SCARLET WITCH #1 MARVEL COMICS
Many creative teams have tried their hand at a Scarlet Witch title. None have really succeeded. And now that she’s in the Cinematic Universe and had her own short TV show, it was only nature that someone would try again. But it would be impossible to top the Scarlet Witch that was appearing in the original Avengers title in the 1970’s. Luckily, writer Steve Orlando has taken an outside the box approach to this series. With Wanda running an Emporium, the situation has taken a Night Gallery type feel. People come to Wanda for help and their stories are what we are reading. And although, this approach may start to wear thin after a few issues, right now it is quite refreshing. And is her employee Darcy the girl from the Thor movies? Quicksilver is back but seems a little too skinny and young for my tastes. But the panels that feature the interiors of the Emporium are an absolute tribute to Sara Pichelli’s talent as an artist. 7 out of 10 Grahams.
BATMAN #131 DC COMICS
Sigh! So Bruce Wayne is going multi-dimensional again. This time Bruce finds himself in a version of Gotham that has no Batman. Which has Bruce wondering if Failsafe’s attack is a curse or a gift. And while I’ve seen Bruce as a pirate, a caveman, etc. so this is nothing new. However, Chip Zdarsky has dreamed up a universe with a skeleton James Gordon, a Judge (Harvey) Dent hopped up on Venom, and a version of Red Mask that reminds me somewhat of Azrael. And it is a pretty interesting read. Not sure where we are going with this but it’s worth a look-see. Especially with the way Mike Hawthorne draws skulls with moustaches and smoking a pipe. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
ULTRAMAN THE MYSTERY OF ULTRA SEVEN #5 MARVEL COMICS
The mystery continues as more backstory and clues are presented to us. And like any good kaiju television show of the 1970’s, Mat Groom and Kyle Higgins story keeps it moving forward. More than one Ultraman on Earth! A visit to the Land of Light (home of the Ultramen! This is all really good stuff and artist Davide Tinto knows how to illustrate giant fighting warriors! And color artist Espen Grundetjean definitely knows where the silvers and the reds go! I only have one issue moving into the future of this story. And that is the reveal in the ad for the next issue. If true, what’s on the board for issue #6 is all kinds of wrong. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams. At least until next issue.
ACTION JOURNALISM WITH KATE KELLY #4 ONI PRESS
Why are more people not talking about this series? The creative team of Eric Skillman, Miklos Felvideki, and Mariane Gusmao is simply pouring out genius into each and every issue. And issue 4 is no exception as Kate is being forced to write a puff piece on the local superhero with her co-worker Grant. However, what they find is weird even for a day in the life of Kate Kelly! Well written, and illustrated in a way that appeals to all ages, this is a really unique title. Leaving us on a cliffhanger, issue 4 get a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
