Comic Roundup: Transformers, Animal Man & The Strange Talent of Luther Strode

After a couple weeks off, the Roundup is back with reviews of the second issue of Animal Man, the first issue of The Strange Talent of Luther Strode from Image and the newest issue in the saga of the Transformers.

Transformers #27
By Mike Costa and Brendan Cahill

Over the last few years, IDW has become the home of the familiar licensed properties of many a fanboy’s youth. Everything from G.I.Joe to Doctor Who to Ghostbusters has been reborn at IDW, but possibly the best of the bunch has been The Transformers. The ongoing series has long been both a critical darling and a fan favorite and it is easy to see why.

The series is currently coming out biweekly and telling two different storylines that make up the massive Chaos event. Issue #27 follows the events that are happening on Earth as Prowl and Streetwise investigate the death of Constructicon Scrapper. Its weird watching what is essentially a police procedural with giant robots, but Costa makes it work and even more important, makes it interesting. Cahill is a newcomer to the world of Transformers, but does himself proud and can stand with the best Transformer artists of the past.

IDW has called Chaos the most important Transformers event it has published. So far, it is living up to the hype and has me glad the series is coming out twice a month.

Final Grade: B

Animal Man #2
By Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman

Animal Man was a huge surprise for me coming out of the New 52. It was a series that stayed very true to its Vertigo roots and was not dumbed down for a new audience. It’s an intense, disturbing, smart series that I fell in love with from page 1. The true test, however, is if the series could maintain that momentum in issue #2. I am happy to report it passed the test with flying colors.

Issue #2 continues to show that Animal Man’s daughter Maxine is much more than she seems as the two go off in search of The Red. While the issue has its fair share of creep out moments (a scene with a group of hippos is quite disquieting) Lemire really shows how good a writer he is when he shows Buddy dealing with his wife and family. It’s simple stuff that other “super hero” books don’t really touch on. Foreman’s artwork continues to shine and grow on me. He has a distinct style that fits the book perfectly.

Animal Man has been something of a breakout hit for DC and the New 52. If the stories continue to be this strong and engrossing, it’s going to continue to be a hit for years to come.

Final Grade: B+

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #1
By Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore

Image continues to amaze me with the incredible slate of different types of comics they publish. The Strange Talent of Luther Strode is a book that is very hard to place in a category. Part revenge fantasy, part Kick-Ass, part Flex Mentallo, the book just defies description. Luckily, it is also very, very good.

The title features Luther Strode and his quest to become bigger, stronger and try to score with his high school crush. The result is like nothing you have ever seen. Jordan’s script is fast, smart and funny. His characters sound like real people and anyone who wanted to be more than they are can relate to Luther. Tradd Moore is a name that I haven’t heard before, but the man is a find. The way he draws people getting punched is just awesome and his art is dynamic almost to a fault.

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode is a title that might be easy to miss with all the new DC second issues on the shelves. Do yourself a favor and seek it out. It’s a great book that should not be missed.

Final Grade: A