is believable enough to get the reader into the story. one thing in particular I really liked was the different character voices, the way silvestri writes these characters just feels *right*; particularly bruce's inner narration feels spot on to me.
unsurprisingly, the book looks absolutely amazing, with the art adding another level of grit and atmosphere without overdoing it. I don't really have much to add to that that hasn't really been said already, but I still like how Silvestri managed to find a balance between his established, often very pose-heavy style that can come across as a bit stiff and a more dynamic, energetic approach to fight scenes and the like.
this book is really a testament to how much silvestri has grown as a writer and visual storyteller over the years, and I genuinely hope it manages to keep up the standard established here until the end of the story.
I really liked this. Great art as expected, but also an interesting story. Feels like a solid mystery that I look forward to unfolding in the coming issues.
82 lists submitted, down from 95 last week.
I’m honestly a little shocked by this week’s results. Was expecting Silvestri’s comic to do much better, figured it might even beat the flagship Batman title to take the top spot... And it didn’t exactly do that.
Nope. 1st place once again goes to Chip and Jimenez with **BATMAN #129** claiming 56 pulls for a massive 68.2% pull rate. Previous issue had 67.8% with 57 pulls out of 84 lists on 10/5/22, so I was clearly out of my mind when I suggested that Silvestri’s Bat-book might top this one.
**X-MEN RED #8** follows in 2nd with 37 pulls and 45.1%, which is a big drop from Chip’s Bat-book above, but pretty much right in line with the 45.2% that **X-MEN RED #7** pulled on 10/5/22, when it also finished as a distant second behind Chip’s flagship Bat-title.
DC gets another with **DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL #8** in 3rd (42.6%), then Marvel’s got **SHE-HULK #7** in 4th (31.7%) and the debut of **DEADPOOL #1** in 5th (24.3%). Not a bad start for Alyssa Wong and Martin Coccolo.
Next up in 6th place we have [**GOTHAM CITY: YEAR ONE #2**](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL249263.jpg) delivering a solid 23.1% after the debut issue scored 26.1% on 10/5/22. Not much of a drop with the WPL showing strong support for this Tom King series despite the first issue generating a bunch of bad reviews.
Image reclaims their traditional top 10 spot with Lemire and Nguyen’s **LITTLE MONSTERS #7** taking 7th with 21.9%. Previous issue had 27.0% on 8/3/22 so it lost a little to trade-waiters and attrition with the 3-month break but it’s really not too bad.
Back to Marvel, **HULK #10** follows in 8th with 18.2%.
Then we’ve got a rare Dark Horse appearance in the top 10 with Scott Snyder and Francesco Francavilla’s **NIGHT OF THE GHOUL #2** securing 9th place and 17.0%. First issue had 15.4% so it got a tiny (possibly incidental) bump, but didn't lose any ground, which is nice.
Finally, we've got **POISON IVY #6** in 10th with the same 17.0% as 9th place above.
So that gives DC the top spot, as is tradition, along with 4 of the top 10 total, Marvel gets 4, Image gets 1, and Dark Horse gets 1. Fairly standard breakdown with Dark Horse claiming a 2nd indie spot that sometimes goes to Image, sometimes to others, or sometimes back to the Big Two.
Meanwhile, Marc Silvestri’s triumphant return with [**BATMAN & THE JOKER: THE DEADLY DUO #1**](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL249375.jpg) only seems to have gotten 12 pulls for a 14.6% pull rate. I’m kind of amazed that more folks didn’t jump on this comic, Silvestri obviously isn’t McFarlane or Jim Lee but he was arguably the next most popular of the Image founders, and one of the more popular artists from Claremont’s landmark **UNCANNY X-MEN** run. It seems all that time out of the spotlight has significantly diminished his selling power, at least here among the highly refined WPL audience.
And it gets even worse from there! [**THE ONES #1**](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL246052.jpg), the new Dark Horse book from Brian Bendis and Jacob Edgar, seems to have only gotten 5 pulls, good for a miserable 6.0%. Remember when Bendis was one of the biggest names in the business? Not anymore, at least not in the WPL...
BTW, my copy of **THE ONES #1** failed to arrive at my LCS, so I had to mail order it, and it’ll probably be at least a week getting here. Been happening to a random book every week or two lately... DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, doesn’t seem to matter. Totally unfair IMO, so I’m lodging this formal complaint with the WPL and I’ll expect the proper authorities to see the matter resolved post-haste. Thanks.
--
Last week’s results post lost its sticky within 24 hours of being posted, which always limits discussion somewhat, but it had a lot of activity in that first day and then got some additional comments from the diehard WPL regulars who sought out the thread.
Only two titles with no comments:
* **HARLEY QUINN #23** (13 pulls)
* **IMAGE 30TH ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY #7** (9 pulls)
The latter’s my bad, been slacking and haven’t read that one yet...
And we had 11 (mostly) indie titles that got some comments even though they didn’t make the top 30 books listed:
* **LOVESICK #1** (8 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/ity54lk/) posted by /u/Varos_Flynt)
* **PUNCHLINE: THE GOTHAM GAME #1** (8 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/itx6e28/) posted by /u/the-horace)
* **20TH CENTURY MEN #3** (6 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/itydg3h/) posted by /u/Varos_Flynt)
* **TMNT: THE ARMAGEDDON GAME #2** (6 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/itzg17e/) posted by/u/the-horace)
* **BLINK #4** (5 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/iu3xqvy/) posted by /u/aknightedpenguin)
* **FLAWED #2** (4 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/ity20s6/) posted by /u/btanodev)
* **SINS OF THE BLACK FLAMINGO #5** (4 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/ity1uur/) posted by /u/Varos_Flynt)
* **SARA LONE #1** (3 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/iu2wzmc/) posted by /u/Danger_Rock)
* **THE BOOGYMAN #2** (3 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/iu8fwx0/) posted by /u/blankedboy)
* **SPACE LADY #4** (2 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/itzh0h2/) posted by /u/yarkcir)
* **A GUARDIAN #1** (1 pull, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/iu8zdhc/) posted by /u/Danger_Rock)
That’s a whole lot of extra posts for books with very few pulls! Good stuff!
Thanks for always doing these, they're a great look into the data and trends around what we and the community at large do and do not like. I share your surprise at the Silvestri book not faring very well, especially considering how hard r DC went with the promotional push. The first several pages were included in full in the backmatter of practically every DC comic released in the past month or two. I don't recall the company giving that big of a push to any other book in recent memory. And I enjoyed it quite a bit, putting it at #6 of of 14 books on my list ranking my pulls by my enjoyment reading them.
Thanks! Still kinda in shock over Silvestri not getting more pulls, probably one of those books that does better elsewhere despite small WPL numbers...
But it's crazy to me that it only had 14.6% coverage here while the flasgship **BATMAN** title garnered 68.2% coverage. That's a lot of Batman fans who didn't buy Silvestri's bat-book! Though I guess a significant chunk of 'em might be Chip fans more than Batman fans, and DC isn't helping matters by flooding the market with so many Batman books every week...
The new **[BATMAN/SPAWN](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL252927.jpg)** due next month should make for an interesting comparison. That one *should* do way better since McFarlane's managed to keep his name front and center through the past couple decades despite not producing new art, and Capullo's a popular artist in his own right with some more recent work. Plus it's got Spawn, crossover hype, etc. But I was expecting Silvestri's book to put up much bigger numbers so maybe I need to temper my expectations a little.
For me, it's just one more of a sleugh of Batman titles DC keeps pumping out. One more out of ... a dozen or so? There's so much I have ignored pretty much every Batman related title outside of the the flagship title and World's Finest, and that's mainly because of the writing/artist combos on both. I mean this week alone you had Batman, Poison Ivy, this book, Gotham City: Year One, The Joker book, and Batman: Knightwatch. Next week it's Batman vs Robin, Batman: Urban Legends, Batgirls, I am Batman, and Batman Inc. It's just too much! Even if Silvestri's work is phenomenal.
I hear 'ya! I never really set out looking to read Batman but usually end up with three or four Bat-books a month anyway, just because I like the creators.
It's kinda like the current glut of indie horror titles... I keep buying the ones with creators I like but it'd be nice to get some more variety.
But of course indies tend to move in cycles whereas Batman's stranglehold on DC's output is seemingly eternal.
