Pull List for week of August 17, 2016

August 17, 2016
OK,  a little rant first. I like the Rebirth series and I like the fact that the books are $2.99. What I don't like is that the majority of books are bi-weekly and smacks of greed by DC, even though they think they aren't doing it.


DC Comics

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #1

The new  Birds or Prey are pretty much the old ones. With the integration of the New 52 into Rebirth, the characters are a combination of both worlds. The Huntress looks a little different but still has the same temperament as before. She's headstrong and motivated by revenge on the Mafia and will kill any who get in her way. BatGirl is the original one and someone is using her Oracle moniker to give info to the criminal underworld. She's the old Batgirl we've come to know these past few years and while Cassandra Cain  was an outstanding Batgirl in her own right, she was more raw power than anything. And Dinah is the voice of reason between these two and it isn't easy.

The first issue continues where the Rebirth issue left off and the story line goes that someone is supplanting the Oracle for helping criminals instead of the heroes. It is strongly implied that it is someone close to Barbara as her identity was known to the Oracle. 

The book has a great feel to it but not a lot of camaraderie, which I assume, will show up in later books. Each of the characters has their skills as well as the ability to fight, but they are not all the same.

The art is stylish and out there as well while the writing seems strong. Hopefully, the new Oracle will be one who isn't a cliched remnant of a villain. This is one the books that will last a while if they can just focus on what the BOP do, and that's help others, instead of seeking revenge. 8/10

Batman #5

The first story arc comes to a conclusion. As I said before, I had hoped that the character Gotham wouldn't become the villain simply because they introduced him. Sadly, that's exactly what they did. This character and his partner had real potential to be the city's protectors besides Batman. But instead, they do what they do with most books when they introduce a "good" character, they make him evil almost right away.

The characters didn't have to be in the spotlight as this a Batman book, but they could have been in the background and helping out Batman and being called into action by him if needed. The fact that he could take the ENTIRE Justice League down shows how much a force for good he could have been if trained properly or even written properly. This trope always annoys me because they want you to like the new guy, but then pull that stunt in the end; it gets tired and repetitive.

The art by Finch is really great and vibrant as well and it was good the JLA in the night even though it seemed like daylight. The writing by King leaves me a little disappointed because of the way Gotham was eventually written. King does write great stuff but this one just left me with a bad taste.

Green Arrow #5

The conclusion to the first story-arc. Ollie attempts to get his fortune back but may have to sacrifice instead.

All the main characters in this book are nuanced to a certain extent. Ollie believes that he can do no wrong but isn't arrogant about it that much, Diggle, who came from the TV show, is actually a little more violent and not as innocent than we are led to believe from before and Dinah is same old Dinah, but the powerhouse of the group. Emi, Ollie's sister, is an enigma for the most part because you are not sure where her loyalties lie but to the reader, it should become obvious. The fact that they changed the history between Ollie and Shado, Emi's mother, is a step in the right direction. I never liked the part where she takes advantage of Ollie at one point in the past because the way they wrote her, she was a strong and defiant woman even though she was tied to the Yakuza. It seemed like the writer at that time was saying that even though she is a strong woman, she still needs a man to complete her self-worth, which I think is ignorant.

Overall, the story was interesting and the villains were someone new for the most part. They were fanatics but they didn't look like the typical ones you're used to seeing. The next story line suggests a dig at the past and it looks more funny than anything. The art by Juan Ferreyra is blending to the environment even though is seems like the characters are stretched out a little bit, almost elongated. The story was a great one because of the subtleties of who the villains were and hopefully we will get see more of them, like the Court of Owls. 8/10

Harley Quinn #2

The wackiness continues. The story is basically a Dawn of the Dead zombie rehash with people being infected by bad meat. 

This looks to be one of those books that clearly throws the line right out the door and just dares to be stupid, putting it lightly. It's not that it's a stupid book, it's that it feels like the antics they do are stupid and the craziness behind it. I liked the recent Harley books because they still had a little heart to them. This one? So far, not so much. I'm guessing with all the wackiness in her life, it was bound to happen that zombies would invade her area. It's a great tongue in cheek book but clearly, it looks like the writer is maybe running out of circumstances to put Harley and the crew in. Hopefully Palmiotti will do a new story-arc not dependent on zombies because they happen to be in right now.

The art is out and loud and bright and just splashes everywhere but in a good way and with that, it looks to be on track to be a very good book. 8/10

Justice League #3

I'm still giving this book a chance even though it's not my favorite> I had hoped Bryan Hitch's story would resonate or hook me more but it just seems like a continuation of the RAO story on the defunct and incomplete JLA book. The art itself is very good and the detail the artist puts in the different pictures is great, but the story just doesn't seem to want to hook anyone into it. I'm sure Hitch is a great storyteller but it just seems like he's rehashing what he used in the JLA because he couldn't finish it. 7/10

Nightwing #3

Nightwing and Raptor have to do a job that NW doesn't like and won't get completed if Batgirl has a say in it.

The story revolves around NW trying to take down the Court of Owls and Raptor is right alongside with him. Raptor is what you would call Batman extreme. The banter between the two is kind of reminiscent of more Damian and everyone else . The story seems to be heading to a very, very big ending, even more than other books.
It's great to see Dick back in the role that really defined him as a stand alone of Batman, even though some might say it's an extension of Bats. It's even great to see Barb banter with them as well. The story will eventually give way to the Court and the art is pretty good and vibrant. 8/10

IDW

Transformers Till All Are One #3

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #56

The Titans return is causing all sorts of havoc for everyone.

I fewel that there will soon be and eventual conclusion to the series, by probably issue 70 but i could be wrong. I like the how the 2 series are so different from each other. Whereas the art in MTME is bright and vibrant, the art in RID is dark and foreboding. Both series have their own appeals and both work. 7/10

Image

A hilarious take on Cons and artists and everything related to it.
Not a Spawn collector but saw this and just had to get it.

It's little Spawn causing destruction at a Con, killing people who he thinks are real heroes. It's very loud and bright and gory as well but made for fun. 

I compare it to the little AvX series a while back. it doesn't take itself too serious and mocks everything and everyone. They are like AvX in the same respect. Hopefully we'll get more of these type of books because we could all use some laughter sometimes. 9/10

Marvel

All-New Wolverine (2015-) #11

Civil War continues and Wolverine and Logan are being hunted by SHIELD. With Ulysses having visions of someone dying, they have to figure out who. Laura has really gotten into her role as Wolverine even though Old Man Logan is still there. And now that she has someone to take of, she makes a good Wolverine. 

Daredevil vs Punisher #4 (of 4)

Ah, the long and complicated history of Frank and Matt. With Frank killing or trying to kill most criminals that Matt defends, they're both sides of the same coin.

Gwenpool, The Unbelievable (2016-) #5

Gwen meets Miles Morales and it's quite funny. 

Star Wars Poe Dameron #5

Trying to get someone out of prison is hard enough. Trying to get a Hutt out of prison is like trying to get a jet out of a well. With Poe and his crew in a prison with their First Order rival, who will get them killed first chance he can.