Welcome back to another edition of our comic book reviews round-up! For this edition of the comic book reviews round-up we are looking at Absolute Superman #2, Batgirl #2, Batman #155, Birds of Prey #16, Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #8, The Ultimates #7, and X-Men #8. Find out how these turned out with our comic book reviews round-up for the first week of the month of December.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterer: Becca Carey
Absolute Superman #2 carries the momentum of its debut issue forward and creates even more magic. From Jason Aaron’s compelling character work to Rafa Sandoval’s stunning artwork, Absolute Superman is already making a strong case for being DC Comics’ best series. This comic book is that special. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
BATGIRL #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Tate Brombal
Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Batgirl #2 has all the elements needed to be successful. Unfortunately, it stumbles when it comes the most crucial part to its success. That is simply that Tate Brombal writes Cassandra Cain like every other comic book character rather than tapping into what is unique about her. Brombal is so concerned about the reader knowing how Cassandra reads others that he doesn’t let Takeshi Miyazawa’s artwork help. That leaves Batgirl reading like every other comic book rather than standing out by showing why Cassandra Cain is a great character.
Overall Rating: 3.5 Night Girls out of 10
BATMAN #155
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Jorge Fornes
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Crafting a story around “What did Jim Gordon do?” has been a uniting question that is bringing together the different sub-plots Chip Zdarsky has been developing. The way it all comes together in Batman #155 grabs your attention. The best part about it is that is how Bruce Wayne is being challenged on multiple fronts. There is no time to rest or think too much. The way he goes about taking action progresses everything at the same time. The stellar artwork from Jorge Fornes further elevated the story in Batman #155 with great style.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
BIRDS OF PREY #16
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Sami Basri
Inker: Vicente Cifuentes
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
With each passing issue Kelly Thompson’s Birds of Prey is getting better and better. Birds of Prey #16 continues that trend with its strong balance of every member of the team. Thompson and Sami Basri’s handling of Cassandra Cain’s mission acts as a catalyst for the dynamics on the team to show itself. How Black Canary notices the little things about how Oracle is acting was a great way to show that they are best friends. The final page sets up the finale of this story to have a strong wrap up.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Paolo Villanelli
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: Ariana Maher
If anything, Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #8 proves that this series does not need the Black Tarantula storyline. This is shown between the dynamic Spider-Gwen has with Luke Cage and Jessica Jones along with the big fight against Doctor Phobia. There is so much this series can do with other villains in shorter story arcs that having this long running Black Tarantula story is dragging the series down. Hopefully this series can move on and live up to its full potential, as shown by this very issue.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
THE ULTIMATES #7
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Juan Frigeri
Colorist: Federico Blee
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Given what happened in the previous issue The Ultimates #7 takes the time to slow things down. It does so by still keeping in mind this is a team series. Seeing how each member of the Ultimates processes their defeat at the Hulk’s hands gives much more depth to each character. Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri get over each individual personality while building on the theme of how their defeat was an eye-opening experience. The place things are left in by the end of The Ultimates #7 creates even more questions about the direction of the team.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
X-MEN #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Ryan Stegman
Inkers: JP Mayer, Livesay, and Ryan Stegman
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman knocked it out of the park with how they kicked off the “Raid On Graymalkin” crossover event. The layers to this story created a compelling narrative around where the X-Men are right now and how Doctor Corina Ellis has become a major threat to the mutants. By the end of this first chapter your left wanting to find out what will happen next. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
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