This was a packed week of comic book releases. To hit on all the releases, I’ve put together a review round up to cover Green Arrow #3, Power Rangers Unlimited: The Coinless, and X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse #1. If you haven’t already, you can also check out our advance reviews posted earlier in the week for Creed: The Next Round #1 and Local Man #5. Scroll down for reviews of Green Arrow #3, Power Rangers Unlimited: The Coinless, and X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse #1.
GREEN ARROW #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Sean Izaakse
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Troy Peteri
REVIEW
Visually, Green Arrow #3 is one of DC Comics best looking comic books. Sean Izaakse is not missing when it comes to artwork. And its even more impressive here as he draws both the Green Arrow Family and Legion of Superheroes. Its on the story side that Green Arrow doesn’t match the impressive artwork.
Joshua Williamson script is one that throws everything at the reader. It almost like many comedies that throw a bunch of jokes at the viewer hoping that every few will get a laugh. Williamson employs a similar style with how continuity heavy Green Arrow #3 is. This will be most rewarding to Green Arrow fans that have knowledge of the character’s history. But for every reference that hit, there are things mentioned that if you don’t know will fall flat as information is thrown at a rapid speed.
While the continuity heavy storytelling can be a turn off there is no doubting Williamson’s ability to capture all of the characters voices in Green Arrow #3. Oliver Queen, Lian Harper, Connor Hawke, and the Legion of Super-Heroes are all written as you expect them to. Though it is disappointing that Williamson choose to use Brian Bendis’ version of the Legion Of Super-Heroes the way they are written is a vast improvement. The character writing leads to the twists that are had when it comes to the truth behind all the Multiverse jumps Oliver, Lian, and Connor have had to be intriguing enough.
Where the story does not hit is the Black Canary and Arsenal vs Peacemaker and Peacewrecker was a major disappointment. Williamson takes what could have been an intense fight and turns it into something that comes across as the story just buying time to extend the story. The lack of urgency goes against how Arsenal and Black Canary were characterized in the previous issue. Especially considering the development with Oliver and the others, this part of the story could’ve been cut without impacting the story at all.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The enjoyment of Green Arrow #3 will vary on how much knowledge of the Green Arrow Family that you have. The continuity heavy nature of the story does cause some pacing issues. But thanks to solid character arcs for Oliver Queen and Lian Harper along with a cool twist ending there is enough here to be interested in continuing to read more.
Story Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 6.5 Night Girls out of 10
POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Adam Cesare
Artist: Moises Hidalgo
Colorist: Arthur Hesli
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
REVIEW
When it comes to the Power Rangers Unlimited line of comics for the franchise they are largely standalone expansions to stories from the shows or comics. Power Rangers Unlimited: The Coinless deviates a bit in this regard. While it is an extension of the current Recharged Era storyline in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic, The Coinless is one part of a bigger story. That is because the way Lord Drakkon’s return to the Coinless Universe is positioned as the start rather than finish of this particular chapter.
Given the stature of not just Lord Drakkon but the Coinless Universe as a whole going this route was a smart call. We’ve seen creative teams spend a lot of time fleshing out the Coinless Universe standing on its own as part of the Power Rangers mythos. Power Rangers Unlimited: The Coinless further drives home how this is a universe that is living and breathing.
The best thing about it is how the creative team of Adam Cesare and Moises Hidalgo utilize various story elements of the Zordon Era. With this issue we see how the Coinless Universe version of the remaining Power Rangers deal with the threat of Dark Specter. As with the main universe, Dark Specter is treated as the Darkseid and Thanos of the Power Rangers mythos. He wields incredible power that even not physically appearing he is a threat given the state of the Coinless Universe’s Earth.
Through all of that Cesare and Hidalgo make great use of the ongoing character arcs for Lord Drakkon, Ranger Slayer Kimberly, and all the other Coinless Universe residents. There are developments in here that is a continuation of everyone’s stories. Whether its in the present or flashback scenes, the character choices get you further invested in the residents of the Coinless Universe. The ending in created a lot of questions as to exactly how the Power Rangers creative team will circle back to the Coinless Universe and possible ties to the upcoming Darkest Hour event.
FINAL THOUGHTS
From beginning to end Power Rangers Unlimited: The Coinless is a riveting read. If you have been following along with Lord Drakkon and the Coinless Universe story this is a must read. The way the Zordon Era storylines are adapted into the Coinless Universe setting is proficiently handled. It all builds on a universe that hopefully gets more attention in the future, possibly during the Darkest Hour event.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
X-MEN: BEFORE THE FALL – HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Al Ewing
Artists: Luca Pizzari, Stefano Landini, and Raphael Pimento
Colorist: Cici De La Cruz
Letterer: Travis Lanham
REVIEW
What makes X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse #1 a fascinating read is that aEwing is unapologetic about the focus on Apocalypse. As the title suggests, Ewing focus on what’s been going on with Apocalypse since we last saw him and his family in X of Swords. In the process we get some filling in the gaps for Apocalypse history in the Krakoa Era.
Above everything, what Ewing proves with this comic book is that he knows how to write a multi-layered Apocalypse. Here we see an Apocalypse that is a ruler, warrior, family man, and caretaker. Each of these elements for Apocalypse are highlighted in ways that stick true to the character. Ewing makes sure that Apocalypse voice always stays true to who fans know. But we are given a deeper look thanks to Apocalypse being with his family and heralds.
The dynamic with Genesis is the most intriguing part of X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse #1. Genesis has enough scenes in this issue where you are left believing she could’ve carried this comic book if the spotlight was on her in the same amount as it was for Apocalypse. But it’s the dynamic that Genesis and Apocalypse share that makes them both even stronger characters. You understand their relationship is one of love, even if the way that is expressed isn’t something that can be considered as traditional. Its in that part that makes the spot Ewing leaves Apocalypse by the end a strong foundation for his potential role in the Fall of X event.
The artwork by Luca Pizzari, Stefano Landini, and Raphael Pimento was solid. They keep their styles the same, so you don’t notice the change in artists when they happen. That said, the artwork itself is too clean at times that limits the seriousness of what is going on in certain scenes. There was a need for brutality that isn’t hit on from the art side of things. It’s in the scenes that need the brutality that it does feel as though the story was censored in how far it could actually go with the content.
FINAL THOUGHTS
X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse #1 provides an important and focused comic book. With this comic book Al Ewing fills in some of the gaps of Apocalypse post-House of X/Power of X continuity while laying the groundwork for his potentially big role in the upcoming Fall of X event. It is definitely a must read for X-Men fans of the Krakoa Era.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10