I haven’t made it all the way though my stack this week, but what I did get through was encouraging. This week had some great books release and as much as we try, our robot eyes can’t read them all. From the bottom to the top, these were the books I was the most excited to get to this week. Here is what I thought about them.
Harley Quinn #0
You may have seen my tweet about Harley Quinn #0 from DC Comics. If you did, then you’ll know that I thought this book was full of win. I only had 140 characters or you’d also know that this book was also full of “ooh and ahh” with a heaping helping of fun. I didn’t like that the trip ended so soon but while I was flipping through the book I was greeted with a tour du force of artistic talent on nearly every page turn. There are seventeen artists on the book and one of them, Jeremy Roberts, was the winner of the Draw Harley Quinn contest. Jeremy’s page is full of the panel themes that were part of the contest he won. If you enjoyed his work like I did, he’ll be coming back for an entire issue of Storm Watch in the Spring with issue #30.
Publisher: DC Comics
Storytellers: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Charlie Adlard, Art Baltazar, Becky Cloonan, Darwyn Cooke, Tony S. Daniel, Sam Kieth, Bruce Timm, Jim Lee, Staphane Roux, Tradd Moore, Chad Hardin, Adam Hughes, Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian, Jeremy Roberts, Walter Simonson
Cover Artists: Amanda Conner, Stephane Roux (variant cover)
Price: $2.99 USD
Zero #3
This issue is a continuation of a spy thriller that has me wondering what’s next at the same time as I’m wondering, “What’s going on”? That’s not to say that I’m confused, but this is long form storytelling at its finest. Each issue is self-contained but it’s building the character that started on a farm program for spies as a child. In this issue he works alongside his spy farm sister to eliminate some targets and gather intelligence. The character grows with the story reveals and gives us a great idea of just why this story is being told. If you haven’t picked this up, here is a bit of a spoiler that should intrigue instead of spoil. The story is being told from the point of view of an aged spy as a young cadet spy holds him at gun point. The main character tells the story not to delay his assassination by the young cadet, he tells it to be heard – or so we’re lead to think so. The story is fun and action packed with a small – but sweet – helping of science fiction thrown in for dessert.
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Ales Kot
Artist: Mateus Santolouco
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Price: $2.99 USD
Buzzkill #3 of 4
The Penultimate issue of the 4 issue mini-series Buzzkill by Donny Cates, Mark Reznicek and Geoff Shaw caught me off guard. I didn’t really think to pick it up until someone handed it to me. I didn’t feel out of touch with the first 2 issues after reading it through and I immediately went and picked up the first two that I’d missed after I was done with this issue (#3).
The guys sponsor, a poor mans Dr. Strange, travels around with him on the road of adventure and recovery.
Buzzkill has terrific pencils with some amazing inks. The book feels like an Elseworlds book if you flip through it. There are super-hero’s here, and super villains too. The surface is really mundane but only if you don’t stop to absorb the story. Passing this one by would be a careless thing to do. The lead character is going through a twelve step program for addiction. Unfortunately for him, his addiction is what allows him to have super-powers. Sure it’s not what everyone would want for an ability, to get high and then turn into a super-powered being, but it’s what this guy’s got. I know some people that would kill for this power. I’m pretty sure Kevin Smith and Doug Benson would love it. The Hulk is a kind of transformation that leaves the characters psyche in a different state, so it works fine here for Buzzkill.
In fact, the guys sponsor, a poor mans Dr. Strange, travels around with him on the road of adventure and recovery. The big reveal at the end is interesting and could be the reason the kid was seeking drugs as an escape in the first place. I’m in for the last issue and I know this story of addiction will be more fun than the recent Miniature Jesus story by Ted McKeever was because the genre of super-hero doesn’t have to be as serious with the subject matter.
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Donny Cates & Mark Reznicek
Artist: Geoff Shaw
Colorist: Lauren Affe
Price: $3.99 USD
Daredevil #33
This comic finishes up the Halloween themed issue of #32 as Matt Murdock races to find enough information to take down the Sons of the Serpent. The Serpents have a stranglehold on politics and the all arms of the legal system in New York. Matt tried to take them down on television, and through the court system, but the corruption runs too deep for even The Daredevil.
In the last issue we were left with a cliff hanger of Daredevil bleeding from a bullet wound to the chest. We pick up in this issue where the cover indicates. Matt’s been wrapped up by the bandages of The Mummy, and although Murdock is struggling, the monsters are trying to save him for the help he gave them in last issue. Matt will need these core monsters – werewolf; mummy; vampire; zombie; & Frankenstein – to find the occultist serpent sorcerer with the pages from The Darkhold book. Those pages, Daredevil believes, will help him put an end to the violent and racist gang the Sons of the Serpent.
Waid’s dialogue, as always, is perfect. Mark Waid seems to get characters like few others can. Lines are witty and fun and the story always has enough action to keep you turning the page. The art is true to the feeling of this run that Paulo Rivera set back on issue 1. The only bad thing about this issue is that it’s one closer to the end of this spectacular run by Mark Waid.
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Storytellers: Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Artist: Jason Copland
Colorist: Javier Rodriguez
Price: $2.99 USD
If you’d like to see 4 by 4 be a continuing feature on Big Shiny Robot, post some love in the comments or send me a tweet @MarkAvo.