Comics

Star Wars #6

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Star Wars #6The latest issue of Marvel’s main Star Wars offers some surprises along with the first big “Fuck You” to the previously existing Expanded Universe continuity.

In the main storyline a blinded Luke, searching for Obi-Wan‘s journal on Tatooine, faces off against Boba Fett whose been sent by Darth Vader to bring back the pilot responsible for the destruction of the Death Star (whose name the Dark Lord of the Sith finally learns at least bringing an end to that “mystery”). Offering plenty of action while foreshadowing the Jedi that Luke will become, Skywalker survives mainly through dumb luck and trust in the Force.

The issue’s B-story has wide consequences as Han and Leia run into Han Solo’s ex-wife while running from an Imperial patrol in the Outer Rim. Just what exactly Sana Solo‘s role will be going forward is unclear but her introduction begins a likely wide divergence between the decades of Star Wars comics and novels of the past 25 years. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Powerpuff Girls: Super Smash-Up! #5

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Powerpuff Girls: Super Smash-Up! #5Realizing the girls need all the help they can get to stop the mutated DeeDee from wreaking havoc across the multiverse, Professor Utonium and Dexter enlist the help of an unlikely ally: Mojo Jojo! That is right. The villain of the Powerpuff Girls is now their partner. He who is Mojo Jojo will help his hated rivals locate the girl that is named DeeDee. Mojo Jojo will save the day! Well… not really.

Of course Mojo inevitably betrays Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttecup to steal the power to move between dimensions for himself and remake it in his own image, but, in a nice twist, the day isn’t saved by the Powerpuff Girls but by DeeDee who uses her unique skill set to foil the monkey’s evil plans.

Much like the Powerpuff Girls title that preceded it, Powerpuff Girls: Super Smash-Up! has proved to be an awful lot of fun (even if not all of the back-up stories were as strong as I’d like). I’m sad to see it come to an end. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Convergence: Shazam! #2

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Convergence: Shazam! #2Convergence: Shazam! #2 concludes the Marvel Family’s arc in DC’s big crossover by pitting Captain Marvel against the Victorian Age Batman from Batman: Gotham by Gaslight. In comic tradition the two heroes battle before teaming up against Mr. Mind who has gathered Batman’s enemies together to make a new Monster Society of Evil led by his steam-punk-powered Mr. Atom.

Convergence: Shazam! #2 may not have the Big Red Cheese factor of the previous issue, or enough of the supporting Marvel Family characters for my tastes, but Gaslight Batman is more interesting that I expected (in an odd variation of the Batman vs. Superman fight from The Dark Knight Returns) and the twist of having the heroes work together really helps save the issue from prolonging the battle more than necessary.

With Convergence over I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of the Marvel Family’s alternative Earth (which is far more interesting than most of the New 52). Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #46

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #46The adventures of three Turtles and a robot begin here as the IDW series continues toward its end in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #50. Along with seeing Donatello get use to his new existence inside Metalhead we also get several other storylines all of which will likely converge as the series wraps up in just a few months.

The apparent death of the Shredder means it’s time for Karai to take control of the Foot Clan. Casey has another run in with his father. The series continues to tease the growing relationship of Raphael and Alopex (a character I desperately want to see show up as both a toy and in the current animated series). And last but not least April discovers a scroll foreshadowing a new threat to the city in the final issues by introducing the idea of immortal warriors who have returned once again to bring death and destruction.

For a single issue Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #46 tackles quite a lot, and I’m not sure how all of these threads will get woven together and fully addressed in only four issues, but I’ll stick around to find out. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #15

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #15There are two battles happening simultaneously in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #15. The first involves Buffy and the Scoobies battling the ancient demon Archaeus whose bloodline runs through Spike, and the second involves the battle within Buffy’s boyfriend’s brain as Archaeus’ pull brings out the bloodthirsty nature of William the Bloody and sicks it on Buffy and her friends.

Mind-controlled for half the story, Spike plays a big role in the issue that allows the vampire with a soul to prove his worth and fight off his darker nature. Xander also shows up for some quick thinking in the middle of the battle and later to put a rest to the awkwardness with Dawn which the pair have struggled with since the beginning of the season.

The issue ends with the team regrouping after a marginal victory without hope of defeating the demon alone and teasing the first big crossover event since Angel‘s wacky Twilight adventure. A Buffy, Angel, and Spike team-up? Okay, that sounds like some serious fun. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

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