Comics

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #122

Following the victory over Old Hob, the hard work of putting a legitimate government in Mutant Town begins. As for Hob, his escape thanks to the help of the weasels means he hasn’t stopped being a thorn in the Turtles’ side just yet, but it does look like he has larger plans involving the nearby islands and recruiting some new followers. I was hoping to see Hob get grudgingly woven into the fold, but it looks like he has other plans (which, given some hints here, may not be as villainous as some may think).

There’s a hopefulness here with so many of the characters planning and building for the future, despite the challenges ahead. We also get Halloween night, complete with frankly adorable costumes for everyone. With characters splitting up important roles within Mutant Town, it’s no surprise which Turtle takes on the role of protector, although Raphael‘s first attempt to collar Hob doesn’t end so well.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #122 Read More »

Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #4

Three more black and white tales of Red Sonja are collected in Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #4. The bandit hordes of Turan invade in “The Iron Queen” only to be turned back by an old queen who takes up the sword for the first time in years remembering the warrior she once was. Sonja travels through a cold wasteland in “Cold Monger” where a king’s magic steals the warmth and fire from his subjects.

The best of the three tales, “The Iron Maiden,” features some great humor (almost all of it at Sonja’s expense) and some of my favorite art of the series so far. A wounded Red Sonja is found and tended to in the woods by a local woman, although the wounded She-Devil with a Sword struggles to return the favor when Onelia attempts to save her village from traders get her into trouble.

Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #4 Read More »

Catwoman: Lonely City #1

Released as part of DC’s mature Black Series line, Catwoman: Lonley City #1 opens with the release of an older Selina Kyle from prison ten years after the deaths of Batman, the Joker, Commissioner Gordon, and Nightwing. Gotham has changed in her absence, with Harvey Dent as mayor of a more militarized city full of Bat-style soldier cops roaming the streets.

Less than thrilled by the changes to the city, and still haunted by the past, Selina struggles to fit in calling on old friends and finding it much harder to perform her rooftop antics after a decade in prison. She does have a mystery to solve, and a final word from a dying Batman all those years ago. Can Catwoman become the hero that the new Gotham City needs her to be?

Catwoman: Lonely City #1 Read More »

Transformers: King Grimlock #3

The fight for Menonia begins Grimlock leads the Anglorians against the Red Wizard who unleashes more Wood-Bots and also an army of zombies against them. With Grimlock on their side, the Red Wizard (who turns out to be a Quintesson) and his armies fall. The third issue of the five-issue mini-series offers plenty of action while also leading Grimlock to an important revelation that he cannot ignore the Golden One, and agrees to help the locals against yet another adversary who grows strong on the planet’s source of Energon.

The issue also picks up on the thread of Arko who left Grimlock and has apparently signed up to work with the Golden One (wasn’t that who she wanted Grimlock’s help to take down?). Aside from making little sense, I’m not sure how this will play out over the two remaining issues which seem to set up a confrontation against the Dinobot and a very squishy human who, while brave, isn’t likely much of a threat.

Transformers: King Grimlock #3 Read More »

Wonder Woman #780

Acting as a celebration, the oversized Wonder Woman #780 returns Wonder Woman home after the events of “Death Metal.” The issue is mainly a welcome home story for Diana, first at the Hall of Justice where friends are surprised and overjoyed to see her return. There’s even a nice fan moment involving J’onn J’onzz that Justice League International readers should enjoy.

The second-half of the issue looks at the impact of Diana’s return on the world, offering glimpses to reaction of several characters and groups after Wonder Woman makes her first public save since her return. The issue ends with a trip to Themyscira and another welcome home for the character while Diana struggles to take a breathe before returning to the world. There’s also some foreshadowing concerning changes to Diana during her time away, although it’s not yet clear what may be lurking beneath the surface.

Wonder Woman #780 Read More »