Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 08/17/11

We have a slightly slower week on our hands for this round of Post-Crisis Previews.  However, it being me, "slower week" means I'm still picking up six comics, which is really only slow when you consider the excessive number that I grabbed up last time around (17).  So while my wallet gets a chance to recover, feel free to hit the jump to catch my thoughts on some of this weeks' books!

BATMAN #713

Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by Steve Scott & Ryan Winn

Over the years, Dick Grayson has worn several guises: First, he was Robin the Boy Wonder, then Nightwing, and finally Batman. But now that Bruce Wayne has donned the cape and cowl once again, Dick finds himself at an identity crossroads.

Grant: I'm not going to lie, I have not bought a single issue of Batman since Tony Daniel came back to the title after the short reprieve break from his writing that was issues #700 through #703.  I can't say I was so lucky when it came to his earlier run, as I did actually buy a number of the issues Daniel penned when he first took over writing duties with #692.  To put it simply, I don't like his writing and found him unable to portray Batman as anyone other than Bruce Wayne (even though Dick Grayson has worn the cowl for his entire run).  So why is this title on my list, you might understandably ask?  Well, as you can see in the solicitations, the final issue of Batman before the September reboot is actually being written by Fabian Nicieza.  And unlike Daniel, I actually usually enjoy Nicieza's writing.  Additionally, the solicitation gives the impression that this will be a retrospective issue, where the characters will think back on a whole whack of stuff that's happened to them lately.  I also usually enjoy these types of comics, and I feel like Nicieza could potentially offer a nice send off to Dick Grayson's time as Batman.  Fingers crossed.

DAREDEVIL #2

Written by Mark Waid

Art by Paolo Rivera

DAREDEVIL'S BACK...BUT NOT EVERYONE'S HAPPY!

Given his recent past, Matt Murdock has a lot to answer for and Captain America is doing the cross-examining. Daredevil's quickly learning that burned bridges with his friends and former allies aren't easy to repair particularly when Klaw, the Master of Sound, is on his tail!

Grant: As I explained in my review for the opening issue, I really dug the creative team's take on Marvel's Man Without Fear.  This book looks like it'll be fun, have solid writing, and some mighty purty art.  While I regret that Martin Marcos isn't present this time around, I know that Paolo Rivera will provide for some quality visuals.  It's also worth noting that, based solely on knowing how important hearing stuff is to Daredevil, him fight a guy named Klaw, the Master of Sound, strikes me as a fantastic idea.  Looking forward to see how it all plays out.

GLADSTONE'S SCHOOL FOR WORLD CONQUERORS #4

Written by Mark Andrew Smith

Art by Armand Villavert

The Skull Brothers battle an army of ancient Egyptian monsters while cupid's arrow strikes Mummy Girl and Kid Nefarious! And what secrets do comic books featuring the parents of our supervillains-in-training reveal about Gladstone’s past? After this shocking discovery nothing will ever be the same.

Grant: I first picked up this book in my never-ending quest to find enjoyable all-ages titles, and it's done pretty well for itself thus far.  We've already talked about this title here at the Weekly Crisis, so you're probably already familiar with the book.  But if you missed those earlier reviews (or don't feel like following that link), I'll just reiterate that its a book that looks at children attending a school to become supervillains.  Except, unbeknownst to the students, there is a treaty between superheroes and supervillains, meaning that their fights are presently about as real as WWE wrestling.  A fun concept, the book is just as enjoyable, bringing a lighthearted approach to superheroics and supervillianry that is absent from most books nowadays.  The nefarious forces that appear to be working in the shadows are only the icing on the wonderful cake that is this book.

POWER GIRL #27

Written by Matthew Sturges

Art by Hendry Prasetya

Power Girl has 20 seconds to save the day – three times over! But who set up this dangerous game? Can Power Girl find a way to overcome not one but three disasters and track down the statistically-minded villain behind it all?

Grant: I'm not going to lie, I came to the Power Girl party a little late.  I only realized how good the Palmiotti, Gray, and Conner's run was once it was over, and I only warmed to Winick and Basri's take on the character a few issues in.  But once I saw how good this series was, I've been snapping up all the single issues and trades I can get my hands on.  Unfortunately, this issue, like the one before it, is by neither of the above creative teams.  Instead we have another fill-in issue to finish up a DC series, but I'm not quite as optimistic for Power Girl #27 as I am for Batman #713.  While Sturges and Prasetya are both undeniably talented, I felt like their work on last month's PG book fell a little flat and I worry that the same thing might happen for the finale.  Hopefully I'm wrong.

SPIDER-ISLAND: THE AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #1

Written by Paul Tobin

Art by Pepe Larraz

Spider-Girl's powers are back! But she's not the only new web-slinger in Manhattan, and Spider-Girl's oldest and deadliest foes, the spider-hating Society of Wasps, have declared a WAR ON SPIDER ISLAND. Can even Spider-Girl's new powers save her against an entire army of Hunter Wasps? And why does Spider-Girl find herself fighting on the same side as... the Hobgoblin, and Kingpin himself?!!

Grant: Paul Tobin's run on Spider-Girl just seemed to be hitting its stride when it was revealed that the book was being cancelled.  In spite of the ill-fated ending of her ongoing, it seems as if Marvel is still trying to push Spider-Girl, giving Tobin a 3 issue mini-series to continue telling the adventures of Anya Corazon.  I, for one, am happy to see this, as I thought his run made for some good comics that could be enjoyed by readers of all ages.  I imagine this will be more of the same, which is a very good thing.

VENOM #6

Written by Rick Remender

Art by Tom Fowler

Flash Thompson is dropped into Ground Zero of the Infestation – but will he lose control of his emotions (and the Venom Symbiote) when his own father lies dying in the hospital? Tom Fowler (AGE OF HEROES) joins Rick Remender (X-FORCE) for part one of Venom’s foray into Spider-Manhattan!

Grant: The Venom ongoing has been a pleasant surprise.  I decided to give this series a spin after reading through Amazing Spider-Man #654.1, and I'm glad I did.  Rick Remender has been doing some great stuff with Flash Thompson working with the US military as the new Venom.  They've whipped up a bunch of rules and protocols to try to avoid Thompson being overtaken by the symbiote, but those haven't been terribly successful thus far.  It's made for some interesting moments, and I'm eager to see Venom's role in the Spider-Island storyline.  It also doesn't hurt that Tom Fowler, who joined the title last issue, is drawing the heck out of this book.

And there you have it.  A bit of a mixed bag this week.  A couple of books that I'm taking a chance on combine with a few I'm pretty confident about.  Will my predictions hold true, or will I be pleasantly surprised?  Or perhaps sadly disappointed?  Only time, and those reviews that keep showing up here, will tell!

But enough about me.  What are you lovely guys and gals grabbing this go around?  Anything you're particularly pumped for?  

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