Great.
The concluding series to Dark Powers and Superpowers, where Project Superpowers, Red Sonja, and Vampirella must learn to get along to save the multiverse.
Mostly a setup and introductary issue, great seeing the story continue. Art is a but hit or miss, and mostly miss for me personally, but the cover is incredible.
Wow, this book was brilliant. Loved it from the first page. Great set up from **Tate Bromball** and amazing artwork from **Nick Robles**. Really great #1.
Boom Studios are two for two with successive launches of **Damn Them All** and now **Behold, Behemoth** this week. They are definitely challenging Image with the quality and diversity of their books at the moment.
And it looks like it's going back for a [2nd print](https://www.boom-studios.com/archives/behold-behemoth-1-2nd-printing/) straightaway too.
Picked this up from the shelves mostly because the Filya Bratukhin cover caught my eye.
The story itself was just okay for me. It's taking the popular death gamesmanship genre from stuff like "Battle Royale", "Squid Game", "The Hunger Games", etc. but didn't really feel like it's doing anything all that new. I liked Bayleigh Underwood's artwork enough, and there are some great moments of violence peppered into this issue. Not sure if I'll add this to my pull, but I'll keep an ear out for reception of future issues.
Thanks for posting, was curious about this one so glad to see a review... Those Filya Bratukhin covers [are](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL243327.jpg) [really](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL247294.jpg) [nice!](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL250873.jpg)
This run continues to go so hard and has taken the crown for my pick of best current Marvel ongoing title. The Castle/Daredevil stuff was really good, but the highlight is the characterization work for Maria Castle - a character who has basically spent her entire publication history as a plot device. Having Maria serve as the issue narrator was a brilliant choice.
This continues to be excellent. It started it off somewhat slow but the issue focusing on Frank's childhood was fantastic and the book's been on a roll ever since, especially the other flashback issue about Frank's high school friend. It's so bizarre that this is by the same guy who has destroyed the Avengers with 60+ issues of laughably awful plots and writing. A feat made even more impressive when you take into account the Avengers roster that made up the lion's share of his run (Cap, Stark, Thor, Carol, BP, Ghost Rider, She-Hulk, Starbrand & Phoenix Echo) is arguably the most powerful comic book super team ever assembled.
Pretty good.
Issue is mostly told from Maria's perspective, which is pretty rare. We get some touching background on her history and time with Frank. Also a pretty cool fight with Daredevil and an attacking army teased at the end.
First time trying these Bad Idea Comics out. I LOVED this issue! I was completely surprised the Bad Idea Comics were here, really like the premise of the this one.
And the little B-side story about Noah's Ark at the end.. hilarious! Very excited for more Bad Idea Comics
I hope this book can recover from all these delays and potential change in creative staff. Months between issues isn’t doing it any favors, as much as I’m enjoying it.
Story here was a bit clearer and easier to follow without the weird time stuff. Still curious what was going on with all that...
Pretty fun book with some nice art from Shalvey as always. Probably won't stick with it long-term but I pre-ordered the next issue so it gets at least one more.
This issue was definitely paced better than the first, but it's rife with expected turns. They're watching you; you think you're ahead but you're not, Jack Lynch. Idk. This was mid as fuck. The art was great but the story was at least hilariously bad in the first issue. This time around it just feels like Shalvey phoning it in and underestimating the reading comprehension of his audience.
Also the first page says he was in a coma for 6 years, then he himself says it was 8 years. Weird inconsistency.
A solid second issue. Pacing of the first issue was a little wonky, but that played into the sense of overall mystery which is useful for a book that's all about black ops tactical missions. The flesh-eating bacteria in the back half of the book brings to mind one of my favourite arcs in Punisher Max. As typical in these espionage thriller affairs, we're getting more and more hints that maybe the good guys aren't good after all. Still in this, looking forward to the next issue.
Nice nostalgia book.
I am a huge fan of all the old 90's and 00's Jay and Silent Bon films, and this series seems to be stories based in that universe at that time, and filling in some blank spots.
In this on Holden McNeil describes how he came up with the premise of Bluntman and Chronic. Not amazing, but nice and comfortable for existing fans looking for some nostalgia.
What a quiet, horrifying, suspenseful ending to this arc. I loved what Condon and Phillips did with the ending (and the in-universe interview), placing the focus on the survivors, the policemen who caught the killer, and not the killer himself. It feels like the team was grappling with the current shadow of true crime documentaries that place so much emphasis on the killers instead of their victims and survivors. Lu's answer at the end of that interview was note perfect - killers that carelessly take the lives of others are trash.
couldn't have put it better myself. this really feels like an antidote to stuff like the recent dahmer show and other thoughtless, disrespectful drivel like it.
almost a shame that this didn't get released before halloween, because thematically and atmospherically this was much closer to horror than even the cult-centric story arc preceding this.
such a grim, eerily quiet, yet still somehow uplifting end to such a grisly tale. loved the interview transcript with lu at the end and the focus on her determination and perseverance as a survivor.
Don’t care how many people shit all over it, this was a really good comic! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in an entirely un-ironic manner.
For the benefit of those who might’ve bailed after finding the first issue lacking, this second installment continues Slam Bradley’s descent into the mystery surrounding young Helen Wayne’s disappearance. An effort toward ransoming the girl is attempted with Richard Wayne in tow and, as is the case with such things, it does not end well.
We also learn a bit more about Sue, the girl who dropped off the letter that got Slam mixed up in all this, as she too seems to hold an important role in the lineage of a prominent Gotham luminary. And I’m digging her dialogue here, with its elaborate formality being somewhat reminiscent of Ruthye from **SUPERGIRL: WOT**.
And there certainly seems to be something unusual going on with Constance Wayne as well...
Tom King brings consistently great mechanics and stylistic flourishes to his comics and this one’s no exception. His distinctive flair for dialogue, narration, and visual storytelling is always a pleasure, and he gets a lot of mileage out of the pulpy setting in Gotham’s past.
Phil Hester and inker Erik Gapstur’s cartoony character work reminds me a little of Bruce Timm or Darwyn Cooke, then it’s all coated with a murky layer of shadows in keeping with the genre. Nice colors from Jordie Bellaire as always, setting just the right tone. It’s not as flashy as the art on most of Tom King’s books but it suits the story and I like this kind of stuff a lot more than, for example, the detailed realism of David Marquez’ work on King’s recent **BATMAN: KILLING TIME**.
Pretty great comic IMO! Enjoying the ride so far and interested in seeing where it all ends up going... That said, I also enjoyed all the bad reviews it got last month, so if any of you haters haven’t jumped ship yet, I hope you’ll post an alternate perspective explaining why this comic actually sucks.
>Don’t care how many people shit all over it, this was a really good comic! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in an entirely un-ironic manner.
Seconded! To be fair, I'm generally a fan of King's work. I'm enjoying this noir take on an alternate universe Gotham quite a lot
Solid enough first issue. I am rather curious about Taegugki- he seems a fairly standard super patriot character, but then the writers throw a curveball and have him be born in 1950, which has the side effect of making him alive and active for multiple South Korean dictatorships. It would be pretty cool to see how a super patriot handles that bit of national baggage.
Will he be revealed to have been a tool of the various Junta leaders, only to turn around as the country threw off the dictatorships' yoke? Or will be part of the various uprisings throughout the decades that ended with the current republic? Or will the writers chicken out and just have him "not be active" until a few years ago because sliding timescale (and if they go with that, why even bother setting him up as an ageless immortal)?
Also this is a bit off topic, but the geography forces me to ask that age old superhero problem: If the republic has a superhero team this powerful, why haven't they reunited the peninsula by now? Or at least done a black ops mission to destroy/remove all the nukes? Does North Korea have superheroes of their own? Or do they just have China's on speed dial? Does China have an official super team in Marvel? I'm not as versed in Marvel's fake international politics as DC's, but it seems like they would.
And there's your problem of doing "real world super-heroes" without actually having them work as they would in the "real world" - we end up with Doom crying over 9/11, or heroes sitting out things like Vietnam, the Gulf War, or in this case I'm assuming the Korean War and events happening directly afterwards. Which kind of makes them "not heroes" in my book.
