The Pull List: 18 April 2018, Part 3

Giants comes to a conclusion with this dramatic fifth issue, wrapping up what has been a sensational American debut for writer/artists Carlos and Miguel Valderrama. Gogi and Zedo used to be brothers; now they are on opposite sides of a fight for supremacy, while two massive giant monsters challenge one another overhead.

This is a tremendous climax, working to perfection on both a visual level and an emotional one. It is testament to the Valderramas' talents that the issue feels simultaneously epic and intimate. The stakes and life and death, yet when all is said and done it's ultimately just two boys having a pitched fist-fight.

There has been a strong Katsuhiro Otomo influence over this miniseries, notably within the art, but across this issue there is a huge sense of Akira about things. It's destructive and cataclysmic, but above all there are two young men who used to be so close but who are now irreperably torn apart. It's hugely effective, visually dramatic stuff. This has been an exceptional miniseries, and I cannot wait to see what the Valderramas bring to the page next. (5/5)

Giants #5. Dark Horse. Story and art by Carlos and Miguel Valderrama.

Under the cut: reviews of The Crow: Memento Mori, Descender, and Superman.

The Pull List: 18 April 2018, Part 2

There is a remarkable rhythm to Mister Miracle, the 12-issue maxiseries by writer Tom King and artist Mitch Gerads. Pages regularly repeat the same angle across a nine-panel grid. The structure of each individual issue matches that issue's content. In the case of issue #8, Scott and Barda are taking turns between caring for their newborn son and leading the war against Apokolips. As a result the issues swaps back and forth with Scott, from their Earth apartment to the alien warzone and back, over and over, as their son gets older and the war progresses.

All the while there is still an overriding sense of dread. Each issue occasionally throws in a 'wobble' - a panel where the picture is distorted and messed up like a bad television signal. It is clearly leading somewhere, and given which moments are accompanied by it I am going to assume it isn't leading anywhere good. The unease throughout the series has been palpable.

This is such a wonderfully original and distinctive book. It has taken a genuinely fresh and innovative angle with two classic DC Comics characters. I really hope its success leads DC to consider more 'out of the box' adaptations of their various series and franchises. (5/5)

Mister Miracle #8. DC Comics. Written by Tom King. Art and colours by Mitch Gerads.

Under the cut: reviews of Antar the Black Knight, Daredevil, and Super Sons.

Star Trek: Voyager: "Investigations"

It is 13 March 1996, and time for another episode of Star Trek: Voyager.

Finding his position on Voyager untenable, Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) resigns his commission to join a Talaxian freighter. Neelix (Ethan Phillips) begins broadcast a daily news show to the crew, which leads him to suspect someone is sending unauthorised communications to the Kazon Nistrim.

After weeks of Tom Paris increasingly acting like a selfish idiot, Star Trek: Voyager turns the tables with the revelation that it was all an act: Tom's apparent playing-out was a ruse to enable Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Lt Tuvok (Tim Russ) to identify the mole leaking intelligence to the Kazon. While it is good to see Star Trek embracing longer-form storytelling, it ultimately does not worth very well. A for effort, but C for conclusions, I guess.

The Pull List: 18 April 2018, Part 1

1,000 issues is a pretty big deal for any publication. Action Comics finally crosses that threshold this month, the first of America's superhero comics to do so, and in celebration DC Comics has made the issue an 80-page anthology celebration.

Sure it is more expensive than a normal issue, but it is also a veritable "who's who" of Superman writers and artists, each presenting short but effective stories. Collectively they really nail precisely why Superman is such a great character. Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund present a series of testimonies over why Superman is such a hero. Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi use splashes pages to make a speed run through Superman's 80-year career. Marv Wolfman resurrects an old Curt Swan strip to moderate effect.

Two of the most effective strips come from Geoff Johns, Richard Donner and Olivier Coipel - telling the story of the famous Superman-catching-a-car image - and Tom King and Clay Mann - really pushing the moniker "man of tomorrow" to a certain extreme. The issue ends with a short prologue for Brian Michael Bendis' forthcoming run on the Superman books: it looks intriguing, but there's honestly only enough there to grab the reader's attention.

