411’s Comic Reviews: Detective Comics #1005, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1, More

Hello and welcome to 411mania’s weekly Comic Book Review! Each week we’ll be serving up a warm dish of reviews (and previews) from Marvel, DC, and anything else that captures our interest. What did you pick up this week? Let us know in the comments.Want to write a review? If you can write at least one review a week, consistently, email me at [email protected]!

Midnight Vista #1

Preview by Steve Gustafson

Oliver Flores and his stepfather, Nomar Perez, were turning right onto Midnight Vista Road when they were both abducted by aliens.

To Oliver’s mother, they were both just missing. To the police, they were declared legally dead. And to everyone else growing up in Albuquerque, Oliver Flores was the “Milk Carton Kid”. His life was the cautionary tale of an eight-year-old who was kidnapped and killed by his stepdad while out for some ice cream.

But now — years later — a fully grown adult Oliver walks back into town. He has been returned…and he remembers everything.

Based on a very personal, true story from writer Eliot Rahal (HOT LUNCH SPECIAL), with out-of-this-world art from Clara Meath, MIDNIGHT VISTA will make you believe in little grey men.

Angel #1

Preview by Steve Gustafson

BOOM! Studios announced that ANGEL #1, reimagining the cult hit phenomenon from the very beginning in partnership with 20th Century Fox Consumer Products, has sold out! To meet this overwhelming demand, ANGEL #1 SECOND PRINTING will arrive in stores on July 10, 2019 with a stunning variant cover by Mondo illustrator Boris Pelcer.

Acclaimed comic book and television writer Bryan Edward Hill (American Carnage, Titans) and artist Gleb Melnikov, along with series creator and story consultant Joss Whedon (the visionary writer/director behind Firefly, Marvel’s The Avengers, and more), sends Angel to Sunnydale for the first time on a mission that’ll eventually put him face-to-face with the Slayer and change the fate of the entire world.

Created by visionary writer and director Joss Whedon (Marvel’s The Avengers film franchise), Angel premiered on the WB Network on October 5th, 1999 and was a spin-off from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The series ran for five seasons from 1999–2004, starring David Boreanaz as Angel, the tortured vampire destined to walk the earth with a soul who moved to LA to set up shop as a supernatural private investigator. Despite Angel’s best efforts to deal with the sins of his past all by himself, Angel Investigations soon became home to other lost souls searching for redemption and willing to fight by his side.

Blood Realm V2 #2 (of 3)

Preview by Steve Gustafson

After discovering the harrowing fate of the Skorn Legion, the Saytrians venture beneath the Hollow Fortress to the haunting ruins of a fallen kingdom-where ancient terrors lie in wait.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1

Review by Steve Gustafson

THE FIRST TEMPTATION OF LUKE SKYWALKER! After learning the true identity of his father, LUKE continues his training and prepares for the inevitable showdown, determined never to follow the path of VADER. But when a rebel general’s mistakes lead to disaster and Luke must seize command, the DARK SIDE tempts him as never before. Featuring the eerie influence of THE EMPEROR!

This book takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi so it has plenty of potential to do cool things. Which it does. Unfortunately it suffers from an art team that doesn’t quite match up with the story.

I’m not saying the art is bad but sometimes the story the writer is setting up needs a certain look to pull it off properly. Written by Greg Pak and art by Chris Sprouse, Scott Koblish and Stefano Landini, we find Luke training to be a Jedi while planning a heist. All along Emperor Palpatine is up to his usual schemes.

It’s a good set up but the 3-man art team stops it from reaching its full capacity. I’m not sure what the thinking behind it was but it’s a shame they went this route.

A soft recommendation for Star Wars fans.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Detective Comics #1005

Review by John Pumpernickel

Detective Comics #1005 brings a really solid ending to the ‘Arkham Knight’ storyline and gives us a new villain to look forward to. On top of that, Peter J. Tomasi delivers a fun, action filled issue that showcases why we love the Caped Crusader so much.

I’ll admit that I was skeptical about the Arkham Knight, as the character seemed forced at first but his origin and story clicked and won me over.

I can’t say enough good things about Brad Walker’s art as he draws a dynamic Batman and his action scenes are among my favorite today. Add kudos for inker Andrew Hennessy, and color artist Nathan Fairbairn as this book looked fantastic from start to finish.

When you also get a nice chapter in the Batman and Robin relationship, this one is an easy one to pick up at the comic book shop.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

That’s all the time we have. Tell us what you’re reading below and see you back here next week! You can now find our reviews on ComicBookRoundUp.com!