MONDOmagazine

Amazing Spider-Man #611
Joe Kelly (w), Eric Canete (a), Marvel Comics

The bad news is that this really didn’t feel like a Spider-Man comic. The good news is that it was enormously entertaining. Joe Kelly is one of the major Deadpool writers of yore and it shows here. The mayhem, pop culture references and fourth-wall-breaking are well used (including an almost-Geoff Johns cameo). I was a little unsure of Canete’s art at first (he seems to come from the Leinil Yu school of weirdly pointy breasts), but I was won over by the end. So, yeah, this was a great Deadpool issue. I mean, Spider-Man issue. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5
Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Batman/Doc Savage Special #1
Brian Azzarello (w), Phil Noto (a), DC Comics

I’ve been excited for this comic. I thought it would be fun to learn about Doc Savage, a classic character who I know very little about. The thing is that after reading this comic I’m left with the feeling that he’s kind of boring. As far as intros to a new worlds go this is rather bland. Sure, Batman uses guns but I’m not quite clear on what is supposed to excite me here. What’s cool, fun or engaging about Doc Savage? As far as I’m concerned so far…nothing. As for Phil Noto’s art, it’s pretty if a little stiff for my liking. I’m hoping that the first issue of the First Wave miniseries gets me more excited, because I love the concept for this character relaunch and I really want to like it. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 2 out of 5
Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5

For Isaac’s review of Booster Gold, see our Crossover Corner section at the bottom of the page.

Batman and Robin #6
Grant Morrison (w), Phillip Tan (p), Jonathan Glapion (i), Alex Sinclair (c). DC Comics.

Batman and Robin has consistently been at the top of list for my favourite comics, but this issue sort of makes me want to bring it down a notch. I don’t know if it’s because the story feels a little rushed or if it’s because no matter how much I try and give Tan a chance, I feel disappointed. I just don’t like his work and seeing Quitely’s cover makes me miss him more. However, there were moments in this issue were I could start to remember why Grant Morrison is such a well-respected character. His work with Scarlett, especially at the end was just so touching and made for a very good end to her arc. This definitely doesn’t rank as being one of my favourite issues of the arc, but it’s got me excited for the #7, so that’s good enough. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Daredevil #502
Andy Diggle (w), Roberto De La Torre (a), Matt Hollingsworth (c). Marvel Comics.

Spider-Man might have made a deal with the devil on panel, but I think Daredevil made one off panel. How else can you explain three consecutive creative teams that have made Daredevil one of the best comic books on the market. What’s even more impressive is that each writer has taken the cliffhanger challenge of the exiting writer, done something that they wouldn’t have done, but made it feel like the most logical progression for the character. De La Torre has an unenviable job of filling the shoes of Michael Lark and he’s doing a good job. That’s saying a lot coming from me — the legacy of artists working on this title is as strong as the writers in recent years. This is a great time to start picking up Daredevil, and is it ever a great time to already be a fan. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4.5 out of 5
Sandra’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Dark X-Men #1 (of 5)
Paul Cornell (w), Leonard Kirk (p), Jay Leisten (i), Brian Reber (c). Marvel Comics.

The solicitations didn’t lie — Nate Grey is back! If you’ve read this column for a while, or ever run into him on the street, you know that Isaac Mills loves Ben Reilly. Even though that character is hated by fandom at large, Isaac will stand up for him and make the case that he’s one of comic’s greatest heroes. Nate Grey is my Ben Reilly. But he’s actually barely in this — but he’s why I picked up this comic even though my gut instinct told me it was going to be terrible. Well, my gut was wrong, but that’s because this book is not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be exactly like Dark Avengers where dangerous psychopaths play as heroes — but that’s not really the case here. These characters are dangerous psychopaths, but they’re dangers to themselves more than anyone else.  Well, kinda. Anyway, this is a pretty funny book with really bizarre characters. It might make light of mental disorders, but I think it works with the tone of the book. It’s a really strange place to bring back Nate Grey, but I’m onboard. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

For Isaac’s review of Green Lantern Corps, see our Crossover Corner section at the bottom of the page.

JSA Vs. Kobra #6
Eric S. Trautman (w), Don Kramer (p), Michael Babinski (i), DC Comics

Ah finally this series is done, it really only should have been four issues. It got progressively better as the series went on — the good guys started catching on to the bad guys modus operandi, so they started acting less dumb — but there’s no finality to this series. The bad guy is free to attack G.I. Joe (aka the JSA and Checkmate) each and every week. Which works fine for an 80’s Saturday morning cartoon premise, it’s less good when it happens in a limited comic series that will never be revisited in the future. The more I think about this, the lower my rating is going. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

The Muppet Show: The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson #4
Roger Langridge (w), Roger Langridge (a), Boom Studios

With this miniseries now wrapped up it’s much easier to view it as a whole. How does it rank against the first Muppet Show mini? Honestly… about the same. In some ways it’s stronger: the story is more engaging and it feels less episodic. At the same time, with the stronger focus on storytelling I found that the madcap gags were less plentiful. So it’s a give and take, I guess. But don’t get me wrong, this comic is a blast to read and a must-have for hardcore Muppet fans. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Punishermax #1
Jason Aaron (w), Steve Dillon (a), Marvel Comics

Here I am again. What is it with Marvel and putting my favourite creators on my least-favourite properties? Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four and now Punisher. Well, disliked character or no, with Aaron and Dillon on this book there’s no doubt I’m going to be giving it a shot. And one issue in… I’m not sure. There’s a definite feel of a great long-form story brewing, but I’m certainly not sucked in after one chapter. All I really feel after one issue is that there’s a neat take on the Kingpin’s origin and a whole lot of violence. I’m coming back for one more issue to make up my mind, but so far I’m wary. And why is it called Punishermax? I love seeing some more of Dillon’s art, though. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3 out of 5

