Join us on the Frontlines with our weekly review roundup. This is where we have assembled to give our thoughts on various issues that are released each week. This week we have Brant, Jay, Justin, & Kat giving reviews for books from BOOM! Studios, DC Comics, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics! Check out the reviews below and let us know what you think in the comments below or on Twitter. Welcome to the FRONTLINE REVIEWS, hope you enjoy the experience!
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #2
"Welcome Back To The Hellmouth Part Two"
Created By: Joss Whedon
Written By: Jordie Bellaire
Art By: Dan Mora
Colors By: Raúl Angulo
Letters By: Ed Dukeshire
Main Cover By: Matthew Taylor
Variant Covers By: Various Artists
Price: $3.99
The search is on for the mysterious medallion that can protect a Vampire as both sides search for it and new yet familiar characters are introduced. I am enjoying this reboot of Buffy! For the most part, the voices are spot on, in this issue just Cordelia and Drusilla are off. I like how much stronger Dru, she is more terrifying, but the "nice" Cordelia, not so much. Cordi was the only vamp on the show without fangs, her being so nice though makes me think that will change. Also, love seeing what life would have been like for Willow as an out lesbian in High School, and it is interesting to see a young Robin here. Xander was the star without ever really doing anything, but Bellaire used his narration to really explore the character. Dan Mora, is there anything he can't do? His art is so spot on while not being a slave to show or actors, he adds just enough of them to make us nostalgic, while keeping new and energetic. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
Don't just take my word for it check out these fellow Frontliners' reviews:
Brant's Buffy The Vampire Slayer #2 Review
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #36
"Beyond The Grid"Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Art By: Simone Di Meo
Ink Assistance By: Alessandro Cappuccio & Francesco Mortarino
Colors By: Walter Baiamonte with Francesco Segala
Letter By: Ed Dukeshire
"The New Adventures Of Blue Senturion & Ninjor"
Written By: Ryan Ferrier
Art By: Bachan
Colors By: Jeremy Lawson
Letters By: Jim Campbell
Main Cover By: Jamal Campbell
Pre-Order Cover By: Phil Murphy
Incentive Cover By: Linda Lithén
Unlocked Retailer Variant: Miguel Mercado
Price: $3.99
The Rangers help out the people of this dying universe against the Preator and find the source of the Solarix. This issue was a bit on the slower side, but I did like the little character moments here especially this new pairing with Tanya and Mike it leaves me wondering; What is going to happen when they all return? Di Meo does a nice job on the art, toning down the chaotic aspect of his style, but with so many characters it is hard to follow along with who is who since none of them really look like the actors. The New Adventures Of Blue Senturion & Ninjor was a fun nice little conclusion that left me wanting it to continue. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
ACTION COMICS #1008
"Leviathan Rising Part 2"
Written By: Brian Michael Bendis
Art By: Steve Epting
Colors By: Brad Anderson
Letters By: Josh Reed
Cover By: Steve Epting
Variant Cover By: Jeff Dekal
Price: $3.99
Someone or something is taking out all of the secret agencies of the DCU, and Jimmy Olsen survived one of the attacks. Bendis does a great job building the mystery around Leviathan here, that is something I really enjoyed. I think everyone gives away things so fast we lost patience with a good mystery. Bendis also does a great job with the characters, Waller and Sam Lane, Jimmy, Lois & Clark, all are done so well. Like any good mystery you are left with more questions; Is Sam Lane alive? How long has Waller known Superman is really Clark Kent? And who is Leviathan? Epting does a great job with the art along with Anderson's colors it gives the book a nice almost noir setting. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
BATGIRL #32
Written By: Mairghread Scott
Art By: Paul Pelletier
Colors By: Jordie Bellaire
Letters By: Andworld Design
Price: $3.99
The current arc of Batgirl has become a bit stagnant, but Batgirl #32 adds enough action and Barbara Gordon snark for this to be a fun issue. There’s some good intensity built between Detective Bard, Batgirl, and Cormorant as Mairghread Scott asks some important moral questions. Paul Pelletier’s pencils really shine with this action-heavy issue that does a great job at highlighting Barbara’s fighting style. This wasn’t the strongest arc for Batgirl, but still, a fun read nevertheless. ~ Kat @ComicUno
BATMAN BEYOND #29
Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Brett Booth
Inks By: Norm Rapmund
Colors By: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters By: Travis Lanham
Cover By: Pasqual Ferry and Dave McCaig
Variant Covers By: Shawn Martinbrough and Andre Szymanowicz
Price: 3.99
Batman Beyond #29 The Final Joke Conclusion, the race is on the find Matt the before the Joker can make good on this threat to end the new Robin like he did the second Robin. The Joker though needing to be theatrical broadcast this to all of Gotham giving Batman and Mayor Grayson the break they needed to find Matt. As they bust in and take the Joker’s henchmen down, they soon realize that Matt and the Joker aren’t there.
