The TALKING COMICS REVIEW ROUND-UP

Every week, the Talking Comics collective posts a mega-list of the comics they’re most excited to pull off the shelves that week. Check back here to see if the comics on the Pull List met the team’s expectations with reviews and quippy quotables!!! Click the links to go to full reviews and reflections!!!

Reviews for New Comics released April 20th, 2016

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AFTERSHOCK COMICS

Black Eyed Kids #1 – Written by Joe Pruett , Art by Szymon Kudranski

• Verdict: Wait & See. Yes, the draw here is the concept–creepy children with dead eyes wandering around small-town suburbia–but Black Eyed Kids #1 is a bit too much ambience and too little story. There are a lot of pieces and characters introduced, but none are elaborated on enough to truly engage. Still, Pruett and Kudranski leave us with just enough eerie atmosphere and brutality to suggest B.E.K. could become an intriguing, interesting horror book down the line.  – Joey

BOOM! STUDIOS

Joyride #1 – By Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly & Marcus To

• Verdict: BUY IT. Joyride, indeed! First issues are a tricky thing to do, especially with new titles but this book does what it needs to in introducing the world and characters really well. I’m also reliably informed by co-writer Collin Kelly that one of the two main characters, Dewydd, is part Welsh so that immediately makes him cool. Set in the future where a massive metal shield has been built around Earth under an oppressive regime, we meet our protagonists with a want to see what’s outside akin to that of Eren in Attack on Titan wanting to know what lies beyond the walls. For fans of adventure and stories of discovery, I think this is going to be a title worth checking out. Definitely on board for more. – HUW
• Verdict: BUY! I had a blast with Joyride #1! In just one issue, writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with the artful aid of Marcus To (lines), Irma Knivila (colors), and Jim Campbell (letters) have crafted a comic that introduces you to a world of possibilities – and three intriguing characters as your guide. Among our three leads, Uma has already weaved her way into the inner-workings of my heart – her spunk and crave for a life of adventure being just the beginning of her endearing qualities. After this debut issue, I’m more than willing to subscribe to this 4-issue mini-series, and venture into the cosmos with Joyride.   – Steve

Lumberjanes #25 – By Shannon Watters & Brooke A. Allen.

• Verdict: As ever with Lumberjanes, BUY IT! What the junk, folks?! 25 issues in and this book is STILL so charming you have to punch yourself in the face after reading it to offset it all. A bumper sized issue that is well worth your time and money. First half involves hijinks caused by super-powered kittens, followed by a lovely back-up story. There’s also a sneak preview of the Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy crossover, June can’t come fast enough! I love the feeling of adventure and the sheer depth of imagination that’s thrown into this book and this issue has that by the bucket load.  As always there’s something for everyone here. -HUW

DARK HORSE COMICS

Dept H #1 – By Matt Kindt

• Verdict: WAIT AND SEE. Quite often Indy books like this are best read in trade in my opinion. This may well be an exception to that, however. For those who enjoy Matt Kindt and especially Mind MGMT, there’s a few of his signature tropes like a seemingly sinister wing of the government up to shady business on show here. Another good first issue that sets things up nicely for what’s to come. With it shaping up to be an underwater murder mystery, a month-to-month read with cliff hangers and shock revelations could be a fun way to see the story pan out. But whether it will be told that way remains to be seen, so I’ll check out issue 2 and decide how to carry on from there, I’ve no doubt this will be great, it’s just a case of in what format I’ll get the most out of it. – HUW

DC COMICS

Justice League #50 – By Geoff Johns & Jason Fabok 

• Verdict: – The solicits were wrong, this book was delayed a month so while my recommendation holds true we will have to WAIT AND SEE on a verdict…..see what I did there – Bobby

Action Comics #51 – By Peter Tomasi and Paul Pelletier, Sandra Hope Archer, and Tomeu Morey

• Verdict:  BUY.  I find that reading a well done Superman just makes me feel good inside.  The problem with that is it’s so easily forgotten what makes the character special because few really capture what he’s like.  Peter Tomasi does the exact opposite of that here.  The way Superman speaks to his cousin and instills belief in not only herself, but her views of the human race is really incredible. Everything about this issues and this crossover is really special.  Superman seems to be in the right hands. -JUSTIN

Superman: American Alien #6 (of 7) – Written by Max Landis, Art by Jonathan Case

• Verdict:  BUY. Superman: American Alien has reached its penultimate issue but the concerto-esque narrative that Max Landis has been composing these past six months is showing no signs of slowing down. Artist Jonathan Case rotates in for this issue to deliver a pitch-perfect presentation of a more grounded tale of Clark showing two of his best friends from Smallville around Metropolis, which leads to a very expressive and honest conversation about why Clark chooses to don a costume as his superhero alter ego and his quest to find out where he has truly come from. Whereas the recent Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice failed to attach a more human-side to the Superman mythos, Superman: American Alien succeeds in building up its eponymous character as relatable, funny, and endearing. Don’t wait for the trade. Go back and experience this great miniseries now before it ends next month. – John D.

