Welcome back to another edition of comic book reviews round-up! This week we’ll be covering Absolute Flash #2, Detective Comics #1096, Godzilla vs Hulk #1, Nightwing #125, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #8, Titans #22, Ultimate Wolverine #4, and Zatanna #3. Find out how these comic books turned out with the latest comic book reviews round-up below.
ABSOLUTE FLASH #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Nick Robles
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Absolute Flash #2 accomplishes setting up a lot without halting its momentum is impressive. There are several things done that hint at bigger stories coming down the road for the Absolute Universe that establish how important Wally West will be. That importance makes how differently Wally’s speedster powers work in the Absolute Universe hit on appearing unique. That is showcased well with how Wally has to survive being hunted by the Rogues, who all have cool upgraded designs. It all comes together for another strong follow-up to the debut of this series.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
DETECTIVE COMICS #1096
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Mikel Janin
Inker: Norm Rapmund
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Detective Comics #1096 provides a solid conclusion to Tom Taylor and Mikel Janin’s first story arc in their run on this series. The conclusion involving Batman choosing whether to let Joe Chill die or save him is not new territory. But given how previous stories involving Joe Chill have gone it is good that this story acts as the “official” take on this for the DC Universe. That along with the way the Batman Family are integrated helped to further define how far Bruce Wayne has grown at this stage in his life.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
GODZILLA VS HULK #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Giuseppe Camucoli
Inker: Daniele Orlandini
Colorist: Federico Blee
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Godzilla vs Hulk #1 doesn’t deliver what is expected but the story we do get worked to create a well put together narrative. Going against expectations worked because of the reason given as to why Godzilla and Hulk ultimately teamed up. It does not make you forget the disappointment of a Godzilla vs Hulk throwdown but at least it was a fine alternative. Click here to read the full review.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
NIGHTWING #125
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Nightwing #125 is first and foremost a visual showcase. Francesco Francavilla nails the detective mystery vibe of this story as Nightwing and Maggie Sawyer’s alliance is tested. There are so many great visual design choices made that elevate the story being told. Dan Watters meets the moment by having the writing match the tone set by the artwork. The developments further the way we continue to see Bludhaven evolving as a city after everything that happened with Blockbuster and Heartless. And most importantly how Nightwing and Commissioner Maggie Sawyer are taking on these challenges.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Letterer: Shawn Lee
While Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #8 starts off where the previous issue leaves off this is more of a standalone story. Jason Aaron is obviously taking the spirit of how he started off his run with a series of one-shots into how these longer story arcs are structured. That creates yet another TMNT comic in Aaron’s run that is easy to simply jump into without missing a beat. The focus on Leonardo and Donatello in particular further highlights how the TMNT are all broken in different ways. While they all have their fighting abilities it is clear they aren’t at 100% for different reasons. It’s those different reasons that create makes this Enemy of the State narrative as the Turtles are enemy #1 in New York City even more fascinating.
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
TITANS #22
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Daniel Bayliss
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Titans #22 delivers exactly what it needed to be in explaining the return of Deathstroke and leading the new Crime Syndicate. Bringing back Terra in the fold helps work in more Teen Titans history into the series. Everything else that is developed establishes a strong potential for the Titans vs Crime Syndicate storyline. Click here to read the full review.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE #4
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Alessandro Cappuccio
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Cory Petit
Ultimate Wolverine #4 is a comic book saved by the final four pages of this issue. Before getting to the conclusion it felt like this issue was spinning its wheels with plot beats explored in previous issues. The retread nature felt like the story was stuck in place when there was so much to get done. It was lucky that the best was saved for last as the presence of Jean Grey and other revelations made hook you into wanting to find out what happens next in Ultimate Wolverine.
Overall Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
ZATANNA #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer and Artist: Jamal Campbell
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Reading comic books like Zatanna #3 is a reminder of the unlimited potential comics have for storytelling. The sheer imagination that Jamal Campbell injects in this story is simply amazing. As the writer and artist, Campbell understands when to pull back to let his artwork tell the story and when the dialogue needs to deliver the impactful punch. That balance made the twist and turns that Zatanna’s story takes creates even more intrigue because of all the unknowns. This is a true experience not to be missed out on.
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
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