Superman #23.4: Parasite review

SUPERMAN #23.4: PARASITE

by Aaron Kuder

Oh boy, Aaron Kuder is a double threat.

So, Aaron Kuder is officially one of my favorite creators at DC right now, if not, he is my favorite. Why? The man can write AND draw. Not only did he make Tony Bedard's awful run on Green Lantern: New Guardians readable, he's written the second best (right behind Tomasi's Two-Face one-shot) villains special this month. Kuder successfully makes the Parasite a character who's a scumbag, but not to the point where he's dislikable, in fact, he's borderline relatable. The Parasite's origin itself however, is somewhat generic, and there could have been something more unique in it. However, Kuder's dialogue also really pops, and litters the issue with some hilariously Silver Age-esque moments, with a hint of Modern Age-horror and violence.

And of course, art is what made Kuder famous in the first place, and he delivers some of his best work here. With two incredibly detailed page spreads that introduce the Parasite, and some kinetic artwork, everything feels alive under Kuder's pencil. His rendition of the Parasite reminds me of a Bloater from the Last of Us, and his use of colors is great too.

Though the character's origin itself is pretty formulaic, Kuder tries to spice things up with a surprisingly well written one-shot, and some of the best art around. This special will suck $3 out of your wallet (I get standard copies by the way), but you won't mind.

STORY: 4/5

+ Some good dialogue

+ Hilariously over-the-top

- The origin itself is standard fare

ART: 5/5

+ So detailed, that I find it hard to believe this was rushed out

+ Good colors

+ Energetic

VERDICT: 4.5/5 

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #4 review

THE TRUE LIVES OF THE FABULOUS KILLJOYS #4

by Gerard Way, Shaun Simon and Becky Cloonan

OK, so I was planning to take a break from reviewing this month, and I was going to upload a review extravaganza of Villain's Month by the end of the month, but this issue just made me want to review something.

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys has been a decent, but underwhelming series so far, with stunning art from Becky Cloonan and some good dialogue, but the plot has felt very disjointed, and it never really seemed like there was any danger. Until now. This issue will go down in history as the chapter of Killjoys that got the ball rolling. Way and Simon fix many of their problems with the past issue. The dialogue feels much more natural with the slang that made some scenes nearly incoherent cut down to a minimum. The story that's been stealing the show as of late, about the hooker robots reaches a tearjerking high point. The main story about the Girl and the Ultra-V's which has been very uninteresting, finally gets interesting. Characters that I hated at first finally The story has finally reached the same level of awesome as the art. This is exactly what I've wanted from the start of the series.

Oh, and the art? It's. Becky. Cloonan. Speaks for itself.

Killjoys #4 is where the series finally gets awesome. If you dropped the series earlier, give it another chance. I'm serious. You won't regret it.

STORY: 5/5

+ Coherent dialogue

+ Both plots heat up

+ NO! RED!

ART: 5/5

+ Becky Cloonan is as excellent as ever

VERDICT: 5/5