Comic Book Reviews: September 27, 2023
MARVEL COMICS
MS. MARVEL: THE NEW MUTANT #2
I continue to be thoroughly impressed with how fun this series has been. Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada are creating one of the best representations of Kamala Khan since G. Willow Wilson’s first Ms. Marvel series. We witness how much humanity our new “Inhu-Mutant” (as Kamala puts it herself in this issue) brings to the Marvel Universe. She cares for people and is the voice of the underdog. Her struggle for acceptance and strive for justice makes her a perfect member for the X-Men, or at least what they originally stood for. Speaking of the X-Men, I’m loving her relationship with Emma Frost. Emma has had one of most complex Krakoan Age arcs and it’s great to see her be a mentor again. My only complaint is that we still have yet to see what Kamala’s new mutant ability is and this issue didn’t even touch on it. I hope that doesn’t drag out for too long though it’s really just nitpicking at this point. This is my favorite new title to come out of the Fall of X.
Rating: 9/10
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #10
The more Marvel has revealed about the wedding between Tony and Emma, the more I’ve come around to it. Gerry Duggan completely leans into the sham that their nuptials are in this issue, with the two ending up in Las Vegas of all place to exchange vows. One of the better bait and switches Marvel has pulled on readers after initially teasing this as a monumental event. Aside from that, this issue’s plot didn’t exactly pass the smell test. Feilong showing up to their shotgun Vegas wedding as some sort of power move? I didn’t buy it. Sure he’s presented multiple examples of toxic masculinity to humiliate Tony, but he’s always done so in an extremely calculated and planned out way. I also don’t recall Emma every previously owning a necklace made of Mysterium. Yet she mysteriously has one when it ends up being the key to Tony’s next plan? Sure. If this ends up being a key cog in the plot that takes down Orchis, it will be frustrating that such a critical step happened outside an X-title even if it’s part of the Fall of X narrative.
Rating: 6.5/10
ULTIMATE INVASION #4
Jonathan Hickman wraps up his four-part launch of the new Ultimate Universe with a fascinating exploration of this universe’s Howard Stark and what it means to be an autonomous individual. His decision to take matters into his own hands and his decisions have a seismic impact that will undoubtedly cause ripples yet to be seen. Hickman also does a phenomenal job developing this Reed Richards as a sympathetic and enigmatic figure who will like play a major role moving forward, as evident by the discovery he and Tony Stark, who dons the Iron Lad moniker, make at the end of the issue.
This was the perfect conclusion to the initial story Hickman set out to tell, though I’m not sure where things go from here. The only series which will take place in the new Ultimate Universe and that’s currently announced is Hickman’s Ultimate Spider-Man, which wasn’t set up at all. As a whole, this miniseries has been a quintessential Hickman story and it’s a shame Marvel didn’t put more marketing effort behind it.
Rating: 9/10
REALM OF X #2
We get a time jump from the first issue and it really feels like we’re missing some pivotal bits of information that could better support characters’ actions and behaviors. This issue gives Saturnyne more of a spotlight but we have no real clue what she wants with Curse. The core group feels completely disjointed and incapable of working together. Magik is a shell of herself and is always drawn with a weird shadow around her eyes which is distracting. Torunn Grønbekk has really missed an opportunity to better utilize underrated characters. In addition to the weird shadows used on Magik’s face, Diogenes Neves also has an “interesting” approach to character designs to say the least and even the action sequences come across half-baked or dumbed down. This series is really struggling to keep my attention.
Rating: 4/10
IMMORTAL THOR #2
Al Ewing’s series continues to transform Thor back to his roots. The God of Thunder’s inner thoughts come to life within thought bubbles that are a major callback to his initial days at Marvel. Throughout his battle with Toranos, these thoughts teach us how much he must pay, physically and mentally, to wield his vast power and strength. It’s an extremely vulnerable look at the new All-Father and makes for a great look into his psyche. At the end of the book, we also get a touching scene between Thor and Loki that is likely to be further explored in the issues to come. Martin Coccolo’s art remains impeccable and Matthew Wilson’s colors provide a heavenly compliment to the designs.
Rating: 8/10
DC COMICS
THE FLASH #1
This debut issue was a head-scratcher. Nobody expected Si Spurrier to have to keep the same tone as the previous run, but we went deep into Spurrier’s typical larger-than-life sci-fi/fantasy lore in the blink of an eye. It was an abrupt start to say the least and I for one would have appreciated a bit more stage-setting before things got serious. There were also some heavy moments focused on the home life of the Wests, including an overworked, underslept Linda who Wally dismisses and demeans far too easily. Anyone who has read Spurrier’s work on the X-titles over the past year is far too-familiar with how the writer can introduce and probe fascinating genre-related questions, yet he can err on being too heavy-handed and make the journey so complex and convoluted that it removes the fun from it all. This issue immediately inches close to that line in Spurrier’s Speed Force setup and I worry that we won’t have a moment to get buckled in before we’re in the thick of things.
