GGMB Review Roundup for August 8, 2018
Due to time constraints, we had to give you a rapid review roundup this week, but this has some changes. We’ll be calling this GGMB review. What the heck does that mean? It’s short for Great/Good/Meh/Bad. Please let us know what you’d like us to review by leaving a comment on our Facebook page, send us an email to thetwistedcape@gmail.com or messaging any of us directly. Keep in mind that the format we’ll follow will be as follows:
Book Title and Number(Story Arc Name)
Recap Lite
Verdict (Great/Good/Meh/Bad)
Here we go!
Amazing Spider-Man #3 (#804) (Back to Basics, part 3)
As they reset Spider-Man’s life, there are always complications, especially when involving the Lizard. Peter Parker and Spider-Man have been separated and are leading separate lives after the end of last issue. Pete gets to spend time with MJ and his growing supporting cast, while Spidey gets to go out and be Spidey. Peter starts to get used to his life as a normal human, when he has a conversation with Dr. Connors. At the end, he realizes that his life has been split into 2, one side with no Power and the other with no Responsibility. This sets up a truly interesting dynamic moving forward.
Final Verdict –Good
Batman Detective Comics #986 (On The Outside, part 4)
Even though this book is titled Batman, it’s really about the Bat-Family. In this issue, its actually about introducing Black Lightning to the team as it’s new leader and Orphan’s continued role. Barbara has some issues taking orders from a Metropolis guy, despite working together to take down Karma. This is an interesting path, considering that the previous Detective Comics team dynamic was so interesting. I’m curious to see if they can make this work.
Final Verdict –Meh
Fantastic Four #1 (Signal in the Sky)
This issue is a big deal. As a fan of the FF, this was my highly anticipated title of the week. In a slightly disappointing way, it almost read like an issue of Marvel 2-in-1. That’s an excellent book, so that’s not exactly a knock on this book. There’s good flashback storytelling, emotion, great art, and big character developments. But the main story falls flat because the FF isn’t truly reunited in this book. Luckily, there is another story in this oversized book focusing on Victor Von Doom, and he’s back to his villainous ways, which is exciting and saves the score on this book. Also, it’s teased that the FF will be back together next issue.
Final Verdict –Good
The Flash #52 (Grips of Strength, part 1)
Coming out of Flash War, I was curious about what the writers were going to do next. Thankfully, they shifted to dealing with the reveal of these new forces in addition to the Speed Force. Despite the fact that we’re still dealing with some fallout from Flash War (Wally, Wallace, Commander Cold, and Iris), this story really focuses on the Trickster as he eventually becomes imbued with the Strength Force. Happy to see this shift and exploration of these new forces in the DCU.
Final Verdict –Good
Spider-Man/Deadpool #37 (My Two Dads)
Spider-Man and Deadpool. Two dads to an android called Master Matrix. The premise is funny, the execution is often funny, but for some reason, this book doesn’t always gel. The art is always good to very good and the jokes are top notch. Maybe it’s because they just came down off of a crazy, big, and long arc. Generally, a change of pace is nice after big arcs, but this just feels like something is missing. Hopefully, the trip to the Savage Land fixes that next issue.
Final Verdict –Meh
Superman #2 (The Unity Saga, part 2)
Spinning out of the last issue, the Earth is trapped in the Phantom Zone. As his powers slowly drain, Clark and the Justice League race around the planet and try to stabilize things and simultaneously try to find a way out of the Phantom Zone. Rogol Zaar shows up again and murders Nuclear Man. This book hasn’t quite been as good as Action Comics, despite the fact that it’s 2 issues to 1 right now in favor of Superman.
Final Verdict –Meh
Titans #24 (The Spark, part 2)
Nightwing’s new team is serving as a sort of First Responders type of unit for the Justice League and their discovery of energies from the Source Wall. There are a few storylines in motion here: the team becoming a team, Miss Martian’s secret mission, and mainly Raven being trapped at the end. This book is a nice companion to Justice League, but I was hoping for something different.
Final Verdict – Good
Wonder Woman #52 (The Enemy of Both Sides, part 1)
This installment serves as a jumping on point of sorts. It introduces newer readers to Artemis and Aztek and unites them with Diana on her quest to find her great-aunt Atalanta. Unfortunately, the book seems to have lost a lot of the stellar storytelling of the last couple of arcs, but the art remains solid. Keeping in mind that it’s only the first part of the story, there is some room for improvement.
Final Verdict –Meh