The Joker has found the cave and Bruce, Robin gave in to save his own life. He also prerecorded his part of the broadcast. Bruce and the Joker begin their final fight. We get a great fight between the two with a surprise ending as the Joker seemingly has a heart attack and either dies or passes out. This story arc has been a fun ride with Dan Jurgens capturing the voice of the Joker perfectly. Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund bring an awesome jump off the page feel to the art like only they can do. Next issue is Last Rites, I’ll be grabbing it and hoping to see the final outcome of this arc. ~ Justin @ExileState
DETECTIVE COMICS #999
"Mythology: The Price You Pay"
Written By: Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils By: Doug Mahnke
Inks By: Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne, Mark Irwin, & Jaime Mendoza
Colors By: David Baron
Letters By: Rob Leigh
Cover By: Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza & David Baron
Variant Cover By: John Byrne & Trish Mulvihill
Price: $3.99
Bruce has been traveling down a road through his past leading up to this moment. Does one man make a difference? *Stands up and slowly claps* Peter J. Tomasi has surpassed all others in just one issue he has perfectly summed up Batman. This arc was a whirlwind of a journey for Bruce that concluded here and left me wondering; where has this Batman been? Tomasi gives us a well rounded Batman, Hero, Fighter, Detective, Friend, Father, Son, Scared little boy and it was MAGNIFICIENT! The conversation between Batman and the Bruce he was, was so bittersweet and a great emotional gut punch. Mahnke is assisted by some of the most talented inkers to unite on one project, their work blended so well, you couldn't tell where one ended and the other began. Mahnke himself gave us all of the action and emotion this story needed creating a cinematic masterpiece. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
THE FLASH #65
Written By: Joshua Williamson
Pencils By: Rafa Sandoval
Inks By: Jordi Tarragono
Colors By: Tomeu Morey
Letters By: Steve Wands
Cover By: Chris Burnham & Nathan Fairbairn
Variant Cover By: Michael Golden
Price: $3.99
This is the end of the crossover with Batman, “The Price,” and boy did this story have some major repercussions!
For Gotham Girl, this was the beginning of the end, or perhaps the end of the beginning? We’re not sure, but the fight to thwart her maniacal attacks left both Batman and The Flash with many more questions than answers. They still weren’t any closer to figuring out the killer at Sanctuary, and Batman was still left with a broken and disturbed young woman that he had failed.
For The Flash, things were a bit more dire with an unexpected outcome involving Iris that will send shockwaves reverberating through this series for a while.
Then there’s the new mystery that presents itself at the end of the issue to cap it all off!
The tension between Barry and Bruce was at an all-time high here as the two nearly came to blows. Thankfully cooler heads prevailed, but there was definitely damage done to this relationship, among others. And the art was top notch, with some incredible panel work bringing us up close to the drama and action. The emotions oozed off the page at every turn, as did every punch, blast, and destruction. Just fantastic storytelling through and through, written and illustrated.
I question the decision of the direction that was taken with Barry and Iris here and the fact that we got no real clues to the greater mystery at hand. Aside from that, a near perfect issue! ~ Brant @BrantFowler
HEROES IN CRISIS #6
"Who Is Saved"
Written By: Tom King
Art By: Clay Mann (p. 1, 20), Mitch Gerads (p. 2-19)
Colors By: Mitch Gerads & Tomeu Morey
Letters By: Clayton Cowles
Cover By: Mitch Gerads
Variant Cover By: Ryan Sook
Price: $3.99
Delve deeper into the psyches of the residents of Sanctuary just before the massacre. Tom King knows how to write a mystery right! He does a great job leaving the breadcrumbs down this road to finding the murderer while adding heart and emotion to the story. King makes us care for C and below listers, some most may not ever have heard of and it makes an old fan like me happy to see them get this love (even if they have to die to get it) before their demise. Clay Man's confessionals do a great job with facial expressions that emote nicely. Mitch Gerads does a brilliant job telling the emotional journey here using homages like the cover of New Teen Titans to really pull on our heartstrings. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
STAR TREK: THE Q CONFLICT #2
Written By: Scott Tipton & David Tipton
Pencils By: David Messina
Inks By: Elisabetta D'Amico
Colors By: Alexandra Alexakis
Letters By: Neil Uyetake
Cover A & B By: David Messina
Retailer Incentive Cover By: George Caltsoudas
Price By: $3.99
The omnipotent beings of the Universe are at war to see who is the most powerful and selected captains and their crews to settle this war, now the race is on. Damn, I sound like a broken record but I don't care the Tiptons know their Star Trek! Every single character was written so well and with such care that the actor's voices were easily heard here. Not only do they get the characters but they also know the lore and the history, so you feel like this could happen like a dream crossover episode. The art is solid but could be more consistent with the likeness of the characters. Overall though this is a freaking blast for any Trek fan to read! ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
