Comics

Fables #143

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Fables #143Continuing to gear up the end of the series, the return of Bigby Wolf creates new problems in Fables #143. Unaware that the feral creature is being controlled by the mysterious woman whose true motives have yet to be revealed, the out-of-control Bigby is slowly leaking magic into the outside world destabilizing the illusions that keep Fabletown hidden.

Things aren’t slowly down in the growing conflict between Snow White or Rose Red as both women choose names for their swords and take one step closer to inevitable conflict. And, proving Snow a better judge of character than her sister, Brandish takes advantage of the confusion to murder Weyland Smith exacting a bit of revenge and earning a measure of freedom as his exact role in the coming conflict is still very much undecided.

The strong issue also includes the very last story of Babe the Miniature Blue Ox who reminds readers of previous adventures and then threatens them not to finish the issue thus allowing the series to continue. If only that was the case. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014 Annual

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014 AnnualAs he’s done in the past, Kevin Eastman seizes on the opportunity to not only co-author the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual but do double duty and give fans of the original comic a taste of the co-creator’s artwork as well. Given the fact that time travel plays a large role in the annual, it shouldn’t be surprising that some leaves several questions unanswered as the Turtles are recruited by an old friend who they haven’t yet met to fight in gladiatorial combat against warriors from several other realms.

Introducing the well-meaning but scatterbrained Renet into the series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014 Annual opens up time travel into the IDW series for the first time. Working together Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael manage to survive the games and help Renet and the young warrior Baltizar lead a revolt to make drastic change to their world.

As annuals go, it’s weird and goofy to be sure and probably worth picking up for Eastman’s art (despite the $8 price tag). Worth a look.

[IDW, $7.99]

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Magneto #8

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Magneto #8Continuing the trend of the comic in recent months Magneto #8 features an increasing number of flashbacks and panels from Magneto‘s complicated past narrated through the current version’s search for justice. The latest issue also offers up another group of mutant killers and traffickers for Magneto to track down leading to S.H.I.E.L.D. finally catching up with the vigilante and the reveal of the less-than-noble goal of Magneto’s quest.

Personally I’m all in favor of Magneto being reinstated back to full strength, but evil Beast storyline already opened the door for that as a possibility (only to be immediately ignored by every X-book afterwards). The choice offered here takes the character down a darker road which may offer some intriguing storylines but probably doesn’t serve the character all that well in the long run. If Magneto is restored to full power (whatever costs may be involved) the question then becomes where does he fit in the larger X-Men and Marvel universes? For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #6

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #6The second arc of Season 10 begins here with Buffy and the Scoobies dealing with the harsh realities of living in a big city out of their meager price range. Offered an opportunity at a new place to live, Buffy gathers the team to help exorcise a haunted house which isn’t so much haunted by ghosts as controlled by a demon who offers his victims idyllic visions of lives not lived while slowly draining their lives.

With the conclusion of the previous arc co-writer (and former Scoobie) Nicholas Brendon says goodbye leaving Christos Gage in control of the writing duties. Rebekah Isaacs is also supplanted here by Karl Moline. Although Xander’s voice is lessened a bit by both the story and Brendan’s abscence, neither the sound nor look of the characters is hurt by the changes.

The only surprise with the fake reality is the one character who refuses to see through the lies as Giles continues to struggle with his new reality as a teenager cut off from his old life which will likely continue to be a theme of the series going forward. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse Comics, $3.50]

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Samurai Jack #11

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Samurai Jack #11Beginning a new arc, Samurai Jack #11 leads Samurai Jack to Soule the Seer who believes the samurai’s enchanted blade holds the key to finally sending the time-displaced warrior home. When Soule’s incantations go wrong, however, Jack is left without his trustworthy blade and the one weapon in all of creation which Aku fears.

In the comic’s rotating stable of artists, Andy Suriano provides some of the series best panels with his work in Samurai Jack #11. I particularly enjoyed the Luke and Yoda style trekking as Jack carries Soule on his back to what his mistakenly believes is magical spot which will lead him home.

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