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!

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 30th, 2016

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BLACK MASK STUDIOS

NO ANGEL #1 – Eric Palicki, Adrianne Palicki & Ari Syahrazad

• Verdict: No Angel might get it’s wings. No Angel #1 from Black Mask has a solid story and premise but it doesn’t stick the landing. The series promises an urban murder mystery involving angels, demons, and family drama with a worthwhile lead to drive the story but there was never that moment that made me commit all the way. Not enough happens to get me excited for numero dos. That, and the book suffers from tonal confusion and poor albeit endearingly inspired art. Black Mask however, is a company known for taking risks on more uncommon/eccentric concepts with high reward. I’m more than happy to wait for the trade and see how this story pans out. — Jay

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

DC COMICS

Batman ANNUAL – Tom King, Scott Snyder, Paul Dini, Steve Orlando, Scott Wilson & Riley Rossmo, Neal Adams

• Skip like the ground is hot.  I do not like this format of several half issues rolled into the same book and slapping a $4.99 label on it.  It cheapens stories that have no time to grow and have no connection to each other save that they feature Batman.  Furthermore, sometimes Batman does not act like himself, giving juvenile dissertations on the roots of insecurity (WHAT?!?!  Maybe, maybe from Spider-Man.  Within the BAT Family, maybe Barbara.  But the Dark Knight?  Give me a break).  I’m a massive Batman fan, and that’s why this is my least favorite comic that I’ve commented on since joining Talking Comics.  It does the storied character poor justice.  -Max
• Eh. I’m not as averse to this as Max, and have a soft spot for the anthology style, but for me the breakdown stems from an apparent mishandling or misunderstanding of such a storytelling form on the part of the writers. While a few (mostly those named Scott Snyder and Tom King, surprise surprise) manage to capitalize on the abbreviated format to offer an evocative, concise yet complete narrative, many more fall into the trap of reading as either installments of some grander, as-of-yet-unrealized plot, or worse, simply feeling unfinished. On the other hand, art throughout is top notch (Riley Rossmo once again proves himself to be a dream pick for a future full-length Bat-run,and Bilquis Evelly makes the most out of one of the weakest stories of the bunch). So if you’ve got five dollars to burn, there’s plenty worth checking out. But it’s hard to defend the issue as a success cover to cover.  – Nate M.
• Pass, unless you are a completionist. There are bright spots, but overall it does come across as a hot mess. Would have less of an issue with it if it wasn’t $4.99. As time moves on though, I realize how very few annuals I tend to really enjoy all that much. Nathan

NEW TALENT SHOWCASE #1 – Vita Ayala, Emma Beeby, Joelle Jones, Hena Khan, Michael McMillian, Michael Moreci, Erica Schultz, Christopher Sebela, Adam Smith & Barnaby Bagenda, Juan Ferreyra, Sonny Liew, David Messina, Khary Randolph

• Check it out! It’s a showcase, so every story is short enough that a reader doesn’t have to spend a lot of time to get a good story featuring DC’s characters. They all share some action and insight into each character while still engaging a reader in their larger mythos. It features the Joker, Superman, Wonder Woman, Catwoman, John Constantine, Deadman, Hawkgirl, Kyle Rayner’s White Lantern, The Flash, and some more all bundled in this awesome little book. The Superman, White Lantern, Hellblazer, Hawkgirl, and Wonder Woman stories alone are worth reading. – Hernan

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

MARVEL COMICS

The Great Lakes Avengers #2 – Zac Gorman & Will Robson

• Buy. This comic is just good fun. This issue does not progress the plot much, but Gorman and Robson inject it with enough character and humour to make this worth the $3.99. -Lorna.
• Depends, but pass for me. I am really happy that Lorna has found satisfaction in reading this comic. I very badly wanted to like it. It just falls a little flat for me. Nathan

GHOST RIDER #1 – Felipe Smith & Danillo Beyruth, Tradd Moore

• Check it out. After enjoying the All-New Ghost Rider, I wanted to read more of the character. With this new series, it’s a good jumping on point and worth checking out. Ghost Rider is getting more attention lately, especially on Agents of SHIELD, so it never hurts to see how they handle a new comic series. It’s a solid read. – Deanna

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

Inhumans Vs. X-Men #0 (of 6) – Charles Soule & Kenneth Rocafort

• I’m still not sold on the story Soule and Lemire are telling, but Rocafort-junkie that I am, IvX had me hooked from the first page. If you’re looking for a sudden shift in narrative direction from the dumpster-fire that was Death of X, this is probably not the book for you. But if you’re anything like me, the prospect of one of the more innovative artists in the game taking a swing at of the greatest teams in Marvel history (sit down, Inhumans, the adults are talking) should be enough to get you in the door. – Nate M.
• A lukewarm buy. I’m invested enough that I want to read at least the next issue but IVX as a whole is on a very small leash for me. If you are not invested at all with the characters or the storyline then pass on it, you’ll be able to find it in trade later or catch up in a few months on Marvel Unlimited. – John B

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

VALIANT COMICS

SAVAGE #1 – B. Clay Moore & Clayton Henry and Lewis LaRosa

• Check it Out.  The art is rich, and ultimately the driving force of the comic.  Since there are (so far) only three characters to connect with, there’s potential for deep connections between readership and these characters.  If you’re craving a new adventure comic, check out Savage #1. – Max

[Editor’s Note: For Max’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