Comic book that released this week is pretty much mixed bag. Some of them were good and some of them are not. Good thing is the Absolute Superman, DC's third book from 'Absolute Line' has been released this week. Also Marvel released their second issue of Aliens vs Avengers this week after being absence for two months.
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| Best Comic Book of this week |
Absolute Superman (Issue 1)
The Absolute universe has turned out to be pretty impressive with excellent first issues for Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman, but now it’s time for Superman’s turn. Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval deliver a new take on Superman in Absolute Superman, maintaining the core DNA of the character but making him bigger and better for the modern era.
Absolute Superman #1 opens up with the alternate history of Krypton. These first 12 pages introduce us to how Krypton is different than in the main universe. A key element is the symbols people wear on their chests to signify their social class. It’s here that the story fleshes out Superman’s point of view of the world.
At the bottom of the class system is the labor guild, wearing the familiar Superman “S” symbol. At the top are the klerics (with a K!) of the science league, signified by a star symbol. It appears Superman was born into a system where he was told he was lesser than others, making for an interesting start for a young hero on his own on Earth.
Once Superman enters the story, we see he helps those at the bottom rung on Earth. This issue reveals more about the larger world in this universe, and it’s one where a class system is apparent, with the richest using a firm boot of fascist strength to get what they want. This is a Superman who fights for the little guy. As far as first issues go, this issue delivers on Superman’s backstory, general purpose, and most immediate conflict. A lot of time is spent on Krypton, so Superman doesn’t get quite enough time on the page. Sandoval and colorist Ulises Arreola firmly ground this story with realistic art. Krypton is fantastical, of course, but the sci-fi world is rendered in a way that makes it come to life. Strange alien vegetation, a city surrounded by volcanoes as if the dangerous lava runs through it, and great detail in technology make it all come to life.
Absolute Superman #1 is another home run for DC Comics’ Absolute line. This first issue opens up Krypton in a brand new way and sets up Superman as the ultimate immigrant underdog.
Avengers vs Aliens (Issue 2)
Over two months ago, Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic launched the Avengers vs. Aliens crossover, which we all knew was coming after Disney purchased 20th Century Fox. The wait for issue #2 is over, and it’s as intense as one could expect given the stakes. Humanity as we know it is on the brink of extinction thanks to an alien attack. After reading the issue it’s quite clear nobody is ready for how deep Hickman is going with the Alien lore.
You can get a sense of how deep Hickman is going, given the Aliens vs. Avengers. The first issue had all the makings of classic Alien, from synthetics to Alien queens, facehuggers, and lots of death. Issue #2 opens things up to reveal the Engineer’s homeworld and the acts of David 8.
It’s a bold set of events that further defines the “villain” of the series and how screwed the Marvel heroes are.
Clearly a fan of Prometheus, Hickman reveals that a bunch of David 8 synthetics killed the Engineers, as one did in Alien: Covenant, but they got bored. More specifically, they realized there is a multiverse and, thus, more work to do. Playing off the themes of David 8 wanting to be God, a creator, he and his copies set out to eradicate all life.
There’s also a nice bit of action, with another spectacular panel showing Hulk doing his worst to the aliens. Other unforgettable Ribic moments include space scenes, an epic spaceship reveal, and an old Captain America doing his best to get as much of Earth as possible.
The biggest strength of Aliens vs. Avengers #2 is how thick the plot gets. The stakes were already high, but now we have a better sense of who the real enemies are. This isn’t a hero versus Alien battle, but something that spans the multiverse and threats much bigger than the heroes ever faced.
Batgirl #1
Tate Brombal shows he writes better the street level characters. I’m honestly stunned I went into this book with the expectation it would be more of the same. The same lazy non-attempts to write her dialogue authentically, while other characters do all the important stuff. None of that is here. This isn’t just a good Cass, this is Cassandra Cain we all love. The all important second part of this book is her mother, Lady Shiva. Shiva and Cass have always had a very rocky relationship, and that is portrayed perfectly here. There have been some attempts to bridge the gap between them in the past decade, a noble effort, but not one fully true to how either would approach it. This is the right way, forcing them together because of Shiva’s arrogance and Cass’s noble heart. I’m happy they both feel so in character here. I also love how she notes Cass’ similarities to her “father”, and it’s up to the reader to decide if she means David Cain, her biological father… or Bruce Wayne, the father she chose.
