Atomic Robo #1
This is one book I’ve really been looking forward to, as I’m a big fan of writer Brian Clevinger‘s webcomic 8-bit Theater. The series is about a robot created by Nikola Tesla in 1923, which goes on to have a series of adventures across time. This issue, he fights a German scientist who is performing illegal experiments. I have to say though that it didn’t really work for me. There are some good ideas here, but a lot of the humor fell flat. There’s also some storytelling issues as there are a number of panels that are unnecessary and break the pacing of the story. The art looks very good though. Artist Scott Wegener has a style that’s one part Mike Avon Oeming and one part Mike Mignola. I really enjoyed the look of the book and the designs for the characters, but again there’s just a bit of work to be done on the storytelling. As this is the first comic work I’ve seen from both of them, I’ll continue to pick up the series, but I’d like to see a bit of improvement. —2 out of 5

PULL LIST 10-10-07 Atomic Robo #1 Wolverine #58 New Avengers #35 Runaways #28 Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew: The Final Ark #1 Green Lantern #24

Wolverine #58
So, according to this issue, every time that Wolverine is mortally wounded, he has to have some kind of mystical fist fight with the angel of death in order to return to life. Apparently this is because he once defeated the angel in real combat during World War 1. Yeah, that’s basically what’s explained in this issue. Do we really need this information? Does it make Wolverine a more interesting character? The answer to both is no. I could forgive the story if it was told well, but Howard Chaykin‘s art is not very good here. He spends a lot of time drawing Iron Man and Dr. Strange, and his Iron Man seems way out of proportion. It doesn’t help that Tony Stark looks exactly like Dr. Strange except for the patches of white hair. I was hoping this arc would be good, but I’m just not a big enough Wolverine fan to keep buying. —1 out of 5

New Avengers #35
I’d probably be enjoying this arc more if Mighty Avengers were on schedule, as major events tie in to the second arc of that series, and with issue 5 due out this week, and who knows when issue 6 will be out, this New Avengers arc will be over before we see the first issue of that arc. This is another example of production woes affecting a story. There’s not much going on here, as Brian Bendis gives us a deeper look at the criminal organization he’s setting up (is it just me, or does this story bear a striking resemblance to DC’s Secret Society story during Infinite Crisis?) The main characters of the book make a grand total of zero page appearances, unless you count the cover. There’s a way too brutal scene involving Tigra, but no real info given as to how the Hood knows anything about her or her family. It’s just a boring issue that begs for me to wait for the trade. —2 out of 5

Runaways #28
Another disappointing book this week, as I don’t think Joss Whedon is cut out to write this series. He gets a lot of the character moments right, but the plot is basically impenetrable. Maybe it’s my own fault, maybe it’s just the wait between issues, but I have no idea what’s going on or who most of the new characters are. There are way too many characters running around, and their motivation isn’t explained very well. I have to say though that Michael Ryan‘s art has grown on me, and I’m kind of enjoying his depictions of the characters. He’s got nice, expressive faces, which is needed for this book. That said, I’m now looking forward to the creative change once Whedon’s arc is done, the problem being, who knows when it will be done? —3 out of 5

Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew: The Final Ark #1
I’m conflicted on how to review this issue, as I picked it up on a recommendation, but don’t really have any familiarity with the characters, and generally don’t like this kind of book. I will admit that this book is a cartoon on paper. There’s a lot of energy and Scott Shaw does a great job with the art. And if I was a fan of the old Captain Carrot series, I’d probably enjoy this more. Except I’m not, so I didn’t really get much out of it. Humor books are hard to review because comedy is so subjective. The comedy here is a lot of comic book in-jokes, as the Zoo Crew go to their version of San Diego Comic-con (Sandy Eggo.) There’s only so many animal themed name changes that I can read before the joke gets old. The craft on this is fine in fact it’s really great, it’s just not meant for me. —3 out of 5

Green Lantern #24
To prove to myself that all the books I bought last week weren’t a disappointment, I’m going to talk about my favorite book of the week, Green Lantern. I’ve written before how much I am enjoying the Sinestro War crossover, and I’m back to say it again. This has been, pointless special issues aside, the great story of the summer. It’s kept me excited at every turn, the pacing is great, and there are lots of surprises in every issue. Each part feels important to the story, and more than anything, it is action packed. I want lots of fighting in my event books, and this delivers. Ivan Reis does his continual stellar job on art, drawing great scenes with massive crowds of characters. This issue sees the human GL’s get together to defeat Parallax. I love when they chant the Green Lantern oath, it gets me every time. Really, if you’re not reading this, pick up these issues. —4 out of 5