Comics

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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Atomic Robo and The Ring of Fire #1

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Atomic Robo and The Ring of Fire #1Released first as a webcomic and later picked up by IDW for print publication, the first issue of Atomic Robo and The Ring of Fire deals with the present-day fallout of Tesladyne being branded a terrorist organization (see Atomic Robo and The Savage Sword of Dr. Dinosaur) and Atomic Robo‘s Old West adventures (Atomic Robo: The Knights of the Golden Circle) after being lost in middle of Dr. Dinosuar‘s timebomb and presumed dead by all but a handful of his most trusted scientists.

Sadly, our title character only makes the briefest of appearances here (and he’s certainly seen better days) as the first issue picks up events two years after the disappearance of Atomic Robo with the small band of Tesladyne scientists searching for their missing boss.

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Godzilla in Hell #1

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Godzilla in Hell #1Written and drawn by James Stokoe, Ishirō Honda‘s creation is sent to Hell (literally) in the first issue of the new series. Without a single word of dialogue, Godzilla in Hell #1 chronicles Godzilla‘s fall deep into the Earth and the monster’s run-in with a variety of nightmarish creatures.

The reasons for Godzilla’s fall aren’t explained. What is the heroic kaiju doing in Hell of all places? Whatever the cause for the monster’s new surroundings, it’s obvious from this first issue that Godzilla has his work cut out for him as his continued descent into Hell continues.

The setting does allow for any number of bizarrely-designed threats Godzilla might encounter. Although I like the look of Godzilla here, his desolate surroundings and nightmarish antagonists don’t do much for me. Readers more geared to horror comics are likely to get far more out of both the first issue and ongoing series than I will. Still, despite not explaining how he got there, Stokoe delivers a brand-new type of Godzilla story fans of the creature may appreciate. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]

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