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The TALKING COMICS Review Round-Up – October 10th, 2016

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!!!

Also, check out our weekly Favorite Comic Book Covers of the Week column for more coverage of last week’s new books!

reviewroundup

This week’s contributors:

And lovingly edited by Joey Braccino (@joeybraccino)

New Comic Book Day – October 5th, 2016

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AFTERSHOCK COMICS

stl019385Shipwreck #1 – Warren Ellis & Gapstur

  • Check it out: at moments, it feels as though Ellis is leaning heavily into weird for weird’s sake, butter that’s your bag, why not jump in?
  • BUY! It’s a moody book with a mystery felt throughout the issue. Its tactical immersion is sure to have you feeling lost and wondering where you are and what you are doing. And just when you’re getting answers, you find yourself subjected to the world that this team is building. The only comfort you have are the birds that fly over Shipwright and a sci-fi story presented as magical realism, concerning its visceral engagement more than its own mystery. – Hernan

[Editor’s Note: For Hernan’s full review, click here!!!]

Insexts #8 – Marguerite Bennett & Ariela Kristantina

  • BUY! That said, your enjoyment will be heightened if you’ve read the first seven issues (or picked up the trade that’s just recently released!), but this isn’t the worst jumping-on point. The stellar creative team introduce a new character in the form of Governess Pheobe de Azais to the Bertram household, and it she has secrets of her own!–Bob

BLACK MASK STUDIOS

stl016642Black #1 – Kwanza Osajyefo & Jamal Igle

  • Buy! Black Mask Studios for me is putting out some of the most interesting titles there are out there. Black #1 just continues to add to that list. Taking some of the ideas of current culture and hot button topics and combining it with the fiction of African Americans gaining powers and no one else makes for an interesting read. Add in the conspiracy and mystery of what is behind changes and you get a very interesting read. –Greg B.
  • Buy. On one hand, Black #1 is a surprisingly typical superhero origin story; on the other, it’s an important title to be putting out amidst such a heated race debacle. If you’re looking for a hero that represents a different culture and background, Black is definitely worth checking out. –John D.

BOOM! STUDIOS

stl020185Big Trouble in Little China/Escape from New York #1 – Greg Pak & Daniel Bayliss

  • Check it out! If you ever wanted to see two alternate reality Kurt Russell’s team up to take on dystopian bandits, then Big Trouble in Little China/Escape from New York #1 is the book for you. With an absurd premise and chock full of ’80s over-the-top action, this comic does everything the title promises. Pluse, Greg Pak and Daniel Bayliss. – Joey

DC COMICS

Aquaman #8 – Dan Abnett & Scot Eaton

  • Wait and See. This book has been a middle of the road book that has brought political intrigue when it has been right. This was a departure from that as it was mostly an action romp issue featuring the Shaggy Man. Nathan
  • Check it out. While a couple gripes surface, they are heavily outweighed by gorgeous fight scenes, an unexpected villain, and an intriguing revelation of the beasts true motive. If you’ve been waiting to jump on the Aquaman bandwagon, go ahead, take that leap and start enjoying one of Rebirth’s most underrated rides. – Miguel

[Editor’s Note: For Miguel’s full review, click here!!!]

stl020219Batman #8 (NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN PART 4) – Tom King & Steve Orlando & Riley Rossmo

  • Buy. If you’ve been on board with this dumb-fun event since the start, there’s no reason to stop collecting now. Batman #8 delivers a lot of monster-punching action and a sequence involving Batman and Clayface that might just be worth the $2.99 admission price on its own. Riley Rossmo’s art is a joy to behold, especially when it comes to illustrating such bizarre and sinister-looking monsters. With only two more issues to go in this crossover, however, it feels like the team should be getting closer to dealing with Strange, not doing the same thing they’ve been doing since the first issue. –John D.
  • Buy! Batman gets a Hulkbuster! Sort of! King and Orlando have done a great job so far of leaning full tilt into their camp-action extravaganza without sacrificing a depth of character and interpersonal dynamic. And Riley Rossmo’s work has been an absolutely stellar take on Gotham and it’s heroes. –Nate M.
  • Buy. This hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations that I had for it, but all in all it has been fun. The best part is how it has effectively intertwined every member of the bat family into the story. Nathan

Cyborg #2 — John Semper Jr. & Paul Pelletier stl020228

  • Pass. I must admit, after a strong Rebirth issue this hasn’t done it for me. This issue was actually a little difficult to get through. I feel like Semper deserves time to get into a groove as this isn’t his natural medium, but I might try this in trade to see if it reads better. Nathan

Death of Hawkman #1 (of 6) – Marc Andreyko & Aaron Loprestri

  • Pass. Save your money. Hopefully there will be a future Hawkman rebirth title that actually portrays the character properly. But until then dig out your back issues. – John Burkle

[Editor’s Note: For John’s full review, click here!!!]

