Tooth & Claw #1

Writer – Kurt Busiek
Artist – Benjamin Dewey
Colours – Jordie Bellaire

One day it was almost as if Kurt Busiek awoke and decided that the world needed a comic about anthropomorphic magic-users.  Strangely enough, he was right, at least when pertaining to this very comic book, Tooth & Claw.  The book starts off introducing us to Dunstan, the main character, and soon takes off from there.  A brand new world is made known to the reader where magic is used in everyday life from keeping the cities afloat in the sky to bartering for goods, but there is a slight problem.  At the gathering of the Grand Colloquy, a mage known as Gharta makes it known that the magic they have trusted in for so long, is fading and will possibly be gone within their lifetime.  So what else is there to do but try something extremely risky and attempt to bring it back?  This book is unlike anything seen from Busiek before and really, unlike anything else being published today.  It has a subtle, yet epic feel to it, like there is a huge quest about to be undertaken, though nothing as of yet points towards that.  It also feels as if this book might lead to a whole Battle of Middle Earth type deal, though at this point Busiek is keeping the cards close to his chest and everything at the moment is just supposition.  The characters are all fascinating in their own ways and Benjamin Dewey’s art with Jordie Bellaire’s colours really make this story come alive.  This book really is a thing of beauty with simple, yet elegant writing, an engaging storyline and some wonderful art, things most books could aim to have more of.  A definite win by all involved and a great new release once again, from Image Comics.

4.5 out of 5

Earth 2 World’s End #5

Writer – Daniel H. Wilson, Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson
Artist – Jan Duursema, Jonathan Glapion, Tyler Kirkham, Joe Weems, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferriera, Eduardo Pansica, Jaime Mendoza
Colors – Mike Atiyeh

The Earth is in trouble and thus when Green Lantern is facing off against Solomon Grundy, The Parliament of Earth decrees that they must team up together if the Earth is to have a chance to survive.  Meanwhile, Aquawoman is summoning forces long held in check deep beneath the ocean and the Motherbox tells Jimmy that he is destined for something big.  Ending the book on a cliff-hanger, Batman and his team make a startling discovery which could possibly turn the war in their favour.  Another good issue presents itself with the latest book in the World’s End story.  The writing remains strong and surprisingly, so does the art, again despite the large amount of people working on it.  Terry Sloan continues to be a calculating and fairly devious man, still holding things back from his compatriots just in case they will benefit him later should the Earth survive while Mister Terrific starts to share his secrets.  We are also privy to Batman’s Miraclo addiction as he downs a vial so that he might continue on, though for how long that is, remains to be seen.  Desaad makes his presence felt and he is a force to be reckoned with while Solomon Grundy has only become more and more powerful as people continue to die.  Though he has only had small, little parts, it will be interesting to see what Wilson, Bennett and Johnson do with Jimmy Olsen.  He might just be the key to everything.  World’s End has been a consistently good book which is nice to see coming from DC.

4 out of 5