Comics

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #6

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Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #6 comic reviewThe death of Ben Reilly‘s patient marks the end of Kaine‘s patience. However, before pitting the two Scarlet Spiders against each other once more, the comic introduces a wild card in Marlo Chandler-Jones who seems to have an unusual effect on both Ben and Kaine. Inspiring Ben to go after a pair of thugs shooting up Las Vegas, the Scarlet Spider jumps into action (although he does have to be talked out of gunning down the villains in the middle of the street by one of their would-be victims).

The introduction of Marlo certainly muddies the waters. Just what does the strange woman want from Ben? Her various powers over the years have been less than consistent, so just what is giving her influence over not one but both Scarlet Spiders? And why does she seem more interested in the original?

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Teen Titans #11

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Teen Titans #11 comic reviewKaldur’ahm‘s underwater father-son bonding with Black Manta doesn’t go quite according to plan when the super-villain uses the boy to retrieve a weapon to make Black Manta the most powerful super-villain of the seas. Thankfully the Titans arrive in time to offers some back-up and give their friend the encouragement he needs to stand-up to his father and become the new Aqualad.

While not my favorite Teen Titan, Teen Titans #11 works well enough to center the story around the birth of a hero. Choosing his friends over his power-mad father, Aqualad earns his new moniker and spot on the team.

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Detective Comics #963

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Detective Comics #963 comic reviewBefore the Dark Knight can turn his attention to searching for his missing partner he needs to track down Tim Drake‘s significant other who has traded in her Bat-Family membership for an alliance with Anarky. First created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle back in 1989, Anarky is an unusual villain with a focus on justice through chaos. The current Rebirth version seems a bit more stable than some incarnations of the character over the years, although we’ve seen only the briefest glimpse.

The issue also gives us a short back-up story concerning Clayface which foreshadows the end of his heroic turn (hopefully not too soon, as I’ve liked this new path for the character).

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Astro City #46

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Astro City #46 comic reviewIntroduced early in the current run of Astro City as part narrator and part guide, the true identity and agenda of the Broken Man has been in question. Tying back to the recent musical-history-inspired stories of Jazzbaby and Glamorax, Astro City #46 finally reveals the true origins of the Broken Man and his first contact with dark entity known as the Oubor.

Not only do we learn where the Broken Man came from, a truth that even he himself can’t come to admit, but also his reasoning for breaking the 4th wall and talking directly to the audience. Far more than just a guide through the history of Astro City’s music and heroes, the Broken Man needs our help.

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Batman #29

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Batman #29 comic reviewBatman #29 is a bizarre issue. I never thought I would see Batman offer criminals a huge payday to continue their mayhem in Gotham City. The entire comic takes place at the Wayne Manor dinner table where Bruce Wayne has gathered both the Riddler and the Joker (and some of their top lieutenants). With the War of Jokes and Riddles raging, and Batman impotent to stop it, Batman decides to… throw a dinner party?

The inconsistent use of narration continues, disappearing in an issue that seems to take place more in real time than the narrated series of events Batman is relating to Catwoman years later. The setting is bizarre in the extreme, but I have even more trouble with Batman contemplating throwing in the towel and further facilitating the nefarious deeds of dozens of criminals (offer one side $1 billion). Wouldn’t calling in the Justice League (or literally anything else) make more sense?

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