Comics

Green Lantern #43

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Green Lantern #43I’m on the fence about the latest course of Hal Jordan‘s life. On one hand I’m pleased that the comic has (for the most part) appeared to put the rainbow-colored corps in the rear-view mirror and allowed Jordan to wander the spaceways without being marred in the middle of a multi-faceted civil war of power rings. One the other hand I’m far from sold on the character’s new look that strips the character of one of the greatest super-hero costumes of all time for a trench coat covering a much more bland generic jumpsuit. The fact that the new storyline apparently will not only include but feature Black Hand and the resurrection (yet again) of the Black Lanterns is also far from welcome news.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #48

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #48In an action-heavy issue Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #48 moves the title one-step closer to its concluding 50th issue as Splinter, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Robo-Donatello fight for their lives against the seemingly never-ending supply of Mousers and Flyborgs controlled by the Shredder and Baxter Stockman. Even with the arrival of back-up in Alopex and Angel things look bleak for our heroes.

Aside from the action, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #48 also begins to foreshadow events which will play out over the course of the series’ final two issues. Old Hob‘s decision to liberate Hun from the police is likely going to cause its share of trouble. And despite finally having the upper hand over the Turtles, it appears the Shredder may need to watch his back as his control of the Foot Clan may be in danger of slipping away.

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The Shadow #1

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The Shadow #1Picking up from events introduced in last year’s The Shadow #0, Dynamite Entertainment launches a new series starring The Shadow and his war against a secret cabal of illusionists known as The Society of United Magicians. Opening with the death of magician George Carlini and The Shadow taking on a group of circus performers and then interrupting a seance, the first few pages (as bizarre as they are) lay the groundwork for arc as the Shadow reveals himself to a low-ranking member of the order that he, and he alone, holds Harry Houdini’s secret of “the Last Illusion” which the society covets.

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Star Wars #7

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Star Wars #7Star Wars #7 is a throwback issue that follows the events Luke Skywalker finds in the journal Obi-Wan Kenobi left for him on Tatooine. Taking place a few years into Obi-Wan’s exile, the latest issue of Marvel’s Star Wars comic deals primarily with Ben’s struggle with no longer being a Jedi, hiding in the desert, and his failure to train young Luke in the ways of the Force.

Although some complain that Luke is the biggest whiner in the Star Wars universe, there’s more than enough self-pity in this issue for Obi-Wan to give the farm boy a run for his money. Despite struggling with inaction, Obi-Wan does find a way to be of service when during the biggest draught in the planet’s history a young Luke attempts to stand-up to Jabba‘s shakedown of the local moisture farmers which almost gets him killed.

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Astro City #25

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Astro City #25Astro City #25 offers a snapshot of the life of a second-generation super-hero in Hummingbird who is both gifted and cursed with unique gifts which begin to express themselves during adolescence including wings that give her the power of flight.

Drawn by guest-artist Jesús Merino, the latest issue of Astro City is very much a throwback to the kinds of comic tales that DC and Marvel, for whatever reason, seem to have gotten out of the habit of telling in favor of large-scale event tie-ins. In a single issue you could argue we get a better feel of Hummingbird than any recently-rebooted version of a major character from either of the big two comic publishers.

And she’s heroic! Presented with hard choices our hero rises to the challenge to save not just one world but two. There’s no cynicism or unnecessary grim filter that Busiek and Merino are forced to tell their tale through. This results in a fresh take on a rather basic premise that, like nearly all issues of the series, delivers just the kind of story you’ve been looking to read. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

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