Where are the impressions of yesterday's books!? You people are slacking. I'm expecting a novel of impressions from Birdie sometime today.
UXF #35: Remender's Deadpool continues to be da best since Gail Simone left. I found the back half of this book to be rather hokey though. The book really has been downhill since the Dark Angel Saga.
Saga #8: There's still like, zero fuckin' plot to this thing, but it's just wonderful seeing these characters interact with each other. One of my favorite moments of the week when homeboy defends his wife to his mom. "Please."
Hawkguy #6: Yep, still Marvel's best book! Not a page goes by without something to smile about, or be impressed with, or nod your head approvingly. 20 pages rarely feel so dense nowadays.
Captain America #2: I love how alien the whole concept is. Remender's got a hard-on for alternate dimensions, but because of the time-jump and in media res adventuring, it really feels like this is some bizarre, alien place where you're never comfortable with what's happening. Steve is the only thing grounding us with anything recognizable, his undying hope(that we see instilled in him from his youth) the one guide we have when he's blasting giant monsters with lasers or captured by alien warriors. It's like Captain America got suddenly teleported to Jack Kirby's Apokolips, and he's fighting his way out. It's intriguing and bewildering, and Romita Jr/Dean White do a damn fine job bringing it to life. I like it.
Where is Jake Ellis #2: The sequel to my favorite mini-series of 2011 continues to thrill and intrigue me. I think this book is actually a bit slept on. If you haven't read "Who is Jake Ellis", I highly recommend it, so you can hop on board on this stylish Bourne-inspired series.
Daredevil #21: Another very good, 4/5 issue of Daredevil, wheeee. Chris Samnee artwork with Javier Rodriguez' colors is really quite excellent. Exciting conclusion to the superhero plot of The Coyote/The Spot/DD, and a strong dramatic payoff to the Foggy/Matt conflict that's really been building since the first issue and came to a head in this story arc. The last page gag is great, promising some fun is ahead. Ya know, this book kinda fell off the wagon for me earlier in the year, with Martin and Rivera leaving, the fill-in artists, the multiple crossovers...but the back half of the year has transitioned into a very solid, entertaining read every time it comes out. I hope Waid/Samnee can keep this train going for awhile.
All-New X-Men #4: Bendis book, so not a whole lot actually happens, repetitive dialog tics abound, and some really great artwork to make up for it. I like this book, though.
Wolverine and the X-Men #22: The premise of the X-men being mind-controlled and breaking free in their own way certainly isn't a new plot, but it's been executed with some colorful aplomb. The focus on the kids were very enjoyable, and this may be the first time I didn't find a Hellfire Club kid totally insufferable. The FOUR DIFFERENT INKERS thing has gotta stop, though. Bradshaw's work here is charming and wonderfully detailed(with some fantastically vibrant colors), but the different inkers do show the seams a bit. The crazy thing about WATXM is that while it can always go to some violent dark places(the opening origin story in particular), it always such a delightful, heartfelt read. Here's hoping they stop with the crossover events for awhile and let Aaron and his talented artists do their thing uninterrupted.
Thor: God of Thunder #3: I don't know who's better on this book, Aaron or Ribic. Jason is killin' with these scripts, densely-packed with a perfect voice for this world. Just the first page alone, the way he builds up this impossible city with his mythical metaphors and wordplay really sells the sense of grandeur on display. Ribic(and the colorist, Svorcina) are just as good though, bringing this epic to life, where every panel looks like a pulp magazine cover. This story already feels legendary. The best Marvel NOW book.