September 2011

Usagi Yojimbo #140

/ / Comics

usagi-yojimbo-140-coverThe latest issue of Usagi Yojimbo wraps up the two-issue murder mystery arc as Miyamoto Usagi and Inspector Ishida attempt to solve not one but two murders that occurred in the inn on the same rainy night.

The comic begins with a panel of the list of suspects for the murder of the paper merchant and the gang leader being held captive in the inn. Our pair of heroes will whittle down the list of suspects over the course of the comic. I’m not going to give away the ending for either crime, but rest assured Usagi and Ishida uncover the culprits for both crimes.

It may be light on action, but writer and artist Stan Sakai gives us yet another strong issue surrounding the travels of the rabbit ronin. But I wouldn’t expect anything less. It also includes a great stare down between Usagi and the poet Saburo’s bodyguard Benki. Best of the week.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

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Moon Knight #5

/ / Comics

moon-knight-5-coverContinuing where the last issue left off Moon Knight and Echo find themselves surrounded by cops as the issue centers around their escape.

Although it provides some fun moments including more humorous internal dialogue from Moon Knight’s multiple personalities as well as some sexually charged exchanges between the hero and Echo, I was a little disappointed that the entire issue was spent on something that probably could have been wrapped up in a couple of pages.

Even if the plot of uncovering the Los Angeles kingpin isn’t furthered with the latest issue it there are some entertaining panels. However, because so little movement is made moving the story forward you could easily save $4, skip this issue, and (aside from a couple humorous scenes) not miss anything all that important.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Stormwatch #1

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stormwatch-1-coverStormwatch is an attempt to bring the Wildstorm super-team (that was the precusor to The Authority) into the DCU. The first issue is a mixed success, but still enough of one that I’m willing to give it a couple of issues to see where it goes.

On the plus side, the inclusion of Martian Manhunter works much better than I anticipated, and I also like that the team created to be a secret black ops squad working jobs the Justice League is too visible to handle. In a universe with the JLA, and several other super-hero teams, this gives a reason for Stormwatch to exist. And J’onn J’onzz (being a shapeshifter, and one who can read minds) would seem to be exactly the type of individual the team would recruit.

The main story involves the team of the Martian Manhunter, Jack Hawksmoor, and the Projectionist attemting to recruit Apollo. Writer Paul Cornell gets into a little trouble by trying to introduce a large number of characters at once (Jenny Quantum‘s tale and the adventure on the moon could both have waited another month or so), but I am glad to know the Engineer is still around.

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Batgirl #1

/ / Comics

batgirl-1-coverOf all the comics slated for the DC Reboot Barbara Gordon‘s return as Batgirl created the most heated debate. DC was cancelling Stephanie Brown‘s popular version of the character in favor of putting Barbara back in the Batsuit for the first time since 1988 when the character was paralyzed by the Joker in Alan Moore‘s Batman: The Killing Joke.

Forgetting for the second that this first issue is far inferior to Bryan Q. Miller’s stellar Batgirl run, and the debate whether or not Barbara Gordon is a more intriguing character as Oracle rather than Batgirl (the answer is Oracle, by the way), this first issue has a great many problems.

I love writer Gail Simone, I’d just rather see her penning Secret Six. The writing her feels rushed, Barbara Gordon’s paralysis is fixed by a “miracle” off-panel, and her time as Oracle isn’t even hinted at (did it even occur in this vesrion of the DCU?). The villain of the piece (who basically appears to be some guy who has seen Final Destination way, way too many times) is also troubling. And don’t even get me started on the costume that looks like someone spray-painted Witchblade.

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Morning Glories #12

/ / Comics

morning-glories-12-coverAfter giving us a series of issues centered around each of the new students at Morning Glories Academy the latest issue spotlights the return of Miss Hodge, the school’s guidance counselor.

The issue opens with Hodge’s return to the school which starts in the middle of nowhere at an apparent military facility as the character takes an elevator miles below the earth, transfers a huge empty warehouse (in a hazmat suit), and goes through a vault to to arrive at the school. I’m guessing the school doesn’t get many visitors.

The rest of the issue involves Hodge meeting with Miss Daramount, the school nurse, and several of the students one-on-one. In typical Morning Glories fashion, the meetings are far from regular talks. Hodge gives Zoe a gun, struggles to talk with Jun and Ike, and offers Casey her heart’s desire (after getting a right hook on the chin).

The addition of Hodge gives the comic yet another wild card. The start of a new arc, issue #12 is a good jump in point for those looking to jump into the series. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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