Comics

Astro City #47

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Astro City #47 comic reviewWith Astro City #47 writer Kurt Busiek and guest-artist Mike Norton introduce perhaps the most adorable Astro City hero ever. The latest issue is an origin story, but an unusual one. In the first page of the story introduced to a small-time thief and the cute Corgi he “borrows” as collateral to get the money owed to him as a friend. While he never gets the money, he does make a quick connection with the dog who will turn out to be man’s best friend.

Later, after stealing an amulet from a house full of super-hero memorabilia, our two characters find themselves combined into a half-man half-dog creature. While initially planning to use his good fortune to rob and pay back mobsters he owes, the influence of his dog Hank helps our protagonist find a new path and become the world’s most adorable super-hero G-Dog.

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Darth Vader #5

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Darth Vader #5 comic reviewAfter defeating Jedi Master Kirak Infil’a, Darth Vader has one last piece of business before claiming his trademark red lightsaber. Sent to Mustafar by the Emperor, the Dark Lord of the Sith will face one final challenge in his attempt to bend the Kyber crystal to his will and create his trademark blade.

The last bit of this arc details with the questionable decision to have a Sith change a Kyber crystal in order to force the crystals to delve into the Dark Side of the Force. As a story point having the crystal “bleed” red is awkward at best. That said, the final issue of the arc offers an interesting look into the internal conflict within the Sith who was once Anakin Skywalker. Given a vision by the crystal we see what might have been if Vader would turn against his master and reclaim his role as Jedi.

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Jessica Jones #12

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Jessica Jones #12 comic reviewJessica Jones #12 wraps up the Maria Hill arc with answers for Jessica about why Hill put out a hit on herself, hired Jessica to dig into her past, refused to answer questions about the reason for why she hired Jessica, and then shot her for doing her job. After a couple of final battle blows, including seeing her office explode, Jessica is able to track down her client and get paid (along with an overdue apology).

The issue answers most of the questions the arc has raised but not in an altogether satisfactory manner. Hill’s need to find a classified file but hide it from others makes sense from her character’s point of view but her behavior, even after being explained, is baffling. No longer frenemies, the arc’s end at least allows the two women to sit down together and talk honestly for the first time.

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Batman #30

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Batman #30 comic reviewContinuing the War of Riddles and Jokes, the latest issue of Batman picks up the thread from Batman #27 and brings back Kite Man as our narrator. Obviously having chosen the wrong side, especially now that Batman has chosen to team-up with the Riddler to take down the Joker‘s army, Kite Man languishes as the Dark Knight and the Riddler’s men slowly whittle down the remaining Joker supporters until only he is left.

Batman #30 isn’t really enjoyable. It’s told well enough, but with the story presented from such a pathetic character to begin with, who sees the man who murdered his child winning the war of the super-villains, the issue is drowning in self-pity and melancholy. To top it off we even get discussion between Kite Man and his dead son about what a humongous joke the character is. Jeesh.

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Usagi Yojimbo #161

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Usagi Yojimbo #161 comic reviewAfter several months Usagi Yojimbo returns with the first issue in a new two-part story. Opening with Kitsune breaking into a wealthy doctor’s house only to discover the man dead, and temporarily being accused of his murder, Usagi Yojimbo #161 offers up a double-homicide for Miyamoto Usagi and Inspector Ishida to solve when their primary suspect in the first murder turns up poisoned in the same manner as the doctor.

While Kitsune isn’t a suspect in the murder, she will have to serve some time for her attempted robbery. However, a bigger problem for Usagi and Ishida to solve is the mystery surrounding the deaths of the two poisoned victims. The issue may be a little light in terms of action, but there are plenty of enjoyable touches including Kitsune and Usagi’s various reaction shots to the discovery of murder.

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