Welcome back to another edition of comic book reviews round-up! This week we’ll be covering Absolute Superman #13, Amazing Spider-Man #15, Batman #3, G.I. JOE #13, Planet She-Hulk #1, Ultimate X-Men #21, Void Rivals #24, and VR Troopers #4. Find out how these comic books turned out with the latest comic book reviews round-up below.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #13
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterer: Becca Carey
Absolute Superman #13 is a game changing issue for this series. The war in Smallville between Superman and Ra’s Al Ghul’s Lazarus Corp is epic. There is nothing held back by either side as Superman can just do his best to defend the town that is the closest thing to a home for him on Earth. The overwhelming odds are felt thanks to Lois Lane’s role in the story. That all sets up Absolute Brainiac to pull off a move that changes everything for Superman. Now there is a great sense of unknown for what will happen to Absolute Superman after how things end in this issue.
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #15
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: Emilio Laiso
Colorists: Marcio Menyz, Marte Gracia, and Erick Arciniega
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
The difference in quality between the Earth and cosmic stories in Amazing Spider-Man becomes more noticeable with each passing issue. Amazing Spider-Man #15 shows why there is such a massive gulf between the two sides of this series. No matter how much Joe Kelly tries there is no replacing Peter Parker. The chemistry Peter has with Rocket Raccoon and other supporting characters for the cosmic story is so much fun. Kelly does a great job using the cosmic setting to create refreshing plot that includes dealing with what the new Spider-Man suit is made of. It makes you wish we stayed in this cosmic storyline and didn’t get back to Earth until Peter decides to go back.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
BATMAN #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterers: Claytown Cowles and Jorge Jimenez
Batman #3 does a lot to progress several ongoing plotlines in this franchise. Matt Fraction utilizes what his predecessors work to showcase Vandal Savage’s strongarm approach to using his GCPD Commissioner powers against the Dark Knight. This has forced Bruce Wayne to respond in ways that will excite fans with how he is evolving his Batman methods in response. That along with other sub-plots that are develop make this a great continuation to Fraction and Jorge Jimenez’s early creative run. Click here to read the full review.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
G.I. JOE #13
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton
G.I. JOE #13 is an excellent start to the “Dreadnok War.” The Dreadnoks brand of chaos to create surprise moments that accelerate multiple long-term sub-plots. How that ends up positioning both Cobra and Duke back into lead roles will certainly excite readers because of how it’s done. Click here to read the full review.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
PLANET SHE-HULK #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Aaron Kuder
Colorist: Sonia Oback
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Planet She-Hulk #1 does everything you want from a debut issue. We get a full understanding of the situation She-Hulk is involved in on Sakaar. There are many characters around She-Hulk that have their own motives that invoke some Game of Thrones drama. In the middle of that we get fun action sequences that showcases She-Hulks power and combat ability. Click here to read the full review.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
ULTIMATE X-MEN #21
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer & Artist: Peach Momoko
Script Adaptation: Zack Davisson
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Ultimate X-Men #21 does a great job at using the building story with Shadow King to tie into the tension between the public and the Maker’s Council. After all the build up Peach Momoko makes sure that Shadow King’s defeat this time does feel definitive. The focus on this plotline was needed given it was the first main storyline of this series. Surprisingly the only thing that keeps this issue back is that the artwork does feel rushed at certain points. Momoko style is still great but we know she can and will do better. Overall, this is a strong conclusion and transition chapter to the final few chapters of this series.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
VOID RIVALS #24
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Conor Hughes
Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Void Rivals #24 is the chapter this series very much needed. There were a lot of intense things that have happened the last few issues. There needed to be a chapter where everyone assess the impact of what happened with the Agorria and Zertonia going to war. That creates a lot of seeing how Solila may have been the biggest loser of what happened. Though even that we are left in a spot we don’t know where she and others will go. Being left in this place of wondering what’s next works well to set up the “Quintesson War” that’s coming.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
VR TROOPERS #4
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Mairhread Scott
Artist: JP Jordan
Colorist: Sebastian Piriz
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
VR Troopers #4 slows things down to give background on why the events the team have gotten involved in are happening. How they directly tie to the fate of Ryan Steele’s parents make the fight against Grimlord even more personal. As much as this info dump was needed to flesh out the VR Troopers mythology it does mean that once again Ryan is the one that gets all the development. This is while Kaitlin is positioned as a damsel in distress role and JB Reese continues to be nothing more than a background character. Finding a better balance with all the team members being treated as equals this series can reach its full potential.
Overall Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
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