Altogther it's a welcome and charming salute to DC's original superhero. Fans should find plenty to enjoy here - plus the wide range of alternate covers are wonderful. (4/5)

Action Comics #1,000. DC Comics. Written by Dan Jurgens, Peter J. Tomasi, Marv Wolfman, Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, Scott Snyder, Tom King, Paul Dini, and Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Patrick Gleason, Curt Swan, Butch Guice, Kurt Shaffenberger, Olivier Coipel, Rafael Alberquerque, Clay Mann, Jerry Ordway, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Kevin Nowlan, and John Cassaday. Colours by Hi-Fi, Alejandro Sanchez, Dave McCaig, Jordie Bellaire, Trish Mulvihill, Brennan Wagner, and Laura Martin.

Under the cut: reviews of Batman, Ms Marvel, and Star Wars: Poe Dameron.

The Pull List: 11 April 2018

Vep has been taken from her home to serve the alien masters on Eriatarka. There she begins to learn about her environment and meet other students in the academy.

There is more than a small sense of Moebius about Prism Stalker. It has the same sort of world-building and surreal design. It hints at back story and context rather than spell it out to the reader. While the end result might feel a little confusing, I think to a large degree that is part of the book's charm. It's wonderfully strange.

Sloane Leong's script and artwork already feel more confident and effective in this second instalment. The art still looks somewhat haphazard, but the colouring pulls everything together. When Leong's art sings, it really makes an impression - it's just a pity it doesn't manage to hit those highs on every page. Nonetheless there is an indefinable appeal to Prism Stalker that lifts it well above the individual merits of art or writing. It has a weirdly effective cadence to it. (4/5)

Prism Stalker #2. Image. Story and art by Sloane Leong.

Under the cut: reviews of Darth Vader, Detective Comics, Doctor Strange, Ninja-K, Oblivion Song, Sleepless, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Vs.

Star Trek: Voyager: "Lifesigns"

It is 26 February 1996, and time for another episode of Star Trek: Voyager.

Voyager encounters a Vidiian transport with one passenger - a critically ill Vidiian doctor named Danara Pel (Susan Diol). With a neurological implant about to fail, the Doctor (Robert Picardo) transfers Pel's brainwave patterns to Voyager's computers - and creates a holographic body for her to use while he can stabilise her real one. While he cares for her, the Doctor begins to experience romantic feelings for the first time.

"Lifesigns" sees Voyager in classical Star Trek mode, with the Doctor - a character inexperienced with the human condition - experiencing a human emotion for the first time. Much like the Star Trek: The Next Generation showcased Commander Data's first romantic relationship, "Lifesigns" undertakes the first experience of love for the Doctor. It may be a re-used concept, but it still works very well.

The Pull List: 4 April 2018, Part 3

As his appointment approaches with the House Un-American Activities Committee, closeted gay playwright Snagglepuss struggles with his friends, his lover and his increasingly unhappy wife.

Police brutality, gay-bashing, identity crises, the tension between art and commerce, cold war paranoia, anti-communist crusades - these are all powerful and worthy subjects to cover in a 1950s period drama. That they're being expressed through a post-modern remix of Hanna Barbera cartoons just makes it deeply weird and unsettling.

It feels as if it shouldn't work, and every issue seems to put more pressure on top - how ludicrous can it get and maintain an authentic sense of drama? So far so good: this is the most surprising book of the year so far. Mark Russell's script is smart, literate and self-aware. Mark Morales and Mike Feehan's art and colours are unusual but effective. This book is just so strange - and strangely wonderful. (4/5)

Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #4. DC Comics. Written by Mark Russell. 

Under the cut: reviews of Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Demigod, Mech Cadet Yu, Monstro Mechanica, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

The Pull List: 4 April 2018, Part 2

Her underground adventure complete, Luvander wanders into a regional conflict between two human dukedoms - and a mercenary of elves hired to win the conflict for the highest bidder.

In this excellent one-shot we get to see more the world of Scales & Scoundrels, as well as more back story for Lu: who she is, where she has come from, and the position her people take in the world around them. It is a difficult thing to write a one-shot: with only 20 pages free to write a story with beginning, middle and end, it is the sort of task that can divide a decent writer from a truly exceptional one. Sebastian Girner more than passes the test here. The issue is to-the-point, rich in detail, and satisfying on its own merits. It is the best issue of Scales & Scoundrels so far.

Galaad's artwork is elegant and simple, with a pleasing European style. It's particularly good in terms of colour, with nothing every feeling too overwhelming or busy. It's the perfect complement to the writing. (5/5)

Scales & Scoundrels #8. Image. Written by Sebastian Girner. Art and colours by Galaad.

Under the cut: reviews of Giant Days, Superman, and The Wicked + the Divine.