Hey y’all! We’ve got an interesting crop of comics this week. It should be noted that I did read the new issue of The Flash, but I don’t really have anything to say about it. It was decent, although the art is a step down as Clayton Henry was not on the issue. We’ve got the big midpoint issue of X of Swords and the continuation of Last Remains. Also, don't forget to check this week's Featured Review: the finale of Batman Three Jokers! Afterwards, you can come back and finish this.
X of Swords: Stasis #1
Writers: Jonathon Hickman and Tini Howard
Artists: Pepe Larraz and Mahmud
Asrar
Colors: Marte Gracia
Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Design: Tom Muller
Cover: Larraz and Gracia
The stage is set. Two sets of
ten swords and their wielders have gathered in the Starlight Citadel. Whatever
Saturnyne’s plan is, it is about to come to fruition. I have no clue what they
are though. The creative team continues to hold their *ahem* cards close
to their figurative collective vest but not in a frustrating way. Enough hints
and clues have been given that it is likely possible to deduce the conclusion
of upcoming events.
I was able to decipher the identity of the Amenthian leader after all!
Surely someone smarter than me could put the larger clues together.
The first two-thirds of this issue are dedicated to the assembling of the Amenthian sword wielders in an attempt to drum up any interest in them. Unfortunately, it may be too late. The combatants we know got nine whole issues (Wolverine got two!) to find their blades but this group gets about 20 pages. It should have been a more even split not only so readers have a connection to the antagonists but so the characters do as well. I want to have an emotional stake in Captain Avalon’s fight with Pogg Ur-Pogg. Instead, it’ll just be a knight with a sword fighting a lizard man. Which is cool, don’t get me wrong, but it could be better. They all look awesome though.
Magnificent framing
Really, the stars of this issue
and the aforementioned elevator ride are the artists. Asrar and Larraz both do
incredible work here with keeping the eye focused and telling a complete story
that needs very little dialogue—and sometimes has none. Of course, their styles
are not that similar so it’s very impressive work from Gracia that caused me to
barely notice when the artist shifted. It’s a beautiful comic, as this entire
event has been.
Amazing Spider-Man #51
Writer: Nick Spencer
Artist: Patrick Gleason
Colors: Edgar Delgado
Letters: VC’s Joe Carmagna
Cover: Gleason and Delgado
How are we wheel spinning in
issue two of a six-part event? Nothing happens in this issue except Doc Strange
decides he can’t help Peter fight Kindred because Peter previously made a deal
with Mephisto (That’s the implied reason anyway) and then Peter has Black Cat
steal a magic hand so he can enter the Big Dream Dimension. Those events happen
concurrently, in case you’re wondering.
 |
| This is a good bit |
Art aside, the most interesting
aspect of this story thus far is how much of a love letter to J. Michael Straczynski’s
time writing Spider-Man. It’s surprising since that era is…controversial. Now,
several aspects of it have been embraced (Or at least tolerated), especially
the Spider Totem and Morlun aspects in Spider-Verse. Just a few issues ago,
Spencer referenced Sins Past, the one story arc Dan Slott never touched, and
vowed never to touch, in his 12-year run as steward of Spider-Man. I’m not sure
what that says about Spencer or where his story is headed, but its certainly
interesting and something to keep an eye on.
As always, feel
free to give your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter at @alexraysnyder. And
if you like what you read here, consider throwing a couple bucks my way on Patreon to help
cover costs.
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