Welcome back to another edition of comic book reviews round-up! This was a packed week of releases. With that in mind, this week we are looking at Absolute Superman #4, Batman #157, Birds of Prey #18, Bronze Faces #1, Phoenix #8, Scarlet Witch #9, and The Ultimates #9. Find out how these turned out with our comic book reviews round-up for February 5th.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #4
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterer: Becca Carey
Given how different the Absolute Universe is from the main DC Universe it means that core concepts will also be different. This includes what it means for Superman to represent hope for people. That’s exactly what Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval explore through Absolute Superman #4. In the process there is a lot of world building for this version of Earth and what it means for Superman to represent hope to people. How that leads to other classic DCU characters make their Absolute Universe debuts further solidifies Absolute Superman as a must-read.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
BATMAN #157
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Jorge Jimenez and Tony S. Daniel
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Batman #157 delivers an impactful conclusion to Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez creative run on the series. To the very end Zdarsky challenged Bruce Wayne in and out of the cape and cowl, leaving Batman in a spot you want to see where he goes next. Jimenez and Tony Daniel help elevate the impact of this story to make both the big and small actions pop off the screen. It all leads to a conclusion that highlights how special this creative run on Batman was. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
BIRDS OF PREY #18
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Juann Cabal
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Birds of Prey #18 accomplishes two things: 1) Providing the team members to develop their chemistry together more and; 2) Transitions us from the last few big storylines and tease what is coming next. The focus on the chemistry of the team further emphasizes what makes this roster of Oracle, Black Canary, Batgirl, Big Barda, and Sin stand out from other superhero teams. Developing that chemistry makes the moment where the big development setting up the next big story arc for this series to be something your immediately invested in.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
BRONZE FACES #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Shobo Coker and Shof Coker
Artist: Alexandre Tefenkgi
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Bronze Faces #1 delivers a compelling narrative that will leave you wanting to read where things go next. Shobo and Shof Coker accomplish this by taking a heist story and injecting personal investment of the three main characters. In the process they explore Nigerian culture in a way that is gets you invested in the journey that will be built off the foundation started in this debut issue. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
PHOENIX #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Alessandro Miracolo
Colorist: David Curiel
Letterer: Cory Petit
For as epic as the setting is Phoenix #8 can’t avoid feeling like a filler chapter to the current story arc of this series. A large reason for that is that there isn’t much of a feeling of progression. Where we start is not all that different from where we end the issue. But to Stephanie Phillips credit she does continue to show she has an excellent handle of Jean Grey’s character with how Jean deals with the fractured state of the Phoenix Force. That along with Adani finally coming into her own as a character keeps your interest in this story arc even with this filler chapter.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
SCARLET WITCH #9
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Jacopo Camagni
Colorist: Frank William
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Steve Orlando makes full use of how different Wanda Maximoff is to Black Cat to great results in Scarlet Witch #9. The core concept of what happens when Black Cat’s luck based powers clash with Scarlet Witch’s Hex powers leads to magic madness fun. Amaranth as young magician still not fully understanding the capabilities of her powers added to the chaos of why the fight between Scarlet Witch and Black Cat happened. A fun that Jacopo Camagni fully embraces with how their fighting styles clash. It all highlights why Scarlet Witch is one of Marvel’s best ongoing titles right now.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
THE ULTIMATES #9
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Chris Allen
Colorist: Federico Blee
Letterer: Travis Lanham
As an origin story The Ultimates #9 accomplishes its goal presenting Ultimate Luke Cage as a compelling character. Though as a team comic book the ball continues to be dropped with the lack of development time for the team. Not being able to properly balance out the fact this is a team book with the desire to spotlight individual Ultimate Universe characters is really hurting this series. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
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