IDW PUBLISHING

Godzilla Oblivion #2 – By Joshua Fialkov, Brian Churilla & Jay Fotos

• Verdict: Godzilla fan? If so BUY IT. Continuing the fun and fast pace of the first issue its fair to say I’m enjoying this series so far! There isn’t much in the way of Kaiju action to be had, but that’s not a bad thing as what’s to come is set up and nicely poised for a good old big monster throw down. I really appreciate that this series is also treading lightly on classic Godzilla themes of asking the question of just because humans can make a certain piece of technology, should we?  – HUW

IMAGE COMICS

Huck #6 – By Mark Millar and Rafael Albuquerque 

• Verdict: BUY -I got exactly what I wanted out of this ending. Actually, I can say I got exactly what I wanted out of this series. Huck is an super fun and charming character. Millar and Albuquerque really nailed it here. If you haven’t read this series yet, give it a shot.  JUSTIN

Invincible# 127 – By Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker

• Verdict: BUY. Yep, this got me right in the feels like I thought it would.  Life just isn’t easy for our hero Mark.  The passage of time waits for no man, and unfortunately Mark is finding this out.  Original artist on the series Cory Walker returns here and while his work is good, I found myself missing the fantastic Ryan Ottley for such a dramatic moment.  That said, it’s still amazing.  Please people, go read Invincible – JUSTIN

Switch #3 – By Stjepan Sejic 

• Verdict:  BUY: Fabulous art and winning characterizations are pretty darn good reasons to buy any book, and Stjepan Sejic always delivers on those fronts; when he applies those talents to a re-vamp of the old Witchblade, de-sexualizing it by having a teenager named Mary as the holder of this talisman of power, you have a charmingly quirky blend! – Bob

MARVEL COMICS

Mighty Thor #6 – By Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman, Rafa Garres, Matthew Wilson

• Verdict:  – BUY IT:  I’m a sucker for Loki stories and it’s no surprise that Jason Aaron handles his voice with aplomb. This tale takes us away from our modern conflict and sends us to the past to a story of the Odinson facing down a Hulk type creature in the viking days. The returned focus on the old hammer wielder is a fun diversion, but I found myself missing the tales of Jane Foster and Russell Dauterman’s near perfect line work. There is a cool cave painting vibe to guest artist Rafa Garres’ renderings, but I think I’ve just been too spoiled by our regular artist. It’s still a very strong effort, but I’m anxious to get back to modern day when this three parter is over.  – Bobby

Captain Marvel #4 – By Tara Butters & Kris Anka

• Verdict: BUY. Carol’s struggles with being in command of the Alpha Flight continue and she’s not having much luck, everything she tries quite literally blows up in her face. There are plenty of typical Captain Marvel heroics and downright iron will to win the day with some interesting subplots running beneath the main story. This is another fun issue and I’m enjoying this run for what it is so far, it’s still a great comic with a lot of character and visual flair. I am, however, still waiting for this run to show me the heart and emotional punch of that made the previous volume so special.  – HUW

Captain America: Road to War #1 – By Will Corona Pilgrim (best name ever!) & Andrea Di Vito

• Verdict: SKIP. There’s not a lot to say about this issue as it’s pretty thin on the ground substance wise. The story is pretty weak and really rushed. I wasn’t a fan of the art either, a bit too posey and rich for my tastes as well as having some painfully obvious excuses for shots of Black Widows cleavage! This is a 42 page comic that’s $4.99 and only half of it is the Road to War part, the rest is a reprint of Tales of Suspense #58. I took a chance on this one and for me it’s not worth the price tag and definitely not worth your time. – HUW

Power Man & Iron Fist #3 – By David Walker & Sandford Greene

• Verdict: BUY. This felt like a sizeable issue for the money (page count is the same as always, though!). With Luke and Danny making the rounds trying to get information to combat the threat they face. There’s also a great little cameo with plenty of laughs to be had and tonnes of character. This book has settled into itself wonderfully now, all my concerns about not fully understanding the back story after reading issue 1 are now gone. Great fun, plenty of exploration of multiple characters which helps flesh them out for newbies like me. The best issue so far for me! – HUW
• Verdict: BUY, but… Look, I’m loving this series from Walker and Greene. The visuals are dynamic and unique and the levity of it all makes for an enjoyable read. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that the characterization on Danny Rand and Jessica Jones are a bit off… I’m still on-board, but we need to move past happy-go-lucky Iron Fist and nagging house-mom Jessica. If the letters page suggest anything, perhaps we will in coming issues! – Joey

VALIANT COMICS

Divinity II #1 – Written by Matt Kindt, art by Trevor Hairsine, Ryan Winn, and David Baron

• Verdict:  – BUY IT: What a great start to this second run of Divinity. It’s always tricky to tell the other side of a story we already know, but Matt Kindt manages to imbue our new “protagonist” Miska with a fresh set of motivations and struggles. The topper on this is the pure beauty of Trevor Hairsine’s art which brings insane alien landscapes and cold soviet russian to life in equal beauty.  – Bobby

VERTIGO

Clean Room #7 – By Gail Simone, with art by Eric Canete and a cover by Jenny Frison

• Verdict:  BUY: It’s qualified though, as if you haven’t been following this wonderfully creepy series, it won’t make any sense whatsoever, but if you have, there are revelations from the past that will influence the present, as well as glimpses into the future. For catching up, I’d suggest buying the trade, but it’s not due out until late June–thanks, DC!- Bob

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And that’s our Review Round-Up for this week!!! If you happen to have picked up any of these books, please join the conversation here or on twitter and let us know what you think! As we update the site with reviews and verdicts on these comics, we’d love to include your input!

#READCOMICS