Comic Book Review Round-Up – May Week 3, 2019

Rounding up the third review schedule of May with Batman #71, Nightwing #60, Valiant Comics’ The Life and Death of Toyo Harada #1, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -Lando Calrissian (2019) #1, and Uncanny X-Men #18.

'Batman' #71

Batman fought off his Rogues Gallery in the previous issue of the series, and now he’s called his Bat-family for help. Some come, including Barbara, Tim, Damian, Luke, Cass, and Helena, others do not. Stephanie isn’t picking up her phone (she’s gone to visit her dad in jail), Kate is too far out, Ric doesn’t know his family anymore, and for some reason, Jason couldn’t be bothered to help his dad. All of this is for nought, but I won’t get into that because spoilers.

I like where this arc is headed, but I don’t necessarily understand it. How is Bane able to pull the wool over Batman’s eyes? It’s obviously not a dream because Batman just came out of a dream arc that continued for way too many issues, so what’s the secret to Bane’s success? More importantly, how on Earth is Batman ever going to be forgiven after his actions at the end of this book?

Nightwing #60

Ric and Hutch were facing down Burnback when Sap came to help. While the last of the victims trapped in the police precinct are rescued, Hutch is the one who actually saves the day. Good thing he’s a firefighter by trade. With Burnback out of the way, the Nightwings need to figure out who this villain is and what they want with Blüdhaven.

We’re 10 issues into Ric Grayson and… I’m seriously beginning to miss Dick. Like, how long do we need to put up with this art style, this expository writing style, and Ric? DC doesn’t do itself any favours by ensuring the variant covers for the series always show Dick as Nightwing—shouldn’t everyone working on the title get with the program? It’s high time Ric got his memories back; the main character of the series is hardly ever in it!

The Life and Death of Toyo Harada #1

Toyo Harada meets Albert Einstein and faces certain death in the third issue of the series. But what does Einstein have to do with Harada’s battle with the Angela Vessel? We don’t have the full picture at the halfway point of the series, but at least the pace has picked up.

After the disaster that was issue #2, I am glad this one was arresting with a layered approach to the plot. What I like about this series is that it is not only arresting, but also entices the reader to think beyond what’s on the page. Most comics are just exposition, but this issue made me wonder how all these pieces fit and what aces Harada could possibly have up his sleeves.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -Lando Calrissian (2019) #1

Lando Calrissian is barely able to keep Cloud City afloat. He’s down on finances and his creditors are at his heels. When even his gambling skills fail him, the outlook begins to look bleak. Luckily, a wealthy denizen makes Lando an offer he can’t refuse. The former smuggler will become wealthier than imaginable and gain a new title. But is Lando willing to pay the price for success?

I loved this issue—it was entertaining, poignant, and an honest love letter to why we love Lando. He’s equal parts charming and authoritative, but the swindler in him is hard to get rid of. Why couldn’t the rest of the series be this compelling? I’ve been so disappointed by this segment of the series, but Lando gives me hope for the rest.

'Uncanny X-Men' #18

This derailed quickly. The entire issue is a contrived fight between the X-Men and the Marauders, in which all the Marauders are killed by one of the "good guys." Said good guy then dies. Awesome. Then the X-Men fight Mister Sinister and Alex goes supernova, but survives, yet Shan decides to leave the team. Notice how the team’s dwindling diversity is eroded with each issue?

One could argue that the creators are trying to submerge the controversy of the previous issue under plenty of action, but it isn’t working and this issue felt out of sync with the original theme of this arc. Also, victim-blaming Rahne is pathetic. This issue felt rushed and chaotic. The art was all over the place (Shan doesn’t even look Asian), and the writing even more so. Also, it’s bad enough that Emma Frost’s outfit is ridiculous, but Mystique’s jacket is no better. I love the X-Men, but it feels like the creators don’t and it’s hard to enjoy this series anymore.

Halfway through May. Don’t miss my round-up for the rest of it.