Impaler 1&2

This is another title with some exceptional dark atmospheric artwork, this time from Nick Postic and Nick Marinkovich. As you might guess from the title this features Dracula, the surprise here though is that he’s on the side of the angels. Vampires arrive in New York via ship in a scene reminiscent of Stoker’s Dracula but these aren’t your regular vampires, they can turn into shadows and the usual weapons won’t work on them. This is William Harms brainchild and it’s clearly something he’s passionate about, with each issue featuring added content much like the extra features on a DVD. Image seems to be the home of good vampire stories at the moment with this and last months Drain and I’m looking forward to more bloody action from both titles in the future. Grade: B+

Iron Man/Captain America: Casualties of War

This one-shot has the feel of a fill in story. While Cap and Iron Man do meet up, most of the issue has them reminiscing about the past with a lot of Marvel history crammed into just 38 pages. Everything from Tony Stark’s alcoholism to Captain America becoming a cop is covered although my personal favourite Iron Man/Cap scene (Avengers 170 in case you were wondering) isn’t mentioned. The fact that Marvel hasn’t put any of its heavy hitters on the book adds to the feeling that this is just treading water for the delayed Civil War title. Writer of the recent Union Jack limited series Christos N. Gage seems to have been tasked with cramming too much into a single issue and while some of the exchanges work many just don’t ring true. Jeremy Haun’s art is so full of flashbacks it puts you in mind of a TV show that has run over budget, forced to come up with a contrived story made up of clips from previous episodes. Grade: C

Justice League of America 0-5

This title doesn’t so much dip a toe in DC Universe continuity as wallow in it like a hippo in a mud pool. Yet it doesn’t alienate the uninitiated, instead it adds depth to the characters and their relationships and a richness to the storytelling not found in many monthly comics. Best selling novelist Brad Meltzer clearly has an understanding of the team dynamic with some well written scenes between the three cornerstones of the group, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Favourite bit – the scene where Arsenal tries to beat his dad, Green Arrow’s distance record with Green Lantern creating the target. It’s a moment that shows how you use the history of your characters to make them more human. As well as a first rate writer this title also boasts one of the best artists currently working in comics, Ed Benes. This is an epic series and the Brazilian penciller is the perfect choice, he does BIG stories that still have room for small intimate moments. Grade: B+