Every Wednesday Marvel releases a number of new comic books, and we read them all here at The Marvel Report. Every week a number of our comic book reporters will be sharing their favorite issues from the previous week in our Pick of The Week column. After you’re finished reading this column each week you will either agree with us, disagree with us (hopefully not too often), or be introduced to a series that you should be reading. Let us know what you think of our picks, and give a pick of your own in the comments, or over on Twitter @TheMarvelReport.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #18
Writer: Dan Slott
Penciller: R.B. Silva
Inker: Adriano Di Benedetto
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Dan Slott returns to write another fantastic story featuring Doc Ock and I couldn’t be any happier! I’ve been waiting for Slott to tackle Doc Ock again ever since he wrapped up his Superior Spider-Man run. Of course we don’t get to see Ock in Peter’s body, Slott still doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to portraying the popular characters voice even if it is behind a robot. – Christian
CIVIL WAR II #5
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: David Marquez
Colorist: Justin Ponsor
Letters: Clayton Cowles
The best issue of the series so far in my opinion. It was action packed and full of fun banter. It reminded me of the airport scene from Captain America Civil War. It was also cool seeing the seeds of the Champions being planted. – Jeremy
POWER MAN & IRON FIST #8
Writer: David Walker
Artists: Sanford Greene & Flaviano
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
A powerful and tense issue that deftly weaves both protagonists’ backstories into the current stakes of the story. David Walker has grounded Power Man & Iron Fist in reality while still making the more fantastical elements feel as magical as they should. A lot of groundwork has been laid in time for the final confrontation between Luke and Carol, and it pays off emotionally. The supporting cast around both Luke and Danny shine brightly as well, providing humor and heart in large doses. – Tatiana
THE MIGHTY THOR #11
Writer: Jason Aaron
Penciller: Russell Dauterman
Colorist: Mathew Wilson
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
The Mighty Thor #11 could have easily been a generic issue where Thor gets out of the corner that Aaron has backed her into, but instead Aaron uses this book to expand upon Thor’s mythology. Now this arc is going to propel us into learning more about Thor’s hammer, which also may help us learn more about Jane’s connection with her hammer.
I not only enjoyed this issue for the mythology/plot progression, but overall I thought this was a good character issue for Jane Foster herself. In the end of the issue Jane could have easily gotten away without anyone learning she was Thor, but instead she trusts Roz to keep her secret. She knows how it feels to be lied to, and she doesn’t want to lie to someone who has her back.
The Mighty Thor has been a bit slow for the past couple of issues so I am glad that he picked up the pace with this issue, and Dauterman’s cinematic art style portrayed the emotional beats perfectly. – Kathryn
THE VISION #11
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letter: VC’s Clayton Cowles
This is such a great example that any character can be written well. Going into this series, I had no big expectations and now it is the one Marvel book I look forward to the most. Tom King knows how to tells so much emotion in such subtle ways that the impact is very profound. The art compliments the story using a very simple old school style that intensifies the emotional punches. I am going to miss this series when it’s over. – Jay
Tom King, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, and company have crafted a series that we will be talking about 30 years from now. Somehow this creative team is telling the most human story possible about a non human character. From the use of Roy Thomas’ dialogue from Vision’s first appearance to the title character’s reunion with Scarlet Witch, all the way to the gut wrenching final panel I was just in awe. This is truly one of the best comics Marvel has put out in years, and it will be sad to see it go next month. Then again, I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up. – John