Hey there, reader, and thanks for checking out the latest edition of Best Battles in New Comics! If the title doesn't make it clear enough, this is the spot where we celebrate some of the most entertaining action scenes that went down in the latest round of new comics. There was a ridiculous amount of fighting going on this week, so it made narrowing down the options incredibly difficult. From all of the craziness in the various Futures End tie-ins to Marvel characters like Quicksilver and Punisher getting into brawls, there was a huge variety of battles for our eyes to enjoy this week. If your top choice isn't highlighted below, go ahead and share it in the comments section.
HAWKEYE VS. DEADPOOL #0
Gerry Duggan writing DeadpoolandHawkeye? Yes, please! The first issue came out this week and it had a good amount of enjoyable and lighthearted action. We won't spoil the plot details, but there's a large fellow dressed as the Punisher -- a character Wade Wilson calls "Big Pun" -- and he's a stubborn and strong dude who isn't afraid to fight dirty. But Deadpool and Hawkeye aren't exactly known for keeping it clean, either. Prepare for a page full of teeth and car door ownage!
What's that blue panel at the bottom, you ask? Well, this is the part where we remind you to buy the issue if you want all of the details. You'll only get glimpses of the issues in here, people. Anyway, even though they smashed this dude with a door and then hit him with another attack, he's still kicking and showing no signs of giving up. Clint, however, didn't seem to get the memo and tells this character to give up instead of, you know, pummeling him some more. This gives "Big Pun" and opening and boy-oh-boy does he go for it. If you're not reading Fraction and Aja'sHAWKEYE (to each their own, but shame on you!), you should know that Clint was recently shot and now has hearing issues. So, that should help you understand what's going on in two of the following panels. You're welcome.
We know what some of you are probably thinking at this point. "Hold on, I'm going to pay $4.99 for an issue called "Hawkeye vs. Deadpool" and the two didn't even fight? Blasphemy!" Okay, maybe you won't say "blasphemy" but when you have a title and a cover promising a conflict between the two, it's understandable to expect that. Well, Duggan mostly uses this first chapter to show us what the dynamic between the two is like while also establishing the plot. That said, don't worry because we do see a fight between the two... or at least the funny start of it! It's no epic shootout between the two, but it has us anxious to see how it'll unfold.
Sure, Duggan's establishing a mystery in this issue, but shouldn't an uncomfortable team-up between Hawkeye and Deadpool be more than enough to sell you on this? What's particularly cool is Duggan brings elements from both of their ongoings into this one, too. Like action and comedy? Odds are you'll end up liking this, so have at it.
INJUSTICE: YEAR TWO #22
Odds are you've heard that INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US takes place in a violent and dark alternate universe where Superman has become a tyrant. The powerful kryptonian thinks he's doing it for the greater good, but he's become more and more twisted and bloodthirsty along the way. Well, Batman and his allies are fed up with it and they're making a final push to bring the big dude down. They've aligned themselves with the Green Lantern Corps, but Superman isn't exactly alone, either. The Man of Steel has the Sinestro Corps on his side (he's completely lost if he doesn't realize how messed up that is) and a massive battle has erupted. Batman and his friends have a plan in place to incapacitate Superman, but we're talking about taking down one of Earth's most powerful "heroes." It's no easy feat. Luckily for Batman's forces, they've gotten their hands on the "superpill" formula -- a pill which grants people impressive superhuman attributes -- and they have a kryptonite bullet to even the odds even more. Seeing as Superman viciously beat Green Arrow to death (using spoilers for the slackers), Black Canary wants to be the one to take Superman out of the fight. He tries to reason with her and even gets angry when she insults him, but that makes him sloppy and gives her the chance to shoot him in the chest at point blank range. Okay, that was a lot of recap, so we'll reward you with a look at Black Canary getting some well-earned revenge.
As Black Canary points out why Superman's turned into such an arrogant fool, Ganthet gives us a firm reminder why you shouldn't mess with the Green Lantern Corps. The battle above Earth was a back and forth struggle when Superman was in it, but now that he's grounded, Ganthet has no one standing in his way and totally lets loose. It's a brutal sight and a pretty terrible time to be a member of the Sinestro Corps.
Writer Tom Taylor should have called this chapter "Ganthet Unleashed" because he really shows off just how formidable the blue Guardian can be. And wiping out space fodder isn't the extent of his showing, either. Clark Kent has the powerful Billy Batson on his side, but not even that character stands a chance against the alien.
Look, even if you're confident about the outcome between Black Canary and Superman, we can pretty much guarantee you have no idea how it'll happen. This series has hit us with so many shockers that it has become increasingly difficult for it to really drop our jaws, but this ending is definitely something that'll make you want to purchase the next chapter.
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1
Wolverine has lost his healing factor and this bit of news has reached the ears of some very, very nasty and evil people. Hoping to fix the situation before someone sticks a knife in his back, Wolverine sought out Reed Richards for help. While the leader of the Fantastic Four thinks he can help, he also says he'll need a proper amount of time to give Logan back his healing factor. Because of this, Reed tells Wolverine to stay safe and out of harm's way, but Wolverine's never been very good at that, has he? Instead of always looking over his shoulder wherever he goes, Wolverine sets up shop on an island and tells his enemies come to him. Frank Simpson, a.k.a. Nuke, answers the call and sets his sights on the X-Man. It may look like the patriotic guy put on a few pounds, but he still has those cybernetic enhancements under his skin and he's certainly no joke.
James Howlett still has his strength and speed, but without his accelerated healing factor, being violently tossed into a rock is going to take a toll on the poor guy. Nuke's surprised to see Logan staying down for so long and even thinks the hero may be faking it. The villain then makes one big mistake: he gets close to Wolverine and his guard isn't up. Nuke's a durable dude, but having adamantium smashed against you is something not many street level characters can withstand.
Artist Steve McNiven, inker Jay Leisten, and colorist Justin Ponsor do such a commendable job with the character work in writer Charles Soule's first chapter. They craft panels of Wolverine that pull your empathy but don't necessary make him feel fragile, either. He's in this terrible situation and we can feel his pain, but the ruggedness remains and he still looks like a character who could take on an army all by himself. The art team does an especially impressive job handling the damage Wolverine does to Nuke's face. Those two headbutts? Yeah, Logan's just getting started and it's... well, it's savage stuff.
It's unfortunate we know this ride will conclude with Wolverine dead -- or so it seems -- but this story is off to a very strong start and the cliffhanger most definitely has our attention. Now that Wolverine knows who put a price on his head, how will he react and who else will he encounter? Only time will tell and you can bet we're going to stick around to see how this all plays out.
What are your top three fights from this latest round of new comics? Support what you love and tell the world below! Also, don't forget to make nominations every week in the official thread or tell us via Twitter. See you next Friday and have a good weekend!
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