Review Scale:
The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebook and The Joy of Cooking.
A: Would definitely recommend to all comic book readers. Even more so to fans of the genre or characters
B: Enjoyable read. Fans of the genre or characters will especially like.
C: Non-essential read. Can be enjoyable for fans of the genre or characters, but likely for only one or two events in the books.
D: Unenjoyable book. Read at your own risk. Might find satisfaction if major flaws are overlooked.
F: Please don’t buy this book. Donate your money to a local comic book writer’s workshop instead to inspire future generations to write something better than this trash.
Pick of the Week:
Deadly Class #5 – A
Just go to your local comic book store and give all your money to Rick Remender, who is also writing the wildly successful Black Science. This book is so unique; from the art and panel layout to the subject matter, I feel like I’m experiencing something new every issue I read. The story is coming as it pleases, and that suits it just fine. We’re getting an in-depth look into the psyche of Marcus, this time as he comes down from his high. While the psychedelic color scheme is beautiful, it doesn’t make me want to ever drop aid. Deadly Class remains one of my favorite books, and it’s in no rush to get where it wants to go, so just sit back and enjoy the ride. – Sherif
Man this issue was absolutely crazy! From opening to close I was hooked and I didn’t want it to end. It has been a long time since I have seen a comic so creative in design and with every panel I had a big smile on my face! I just enjoy everything Deadly Class has to offer and the character development that happens with its characters every week, especially Marcus. When issue 6 comes out I must read it day one especially due to the way they ended this issue. It has been a while since a comic has done to me what Deadly Class continually does to me. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. So if you are looking for a great comic, with great art, great story, and amazing creativity, Deadly Class is calling your name. – Evan
Other Reviews:
Dark Horse Comics:
Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #5 – C+
This series is very entertaining but man is it hard to imagine the crew after the events of Serenity. Although we get to see Mal being a bad ass in this issue, the ultimate story seems slow and there is only one issue left in this mini series. Hopefully we will see more of Captain Mal, Zoe, Jayne, Kaylee, Simon, and River but up to now this series is entertaining to huge fans of this previous TV series and film but ultimately will be lost among those just browsing for a new series to read. – Jacob
DC Comics:
Batman #31 – A-
These two guys (artist Greg Capullo and writer Scott Snyder) are the best creative team in comic books. It’s ben a total pleasure reading Zero Year, which feels like a true origin story. As Gotham lay in ruin, Batman must find a way to free the city from Nygma’s rule. After getting knocked off his horse a few times, it looks like Bats is ready to kick some ASS. From dirt bike stunts to lighting a freaking lion on fire, Batman is back in full effect. Deeper still, we get into some embarrassing high school moments, which don’t make a lot of sense… but it’s a small setback in an otherwise superb book. – Sherif
The Flash #31 – B-
This new arc that started one issue ago is really intriguing. Barry Allen has traveled back in time to correct all his mistakes, and plans to cap it all off by murdering himself. It much be a much darker future that Barry comes from. We’re given a deep look into Barry’s relationship with a young Wally West, who has lost his mother in Forever Evil and Iris has looked to Barry to provide some male role model influence, to no avail. There isn’t a whole lot that happens, but future Flash’s run-in with Mirror Master is worth the price of admission – especially when you consider the outcome. – Sherif
Batman Eternal #8 – C+
This weekly series is doing a great job of trying to fit everything into this love letter to the Dark Knight. This week, the GCPD take a definitive stance on Batman, but our new Lt. Bard looks to be following in the footsteps on Jim Gordon. He seems like a good guy, but his timely appearance in Gotham can’t be a coincidence. I’m not a huge fan of the hulkish way Batman is drawn in this issue, but the variety between issues is a better thing than it is worse. Considering we’re eight issues in, nothing has really happened since the second issue, something I can’t really get behind if I’m paying $3 per week to read it. – Sherif
Suicide Squad #30 – C
Don’t cry, folks! Issue #30 might be the “final issue,” but a little teaser tells us that the series will be rebooted soon. Most of the characters in Task Force X have grown in the past year: Manta helped save the world, Harley got her own series (who knows how long that will last), and Amanda Waller turned from full authority to no authority in no time. I lost favor with this book early on, but with the right creative team, Suicide Squad could be a must-read book next time around. – Sherif
Nightwing #30 – D
If this feels like a terrible way to wrap up the Nightwing saga, that’s because it is terrible. From the clunky looking art style to the ridiculously long fight scene, this issue felt like a total after-thought – a way to rope fans into reading Grayson without having to explain any of the crazy shit that has happened in Forever Evil when the series debuts in July. Everything about #30 was supposed to be heavy on emotion. Dick Grayson is faking his death to investigate an underground conspiracy to annihilate super-heroes, and Batman is testing his mettle to see if he can still hang. I found it really awkward since they have full discussions while they beat the crap out of each other, especially when those conversations contain terribly placed quotes ripped straight from Nolan’s trilogy. If you’re looking for a true sendoff for Nightwing, check out Nightwing #29, written by Kyle Higgins, because you aren’t going to find it here. – Sherif
