MONDOmagazine

Amazing Spider-Man #613
Mark Waid (w), Paul Azaceta (a), Dave Stewart (c). Marvel Comics.

The art style reminds me of Paul Pope and that’s a very good thing. It’s expressive, moody while also being down to earth. Peter Parker is excited for science as evidenced by his face when he blows out the power in his apartment. The only complaint I have is the idea of Electro getting himself supercharged before battle — I must have read that same story twice before, so I’m not impressed there. The transformation of Electro into an internet assisted folk hero is an interesting twist though. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Chew #6
John Layman (w), Rob Guillory (a). Image Comics.

EXCITING! This is the book that I’ve looking forward to getting. It has even been that long since the last issue. Layman and Guillory start of this new arc, “International Flavor,” giving Tony a new partner John Colby. The dynamic between them is great — and, seriously, there’s nothing better than a half-man, half-robot character. Love it. Yet another mysterious tale unfolds for the two as they are giving an assignment to investigate what was supposedly just another bank robbery. If you’re looking to read one of the most unique series out there right now, it’s your chance to catch up and pick up the first arc in trade form now. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Criminal: The Sinners #2
Ed Brubaker (w), Sean Phillips (a), Val Staples (c). Icon.

I can’t even describe how good this series is starting to get. I just love Ed Brubaker’s writing. His work with dark, detective-like stories is just amazing and the character work is just superb. I can’t stop raving about how good this series is and we’re only on the second issue of the arc. Tracy Lawless is just such a good character and Jenny Water’s reappearance in to the comic just brings back some nostalgic good times. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Detective Comics #859
Greg Rucka (w), J.H. Williams III (a), Dave Stewart (c). DC Comics.

Greg Rucka is proving that you should care about the new Batwoman and her supporting cast at a breakneck speed. And high-fucking five for that. In four panels Rucka makes me love, love, serious props, dude Kate’s dad: Kane: “Article 215, That’s homosexual conduct. Why couldn’t you tell him what he needed to hear?” Kate: “I’d have been lying.” Beat. Kane: “Then you kept you honour and your integrity. I’m proud of you.” Seriously, guy, can we hug? Because you’re super awesome. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 5 out of 5

Fantastic Four #573
Jonathan Hickman (w), Neil Edwards (p), Andrew Currie (i), Marvel Comics

This is really too bad. After all of the momentum Hickman built up over the last three issues I’ve had the wind let out of my sails a bit by an issue that I found more confusing than anything. Maybe it would’ve made more sense to me if I had a better grasp on Fantastic Four history? Hickman misfired here by dropping the reader in the middle of a Nu-World story and not doing a great job of filling us in as we read. I spent most of the issue without a clue what was going on or who many of the characters were. Not to worry, though, I’m sure next issue will be better. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

Incredible Hercules #138
Grek Pak, Fred Van Lente, & Jeff Parker (w), Rodney Buchemi & Gabriel Hardman (A), Guillem Mari & Wil Quintana (c). Marvel Comics.

Epic. Having superheroes and gods all duelling it out under one roof is just epic. This issue has little of everything, humour, trickery, violence, and sex, it’s a bundle of pure comical goodness. Many of the previous issues have been working up to this battle, and this issue certainly takes advantages of that foundation and does a great job of it. I really like the guest characters that were chosen for this fight. They seem to each work really well together. What I love most though, is the writing and the fact that it takes advantage of all the mythical personalities and stories and incorporates that quietly easily into a more contemporary setting. Definitely a good read. –Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4 out of 5

The Invincible Iron Man #20
Matt Fraction (w), Salvador Larroca (a), Marvel Comics

SCREW YOU MARVEL!!! “Why this time, Owen?” You know those free Marvel Saga books that Marvel gives out summing up the histories of characters? Well, Marvel tossed one of those in the back of this issue of Invincible Iron Man and charged us a freaking dollar for it!!!! No extra story pages, not even a stupid reprint. Just an “Iron Man Saga” summing up the Iron Man story I have been reading for the last few years. Not worth the extra dollar you charged me for this issue, Marvel. Not worth it! (And to Matt Fraction: you’re knocking this out of the park.) – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating of his feelings about Marvel’s business practices: 0 out of 5
Owen’s rating of Invincible Iron Man: 4.5 out of 5

Justice League: Cry For Justice #5
James Robinson (w), Mauro Cascioli, Scott Clark (a), Mauro Cascioli (c). DC Comics.

