Comics

Checkmate #6

/ / Comics

Betrayal is the main theme of the final issue of the Checkmate mini-series. Talia al Ghul has been revealed, but Checkmate steps up to successfully prevent her from stealing the Heroes Network (although she’s learned enough to keep Leviathan off their radar going forward). The Snowman’s Ticket has also managed to turn back Mark Shaw who faces betrayal from within Leviathan as it’s old queen returns to sit on its throne.

Mark Shaw has been defeated but Leviathan remains, and, as the Checkmate members discuss, it might be a far more dangerous organization than it ever was with a former hero running it. With Leviathan still very much a threat, it appears our heroes will be sticking around, which also apparently includes King whose true identity is finally revealed.

…

Checkmate #6Read More »

Checkmate #6 Read More »

Suicide Squad #9

/ / Comics

Rick Flag has raided various Task Force X facilities putting together his own team while Amanda Waller has retreated to a secluded island base and plans to use her remaining troops for a space mission. It seems Flag and Waller are in an arms race to put together the best Task Force X team, and Waller has an eye on a prisoner in Oa.

The reveal of the target of Waller’s interest turns out to be a complete unknown, leaving the slow build-up without any immediate payoff. We do get plenty of dysfunctional team antics, some fun third-wall breakage by Ambush Bug, and an appearance by Sojourner Mullein, but it will be at least another month before we learn the reasoning behind Waller’s big gamble. Waller’s prize is creepy (in a Doctor Who kinda way), but what exactly is he?

…

Suicide Squad #9Read More »

Suicide Squad #9 Read More »

Usagi Yojimbo: The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy #6

/ / Comics

The reprinting of the classic Usagi Yojimbo storyline “The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy” concludes here in the aftermath of the defeat of Lord Tamakuro and his planned uprising. Mostly an extended epilogue to the earlier events of the series, both Miyamoto Usagi and Gen separately say their farewells, declining service to Lord Noriyuki before returning to their lives as wandering ronin.

The rest of the issue deals with the fate of the wounded Zato-Ino who is rescued and taken to an isolated village. Although planning to move on when healed, he provides service by dispatching a gang of bandits troubling the town (in the issue’s one big action sequence) who become more violent after realizing the bounty on the town’s new resident. He loses his loyal companion in the process, but finds a new home to call his own and the chance to begin a different life.

…

Usagi Yojimbo: The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy #6Read More »

Usagi Yojimbo: The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy #6 Read More »

James Bond: Himeros #2

/ / Comics

Bond spends some time getting to know Wilhelm’s former assistant Sarah Richmond while mercenaries hit the human trafficker’s island only to discover his defenses are more than enough to keep out any uninvited guests. The question is, who is controlling the island now with Wilhelm dead? And is Sarah truly a victim in all of this, or something much more sinister?

There’s quite a bit of action here, starting with the failed island assault and ending with the assassin Kino catching up to Bond and Sarah and making an attempt on her life. In the encounter, the pair appear evenly matched raising Kino’s suspicions and just who is now protecting Sarah. Bond is now on the run with a woman he’s unsure if he can trust and with an assassin on his heels, where does he go from here?

…

James Bond: Himeros #2Read More »

James Bond: Himeros #2 Read More »

Marvel Action Classics: Spider-Man Two-In-One #4

/ / Comics

Reprinting two previous Spider-Man tales, the first story of Marvel Action Classics: Spider-Man Two-In-One #4 gives us the constantly broke Peter Parker breaking into the Baxter Building with hopes of impressing the Fantastic Four and asking for a job as a way to monetize Spider-Man.

The story features plenty of classic FF foolishness including Johnny Storm pranking the Thing. Meanwhile the Chameleon steals an invention framing Spider-Man for the crime. Although Spidey didn’t get the job offer he wanted, it turns out having the FF as your alibi, and back-up, works pretty well.

…

Marvel Action Classics: Spider-Man Two-In-One #4Read More »

Marvel Action Classics: Spider-Man Two-In-One #4 Read More »