Tintin's Top Ten: Comic Previews 5/3/2013

Tintin's Top Ten

Comic Previews of The Week

 

So as I metioned previously, while last week had a mega event in the Bat-Family, in general there were not enough comics worth reading to warrant a top five let alone a top ten. So mixed with last week's best and the comics out this week, let us see Tintin's Top Ten:

10. Animal Man 18   writer: Jeff Lemiere, art: Steve Pugh

Dc needs to realise that too much of a good thing can flip a cart wheel and explode back into their own faces. That is what is happening with the once promising Rotworld arc playing through Animal Man and Swamp Thing. Then why is Animal Man on this list, well Rotworld is finally onto it's conclusion and Lemiere promises to end with a bang. Currently I am on the second arc of this series and my views simply reflect those of fans following this on an issue release basis. All I can hope is that Lemiere does not fizzle out with his work post Rotworld since his partners in crime on the Swamp end are leaving their book. 





9. Green Arrow 18 writer: Jeff Lemiere, art: Andrea Sorrentino

While Animal Man is falling under 18 issues of Lemiere, Green Arrow has been revived after a lackluster 2 years by the same writer. Using the noir trappings of Daredevil and street flamboyance from Marvel counterpart Hawkeye, GA seems to be only heading upwards. The show Arrow (whose full first season I will review) has been soaring high and GA provides a great counterpart, giving one of the most coolest yet lamest DC superheroes a chance to bask in the limelight. Mysteries abound and miseries deepening, Lemiere hopefully gives us a superb Oliver that is on par with it's pre-New 52 and TV show counterparts. 



8. Green Lantern 18 writer: Geoff Johns, art: Szymon Kudranski

I am quite far off from this issue (I have more to my life than reading comics you know!!!), but Geoff Johns ending his seminal and one of my personal favorite runs means his book will never miss the countdown. The story continues from the previous crossover points, Hal and Sinestro battle for their lives while the first lantern builds towards his malicious goals. Just hoping that as close we come to Johns runs end, the close DC come to announcing an Omnibus collecting his work. 





7. Hawkeye 8 writer: Matt Fraction, art: David Aja and Annie Wu

Probably the best comic on this list, Hawkeye has been an exhilarating ride from the get go. One of last weeks comics, this one gives the expert marksman down time in a valentines special. I am expecting some sensational eye popping and quirky art from the crafty David Aja.










6. Daredevil: End Of Days 6 writer: Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack, art: Klaus Janson, Bill Sienkiewicz, David Mack and Alex Maleev

Amidst the mega events and team books, it's hard to forget that Bendis is a brilliant writer of single character books like Spider-Man. It has been quite a few years since Bendis left his seminal run on Daredevil and end of days had been a continuation from there, if he had been the one to end Murdock's story. The miniseries follows Bugle reporter Ben Urich after the Death of Daredevil, he tries to deduce the mystery falling into a deeper trap with Daredevil villains circling around and a new Daredevil in town. Bendis while a big part of Marvel comics has oft been underappreciated, but there is no denying he may just be the best DD writer (yes, even better than Frank Miller!!!).




5. Guardians of The Galaxy 0.1 writer: Brian Michael Bendis, art: Steve McNiven and John Dell

Another one from last week, I was really debating the merits of this issue. Readers had witnessed an eight page prologue on this already, exploring Peter Quill in the Marvel NOW! previews book but this is Bendis. Bendis doesn't necessarily amaze, but provides a suitable back story for Guardians lead Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord. The current GoTG book is a build up towards their big screen debut in 2014, still with Bendis at the helm fans can be rest assured that Marvel will accelerate even after the films release. This kind of promotion rather than the dull Movie tie-in books is much appreciated move by Marvel comics. 




4. Swamp Thing 18 writer: Scott Snyder, art: Yanick Paquette

As with Animal Man, Rotworld comes through it's heart wrenching conclusion for Swamp Thing. The big difference being that creative duo Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette are headed out with this issue. The team have had an amazing run that has been faltered by the over-extension of this crossover, even then this has probably been the best run on the creature since the life-turning work from Alan Moore. Good luck to whoever takes over, and hopefully this is exciting once I get to beginning the run (of course I could not read Swamp Thing without having read Animal Man).





3. All New X-Men 8 writer: Brian Michael Bendis, art: David Marquez

Since their fast shipping conundrum (or schedule?) it feels like ages since I've read All New X-Men. One of the most entertaining books, this week's issue proves to be stellar with the Avengers coming into conflict with the original time displaced X-Men. The last time the Avengers were on X ground, it began the battle that changed the Marvel Universe and birthed the NOW! initiative. This one is another Bendis book sure to hit it's mark.








2. Batman Incorporated 8 writer: Grant Morrison, art: Chris Burnham and Jason Masters

The only heavy piece from last week, Batman Incorporated is one of the most spoiled comics even before it's release. Even though the emotional impact felt is no less, once I really hated Damian but by now the young Robin has grown on me and it was sad to see him go. Sure death in comics has no meaning, since the young Wayne member is bound to make his return once creator Grant Morrison is out of the picture. But this one I have to read for it's sheer dynamic effect and also an allusion to how the next bat-books will feel without young Damian Wayne around.

  



1. Age of Ultron 1 writer: Brian Michael Bendis, art: Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary

Nothing could have been better than the delaying of this mega event, since of course now it brings Avengers most vaunted foe in the limelight during their 50th Anniversary. Age of Ultron finally gives us the world we had feared, Ultron rules and the heroes are down and out. Event fatigue might set in but it has been long since I have actually read any worthy book on the killer robot. This one has flares of dramatic alluding to the future John Connor (from Terminator) tried to prevent and Ultron has never looked more fun yet deadly. Bendis could not have ended Avengers without giving us his account on their best villain. Hopefully it evades the set event tropes from the past decade and gives us a unique take. 





'Nuff Said

Aneesh Raikundalia