Green Lanterns #8 – Sam Humphries & Ed Benes

  • Buy! This book has been a fun buddy cop series with a lot of heart. The new arc has especially been good, as it has had a Halloween theme. We even got to see Jessica and Simon go Trick or Treating while they look for a fugitive exiled Guardian that created something called the Phantom Ring, which is only going to lead to more good times. Nathan
  • Buy. It’s always fun to see comics taking on the seasons and holidays as they actually arrive in real time. The Halloween theme works well and I’ve been enjoying this title a lot more than I expected.  – Deanna

stl020272Harley Quinn #5 — Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti

  • Buy! This issue is wacky. It’s part one of an arc called Undercover Punker. Harley has to go undercover by putting together a Punk Rock band. This issue focuses on her working to put the band together. This issue is full of jaw dropping moments, and moments that makes it hard to believe this is a mainstream book. That’s a great thing. Nathan

He Man/Thundercats #1 – Rob David & Freddie Williams II

  • Check it out. If you don’t take it too seriously and enjoyed these properties in the ‘80’s, this is a fun trip down memory lane. Check out my full review. Nathan

Midnighter and Apollo #1 – Steve Orlando & Fernando Blanco stl020384

  • Buy – This is a fantastic return to a fantastic set of characters. There’s a reason Steve Orlando is one of the up and coming creators at DC. For the love of God, check this out. – Jesse

Nightwing #6 (NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN PART 5) – Tim Seeley & Roge Antonia

  • Buy. Once again, if you’ve been collecting this crossover event already, there’s only two more issues left so just go ahead and pick this one up too. This is more monster-fighting dumb-fun goodness, and while the issue doesn’t necessarily revolve around Nightwing, it does give him the most to do. Roge Antonio’s art lends to a lot of fantastic, expressive faces, and of course, some fantastic monster designs. –John D.
  • Buy. Similar to my comments on the Batman issue. This has been a solid, fun ride and one that I definitely recommend. Nathan

stl020364SHADE, The Changing Girl #1 – Cecil Castellucci & Marley Zarcone

  • Buy. This is repurposing of a concept in the best way. The story pays homage to its roots while going in its own new and innovative direction. There is drama and fantastical goings on that will no doubt have readers coming back for more when issue two hits shelves. The madness is as mad as ever! -Matt I.

[Editor’s Note: For Matt’s full reviewclick here!!!]

Superman #8 — Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason

  • Buy. The relationship between Superman and Superboy has been a fun one to explore with this series. There’s also a ton of Krypto and you can’t go wrong with putting in a dog that can fly in a comic. I can’t wait to see how this arc plays out. – Deanna

IMAGE COMICS

Cannibal #1 – Brian Buccellatto & Matias Bergara stl020901

  • Check it out! The idea of a disease that makes people crave human flesh, added into the fact that it is spread more like as STD offers a fresh idea thats worth checking out –Greg B.

Green Valley #1 – Max Landis & Giuseppe Camuncoli

  • Give it a shot. The story itself is simple and has been done to the point of it’s a trope. However it’s characters shine through along with Camuncolis’ art and the beautiful colours. – Lorna

[Editor’s Note: For Lorna’s full review, click here!!!]

stl020889Moonshine #1 – Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso

  • Buy. Take a break from the big events of DC and Marvel with this new number one from Image. It’s a well done comic with a bit of a strange ending that will leaving you wondering what’s next. And if anything, buy this book simply to take in the art of Eduardo Risso. I haven’t read much that he’s worked on, but that’s something I’ll have to fix ASAP. – Deanna

[Editor’s Note: For Deanna’s full review, click here!!!]

