Yes, I know it's been a while but with school and going to NYCC, I got backed up.

Pull List for week of November 09, 2016

November 09, 2016

DC

All Star Batman #4

Batman is still escorting Harvey Dent with other criminals looking to kill Dent. The storyline started pretty good but now it seems like a weak plotline going forward. The Talons being in it didn't really help things to me anyway. The artwork by Romita is gritty and just like you expect from him and I've always liked it. 

Pros: Nice artwork by Romita and bright scenery.

Cons: Doesn't really look like the story is moving forward in style or context considering it started pretty strong.

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #4

Batgirl and BOP are on a mission to find the new Oracle and we get an origin story for the Huntress. I like the group dynamic of these 3 and they play off each other pretty well, especially Babs and Dinah. Helena always keeps her distance but when you see her back story, you understand her reasoning for revenge even though you don't approve of it.

Pros: The dynamic of the team flows pretty well and the artwork shows that. The villains are a different sort that I haven't seen in a while but they make them out to be cowards when a couple of issues before, they weren't acting as cowardly.

Cons:  The book's direction is tumultuous as it really has no meaning beyond finding Oracle, as if there's no place to go anywhere else. I understand about plot resolution but it seems the book is going to rely on the whole Oracle story line to see itself thru. Let's hope they fix that. 

Deathstroke #6

The latest issue continues with Deathstroke trying to find out who put the hit out on his daughter.

The pros: Again, I like the fact that Slade is back to his "older" persona and not his younger self, it just seemed off. Even during the New 52 when they first rebooted it, it had Slade as an older guy. The story line is basically classic Slade and brings back Slade to his nastiness. The art work is generally pretty dark and brooding, but for Slade's environment, it works.

The cons: Not sure where the story is gonna lead but it looks like it might lead to more interaction with others in the DC universe since Slade already met up with Batman.

Detective Comics #944

Doom Patrol #3 (MR)

The best weirdest comic is back. This brings back the old style of the late 80's like if Grant Morrisson was still writing. It's such a great book and the end pages of Niles Caulder are hilariously weird.
Pros: good writing, setting up what looks to be a major battle by issue 6.
Cons: The artwork is OK but something about is off. Maybe because it's very bright and not dark and foreboding that you would expect to come from this book.

Earth 2 Society #18

Flash #10

Red Hood and the Outlaws #4

More action with Bizarro Superman. Jason is still undercover at Batman's request and it looks like his cover may be exposed.
When Jason Todd first entered the DC universe, he was killed off within a couple of years. He's had an interesting resurrection and turbulent path at attempted redemption, albeit it seems more of a retribution for him. As an anti-hero, him being the loner generally works for him but sometimes you can't go alone.
The story line seems to be heading to a formation of a new group of Outlaws and it's always good to see Jason play off his "partners" because it humanizes him.
Pros: Shows Jason as an organizer and people person but it's gonna be weird to see him like that. The writer's story will seem to get more complex and the story develops. The art is very out there but in a good way, as it carries the story better.
Cons: It just seems they're throwing just a bunch of random people for Jason to connect with, which would explain Artemis. Not sure how the Bizarro aspect will tie-in but at least in the other series, you knew about Starfire and Speedy whereas here, you kind of know who Artemis is but no so much. maybe it's an attempt to bring into the spotlight. Overall, I think they should have someone more recognizable.

                                                                     
IDW

Batman TMNT Adventures #1 (of 6)

Another Batman/Turtle crossover and this time it's the animated series version.

The premise is pretty much the same as the first one, dimension hopping and such.

Pros: I like the animated style of the books and it brings back the feel of the BTAS in combo to the new Turtles AS. The artwork just flows and it works within the comic.

Cons: Another crossover for these two? We really didn;t need it as it really made no sense since we haven't had a BTAS book in a long time.

Overall, it's a good book for nostalgia and remembrance but it seems like a cheap cash grab as well.

Marvel

Spider-Man/Deadpool (2016-) #11

Penn & Teller of magic fame take over the book this time around. 

I have a certain bias for all those in the book since I've liked P&T for a long time. The story deals with Teller and DP switching places for a day and the shenanigans following that. It's a break from the somewhat bleak, mutant spider that is currently going on. The book needs more levity like this to continue going forward. 

Pros: Interesting story written by Penn Jillette and also because he breaks the 4th wall. Good use of Teller, considering he never talks.

Cons: Overall, it seemed weak in the sense that it was one big magic show on the part of Penn. 

Star Wars Poe Dameron #8

This bok is getting a little better after a bumpy start. Everyone was anxious about it but it has some misfires, such as the prison story line.
But now there's the old story line of "someone is a traitor in my group" and I wonder if the writers could have come up with something more original.
The artwork is pretty good but not on par with the main Star Wars book or even the Vader, which recently ended. That being said, I'm assuming that it's all going to lead up to the next movie as well as some of the past.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Adaptation #6 (of 6)

Basically, if you've seen the movie, by now you know the whole story.

The Unbelievable Gwenpool,(2016-) #8

The continuing misadventures of Gwenpool. With other worldly assassins after her as well as the police, Gwen has to make interesting decisions and doesn't really know who to turn to for help.

The issue is full of visual sight gags and somewhat witty repartee, but I gotta be hones, I'm getting tired of this book. Something about it just hits me wrong and I 'm not sure what it is.
It seems funny enough but something is missing. Yes, I know she's a "flavor of the week" but it's like SquirrelGirl, it gets kinda tiresome.