What 7/13 Comics I Would Recommend

Spoilers ahead!

Desolation Jones #2

I liked #1, and I think #2 was a big improvement over #1.

J.H. Williams' art continues to be the highlight of the series so far, but I love it how Ellis can, out of nowhere, give us a scene like the one between Jones and the Pheremone lady.

Such tragedy.

Such compassion.

Such deep emotional connections in the middle of a story about finding Hitler's private porn.

The rest of the story is fairly by the books, but I think Ellis has inhabited the story with enough interesting characters that it is an enjoyable ride.

Remember, that is basically how Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep were - the mysteries were rot - it was the CHARACTERS that made them.

Just like Desolation Jones.

Seven Soldiers: Guardian #3

This was tons of fun.

I love the way that Morrison takes a concept that other writers would, like, hang a whole story arc on (an island made up of the "global village") and he uses it just for one story.

That is brassy.

I like that.

Cam Stewart's art remains strong, as always, and the rollicking fun of the adventure is countered nicely by the pain of Jake's home life.

Fables #39

This was a transition issue (with a fill-in artist), but it was just as strong as the story of the Homelands.

It was great to see Mowgli, and the interactions with him and Bagheera and Balloo were priceless.

I am also really enjoying Beast. The way that he pretty much acknowledges that he ISN'T as good as Bigby...it is just great to see a character like that.

Meanwhile, the traitor reveal as well as his ominous words to Prince Charming - creepy stuff.

The art from Lan Medina was good.

This is a fine series.

Walking Dead #20

Click here to see why this was yet another strong issue of this title.

Gravity #2

Was this ALWAYS a mini-series?

I hope so, as I'd hate to see a damper put on the critical success of this series be that it was meant to be an ongoing.

McKeever gives us some insight on how people in NYC deal with superheroing...some really neat stuff.

In addition, the interaction between Gravity and the Greenwich Guardian - top notch.

I especially like the way that Gravity, so sure of his convictions, was able to be shook so easily. I loved that.

Also, of course, the Spider-Man line rocked.

Norton's art remains strong.

Punisher #23

This storyline seemed headed for a weird ending, but luckily, Ennis managed to fool us all, and set up a good resolution to this series.

Once again, I need to pay homage to Scott Hanna's inking skills. Great job keeping Leandro Fernandez under wraps.

I love how over the top the sex was, but still seeming believable.

And the way that the expression of true feelings led to the cliffhanger - actually sorta poignant, to be honest.

Which is, in a comic like this, quite impressive, I think.

Sabrina The Teenage Witch #68

Del Rio decided to not waste much time in revealing the secrets of Shinji, and the secret is a good one.

Sabrina gets a summer job working in the magic realm, and we get a lot of really creepy stuff - stuff that questions the very nature of the Magic Land.

Some pretty heady topics for a "kid" book.

Like "are those that rebel against the kingdom the good guys or the bad guys?"

The Josie and the Pussycats story does not use any of the same amount of brain cells, (un?)fortunately.

Still, for the Sabrina story alone, this book is recommended.

Toxin #4

Yes, once again, I am recommending a book about the spawn of the spawn of Venom!

This issue really messed around with the concept of the symbiotic relationship between the protagonist and his, well, symbiote.

Ya see, he tricks the symbiote into thinking he is suicidal, and since the symbiote needs him alive, it is willing to do whatever he wants to keep him happy.

Clever stuff.

In addition, there are a lot of funny lines when two members of the Wrecking Crew inhabit a museum.

Finally, the ending of the story has just the right amount of pathos.

Milligan and Robertson are doing a great job on this book.

The following books I thought were good enough for me to say some nice things about them...

Freshmen #1 showed a lot of promise.

Small Gods Special #1 was an interesting, but sorta inaccesible, story.

Invincible #24 was good, but not great.

Hercules #4 had some fun scenes in it.

New Avengers #7 had some really nice art.

New Thunderbolts #10 advanced the plot...but that was the main focus, sadly.

Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 had a great opening.

Ultimate X-Men #61 was strong.

Spider-Man Breakout #4 had some good moments.

I did not read Hero Camp #3 or Smoke #2, so do not take the absence of me mentioning them as me saying I did not like them.

That's it for me!

What did YOU think of the week that was?

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