Well played Mr. Robinson. How do you make a mini series that hasn’t been living up to expectations a little more palatable? Dial up the cheesecake factor. The story itself isn’t impressive, you know those kids books that really gloss over the details of the adventure, and the characters (good and bad) end up getting ice cream together at the end? Well, this feels similar — except for the ice cream. It’s really a paint by the numbers adventure to a ridiculous degree. Ordinarily the ending reflection from Robinson is the books highlight, but this entry is really disconnected from the main story. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Justice League of America #39
James Robinson (w), Mark Bagley (p), Rob Hunter (i), Pete Pantazis (c). DC Comics.

So there’s an extended scene where Zatanna and Black Lantern Zatara are yelling their magic spells at each other, spells which are literally “undo her spell” and “undo his hex” over and over. It’s dumb. You’ve really got to hand it to classic Dr. Strange stories, where they actually succeed in making magic stuff fun and exciting. Otherwise the book is trying to do the Scooby Doo thing with the Justice League “gang” — Plastic Man and Red Tornado actually discuss this! That is also dumb. Ridiculously retro character Vibe is resurrected, but that’s something I can get behind. – Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

Justice Society of America #33
Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges (w), Jesus Merino (a), DC Comics

It’s a shame. I absolutely loved Justice Society. It was my favourite book at one point, but now it’s…well, it’s not bad. It’s just…par. I don’t know, it feels forced and completely lacking in the slow character work that really made the book pop under Johns’ pen. Maybe the problem is that Willingham and Sturges are too caught up in trying to break up the team so that they can get them in their separate books (coming up next…) and aren’t working hard enough to make this current story as solid as it needs to be. Regardless, it makes me less likely to buy TWO Justice Society books. I guess I’ll just stick with the book that has Stargirl in it. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

New Avengers #59
Brian Michael Bendis (w), Stuart Immonen (p), Wade von Grawbadger (i), Dave McCaig (c). Marvel Comics.

I’m not going to blow your mind with this, but the problem with Bendis’ mainstream Marvel work is when he has a character “Bendis” on his readers. A “Bendis” ranges from an out-of-place Jewish expression to characters who are mumbling in self-doubt to a reference to an old crime film to a few other things. They happen in all his books. In the characters he creates they are usually wonderful bits, but in most of his Marvel work they grate against common understandings of characters. And I’m happy to say that Bendis is getting them out of New Avengers.  He’s also getting the hang of pacing a large ensemble book. The last few issues have all had just enough going on in them to feel big and epic, but he’s not sacrificing his character moments for it. It’s been a long road, but New Avengers is starting to become good comics. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

Northlanders #22
Brian Wood (w), Leandro Fernandez (a), Dave McCaig (c). Vertigo.

Goddammit! I wanted to drop this book, Wood. I was like, “Oh, hey, an eight-part story, this is a good time to jump back to trade on this fantastic series.” But then I tried the first issue, and it was good. And now after reading this issue I’m putting Northlanders back on my pull. I had a plan, guys. What the hell? Why you gotta have interesting characters, Wood? Why do you have to be drawing beyond fantastic art, Fernandez? Did you see that last page you drew? I saw that brilliant thing you did with the footprints in the snow. And I hate you for it. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4.5 out of 5

Secret Warriors #10
Jonathan Hickman (w), Alessandro Vitti (a), Sunny Gho (c). Marvel Comics.

As the conclusion to the “God of Fear, God of War” storyline this issue feels a little weird. However, as the conclusion for the original Ares mini-series and a bunch of other plots running through Marvel’s god books this is probably a lovely issue. Pity I haven’t read much of that other stuff. Hickman gives newcomers like myself half an issue of flashbacks to help, but it really stalls the momentum of the overall Secret Warriors story. That said, I really like Phobos so I’m happy to see an issue that’s all about him, and what happens is interesting so I can’t fault Hickman too much for his detour. Vitti’s art continues to impress and I’ll definitely check out what he does next. — Miles Baker.

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

Spider-Man: The Clone Saga #3
Tom DeFalco, Howard Mackie (w), Todd Nauck (p), Victor Olazaba (i), Javier Tartaglia (c). Marvel Comics.

