Comics

Astro City #29

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Astro City #29Known for taking a different perspective on the super-hero concept, the latest issue of Astro City is presented not from the view of a hero, villain, or even civilian of the planet Earth. Instead the entire issue takes place on the planet Zirros, throneworld of the Zirr Empire, from the perspective of a young dreamer named Zozat who grows up hating the alien invaders known as humans.

Although mostly backstory for the story which should unfold in the next issue, Astro City #29 does what writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson do best: flip a familiar story on its axis and present it in a new way. The result means delving deep into Zirros and the life of Zozat in particular. I have no doubt that Zozat’s talent as a bonder will play a large role in the story to come which begins with the capture of a member of the First Family and an attempted rescue by her teammates.

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Usagi Yojimbo #150

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Usagi Yojimbo #150Miyamoto Usagi‘s wanderings lead the rabbit ronin to an encounter with a stranger from another land whose outrageous demands cost the life of a good man in “Death of a Tea Master.” After besting the best swordsmen of the town the stranger demands the prize he was offered. To satisfy honor, the lord is force to grant his unreasonable demand to witness Hara-Kiri of a noble tea master.

Outraged by the injustice, and tied up to prevent any interferance, Usagi is unable to stop the unnecessary bloodshed. However, when the bloodthirsty stranger requires more demonstrations of ritual suicide, an angered Usagi agrees to a duel in able to enact some measure of justice for the loss of the tea master.

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Secret Six #8

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Secret Six #8With a wide range of magical folks across the DCU targeting Black Alice, Catman and his teammates have a decision to make. Do they step in and try to help their new friend? And if so what is the proper action to take? Should the pillars that make up the White Gate be protected? Or should they be destroyed.

Memorable for Black Alice making several characters her bitch in the middle of her hospital stay and an unexpected undersea battle between Catman and Aquaman (much to the delight of Thomas Blake’s teammates), Secret Six #8 also offers the return of Scandal Savage, Ragdoll, and Jeannette as Gail Simone continues to toy with fans of the original group and tease the idea of the real band getting back together.

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Atomic Robo and the Ring of Fire #3

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Atomic Robo and the Ring of Fire #3Giant monsters attacking the world makes for strange bedfellows. Atomic Robo and his team accept an alliance with China’s “Most Perfect Science Division” to help fight Task Force Ultra and Majestic and stop the Biomega attacks around the world. Giving them access to state-of-the-art technology this allows the team to quickly construct Robo with a new body (although the slimmed down version lacks some of the appeal of the original, in my opinion).

On the larger stage we also get a look at the Titan program struggles to stop the growing threat of the Biomega (Pacific Rim style) which only adds to the pressure for Robo and his team to find a solution while also attempting to rebuild Atomic Robo’s unique power source all while hiding their technological breakthroughs from their Chinese partners who otherwise could recreate the tech for their own purposes after the threat has past. Their solution is inventive.

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Darth Vader #12

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Darth Vader #12Wrapping up the series’ second arc, Darth Vader is able to turn events to his advantage and convince Imperial Inspector Thanoth to ignore some thief who stole a few credits from the Empire and focus the fleet’s attention on the threat of the rebel group operating on the Outer Rim known as the Plasma Devils. Once again the Dark Lord of the Sith narrowly avoids Aphra‘s apprehension along with any possibility of her actions being tied back to him.

Given her ability to reveal Vader’s betrayal of the Empire, the only part of Darth Vader #12 that rings hollow is his decision to keep the thief alive. While I’m sure writer Kieron Gillen has more plans for Aphra, and has spent considerable time developing the character, the natural decision for Vader would be to kill the woman immediately.

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