Bracing for AMAZONS ATTACK #1

THIS WEEK: Amazons Attack #1 continues plenty of story threads we’ve actually been having fun with all through the DC Multiverse! Plus, Unstoppable Doom Patrol #7 is a satisfying finale…for now.

Note: the evaluation beneath incorporates spoilers. If you need a fast, spoiler-free purchase/move advice on the comics in query, take a look at the underside of the article for our ultimate verdict.

Amazons Attack #1

Writer: Josie Campbell
Artist: Vasco Georgiev
Colorist: Alex Giumaraes
Letterer: Becca Carey

Amazons Attack #1 does two issues I like loads from my shared universe mainline superhero comedian books. First, it ties into some of the thrilling storylines taking place elsewhere within the line — the U.S. authorities versus the Amazons plot launched so nicely in final month’s stunner, Wonder Woman #1. Second, it picks up on different plot threads from the incredible work author Josie Campbell has been doing with Mary Marvel, first in final yr’s incredible New Champion of SHAZAM after which extra lately as a part of the Lazarus Planet occasion.

I believe the truth that each of these items are completed right here — and completed very nicely — reveals that Campbell and her artistic collaborators simply get what makes a enjoyable mainline superhero comedian. This is a e book that not solely ties into issues that got here earlier than it and issues which are taking place concurrently, however does so in significant and attention-grabbing methods.

For those that someway missed it, the beginning premise of author Tom King and artist Daniel Sampere’s new Wonder Woman run is {that a} mysterious amazon has been accused of murdering one thing like 18 males in a bar in Montana — and this accusation has turned a lot of the American public towards the Amazons. And, after all, with the general public reacting that manner, American politicians need to profit from it…and consequently, the federal government has primarily banned all Amazons from American soil — together with Diana Prince.

What this e book provides us is an growth on that premise, taking a look at what is occurring with the opposite Amazons which have been steadily constructed up throughout the DC Comics universe over the previous two and a half years or so. We get characters not solely from Themyscira, but additionally from Esquecida and the Bana-Mighdall. And the timing of this subject — proper after Wonder Woman #1 and concurrent with Wonder Woman #2 — emphasizes that what’s taking place with these characters and on this e book really issues. It’s good that it’s not all thrown in later like an after thought.

Secondly, this e book additionally incorporates the character that Campbell has been working with since beginning to write for DC — Mary Marvel. As famous above, this e book is greater than only a tie-in to the principle Wonder Woman comedian — it’s additionally a continuation of The New Champion of SHAZAM, exhibiting us the place Mary and her speaking rabbit are off to subsequent. Mary has been twisted up with Wonder Woman since serving to her combat Hera in Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods, and so her inclusion right here makes good sense (even when the rabbit explains it away as she was attempting to sneak into a gathering to say hello). Even so, it’s enjoyable to see the return of the character that anchored among the best comics DC revealed final yr.

Of course, none of these things actually issues that a lot if the e book itself isn’t an entertaining learn, which it’s. Artist Vasco Georgiev (coloured right here by Alex Giumaraes and lettered by Becca Carey) delivers nice, clear linework, completely nailing the motion sequences and massive second set items known as for by the script. Overall, it provides as much as a very entertaining and enjoyable comedian with loads of rewards for readers who take note of the DC line holistically. And I undoubtedly recognize that.

Verdict: BUY

The Round-Up

It can be an actual disgrace if artist Chris Burnham and colorist Brian Reber didn’t get to do extra Doom Patrol comics in some unspecified time in the future. This was the principle thought I had after ending this week’s Unstoppable Doom Patrol #7, which was a miniseries finale, written by Dennis Culver with letters by Pat Brosseau. These had been simply such handsome and electrical comics, whereby Burnham and Reber actually fought laborious to be up there with the various top-tier artists who’ve drawn the franchise, from most lately Nick Derington all the way in which again to the earliest stuff by Bruno Premiani. And the collection itself was a blast to learn, beginning with a robust premise earlier than remixing a few of the finest Doom Patrol concepts from the previous. Here’s hoping that is simply the tip…for now.
For folks roughly my age (30-ahem-something), there was an actual deal with in Green Arrow #5 this week — Phil Hester and Ande Parks returned to attract the character. They had been the group behind essentially the most iconic post-Mike Grell Green Arrow comics, bridging the early 2000s runs on the character penned by massive names like Brad Meltzer, Kevin Smith, and Judd Winnick. Having them drawing Oliver Queen once more right here feels a bit like going again to your outdated highschool or one thing. It’s a enjoyable little bit of nostalgia that grows organically from author Joshua Williamson’s plot, and melds comparatively seemlessly with the work of the principle collection group of artist Sean Izaakse, colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr., and letterer Troy Peteri.
Finally, Wonder Woman #2 additionally arrived this week, and it’s one other stunner. It’s simply two points, however I’m completely loving this new Wonder Woman run by author Tom King, artist Daniel Sampere, colorist Tomeu Morey, and letterer Clayton Cowles. Whereas the primary subject constructed a basis with the run’s new premise, and paced itself to the primary time we noticed Wonder Woman…this one slows issues down and primarily covers only one altercation between Wonder Woman and the U.S. army, shifting the remainder of its plot ahead across the edges of that. Structurally, it’s an important followup to a dense and wide-spanning first subject, giving this run a pleasant tonal selection in its early days.