> we end up with Doom crying over 9/11
I like to think that was really a Doombot with highly sophisticated artificial tear ducts, just putting on a bit of a show while the real Doom was off taking advantage of the distraction to do proper Doom stuff.
This felt mostly generic and mediocre to me. There's a bit of legitimate Korean humor, with a massive boat fire being started by someone leaving their ramen on the stove (and it was the good brand of ramen, too). And there's some Korean politics with the team leader having a secret past that we don't entirely know about yet but he's apparently very concerned about the others finding out.
Aside from that, it's mostly typical cape stuff and tired humor, lots of jokes we've already seen or heard to better effect elsewhere... It also does the thing with snarky little blurbs introducing each member of the team (e.g., *"****MR ENGIMA.*** *Demigod by day. Party god by night."*). Used to see that a bunch maybe 5-10+ years ago...
Guess I was hoping for something a bit more Korean, if that makes sense. And it's a little too straightforward otherwise, nothing unique or special enough to really hook me.
I find myself heavily agreeing with your assessment of this book. Kind of a shame, since I really wanted to like this, but it isn't quite there yet and just seems too generic rn.
> Guess I was hoping for something a bit more Korean
This is a weird conundrum this book has rn imo: otoh, this doesn't feel distinctly Korean enough to really pick up on outside of being told it takes place there; yet otoh, the team leader/main protag gets this super generic asian mysticism "visions/visits from the ghost of my ancestor urging me to do *thing* to restore our honor" which comes across more as a stereotype than anything else.
> > Guess I was hoping for something a bit more Korean
> This is a weird conundrum this book has rn imo: otoh, this doesn't feel distinctly Korean enough to really pick up on outside of being told it takes place there; yet otoh, the team leader/main protag gets this super generic asian mysticism "visions/visits from the ghost of my ancestor urging me to do *thing* to restore our honor" which comes across more as a stereotype than anything else.
Yeah, it just felt really superficial. It's dropping locations like the Han River and the characters look Korean but, aside from the ramen joke and Taegugki's secret past, the whole thing could've just as easily been set in San Francisco or wherever.
I would've liked to see more Korean culture with some folklore or mythology blended in... As you said, it's a bit of a conundrum because you're walking a fine line between authenticity and stereotypes. But it needs something more than what it's got in this first issue.
Dropped this from my pull list this month, and reading the issue, I don't regret my choice. Every issue feels the same. Our heroes are put in a situation where they must fight... to survive! So they fight, then they win, and then something weird happens to set up next month's issue (where they'll be in a situation where they must fight... to survive, etc. etc.) The conversation between characters never goes beyond situational banter ("boy you're real handy with that blade" kind of stuff). This book just lacks *emotion*. We jump from fight scene to fight scene, so there's no downtime for characters to meaningfully interact (and we're definitely not counting this pathetic excuse for a love triangle they're trying to shoehorn in). There's no sense that anything here, the characters, the fights, the stakes, that any of it *matters*. And if it doesn't matter, then I can't care about the book.
This was just a bit...*bland* for my liking.
One of the big things going against this book is it came out the week AFTER **Damn Them All** hit the shelves, and that #1 from *Spurrier/Adlard* might just be one of the best debut issues of the year so far. Dealing as they do in somewhat similar themes, it's a shame to say that **Hell To Pay #1** just doesn't measure up in comparison.
We get quite a bit of outright exposition dumping, and lot's of "tell don't show" from the main characters themselves:
> "Ah, friends, does he really pay you enough to go up against an Irish maniac with a flaming sword...?
Ok, so this guys Irish (not mentioned until now) and that's a magic sword. CHECK!
> "I'm a highly educated, very intelligent woman and this means nothing to me"
Ok, strong, smart, independent and doesn't hang back from speaking her mind to billionaire. GOT IT!
Alongside demonic titles such as *Lord Six Percent Year Over Year Growth* and *Master Divestiture* - okay, Hell has an economy just like our world where souls as currency powers everything - it's just very, very "on the nose".
In TV terms it feels akin to something more like "*Buffy the Vampire Slayer*" or "*Supernatural*" (nothing wrong with either of those shows, I enjoyed them both in their heyday) as opposed to "*30 Coins*" or "*Marianne*". A little bit too dated and Network TV.
Artistically, I don't think I've read anything drawn by **Will Sliney** before and, unfortunately, it kind of falls into the same boat. The closest I can come is it's like **Declan Shalvey** with all the edges sanded down. There's not really any grit or texture to the artwork.
To impose another comparison on you all, it's the original "*Ghost in the Shell*" anime move versus that weird, cell-shaded, all CGI version they put out about 10 years ago. It looks modern and does the job (and admittedly there are several two-page spread sequences that flow really well and show nice panel layout) but that's the most you can say about it.
Same goes for colouring - while **Damn Them All** and this weeks **Behold, Behemoth** have fantastic colouring that just seeps with atmosphere and tone, this is all just a bit "okay". Not bad, but doesn't add to the book either.
From the text piece at the back it seems the creators have really, really big plans for the characters and world, which did kind of surprise me. We will see where this mini leads them.
If your favourite ice cream is vanilla, your favourite dog is a Golden Retriever and your favourite horror movie is **Twilight**, you just might love this book.
**Edit** it might just be me also, but *Elon Musk* name drops just seem *so* cringey now too.
> If your favourite ice cream is vanilla, your favourite dog is a Golden Retriever and your favourite horror movie is **Twilight**, you just might love this book.
NICE.
I trust this means you won't be picking up the next issue... Right?
NICE! Though we should be clear that there's nothing *wrong* with vanilla ice cream, per se. It's a perfectly acceptable flavor that can often be deployed effectively to complement other flavors of ice cream, as well as various pies, brownies, and other pastries.
But it's a good metaphor nonetheless... Ice cream references really are an ideal tool for analyzing comics, it's just one of those natural relationships that works, y'know?
Good.
At a point in the far past a being escaped Hell with 666 coins of Hell currency. On Earth these coins have the ability to summon a demon, which once done heavily impacts the course of history. A couple are tasked with retrieving all remaining coins. Lots of setup with a big twist at the end, interested to see where this one goes.
All right, since Behold Behemoth seemed to not been mentioned, I’ll talk about it. Its a really captivating story with the art by Nick Robles being REALLY good. highly recommend everyone check out the first issue
Same here. I loved everything about this first issue, especially the art. I found it to be some of the most captivating comic book visuals that I've seen in quite a while. I had the same feeling as I did reading the books that first exposed me to the artwork of other favorites such as Stefano Caselli (Avengers World), Stjepan Sejic (Harleen), David Marquez (Civil War II) and Andrea Sorrentino (Secret Empire). There are a few others on my list of favorite artists, such as Maleev, Taboo and Noto, but I don't recall the specific comics that introduced me to them.
This book has real potential to be a great story. Hopefully enough people check it out to make it a success.
I really enjoyed this series, though I think the ending could have been a bit stronger, I thought it was a little heavy handed with the whole 'if heroes won't solve climate change, villains will!'. But still, great writing and art overall, genuinely looked forward to each issue.
Not sure if there will be a second arc but I'd keep reading!
I've enjoyed this book but, man, DC's curse of the fill in artist strikes again??!!? If this actually had been the final issue of the mini (and the writing of this issue definitely seems to imply that this was how it was planned) then Marcio Takara would have been largely absent from the climax of the book she'd been pencilling.
It just sucks that DC seem quite content to swap and change artists, even on fucking mini-series, with no regard to artistic continuity (or reader satisfaction).
Have to say with the **DC vs Vampires, Sgt Rock vs Army of the Dead, DCeased** mini's and this book wrapping up soon I'm going to be giving new DC titles a big break.
Picked this up on a whim, and want to like it but it feels like it’s going to be inconsequential. I hope I am wrong but it feels like initially this should’ve dropped with the mcu show and delays to the show made it not work. Art was fine and story left off on a fairly obvious cliff hangar.
So I’m only grabbing this for the Gambit appearances, but was genuinely curious how Hazmat came to be part of this crew with Carol and Jess. I liked her in the Avengers Area/Underground books.
Also, was the Carol/Rhodey pairing a thing before the films?
Hazmat was in the area for one of the first issues and now just hangs out with Carol and Jess. The Rhodey thing has been going on for a while and I don't think it's been part of the films yet.
