Legacy Shorts: Comic Book Reviews for 4/22/09 (200th Post)

For my review of Amazing Spider-Man #592 click here.

Daredevil #118

Creative Team
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Michael Lark, John Lucas, & Stefano Gaudino
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth

Story - Return of the King: Part Three

Review
Even though Brubaker has moved "Return of the King" in a methodical pace so far this has been an enjoyable story. But for some reason the pace of this issue felt more slow than methodical. Don't get me wrong this was still a good read but after the past three excellent issues of Daredevil this issue did not live up to the potential set by the previous parts of this story.

Though I will say that I love the meeting between Matt and Master Izo. Even though it was an obvious question to ask it was nice to see Izo call Matt out on why he is teaming up with the Kingpin and why he is trusting him. I love Matt's answer were he says that while he is teaming up with Kingpin to take down the Hand that he does not trust him. It does a nice job setting up one or both stabbing the other in the back in the future.

Issue Rating
Story: 7.6/10 - Brubaker continues to move this story arc in a methodical pace and does a nice job with all of the dialogue.
Art: 7/10 - Though the art fit the gritty feel of this book I'm still not a fan of Lark's art.
Overall: 7.3/10 - "Return of the King" continues to be a good read but I hope this story arc starts to get things in gear as you can only move in a methodical pace for so long (except if it is Captain America).

Detective Comics #853

Creative Team
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: Andy Kubert
Inker: Scott Williams
Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Story - Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Part 2 of 2

Review
Though I enjoyed the first part of "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" I was not blown away by that issue. But that changed with this issue. Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert combined to tell one of the best Batman stories that I have read. This issue does a phenomenal job giving the Dark Knight a story book ending of sort.

Gaiman does a great job not only paying respect to all Batman's history but also showing that Bruce Wayne is Batman and that Batman is Bruce Wayne. While it has been argued who is the real persona this issue shows that one exist because of the other.

Issue Rating
Story: 10/10 - Gaiman does a phenomenal job paying respect to all of Batman's history and weaves a story book ending for one of the greatest characters ever.
Art: 10/10 - Even though Kubert may be a slow artist the artwork he provides in this issue was just plain beautiful as he is able to adapt his style to pay respect to the all the artist that have drawn Batman and all of the characters related to him.
Overall: 10/10 - "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader" may go down as one of the greatest stories in the long history of the Dark Knight. This story is made to read in one sitting to get the full experience of how great this story is.

Guardians of the Galaxy #13

Creative Team
Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist: Brad Walker
Inker: Victor Olazaba
Colorist: Wil Quintana

Story - Peacemakers

Review
After a string of issues that have lack the punch of the first half dozen or so issues of Guardian of the Galaxy this issue brings back that fun from when this series started. And it is no surprise as this issue is not only a War of Kings tie-in but also brings back the whole team back together to stop the war between the Shi'ar Empire and Inhumans.

From the opening scene in the bar to the Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon scene were Rocket gets dibs on all the heavy hitters for his team to the last few scenes this was pure fun. And after this issue I hope that we get a mini-series seeing the adventures that Rocket Raccoon had with the Starjammers in the past. I would be the first in line to buy that mini-series, so Marvel make it happen.

Issue Rating
Story: 8.6/10 - DnA bring GOTG back to the fun series it was in its first 8 issues as the team tries to stop the war going on with the Shi'ar Empire and Inhumans.
Art: 7.8/10 - Walker artwork continues to improve as he provides this issue with some good art though there are some inconsistencies.
Overall: 8.2/10 - War of Kings and everything related to the event continue to be a fantastic read and I can't wait to read the next issue of all the Marvel cosmic titles.