Honorable Mention
Artifacts # 15 (Image/ Top Cow Universe)
Rapture versus Angelus!
Captain America # 9 (Marvel)
Sharon Carter alone...versus Machinesmith!
Deathstroke # 7 (DC Comics)
Deathstroke against his son, the Ravager...at last, and only one walks away!
Green Lantern # 7 (DC Comics)
Hal Jordan pressed into service against his...will?
Incredible Hulk # 6 (Marvel)
Hulk versus Banner...to the death!
Next Men Aftermath # 41 (IDW)
In a crazy future full of death...the return of Vanguard!
Superboy # 7 (DC Comics)
Superboy versus Rose Wilson...and she’s deadly like her daddy!
...and now for this weeks All-Stars!
Batman and Robin # 7
Company: DC Comics
All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Peter J. Tomasi, Artist: Patrick Gleason, Inker: Mick Gray, Letterer:, Pat Brosseau, Colorist: John Kalisz, Editor: Mike MartsAll-Star Summary for Choice: To call this book intense is an understatement. Batman is in a race to save his son, Robin, from Morgan Ducard...Nobody. I’m always thrilled to see a great fight that spans the entire book...especially when it’s done well and the winner is not readily identifiable from the sequences. So, needless to say, I was very thrilled with this book. The blood really flies in this one, adding to the shock value since I’m not used to seeing this kind mayhem within the pages of Batman...but I can certainly adjust!
But wait, there’s more. Just as the last issue left me clinging to my seat as Nobody began to systematically break Robin’s body apart while Batman could do nothing but listen...this book brings us to the edge, along with Bruce, as he comes as close as I’ve seen in recent history to murder. Then is does what the last book did...and drives us off a cliff with the last page. I could tell you what it is...but honestly, it has to read to be appreciated.
All-Star Quote of the Book: “You try to murder my son...and expect to live?!”
Fantastic Four # 604
Company: Marvel
All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Jonathan Hickman, Artist: Steve Epting, Inkers: Rick Maygar with Steve Epting, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles, Colorist: Paul Mounts, Editor: Tom Brevoort.
All-Star Summary for Choice: Just when you thought they reached the zenith with Galactus fighting the Mad Celestials...killing one of them, then getting pwned by the rest, they keep reaching higher with this issue. Books like this is why comics have captured my imagination and haven’t yet let go of my dreams. The writing and presentation is excellent and the scale...cosmic!
Franklin Richards has arrived and with a wave of his hand, dispatched the Mad Celestials...momentarily. Astounding...yes, I thought so too, but he simply doesn’t have the power to win and must enlist the aid of his herald (see the All-Star Quote) to finish the job. Did I mention that the scale of this book was simply...cosmic?
I’m not a regular reader of this title, but now I’m very interested in the next story arc and hopeful the writers can keep me on the edge of my seat...holding my brain in my hands.
All-Star Quote of the Book: “To me my Galactus!!!”
All-Star Summary for Choice: Just when you thought they reached the zenith with Galactus fighting the Mad Celestials...killing one of them, then getting pwned by the rest, they keep reaching higher with this issue. Books like this is why comics have captured my imagination and haven’t yet let go of my dreams. The writing and presentation is excellent and the scale...cosmic!
Franklin Richards has arrived and with a wave of his hand, dispatched the Mad Celestials...momentarily. Astounding...yes, I thought so too, but he simply doesn’t have the power to win and must enlist the aid of his herald (see the All-Star Quote) to finish the job. Did I mention that the scale of this book was simply...cosmic?
I’m not a regular reader of this title, but now I’m very interested in the next story arc and hopeful the writers can keep me on the edge of my seat...holding my brain in my hands.
All-Star Quote of the Book: “To me my Galactus!!!”
Grifter # 7
Company: DC Comics
All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Nathan Edmondson, Artist: Scott Clark, Inker: Dave Beaty, Letterer: Wes Abbot, Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse, Editor: Bobbi ChaseAll-Star Summary for Choice: Ok...we start off with fantastic artwork, and this is important as it sets the tone for a great match between a master and an underdog. Grifter is facing off against Midnighter, so we already know how this is going to end. The exciting part is seeing how Grifter comes out of this (since it hasn’t been announced his book is ending with this issue).
Drawn to the Himalaya Mountains by the voices in his head, Grifter makes a discovery that is worth killing for...or in his case, dying because of it. being the fan that I am for cover-to-cover battles, there is no way I wasn’t going to like this book. How do you keep a man alive for an entire book against an opponent that he has no chance of ever beating...? You slap a mask on him, give him guns and guts, and call him the world’s most wanted man...Grifter! The clarity in this book is simply awesome and makes the fight (survival action if I’m being totally accurate) that much more complex...and yet simple at the same time. A brilliant piece of work.
All-Star Quote of the Book: “I’m the cleanup crew, making sure some secrets are not found out. You are the unfortunate sap who saw something he shouldn’t.”
The Punisher # 9
Company: Marvel
All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Greg Rucka, Artist: Mirko Colak, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth, Editor: Stephen Wacker.All-Star Summary for Choice: Punisher is a man of few words...and this book follows his lead with excellent artwork, and as few words as possible. After all, what needs to be said when Frank Castle is going to work with nothing but a knife and a whole lot of determination to put it inside you? Always expect the unexpected when dealing with Castle. Somebody should have told that to the bad guys because Frank has a partner now...and she is every bit as deadly as she needs to be to get the job done.
Black Specter found that out the hard way...by way of an Acog SR 25 at seventy meters with five head shots in under ten seconds. The unlucky one took a knife to the throat....and begged Frank for something he’s incapable of rendering: mercy.
People always say the Punisher is just a man with guns and brush him off when talking about the super-hero world. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Frank Castle by reading his books...he isn’t “just” anything, except lethal.
All-Star Quote of the Book: “Combustion nullification field...wasn’t certain that would work, honestly.”
Suicide Squad # 7
Company: DC Comics
All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Adam Glass, Artists: Clayton Henry & Ig Guarra, Inkers: Scott Hanna, Letterer: Jarred K. Fletcher, Colorist: Val Staples, Editor: Pat McCallum.All-Star Summary for Choice: Few books are as good as Suicide Squad...and it isn’t just because of the fabulous artwork. The whole idea of the career criminal forced to work for the government under threat of death just spices things up right from the jump. Unlike Thunderbolts, which I read briefly only because Hyperion was in it, these people aren't reformed. They’re self accepting criminals doing whatever job comes their way. This issue, the job is Harlequin.
Harlequin has “left the reservation” over the death of the Joker...and is a whole lot more deadly and resourceful than anyone thought. Of course, what would Suicide Squad be if somebody didn’t die? So...when one of the squad tries to spill the beans, they just lose their head...literally.
Meanwhile, Harlequin has proven she is no pushover as we get treated to the telling of her origin...which explains, as much as any sane person can understand, why she is insane. Insane or not...you’re playing with a stacked deck if you’re gambling against Deadshot. Don’t let this one get by you...you’ll be upset if you do,
All-Star Quote of the Book: “Lady, you just picked sides on “Dead or Alive!”.”
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