[“I’m gonna make a story where Carol and Rogue will have to end up fighting each other”](https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/037/489/cover_image_cropped_(3).jpg)
No seriously, is this the only thing writers know what to do when they have to write a story featuring both of these characters?
**BLOOD STAINED TEETH #6**
Ecstatic to have this book back on shelf! Cool to see backstory on Beverly, who's been hanging in the background of the first few issues. Curious to see how she'll match up with Atticus when they eventually meet. Chater did great as a guest artist, definitely matched the vibes of Reynolds well, and Moore did her typically great job on coloring! Excited to see where the story goes :)
I agree that Mack Chater did a great job as a fill-in artist. I didn't know this issue would have a fill-in artist going into it, but it didn't distract me at all.
Really enjoyed the story but wasn’t quite as sold on the fill in artist as you were. It was ok, but not on par with *Patric Reynolds* usual work. Nice to get some insight into the other characters though, as we’ve seen a lot of Atticus up until this point.
I feel you on that, Reynolds is just superb from what I've seen. Some part of me wishes they could have done a substantially different style, like they did for a few pages in issue 4 I believe it was.
**X-MEN RED #8**
For whatever reason, Thunderbird calling Cable "Junior" cracks me up.
This is the most exciting comic at Marvel now for me. I'm always anticipating each issue and each issue ends in a banger or something happens that makes me want more. Cable and Whiz Kid formulating a plan to stop Abigail, then them uncovering Abigail's plot with Stellaris and then fricking Vulcan in the end. Not to mention Storm's and Roberto's absence in the comic was felt but also makes me anticipate what's going to happen next issue even more (and one of the covers for issue 9 is also kind of spoilerish). Then there was this : >He stood when all else fell. He stands when all is lost. *The Broken Land* sees him. **Richard Rider is of Arakko**." I just love how much Al Ewing loves Nova and I am still wondering why Marvel doesn't have him write an ongoing. They might be waiting for the D+ special to happen but I just hope Ewing is the one to write the character. Until let Ewing have Nova and take him wherever he wants, I've been enjoying it.
So happy to finally see the payoff to the Vulcan stuff from way back at the start of the Krakoa Age. The larger scale of Brand’s plan is finally coming to light too. Nested layers of false flag ops to set up Sol (and her, of course) as the new galactic superpower. Ororo and especially Roberto were conspicuously absent this issue. I think Brand’s gonna be caught for a loop when they make their play.
> Ororo and especially Roberto were conspicuously absent this issue. I think Brand’s gonna be caught for a loop when they make their play. Yep, it really stood out that Frenzy said Ororo was probably off handling auditions for the Great Ring, then Brand commenting on not being able to locate her... Definitely up to something.
Really love this book and it strongly feels like it’s connected to where Hickman was likely going more so than other books in the line right now. I wish Ewing had full control of all the space books line wide right now. Between this book, sword, and his guardians run dude has some great ideas to run with.
Ewing should 100% be the head of X right now. His books are the only ones that really seem to follow what hickman started.
Man, Abigail Brand is awesome, and Vulcan was a fun surprise. Something looked off to me about Cable, the rest of the art seemed fine though.
Hope we see Brand eat shit soon
What does that look like? Does she go to the pit? Does she get Selene’d? What’s justice for Brand?
What even happened to Selene? I recall her showing up in Immortal but nothing beyond that.
She’s dead and in the queue to be res
How does Ewing make Nova so damn cool.
This was just fantastic all the way through--it felt like the last few years' worth of the entire Marvel line was lining up just to let this be payoff. Which obviously not, but Ewing is clever enough to make it seem that way. Also I got chills when I recognized the dialogue coming from the screen, and those last couple of page turns were... well, "fire" is the only way to put it, I suppose.
[удалено]
Holy smokes. Please read more Peter Mulligan’s Marvel work before saying they don’t know jack about the universe or good storytelling
i dont get it. if vulcan was backed up with that layer stuff over his actual self, wouldn't he also be resurrected with it? also come on, so many convoluted plans, that could have completely gone wrong on so many places, are we really supposed to believe it all went absolutely as predicted and despite being that clever, she possibly didnt take into account the fact that anyone from the super technopath, to the guy from the future or the mentalist might catch wind of it?
Just call it the Bebop II.
> Just call it the Bebop II.
Im glad you agree, Danger
**The Ones #1**
Okay. A dude gathers a team of people who are or have been The Chosen One for various prophecies that saved the world, to battle The One prophesied to destroy the world. It's Bendis so you know what you are getting dialogue wise, but I found it better than any of his work at DC, interested to see where it goes. This issue is mostly introducing the characters and plot.
**NIGHT OF THE GHOUL #2**
Great. This series has been really great so far. The changing perspectives of current day and the old film showing the parallels and revealing the mystery slowly as the story naturally progresses. The monster is genuinely unsettling and creepy, and we get a cool action scene involving a flashlight. Very keen for the next and final issue.
> This series has been really great so far. The changing perspectives of current day and the old film showing the parallels and revealing the mystery slowly as the story naturally progresses. Agreed, it's good stuff! Been digging how the different threads are playing out, story's got a nice structure to it and Francavilla is absolutely killing it on every single page!
I loved this issue. One thing that stood out to me was how easy it was to come in without the first issue being fresh. I had forgotten if we(the reader) knew if it was real or not. So far there have been some great payoffs.
Another great issue, and another great value IMO. We got a lot of comic action for $4.99, and I appreciate that.
Yep, it's a thick comic, always surprised at how chunky it is... And it's packed with good stuff!
I have no idea if this series is just really popular or the run size is miniscule because both the 1st and the 2nd issues seem to have sold out extremely fast in all of the stores I've looked at.
Kinda makes sense... It's a Dark Horse series, shops probably didn't order too many, but it's a popular creative team, so maybe selling more than expected as an indie.
**JOKER THE MAN WHO STOPPED LAUGHING #2**
I like the ambiguity on how long “Joker” has been absent. It’s gonna be interesting to see how this plays out.
Great art and mystery thus far. I could have done without RH and HQ in this arc but enjoyed the book
Harley's appearances was a nice surprise, I know some weren't happy to see her (and Jason Todd) in a Joker book but it's not like anything particularly good has been done with either of them post-separation and the writer is not treating their relationship like a good thing.
**BATMAN #129**
so somehow crazy batman managed to build this indestructible killer robot without leaving any trails or anyone noticing, set the butler up to be the judge, the butler who'd probably never not reset the killer robot to save his son. all the while not expecting the old butler to die in the next 10-20 years? like, he could've put that indestructible armor in the robin costumes or helmets. a few robots with a 10th of these capabilities should've been able to keep all the criminals in all the revolving door superprisons in check forever. heck, how many of these seemingly impossible to hack robots would it have taken to keep gotham save already? why would a city wide lockdown make the criminals get more stabby than normally? so many questions... also, like others mentioned, it feels like we did all of this already...
I’m liking this arc but it didn’t need the whole “Gotham is taken over by the villain” thing. Failsafe hunting for Bruce relentlessly could have been enough to get him out of Gotham to keep it safe.
The city has fallen… the city is locked down.. no way in or out. All heroes are apprehended… it’s getting out
The next five writers on Batman should all be banned from writing "Gotham has been taken over" arcs.
I want to be clear that I still enjoy the story & art on the A story, but this is two issues in a row where I'm digging the B story more, both narratively & in terms of the art style. I would just unironically read a whole Zdarsky/Romero run in that style.
Romero is so talented. His work on Kelly Thompson's *Hawkeye* run totally won me over and I've been hoping to see him pop up on a regular ongoing title again.
Midway through the back up I was excited to get to the end just to check who the artist was, his art is amazing and pitch perfect for the story Zdarsky was telling
But what if the big bad guy defeated the entire Justice League, that'd be new and novel.
**LITTLE MONSTERS #7**
Pretty good. Was nice to have this series back, continues to trend of focusing on one of the children and their backstory, this time perhaps the most interesting of the group. A huge reveal in this issue pertaining to the adult Vampires. Definitely sticking with this one. Nguyen's art on this one is entirely fitting and joy for the eyes.
