MONDOmagazine

Amazing Spider-Man #633
Zeb Wells (w), Chris Bachalo, Emma Rios (p), Emma Rios, Townsend, Mendoza, Olazaba, Irwin, Bachalo (i), Antonio Fabela (c). Marvel Comics.

Big time Spidey week folks — so how’d it go? Well, the two-week break between issues of the “Shed” story arc isn’t doing this issue any favours. After a certain amount of time you want to be on to the next thing, which they sort of did by shipping Amazing Spider-Man #634 this week, but it really further undercuts the impact of 633. It’s no surprise that Spidey will make it through the issue, but they kind of beat us over the head with the fact by having two books right away. A very clever trick had the Lizard look at the world with eyes that could see beyond animalistic savagery, leading to a great quiet moment when he looks up at a plane and says “That… that is not a bird.” It’s a very different end to a Lizard story, but I am let down that crazy serums were involved to get that new world view. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Amazing Spider-Man #634
Joe Kelly, J.M. DeMatteis, Stan Lee (w), Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano, Max Fiumara, Marcos Martin (a), Matt Hollingsworth, Fabio D’Auria (c). DC Comics.

This is the start of the much-hyped, long-awaited “Grim Hunt” story. First off, the main story looks gorgeous. The opening has a stylish cinematic feel before leading into the prose introduction to the story, an introduction eschewing the “Bugle Girl” blog style trappings that I’m pretty sure we’ve all grown tired of. The story was okay, but it didn’t stand out as anything amazing. Opening up with a bloodied Kaine at Peter Parkers doorstep would have been cool, except for the time Venom did the same thing (of course that’s a complaint from someone who enjoys that Peter is suffering from a cold because of it being a familiar Spidey hurdle…) and most of the narration was supplied by a typically cryptic Madame Web. The back up stories were not worth the extra dollar price increase, though I will enjoy seeing where Stan Lee goes with his in next weeks installment, his intro just didn’t leave any impression. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Atlas #2
Jeff Parker (w), Gabriel Hardman (a) Elizabeth Breitweiser (c). Marvel Comics.

Here’s the thing, if you picked up the first two issues of Atlas without reading Agents of Atlas you might be tempted to drop this book right now. I mean, honestly, not a lot has happened. There are a lot of characters you don’t know, stuff that probably doesn’t really connect, but just hold onto that last panel — it’s going to lead to something really cool. I say this not to blame Parker or Hardman, I know they have a tough job. They’re trying to remain faithful to old fans while introducing these characters to new readers and it’s the fourth time he’s had to do it.  I’d be out of ideas by now, but apparently he still has a lot of good ones. Stick with it. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Black Cat #1
Jen Van Meter (w), Javier Pulido (a), Matt Hollingsworth (c). Marvel Comics.

This issue is pretty. I knew it would be, it was the reason I bought it. Pulido is a fantastic artist and I want to show Marvel that I will buy his work on anything. I’m not sorry I did and I’ll be sticking around for the next three issues of this miniseries. This is actually pretty cool, and ties into The Gauntlet/Grim Hunt storyline in Amazing Spider-Man in an interesting but not obtrusive way. Meter writers a competent Black Cat and a really solid Peter Parker. If you’ve been enjoying Amazing Spider-Man you could do a lot worse than this mini. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4 out of 5

Black Widow #3
Marjorie Liu (w), Daniel Acuna (a). Marvel Comics.

You know, this series is pretty good (especially for a series clearly released to coincide with a major motion picture), it has some solid writing and really good art. There’s a pointless fight at the top of this issue, and for that I’m docking marks — it’s totally useless — but I reserve the right to be wrong that it’s pointless. Everything else so far seems to be pretty smart. Hopefully this is the set up for something larger, and not just an excuse for the chick fight on the cover. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

Brightest Day #4
Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi (w), Various (a), DC Comics.

