Have you ever wondered what it would be like for all the comics you read in a week were good? I mean amazingly good? I have. This week, I’m happy to say that I found it out. Not everything was perfect, but it was still enjoyable reading. Let’s get in to it.
The Punisher #1: The extremely talented Greg Rucka takes a shot (pun intended) at writing Marvel Comics’ serial killer vigilante. In the first six pages, we get one of the biggest massacres I’ve ever seen in comics, television, or the movies, and the Punisher wasn’t even involved in it. In fact, we don’t even seen the Punisher until the last six pages of the story, which is amazing in itself because I didn’t even realize it until my second look through. We also learn about the Punisher’s inside man on the New York Police Force, Walter Bolt. I loved the inner struggle that Bolt is battling as he is feeding information to the Punisher. That is a major high-five to artist Marco Checchetto. My only complaint is that the story read too fast. However, when you have high volume action, which is what should be in every Punisher story, then there are not going to be that many words to read. So it is a little give and take on my part I suppose. Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars.
Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance #3: And to think that I originally decided not to pick up this Flashpoint tie-in. I would have been kicking myself for years to come, or just gone back and bought all the issues, whichever came first. We learn so much in this issue: the origin of the Joker, how Batman got his taste for vengeance, why he hasn’t killed the Joker after all this time. I loved the Joker’s reaction after learning what would become of Bruce if the Flashpoint universe were corrected. This is very fine storytelling. After reading some of Brian Azzarello’s previous work (Superman: For Tomorrow) I was a little scared that he would be taking over the Wonder Woman reboot in September. However, after reading this story I am definitely going in to that with an open mind and a little bit of hope. Rating: 5 of 5 stars.
Flashpoint #4: Holy Moley, we got some Captain Thunder action in this issue! That’s the Flashpoint version of Captain Marvel. Geoff Johns is leading us to what will surely be the most epic finale of a major event that has happened in the past few years from any company. It is also one of his better works in recent years. The war between Aquamand and Wonder Woman that is affecting the entire globe is heating up. Plus, Flash is slowly losing his memories of the real timeline. We also finally get to see the villain of the story, which only builds on the anticipation of the final issue. I’m still not sure why Flash feels he needs to gather all the heroes in order to restore the correct timeline. With only one issue left I hope that gets explained. Also, for being the fastest man alive he fails to use his powers twice in this issue. If he had done so the first time it would have gotten him and his friends out of the jam they were in. If he had used his powers the second time it would have saved a life. I guess being the fastest man alive doesn’t make you the smartest man alive or the greatest hero alive. Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Quote of the Week: “Wedding. Groom, most of the rest, shot dead. The bride’s still hanging on, what I hear. Happiest day of their lives…ironic, don’t you think, Detective?” - Police Officer from The Punisher #1.
Book of the Week: Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance #3
If you live in the Phoenix area, all of these books can be purchased at Atomic Comics.
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