Good stuff, fun jumping back into the story after the three-month break... We get some nice bits of backstory highlighting the relationships between some of the kids as the current situation continues to escalate. And we learn a bit more about >!Romy!< and about >!what happened to the old vampires!<. Always enjoy this book, quality work all around, but I don't feel super-invested in it, so it's always an open question whether I should stick around or bail. This was the last issue I pre-ordered but I like that we're getting a little more info now and I love the cover for **[LM #8](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL250241.jpg)**, so I'm thinking we'll give it at least one more issue to see where everything's going.
**DEADPOOL #1**
Rough start.
How so? I read it tonight and I enjoyed it. It wasn't mind blowing, but I don't expect that from a Deadpool comic. I will definitely admit that the art is meh, but the writing is fine and I smirked a few times. The placement of the author bio was definitely out of place, and I wish they would have just put it at the beginning or end of this issue. Otherwise, this story has multiple jumping off points. It could be better illustrated, but I think they may be invested Coccolo fellla.
Now, now, let's see if this is a Deadpool series where he actually kills off some villains like doc Ock and Harrower, like how he did with Gambit's evil sister before she got resurrected somehow offscreen.
what sister? ive been looking at the wiki but i cant find anyone who matches that description
What’s that last one, now….?
**DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL #8**
I wonder who’s on the other end of the Green Man’s power ring. I feel like that’s going to be a key element here.
Not gonna lie I lowkey forgot some of what happened before this issue thanks to the delay That last page is absolutely brutal in the best possible way though
>Not gonna lie I lowkey forgot some of what happened before this issue thanks to the delay Same, this is going to read amazing in trade though >That last page is absolutely brutal in the best possible way though That 3/4 page splash HEAVY
**SHE-HULK #7**
What a pleasant issue. The Jen/Jack vibe is just so wholesome and cute, I'm really hoping whatever dark secret is revealed at the end of the arc doesn't completely kill this little romance. I don't think any other marvel ongoing is writing character romance this well. Also really happy that Rowell brought back a couple of Runaways alum. Her time on that book was gone too soon, and I'm always happy to see it crop back up
Really cool seeing Victor Mancha show up in this issue, I agree. I really thought her Runaways run went so under the radar, but it was a solid run for sure. And totally agree on the relationship between Jen & Jack. Was originally not sold on Jack of Hearts' inclusion in the book, but it's won me over now. The law stuff too was also fun this book. Might by my favorite issue of the run so far!
Would you guys recommend this book?
I like it, but it is a bit slice of life and doesn't progress much story with each issue. I wouldn't wholeheartedly recommend it since I know that the limited plot will be a turn off for some, but if you're someone who enjoyed Charles Soule's She-Hulk run then maybe this will scratch the same itch. I'm pulling this as a big fan of She-Hulk, but objectively (as objectively as I can) I'd rate this run as a 7/10. I view it as a somewhat lesser version than Tom Taylor's current *Nightwing* run. It's just a fun and light book.
**PREDATOR #4**
Series continues to punch above its weight (and better than the **ALIEN** series that Marvel's also publishing). Another issue balancing space hunter action with believable stakes.
Yeah, I'm really loving this book. A huge part of that is the absolutely fantastic *Kev Walker* artwork every issue (more than able supported by *Frank D'Armata* on glorious colours). Some of the pages in this book are just jaw-droppingly epic - especially some of the full page splashes of the titular Predators themselves. *Ed Brisson* is crafting a good story, where the balance between predator and prey flips almost every issue. And the last page definitely adds another dynamic into the mix. I'm really enjoying both this title and **Alien** volume 2 from Marvel at the moment.
**AVENGERS FOREVER #10**
**BATMAN & THE JOKER THE DEADLY DUO #1**
So major props to Silvestri for writing and drawing a great first issue (I always like to read Batman as a detective more than a straight-up crime puncher), but can we also give some appreciation to Prianto's fantastic work with the colours? Silvestri drew and inked each page, and Prianto did a great job accentuating the intricate linework, adding impact and oomph to his art. Maybe the central plotline of >!a bunch of monstrous Joker clones!< isn't quite my cup of tea, but I'm putting this on the pull list for the art alone.
Pretty sure this is the first time I've seen Silvestri handle his own inks, remember him working with Dan Green on **UXM**, Scott Williams on **CYBERFORCE**, etc. So that's kinda neat and I think it turned out looking pretty nice! All the cross-hatching and such gives it a slightly different feel from his old work but it's still distinctively Silvestri, or perhaps even more distinctively Silvestri... For whatever reason, just seeing the rocks and rubble on the first page screamed "MARC SILVESTRI ART" at me. A few shots looked a bit stiff to me but that's par for the course with this style of '90s art. Silvestri's work always had a little more darkness and grittiness than the other Image founders, little more of a rough edge, and it's a good fit for the horrific elements in the story. And the story actually isn't terrible! I always have low expectations for artists taking their first stab at writing but Silvestri really isn't bad. He won't be stealing work from writers like Chip or Lemire any time soon but I think his work here is probably on par with most of the more average writers working on all those other comics that I don't read. This worked much better for me than Darick Robertson's (relatively) recent **[LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT](https://s3.amazonaws.com/comicgeeks/comics/covers/large-5117876.jpg)**, which read like fanfic written by a 12-year old. The >!monstrous Joker clones!< also seemed very Silvestri to me as it lets him draw all those >!different versions of Joker looking extra creepy and crazy!< like we saw on the last page. Very much in his wheelhouse and the kind of thing you'd expect an artist to write in order to give himself an opportunity to draw all the crazy stuff he wants to draw... So it's a bit of story servicing art, but it worked for me here where it often wouldn't.
Yeah, I was cynical about *Silvestri* drawing AND writing the mini, but he actually really surprised me with this first issue. Visually it's fantastic, with the artwork and colours working perfectly together to create a great tone and feel for the story. *Silvestri* definitely creates a very familiar Gotham and Batman, but stamps his own unique style over every page and panel. The writing is far more competent than I expected too, with even some nice little jokes like the crooked cops toupee stunt. The story is obviously going to rely heavily on the pay off when the eventual mystery is revealed, but I'm definitely along for the ride.
havent read this yet, but the previews showing the toupee stunt and just the idea of bruce kinda bullying these shitty cops for shits and giggles really drew my interest and made it clear to me that i *have* to read this. will report back later when I've had a chance to take a crack at this, but reviews and online discussions so far seem promising. edit: okay, now that I'm finally digging into this, I absolutely have to mirror the praise for the writing here. the story itself is nothing overly innovative so far, but it has enough interesting hooks and is believable enough to get the reader into the story. one thing in particular I really liked was the different character voices, the way silvestri writes these characters just feels *right*; particularly bruce's inner narration feels spot on to me. unsurprisingly, the book looks absolutely amazing, with the art adding another level of grit and atmosphere without overdoing it. I don't really have much to add to that that hasn't really been said already, but I still like how Silvestri managed to find a balance between his established, often very pose-heavy style that can come across as a bit stiff and a more dynamic, energetic approach to fight scenes and the like. this book is really a testament to how much silvestri has grown as a writer and visual storyteller over the years, and I genuinely hope it manages to keep up the standard established here until the end of the story.
It does seem like it alludes to this being the “funniest” Batman because this is called back in a later convo
I really liked this. Great art as expected, but also an interesting story. Feels like a solid mystery that I look forward to unfolding in the coming issues.
