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!!!

This week’s contributors:

• Jesse Bowden (@JesseBowden)
• Huw Parry (@h_paz)
• Deanna Chapman (@deeechap)
• John Dubrawa (@thisjohnd)
• Bob Reyer (bobreyer@talkingcomicbooks.com)
• Steve Seigh (@dead_anchoress)
• Max Mallet (@globetrottermax)
• Nathan Ryan (@Clown_Prince52)
• Kelsey Hlavaty (@kelssamus)
• Vivek Kembaiyan (@just_Vivek)
• Hernan Guarderas (@hguarderas93)
• Lorna Maltman (maltmanlorna@gmail.com)
• Nate Mondschein (@33andMoonshine)
• Greg Brothers (@popculturegeek3)
• Matthew Iung (@iceo1000)
• Miguel Canales-Holler (@Beefsandwich28)

And lovingly edited by Joey Braccino (@joeybraccino)

New Comic Book Day – November 16th, 2016

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BOOM! STUDIOS

Slam #1 – Pamela Ribbon & Veronica Fish

• Verdict: Buy! Slam #1 offers a more personal journey into the world of women’s roller derby than I expected, but it’s one that I can easily recommend. Even if the subject matter doesn’t immediately grab your attention, the narrative by Ribbon and the amazing artwork from Fish is sure to take hold and not let go. –John D.

DARK HORSE COMICS

Briggs Land #4 – Brian Wood & Mack Chater

• Buy.  This is my current favorite of the more grounded comics — meaning ones that take place on planet Earth with no super-heroing or other supernatural phenomena.  I can’t think of a comic that’s as pertinent to many of the fears that mark 2016.  -Max

Lady Killer 2 #3- Joelle Jones 

•  BUY–or else! (Sorry, I just got carried away from reading this issue!) Anyhoo, Josie new “business arrangement” with her new partner in Cocoa Beach is going, as she puts it, “swimmingly”, but there’s a spanner in the works in the form of her mother-in-law, but as this is Joelle Jones’ Lady Killer 2, it isn’t of the usual, that’s for sure!–Bob

DC COMICS

Superman #11 – Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason

• Check it out.  It’s not the best issue in the series, but that’s like comparing various slabs of filet mignon — still pretty damn good.  The issue is joyful about all else.        -Max

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

Trinity #3 – Francis Manapul & Clay Mann

• Buy. This is my team book for DC. Manapul gets each character’s voice right, with this issue delving more into Batman’s past and present pain.The art and layouts have maintained that great standard that Manapul put forth in the first issue. Also with that last page Poison Ivy better watch out. – Lorna.

• Check it out.  I agree with Lorna that this is the best team book that DC is pumping out.  However, too many books with Batman in it revisit the scene of the crime that made Bruce Wayne into Batman.  While this is useful, I feel it also serves as a crutch that will always be there.  What Clay Mann does with some demonic-looking art scenes is nothing short of exquisite. -Max

IDW PUBLISHING

Yakuza Demon Killers #1 – Amit Chauhan & Eli Powell 

• Buy. “Death has come to claim me for it’s cursed collection of oddities.”  This is poetic from the start.  The art team’s use of shadowing makes for some haunting visuals.  I’m on board for the next one.        -Max

IMAGE COMICS

Hadrian’s Wall #3 – Kyle Higgins & Rod Reis

• Buy.  I love mysteries.  I’d love to see more in comics.  Higgins does a fantastic job at creating characters with tons of agency in a mere three issues.  This is high on my list of best new series of 2016.  –Max

Moonshine #2 – Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso

• Buy.  Just two issues in and I’m hooked. Brian Azzarello does a splendid job of making a period piece with criminal and supernatural intrigue.  I can’t wait to see where Moonshine goes from here.  -Max

Reborn #2 – Mark Millar & Greg Capullo

• Verdict: Buy. Why is it in these types of stories there’s always a moment where someone says a variation of the line, “I can’t tell you everything right now.” Why not? Wouldn’t that help the person to better understand what’s going on? This one minor complaint aside, Reborn is continuing to be a super interesting deep dive into the afterlife and a title that is sure to please anyone that is a fan of Millar or Capullo’s work in the past. –John D.

MARVEL COMICS

Thanos #1 – Jeff Lemire & Mike Deodato

• Verdict: Buy. Thanos is one of the most powerful villains imaginable. He’s given a solo title and Jeff Lemire hooks you in one issue. I’ve read little of Lemire, but this issue makes me regret that a bit. There’s no harm in grabbing #1 issues to check out, so make sure this is one of them. – Deanna

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

OTHER PUBLISHERS

Red Dog #1 – Rob Cohen & Robert Atkins (451 Media Group)

• Check it out.  Red Dog mushes together the sci-fi cliches of a far off mining colony and native aggressive alien race, but Cohen’s character development of the only kid in the colony -Kyle- makes this issue and miniseries worth checking out. Also there is a robot dog. I want one. – Lorna.

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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