by Alan Rapp on May 22, 2013
in Comics
Sent into space to scout the fleet of Chitauri warships on their way to destroy the Earth, Nova bites off more than he can chew when the young hero decides to stage a preemptive attack on the fleet. Although things start off well, Sam soon finds himself at the mercy of the aliens and a former member of the Nova Squadron who blames Sam’s father for the loss of his eye and his current predicament.
There’s quite a bit of action here, and I like the character of Titus (seriously, what’s not to like about one-eyes space tigers?). However, Titus’ motivations seem a little shaky, as does his version of events concerning the actions of Sam’s father which led to him being forced to work for the Chitauri.
The story gets a little sloppy int the middle, and there’s no Rocket Raccoon, but the series continues to be fun and high-spirited, and promises more of Titus and a perhaps even a direct attack on Sam’s family in the next issue. That, along with some more great art by Ed McGuinness, is enough to make me come back next month for more. For fans.
[Marvel, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 22, 2013
in Comics
The Snow White arc comes to an end with the character (finally) refusing to no longer play the victim to Prince Brandish physical and mental attack which over the past few months has included breaking her arm, turning her husband into a glass statue, threatening to murder her children, borderline sexual assault, and keeping her hostage from the rest of Fabletown.
As her friends work to cancel the magical protections surrounding Brandish, Snow and the man claiming to be her true husband have a final duel which leaves Snow White free of Brandish but not without a price as one of Fables leading characters won’t survive the issue (although in a land of magic and resurrection anything is possible).
I’ve had very mixed feelings about this arc which cast Snow in the role of victim for fall too long. Although she finally gets some justice, the loss of Bigby actually makes it feel like Brandish is the real victor here. Hit-and-Miss.
[Vertigo, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 21, 2013
in Comics
With Battlestar Galactica #1 Dynamite Entertainment launches a new comic series based on the original late ’70′s sci-fi series. This means we get the classic versions of the characters, the original Colonial uniforms (including those kick ass jackets I’d kill for), and the design of the original Cylons.
As a fan of the original series I was cautiously hopeful, but despite a kick-ass cover from Alex Ross and a completely insane plot about Temporal Weapons (missiles used to make enemy starships disappear from existence), the first issue is a bit of a disappointment.
The art by Cezar Rezak isn’t bad but certainly doesn’t do much to make a story that’s focused mostly on explaining the basics of the classic storyline for new readers all that interesting. And despite the absurdity of time missiles, the plot to this first issue by co-writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning feels sluggish and even, at times, uninspired. As much as I’d like to give this title time, there’s not much here to prompt me to pick up next month’s issue. Pass.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 21, 2013
in Comics
Red Hood and the Outlaws #20 picks up with Starfire and Arsenal trying to convince the magic monk who has wiped Jason Todd‘s mind clean to return his friend’s lifetime of horrible memories, whether he wants them or not. The question of whether or not we are more than the sum of our memories and whether bad memories are better than none at all is debated as it appears the New 52 editorial staff have decided what’s best for Red Hood is a clean slate.
We get flashbacks into Roy Harper’s first meeting with Jason Todd as well as the revelation that Starfire’s short-memory has been largely exaggerated (which should quiet some of the critics for this version of the character). I don’t like the idea of taking such a drastic step with the character after the hard road to redemption Jason Todd earned.
Whether or not it’s good for the character, or for the New 52, we’ll have to wait and see, but my initial reaction is this is an easy choice for DC Comics to give the character a completely new direction while thumbing their noses a decades of history. Well, this is the New 52. Pass.
[DC, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 20, 2013
in Comics
The second issue of Mark Waid’s Green Hornet focuses on the vigilante continuing to try and uncover the true identity of “The Voice,” a dangerous new player intent on sabotage and damaging the United States war efforts at home by targeting docks, steel plants, and rail lines involved in the making and transporting of war material to be used overseas.
While the Green Hornet targets The Voice for moving in on his criminal empire by reminding local thugs that he owns this city, even going so far as to stage a scene of burning a cop alive before their eyes, Brit Reid uses the resources as a newspaper editor to talk with close friends and political allies to try and figure out where The Voice’s true motivations lie.
Waid’s take on the character continues to focus on the theatrics of the Hornet going to further and further extremes while also showcasing the power of the press and the threat from saboteurs in a world at war. Worth a look.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 20, 2013
in Comics
After finally allowing the pair to meet in the last issue, Supergirl #20 introduces Power Girl to Supergirl‘s little piece of Krypton on Earth – her hidden underwater Kryptonian Fortress of Solitude known as Sanctuary. There isn’t much time for small talk however when the sentience of Sanctuary throws a shit-fit at seeing two versions of Kara and tries its best to kill the one it believes is a clone.