Mike Deodato Jr.’s layouts are fascinating at first, but become repetitive and distracting. Multiple mini-panels are combined to form larger panels throughout, which adds to the overall complex feel of the book. Used sparringly, it may be more effective in creating disjointed and chaotic moments. Trish Mulvihill’s colors and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering are both effective on their own and offer a highlight for the book.
Rating: 6.5/10
POWER GIRL #1
Earlier this year, Leah Williams’ Power Girl Special #1 set up the stage for this new series, with Paige learning more about her new powers (as a result of the Lazarus Rain events) and dealing with issues related to imposter syndrome with how she fit into the Super Family. So it was an interesting choice by Williams to kick things off in the debut issue with Power Girl pretty, well, powerless. A C-list villain bests her and then she’s admonished by Superman for her actions. Superman then asks her to investigate a new issue due to her Kryptonian roots, which doesn’t seem like a great setup for someone who is already dealing with imposter syndrome. I’m hoping this is all a means of allowing Paige to further define who she is rather than letting others define her and I’m willing to give Williams the opportunity to reveal more. The issue, especially the action sequences, looked great thanks to the art and colors by Eduardo Pansica, Júlio Ferreira, and Romulo Fajardo Jr. I’m really digging the new suit which doesn’t objectify Power Girl the way that so many prior costumes have done.
Rating: 6.5/10
DARK HORSE
USAGI YOJIMBO: ICE AND SNOW #1
Stan Sakai notes in the issue’s concluding remarks that the titular rabbit rōnin is nearing his 40th anniversary and yet, somehow, Ice and Snow #1 is the first one I’ve ever read in the series’ 270-issue library. With such a vast world already established, I’d by lying if I said I wasn’t intimated to jump in at this point. Sakai, however, crafts such an approachable story that I immediately felt like I was returning to spend time with old friends. There’s still plenty included leaving me wanting to keep up with this next saga while also digging into the vaults to catch up on and learn more about Miyamoto Usagi’s past adventures.
It blows my mind that in today’s comic book world, there is a “mainstream” comic still written, illustrated, and lettered by the same person. It lends a personal touch that can sometimes be lacking in books where there are too many cooks in the kitchen. You get to experience the story in every way Sakai’s genius intended you to. His designs leap off the page like an elevated Saturday morning newspaper cartoon, giving the book a welcoming nostalgic feel. It all blends to become a near perfect issue that will capture your heart from the first snowflake.
Rating: 9/10
THE ODDLY PEDESTRIAN LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER CHAOS #4
In the latest issue of Tiny Onion’s teenage monster mash, we see more of the new character revealed last issue, Adam Frankenstein, and spend more time inside the evil Helwing Corps. Tate Brombal continues to tease us with a drip, drip, drip of plot points that expand the world without providing the full scope of what Christopher and his friends are up against.
After taking a back seat to Jordi and Viv the past two issues, Christopher gets a bit more focus in this issue though it still feels like it’s been a long time since he’s received significant character development. The book is being carried by Brombal’s engaging dialogue and endearing characters, artist Isaac Goodhart’s top notch designs, and colorist Miquel Muerto’s vibrant palettes, but at some point answers will need to be revealed to make the reader’s investment in future issues worthwhile.
Rating: 7/10
BLACK HAMMER: THE END #2
After reading the debut issue as my first experience with the Black Hammer franchise, the second issue provide more context and world-building that filled in some gaps. Jeff Lemire and Malachi Ward and providing such a smart meta-commentary on the superhero/multiverse trope that is undeniably enjoyable and such an easy read to jump into for new fans.
Rating: 7/10
VAULT COMICS
SAINTED LOVE #1
This is an extremely fun debut issue and you can read my in-depth review here. It’s a celebration of queer love and a beacon of hope for what we wish to see accepted by society one day, though it won’t stop us if it’s not. This immediately feels like an important entry into queer literary culture. Beyond that, there is a fascinating time-travel chase waiting to be explored if Orlando is able to balance it with the queer love story he’s also telling. Giopota’s art will likely make this a must-read on it’s own. Also, major kudos to Vault Comics for giving this story a platform!
Rating: 8/10
