"Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated"

As it tends to do, life has gotten in the way recently.  Creative energies have been focused elsewhere (predominately on the web series that I’m in the midst of writing and kicking off production soon!), but there were entirely too many great comics I read this week to not do a few quick, spoiler-free reviews.

Batman #44

Cover art by Jock

I’m amazed at how this book has maintained its high level of quality since launching in September 2011.  With the same creative team (writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo) at that.  It is a testament to how well these guys mesh.  This issue, however, sees the artistic talents of Jock (one of my personal favorite Batman artists) filling in for Capullo.  The current ongoing story in the main Batman title centers around the replacement of Bruce Wayne by the Gotham City Police Department-backed Jim Gordon as the new Batman.  This issue in particular serves as a flashback of sorts and highlights part of the origin behind the villain with whom the new Batman is facing off in present day, Mr. Bloom.

I loved seeing Bruce back in the cape and cowl, even if it was a flashback.  Even at $4.99 (a dollar jump from the normal price), the sustained quality of the issue made it well worth the price of admission.

Star Wars: Shattered Empire #1

Cover by the always impressive Phil Noto

On December 18^th of this year, the dreams of many a Star Wars fan will come true, as the seventh installment of (arguably) the biggest cultural phenomena hits theatres.  Having only seen two or three trailers with maybe three minutes of footage total, I know I’m already pretty jazzed for it and I’m not even a Star Wars guy.

The Walt Disney Corporation acquired Lucasfilm in late-2012 and, already having Marvel Entertainment (a.k.a. Marvel Comics) under their umbrella, it only made sense to utilize a team-up of both of those entities.  Earlier this year, Marvel launched several new comic book series’ under the Star Wars banner: a main book simply titled Star Wars, Darth Vader, and two mini-series, Princess Leia and Star Wars: Lando, all in a post-A New Hope setting.  With the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens looming, Marvel (and Disney) are setting the stage for the grandiose return to a galaxy far, far away with "Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens".  The multimedia "event" is a compilation of novels, children’s books, technical manuals, and… You guessed it, comic books.

This series, Star Wars: Shattered Empire, takes place during and directly after the end of Return of the Jedi.  Penned by superstar writer Greg Rucka, Shattered Empire will run four issues and lay the groundwork for the opening to The Force Awakens.  Like I said, I’m decidedly not a Star Wars guy, but this was an amazing book.  Looking forward to issue #2 in two weeks.

Action Comics #44 & Batman Superman #24

Action Comics #44

I’m lumping these books together because of the shared nature of the story.  Along with the main Superman book and Superman/Wonder Woman, Action Comics and Batman Superman are all telling various aspects of the same “Truth” storyline: Superman’s secret identity having been revealed to the world.  Writer Greg Pak, has wrapped up what seems to be the opening block of this comprehensive story in a great way.  I love how interwoven all four of the Superman-titles have been over the past couple of months.  Seeing the interactions between Clark and the new Batman, Jim Gordon, was fun, but ever so slightly forced.  That notwithstanding, the stage now seems to be set for the showdown between Superman/Clark and the true villain behind his troubles since even prior to his identity being revealed.

Batman Superman #24

Greg Pak, as I mentioned, is doing great, but Action Comics artist Aaron Kuder is killing it.  The addition of veteran artist Howard Porter to both Action and Batman Superman only made the reading experience all the better, in my opinion.  I have to say that, in all my years of reading comics, this is the first time I’m not only enjoying, but also looking forward to, Superman comics.

Star Trek Green Lantern #3

Not the greatest cover ever...

I don’t want to give a single thing away, so all I’m going to say is this:

The last page is the first time (I think ever) a comic book has made me say “oh shit” in anticipation of what comes next.

If you only pick up one of these books, my endorsement has to go to Batman.  But if you’re a Star Wars fan, Shattered Empire is an absolute must.

Thanks for reading!

-Josh

All characters, and images in this blog are owned and trademarked by DC Comics, a division of Warner Bros., Marvel Comics, a division of The Walt Disney Corporation, and Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom.