The Final Verdict On All the Comics That Matter This Week

Revenger: Trapped, One Shot
Charles Forsman (Art, Script, and Letters)

6 Stars

A gruesome little yarn that reads like an early '80s Charles Bronson movie, with the art style of an early '80s hardcore punk flyer.

The first thing that came to mind at page one, panel one, was Raymond Pettibon, for those of you who do not know, was the artist for many of the early flyers and album covers for the 1980s hardcore punk band Black Flag. (Google: "Raymond Pettibon Black Flag Flyer") The art has a similarly subtle grotesque nature. The shading and shape of the characters' features have distinct imperfections that give the comic an appropriate grit. As the story unfolds and "The Revenger" punch, kicks, and slashes her way out of her "Trap" set by a group of "Hills People" reminiscent of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, "The Revenger" lays down an old fashioned ass kicking and the rest you can probably guess

The story is a bit thin, you don't receive much in the way of character development for the "The Revenger", but her trope of "Silent Badass" is blatantly obvious, certainly appropriate for this stand alone story. .

Overall, the artwork fits well with the tone of the story, bolstering the gruesome nature and giving you an 1980s throwback feel. Although the story was not reinventing the wheel, it was a good romp if you enjoy a bit of ultra-violence and blood.

Snow Blind (#1 of 4) 
Ollie Masters (Writer), Tyler Jenkins (Art), and Colin Bell (Letters)

8 STARS

Snow Blind centers around "Teddy", a high school age, "outsider" type who lives with his disapproving, drunkard dad, and loving if not misguided mother in a small town in Alaska. Teddy has suspected there's something about his parent's life they are hiding, but he's never been able to put a finger on it. His whole world begins to turn upside down when he catches a stranger attempting to break into his parent's home late one night. The next day he over hears a conversation his parents' are having with a local detective and exposes the beginning of a massive secret his mother and father have been hiding from him since his birth. As Teddy attempts to investigate, and nearly gets caught by his father in the process, the final page leaves Teddy in a situation leaving you asking how he will recover.

Jenkins' "sketch" art style does a great job of setting the bleak, and mysterious mood of issue one. The watercolors and tones give a great sense of place. The colors make the setting look perpetually overcast and gloomy, like that of the cold Alaskan winter. That plays perfectly into the sense of looming darkness over the heads of our characters. It also aligns with the outlook and mood of Teddy who feels out of place with his surroundings, peers, and certainly his parents. If there is one small part of the visual aspect of this book that was a bit jarring was the sound effect lettering. The dialogue lettering fit well with the sketchbook style of Jenkins, however, the sound effects were lettered in very clean text with bright colors that seemed out of place with the rest of lettering and art.

Masters' introduction and development of Teddy and his relationship to his peers and parents was done excellently. You immediately feel sympathy for him, and understand the disconnect between him and his father. His compromise to appease his peers to just make it through the day is something relatable regardless of how much of an outsider or a popular person you may be. Masters' gets you to invest in the well-being of Teddy and root for him in his mysterious journey to uncover his family's unsavory past.

I certainly recommend this comic to anyone, particularly if you enjoy crime mysteries. This was an exceptionally promising and compelling first issue, that leaves you with almost no choice but to pick up the next issue to see how Teddy gets out of the last page cliff hanger.

Batman and Robin Eternal #10
James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly (Story, Script)
Roge Antonio and Geraldo Borges (Art) Allen Passalaqua (Colors) Marilyn Patrizio (Letters)

6 Stars

This series continues to deliver above average stories that compel you to follow week to week. Fantastic character moments and over-the-top interactions from '90s rogue gallery favorites. 
  
Batman #47
Scott Snyder (Script) Greg Capullo (Pencils) Danny Miki (Inks) Fco Plascencia (Colors)  Steve Wanos (Letters)

7 Stars

Snyder and Capullo continue to deliver issue after issue of great work on their monumental Batman run. The character of Mr. Bloom is developed in an intriguing and unexpected way, and the "Commissioner Gordan-Batman era" may soon be coming to a close!

Grayson #15: Robin War Part 2
Tom King (Script, Story) Tim Seeley (Plot) Mikel Janin (Art) Jeromy Cox (Color) Carlos M. Mangual (Letters)

8 Stars

King, Seeley, and Janin continue their stellar work on Grayson and deliver the best issue of Robin War. The fantastic moments with each of the original Robins and the stunning artwork make this issue one of the best of the week.  

Detective Comics #47: Robin War Part 3
Ray Fawkes (Script) Steve Pugh (Art) Chris Sotomayor (Color) Wes Abbott (Letters)

5 Stars

The weakest part of an otherwise very well done Robin War event. There is little plot development and average artwork. You could probably skip this issue and be able to pick up the next Robin War issue fully caught up. The Ray Fawkes' Detective Comics run, unfortunately, continues to be mediocre at best and this shoe-horned issue of Robin War was no exception.

Rachel Rising #38
Terry Moore (Art, Script, Letters)

6 Stars

Terry Moore is a master of the medium and this series continues to prove that. Although this issue is good, it feels like a transition issue slowly moving puzzle pieces, above average as usual, but not a high point.

The Amazing Spider-Man #4
Dan Slott (Writer) Giuseppe Camuncoli (Penciler) Cam Smith (Inker) Marte Gracia (Colors)

6 Stars

Peter Parker continues his jet-setting adventures as the CEO of Parker Industries. The art is top notch, however, Slott seems to be adding so many plot lines it is almost beginning to become difficult to follow.

Secret Wars #8
Jonathon Hickman (Writer, Designer) Esad Ribic (Artist) Ive Svorcina (Colors) Chris Eliopoulos (Letters)

8 Stars

Huge moments galore, one of the best issues of this already great event. The only bad part is that the final issue has been announced to be delayed AGAIN, however, considering how good this has been it still looks to be one of the best events in recent memory.

Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #10
David Lapham (Script, Art, Letters)

6 Stars

We Stand on Guard #6
Brian K. Vaughan (Writer) Steve Skroce (Art) Matt Hollingsworth (Color)

7 Stars    

The conclusion of the Skroce's and Vaughan's futuristic war tale, pitting Canadian rebels against occupying American military forces, ends with a literal bang, offering a satisfying and triumphant close to a fantastic mini series.