Welcome back to another edition of comic book reviews round-up! This week we’ll be covering Absolute Green Lantern #2, Absolute Superman #7, Amazing Spider-Man #3, Birds of Prey #21, Blood & Thunder #1, Storm #8, and Ultimate Wolverine #5. Find out how these comic books turned out with the latest comic book reviews round-up below.
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Jahnoy Lindsay
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Brutality has become a theme for the Absolute Universe and Absolute Green Lantern #2 continues that. Specifically, it uses brutality to show how terrifying a First Contact event can be and make Abin Sur’s presence felt in the most impactful way possible. Best of all Al Ewing does so in a way where he balances Abin Sur’s benevolent way of speaking with actions that leave you terrified for Hal, Jo, John, Guy, and others. The twist made to the how Abin Sur uses the concept of willpower creates a lot of questions around what the Absolute Green Lanterns are. Which then leads to question what is going on with Hal Jordan as the Black Hand and the roles Jo and John will serve. All of that are good things create greater interest as this series builds out the Absolute Universe’s cosmic side.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #7
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterer: Becca Carey
Absolute Superman #7 gives us an origin story to Brainiac that is as fascinating as it is horrifying. This is by far the most terrifying version of Brainiac we’ve seen be presented. It’s yet another great example of how the Absolute Universe continues to deliver great twists on classic characters that feels new. This adds greater excitement to what could happen in the second story arc of this series. Click here to read the full review.
Art Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: Pepe Larraz
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
As with the previous two issues, Amazing Spider-Man #3 is very much about establishing the voice Joe Kelly and Pepe Larraz are giving this series. They are doing so in a way that provides a reset point for Peter Parker while using the current status quo of the members of the cast. This leads to some odd moments, like certain dialogue given to Itsy Bitsy when she and Spider-Man aren’t fighting. Though it is undeniable that Kelly understands how to make sure Peter chemistry with his cast in and out of the mask is on point. It helps that Pepe Larraz’s artwork provides a lot of great energy to keep the story moving. That energy leads to an ending that hopefully means we will get a strong next issue.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
BIRDS OF PREY #21
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Sami Basri
Inker: Vicente Cifuentes
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Birds of Prey #21 does exactly what it needs to do to set-up the tension that the rest of this story arc will have. That is done as Kelly Thompson writing is handled in a way where the dialogue is enhancing Sami Basri’s artwork. The action going on in the different locations is always the emphasis. It gets over how much trouble the active Birds of Prey roster is in and provides credibility for the villains they are facing. With the threat established it makes Oracle’s decision one that allows the next issue to continue to naturally escalate things.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
BLOOD & THUNDER #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Co-Creators: Robert Kirkman, Benito Cereno, and E.J. Su
Writer: Benito Cereno
Artist: E.J. Su
Colorist: Msassyk
Letterer: Rus Wooton
With Benito Cereno’s strong writing defining the voice and E.J. Su’s artwork popping off the panels, Blood & Thunder #1 is an excellent debut issue. The world building is top notch with a badass bounty hunter in Akeldama “Blood” Bledsoe as the series lead. This is one sci-fi story you will not want to miss out on experiencing for yourself. Click here to read the full review.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
STORM #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Murewa Ayodele
Artists: Lucas Werneck and Mario Santoro
Colorist: Alex Guimarães
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Storm #8 juggles a lot as multiple plotlines are running at the same time with all paths leading to the upcoming Thunder War. What is most impressive is how Murewa Ayodele makes sure that Storm is always the emphasis. Even with major players like Thor and Silver Surfer involved, Storm is firmly positioned as the lead. That is done by having Storm be an active participant in the things going on in the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe. The integration of the cosmic side help to further get over the epic scope the Thunder War will have.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Alex Lins
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Cory Petit
For fans looking for a fun Wolverine vs Sabertooth story look no further than Ultimate Wolverine #5. Chris Condon and Alex Lins know exactly what fans are looking for when Wolverine and Sabertooth are sharing the same space. And they do a good job flipping the script with what role each of them serves in the fight, playing into Logan’s Winter Soldier status quo. That said, the progression of the greater story Ultimate Wolverine is telling feels slow. We can just hope that the way things end signifies that the pacing will pick up in the next issue.
Overall Rating: 6.5 Night Girls out of 10
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