Welcome to the Spinner Rack where you can find all our reviews for the week in one handy spot! Plus a few quicky reviews that didn’t get their own posts.
First up is my review of Shutter #2. I had a chance to interview the artist Leila del Duca in advance of this issue, but did I like the second issue?
SHUTTER #2 Review
Next is The Field #2. Frank enjoyed the first issue, but did that carry over to issue #2?
THE FIELD #2 Review
The next book as we continue to spin the rack is Afterlife with Archie #5. This wraps up the first story arc. Was the ride worth it?
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #5 Review
Frank continues his weekly look at Batman Eternal. The reviews have been very positive for this weekly series. Will it change this week?
BATMAN ETERNAL #6 Review
Two weekly Batbooks? You better believe it! Frank tackles one more weekly with the fantastic Batman ’66!
BATMAN 66 #34 Review
There are so many books each week that we can’t do full reviews of them all. The Spinner Rack has lots of room though. We will highlight some books that didn’t get the full review treatment, but also allow you to submit reviews! If you think we missed a book, then submit a short review and we’ll give you some space on the Rack! Just send an e-mail to [email protected] and put “Spinner Rack” in the subject.
The following Spinner Rack quickies are by Troy Lyons:
Tales from the Con #1
Where has this book been all my life? What a special surprise this was. It’s basically presented as a collection of comic strips all dealing with things that we have all seen at Cons. This was just a fun, fun book. I laughed several times as writer Brad Guigar and artist Chris Giarrusso didn’t leave any stone unturned. They make fun of fans, writers, stars, artists, cosplayers, collectors and on and on. Each page brought forth even more laughter as they nail joke after joke at the expense of all of us. It’s great fun and I don’t think you will be sorry for picking it up.
X #13
I slipped into X thanks to a $.99 sale by Dark Horse and haven’t looked back. The last issue left X bloodied, beaten and betrayed. This issue is the start of his payback.
If you thought X was brutal before, then hang around for what he does to Deathwish. Wow. Thirteen issues in and I still am not sure what to make of this guy, but it sure is fun watching him work. He makes The Punisher look like a kindergarten teacher.
This is the first part of a four part story and I imagine the blood, guts and broken bones are just beginning.
Real Heroes #2
I’ve really enjoyed Real Heroes so far. It’s a fun take on movies like Avengers, but with a cool twist. The actors are taken to an alternative time line and asked to replace the real heroes. With issue #2, we see them agree to play the real life roles that they play on screen with the promise of being returned home. Since this isn’t a two issue series, I think you know how that turns out.
The United States of Murder Inc #1
Bendis and Oeming (Powers) team-up once again for a new series. The basis for this book is that the Mafia continued to grow in power until they were given a section of the United States to rule as they see fit. There are five families that rule and we see the coronation of one of their newest members, Valentine. He was born into the “family” and is now of age to start working for them. He’s given a mission that doesn’t go as planned and meets a mysterious woman that knows more than him about what he is doing. This is an adult title from ICON and is also double sized for the same price. Not bad. If you like this creative team and want more Mafia in your life, this book is for you.
All-New X-Men #27
The adventures of the time displaced original X-Men continues. This issue deals with the future X-Men led by another Xavier with an older Jean Grey. Hey, it’s an X-Man title, you have to expect to be confused. They are attacking Cyclops, old not young because he’s off with his Dad, and the rest of his X-Men. We also get tons of flashbacks that show Mystique will have anyone’s baby. I know Bendis has a master plan that will pay off, but this issue left me scratching my head. I’m not an X-Men historian so I don’t know how much of this is new and how much is already known, but it definitely makes you have to read it twice. Immonen does another awesome job on pencils. When these characters show up in other books, they just don’t look right anymore because I expect, no I want, them to look like they do when Immonen draws them. He’s just that good.
