Matt Sculthorpe Comic Reviews

Overall, Forever Evil #1 is a great first issue. Its ending has me eagerly awaiting for the next. Especially since it seems Lex is poised to take a big step.

Forever Evil 2 lets its foot off the accelerator a little from how the last issue ended. It has some event worthy moments, and Lex Luthor continually steals the show. The character world is handled adeptly by Johns, but Finches art gets in the way a little. Like any Johns event, patience with be rewarded but for now, just take in what he is offering.

Forever Evil #3 is a nice breather in an event series. It gives the story something that was much needed with the some awesome character development. Its feels like the calm before the storm and by the end, the wind is really picking up. Its a shame that itll be a month before the next comes out.

Forever Evil 5 makes for a great bridge issue. With only 2 issues left, it is sure to make with the revelations and in typical Johns fashion, completely wow the readers with whats in store. It was nice for this issue to take a breath and to explore what makes up some of these characters, instead of charging on with the plot.

Green Arrow has become one of the best books on the market. Each of issues feels very episodic with the story moving ever forward at a deliberate pace. With each issue more secrets are revealed and Lemire leaves his mark on the characters. Everything that feels familiar to Green Arrow fans is changed just a tad and it works perfectly. Green Arrow #27 is consistently entertaining. I challenge you not to enjoy the hell out of it!

Green Arrow 28 is a fantastic read that can be a tough read for those expecting a more traditional reunion. But thats what Lemire and Sorrentino have done throughout their run with the character. They dont do what is expected or traditional, which is refreshing in a comics climate that likes to rehash the familiar. Green Arrow is at both familiar and new, always making for a great read.

So, while not a perfect wrap up to the Trinity War event, Justice League 23 works as a great set up to Forever Evil. While tiresome to some, its the best kind of stuff Johns does. Inknow Im eargerly waiting for what comes next.

If you are enjoying Forever Evil, you should be reading Justice League as a partner book. While not required reading, it more than adds to the overall story at work. Johns is creating continuity here and it is sure to be a foundation for what is to come later.

Justice League 27 is a decent chapter in the saga that has become Forever Evil. It is the most consistent and I look forward to seeing the further adventures of Cyborg, with the occasional appearance of the Crime Syndicate members, who are enjoyably horrible. Johns feels like hes getting comfortable in expanding continuity in this title, and its great to see some names from the past pop up every once and awhile Even if its only for a page.

I cant recommend Superman/Wonder Woman #1 enough. Soule has proven, with just one issue, that the characters are in great hands, with Tony Daniel doing his best to keep up. The two creators bring subtlety to DC that has been much needed since the New 52 and offer glimpses of what a cohesive universe actually looks like. I cant wait for more.

Superman/Wonder Woman #2 is a great second issue. It moves the story minimally but is full of awesome character moments. It is still trying to find its legs, but there is a worthy foundation there.

Superman/Wonder Woman #5 not only makes for a great chapter in the overarching story, but as a standalone as well. Superman/Wonder Woman works because the team realizes that it is a true team up book. The characters in the title receive the focus necessary to tell a great story for one of them, but Soule and Daniel manage to treat both of them equally. Soule paces the story well, but almost so deliberately that it feels like it is taking forever to finish. As the issue reaches its height, its over, creating a great, if not subtle cliffhanger and manages to cap the issue as well as any device could, even as the story continues to build toward more greatness.

The art is good but not great. Its worth noting that there is two pencilers this issue. As with the previous issues it captures the fantasy aspect of the story well. The one scene that does WOW is when Thor uses the lightning to bury a member of the League of Realms in Jotunheim. It is full of energy but solemn at the same time, something I can imagine is no easy feat. Vanaheim is looks beauty as well, with its empty temples and mist hanging in the air. Other than that, nothing is spectacular nor is it offensive. It gets the job done.Next month The Accursed comes to an end, thankfully so. The story while still entertaining, feels like it has overstayed its welcome. Story points land well, while the bigger ones fall kind of flat. While this issue left some things to be desired, I have hope that the next will be more worthy.

Thor: God of Thunder 15 is a decent read but feels like some filler for the bigger stuff to come in the concluding issues. It has some fun things throughout but doesnt really stick the landing.

Thor: God of Thunder #18 is a great read that continues to expand the legend that is Thor in the Marvel universe. These kind of one off issues make for a nice break in the longer form arcs. With its exploration and focus on what makes Thor the god that he is, its definitely worth the read.

Thor: God of Thunder 19 (.now if youre nasty) sets some awesome things up down the way for everyones favorite Norse deity. Roxxon seems to be a problem coming down the way for Thor as does whatever shows up at the end. If this arc is about taking care of the Earth, the consequences are already seen, and all that is left is to see how it plays out. With Aaron and Ribic at the reigns it is sure to be worth the ride.

As the Ragnarok Now story begins to come to a close, its weird that the story gets better. With the conclusion of Uncanny Avengers #16, all the pieces are set for what is sure to be an awesome ending, fitting the grand scope of the arc. As long as McNiven keeps killing it on the art side, bringing Remenders epic story to life, it is sure to continue to top itself.

Uncanny Avengers 17 continues the pace and themes Remender has set since the beginning of Ragarok Now. Sure, the events feel like they will be fixed in the upcoming issues, but it still a hell of a ride getting there. McNivens art only reinforces the points made throughout and shows he knows how to handle action like the best of them.Where it leaves off is sure to have readers eager waiting the next, not just for the story, but to see just how far the creative team can take the events they have set in motion and hopefully in they can stick the landing.