Warren Ellis (Writer) Simone Bianchi (Artist)
After the lovingly retro 80's feel of Joss Whedons run on this book the one person that you'd expect to come in and deliberately shake things up and be contrary is Warren Ellis so it's a bit of a surprise that this feels similar just with his dialogue twitches rather than Joss'.
It's not a bad read and obviously there's time for a chain smoking Englishman in a trench coat to show up, it just feels a bit by the numbers as the X-Mens new San Francisco base is introduced. Warrens recently ended run on Thunderbolts felt like he was having more fun writing about a bunch of bastards.
The art by Simone Bianchi is nice if a little muddy, this seems to be a problem common with pencils being directly scanned rather than inked although with the amount of work that obviously goes into them you have to wonder how he'll consistantly hit a monthly scedule.
It's early days obviously so 2 or 3 more issues to let the story develop and see if this is required buying like Nextwave.
Echo 4
Terry Moore (Writer/Artist)
It's been interesting to compare this book against the recently launced Rasl by Jeff Smith, Echo has felt like an alternative world version of Strangers in Paradise while Rasl is a complete change in direction from Bone and for that Echo has been the more satisfying read.
Combining a healthy level of soap opera dramatics and X Files/Heroes style mystery, the pace has been picking up in each issue. This issue deals with a murder scene, more information on the organisation and test pilot involved with the mystery metal and a confrontation between Julie the main character and the army this is looking to be a nice change in pace from Strangers in Paradise.
I really enjoyed Strangers in Paradise but the recent annoucements about Moore taking over Runaways and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane (to a lesser extent) had me a little worried about moving into the world of capes but this book has allayed those fears.
Walking Dead 50
Robert Kirkman (Writer) Charlie Adlard (Artist)
Following on from the horrific events of the jail siege this book is currently taking a breather and keeping things simple. Maybe having the conclusion of the siege fall into this landmark issue would have been more appropriate but this is a book that's never done the things that were expected of it.
With no real story in this issue as Carl tends to his sick father Rick it's left to Adlards art to carry the issue and he does a great job. When he originally took over from Tony Moore the shift in style left me a bit disappointed but his storytelling ability has more than changed my mind, Adlard's an overlooked talent at the moment.
The Boys 20
Garth Ennis (Writer) Darick Robertson (Artist)
Continuing The Legends history lesson to Hughie and the Homelanders stand off with The Butcher this book continues to impress. After the initial ad campaign of more Preacher than Preacher this has moved past the gross out aspect and is now telling its story with the odd diversion into willys, puke and gore.
Ennis is moving things along smoothly while allowing the odd look into his favourite subject of the history of various wars without it feeling shoe horned in. I've always had a soft spot for Darick Robertsons work since he was on New Warriors and he's only got better since then. My only criticism would be that when he inks himself his work doesn't look quite as smooth as it should but that's a minor criticism of a well put together book.
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