Comics

Guardians of the Galaxy #18

/ / Comics

Guardians of the Galaxy #18The conclusion of the Cancerverse storyline which ended the previous run of Guardians of the Galaxy on a cliffhanger with the fate of Star-Lord, Thanos, and Nova in doubt is addressed for the first time in three-and-a-half years in Guardians of the Galaxy #18 as Gamora confronts Peter Quill about what really happened.

I’m assuming the Original Sin tie-in helps explain the lengths Gamora goes to in order to elicit the information out of Star-Lord in this issue (but since I’m not reading the event I can’t be sure). Whatever the case, the story jumps from narrated flashbacks to a discussion between the two Guardians (one of them tied to a chair).

Incomplete, the comic ends on yet another cliffhanger (this one involving the Cosmic Cube), the story works although by now most readers have long moved on. I was slightly disappointed that the comic doesn’t address the original Guardians who were a part of Cancerverse arc as I’ll always root for appearances of Starhawk and his teammates. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Super Secret Crisis War #3

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Super Secret Crisis War #3Locked in a space station in another dimension, Samurai Jack, Ben Tennyson, Dexter, Bubbles, Blossom, Buttecup, Ed, Edd, and Eddy get separated into small groups while battling the robots of Aku and Vilgax many of whom have been created to look like our heroes. This allows for some intriguing team-ups including the chance to see Samurai Jack and Bubbles fight side-by-side for an entire issue (a pairing I’d gladly pay to see more of).

Continuing the trend of the mini-series as it hits the halfway mark, Super Secret Crisis War #3 includes more betrayals and mechanations among the group as each villain decides he is obviously the greatest member of the League of Extraordinary Villains.

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Batman Beyond Universe #13

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Batman Beyond Universe #13Sometimes a comic can surprise you. After largely ignoring Batman Beyond Universe I decided to pick up the latest issue which promised the return of the Phantasm, flashbacks to the old Batman: The Animated Series days, and the reveal of what really destroyed the Bat-Family all those years ago.

Batman Beyond Universe #13 weaves a story that feels more like part of the Timmverse, without being overly nostalgic, rather than the increasingly watered down version we’ve seen come and go in recent years. The result is the best Batman Beyond comic I’ve read and easily sells me on the conclusion of the two-part storyline which will not only see the fallout between Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, and Bruce Wayne but also force Terry McGinnis to deal face-to-face with the man responsible for the death of the man who raised him.

Joining the comic with this issue, artist Phil Hester manages to faithfully recreate the look of both series. I particularly love the flashback art. Best of the week.

[DC, $3.99]

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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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