DARK KNIGHTS: METAL #4/ Written by SCOTT SNYDER/ Pencils by GREG CAPULLO/ Inks by JONATHAN GLAPION/ Colors by FCO PLASCENCIA/ Letters by STEVE WANDS/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
As Batman and Superman travel beyond The Dark Multiverse and into the realm of The Endless, the rest of the Justice League try to gather Nth metal for the coming battle with Barbatos. While this issue does much to explain the nature of Barbatos and his relation to other cosmic forces in The DC Universe, I’m not sure how accessible this material is to novice comic readers. I’m sure there’s more than a few people out there unfamiliar with Neil Gaiman’s Sandman who do not realize the significance of Dream’s appearance here or the references to Lucien’s Library. The artwork remains fantastic, but I fear this epic is losing steam quickly.
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #1/ Written by CHIP ZDARSKY/ Pencils by JIM CHEUNG/ Inks by JOHN DELL & WALDEN WONG/ Colors by FRANK MARTIN/ Letters by VC’s JOE CARAMAGNA/ Published by MARVEL COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
Ben Grimm was content to part ways with Johnny Storm following the disappearance of the rest of The Fantastic Four. That changed when he got word about Johnny’s normally reckless behavior turning near-suicidal. An inheritance of sorts from Reed Richards gives Ben another reason to seek out his old frienemy but what dangers may they face on the road ahead? Largely forgoing the wacky humor that dominated his run on Howard The Duck, Zdarsky’s script here reads like a typical Fantastic Four story setup. Thankfully, it’s a good setup, as far as these things go, and he’s got a wonderful grasp on The Thing and The Human Torch as well as this issue’s special guest characters. The artwork is outstanding, boasting a real John Romita Jr. vibe throughout. I don’t know if this series will lead into a revitalized Fantastic Four comic as some hope but it would be a step in the right direction if it were.
WONDER WOMAN/CONAN #4/ Written by GAIL SIMONE/ Pencils by AARON LOPRESTI/ Inks by MATT RYAN/ Colors by WENDY BROOME/ Letters by SAIDA TEMOFONTE/ Published by DC COMICS & DARK HORSE COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
Returned to the town that saw them turned into fighting slaves, Conan and the mystery woman he calls Yanna must save the town from two blood-thirsty goddesses. First, Conan contends, they should have a sorely needed drink. Hilarity ensues as the pair deal with hangovers, marriage proposals and decidedly more indecent proposals. While this series may not be everyone’s cup of tea (I know several Wonder Woman fans who will object to the idea that Diana could possibly become hungover after a mere two hours of drinking) , I personally find Gail Simone’s teaming of everyone’s favorite Amazon and Barbarian to be a rollicking good time. The artwork perfectly matches Simone’s humorous script, though this issue also features a truly shocking and touching moment of pathos I dare not divulge.
Buy these comics at your local comic book store (don’t know where that is? here you go) or digitally via comixology.com!