Black Panther #10, Daredevil #3, Dial H for HERO #1, & SHAZAM! #4

The order in which I expected to enjoy this week’s books (from most to least): SHAZAM!, Daredevil, Dial H for HERO, Black Panther The order in which I actually enjoyed this week’s books: Daredevil, Dial H for HERO, SHAZAM!, Black Panther

Black Panther #10

The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda storyline has been referred to by many reviewers as "Black Panther meets Star Wars," and rightfully so. But therein lies the problem. Imagine if the original Star Wars movie (you know, the one kids today call "A New Hope") had been released in small chunks on a monthly basis with some made available weeks, if not months, later than expected. One episode would feature an exciting battle between a downright scary guy wearing black armor from head to toe with his equally armored minions attacking a group of ill-prepared rebels, while another would simply show a whiny farmboy eating dinner with his family. It would be difficult to keep track of all the new characters, settings, events, weapons, powers, motivations, and alliances.

That's the only problem I've had with this title that I've otherwise enjoyed. I don't mind a little legwork once in a while, but when it reaches the point where it detracts from my enjoyment of a comic it's tempting to cut the title from my list..

VERDICT: Great story, fantastic art, but I wish I had waited for the trade paperback collection.

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Daredevil #3

Daredevil's quest to prove both his innocence and his sanity came to an abrupt (if only temporary) halt at the end of issue #2, when recently transferred police detective Cole North caught him in the shoulder with a bullet. North quickly learns that it won't be that easy to take down the crimson vigilante.

I can't say enough good things about this book! Writer Chip Zdarsky has done an outstanding job simultaneously building the mystery of who framed Daredevil and creating doubt in the reader's mind that he was framed at all. In just three issues Mark Chechetto has become a favorite current artist whose work I will follow after he inevitably leaves this title. I've seen criticism of Sunny Gho's coloring, but I think it does a great job of contrasting 'Devil's red costume with the gritty setting.

VERDICT: Glad I bought it and can't wait for the next issue!

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Dial H for HERO #1

After considering adding this title to my pull list for a few weeks I opted not to do so, but the more I read about it the more intrigued I became. Once I had the book in my hands at my friendly local comic shop buying it was a no-brainer.

Dial H is a Silver Age concept if there ever was one. In short, when a user dials a 4(GHI) on what appears to be a rotary phone, that person becomes a superhero for approximately one hour. Nothing about the hero is known prior to dialing, and a majority of the time the hero is a brand new character. Additionally, in this series each hero will be based on a particular style or era of comic history and the entire book will change format to match. Firmly rooted in the early days of Image Comics, this issue's hero is an over-the-top (one might say "Extreme") character named "MONSTER TRUCK" who is loaded with out-of-proportion muscles, giant weapons, and deliberately bad dialogue ("Say 10-4 to vengeance!") (No pouches, though...I guess that's some sort of copyright thing nowadays.)

VERDICT: Glad I bought it and can't wait for the next issue!

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SHAZAM! #4

As a kid I envied characters my age that I would see on TV or in movies and read about it books and comics. I wanted to go on adventures in secret lands, gain superpowers via a magic dial or secret word, and solve mysteries with my dog. As a father I can't help but think "where are the parents? They have to be freaking out by now! Someone needs to go get those kids and bring them home safely!" I'm glad to see writer Geoff Johns address this, even if it is part of a future storyline. The "sent back to the moment of departure so no one will know you were gone" trope ruins even the best of stories for me. What else can I say about this book that I haven't already said in my review of the first two issues? Johns obviously loves the characters, Eaglesham's art continues to be amazing, and the story balances good old fashioned comic book fun with today's sensibilities.

VERDICT: Glad I bought it and can't wait for the next issue! --- --- --- --- --- --- ---