Vinny’s Comic Picks of the Week!
Deathstroke #30 (DC Comics)
Runners Up: WWE Wrestlemania Special 2018 (BOOM! Studios), The Amazing Spider-Man #798 (Marvel Comics)
Christopher Priest and Carlo Pagulayan drive everything that makes the first part of Deathstroke vs. Batman special. I love the decision to keep what could have been an event mini-series as part of the monthly Deathstroke title, it really feels like a reward to those who have followed the series since its “Rebirth”. Priest’s Deathstroke has been a twisted, yet motivated figure and if you read his recent work, the veteran writer has found ingenious ways to make Slade Wilson one of the most important characters in the universe. Even in the more fantastic arcs, Deathstroke has maintained its dark tone. Placed against a very Tom King-esque Bat, Deathstroke comes off as an equal. Nearly equal time is spent framing the characters for their conflict and the plot would have fit a Batman title just as well. There is a big theme of fatherhood, even beyond the plot, and two of the leads’ “sons” deliver some of the most perfected commentary on their legendary fathers to ever appear in a comic. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Priest should be a legend in this business. This issue brought him one step closer. Pagulayan brings a style that balances superhero action with true crime grit. Though Priest’s writing is great to start, Pagulayan highlights it perfectly. If ever I have the chance, I’d love to own the page wherein he draws classic Robin. Truly gorgeous stuff.
You know, I promised that I’d basically be writing about wrestling all week, and it was a pleasant surprise that I get to here as well. BOOM! Studios continues their consistently entertaining WWE line with this Wrestlemania special. I love how they time these specials to release the week before the big four events for the company, as it truly bolsters my excitement. As with all of their specials, this issue is an anthology of stories centering around matches past, but there is one story that put this one on the list. Ryan Ferrier and Kendall Goode bring us When a Macho Man Loves a Woman, recounting the untold story of Queen Sherri’s reaction to the abdication of the Macho Throne. As Randy Savage attempts to prove his love to Miss Elizabeth once again, The Sensational One plots their demise. Though I can’t honestly say it is worth the whole $7.99 cover price, it is certainly my favorite tale in the collection.
Up last is Dan Slott and Stuart Immonen’s The Amazing Spider-Man. Nothing mind-blowing here, but some expert superhero action that finally gives the audience the moment that the book has been building towards for months.