Red Robin #6
Christopher Yost (w), Marcus To (p), Ray McCarthy (i), DC Comics

The voice for Tim Drake in this comic is so much like he sounded back in the good old days with Chuck Dixon writing him. That’s a very good thing, by the way. The new artist adds a leanness to Tim that’s been lacking recently as well, I enjoyed the previous artist, but this new guy is just doing a great job. While the writer still indulges in breaking up the story into “now” and “then” sections, it isn’t anywhere near as convoluted as it had been, so Yost is getting it together. There’s a part with Vicki Vale doing some investigating into the whole “Bruce Wayne/Batman” connection, with Bruce Wayne himself (note: not actually Bruce Wayne) showing up, making this book essential to the story of Bruce Wayne’s eventual return to the Bat books. I mean, I always knew this comic was essential to that story, but now you guys can’t deny it. Please don’t deny it. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5

Strange #1 (of 4)
Mark Waid (w), Emma Rios (a), Christina Strain (c). Marvel Comics.

This comic doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be on a production standpoint. This isn’t the fault of any of the creators — it’s the editors. It starts with this dark, design-heavy cover that announces it’s a book about magic for those that like Sandman; then it adds an artist with more cartoonish sensibilities that remind me of Marcos Martin; and then it slaps on Strain’s bright, bright, so very bright colour pallet. None of these things are bad, in fact, all of them are good — but they come together in a bad way. I like Strain’s work on a lot of titles, but this is over-coloured. It takes a terrifying, skinless monster, and turns him into the green and purple and pink and red mess that I couldn’t stand to look at. Not because it was scary, but because the colours were so gaudy. I think Rios would have been better served with a colourist like Javier Rodriguez, who did the last Dr. Strange mini-series. This series also has a “I don’t understand this magic logic” thing going on, which I hate. So, Dr. Strange can’t move his hands in the exact way he’s moving his hands and therefore he can’t do magic? But he’s moving his hands that exact way! And since when is magic so concerned with proper fingering? It’s not a piano teacher. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 2 out of 5

S.W.O.R.D. #1
Kieron Gillen (w), Steven Sanders & Jamie McKelvie (p), Craig Yeung & Matt Wilson (i), Dave Lanphear (c)

This was another issue where I was expecting something entirely different. And, again, I’m glad I was wrong. This comic is a manic space comedy that has some surprisingly deep and sinister plot twists along the way. Lieutenant Sydren, the psychic who states the obvious and carries his s’s , is used to a hilarious effect in this comic — he makes a great pair with the grief stricken Lockheed, who has turned to space booze in his darkest hour — “The tongue of your people is unknown to me, Lockheed. But I sssense… extreme impolitenesss.” It’s really funny, as is meeting Agent Brand’s alien half-brother. Also, in the back up story, they provide a really good reason why no one can get Kitty Pryde out of that giant bullet she got stuck in at the end of Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men. It’s an impressive first issue —check it out. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4 out of 5

The Unwritten #7
Mike Carey (w), Peter Gross (a), Chris Chuckry & Jeanne McGee (c). Vertigo Comics.

One the biggest strengths of this title, I’ve realized, is its uncanny ability to keep reader in the dark. I don’t think I’ve ever finished an issue of this series and been enlightened. It’s just one mystery after another, but that’s its strongest selling point. Intrigue. It keeps us fans buying the issue month after month, confused, but in love. In seven issues, Tom has been through so much and there is much more to come. As per usual, when I love something, I don’t have much to say about it. If you still haven’t picked up one of Vertigo’s best titles yet, I have nothing more to say to you. –Sandra Yao

Sandra’s rating: 4.5 out of 5
Miles’ rating: 5 out of 5

Crossover Corner

Booster Gold #26
Dan Jurgens (w), Dan Jurgens, Mike Norton (p), Norm Rapmund (i), DC Comics

This is an incredibly strong issue of Booster Gold. While I’ve always been a fan, lately the comic hasn’t had as much punch as it had when it started. What they’ve changed? There’s an intimate awareness of the goals of the characters displayed, it’s not just “save the world” stuff. The issue’s premise revolves around Booster disappearing to go back in time to give a eulogy for his best friend, something he wasn’t strong enough to do the first time around. In addition, the Blue Beetle back-up was incorporated into the main story and it also featured some supporting characters that had disappeared the last several months (things are lame without good supporting characters)! — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5
Isaac’s crossover rating: A pleasant addition
Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5
Owen’s crossover rating: Completely unrelated

Green Lantern Corps #42
Peter J. Tomasi (w), Patrick Gleason (p), Rebecca Buchman, Tom Nguyen (i), DC Comics

An epic two-page spread has legions of Black Lanterns flying towards the Central Power Battery, and it’s done in a “widescreen” format, so you know things just got serious. It’s the kind of cinematic storytelling that I haven’t really seen since it was pioneered in Grant Morrison’s New X-Men run (maybe it was in Planetary too, I forget). The effect is one of a slowly-building dread, and it’s a great moment. There are funny parts, cheesy parts, and one character I love “dies”… hopefully he’s just really hurt or something. They cover a lot of ground in this comic, and yes, it could benefit from more space to breathe, but I’d rather have a comic too jam packed with greatness then too drawn out for effect (or creator laziness). —Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5
Crossover Rating: A nice addition
Owen’s rating: 2.5 out of 5
Crossover rating: A nice addition