Week of February 8th

Honorable Mention

Deathstroke # 6 (DC Comics)

Legion Lost # 6 (DC Comics)

Punisher Max # 22 (Marvel)

Suicide Squad # 6 (DC Comics)

Superboy # 6 (DC Comics)

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

Artifacts # 14

Company: Image/ Top Cow Productions

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Ron Marz, Artist: Stjepan Sejic, Letterer: Troy Peteri, Editor: Filip Sablik

All-Star Summary for Choice: There are thirteen artifacts of supernatural power that, when brought together, can destroy the world. Thirteen people are given the task of safeguarding these artifacts...well, that’s not true. It’s more accurate to say that they have them since anyone around these people are anything but safe. If all should be brought together, the world would end...be destroyed. Well, they were brought together, but they didn’t destroy the world...they made a new one. Similar to the world that existed before, but with some slight differences. This issue is the perfect jump-on point for any new reader...and I encourage everyone to start reading this book. 

Stjepan Sejic is a phenomenal artist. When I opened this book, I was blown away by the sheer beauty of it. To be fair, the inking and colors make the art that much more tremendous and I found it a great fit for the new beginning the direction of the book is taking. I’m excited to be exploring the new roles these established characters are now in and am intrigued by what will happen next as they begin to realize that everything has changed.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I had to tell someone...and you won’t live long enough to repeat any of it.”

Batman and Robin # 6 

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writers: Peter J. Tomasi, Artist: Patrick Gleason, Inker: Mike Gray, Colorist: John Kalisz,  Letterer: Pat Brosseau, Editor: Mike Marts.

All-Star Summary for Choice:  Damian has left Bruce and has thrown his lot in with Ducard. Without a way to track him effectively, Batman is scouring Gotham City, desperately trying to find his son. In the meantime, Ducard and Damian capture the Ragandian Ambassador intent on making him give up his human trafficking ring. Deception is a staple in this book, and this story is no exception as everything isn’t quite what it appears to be.

The back story of the history between Bruce and Ducard is also engaging and masterfully woven into the book as a great supplemental break to the main action. As much history as there is with the Batman character, it’s refreshing to discover something we’ve never known before...especially when it has so much relevance to the current characters Batman and Robin have been made into.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I’d like to take full advantage of this G.P.S’s capability to transmit sound, so listen closely...because these next noises you hear will be your son breaking.”

The Bionic Man # 6

Company: Dynamite Entertainment

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Kevin Smith & Paul Hester, Artist: Jonathan Lau, Colorists: Ivan Nunes, Letterer: Simon Bowland, Editor: Joseph Rybandt

All-Star Summary for Choice: I loved watching the Six Million Dollar Man as a child. I know I’ve said that already, but it just needed to be said again. Steve has met his match...or more accurately, a superior model, and the fight that ensues...for the entire book, is epic. The strength, capabilities and punishment these two exhibit is way beyond anything that was ever presented on the show. Kudos to writers Kevin Smith and Paul Hester for bringing this character into the 21st century with such style.

The interior are is good and although, not in the top tier of the best out today, does the book justice, especially with all the interesting angles and perspective shown throughout the battle. Of course, it’s always a plus to have the cover painted by one of the great artists of our time...Alex Ross!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Come now. You didn’t think you were the first toy of the assembly line, did you?”

NOTE: This book has profanity.

Ferals # 2

Company: Avatar Press

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: David Lapham, Artist: Gabriel Andrade, Colorists: Digikore Studios.

All-Star Summary for Choice: I’ve been reading comic books a long time and have learned to at least give a look at a lot of different stuff. Sometimes I like it, and sometimes I don’t. I’m glad I gave a look at this book! I missed issue one last month, for it would have surely made the All-Star list just as issue two is here this month.

The first striking thing about this book is the art. I opened the cover and said “whoa”...literally. Yep, the art was just that good. As I progressed through the pages...and bad stuff started to happen to all kinds of people, I was amazed and how...um, good? it looked. Yeah...I got issues.

If you like the Underworld or the Twilight movies...for the Werewolves, then you’ll love this book.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Give me a gun, Joe! Give me a goddamn gun!”

NOTE: This book contains profanity, nudity and EXTREME VIOLENCE & GORE

The Last of the Greats # 5

Company: Image Comics, Inc

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov, Artist: Brent Peeples, Colorist: Eddy Swan, Inker: Nick Nix, Letterer: Troy Peteri, Editor: Rob Levin

All-Star Summary for Choice: The Greats are returning...and that isn’t a good thing. The Last is facing his first real challenge as he’s forced to go toe-to-toe with the offspring of a Great and human union. The battle reveals that the Greats are not prisoners of their exiled realm, The Garden...and that they are much more powerful than the Superman archetype we are all familiar with.

After the shocking events of last issue, the book keeps up it;s momentum by delivering a cover-to-cover battle that creates more questions about who they really are, what they can really do...and what it all means for the inhabitants of Earth.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Hey mom.Look at me. I’m all growed up.”

NOTE: This book has adult language.