PULL LIST 8-08-07 Criminal #8 Ghost Rider #14 New Avengers #33 Punisher War Journal #10 X-factor #22 Green Arrow Year 1 #3 Green Lantern #22 Spotlight Pick DMZ #22 Fables #64 Jack of Fables #13 Casanova #8 Powers #25 Omega Flight #5 Star Wars Legacy #15 Black Adam: The Dark Age #1

Criminal #8
Part three of the “Lawless” arc finds main character Tracy Lawless falling more for his femme fatal, and the connection between this arc and Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips “Sleeper” grows stronger. Each issue amazes, although this is a bit of a filler issue in the arc, more advancing the characters than the actual plot. Still, it’s the characters that make us care. This will read very well in the trade though, but the issue readers do get a nice essay on “Superfly” so there’s that. Wait for the trade.

Ghost Rider #14
The art is the saving grace in this issue. [Javier] Saltares and [Mark] Texeira bring it with every issue in a classic GR way, handling the action, the weird demons, and even the heavenly angels with great skill. The writing, not so much. This issue continues the main story of the Rider tracking down parts of Lucifer’s soul and killing each one. Apparently Johnny Blaze has a plan to do this, but Way isn’t letting the reader in on it. Now some might call it creating tension, but after the pointless World War Hulk crossover, I’m ready for some action. Fairly forgettable.

New Avengers #33
This issue sees the return of the Hood, now setting himself up as a super villain kingpin. Also more fall out from the Skrull reveal, and if this is going to go on for an extended period, it’s going to wear thin very quickly. I usually enjoy Leinil Yu‘s art, but over the last few issues, the work has seemed a bit rushed, not as dynamic as it is when he has time. Maybe it’s time for a decent fill in artist, just to give him a break. It’s decent, but just a place holder till real action happens. Not necessary.

Punisher War Journal #10
After reading Casanova this week, it saddened me to read this, because it just lacks something. There’s no passion in it. Punisher finishes off the Hate Monger in this issue, and he fails to tell his sidekick what happened to the sidekick’s girlfriend. [Ariel] Olivetti‘s art has lost its appeal to me. I kind of liked it at the beginning of the series, but now it just seems overly posed and photoshopped to me. Going on the cut pile. Not recommended.

X-factor #22
Peter David continues to have the best grip on what to do with the X-Men after the Decimation, this time introducing the concept that mutants lobby the government for endangered species protection, like the spotted owl or whales. Although it may turn out the person putting this idea forward is not a good guy. It’s great to have Pablo Raimondi back on art duties, as he can handle the talking scenes and the action scenes, and brings the proper mood to the series. David advances all the sub plots and still gets a couple good jokes in. Best X-Men book on the market.

Green Arrow Year 1 #3
Jock drawing action scenes, that should be all you need to know to give this a try. He’s one of the best in the business for drawing high octane action. (If you’ve never read his work on The Losers, give the first trade a try.) It’s hard to keep a story surprising when it’s a retelling of an origin, so writer Andy Diggle focuses on keeping the plot tight. There’s nothing special about it, but it gets the job done. The highlight of the series really is the art.

Green Lantern #22
Hal Jordan goes looking for his missing comrades and other Lanterns go looking for Ion as the Sinestro War continues. It’s great to have Ivan Reis back on art. He does great aliens and great action, and really helps to bring the epic feel to the story. Geoff Johns does what he does best, lots of characters in big action scenes. He also makes the whole thing feel important. Between this and World War Hulk, Marvel and DC each have a great crossover on their hands.

DMZ #22
See spotlight pick of the week review here.

Fables #64
A rare let down for this series, and mostly just a let down personally, because I didn’t care for the fill in artist. It was a little too cartoony for my own tastes, and the art just didn’t flow as well as the regular artist. That said, still a fun story as Bigby and Snow White’s kids celebrate their fifth birthday and reveal the existence of the seventh wolf cub to them. We also get a bit of forward motion on the simmering Rose Red/Boy Blue relationship. The plot is kind of falling into a trap of decompression, with not much going on each issue. However, it does it with so much charm and humor that I don’t mind. Always recommended.

Jack of Fables #13
It’s a little weird that this and Fables come out on the same day, but it really works because of the way the stories link together (hint: read Fables first). Turns out that Jack is so popular these days, he’s taking on roles in other myths. The only problem is, he’s playing the role of the stone in the myth of King Arthur. If Fables is more sweetly funny, this has a harsher humor to it, but it is very funny. Jack makes for a great lead character, and writer Bill Willingham has surrounded him with equally interesting side characters. Consistently as good as Fables, and just as recommended.

Casanova #8
How does Matt Fraction make this book so fun, while Punisher War Journal just seems to lie there with not much to say? It’s easy to tell that this is the book Fraction enjoys writing, as it’s filled with fun, excitement, and action. It’s the comic he lets all his wild ideas run in. Perhaps he has less editorial control on this book, plus the fact that it is creator owned. Regardless this was a nice welcome back after a fairly long absence. Casanova picks right back up, although he seems to be fairly well entrenched on the side of good now. First he takes down an evil doctor, and then he gets a mission to take down an evil organization. It keeps the best parts of the earlier issues (the crazy characters and ideas) but doesn’t get lost in the worst parts (overly confusing plot points). New artist Fabio Moon (twin brother of previous artist Gabriel Ba) keeps the same feel on the art, but brings his own style which may be a bit easier to follow. Recommended.

Powers #25
Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Avon Oeming kick out a new story arc and a new format for the book (40 pages at 4 bucks) and are their usual success. This is one book the two creators always bring their top stuff to (as opposed to New Avengers for Bendis and Omega Flight for Oeming). Bendis has spent enough time building up the main characters that the reader really cares about them. His plot is also interesting, with Walker trying to stop a super power STD while pausing to fight aliens. Oeming’s highlight is a two-page sex scene but the action is great as well. Hopefully this will get back to the monthly schedule though.

Omega Flight #5
Glad this one is just a mini. I’m a big fan of Oeming’s art, but I’ve never seen him write a really good series, and I’m kind of thinking he should stick to the pencil work. The characters come off as just flat and lifeless here, as the new team takes on the Wrecking Crew and a bunch of demons. Big events lose their impact, and I found myself mostly bored. [Scott] Kolin‘s art though is great. His characters are dynamic, and the coloring really works in concert to create a unique style. But, I don’t think I would stick around if the series was ongoing. Not recommended.

Star Wars Legacy #15
Not sure who the big reveal is supposed to be, but hopefully it will be explained next issue. It seems to tie into other comics that Dark Horse has released, but since this is the only one I read, I’m at a loss. Otherwise, there’s more political intrigue in the Empire which is cool, but not much action. The big plot point of the issue is the reveal of who the new Emperor is, but like I said, it’s lost on me. Still, a fun Star Wars title, and some good plot advancement.

Black Adam: The Dark Age #1
Filling in the gap from his last appearance in 52 and when he showed up in Countdown, Black Adam shows that even without powers he’s totally brutal and ruthless. Black Adam’s on a quest to resurrect his wife. (By the by, aren’t Lazarus Pit’s supposed to be a finite resource? There always seems to be one more around when needed.) Some member’s of the JSA are trying to track him down. Black Adam is an interesting character, although it’s probably a good choice for this to just be a mini, as he wouldn’t work as an anti-hero. I also wish DC had left him on the shelf a little before bringing him back, but that’s personal choice. Art comes from Doug Mahnke, who should be on higher profile work than this. His work here is great, as he shows of the power and emotion that Black Adam still has. Could be a fun mini, but I’ve dropped most DC books, so I don’t care that much how it ties into the bigger story.