Superman: Doomed #1
This one-shot is the opening salvo for Superman’s new crossover event. My hope is that this helps usher in a new era for Superman, that reminds me more of the old era. I’ve not liked New 52 Superman that much. I’ve tried. Really. I just couldn’t get into a Supes book. That is until Batman/Superman and Superman/Wonder Woman. Those two titles made me like Superman again. The only reason I gave Doomed a second look was because the writers of those two books were also responsible for this one, along with Scott Lobdell. This book deals with the return of Doomsday. Superman must track him down and make some tough choices along the way. It’s an interesting take on Doomsday and I found myself enjoying it much more than I thought. There’s a lot going on and even with it being twice the size of a normal comic, it still felt a little rushed. By the end, I was surprised with Superman’s decision and I actually had to look at the panels several times to make sure what I thought had happened really did happen. If you’ve been avoiding Superman in the New 52 then this might be the perfect time to jump back in and see what he’s up to.
Superman/Wonder Woman #8
This book just keeps getting better. I never thought I would like this relationship, but it has made me like both of these characters even more. This issue is part of the Doomed crossover and deals with Diana trying to track down Clark. There are plenty of great scenes with Diana and people throughout Clark’s life as she searches. She wears a trench coat most of the issue which makes it look like she will be delivering something special when she does find him, but that is for a different story. I love, love, love the way that Soule writes Wonder Woman. In his hands, she is tender when she needs to be, but can become a fierce warrior at a moment’s notice. There is plenty of chances for her to be both in this issue, which has Superman facing the consequences of the events in the Superman: Doomed one-shot. Tony S Daniel compliments the writing with great action sequences, but it was the pages with Diana as Clark’s girlfriend that I was most impressed with. My only complaint, which is a weird one, is that he tends to draw Wonder Woman a little too busty. I know many artists do that, but after seeing her perfected look by Cliff Chiang on her solo title, it’s distracting and not necessary.
Batgirl #31
Batgirl joins Batman as the only two New 52 books that I have read every issue of to date. I love the character, have since Yvonne Craig in Batman ’66. Gail Simone has added a lot to this character in 31 issues with the pinnacle being the Batgirl Annual #2 that came out just recently with Poison Ivy. That is the single greatest Batgirl story since the New 52 started. Issue #31 brings Ragdoll into Barbara’s world and he is hired to kill some activists that just happen to include Barbara’s roommate. I’m honestly not too familiar with Ragdoll, but he was a pretty frightening character here. Freaky with a capital freak. He is a cross between Michael Myers, Chucky and a rubber band. It is nice to see Gail back to form on Batgirl, though. I was afraid she was using all of her best stuff on Red Sonja, but with the Annual and this issue, things seem to be back to normal between her and Babs.
Ghost Rider #3
I love this book. Love. If I would have had time, this would have been a full length review. I reviewed issue #1 and literally gushed over it. That hasn’t stopped yet. It is so incredibly good that if I could force you to read it I would. Felipe Smith has created a character with Robbie Reyes that you have to root for. He’s living in gang infested LA taking care of his handicapped brother and, ultimately, that is why he is Ghost Rider. In this issue we get a little more information about the spirit of vengeance that chose Robbie and whether or not Robbie accepts his offer. He takes on the gang that killed him back in issue #1 and tries to buy his little brother a wheelchair. All in a day’s work, right? The visuals on this book by Tradd Moore and Val Staples continue to be breathtaking. I keep describing it as “kinetic” whenever I talk about how the book looks, but that is always what comes to mind. Moore’s art just moves. It literally feels like it is moving on the page. There is one sequence in this issue where Robbie turns into Ghost Rider and it’s like he’s melting then walks forward and is birthed from the fire. It is very cinematic and 100% amazing.
Captain Marvel #3
I was late to the Captain Marvel fan club. Sometimes it is a weird thing that causes you not to read a book. For me, it was when she changed from Ms. Marvel to Captain Marvel because I didn’t like the new outfit. It was the whole faux hawk thing with her helmet. It drove me nuts and I hated it. So, I didn’t read the book. Stupid, huh? When Marvel re-numbered it, I picked it up and flipped through it, then put it back. The rest of the week I thought about it and, thankfully, there was still an issue left when I went back and I snapped it up without regret. It’s a book that has humor and heart. Comics that deliver that make me happy. This issue also has plenty of the Guardians of the Galaxy in it so extra bonus points there. I also really liked the talking down to that Carol gets at the hands of the alien leader. That woman is vicious with her words and Kelly Sue DeConnick must have enjoyed writing those lines. This is a book that is growing on me each week and it’s legions of female fans has a gate crasher. I’m over here, waving and just waiting for my Carol Corps t-shirt to arrive. Can I come in?
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