Comics

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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Usagi Yojimbo #145

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Usagi Yojimbo #145Finally my rabbit ronin withdrawal is at an end. Usagi Yojimbo has returned! After three years of the series on hiatus writer/artist Stan Sakai returns to bring us the further adventures of Usagi Yojimbo with with first issue of a new three-issue arc “The Thief and the Kunoichi” which will reunite Usagi with a few familiar faces.

Usagi Yojimbo #145 begins with not one but two different thieves robbing merchant Inoyue’s heavily-guarded compound. The realization that neither is alone in the dead of night creates friction between the two thieves which eventually leads to guards and a nearby wandering ronin getting caught up in the night’s festivities.

Revealing Kitsune to be the less bloodthirsty of the the two thieves, the comic ends with the unmasking of Chizu as the other with Usagi likely being forced to step-in between the two women for the apparently worthless scroll that led to the night’s events unraveling. It’s good to see Usagi back in action, and entangled in another of Kitsune’s messes, once more. Best of the Week.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

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Astro City #23

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Astro City #23In the first half of a two-issue storyline Astro City writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson put their own spin on DC’s Gorilla City with the introduction of a talking ape from a hidden city filled with intelligent talking apes who arrives in Astro City with plans on becoming a drummer but quickly learns why that may be problematic and that he may have more potential as a hero.

As a fan of the Silver and Modern age Flash comics I’ve always loved Gorilla City and it’s fun to see Busiek and Anderson come up with their own version of bizarre world set not in the jungles of Africa but in an impossible jungle climate hidden away in the middle of the Antarctic.

As is true with almost all of the comic’s best storylines, Astro City #23 leaves the reader wanting more of the central character’s story and Sticks’ adventures in his new home. Thankfully we will be getting at least one more issue with the simian hero/drummer, but from what we’re given here I’m hoping that won’t be all we see from the character for the foreseeable future. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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