Thursday, May 11, 2017

Wess Reads Comics - Week of 5/10/17

Each week, Wess grabs a few issues from his stack of comics to share his thoughts with you. If you're looking for a place for brief, initial impressions, then this is it! Have questions about books that Wess didn't review? Then leave a comment below!

Check out Wess' advance review of A.D. After Death Book 3 here!



All Star Batman #10
Written by: Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, & Rafael Scavone
Art by: Albuquerque, Sebastián Fiumára, & Trish Mulvihill
Words by: Steve Wands
Published by: DC Comics

Let's go ahead and get this out of the way: I love Scott Snyder's writing. Like in a definite fan-boy, man crush kind of way. At this point, I will follow a story where he takes it and I've never been disappointed. This might by the place where you expect me to write "but..."; but, that's not happening.

All Star #10 begins a new arc, "The First Ally", with artist Rafael Albuquerque providing the art on each issue. Not only that but he's also co-writing each of the back-ups with Rafael Scavone. In the main arc, Snyder continues his trend of pushing the crazy Batman envelope with trying to figure out what we haven't seen Bats do before. Up this week: driving the Batmobile through a stadium filled with people and having him eject at high speeds to catch Hush. Also, when can we get a Snyder Hush story?? 

If you're reading "The First Ally" and wondering when Dick Grayson might show up, you'd be wrong. The focus this story is on the real first ally: Alfred Pennyworth. As the story unfolds you learn a little of Alfred's background but also his inner thoughts that pertain to Bruce. One of the things many people discount is that Alfred is a father to Bruce as much as Thomas ever was. When I was reading this I kept thinking about the comparison that could be made to Clark & Pa Kent. Pa Kent pushed Clark to become the best version of himself he could be. To always put others first and to put himself out there. Alfred on the other hand is about holding Bruce back. Holding him back from letting the darkness consume him and back from the precipice that he stands on each night he dons that cowl. So here, it's great to get more insight into the butler who became the father. And that seems to be a theme that will run throughout the rest of the arc.

Snyder and Albuquerque work so well together and it seems that everything is such a good fit for each other. The best thing about each arc having different artists is that they develop their own flavor, their own feel. While the art from Albuquerque feel familiar from 'American Vampire' in never feels derivative. It still feels fresh and like someone who could stay on a book for years to come.

All Star Batman #10 continues Scott Snyder's winning streak with Batman and brings what looks to be a great look into this relationship between father and son.


Grade: A+


PULL LIST
DC Comics
  • Action Comics #979 by Dan Jurgens, Patch Zircher, Hi-Fi, & Rob Leigh
  • All Star Batman #10 by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, Jordie Bellaire, Steve Wands, Rafael Scavone, Sebastián Fiumára, & Trish Mulvihill
  • Detective Comics #956 by James Tynion IV, Marcio Takara, Marcello Maiolo, & Sail Cipriano
  • Detective Comics Vol. 2: The Victim Syndicate by James Tynion IV, Marguerite Bennett, Alvaro Martinez, Eddy Barrows, Ben Oliver, Al Barrionuevo, Carmen Carnero, Raul Fernandez, Eber Ferreira, Scott Hanna, Julio Ferreira, Szymon Kudranski, Adiano Lucas, Brad Anderson, Gabe Eltab, Hi-Fi, & Marilyn Patrizio
  • Justice League of America #6 by Steve Orlando, Andy MacDonald, Hi-Fi, & Clayton Cowles
  • Wonder Woman #22 by Greg Rucka, Mirka Andolfo, Romulo Fajardo Jr, & Jodi Wynne

Image Comics
  • A.D.: After Death Book 3 by Scott Snyder, Jeff Lemire, & Steve Wands

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