IDW Comics:
Samurai Jack #8 – B+
As a Samurai Jack and overall Genndy Tartakovsky fan this issue is wonderful to me and fully deserving of an A but because this issue actually does not feature any dialogue. I give it a B, because unless you are a fan of the show, an issue with no dialogue could seem a bit off putting. This is definitely something the show would do often and carry an entire episode off of no dialogue and I feel this issue does that wonderfully. The art, intensity and great fighting from the series is all there as well which make it a absolute must have comic for fans but maybe could be one skipped along the paths of issues as it seems to be a one off story and there will likely be dialogue back in the next issue. – Jacob
X-Files Season 10 #12- B-
Although this series has been great, there sure are a lot of dead people involved. Well, at least people we thought were dead… So this series has been odd that way almost like it is trying to fix everything wrong with season 9 of the TV series. Even though this is the case, Season 10 has been very enjoyable. It is great to see these characters, as always, but if you were just coming into this series as a former fan or a new one, it would be pretty confusing. – Jacob
Image Comics:
C.O.W.L. #1– B
This comic is pretty dope! And it’s not like the typical comic dopeness in my opinion. Yes it’s about superheroes, fighting crime, and protecting the city. However, this comic feels more “real” if that makes sense. It kind of reminds me of the Watchmen. With these superheroes being hired by a government entity to combat the crime in Chicago it has more of an authentic feel to it and I find that pretty interesting. Also, I saw something in this comic that I’ve never seen, nor ever thought I would see in a comic book. A superhero peeing on a person in the street. Yeah, that happened. – Evan
Trees #1– B
Okay, this is going to sound weird, but don’t let the fact that Trees doesn’t make sense keep you from reading it. It’s written by Warren Ellis, who has a huge cult following for writing unique stuff (Nextwave, Ministry of Space, FreakAngels, also the current Moon Knight series), so don’t let the obscurity turn you off. Titanic-scale other-world life have decided to make Earth their home, planting themselves in our civilization like… well, trees. The beings aren’t really aware of our presence, but their slightest movements result in massacres. It’s a clear parallel to how we treat the environment around us, but that doesn’t mean the weird sci-fi book won’t blow me away. – Sherif
Marvel:
Ms. Marvel #4 – A-
It’s no secret that Hush Comics loves Ms. Marvel. The series has been the perfect blend of teenage angst and cultural commentary, but this month’s issue kicks it into high gear. There’s a subtle discussion about how Ms. Marvel doesn’t have to be the blonde-haired “real hero” people expect. We discover more about Kamala’s powers, and finally give Ms. Marvel her first villain. She’s a far cry from the superhero she will undoubtedly one day become, so to mix it up with a villain who looks pretty capable will be scary. The progression of the story into a deeper conspiracy is totally natural, and I can’t wait to see her fight crime in her burkini. “Die! Spooky Robot Thingy!” – Sherif
Oh snap! Looks like the average every day blonde-haired Ms. Marvel is out and Kamala is in! I love to see this story continue to progress and it is exciting to see the character of Kamala develop in such a real way. Her caution and courage play well together and now that she is stepping out and no longer relying on her shape shifting I think the audience is in for a real treat. We don’t know who this villain is but I’m willing to bet that in this next issue we are going to see some pretty crazy stuff between Ms. Marvel (in Kamala form) and The Inventor. – Evan
Guardians of the Galaxy #15 – B-
Filthy Earthers. The Guardians of the Galaxy have been captured. One by one, they were sold off. We don’t find out who did this, but the whole thing smells like a conspiracy. Speaking of conspiracy, how do you put Captain Marvel on the cover and not include her in the issue at all? It will be interesting to see how they each individually deal with their own personal hell – and see how Venom fits into all of this. There is enough momentum and action to carry what is a very vague storyline thus far. – Sherif
Deadpool #29 – C-
I gotta give some credit to the writers for attempting a deeper story here, but at the end of the day, Deadpool needs slapstick humor and violence to get by. No matter how intriguing the story may be, if one of those elements is missing, it’s likely to disappoint. With this being an Original Sin tie-in – like practically every other Marvel book right now is – I expected more of a punch with the reveal, but instead we get a big, fat filler. Sadly, it reminds me of DC’s Harley Quinn series, which is not a compliment. – Sherif
That about wraps it up for our reviews this week! Look for next week’s previews coming soon. Any comic books you didn’t see reviewed that you want reviewed? Any grades you didn’t agree on? Let us know in the comments!
All images taken from ComiXology app and the credit for them goes to the respective publishers; thanks to IDW Comics, image Comics, Dark Horse, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, DC and Marvel for putting out great books.
Written by Sherif Elkhatib and Evan Lowe and Jacob Robinson
Hush Comics 