Comics

Velvet #10

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Velvet #10For only the second time since the series’ opening issue Velvet Tempelton gets played, and it almost costs the secret agent turned secretary turned fugitive on on the run her life. Betrayed by Damian Lake who, as he admitted to her, is playing his own far more dangerous game, Velvet is forced to jump from a moving train and try and avoid an entire unit of Arc-7 agents in the French countryside who were tipped-off to take her down (although not for the reasons she initially suspects).

Wrapping up “The Secret Lives of Dead Men,” Velvet #10 offers plenty of action and some nice twists as Velvet finds herself on the defensive, Damian Lake proves to have a darker agenda than even she guessed, the vast conspiracy the traitor hinted at last issue is, at least in part, corroborated, and major supporting characters meet their untimely ends.

I don’t know what writer Ed Brubaker and artist Steve Epting have in store for the comic’s third arc, or where the conspiracy will lead Velvet from here, but sign me up! Must-read.

[Image, $3.50]

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Astro City #22

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Astro City #22The latest issue of Astro City offers readers a brief look back at the life of the cosmic hero Starfighter near the end of his career. Touching more on his life outside of the tights than inside (as is the comic’s long-running custom) Astro City #22 offers a beautiful character study of a man who found love on an alien world and a purpose through the use of scrolling mysterious symbols unlocking knowledge and power to allow him to play the hero on Earth and throughout space for decades.

Jesús Merino steps in seamlessly to provide the art for an issue that looks and feels very much like any other in the current run of the series.

As with most of these one-off stories writer Kurt Busiek creates a beautiful tale that leaves us wanting more. From the man’s life as a cosmic hero, a very John Carter-ish father and husband on an alien world, to life on Earth as a sci-fi author, there are many facets to Starfighter I certainly wouldn’t mind be explored more in future issues. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

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Darth Vader #4

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Darth Vader #4Aphra begins her work for Darth Vader by leading the Dark Lord of the Sith back to Geonosis to find Vader the droid army he needs to rebuild the power base lost to him after the destruction of the Death Star. The mission is a little more dangerous than the pair expect finding the remaining queen of the exterminated Geonosians has turned to robotics to rebuild her lost race.

While showcasing the deadly abilities of Aphra’s two droids (who do quite well against the queen’s creations and torturing useful information out of a bounty hunter in the darker moments of the issue) Darth Vader #4 foreshadows what the scientist might be able to create given the resources Vader can provide.

The comic also foreshadows the end of the pair’s relationship which the scientist realizes can only end in her death while pushing the pair towards Vader learning more about who currently has the Emperor‘s favor and setting forth to learn how his new army might change the score. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Arrow Season 2.5 #7

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Arrow 2.5 #7The current “Blood” storyline continues with Felicity captured by the new Brother Blood, and Green Arrow and Arsenal unable to find her, Oliver agrees to turn himself over to Blood in exchange for her safety. Not trusting the madman, Oliver keeps Arsenal in reserve with a back-up plan should things go wrong by sending his protege to A.R.G.U.S. for some unexpected back-up.

…

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Convergence: Speed Force #1

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Convergence: Speed Force #1Now that’s more like it. After being horribly disappointed with Convergence: Batgirl #1 I was feeling less and less sure about DC’s new big event centering on battles between previous versions of characters not found in the current New 52 DCU. Convergence: Speed Force #1 gives us Wally West back in action as the Flash and his kids Jai and Iris.

Like pretty much every Convergence tie-in issue, Speed Force #1 begins by offering us glimpses of the hero’s life without powers after the city is transported by Brainiac. With the fall of the barrier the Flash and his kids take a run across the bizarre world coming across an assortment of odd characters including another speedster – Fastback!

Although I’m not sure I’m ready to see the Flash take on the Flashpoint version of Wonder Woman next issue, I am excited to see Wally and Fastback team-up. Unlike Convergence: Batgirl #1 this issue gets the feel of its characters right. (Plus I’m all in favor of throwing the Zoo Crew as much love as possible.) Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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