Happy New Comic Book Day! With us reaching another Wednesday we got a bunch of new comic books to check out. For this week’s comic book reviews round-up I’ll be spotlighting Birds of Prey #8, Immortal Thor #9, The One Hand #3, Ranger Academy #6, and The Sensational She-Hulk #7. Find out how these turned out by checking out my latest comic book reviews round-up below.
BATMAN #146
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artists: Jorge Jiménez and Michelle Bandini
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
After a strong opening chapter Batman #146 drops the ball with how it attempts to continue the momentum for the “Dark Prison” story arc. Right away this comic book opens with an oddly timed recap prologue/back-up story. From there the story never recovers the momentum started by the first chapter of this story. The only saving grace is some great visuals from Jorge Jimenez that would’ve been even better if the writing matched the level of the artwork. Click here to read the full review.
Final Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10
BIRDS OF PREY #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Javier Pina and David Lopez
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
For a long time, Kelly Thompson has shown that her writing is at its best when writing shorter story arcs that build into a long-term narrative. Birds of Prey #6 once again shows this with how it ends the two-part story that makes of the second arc of this series. The pacing of the story allowed the team chemistry to shine along with the greater story of finding out who is trying to kill Barbara Gordon. The fashion show setting provided a unique energy to the story with Big Barda in particular shining. There is certainly a sense of freedom, in more ways than one, with how Thompson along with the art pair Javier Pina and David Lopez approach maximizing this setting for the mission. The team chemistry and the way the setting is utilized make this the best issue of this Birds of Prey series thus far.
Final Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
IMMORTAL THOR #9
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Ibraim Roberson
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Joe Sabino
We already knew that the Roxxon Thor debut was right around the corner. The question was how would it happen? The Immortal Thor #9 provides us with an answer in the most unexpected way. Al Ewing and Ibraim Roberson certainly have fun going wild with Thor’s confrontation with the Minotaur and Enchantress. The action is not at all traditional with how Thor is challenged. The non-traditional approach makes how Thor is beaten builds intrigue in how comic books are used as a plot device. All of this leads to Immortal Thor #9 giving the vibes of being on an unknown adventure that is fun to just be in the moment and enjoy.
Final Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
THE ONE HAND #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Ram V
Artist: Laurence Campbell
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Detective Ari Nassar is no closer to solving what is going on with the six-finger case than he was at the start. If anything, the events that go down in The One Hand #3 put him further away. The twists that cause this is what make this latest issue work so well. Ram V continues to place challenges against Detective Nassar that leave you questioning what is going on. Just like Detective Nassar, all you can do is take in what is going on and try to figure out what is going on. These challenges are enhanced by the artwork by Laurence Campbell. The mood of the story getting darker and more complex radiates off the pages. It all leads to the blend of detective noir and sci-fi elements The One Hand #3 utilizes work together to build greater investment in the story.
Final Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
RANGER ACADEMY #6
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Maria Ingrande Mora
Artist: Jo Mi-Gyeong
Colorist: Joana Lafuente
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Ranger Academy #6 settles into more of the slice-of-life approach this series has been taking. The school dance setting allows the story to be more character-focused as we see more of how the cast chemistry is the strength of this series. With the school parent dance being what so many are talking about Maria Ingrande Mora and Jo Mi-Gyeong nail how this is being used as a distraction. Though Sage and others are all about their school dance Sage’s Green Ranger problem continues to hang over this series. The weight of being a Green Ranger is felt throughout this issue. The cast chemistry leads to an ending that makes Ranger Academy #6 a solid transition chapter to the next phase of Sage’s character arc.
Final Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
THE SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK #7
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Rainbow Rowell
Artist: Ig Guara
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Letterer: Joe Caamagna
The Sensational She-Hulk #7 is at its best when the characters are simply allowed to be the drivers of the story. Even with She-Hulk taking a backseat to Jack of Hearts and Ganymede the development of these two still is enough to carry the issue. Unfortunately, it is the moments where Rowell inserts their voice as the narrator that the story falters. There is just way too much hand-holding in the first half of Sensational She-Hulk #7 that gets in the way of enjoying what is going on in the scene. With Rowell having Ig Guara delivering great artwork to help get over the impact of the dialogue, the narration just gets in the way. Luckily, the ending for Sensational She-Hulk #7 recovers enough to regain some of its momentum to help the next issue lift up this story.
Final Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
VOID RIVALS #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
Colorist: Matheus Lopes
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Void Rivals #8 is an exhilarating new chapter that firmly establishes Proximus as a Predator-like threat. In the process, Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici focus on putting over Darak, Solila, and Proximus. This along with the character work for Solila builds greater investment in the world-building of this series. Click here for the full review.
Final Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
X-MEN #33
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Joshua Cassara
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
X-Men #33 does a great job acting as a director’s cut to the events seen in Fall of the House of X #3. Between Wolverine and Shadowcat being showcased as badasses to the X-Men taking down the founder of Orchis, this issue accomplishes a lot to further the current crossover. It all leads to making the next phase of Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X feel like we are at the endgame now. Click here for the full review.
Final Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
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