ROSE #16
Written By: Meredith Finch
Art By: Ig Guara
Colors By: Triona Farrell
Letters By: Cardinal Rae
Cover By: Ig Guara & Triona Farrell
Variant Cover B By: Jon Lam
Cover C By: Pete Katz
Cover D By: Jeff Shultz
Price: $3.99
The final fight between Rose and Drucilla is here! Meredith Finch started her book with a letter of appreciation and I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate her talent as a writer, and her book Rose. This book ends with #17 but the story within will be one I will re-read for years to come because the fun and adventure, the world that she has built is that amazing. Rose finally stands strong and takes on Drucilla and all that was missing was a soundtrack to make this epic more enjoyable. Ig Guara's art brought this world to life and did so with such beauty and pain that it perfectly fit the words of Finch. Rose has been one of my favorite Creator own book since the first issue and I can not wait for volume three! Thank you to everyone involved with this book for bringing it into the existence and inviting me and all the readers along for the ride. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #16
Written By: Nick Spencer
Art By: Ryan Ottley, Alberto Albuquerque
Colors By: Laura Martin, Brian Reber, Carlos Lopez
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Price: $4.99
The Amazing Spider-Man #16 marks the first major story arc for Nick Spencer’s incredible Spider-Man run as he digs deeper into Kraven’s family life and their new mission. This issue had a bit too much exposition, but I did enjoy the new "spin" that Spencer is giving Kraven for this arc. Ottley’s artwork made the exposition entertaining by creating a more creative visual experience as he didn't resort to "talking heads" too much. The secondary story was my favorite narratively, but had some of the weakest artwork of the series thus far, especially when it came to MJ and Peter. This could have been stronger if Spencer saved it for another issue instead of making this an extra-sized $4.99 book. Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man #16 was a good precursor for the arc but would have been stronger as a $3.99 book with a less exposition styled narrative. ~ Kat @ComicUno
DAREDEVIL #2
Written By: Chip Zdarsky
Art By: Marco Checchetto
Colors By: Sunny Gho
Letters By: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover By: Julian Totino Tedesco
Variant Cover By: Matteo Sacalera and Moreno Dinisio, John Romita Jr. and Richard Isanove
Price: 3.99
Daredevil #2 Know Fear Part 2, Daredevil has been accused of murder and is now wanted by the NYPD. He has two detectives on his trail and perhaps someone behind the scene setting him up? This issue of Daredevil keeps the story moving while potentially giving us a look at who setup Daredevil. While retracing his steps the night of the murder Daredevil is stumbled across by Detectives North and Higgins and is shot! Chip Zdarsky is doing a great job and weaving a solid Daredevil story and leaving us guessing about what’s really going on. Throwing the owl in there whether that was Zdarsky or Marco Checchetto’s idea it was brilliant. The next issue needs to get here now! ~ Justin @ExileState
FANTASTIC FOUR #7
Written By: Dan Slott
Art By: Aaron Kuder with John Lucas
Colors By: Marte Gracia with Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover By: Esad Ribic
Variant Covers By: Mike McKone & Israel Silva; Valerio Schiti & Rachelle Rosenberg; Bill Sienkiewicz; Yongho Cho
Price: $3.99
Doctor Doom lured Galactus to Earth, but why? The Fantastic Four learn the answers and pay for that knowledge. Dan Slott has found a way to give us the Fantastic Four in a new, old fashion way! He has found that line between the old and the new. We have the new with the marriage, the kids now being teens, and Victorious, while maintianing the old with everyone being true to who they are, and big cosmic challenges filled with technobabble goodness! Gracia and Rosenberg make quite the formidable team on the art, they are doing a great job of bringing those classic elements into play visually. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
Verdict: 4 ¼ Stars
WEST COAST AVENGERS #8
Written By: Kelly Thompson
Art By: Gang Hyuk Lim
Colors By: Gang Hyuk Lim
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Price: $3.99
West Coast Avengers is one of the funniest books on stands and issue 8 doesn’t disappoint. There is a lot of great character dynamics, vampires, and MORE SCENES WITH JEFF THE LANDSHARK! I mean just because Jeff is in this issue you already should know it’s a must buy. As for the plot, I’m especially interested to see how Kate’s mother’s story will unfold. Gang Hyuk Lim is a new artist for the title and is a bit cartoonier than the previous artists, but still delivers the comedy and great facial expressions that the other artists have been able to nail with Kelly Thompson’s script. If you aren’t reading West Coast Avengers then do yourself a favor and pick up this lively, underrated team book. ~ Kat @ComicUno
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