Comics

Green Lantern #50

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Green Lantern #50The long-teased big throwdown between New 52 Hal Jordan and his pre-New 52 Parallax counterpart isn’t exactly as advertised. Anti-climactic may be the best way to describe the encounter. On one hand I enjoyed Parallax’s reaction to Coast City and seeing his family still alive, on the other hand his reaction to seeing Hal as an enemy (even after learning he can’t save Coast City from destruction as it fell in this version of the DCU as well) is where things start to go wrong.

The problem with this version of Parallax as a villain is he’s simply too strong for Hal Jordan, or anyone, to defeat alone. Used correctly the character could be made into an interesting anti-hero but that’s not the case here. Instead Hal taps deep into the power of his gauntlet and somehow comes up with enough power to make Parallax flee in terror.

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Darth Vader #17

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Darth Vader #17After murdering the Shu-torun royal family and installing the young Princess Trios on the throne, Darth Vader‘s attempt to put down any rebellion on the planet continues with the assistance of the Force-sensitive twins Mortit and Aiolin. While making a name for himself, we see foreshadowing of other Imperials bristling at the Dark Lord’s flair suggesting that Vader may have to fight a war on two fronts before this arc comes to a close.

The issue also offers up the tragedy of a bounty hunter who should have thought twice before trying to pass off fake remains to Vader as those of the missing Aphra (who we know is a prisoner of the Rebellion).

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Black Widow #1

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Black Widow #1The first issue of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee’s new Black Widow series sets the stage with Natasha Romanova being chased out of S.H.I.E.L.D. Heavy on action but light on dialogue, Black Widow #1 doesn’t tell us what the Black Widow has stolen from the Marvel Universe’s premiere spy agency but it does demonstrate how determined Maria Hill‘s agents are to get it back.

Certainly not an Avengers’ comic, Black Widow #1 is a well-paced collaboration between Waid’s storytelling and Samnee’s art. The entire issue is one extended chase sequence featuring the Avenger’s escape first from S.H.I.E.L.D.’s facility and the following pursuit. The mystery works in the issue’s favor, but I’ll be curious to see how the story moves forward once some of these initial questions are answered.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #55

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #55For someone who hasn’t kept up with the series in recent months, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #55 offers a good opportunity to catch up with the Heroes in a Half-Shell and some very big changes in their lives. Victorious over the Shredder, Splinter and his sons have taken back control of New York and control of the Foot Clan. All seems well for most of the Turtles, although Michelangelo has decided life among his former enemies isn’t for him.

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Astro City #32

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Astro City #32Astro City #32 begins a new arc centered around a former villain attempting to turn his life around. After putting his nefarious career behind him years ago, Steeljack has managed to carve out a small niche for himself working salvage while moonlighting as a cemetery manager, a private detective, and bounty hunter chasing down bail jumpers. His life isn’t easy, but it’s peaceful enough… until a woman from his past shows up in his office asking for a favor.

It’s an interesting choice to open the story at the end. Even if we don’t know the how exactly, we’re told at the beginning that none of this will end particularly well for our unlucky protagonist (despite his good intentions). Given the introduction of Cutlass and her favor we can also make an educated guess as to the who that will eventually lead Steeljack to waking up in a pile of rumble being questioned by the police.

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