April 2011

Avengers #11

/ / Comics

avengers-11-coverWhat’s most interesting about this issue is that the entire story is presented from the perspective of Uatu, the Watcher. As the issue begins Parker Robbins holds three of the Infinity Gems. By the issue’s end all five of the gems will be located, but the last by a figure you wouldn’t expect.

Although the dialogue is limited here, we get plenty of action and quite a bit of narration from the Watcher which gives us insight into the limitations of Parker Robbins’ imagination. It’s actually a very clever plot device to explain why Robbins is able to beat back the heroes rather easily but at the same time not able to use the full power of the gems. Uatu also gives an important insight into the Red Hulk as well.

Uatu’s presence helps underscore the importance of the events and the power of the gems, as does the power of the Mind Gem pitted against the Earth’s most powerful telepath – Charles Xavier.

Oh, and the surprise guest who makes his appearance on the final panel? Yeah, that’s pretty damn cool, too. Must-read.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Gotham City Sirens #21

/ / Comics

gotham-city-sirens-21-coverHarley Quinn‘s murderous rage continues as she works herself further and further inside Arkham Asyulm until only one door stands between her and the man she’s come to kill – the Joker.

Most of the comic deals with Harley’s inner struggle at what she’s about to do, her conflicted memories of Mr. J., and the conversation between the loony bird (and I mean that affectionately) and the one guard left in her way.

It’s an interesting scene as Harley disarms him, using the guard’s past as the weapon she needs to gain access to the Joker’s cell. And there she finds nothing, except her own twisted feelings, standing between her and the Joker. Even if the conclusion is a bit obvious, the buildup works quite well.

There’s also a B-story as Poison Ivy and Catwoman bicker over whether or not to help their friend. Ivy throws down an ultimatum which Catwoman ignores. Is this the end of the Sirens as we know them or will Catwoman risk everything to help her friends? Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Deadpool Team-Up #883

/ / Comics

deadpool-team-up-883-coverSo who’s teaming up with Deadpool this week? A vampire cow? Mexican wrestlers? How about Galactus, the Devour of Worlds? You know, the more insane these get the more I enjoy them.

Out of work and over-his-head in debt, and after being turned down by everyone he knows, the Merc with a Mouth takes a job to be the newest herald of Galactus. Now, you might say Deadpool is uniquely qualified for the job. He certainly loves to create mass chaos and has no qualms about killing, but despite starting out on Galactus’ good graces Deadpool’s antics (and his inability to shut-up) soon wear thin on one of the most powerful figures in the Marvel Universe.

Deadpool also gets a chance to test out his Power Cosmic against that of Galactus’ first herald, the Silver Surfer, who is none too happy with the carnage Deadpool has unleashed. Deadpool might be all over the Marvel Universe, but this is consistently his best book. The final panel alone makes this one worth picking up. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Teen Titans #93

/ / Comics

teen-titans-93-coverThe Red Robin era gets started as Tim Drake takes over the leadership duties of the team and the Teen Titans take a trip to Pakistan to help out a friend of Wonder Girl. The parents of Solstice have been taken by a demon, and its up to the Titans to get them back.

There’s quite a bit going on in this issue including a couple of members chaffing under the team’s new leadership (we’ll have to wait to find out what Ravager‘s issues with Red Robin are), the introduction of a new character who seems to be slotted in as a potential new team member, and the stark differences between Solstice and Raven.

The action itself isn’t all that special, but the interplay between characters and emotions of the team’s shakeup work quite well. I’m glad the team has its leader back, and even if their first test isn’t something I’d choose, it’s still a good beginning. It also doesn’t hurt that we get another issue drawn in the clean, sleek and vibrant style of Nicola Scott. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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The Death of Zorro #1

/ / Comics

death-of-zorro-1-coverFrom Dynamite Entertainment and writer Ande Parks comes a team-up (of sorts) between two of Dynamite’s biggest stars. Our story begins with an aging Don Diego de la Vega putting on the costume one more time when soldiers attack a nearby mission, and ends when news hits the comic’s other masked man that the hero known as Zorro is dead.

Although I’m not a big fan of Esteve Polls’ art, the issue does have a few things going for it. First, it gives us the Lone Ranger and Zorro in a single comic (although it fails to give us the two of the together in even a single panel, which is a bit of a disappointment). The presentation of Diego’s final battle juxtaposed by the note he left his wife is also a nice touch.

All that said, too much of the issue centers around periphery characters which I doubt will play that big of a role in the rest of the series. As first issues go, especially for a five-issue mini-series, this one needs to deliver more up front. Hit-and-Miss.

[Dynamite, $3.99]

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