Here we have the more “Affordable” $3 and $4 books. Insert back in my day rant here.
Legendary Star-Lord #3
Sam Humphries, Paco Medina, Juan Vlasco, David Curiel
Marvel, $3.99
Light Spoiler Warning: Kitty Pryde appears in a banana suit in this comic. 10/10, Book of the Month.
I’m not sure how much access Sam Humphries had to James Gunn’s GOTG script before the movie and this comic launched, but I would not be surprised if you told me he knew everything about the movie’s plot before writing this book. This Star Lord feels a lot like the movie version, only with an updated taste in music.
This third issue of GOTG is a hoot. It’s a nice little done and one that expands Quill’s support cast, and undoubtedly plans a seed or 2 for future stories. Paco Diaz, Juan Vlasco and David Curiel still continue to deliver month after month, making this book look as good as it deserves to. Legendary Star Lord is a ton of fun, and I’m glad the success of the Guardians movie allowed this book to happen.
Grayson: Future’s End #1
Tom King/Tim Seeley/Stephen Mooney
DC, $2.99/$3.99
On paper I should hate this comic. The art is barely serviceable, it’s a tie-in to an event book/weekly series I’m not reading, and it’s starts on a major downer. In a way, it comes off as the type of comics that’s kept me away from DC in that past.
Despite a lot working against it, I ended up LOVING Grayson: Future’s End. It’s Batman meets Momento, where the book continuously flashing back to the past, ending at a beginning. Tim Seeley and Tom King take a risk with the plot of this comic, and despite all odds, pull it off with some incredible results.
It’s just a shame that this book doesn’t look as good as it has in the past. I’m not sure why regular series artist Mikel Janin isn’t present, but guest artist Stephen Mooney doesn’t posses the same talent. It also worries me that we’re having guest artists only 3 issues in.
Ultimately this book is saved by the story and dialogue. King’s own spy experience comes into play here, and you’ll want to re-read this issue once you figure out a certain plot element. Im also curious as to see if a few of the plot points introduced in this book are going to play out in the future of this book or not.
I encourage anyone who’s enjoyed the first 2 issues of Grayson to pick up this issue. Despite the dip in the quality of art, it’s still a good book that’s worth the $3.
Superior Foes of Spider-Man #15
Nick Spencer, Steve Lieber, Rachelle Rosenberg
Marvel $3.99
Anyone who’s been reading SUP FOES for the last year could tell you the formula of this book. The previous ending is address in the first few pages, the Sinister 6 5 get out of one jam and into another, things look up for the team and the final page blows that to hell, setting up the next issue.
With the book wrapping up at #17, this issue turns the dial up to 11. The Sinister 5 4, chalk up several wins this time around, which only means things are going to get real bad for them real quick. This arc is called “Gang War” for a few reasons and readers will know why by the time they hit page 20.
Creators Nick Spencer, Steve Lieber and Rachelle Rosenberg are doing some career defining stuff with this book. We finally get to set the Sinister ( insert number here) work together as a team, but the creators have been on same page since day one, making this one of the most constantly great book on the stands.
Superior Foes of Spider-Man continues to be everything I want from a comic: humor, action and fully fleshed out characters. Issue 15 is all of that, and as sad as I am to see this book wrapping up, I have no doubt it will absolutely stick it’s landing.