The Punisher #5

Cover by Marco Checchetto

The Punisher #5 (November 16, 2011)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Penciller: Marco Checchetto

Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Whoa, where have I been?

I somehow managed to miss three Punisher issues and not collapse in a state of mourning at the absence of Frank Castle in my life. I guess I’m just an incredibly strong person.

Anyway, I still love this run though The Punisher #5 was definitely more of an interlude than an actual action-packed storyline continuation. At first that threw me but after I finished it, I genuinely appreciated this issue and the exposition it gave.

American Vampire #22

Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

American Vampire #22 (December 28, 2011)

Writer: Scott Snyder

Penciller: Rafael Albuquerque

Colorist: Dave McCaig

Inker: Rafael Albuquerque

Letterer: Jared Fletcher

It’s kind of funny that I was randomly handed this issue by a co-worker because after stumbling across the second American Vampire graphic novel at work one day, I was thoroughly intrigued by this series. I only ever found the second volume, however, so I never read any of the American Vampire series. It was quite a stroke of luck that I was given this particular issue, therefore, since it’s the beginning of a new storyline.

Now, I’m not really into vampires; even as a kid and horror movie fan aficionado, vampires kind of bored me. It’s just hard to make them seem new and fresh (right now, zombies are suffering from the same sort of uninteresting malaise in pop culture) but Snyder managed to invigorate the vampire myth and catch my interest.

Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers

Cover by Esad Ribic

Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers (March 2011)
Writer: Robert Rodi
Artist: Esad Ribic
Letterer: Cory Petit, Randy Gentile

I’ve been anxious to read more Thor comics, especially those that focus on Loki and draw from traditional Norse mythology, for a while now.  The graphic novel of Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers is very new (along with the motion comic of the same name that is residing in my Netflix queue, though I heard it wasn’t that good) and I know the repackaging of this series into a graphic novel was timed to correlate to the release of the motion picture Thor. I see what you did there, Marvel. And I’m okay with it.

Let’s be real here. I love Loki. I know that makes me appear even more fangirlish than normal but man, he’s fun. Of course, it doesn’t help that in the film, he looked like this:

Tom Hiddleston, I blame you for all my fangirlishness.

Batgirl #4

Cover by Adam Hughes

Batgirl #4 (December 14, 2011)

Writer: Gail Simone

Penciller: Ardian Syaf

Inker: Vincente Cifuentes

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

I have reacted indifferently to the majority of the re-launched Batgirl series and Batgirl #4 is no exception, sadly.

There has been very little about this series to pull me in and at this point, I genuinely miss Oracle. Barbara as Batgirl is still struggling with her identity and the miraculous use of her legs after being shot by the Joker over a year ago. Perhaps this is the reason why her characterization feels rather off. This Barbara Gordon never seems sure of anything and if there was one thing I could always rely on Barbara for, it was her steadfastness.

Swamp Thing #5

Cover by Yanick Paqiette, Nathan Fairbairn

Swamp Thing #5 (January 4, 2012)

Writer: Scott Snyder

Penciller: Yanick Paquette

Colorist: Nathan Fairbairn

Letterer: Travis Lanham

This has been the first uninteresting and shallow issue in an otherwise standout series. Swamp Thing #4 hinted at a very macabre and intense confrontation between the Green and the Rot and I was really looking forward to it. When I finished this issue, however, I had only one thing to say: “That’s it?”

Don’t get me wrong; this issue featured a pivotal moment for Alec Holland, one that will most likely introduce the traditional Swamp Thing character that I’m sure will make fans very happy. Other than that, however, I was disappointed in the pacing of this issue and the overall handling of what could have been a really exciting conflict.

The Amazing Spider-Man #675

Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli

The Amazing Spider-Man #675 (December 7, 2011)

Writer: Dan Slott

Penciller: Giuseppe Camuncoli

Inker: Klaus Janson

Colorist: Frank D’Armata

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

I don’t know why but there is something so off-putting about Peter Parker to me.

And if pop culture is telling me anything, everyone else seems to love him. I don’t find him relatable or charming or likable or even particularly funny. He seems like this guy who tries so hard to give off an “aw shucks” boyish charm that it appears bogus. I just don’t like him, all right?

Nonetheless, I wanted to read another Spider-Man comic because, well, he’s Spider-Man and he’s kind of a big deal. Don’t ask me why but he is.