**AS ALWAYS BE MINDFUL THAT THERE WILL BE SLIGHT SPOILERS, READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL!!**

Star Wars #19
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Carlos D’Anda

It’s a real bummer to see this series winding down as Brian Wood has done an excellent job handling this series. This was a fresh take on a franchise that has gone so many directions since its initial comic run in the 70’s and Wood managed to bring that back in the nearly 2 years he has written this series. Reading this arc, you just know that there was more planned but with Marvel regaining the rights and no idea if or when they will relaunch this title, it’s sad to see something open up only to know that it’s over next issue.

In this issue, an old childhood friend is being stalked by IG-88 and her distress call  threatens the Rebel Fleet after their narrow escape from Darth Vader last issue. Mon Motha dispatches (or does she?) the gang because apparently the info this old friend has is ‘Death Star” priority important.  It’s a bittersweet issue in that the old gang is all together for once on the Millennium Falcon going off on an adventure in trying to find this friend who may or may not be a friend of the Rebels. The dialogue hints at a lot of what Wood could build in the relationship that Leia has with Han that doesn’t sprout until ESB comes around. As always, Brian does a good job setting things up and again, D’Anda doesn’t disappoint with his art although sometimes his characters looks to be a bit bug eyed.

It’s a great next to last issue and I am hoping for some fireworks before this ends and I hope that Marvel uses common sense in retaining Wood’s and D’Anda’s services for whenever they releaunch the title under their banner.

3 out of 5 stars

Grayson #1

Writer: Tim Seely
Artist: Mikel Janin
Reviewer: Oz Longworth or The Droid Nobody Was Looking For

This is usually the part of my reviews where I do an introductory song and dance with you guys that segues into the book I’m reviewing while offering some attempt at a semi unique perspective going into reading this review. That’s not going to happen here because the book I’m reviewing just doesn’t deserve it. This week in Dumb Decisions DC Makes….the new series, Grayson, happened. And, folks, it really shouldn’t have.

The supposed reinvention of Dick Grayson had plenty of promise going in. With his secret identity outed to the world by the Crime Syndicate, the general assumption was that there was really nowhere else to go but to the grave. But instead, DC decided to give the former Boy Wonder a fresh start. The Grayson series sees Dick hang up his tights to work as a secret agent for a clandestine organization known as Spyral. If the “reinvention via spy agency” thing sounds like something you’ve read before, it’s because you did…when they did the same shit with Wonder Woman (seriously, NOBODY could figure that Wonder Woman, a 6 foot tall Amazon built like an MMA fighter, had disguised her as a 6 foot tall secret agent built like an MMA fighter). Tim Seely doesn’t hesitate to throw us some action right off the bat as the book starts out with Grayson carrying out a fun train caper. Here’s the problem.

A good first issue justifies its existence right off the bat. By the time you close the last page, you should be saying to yourself, “Oh, well, that’s an interesting premise.” Sure, we get to see some cool acrobatic feats of daring-do and Mikel Janin’s art is always an enormous plus for any book (as is evident from his work in Batman Eternal), but there’s no future plots laid out that I couldn’t already guess myself. I closed the last page and said to myself, “Oh, that’s where this is going.” Not a great way to start the promising retooling of a character that’s been around as long as Batman himself.

Bottom Line: A pretty looking inaugural issue with good intentions. Good and predictable intentions.

2 out of 5 stars

American Vampire: Second Cycle #4

Writer: Scott Snyder

Artist: Rafael Albuquerque

Colorist: Dave McCaig

Reviewer: Ray Willis

 

With the attack of transformed vampiric neighbors attack commencing on Pearl Jones’s house, how will Pearl and the kids escape this? The creatures themselves are like a giant twister of disaster destroying Pearls house with the little vampire inside that Pearl was taking care of. With the timely arrive of Skinner Sweet, they manage to lead them away from the house and even light them up with a trail of gasoline. Even with that there were still far too many creatures but with a lift from Calvin they made it out safely and to find a new place to stay. The issue ends with Skinner who has a secret but what is it. Read the issue to find out.

 

The story was nice with a little glimpse of the Grey trader having fun with a Native American at the beginning was interesting. Scott Snyder is really a master of his art with this title. We know tidbits about the guy that he’s an ancient vampire and probably the first but what’s more important is what he is looking for or keeping hidden away. Skinner and Pearls interaction is always fun to read. Seeing Trapp kill alligator was interesting since he only used two fingers to do it. Rafael Albuquerque’s art is on point as usual especially with the new creatures that were shown that was some really nice designs. The colors were also amazing and work in tandem with the art to make a nice masterpiece. I noticed that in one of the panels that Pearls hand still had a line through it like the color couldn’t cover it up or something. Also the Grey Trader appearing at the end of the issue was straight out of a an action movie. The issue was really good with a few mistakes but it was still good.

 

4.5 out of 5