Stuff I Read This Week Episode 17 or Dogs Should Be Detectives Just for Their Colorblindness Alone (Less Chance I'll Get Shot)

Hawkeye #11: How does an already critically acclaimed comic book writer like Matt Fraction make it any clearer through his work that he wants an Eisner award? Simple. Write an entire issue from the perspective of a dog. A dog. Arrow, Hawkeye's pet/friend has been a mainstay since the first issue as a hilarious background character, but is finally given spotlight time in this issue. In the wake of lovable neighbor, Grills' murder, Pizza Dog finds himself on the case of solving the mystery, sniffing out the killer's identity (pun intended). David Aja is at his best here, illustrating the canine crimefighter's point of view via visuals and diagrams indicating smells and sounds that he picks up on. There's very little dialogue except for the handful of words that Arrow recognizes.

The result is a thoughtful, funny and, at times, slightly sad insight into an unsung member of Clint Barton's surrogate family. The real beauty of this installment is that it never comes across forced or gimmicky. Once again, Fraction and Aja prove why this book should be the flagship title for the Marvel NOW initiative. This is a book that takes chances, never forces it and always comes out to be a satisfying read.

Bottom Line: With Daredevil End of Days over with, this book is easily, the best, most consistent coming out of Marvel Comics right now. Brilliant. 9.5 out of 10

Batman/Superman #1: I haven't read a good coherent team up between the "World's Finest" since Jeph Loeb's pre-reboot run. The "New 52" hasn't offered much of the dynamic we love from these two either. Geoff Johns' awful Justice League series doesn't do much to flesh out a relationship between the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel. Superman doesn't feel like the heart and soul of the team. Batman tells him to punch things and he does. In DC's attempt to "ultimatize" the JL, all we're given is bunch of brawlers who seem to just put up with one another just long enough to not let the world explode....which basically sums up my family.

Fortunately, Greg Pak's turn at this dynamic duo might just help to alleviate that. He preserves the shared narrative of both Superman and Batman, allowing their thought processes in meeting one another to propel the story forward as they spend most of it sizing each other up in the hero and civilian disguises while investigating foul play at Wayne Enterprises. He demonstrates a real understanding of the contrasts and comparisons between the two. Superman's honest, upfront approach isn't always the way to go while Batman, despite what he'd have his enemies believe, doesn't always know everything. The main drawback is that the second half of the book (where most of the action is) moves a bit too fast to understand what exactly happened at the end. Hopefully, this is intentional and will become clearer in the next issue. The BEST thing to happen to this book is Jae Lee. Thank God that Before Watchmen shit is over because that was a waste of his talent. The perfect person to set up a creepy ambiance in Batman's protectorate, Lee's gothic wonderland vision of Gotham City alone is worth the four bucks.

Bottom Line: Although the last act gets a little muddled, the setup and the art make this a hard book to turn away. 8 out of 10.