Rapid Reviews: SECRET WARS #5, A-FORCE #3, BATMAN #43, ACTION COMICS #43
SECRET WARS #5
Writer & Designer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Esad Ribic
Color Artist: Ive Svorcina
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Production: Idette Winecoor
Publisher: Marvel Comics
What I Liked
Artist Esad Ribic is able to convey so much emotion during his scenes at Sheriff Strange’s funeral. There were a couple of panels with no word balloons, where Ribic got to show off his character acting skills. The mood of the moment still came through.
I almost forgot that the survivors of the life rafts were spread across Battleworld. When I saw the Jane Foster Thor among the Thor Corps, I naturally assumed she was supposed to be there. Jonathan Hickman took the time to catch up with Molecule Man and explain the chain of events which led Doom, Molecule Man, and Doctor Strange to this point in time. The bulk of this took place in Hickman’s Avengers/New Avengers run, but if you have only been reading Secret Wars this was helpful information.
I loved the quick glimpses of the various survivors of the life raft scattered across Battleworld. Seeing where Thanos ended up has me anxious to see the fallout next issue.
What I Didn’t Like
My one question is which tie-in books will we get to see the adventures of the life raft survivors? It would be fun to see them interact with the different domains of Battleworld in tie-ins.
A-FORCE #3
Writers: Marguerite Bennett & G. Willow Wilson
Penciler: Jorge Molina
Inkers: Jorge Molina & Craig Yeung
Colorist: Laura Martin
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
What I Liked
I enjoyed the swerve on who the traitor is. Even though we did not find out who it is, we did get a decoy to keep the readers guessing.
Jorge Molina‘s art is full of energetic lines and animated movements. Colorist Laura Martin creates magical portals that She-Hulk and A-Force travel through.
Singularity comes across as odd, but she steals the show in every scene she’s in. Emotional, quiet scenes between Nico and Singularity are touching. Also, in a female-centric comic, it is fitting to have the Thors that confront A-Force be women.
The mystery building in Arcadia is the compelling element of the story.
What I Didn’t Like
We still have the mystery of who is pulling the strings behind the attacks on Arcadia to deal with. With so many female heroes, we only get cameos by some of them around the city.
BATMAN #43
Writer: Scott Snyder
Pencils: Greg Capullo
Inks: Danny Miki
Colors: FCO Plascencia
Letters: Steve Wands
Publisher: DC Comics
What I Liked
I love that Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo filled in the blanks in the story regarding what happened at the end of the Batman/Joker fight in “Endgame”. We see Bruce Wayne found, and what has led to this brand new personality for him. A new Bruce has risen from the ashes like a Phoenix.
Every Batman has to have an aide. Bruce had Alfred and Jim Gordon has Alfred’s daughter, Julia. Great symmetry.
Superman has a big cameo appearance. It was a breath of fresh air to have this be a surprise that was not promoted on the cover or in solicits.
What part will Duke Thomas play?
What I Didn’t Like
While I’m enjoying Gordon as Batman, he feels an entirely brand new character. Visually he appears different, but his speech pattern feels different also.
ACTION COMICS #43
Story: Greg Pak & Aaron Kuder
Words: Greg Pak
Art: Aaron Kuder
Colors: Tomeu Morey
Letters: Steve Wands
Publisher: DC Comics
What I Liked
The “Hard Truth” story running through Action Comics has mimic’d real world events. Communities banding together against corrupt police. Powerful image of Clark Kent punching out a policeman by Aaron Kuder and Tomeu Morey.
Since Pak and Kuder have shared storytelling duties, Kuder’s artwork has gone up an extra level. Simple pages of dialogue hold the reader’s attention like none other.
While Clark saved his neighborhood from this attack, his doubts still plague him. A conflicted hero makes for a compelling hero.
What I Didn’t Like
Pak and Kuder introducing the main villain (shadow creature) came across as them not wanting to go all the way with having Clark assault a police officer. I understand why they did it. You don’t want a symbol like Superman associated with that type of assault. But it still felt like a cop out.
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