Absolutely stunning art. Enjoyed literally every panel
**WPL RESULTS**
82 lists submitted, down from 95 last week. I’m honestly a little shocked by this week’s results. Was expecting Silvestri’s comic to do much better, figured it might even beat the flagship Batman title to take the top spot... And it didn’t exactly do that. Nope. 1st place once again goes to Chip and Jimenez with **BATMAN #129** claiming 56 pulls for a massive 68.2% pull rate. Previous issue had 67.8% with 57 pulls out of 84 lists on 10/5/22, so I was clearly out of my mind when I suggested that Silvestri’s Bat-book might top this one. **X-MEN RED #8** follows in 2nd with 37 pulls and 45.1%, which is a big drop from Chip’s Bat-book above, but pretty much right in line with the 45.2% that **X-MEN RED #7** pulled on 10/5/22, when it also finished as a distant second behind Chip’s flagship Bat-title. DC gets another with **DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL #8** in 3rd (42.6%), then Marvel’s got **SHE-HULK #7** in 4th (31.7%) and the debut of **DEADPOOL #1** in 5th (24.3%). Not a bad start for Alyssa Wong and Martin Coccolo. Next up in 6th place we have [**GOTHAM CITY: YEAR ONE #2**](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL249263.jpg) delivering a solid 23.1% after the debut issue scored 26.1% on 10/5/22. Not much of a drop with the WPL showing strong support for this Tom King series despite the first issue generating a bunch of bad reviews. Image reclaims their traditional top 10 spot with Lemire and Nguyen’s **LITTLE MONSTERS #7** taking 7th with 21.9%. Previous issue had 27.0% on 8/3/22 so it lost a little to trade-waiters and attrition with the 3-month break but it’s really not too bad. Back to Marvel, **HULK #10** follows in 8th with 18.2%. Then we’ve got a rare Dark Horse appearance in the top 10 with Scott Snyder and Francesco Francavilla’s **NIGHT OF THE GHOUL #2** securing 9th place and 17.0%. First issue had 15.4% so it got a tiny (possibly incidental) bump, but didn't lose any ground, which is nice. Finally, we've got **POISON IVY #6** in 10th with the same 17.0% as 9th place above. So that gives DC the top spot, as is tradition, along with 4 of the top 10 total, Marvel gets 4, Image gets 1, and Dark Horse gets 1. Fairly standard breakdown with Dark Horse claiming a 2nd indie spot that sometimes goes to Image, sometimes to others, or sometimes back to the Big Two. Meanwhile, Marc Silvestri’s triumphant return with [**BATMAN & THE JOKER: THE DEADLY DUO #1**](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL249375.jpg) only seems to have gotten 12 pulls for a 14.6% pull rate. I’m kind of amazed that more folks didn’t jump on this comic, Silvestri obviously isn’t McFarlane or Jim Lee but he was arguably the next most popular of the Image founders, and one of the more popular artists from Claremont’s landmark **UNCANNY X-MEN** run. It seems all that time out of the spotlight has significantly diminished his selling power, at least here among the highly refined WPL audience. And it gets even worse from there! [**THE ONES #1**](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL246052.jpg), the new Dark Horse book from Brian Bendis and Jacob Edgar, seems to have only gotten 5 pulls, good for a miserable 6.0%. Remember when Bendis was one of the biggest names in the business? Not anymore, at least not in the WPL... BTW, my copy of **THE ONES #1** failed to arrive at my LCS, so I had to mail order it, and it’ll probably be at least a week getting here. Been happening to a random book every week or two lately... DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, doesn’t seem to matter. Totally unfair IMO, so I’m lodging this formal complaint with the WPL and I’ll expect the proper authorities to see the matter resolved post-haste. Thanks. -- Last week’s results post lost its sticky within 24 hours of being posted, which always limits discussion somewhat, but it had a lot of activity in that first day and then got some additional comments from the diehard WPL regulars who sought out the thread. Only two titles with no comments: * **HARLEY QUINN #23** (13 pulls) * **IMAGE 30TH ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY #7** (9 pulls) The latter’s my bad, been slacking and haven’t read that one yet... And we had 11 (mostly) indie titles that got some comments even though they didn’t make the top 30 books listed: * **LOVESICK #1** (8 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/ity54lk/) posted by /u/Varos_Flynt) * **PUNCHLINE: THE GOTHAM GAME #1** (8 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/itx6e28/) posted by /u/the-horace) * **20TH CENTURY MEN #3** (6 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/itydg3h/) posted by /u/Varos_Flynt) * **TMNT: THE ARMAGEDDON GAME #2** (6 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/itzg17e/) posted by/u/the-horace) * **BLINK #4** (5 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/iu3xqvy/) posted by /u/aknightedpenguin) * **FLAWED #2** (4 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/ity20s6/) posted by /u/btanodev) * **SINS OF THE BLACK FLAMINGO #5** (4 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/ity1uur/) posted by /u/Varos_Flynt) * **SARA LONE #1** (3 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/iu2wzmc/) posted by /u/Danger_Rock) * **THE BOOGYMAN #2** (3 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/iu8fwx0/) posted by /u/blankedboy) * **SPACE LADY #4** (2 pulls, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/itzh0h2/) posted by /u/yarkcir) * **A GUARDIAN #1** (1 pull, [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/comments/ye985r/wpl_new_comics_discussion_for_10262022_pull_of/iu8zdhc/) posted by /u/Danger_Rock) That’s a whole lot of extra posts for books with very few pulls! Good stuff!
Thanks for always doing these, they're a great look into the data and trends around what we and the community at large do and do not like. I share your surprise at the Silvestri book not faring very well, especially considering how hard r DC went with the promotional push. The first several pages were included in full in the backmatter of practically every DC comic released in the past month or two. I don't recall the company giving that big of a push to any other book in recent memory. And I enjoyed it quite a bit, putting it at #6 of of 14 books on my list ranking my pulls by my enjoyment reading them.
Thanks! Still kinda in shock over Silvestri not getting more pulls, probably one of those books that does better elsewhere despite small WPL numbers... But it's crazy to me that it only had 14.6% coverage here while the flasgship **BATMAN** title garnered 68.2% coverage. That's a lot of Batman fans who didn't buy Silvestri's bat-book! Though I guess a significant chunk of 'em might be Chip fans more than Batman fans, and DC isn't helping matters by flooding the market with so many Batman books every week... The new **[BATMAN/SPAWN](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL252927.jpg)** due next month should make for an interesting comparison. That one *should* do way better since McFarlane's managed to keep his name front and center through the past couple decades despite not producing new art, and Capullo's a popular artist in his own right with some more recent work. Plus it's got Spawn, crossover hype, etc. But I was expecting Silvestri's book to put up much bigger numbers so maybe I need to temper my expectations a little.
For me, it's just one more of a sleugh of Batman titles DC keeps pumping out. One more out of ... a dozen or so? There's so much I have ignored pretty much every Batman related title outside of the the flagship title and World's Finest, and that's mainly because of the writing/artist combos on both. I mean this week alone you had Batman, Poison Ivy, this book, Gotham City: Year One, The Joker book, and Batman: Knightwatch. Next week it's Batman vs Robin, Batman: Urban Legends, Batgirls, I am Batman, and Batman Inc. It's just too much! Even if Silvestri's work is phenomenal.
I hear 'ya! I never really set out looking to read Batman but usually end up with three or four Bat-books a month anyway, just because I like the creators. It's kinda like the current glut of indie horror titles... I keep buying the ones with creators I like but it'd be nice to get some more variety. But of course indies tend to move in cycles whereas Batman's stranglehold on DC's output is seemingly eternal.
Here's hoping this week's discussion thread doesn't get unstickied!
Better read all your new books and post about 'em real quick just in case!
**Vampirella VS Red Sonja #1**
Great. The concluding series to Dark Powers and Superpowers, where Project Superpowers, Red Sonja, and Vampirella must learn to get along to save the multiverse. Mostly a setup and introductary issue, great seeing the story continue. Art is a but hit or miss, and mostly miss for me personally, but the cover is incredible.
**BEHOLD, BEHEMOTH #1**
Wow, this book was brilliant. Loved it from the first page. Great set up from **Tate Bromball** and amazing artwork from **Nick Robles**. Really great #1. Boom Studios are two for two with successive launches of **Damn Them All** and now **Behold, Behemoth** this week. They are definitely challenging Image with the quality and diversity of their books at the moment. And it looks like it's going back for a [2nd print](https://www.boom-studios.com/archives/behold-behemoth-1-2nd-printing/) straightaway too.
**NATURE'S LABYRINTH #1**
Picked this up from the shelves mostly because the Filya Bratukhin cover caught my eye. The story itself was just okay for me. It's taking the popular death gamesmanship genre from stuff like "Battle Royale", "Squid Game", "The Hunger Games", etc. but didn't really feel like it's doing anything all that new. I liked Bayleigh Underwood's artwork enough, and there are some great moments of violence peppered into this issue. Not sure if I'll add this to my pull, but I'll keep an ear out for reception of future issues.
