Comics

Rocket Raccoon and Groot #3

/ / Comics

Rocket Raccoon and Groot #3

Rocket Raccoon and Groot #3 closes the new series’ opening arc featuring the misadventures of Rocket Raccoon and Groot in a parallel dimension where Rocket’s working for a crazy warlord and supposed amnesia turns out to all be an elaborate ruse to get back at his best pal for a surprise birthday party. Once again the issue features the low-rent knockoffs Pockets and Shrub (who go toe-to-toe with our heroes at one point in the story before being forced to work together and flee for their lives). It’s a goofy conclusion to a bizarre story that provides some enjoyable moments. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Rocket Raccoon and Groot #3 Read More »

Will Eisner’s The Spirit #8

/ / Comics

Will Eisner's The Spirit #8Will Eisner’s The Spirit #8 finally gives both the Spirit and the reader some answers into Mikado Vaas as our hero calls on Silk Satin for the truth behind the villain whose very name strikes terror into all who hear it. Silk points our hero in the right direction to a rabbi who is able to provide a tale that seems as much legend as fact in his description of the nefarious arms dealer in which the Spirit finally discovers his connection to the man through Vaas’ daughter Sachet Spice.

The bid for power in Central City continues as those displeased by Commissioner Nolan‘s choice not to resign make their feelings known, as does the chief’s daughter who stands up both for her father and for a certain blue-clad vigilante.

…

Will Eisner’s The Spirit #8Read More »

Will Eisner’s The Spirit #8 Read More »

Green Lantern #50

/ / Comics

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.

…

Green Lantern #50Read More »

Green Lantern #50 Read More »

Darth Vader #17

/ / Comics

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).

…

Darth Vader #17Read More »

Darth Vader #17 Read More »

Black Widow #1

/ / Comics

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.

…

Black Widow #1Read More »

Black Widow #1 Read More »