Romulus #1 – Bryan Hill & Nelson Blake

  • Buy. Really dug this book. Reminiscent of the Underworld series, Hill and Blake’s story of a rogue werewolf warrior and her mission to save five billion people from the shadowy organization that effectively exiled her is riveting from start to finish. Beautifully illustrated and succinctly scripted, Romulus is worth following. – Joey

MARVEL COMICS

stl019752All-New Wolverine #13 – Tom Taylor & Ig Guara

  • Buy! Lara has been through alot since she has taken over the mantle of Wolverine. It seems all of the issues that she has been dealing with are starting to come to a head. Just as she heads out for a vacation and R&R it seems that someone from her past is out to destroy everything she has fought for. Add in some comic relief moments and you have another great issue of what is my favorite Marvel book right now. –Greg B.

stl019945Death of X #1 – Jeff Lemire, Charles Soule, Aaron Kuder

  • If your an X-Man fan check it out! Finally a year after the new launch we get the story of what happened to Scott Summers. The jumping back and forth between the X-Mens discoveries vs the Inhumans discoveries gives you the idea of the two different directions these groups are headed. I’m curious enough to continue with the series and hoping for answers as to what has happened to some of my favorite X-Men -Greg B.
  • On the other side of the coin, if you’re like me and your X-fandom hasn’t caught up with present continuity, this isn’t might be a Pass. Felt as though the team was riding on a lot of mystery and expectation grown out of the 8 month secret wars gap, and without that coming in, the art and story felt a bit empty. Nate M
  • Buy this book. If you’ve lost interest in Marvel’s other events or have event fatigue this book may bring you back into the fold. It is atmospheric and moody but in a nice way. Jeff Lemire and Charles Soule are two exceptional writers and Aaron Kuder is and excellent artist. Jump on at the beginning of this new event. – John B

[Editor’s Note: For John’s full review, click here!!!]

CAGE! #1 – Genndy Tartakovsky stl020931

  • Verdict: Eh. Throwback-camp can only float you for so long. Chock full of clunky dialogue, simplistic characterization, and art that at times teeters on the edge of caricature feels, at best, gimmicky for gimmicks sake. I’ll always love Samurai Jack, but I’ll need something more to pull me back in for Cage #2.
  • Check it Out – Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about this issue. The art is fantastic and there are some great throwback jokes regarding Jean Gray’s living arrangements. But the dialog is a little cumbersome and I have issues with is representation of an Asian American character. All of that said, I really want to like this series so I will be checking out a second issue. – Jesse
  • Buy. After reading through a handful of issues of the older Luke Cage comics, this one was a pleasant surprise. It gives that throwback feel without being heavy on words. It was a blast to read and made me want to follow along issue to issue. If you already like Luke Cage, there’s no doubt that you should pick this up. And if you aren’t familiar with Luke Cage, this is a good place to start. -Deanna

[Editor’s Note: For Deanna’s full review, click here!!!]

stl020767Jessica Jones #1 – Brian Michael Bendis & Michael Gaydos

  • Verdict: BUY. JJ is back with every ounce of wit and power and self-destruction we could ever hope for. Add in a pinch of multiversal mystery, plenty of high-stakes character drama, and the occasional “bitchcakes,” and I can’t think of a single reason to leave this one on the shelves. – Nate M.

[Editor’s Note: For Nate’s full review, click here!!!]

  • Buy. Jessica Jones picks up that same tone and art style that we were left with in Alias. It’s great to have Bendis and Gaydos back on this character. You should absolutely pick this up if you’re a fan of JJ at all. It’s a fantastic read.  – Deanna
  • Buy Dis! – The bitch is back! As the Netflix series so brilliantly showed, Jessica Jones should be written as a surly but lovable character. Her portrayal in other books like Power Man & Iron Fist has been a bit off. Its great to see her return to form and even better to see a Parental Advisory label. – Jesse

Champions #1 – Mark Waid & Humberto Ramos stl019935

  • Check it Out – Real Talk: I’m not sure anyone has loved Mark Waid’s run on The Avengers. Personally, I don’t think he ever captured the voice of either Kamala Khan or Miles Morales. That is my only qualm with Champions #1. I dig the art and I buy the premise, but I still don’t hear an authentic take on these characters. – Jesse
  • Buy! Even if you haven’t read up on Civil War II or know these characters well enough, the team’s approach to emphasizing each personality is done well. You know the archetypes and this team is going to try to break those down. Waid is no stranger to the superhero comic and his body of work will inform how he handles this series. If you ever hear him in interviews, he fleshes out superhero conventions and meticulously understands them. Let alone, Ramos, Olazaba, and Delgado’s beautiful art enriching the story with lush coloring and dynamic action. The writing and art team are here to play with the nature of superhero stories by being conscientious of the world they inhabit.  – Hernan

[Editor’s Note: For Hernan’s full review, click here !!!]

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And that’s our Pull List for this week!!! If you happen to pick 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

Joey Braccino took his BA in English and turned it into an Ed.M. in English Education. Currently, he brings comics back in a big way all day every day to the classroom. In addition to proselytizing the good word of comics to this nation’s under-aged…

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