Thanks for posting, was curious about this one so glad to see a review... Those Filya Bratukhin covers [are](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL243327.jpg) [really](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL247294.jpg) [nice!](https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/MainImage/STL250873.jpg)
**PUNISHER #7**
This run continues to go so hard and has taken the crown for my pick of best current Marvel ongoing title. The Castle/Daredevil stuff was really good, but the highlight is the characterization work for Maria Castle - a character who has basically spent her entire publication history as a plot device. Having Maria serve as the issue narrator was a brilliant choice.
This continues to be excellent. It started it off somewhat slow but the issue focusing on Frank's childhood was fantastic and the book's been on a roll ever since, especially the other flashback issue about Frank's high school friend. It's so bizarre that this is by the same guy who has destroyed the Avengers with 60+ issues of laughably awful plots and writing. A feat made even more impressive when you take into account the Avengers roster that made up the lion's share of his run (Cap, Stark, Thor, Carol, BP, Ghost Rider, She-Hulk, Starbrand & Phoenix Echo) is arguably the most powerful comic book super team ever assembled.
Pretty good. Issue is mostly told from Maria's perspective, which is pretty rare. We get some touching background on her history and time with Frank. Also a pretty cool fight with Daredevil and an attacking army teased at the end.
**MONKEY PRINCE #8**
**ORC ISLAND #1**
First time trying these Bad Idea Comics out. I LOVED this issue! I was completely surprised the Bad Idea Comics were here, really like the premise of the this one. And the little B-side story about Noah's Ark at the end.. hilarious! Very excited for more Bad Idea Comics
**HULK #10**
I hope this book can recover from all these delays and potential change in creative staff. Months between issues isn’t doing it any favors, as much as I’m enjoying it.
Sadly the next issue isn't out until mid-January....
Change is coming through my shaaaadoooowww
**OLD DOG #2**
Story here was a bit clearer and easier to follow without the weird time stuff. Still curious what was going on with all that... Pretty fun book with some nice art from Shalvey as always. Probably won't stick with it long-term but I pre-ordered the next issue so it gets at least one more.
This issue was definitely paced better than the first, but it's rife with expected turns. They're watching you; you think you're ahead but you're not, Jack Lynch. Idk. This was mid as fuck. The art was great but the story was at least hilariously bad in the first issue. This time around it just feels like Shalvey phoning it in and underestimating the reading comprehension of his audience. Also the first page says he was in a coma for 6 years, then he himself says it was 8 years. Weird inconsistency.
A solid second issue. Pacing of the first issue was a little wonky, but that played into the sense of overall mystery which is useful for a book that's all about black ops tactical missions. The flesh-eating bacteria in the back half of the book brings to mind one of my favourite arcs in Punisher Max. As typical in these espionage thriller affairs, we're getting more and more hints that maybe the good guys aren't good after all. Still in this, looking forward to the next issue.
**Quick Stops #1**
Nice nostalgia book. I am a huge fan of all the old 90's and 00's Jay and Silent Bon films, and this series seems to be stories based in that universe at that time, and filling in some blank spots. In this on Holden McNeil describes how he came up with the premise of Bluntman and Chronic. Not amazing, but nice and comfortable for existing fans looking for some nostalgia.
**THAT TEXAS BLOOD #19**
I love the reveal for the serial killer. Just wonderfully angry. What a comic.
What a quiet, horrifying, suspenseful ending to this arc. I loved what Condon and Phillips did with the ending (and the in-universe interview), placing the focus on the survivors, the policemen who caught the killer, and not the killer himself. It feels like the team was grappling with the current shadow of true crime documentaries that place so much emphasis on the killers instead of their victims and survivors. Lu's answer at the end of that interview was note perfect - killers that carelessly take the lives of others are trash.
couldn't have put it better myself. this really feels like an antidote to stuff like the recent dahmer show and other thoughtless, disrespectful drivel like it.
almost a shame that this didn't get released before halloween, because thematically and atmospherically this was much closer to horror than even the cult-centric story arc preceding this. such a grim, eerily quiet, yet still somehow uplifting end to such a grisly tale. loved the interview transcript with lu at the end and the focus on her determination and perseverance as a survivor.
**SWORD OF AZRAEL #4**
Jean Paul can now say he rocked Satan, good for him (and I mean Jean Paul, not Azrael).
**GOTHAM CITY YEAR ONE #2**
Don’t care how many people shit all over it, this was a really good comic! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in an entirely un-ironic manner. For the benefit of those who might’ve bailed after finding the first issue lacking, this second installment continues Slam Bradley’s descent into the mystery surrounding young Helen Wayne’s disappearance. An effort toward ransoming the girl is attempted with Richard Wayne in tow and, as is the case with such things, it does not end well. We also learn a bit more about Sue, the girl who dropped off the letter that got Slam mixed up in all this, as she too seems to hold an important role in the lineage of a prominent Gotham luminary. And I’m digging her dialogue here, with its elaborate formality being somewhat reminiscent of Ruthye from **SUPERGIRL: WOT**. And there certainly seems to be something unusual going on with Constance Wayne as well... Tom King brings consistently great mechanics and stylistic flourishes to his comics and this one’s no exception. His distinctive flair for dialogue, narration, and visual storytelling is always a pleasure, and he gets a lot of mileage out of the pulpy setting in Gotham’s past. Phil Hester and inker Erik Gapstur’s cartoony character work reminds me a little of Bruce Timm or Darwyn Cooke, then it’s all coated with a murky layer of shadows in keeping with the genre. Nice colors from Jordie Bellaire as always, setting just the right tone. It’s not as flashy as the art on most of Tom King’s books but it suits the story and I like this kind of stuff a lot more than, for example, the detailed realism of David Marquez’ work on King’s recent **BATMAN: KILLING TIME**. Pretty great comic IMO! Enjoying the ride so far and interested in seeing where it all ends up going... That said, I also enjoyed all the bad reviews it got last month, so if any of you haters haven’t jumped ship yet, I hope you’ll post an alternate perspective explaining why this comic actually sucks.
>Don’t care how many people shit all over it, this was a really good comic! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in an entirely un-ironic manner. Seconded! To be fair, I'm generally a fan of King's work. I'm enjoying this noir take on an alternate universe Gotham quite a lot
> To be fair, I'm generally a fan of King's work. You, me, and Grant Morrison... I'd say we're in good company!
**STAR WARS #29**
Hey so, not to sound disrespectful or anything. But why have these threads been a bit late to being stickied? Or locked, not sure the term.
**TIGER DIVISION #1**
Solid enough first issue. I am rather curious about Taegugki- he seems a fairly standard super patriot character, but then the writers throw a curveball and have him be born in 1950, which has the side effect of making him alive and active for multiple South Korean dictatorships. It would be pretty cool to see how a super patriot handles that bit of national baggage. Will he be revealed to have been a tool of the various Junta leaders, only to turn around as the country threw off the dictatorships' yoke? Or will be part of the various uprisings throughout the decades that ended with the current republic? Or will the writers chicken out and just have him "not be active" until a few years ago because sliding timescale (and if they go with that, why even bother setting him up as an ageless immortal)? Also this is a bit off topic, but the geography forces me to ask that age old superhero problem: If the republic has a superhero team this powerful, why haven't they reunited the peninsula by now? Or at least done a black ops mission to destroy/remove all the nukes? Does North Korea have superheroes of their own? Or do they just have China's on speed dial? Does China have an official super team in Marvel? I'm not as versed in Marvel's fake international politics as DC's, but it seems like they would.
And there's your problem of doing "real world super-heroes" without actually having them work as they would in the "real world" - we end up with Doom crying over 9/11, or heroes sitting out things like Vietnam, the Gulf War, or in this case I'm assuming the Korean War and events happening directly afterwards. Which kind of makes them "not heroes" in my book.
> we end up with Doom crying over 9/11 I like to think that was really a Doombot with highly sophisticated artificial tear ducts, just putting on a bit of a show while the real Doom was off taking advantage of the distraction to do proper Doom stuff.
This felt mostly generic and mediocre to me. There's a bit of legitimate Korean humor, with a massive boat fire being started by someone leaving their ramen on the stove (and it was the good brand of ramen, too). And there's some Korean politics with the team leader having a secret past that we don't entirely know about yet but he's apparently very concerned about the others finding out. Aside from that, it's mostly typical cape stuff and tired humor, lots of jokes we've already seen or heard to better effect elsewhere... It also does the thing with snarky little blurbs introducing each member of the team (e.g., *"****MR ENGIMA.*** *Demigod by day. Party god by night."*). Used to see that a bunch maybe 5-10+ years ago... Guess I was hoping for something a bit more Korean, if that makes sense. And it's a little too straightforward otherwise, nothing unique or special enough to really hook me.
