Matthew S Comic Reviews

Aquaman has long been thought of as the joke of comic books. Well, no more. This issue, and series, does the impossible: it makes Aquaman awesome.

Johns and Reis have made the most of this New 52 to bring Aquaman front and centre: while this issue had problems, it still stands as an enjoyable read and will not tarnish its Top 10 success. This issue ebbed and flowed, but ends with things definitely on the high tide.

The flashback scenes work to show that perhaps Mera and Aquaman are closer to each other than what the reader originally thought. It reveals Mera's origin, while at the same time, how she managed to get to where she is today all through her conviction of character and personality. These add an emotional resonance to the issue that the cliche resolution fails to provide. The flashback has dynamic - but the scenes in the present lack impact because we can see it coming. This issue is a fun distraction from the main storyline, and I hope to see more Mera stories told: I just hope they aren't as one-note as this one.

This looks to be the start of a very well layered story arc: but what this issue seems to do so well isn't quite the ideas, but rather, the execution of them. The closing pages of this is a great example, where we get a familiar situation written and drawn in a way that is both entertaining and interesting. It leaves us asking questions, and it leaves us wanting more. This is exactly what a first issue of an arc needs to do - and I'm sure it will have a lot more readers coming back for more.

Mera, though her time in this issue is short, is written fantastically. This is an average issue in terms of story, but thanks to Ivan Reis' art, it elevates it to being something so much more.

This issue was a good follow up and a solid addition to the storyline. If only the Others got more focus and Aquaman was more central and important throughout it'd be a lot better.

Avengers: Children's Crusade is finally here, and with it, the gripping, penultimate issue of one Marvel's best Avengers stories in years.

Thematically, this book is an absolute wonder. Deconstructing it through the pages, a lit major would have an absolute field day. And that's just this issue alone.

Easily the strongest part of the series, and the issue. The dialogue is very entertaining and solid: it gives these characters a little more to them, and makes them read a little more human. The resolution to the main story is intense and thrilling, but the sub plot is resolved a little too easily. The cliff hanger, however, is definitely going to branch off into an interesting #5.

This issue alone isn't particularly universe-breaking, but it does provide a very fun and entertaining storyline that you do not want to miss.

Fraction has paced this story and executed the wonderful ideas behind it with aplomb. Within the span of 3 issues he's hit us with surprises, twists and interesting action scenes all without taking away from the amazing dialogue. With the narration helping to frame and expand on the scenes that occurring before we us we get a fantastic mix between the visuals and the script: exactly what one would want from a comic. The plot was energetic from start to finish, and well worth the price of admission. If the Defenders continues the way it has been going, Fraction is setting himself up for another groundbreaking series in the vein of his Invincible Iron Man and Casanova runs.

This series goes from good to great as Fraction continues his short but fantastic run on The Defenders. As I mentioned above, the tone of this comic shifts somewhat from the first three. The first three grabbed our attention much like an action blockbuster would, providing us great action and some fantastic concepts that would make many Defenders fans happy. This issue, however, draws upon the personal history of the main protagonist, Dr Strange, and uses it to further examine the Concordance Machine and what it can do. But beyond that, Fraction tells an entertaining and deep story of Dr Strange's lost love and, in particular, the way love has an impact on different people. Whether it is on the physical, emotional or psychological level, it touches all of us differently and this is wonderfully evoked through Fraction's script.

For me, Matt Fraction hasn't put a foot wrong and things continue to look promising for this offbeat team book. If you're look for a reason to read The Defenders, or you're looking for a great place to start, look no further than #5.

While this has been one of the weaker Defenders issues in terms of storytelling and art, it is an issue where some important developments are made and, most importantly, a lot of fun is to be had.

Cover: The main focus of the cover is Black Cat, and as it should be. She really is the star of this issue, drawing us in as the kind of device used to help inform the reader. We start this strange journey along with her and while she doesn't quite understand the true nature behind her actions, we sure get a kick out of them. The Defenders (much like in the action of the issue) take the back seat. This is an effective cover, popping with colour and energy. The Dodsons have done a great job, and many will be glad to see that they are still, at least, drawing the covers for this series.

The story here was strong, aided by the addition of Black Cat, which provided the series with a great touch of humour and a new perspective. She looks to be staying around for the next issue, which is great: I hope she gets to stay a little longer. Fraction has done a great job on this series so far and it looks to carry over into the next story. With the addition of a great new artist in Jamie McKelvie, Defenders is a series you won't want to miss!

If you're looking for something new to read that isn't your typical superhero book, this is it. "Dial H" is among the first of DC's Second Wave (along with Earth 2 and GI Combat) and it has set the bar very high.

The payoff at the end, however, feels slightly rushed. It's a great ending, but I feel it would have been more substantial and impactful if there was more of a foreshadowing of it in the first issue. Or, perhaps, if they had increased the suspicion and feeling of threat that this final page results in. Regardless, it's a minor fault, and doesn't detract from what was a very strong instalment in "Dial H".

There are two covers for this issue: the one laying idle before me is by Mike Choi, one of my favourite artists, and coloured by Morry Hollowell who provides a wonderful painted and detailed look to Choi's pencils of the Thing in the typical "action pose". It's a simple enough cover but executed very beautifully. The second cover is by Giuseppe Camuncoli, and is part one of a two part cover that links with FF #13. It's a nice addition, and the two covers (in full) look nice with each other. It makes for a serviceable cover on its own.

The beauty of Jonathon Hickman's scripts is that they are often foreshadowed early on, or they start earlier on in the series reaching fruition after many story arcs. While this provides a little agitation over the slow-pace the other stories have, when the pay-off is a story that manages to intertwine the massive scope of science fiction with powerful, family character moments like it has here, it is more than worth waiting for. The story is developing wonderfully, and after just three issues, we've been provided with a set up that is going to provide, quite possibly, one of the greatest Fantastic Four stories told in a very, very long time. Building off the foundations set up years prior, Jonathon Hickman is weaving a story that has everything a sci-fi, Fantastic Four fan will enjoy.

This is a story arc and a series that you should not be missing. Everyone involved has truly outdone themselves.

This is a story about family - and it is one of the Fantastic Four's best.

The answers will come: it's just a matter of how much between then. This is a very strong start by McCann in terms of script and story, so if you're looking for a comic that is outside the capes and tights range, then this is for you.

Mind the Gap is a great series that only promises to get better as the story develops and the mystery deepens.