Welcome back to another edition of comic book reviews round-up! This week we’ll be covering Absolute Batman #9, Green Lantern Corps #5, New Avengers #1, One World Under Doom #5, Phoenix #12, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9, and Transformers #21. Find out how these comic books turned out with the latest comic book reviews round-up below.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #9
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Absolute Batman #9 does an amazing job at creating an immersive experience. It is a credit to the world Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta that there isn’t a moment when you are reading it you are question why something is going on. That type of experience is noticeable in additional read throughs of this issue as you really accept scenes like when Bruce is talking unmasked with his inner circle. This all makes how the flashbacks help to further inform certain scenes or character choices be even stronger. And that is all before talking about how well-presented Absolute Bane is. Absolute Bane carries an aura that creates great concern for if Batman can overcome this villain.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Morgan Hampton and Jeremy Adams
Artist: V Ken Marion and Serg Acuna
Colorist: Arif Prianto, Rain Beredo, Hi-Fi, and Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Green Lantern Corps #5 really defines what this series is and not in a good way. With awkward shifts of multiple storylines and artist teams, this comic book just gives a vibe of being a secondary or tertiary level of importance for the franchise. That simply comes down to Guy Gardner, Simon Baz and Keli Quintela not being the best trio to put together to lead what is happening. The difference between this trio and when we had John Stewart, Sinestro, Kilowog, and Hawkwoman leading the GLC story is massive gulf. For the long-term health of this series a better mix of characters that properly balance one another out needs to be found.
Overall Rating: 4 Night Girls out of 10
NEW AVENGERS #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Sam Humphries
Artist: Ton Lima
Colorist: Rain Beredo
Letterer: Joe Sabino
New Avengers #1 nails what the first issue of a superhero team book: put over the team’s mission statement. That is accomplished by simply having the initial roster of this New Avengers team showing what their aim is through big action sequences right away. In going with this approach New Avengers #1 is able to lean on the fact Winter Soldier, Black Widow, Laura Kinney’s Wolverine, and Namor will get the job at hand done as efficiently and quick as possible. There is no messing around and it is exactly what New Avengers needs to show as a differentiator to the main Avengers team. Hopefully the potential shown here is carried forward to make this a much needed second standout series for the Avengers franchise.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Ryan North
Artist: R.B. Silva
Colorist: David Curiel
Letterer: Travis Lanham
One World Under Doom #5 is the transition chapter of the series. This entire issue is a summary of what Doctor Doom has been able to accomplish as the Emperor of Earth. Seeing how the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and other heroes process this reality hits the target for what this chapter is. Thor in particular is a surprise standout character in all of this with Ryan North using the God of Thunder’s status well point out what other heroes aren’t seeing. That made the surprise appearance of Maria Hill at the end set the groundwork for what the second half of One World Under Doom will go.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
PHOENIX #12
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Roi Mercado
Colorist: Java Tartaglia
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Phoenix #12 was in the never enviable spot of explaining how Sara Grey returned and suddenly had mutant powers. For as much as Stephanie Phillips and Roi Mercado try to simplify the explanation they are unable to avoid the overcomplications that come with returns in the X-Men franchise. They at least are able to make Sara an engaging character and put over how important her return is for her sister Jean Grey. Cable’s presence at the end of Phoenix #12 hopefully provides a good starting point for the next issue to pick up the momentum of this story arc.
Overall Rating: 5.5 Night Girls out of 10
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #9
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Letterer: Shawn Lee
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 may be the most intense issue of this series thus far. That is saying a lot given what happened in each of the previous eight issues. Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra nail how much of an emotional and physical toll each of the members the Hamato Clan has been through. It all culminates in a way that you feel even more invested in where things go next. Creating that feeling wanting to read what comes next right away is a testament to this being one of the best comic books on the market right now. Click here to read the full review.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
TRANSFORMERS #21
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Transfomers #21 perfectly captures the importance of timing. Every moment that the Autobots, Decepticons, and humans make is crucial to their respective sides. The decisions of one can and will affect others. That is showcased with how quickly things pop off with the latest Autobots vs Decepticons clash. It all is a reminder that this is the premiere title in the consistently impressive Energon Universe. Click here to read the full review.
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
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