100 Word Hits – Comic Reviews #12
Welcome to the latest installment of our 100 Word Hits column, in association with comics retailer The Unreality Store, in which Matthew De Monti brings us short, sharp reviews of the latest books to hit comic stores over the past month or so!
Han Solo & Chewbacca #5
Written by Marc Guggenheim | Art by David Messina
Finding themselves at the mercy of Black Krrsantan, Han and Chewie are sort of ‘rescued’ by Khel Tanna and her gang who are also after the urn and are press ganged into working for her. Greedo also makes a welcome return for some great banter with Solo as does Benelex Marshal Vancto
There’s lots of action, double-crossing, a daring rescue attempt on the con-man masquerading as Solo’s father and a cliff-hanger of an ending (no spoilers here!) It’s a hugely entertaining read but my only gripe is that David Messina’s art looks a little rushed in places
Rating: 8/10
Rogues Gallery #2
Written by Hannah Rose May | Art by Justin Mason
Maisie Wade is finding that life as the star of the Red Rogue TV show isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. The script sucks, her stunts are dangerous and she dislikes her production team. And then there’s all of the on-line haters Anti-depressants and wine help, as does a supportive husband, but eventually Maisie decides to quit the show and move on. There’s a sliding doors moment at the end which ties nicely into the opening issue.
Apparently this has been optioned – and on this issue’s showing it may very well make a great TV show.
Rating: 8/10
Gun Honey: Blood For Blood #1
Written by Charles Ardai | Art by Ang Hor Kheng
Joanna Tan has retired as a gun honey and is spending her days relaxing in Langkawi, Malaysia. But Joanna’s going to find out that leaving her former life behind is anything but easy when Brook shows up with news that someone has tried to frame her for murder.
Eager to clear her name, Joanna and Brook follow a trail that takes them from Langkawi to Milan with their adversary always one step ahead. Joanna might find that there’s someone out there that’s better than her at what she does best!
A great read and a welcome return for Gun Honey.
Rating: 8.5/10
James Bond 007 #1
Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson | Art by Marco Finnegan
Moscow. Bond’s attempt to extract MI6 informant Fedor Nikolaev goes horribly wrong. Bond has been doubled-crossed – Nikolaev ends up dead and he barely escapes with his life. Nursing his wounds in London, Bond is forced to take some time off but is contacted by Gwendolyn Gann. Gann it turns out was a former MI6 operative, 003, and yes you’ve guessed it, love interest of Bond. They agree to meet but she doesn’t show. Bond finds her apartment ransacked but discovers a note saying ‘Project Myrmidon’
A great opener in true Bond style. And that cover by Aspinal is fantastic!
Rating: 8.5/10
Amazing Fantasy #1000
Written by Various | Art by Various
Sixty years ago Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and the rest, as they say is history. Not wanting to miss out on this milestone, Marvel give us AF #1000 featuring a number of short stories from a stellar line up.
Hickman, Slott and Busiek are amongst the writers on this issue along with Cheung, Stegman and Dodson on artistic duties. But the standout is almost certainly the Neil Gaiman and Steve McNiven story recounting Gaiman’s relationship with Spidey as a child and then later in life meeting Steve Ditko and getting some signed comics from him. Excelsior!
