Welcome back to another edition of our comic book reviews round-up! For this edition of the comic book reviews round-up we are looking at Absolute Batman #1, Green Lantern Civil Corps Special #1, I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1, Minor Arcana #2, Phoenix #4, Scarlett #5, Transformers #13, and The Ultimates #5. Find out how these turned out with our comic book reviews round-up for the second week of the month of October.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Absolute Batman #1 is an outstanding beginning to a brand-new beginning. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta do an excellent job with the presentation of the Absolute Universe version of Gotham City. Everything is so picture perfect that you can’t help but want to read the next issue right away. This is everything both new and long-time fans could want. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
GREEN LANTERN CIVIL COPRS SPECIAL #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Jeremy Adams and Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Salvador Laroca
Colorist: Luis Guerrero
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
With Absolute Power out of the way the Green Latern Corps can get back to dealing with the United Planets uniting the Emotional Spectrum under their control. The problem for Hal Jordan and others is that when they launch their final assault it proves to be too late. Its through that Green Lantern Civil Corps Special shines most. There are a lot of good payoffs that move the franchise to its next phase and the DC All In direction. By the end there is a massive cosmic crisis that makes the Green Lantern series to be positioned with other top DC Comics titles as must-read.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
I HEART SKULL CRUSHER! #6
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Josie Campbell
Artist: Alessio Zonno
Colorist: Angel De Santiago
Letterer: Jim Campbell
I Heart Skull Crusher returns with Trini learning a big lesson of never meeting your heroes. After so much build up with Trini growing up with Skull-Crusher as her hero that idealized person becomes the opposite of what she desires. Through this start of the second story arc of the series Josie Campbell sets the foundation for Trini and her friends to be tested in so many different ways as they make their way through the Wastelands’ politics. And once again Alessio Zonno is a standout with the vibrant art style working as a great contrast to this post-apocalyptic world to stand above other similar settings in other comic books. Combining all of that, I Heart Skull Crusher! #6 is a strong reminder of why this series is one your happy to come back to reading every month.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
MINOR ARCANA #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer and Artist: Jeff Lemire
Letterer: Steve Wands
There is no piece of content that is for everyone. That is the spot I found myself in with Minor Arcana #2. While the appeal of the story Jeff Lemire is something I understand there will be many fans of I’m just not one of them. The direction with the pacing and character development is just not clicking. It made it tough to fully get behind any character, especially the lead in Theresa. The lack of distinctive characters is what makes this world not be as fleshed out as the art style makes it look. Unfortunately, the story not clicking is something that makes this series one that I won’t be reading monthly.
Overall Rating: 4 Night Girls out of 10
PHOENIX #4
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Alessandro Miracolo
Colorist: David Curiel
Letterer: Cory Petit
Phoenix #4 is exactly what I expected when it was announced Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo were working on this series. There is such a great balance between character storytelling with action. The interaction with Captain Marvel works to both further connect Jean Grey with the greater cosmic side of the Marvel Universe and get more personal with her new direction. Moving from there to the Galactic Council meeting while Phoenix fights Gorr was a great contrast. This all further spotlights why Jean as Phoenix is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, characters in the Marvel Universe.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
SCARLETT #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Marco Ferrari
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Scarlett #5 delivers a captivating ending to this mini-series that creates so many questions about the direction of the upcoming G.I. JOE series. Scarlett, Jinx, and Storm Shadow are all positioned in such fascinating spots that make each of them some of the most compelling characters in this corner of the Energon Universe. The developments with Storm Shadow in particular makes Clan Arashikage such an intriguing third party in the conflict between G.I. JOE and Cobra. The way it all ties back into the greater Energon Universe creates even greater hype for what will happen in the future. This is a must-read series for everyone.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
TRANSFORMERS #13
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jason Howard
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
After all the big things that have gone on in this series Transformers #13 takes a step back to tell the origin story of Starscream. As one the key antagonist of the first story arc, we’ve seen the rise and fall of Starscream during the Energon Universe’s Trasformers series. To now get his origin story provides good insight into how the character has evolved to who they became when this series started. There is a lot of context given, especially with how Starscream viewed the Autobots back on Cybertron. The ending of this issue sets up Starscream to have a bigger, more exciting role in the Energon Universe.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
THE ULTIMATES #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Juan Frigeri
Colorist: Federico Blee
Letterer: Travis Lanham
As a team-up comic book between Captain America and the new Hawkeye, The Ultimates #5 succeeds in what its goal was. Ultimate Hawkeye is put over as a strong new member to The Ultimates, while also showing great chemistry with Captain America. Though the lack of a superhero team vibe continues to cause The Ultimates to come across as a series that is not hitting its full potential. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
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