There are some great developments this issue. For the first time since this series began I’m interested in the Firestorm and Hawk-people plotlines, and the Deadman storyline remains pretty cool. I hope that this series continues to find its footing after a bit of a dull start. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Darkwing Duck #1
Ian Brill (w), James Silvani (a), Andrew Dalhouse (c), Boom Studios

This was unbelievably good! Seriously, this was the best book I bought this week, I’m not even kidding. Silvani’s art was spot-on, capturing the dynamism and sense fun of the animation in the original cartoon series. On top of that, Brill has crafted a perfect story for Darkwing’s comeback. Seeing him work in an office is both hilarious and a little bit sad and sets the story up for a very satisfying return. The issue spends some of the time with DW flashing back to past adventures (real or imagined? Either way, hilarious) and introducing us to the characters’ new status quos before setting up a major threat. This was so much fun to read and I highly recommend it. If you’re a Darkwing Duck fan then this is a must-read, heck, even if you’re not. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4.5 out of 5

DC Universe: Legacies #2
Len Wein (w), Scott Kollins, Andy Kubert, JH Williams III & Joe Kubert, (a) DC Comics

I wasn’t even going to buy this, originally, but I heard good things and had a small week so I picked the first issue up. As soon as it was over, I knew I had to buy issue 2. Now issue 2 is here and I’m glad I gave this series a chance. There’s a beautiful combination of history lesson and storytelling going on here that is completely engaging for this DC fan. It goes without saying, but the Kuberts make for some fantastic Golden Age-style artwork here. One last thing, seeing JH Williams III draw the Seven Soldiers back-up in multiple different styles (even on the same page, sometimes) is amazing, even for Williams. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

New Avengers #1
Brian Michael Bendis (w), Stuart Immonen (p), Wade Von Grawbadger (i), Laura Martin (c), Marvel Comics

I’ve been a little hard on Bendis’ New Avengers. Something about the storyline over the last 20 or so issues didn’t work for me, so I wasn’t even going to pick this up but aha, the magic of the light week. The thing is… I really liked it. Maybe Bendis rocked the characterization, maybe Immonen rocked the artwork, maybe I just really like the character of Victoria Hand, but I want to read issue 2. I don’t even care that Bendis has brought back a plotline from the last New Avengers series (the magic thing), I want to read more. Congrats, Bendis, you’ve won me back! – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

New Mutants #14
Zeb Wells (w); Ibraim Roberson, Lan Medina & Nathan Fox (a); Brian Reber, Matt Milla & Jose Villuarubia (c). Marvel Comics.

Doodoo is hitting the spinny cooling blades. It’s an impressive balance. For 11 consecutive chapters things keep getting worse for the X-Men — that’s impressive plotting. With only three more chapters I’m going to be sorry to see this crossover end. When was the last time you could say that about a crossover? — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4 out of 5

Sonic Universe #17
Ian Flynn (w), Tracy Yardley (p), Jim Amash (i), Jason Jensen (c). Archie Comics.

Flynn is getting better at making his exposition feel more natural, but yes, there is still a ways to go yet. Sort of along those lines, I’m glad that Tails just creates a little robot companion and there’s no explanation as to why he makes it — there’s no discussion about being lonely, or wanting it to scout some location, or whatever. It’s just a silent couple of panels where he randomly makes a robot: that is you show he’s doing something for fun. Don’t explain it; just let the picture say it all. Unless I’m mistaken, this character Speedy is a brand new antagonist, so that’s good, stretch some creative muscles — but I can’t get behind a character that looks like he’s got a huge diaper in every panel. Just give him pants, guys. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2 out of 5

Web of Spider-Man #9
Fred Van Lente, Marc Guggenheim (w), Patrick Oliffe, Javier Rodriguez, Nick Dragotta, Sana Takeda (a), Andres Mossa (c). Marvel Comics.

The first of the two stories in this book continues what has been a very refreshing storyline for Spider-Man, basically everything about it was pretty good except for the villain character design (the character itself is pretty good, just not how he looks) and the lame attempt at sleuthing… but even then, Spider-Man always sucks at detective work, so it’s not like they’re writing the guy out of character here. The second story I don’t like at all, which is weird. Guggenheim usually wins me over. I didn’t care about any of the characters; I wish someone other than the Shocker was used for a punching bag (how often can you go to that well? I still think you’re a legitimate threat, Shocker), but the biggest problem for me was the generic anime-esque artwork. I can’t stand that stuff. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5