Happy Monday everyone! To kick off the new week on a good note we got a new round up of comic book reviews for the past week of releases. This week we are highlighting Detective Comics #1039, Justice League: Last Ride #3, and Thor #15. Along with these reviews you can check out our reviews for Sinister War #1 and Batman: Urban Legends #5, which include full spoiler synopsis.
DETECTIVE COMICS #1039
Creative Team
Writers: Mariko Tamaki and T.Rex
Artists: Viktor Bogdanovic and T.Rex
Inkers: Daniel Henriques, Norm Rapmund, and Vikotor Bogdanovic
Colorists: Jordie Bellaire and Simon Gough
Story Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
The Good: When it comes to creating a sense of urgency Detective Comics #1039 nails that. Mariko Tamaki and Viktor Bogdanovic are able to tell a multi-layered story with characters in different places without ever losing a sense of what is going on. You are always left aware of what Batman and Huntress are doing, which becomes even more important as they get split up to take on Hue Vile and Roland Worth. This also helps the two villains that Batman and Huntress take on to be put over as they are both new to the Batman world.
The horror aspect of Detective Comics #1039 further elevates the threat that Batman and Huntress are facing off against. It especially helps to make what Tamaki is doing in Detective Comics different from James Tynion’s Batman while still feeling like they are taking place in the same Gotham City. It speaks to how well the current Batman creative teams are working together that we do feel like the vision for what Gotham City current state is creatively in sync right now.
The Bad: The back-up story in Detective Comics #1039 comes across as just telling a different version of the events seen in the main story. It does nothing to add to what is going on. It would’ve been better if we either got a different Batman Family member dealing with the current threats showcased in Detective Comics or telling different story entirely.
Overall: The main story in Detective Comics #1039 does a great job delivering a strong sense of tension. The threats that Batman and Huntress are trying to save Gotham City from are put over well. The twist of what becomes of Huntress at the end makes you want to find out what will happen next in this story.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: LAST RIDE #3
Creative Team
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Miguel Mendonca
Colorist: Enrica Angiolini
Story Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
The Good: Justice League: Last Ride #3 is more the same consistent quality that this mini-series is quickly being known for. Not much happens in terms of overall story. The strength of this issue comes from Chip Zdarsky’s writing of the chemistry for this older version of the Justice League. You get a better idea of the current mentality of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, and Green Lantern as they deal with the current situation they are in with Lobo. While we don’t learn a whole lot the set-up and character work keeps your attention in what each character says.
Miguel Mendonca’s artwork solid artwork furthers the consistency of this series. Mendonca gets over the different emotions felt by each character involved as this is a dialogue heavy issue. It all keeps things moving along and has you looking forward to when Mendonca gets to draw some big action sequences.
The Bad: The story around Lobo does not progress very far. We are still in the same spot we were in the previous two issues of Justice League: Last Ride in terms of what happens. It does make certain scenes like with Superman’s anger come across as repetitive. Mixing in more action or progress with Lobo’s case will help curve that in future issues.
Overall: Justice League: Last Ride #3 is another character focused issue. We continue to see how the current state of the Justice League in this alternate future impacts the way they operate. Hopefully future issues pact more in when it comes to developing the bigger story involving Lobo.
THOR #15
Creative Team
Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Michele Bandini
Inker: Michele Bandini and Elisabetta D’Amico
Colorist: Matt Wilson
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
The Good: With every passing issue Donny Cates has amazed me with his work on Thor. makes reading Cates’ Thor so unique is how every single issue builds on the other. Thor #15 is no different. You feel extremely reward in having read the previous 14 issues as all the events in those comic books get you inside the mindset of Thor. He is no longer just the superhero God of Thunder that likes to have fun. Thor has great responsibility as King of Asgard and his clash with Donald Blake just opened his eyes more to his new responsibilities.
The greater ramifications of Thor’s mentality impacting his status as a superhero is what really makes Thor #15 an incredible reading experience. Every page builds to make the meeting Thor has with Captain America be one of the most important scenes we’ve had in a Marvel comic book in a long time. The long term ramifications of Thor’s decision is something that can be felt across the Marvel Universe. It creates even greater excitement for the plans Cates has for his run on Thor.
Michele Bandini knocks it out of the park as the guest artist in Thor #15. The opening party scene works well to drive home how different Thor is at the moment. The meeting with Loki and Captain America that Thor has at different points in this issue are given greater importance because of Bandini’s excellent artwork. Which made the final page hit hard when you see that splash page.
The Bad: Nothing.
Overall: Thor #15 is pure excellence from beginning to end. Donny Cates and Michele Bandini absolutely nail what Thor’s current mentality is after the dramatic events that took place involving Donald Blake. The final scene with Captain America builds even greater excitement for the unknown journey that we are on with Thor.
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