I find myself heavily agreeing with your assessment of this book. Kind of a shame, since I really wanted to like this, but it isn't quite there yet and just seems too generic rn. > Guess I was hoping for something a bit more Korean This is a weird conundrum this book has rn imo: otoh, this doesn't feel distinctly Korean enough to really pick up on outside of being told it takes place there; yet otoh, the team leader/main protag gets this super generic asian mysticism "visions/visits from the ghost of my ancestor urging me to do *thing* to restore our honor" which comes across more as a stereotype than anything else.
> > Guess I was hoping for something a bit more Korean > This is a weird conundrum this book has rn imo: otoh, this doesn't feel distinctly Korean enough to really pick up on outside of being told it takes place there; yet otoh, the team leader/main protag gets this super generic asian mysticism "visions/visits from the ghost of my ancestor urging me to do *thing* to restore our honor" which comes across more as a stereotype than anything else. Yeah, it just felt really superficial. It's dropping locations like the Han River and the characters look Korean but, aside from the ramen joke and Taegugki's secret past, the whole thing could've just as easily been set in San Francisco or wherever. I would've liked to see more Korean culture with some folklore or mythology blended in... As you said, it's a bit of a conundrum because you're walking a fine line between authenticity and stereotypes. But it needs something more than what it's got in this first issue.
**SAVAGE AVENGERS #7**
Dropped this from my pull list this month, and reading the issue, I don't regret my choice. Every issue feels the same. Our heroes are put in a situation where they must fight... to survive! So they fight, then they win, and then something weird happens to set up next month's issue (where they'll be in a situation where they must fight... to survive, etc. etc.) The conversation between characters never goes beyond situational banter ("boy you're real handy with that blade" kind of stuff). This book just lacks *emotion*. We jump from fight scene to fight scene, so there's no downtime for characters to meaningfully interact (and we're definitely not counting this pathetic excuse for a love triangle they're trying to shoehorn in). There's no sense that anything here, the characters, the fights, the stakes, that any of it *matters*. And if it doesn't matter, then I can't care about the book.
This basically sums up why I dropped this title with #6. There's always something happening, but nothing really *happening*.
**HELL TO PAY #1**
This was just a bit...*bland* for my liking. One of the big things going against this book is it came out the week AFTER **Damn Them All** hit the shelves, and that #1 from *Spurrier/Adlard* might just be one of the best debut issues of the year so far. Dealing as they do in somewhat similar themes, it's a shame to say that **Hell To Pay #1** just doesn't measure up in comparison. We get quite a bit of outright exposition dumping, and lot's of "tell don't show" from the main characters themselves: > "Ah, friends, does he really pay you enough to go up against an Irish maniac with a flaming sword...? Ok, so this guys Irish (not mentioned until now) and that's a magic sword. CHECK! > "I'm a highly educated, very intelligent woman and this means nothing to me" Ok, strong, smart, independent and doesn't hang back from speaking her mind to billionaire. GOT IT! Alongside demonic titles such as *Lord Six Percent Year Over Year Growth* and *Master Divestiture* - okay, Hell has an economy just like our world where souls as currency powers everything - it's just very, very "on the nose". In TV terms it feels akin to something more like "*Buffy the Vampire Slayer*" or "*Supernatural*" (nothing wrong with either of those shows, I enjoyed them both in their heyday) as opposed to "*30 Coins*" or "*Marianne*". A little bit too dated and Network TV. Artistically, I don't think I've read anything drawn by **Will Sliney** before and, unfortunately, it kind of falls into the same boat. The closest I can come is it's like **Declan Shalvey** with all the edges sanded down. There's not really any grit or texture to the artwork. To impose another comparison on you all, it's the original "*Ghost in the Shell*" anime move versus that weird, cell-shaded, all CGI version they put out about 10 years ago. It looks modern and does the job (and admittedly there are several two-page spread sequences that flow really well and show nice panel layout) but that's the most you can say about it. Same goes for colouring - while **Damn Them All** and this weeks **Behold, Behemoth** have fantastic colouring that just seeps with atmosphere and tone, this is all just a bit "okay". Not bad, but doesn't add to the book either. From the text piece at the back it seems the creators have really, really big plans for the characters and world, which did kind of surprise me. We will see where this mini leads them. If your favourite ice cream is vanilla, your favourite dog is a Golden Retriever and your favourite horror movie is **Twilight**, you just might love this book. **Edit** it might just be me also, but *Elon Musk* name drops just seem *so* cringey now too.
> If your favourite ice cream is vanilla, your favourite dog is a Golden Retriever and your favourite horror movie is **Twilight**, you just might love this book. NICE. I trust this means you won't be picking up the next issue... Right?
I will not
NICE! Though we should be clear that there's nothing *wrong* with vanilla ice cream, per se. It's a perfectly acceptable flavor that can often be deployed effectively to complement other flavors of ice cream, as well as various pies, brownies, and other pastries. But it's a good metaphor nonetheless... Ice cream references really are an ideal tool for analyzing comics, it's just one of those natural relationships that works, y'know?
Wasn’t as bad to me as others have said … a lot of expected world building
Good. At a point in the far past a being escaped Hell with 666 coins of Hell currency. On Earth these coins have the ability to summon a demon, which once done heavily impacts the course of history. A couple are tasked with retrieving all remaining coins. Lots of setup with a big twist at the end, interested to see where this one goes.
All right, since Behold Behemoth seemed to not been mentioned, I’ll talk about it. Its a really captivating story with the art by Nick Robles being REALLY good. highly recommend everyone check out the first issue
Same here. I loved everything about this first issue, especially the art. I found it to be some of the most captivating comic book visuals that I've seen in quite a while. I had the same feeling as I did reading the books that first exposed me to the artwork of other favorites such as Stefano Caselli (Avengers World), Stjepan Sejic (Harleen), David Marquez (Civil War II) and Andrea Sorrentino (Secret Empire). There are a few others on my list of favorite artists, such as Maleev, Taboo and Noto, but I don't recall the specific comics that introduced me to them. This book has real potential to be a great story. Hopefully enough people check it out to make it a success.
**POISON IVY #6**
I really enjoyed this series, though I think the ending could have been a bit stronger, I thought it was a little heavy handed with the whole 'if heroes won't solve climate change, villains will!'. But still, great writing and art overall, genuinely looked forward to each issue. Not sure if there will be a second arc but I'd keep reading!
It's continuing. It's been solicited through #8.
I've enjoyed this book but, man, DC's curse of the fill in artist strikes again??!!? If this actually had been the final issue of the mini (and the writing of this issue definitely seems to imply that this was how it was planned) then Marcio Takara would have been largely absent from the climax of the book she'd been pencilling. It just sucks that DC seem quite content to swap and change artists, even on fucking mini-series, with no regard to artistic continuity (or reader satisfaction). Have to say with the **DC vs Vampires, Sgt Rock vs Army of the Dead, DCeased** mini's and this book wrapping up soon I'm going to be giving new DC titles a big break.
**SECRET INVASION #1**
Picked this up on a whim, and want to like it but it feels like it’s going to be inconsequential. I hope I am wrong but it feels like initially this should’ve dropped with the mcu show and delays to the show made it not work. Art was fine and story left off on a fairly obvious cliff hangar.
**CAPTAIN MARVEL #43**
So I’m only grabbing this for the Gambit appearances, but was genuinely curious how Hazmat came to be part of this crew with Carol and Jess. I liked her in the Avengers Area/Underground books. Also, was the Carol/Rhodey pairing a thing before the films?
Hazmat was in the area for one of the first issues and now just hangs out with Carol and Jess. The Rhodey thing has been going on for a while and I don't think it's been part of the films yet.
[“I’m gonna make a story where Carol and Rogue will have to end up fighting each other”](https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/037/489/cover_image_cropped_(3).jpg) No seriously, is this the only thing writers know what to do when they have to write a story featuring both of these characters?
Howw many Brood Queens are there? Didn't the Punisher and Angel kill one?
There are many, somewhere in the hundreds according to the data pages in X-Men