Week of January 4th

  I must say that this week was a very large one for me, and there were much more than five books that are worthy of being “All-Stars.” Unfortunately, only five can make the final cut....so I’d like to just mention those books that didn’t make the cut this week...but are every bit a great read:

Artifacts # 13 (Top Cow Universe)

Avengers Sanction # 2 (Marvel)

Batwing # 5 (DC Comics)

Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes # 3 (Boom Studios)

Vampirella vs. Dracula # 1 (Dynamite Entertainment)

Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha & Omega # 1 (Marvel)

...and now for this weeks All-Stars!

Punisher # 7

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Greg Rucka, Artists: Michael Lark, Inker: Stefano Gaudiano, Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Editor: Stephen Wacker.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Punisher has always been a man of few words...and this book takes that to an extreme. He doesn’t say a word. In fact, he’s barely in the book at all. If not for the flashback scene with him fighting Daredevil, he would never have made an appearance. So, why then, is this book so good? The writing, pure and simple.

The art isn’t as crisp as I prefer, but it’s still very good and adds a grit to the story that makes the book work. Without question, this is a story driven issue and the ride is excellent. Detective Oscar “Ozzy” Clemens and his partner, Walter Bolt, steal this issue...and never give it back. Ozzy seems to be as capable of a detective as Batman and the interaction between him and his partner displays a chemistry normally scene in the best cop movies on the big screen.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I know what you’ve been doing. I know you’ve been passing information to the Punisher. It stops now. It stops.”

Star Trek/ Legion of Super-Heroes # 4

Companies: IDW/ DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Chris Roberson, Artists: Jeffrey Moy, Inker: Philip Moy, Colorist: Romulo Fajardo, Letterer: Shawn Lee, Editor: Chris Ryall.

All-Star Summary for Choice: I can just see the puzzled look on your face...but just think “chocolate and peanut butter” and you’ll see this is in great taste. How do I know? I had the same reaction...and used the same rational. I like Star Trek, I like the Legion of Super-Heroes....so, why not together?

This isn’t the first time the crew of the Enterprise has teamed up with heroes from other universes. Kirk and crew met the X-Men in Star Trek/ X-Men and Picard and crew met them in Star Trek Next Generation/ X-Men: Second Contact. I’ve always been entertained by how the different universes mesh together when they collide.

This book is no exception and I just love how the characterizations play out. Spock and Braniac 5 comparing notes on the problem, Dr. McCoy with his apprehension to Saturn Girls telepathy...and of course, Kirk trying to add the color blue to his skin color repertoire of conquered women in an opening line to Shadow Lass (see the  All-Star Quote below). This book is wild fun...and I just can’t stop looking at the cover!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Ladies, may I say that you look absolutely stunning in those? You know, I don’t know if I’ve ever met a woman with skin quite that shade of blue...”.”

Stormwatch # 5

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer:Paul Cornell, Artists: Miguel Sepulveda, Colorist: Allen Passalaqua, Letterer: Rob Leigh, Editor: Pat McCallum.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Right out the gate I’ll say the artwork in this book is fantastic. When I say that, I mean the pencils AND the coloring...simply wonderful. It’s rare when you read a book so visually pleasing that the story really doesn’t matter...rarer still when that story includes a deepening mystery...and a serious fight to satiate the need for gratuitous violence. The greatest sword fighter in history versus the greatest tactician...gotta love it.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “You actually surprised me! I’m going to enjoy crippling you!”

Uncanny X-Force # 19.1

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Rick Remender, Artists: Billy Tan, Colorist: Jose Villarrubia, Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit, Editor: Jody Leheup.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Anyone who’s read the Age of Apocalypse storyline is familiar with these characters. Anyone who hasn’t...should! Humans are an endangered species and Wolverine has now taken over the mantle of Apocalypse. The days of the good guys always winning or saving the day don’t exist in this universe...and it never did.

With nice artwork that compliments the hopeless feel of the book, this issue digs a sizable hole for our heroes until they hit rock bottom. Then...it keeps digging. It’s one of those books that makes you angry you have to wait thirty days to find out what happens next. 

It’s also the kinda book that will have you racking your brain to think about who can make an appearance that isn’t already dead...as characters fall with each turning page.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Humans can do anything mutants can.”

Uncanny X-Men # 4

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Keiron Gillen, Artists: Brandon Peterson, Colorist: Justin Ponsor, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Editor: Nick Lowe.

All-Star Summary for Choice: The art is magnificent and the story, although the idea is nothing new in Pop Culture, is equally great made so by the particular details shared with the reader.

An alien is trapped on Earth and trying to get home...seen this a thousand times. However, we’ve never seen it from the point of view of The Phalanx. From the very beginning the whole idea of them being “evil” is thrown out the window, since perspective is everything. Blissful peace is the existence and happiness is the offer until something “sinister” happens...:-)

There’s no question the issue is a good one if it can make you feel sympathy for one of the most notorious X-Men villains. There is a saying (mine actually) that goes “Every angle cannot be seen until there is commitment to turning the shape.” This issue turns that shape...and reveals to us an angle that hasn’t been seen, and won’t soon be forgotten.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “He cut me in places I didn’t even realize existed. He colonized my undiscovered countries with pain.”