Batgirl #1 is one of the best book that come to this year. This is a Cass that’s real, a Cass that’s true. This is the Cass that made me fall in love with her character, and changed my life forever. The one that made me feel more comfortable to be different, and to not be ashamed of it.
JSA (Issue 1)
The Justice Society of America’s had a rocky road as of late. The Black Adam movie, which features the group in a prominent role, wasn’t a box office hit and the recently concluded Justice Society of America maxiseries written by Geoff Johns was plagued by both delays (it also probably didn’t help that Johns is now over at Image Comics with Ghost Machine.) JSA #1 by Jeff Lemire and Diego Olortegui aims to pick up the pieces, with the JSA front and center.
But this time the roster is different, as the senior members of the JSA have gone missing and the younger members are divided in the wake of Absolute Power. With their ranks thinned and the threat of the terrorist organization known as Kobra looming, can the JSA pull together, or are they doomed?
Lemire is bringing the energy that permeates his work on Black Hammer to JSA; the fact that Jay Garrick, Alan Scott and the rest of the JSA’s senior members are trapped in the Tower of Fate feels extremely reminiscent of Black Hammer‘s setup. But he also brings a new dynamic to the table with the younger members of the JSA. Jade is struggling to hold her team together, while dealing with her brother Obsidian’s more extreme method of dealing with Kobra’s members. That’s not even getting into the fact that Hourman and Jesse Quick have hit a rough patch following Absolute Power. Lemire manages to write these conflicts in a human way, building on the inherent bonds between characters rather than stooping to cheap drama.
JSA #1 is the fresh start the Justice Society needed, as Jeff Lemire and Diego Orlotegui pushes the team in a new era. If DC were to pick books that serve as a representation of its “All-In” era, this would be at the top of the list.
Ultimates (Issue 6)
The Ultimates #6 is the team’s first real showdown. They’re up against one of The Maker’s council members, otherwise known as the Hulk. So far, the Ultimate Universe has been lacking in direct conflicts, save for the first issue of Ultimates, but now it’s time to see if this eleven-person team can handle a real supervillain fight. As revealed at the start of The Ultimates #6, this is an 11-person team because Doom (Reed Richards) isn’t going on the rescue mission. We learn early on that Iron Lad has intel that bonafide heroes are locked up and need saving. The mission sees Iron Lad, Captain America, Hawkeye, Thor, Sif, She-Hulk, The Human Torch, Giant-Man, Wasp, and American Chavez expecting H.A.N.D. agents and maybe a super-powered villain or two. What they actually face off against is far, far worse. To say The Ultimates #6 is brutal is an understatement. Writer Deniz Camp and artist Juan Frigeri put this team through the paces, complete with caption boxes that detail fight moves and the number of Hiroshima’s each pack. The Hiroshima reference is apt, seeing as they face the radiated Hulk and a band of radiated henchmen nearly as powerful as he is. Oh, and Hulk is the Iron Fist. Considering the Ultimates are a band of heroes who haven’t faced off against a team like this and some very new to being heroes, you’ll wonder if any of them will make it out alive. Along the way, She-Hulk adds some personal vendetta to the battle, as she truly hates Hulk and what he did to her island. Meanwhile, Iron Lad is trying to hold it together, as he inadvertently gets this team into a situation that could get them all killed. Ultimates #6 delivers a gripping and intense showdown that raises the stakes for this team of heroes in ways that will redefine the Ultimate Universe. Deniz Camp’s writing and Juan Frigeri’s art combine to create a high-octane, brutal, and visually stunning issue that leaves readers on edge.
Nemesis: Rogue Gallery (Issue 4)
In current ongoing Nemesis run, we got to see our Batman-esque rich psychopath known as Nemesis has found his own Robin and now they do all the crimes together. As much threat as they are, Cops has now prepared themselves very differently this time. They’ve got high techs and gadgets which can take Nemesis down to their knees. Nemesis and his sidekick are in big trouble as they've successfully stolen a rare diamond. They were having hard time to face against those heavily armed cops but somehow they successfully escaped, all thanks to his sidekick.
4th issue of this book was pretty intense and action heavy. The dialogues give readers the feelings of tension and shivers about the bad situation they've fell into while dealing with those cops. This is where Mark Millar wrote those words so masterfully that can make fan want to know more about the lore. Valerio Giangiordano's detailed art gives the page more dark, depressed and melancholy tone in it.