For an issue about an out of control computer intelligence trying to kill two young women, Supergirl #20 is a hell of a lot of fun. We get a fun moment with Supergirl calling Power Girl on her choice of a new costume as well as the growing frustration of each woman when one and then the other is targeted for extinction.
Writer Michael Allen Johnson does a great job in showcasing both similarities and differences between the Karas of different Earths while providing a thrilling and amusing issue full of stark humor and life and death stakes that costs Supergirl something precious but introduces someone even more valuable into her life. Worth a look.
[DC, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 18, 2013
in Comics
After enjoying several issues of writer Victor Gischler‘s take on the character the series brings in a new creative team with writer Chris Roberson and artist Giovanni Timpano taking over the reigns of The Shadow and introducing a new a new figure of “The Light,” a mysterious shimmering woman with a knack for slicing up sinners with a pair of swords.
While investigating four seemingly unrelated murders, and calling on the help of his vast web of eyes and ears around the city, The Shadow comes upon the spectral figure about to dispense more justice. The Shadow #13 does a good job of presenting a new mystery for the character to solve (even if the back-up story strongly hints as The Light’s true identity), although the comic comes to an end just as our hero meets the city’s self-appointed angel of death.
It may not be quite as good as the last few issues of the series, but it’s still worth a look for fans of the character. It will be interesting to see how complex The Light’s motivations truly are, and how she views another “soul stained by darkness and shadow.” For fans.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 17, 2013
in Comics
In a story arc that’s offered us Grimlock, Starscream, and Shockwave, and teased of the first showdown between Optimus Prime and Galvatron, the latest issue of Transformers: Regeneration One is something of a disappointment as it deals with the fallout of Scorponok‘s plan to release the “Warrior Gene” and turn all the Autobots into Decepticons (yeah, I know exactly how dumb that sounds).
Transformers: Regeneration One #91 primarily deals with the Autobots on Cybertron facing their own actions now that the Gene has been turned off and blaming Hot Rod‘s leadership for the entire misadventure, especially as he was deep inside Cyberton learning more about Primus and the primordial Transformers while this was going on.
Although the issue does have appearances by Soundwave and Prowl, and gives us the Dinobots willing to work with Hot Rod to return to the center of Cybertron in search of their fallen leader, it centers around the comic’s most ridiculous storline leading to mixed results. Pass.
[IDW, $3.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 15, 2013
in Comics
The latest issue of Star Wars is split between Han Solo and Chewbacca trying to stay one-step ahead of the Imperial agents on their trail deep underground in Coruscant and Leia and her team of Stealth X-Wings being ambushed by a Star Destroyer and an entire fleet of TIE Interceptors.
The Leia storyline provides much of the action as Leia is severely wounded in a dangerous attempt to save the squadron. While dodging Stormtrooper and a pair of recognizable bounty hunters, Han and Chewie make a new acquaintance who offers them a way off the Imperial homeworld, but there’s a question as to whether or not they can trust the young woman or meet her steep price.
With the focus on the other characters, Luke and Prithi‘s storyline gets only a couple of pages, as does that of the Dark Lord of the Sith who makes a decision concerning the troubling identity of the young man who destroyed the first Death Star and Vader‘s current assignment overseeing the new Death Star. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 14, 2013
in Comics
With Willow‘s return and Xander preparing to betray his friends to save Dawn, Season Nine moves closer to the finale as “The Core” begins with Buffy, Willow, and Xander heading to the only place on Earth that might have enough magical energy to save Dawn’s life – The Deeper Well.
Angel fans should recognize the name of Ilyria‘s resting place where her sarcophagus was housed, along with those of countless other Old Ones, from “A Hole in the World” (you remember, the heart-wrenching episode where Fred dies – damn you Joss Whedon!). I like the comic bringing back the setting to kick start what looks to be the season’s final arc, and provide another instance of the characters making a bold short-term decision without really thinking out the lasting implications if something goes wrong (you know, Buffy logic).
Buffy and her friends will discover the Deeper Well has not been left unguarded as the powerful entities remaining in our dimension want to protect the power of the Old Ones from falling into the wrong hands (not that something like that will stop the Scoobies from their dangerous plan). Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