Again, this book is skipping through all the beats of the original clone saga and it’s great. The Marvel Universe tends to indulge in what’s called “fantastic racism”- 90% of the world’s population will hate mutants, they’ll actually go so far as to call them “mutie scum,” and no one really calls the population out on this. How weird is it that even the comic book covers have been known to indulge in mutant phobia — with Spider-Man advertised as the “Non-Mutant Superhero” around the time Venom first showed up. In the original clone saga Peter Parker also exhibited fantastic racism against clones, which led to a lot of self loathing when he thought he was a clone himself, as opposed to the realization that maybe clones deserve equal rights or something. The point is, all of that is dropped in this mini — “I honestly don’t care if I am the clone. The way I live is more important than the way I was born.” Thank you! –Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5

Superman: Secret Origin #3
Geoff Johns (w), Gary Frank (p), Jon Sibal (i), DC Comics

There’s something completely comforting about this title. Maybe it’s the familiar story, maybe it’s the innocence of the old-school DC universe or maybe it’s Gary Frank’s artwork, but regardless I find it extremely relaxing to read. Johns has a great grasp on what it is about Superman that has worked for so many years, as I find that with every major story beat he knows what elements need to be there and also how to add a unique twist. Did we need another retelling of Superman’s origin? Probably not. Am I loving this title? Darn right. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Uncanny X-Men #517
Matt Fraction (w), Greg Land (a), Jay Leisten (i), Justin Ponsor (c). Marvel Comics.

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! In this comic the X-Men fight a lot. And that’s always good for an issue. You sure get the price of your admission. The X-Men take on a lot of Predator Xs and I don’t think it’s too cheap (except Storm just sweeping in at the exact right moment out of no where). It shows that Cyclops has really thought about how to take them down since their last encounter, and that was a good call on Fraction’s part to not insult our intelligence. There’s a bit with the Pheonix Force that makes me scratch my head a bit, but otherwise it’s a straight forward fight issue and there’s nothing wrong with that. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

Uncle Scrooge #385
Erik Hedman (w), Wanda Gattino and Carlos Mota (a), Boom Studios

As many people close to me know, I freaking love Scrooge McDuck. I’ve been reading his comics longer than any other character and own a bunch of trades of his adventures. So yeah, I was pumped when Boom announced that they were bringing the character back into monthly comics. I was even more pumped to find out that the comics were pretty darn good. This is the second issue since the relaunch and so far I like it a lot. This time out we have two stories. The first picks up where last issue left off and is fun, if not particularly gripping. The second story, though, is classic Scrooge stuff: diving for buried treasure, hunting for clues and outwitting the Beagle Boys. I can’t wait for more like this, it’s great to have Scrooge back. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Wonder Woman #38
Gail Simone (w), Aaron Lopresti (p), Matt Ryan (i), Hi-Fi (c). DC Comics.

There is something about reading a comic filled with tough Amazonian women that are willing to die for their princess that is really kick-ass awesome. It makes me feel all proud to be a woman and sad that I’m not an Amazon. I’d have some serious thunder-thighs and a mean left hook, if I was. Themyscira is in shambles, with Wonder Woman in jail, her mother held captive and every one seconds away from waging an all out war. The tensions are high and so are the stakes. Simone writes a great story and Lopresti’s art just continues to work hand-in-hand with her work. We’re starting to hit some really exciting points here and I’m glad to be on board. –Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating 3.5 out of 5

World’s Finest #2
Sterling Gates (w), Ramon Bachs (p), Rodney Ramos (i), Hi-Fi (c). DC Comics.

The story itself revolves around Parasite and Mr. Freeze teaming up to wreak villainy. Naturally there are a number of classic cold puns, but I like them, so good job. The McGuffin of the book revolves around “Mr. Zero”, an amped up cryogenic bit of super science which is also a shout out to Mr. Freeze’s original name. But the art! Oh, the art. I’ve been singing Bachs praises with his work on Red Robin, but not here — it’s terribly inconsistent, clothing specifics are changed between panels, and the worst is the head drawn on Damien Wayne’s Robin: he generally looks like a squirrel that’s suffering from an allergic reaction to nuts. What an unlucky, puffy cheeked squirrel. – Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Crossover Corner

Blackest Night #5
Geoff Johns (w), Ivan Reis (p), Oclair Albert & Joe Prado (i), DC Comics

This was easily the best issue yet. There were so many “holy crap” moments in this issue that my eyes were getting sore from being open so wide. Geoff Johns combines his old-school sense of fun with an astute self-awareness in this title that leads to a book that’s a blast to read. Ivan Reis gives the book the widescreen action style it needs and Johns takes advantage of that. I absolutely can’t wait for the next issue. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 5 out of 5. Crossover rating: Essential

Green Lantern #48
Geoff Johns (w), Doug Mahnke (p), Christian Alamy, Doug Mahnke, Tom Nguyen (i), Randy Majoy, Gabe Eltaeb (c). DC Comics.

I could be in the minority here, but this issue was mostly about the gags in my mind. The greedy Orange Lantern always had to get in the last word, and it was always something so self involved it would surprise me, even though I should have learned better by the issues end. Otherwise the story doesn’t get advanced much by this book.  — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5. Crossover rating: Doesn’t add much