Comics

Supergirl #35

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Supergirl #35After leaving this title during Kara‘s run as a Red Lantern I return to find an unexpected guest-spot by the Red Hood in as compelling use of the character as we’ve seen in the New 52. Despite her initial distrust of Batman’s former partner, Kara agrees to the unlikely team-up to help Jason Todd stop the supply of alien weapon technology on the black market.

Even with the appearance of a Venom-powered Red Hood and a story involving gun-runners, the latest issue has a warmth and fun to it that is has become a growing scarcity in DC titles since the launch of the New 52. I actually enjoyed writer Tony Bedard’s take on the Red Hood so much I was hoping the character may stick around for another issue, but it appears Kara is going to have her hands full attempt to live as normal a life as possible.

For a character who had become lost in grief and anger, and had been allowed to bottom out and wallow and whine herself into a shell of her former self it’s nice to see Supergirl have a little fun for a change. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #16

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #16The main story of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #16 features Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael following their senei around New York City on a wild goose chase all to discover where Splinter disappears to every year on this day. The chase leads the Turtles to battle Mousers, Fishface, and Rahzar, but end up no closer to learning about the moment Splinter spends in secret with his daughter in honor of her birthday.

The issue’s back-up story centers mainly on Donnie who is stuck fixing the Shellraiser when it breaks down and his brothers leave to persue Foot soldiers. He also must deal with (and attempt to hide from) a random pedestrian who offers his help to fix the van, but proves to be more useful than Donnie gives him credit for.

Both stories prove to be fun as Splinter is able to teach his sons a lesson about respecting his privacy while providing them with a nightly adventure that was more than they bargained for. Donnie’s story, while goofy, offers some fun moments as well such as the man’s statement to the cops about the crazy night. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Daredevil #9

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Daredevil #9While mulling over the pros and cons to selling his life story for a boatload of cash, Daredevil has his first run-in with the progeny of the Purple Man (who despite throwing himself in front of a trolley car is feeling much better now). The format of the issue involving Foggy warning Matt against dredging up painful memories which might destroy the happy life he’s carved out for himself only to have the Purple Man’s children do exactly that is a little too convenient. One of the strengths of Mark Waid’s take on Matt Murdock is he hasn’t been haunted and overburdened with his dark past (except when he was gaslight by the Coyote during the low point of Waid’s run). Returning Daredevil to a more grim title may not necessarily be the best thing for his character or Waid’s work on the series.

The only real surprise of this issue is the survival of the Purple Man. Will he and Daredevil form an unlikely team-up to stop the out-of-control children or will the villain be to busy savoring the fresh hell his kids are putting Matt Murdock through? Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Rocket Raccoon #4

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Rocket Raccoon #4Rocket Raccoon #4 wraps up the two ongoing stories of the series as Rocket comes face-to-face with both the other raccoon who has been framing him for murder (who turns out to not be a raccoon at all) and the army of pissed-off princesses who he each saved, dated, and unceremoniously dumped.

The reveal that Blackjack O’Hare is actually the one who has been masquerading as a Rocket lookalike feels a bit like a cheat, but Skootie Young’s final page means there’s still quite a bit left of this story to explore and Rocket, whether he knows it or not, is not alone. The use of O’Hare also ties back into Rocket’s bizarre comic past and the planet of Halfworld where both crazy creatures came from.

Rocket beating down his angry exes provides quite a bit of fun as well as the comic’s second ongoing story arc comes to a close with a battle royal which Rocket stumbles out of victoriously. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Earth 2 #27

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Earth 2 #27With Power Girl and the Huntress returned to their own Earth, and the latest issue of Worlds’ Finest turning its attention away from the heroines, I decided I’d give Earth-2 a shot. Despite the fact it concerns a dystopian world still fighting armies of Apokolips, I was pleasantly surprised in this character-driven story centered on the relationships of Kara, Helena, Thomas Wayne, Red Tornado, and Val-Zod. Whether intentional or not, the current feel of Earth 2 (with a black Superman, elderly Batman, and robotic Lois Lane) feels more like the early days of Marvel’s Ultimate line than the New 52.

Carrying on the tradition of Worlds’ Finest, Earth 2 #27 has multiple artists splitting the work. Thankfully, the art meshes reasonably well in telling to story of the foursome’s battle against an army of demons while focusing on reunions none of them ever expected. Once returned to their own Earth I had planned to turn my attentions elsewhere, but despite being stuck in a world I care little about this issue tempts me to continue sticking with Helena and Kara’s adventures… at least for a little while longer. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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