Comics

Samurai Jack #9

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Samurai Jack #9“Villainous Vortex” pits Samurai Jack against a gravity-manipulating machine which, not surprisingly, turns out to be controlled by the evil that is Aku. Samurai Jack #9 delivers a fun story featuring Jack in action against one of Aku’s mechanical soldiers, but for the second straight issue the comic gives us no character interaction between Jack and anyone else. It’s not a bad thing, but I think it would be very easy to see the comic fall into that template that ignores one of the strengths of the television show which spawned it.

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Silver Surfer #3

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Silver Surfer #3The opening arc of Silver Surfer comes to a close as Dawn Greenwood meets the Silver Surfer and helps the cosmic hero defeat The Impericon and return the heart of Never Queen back where it belongs before the cosmic entity ceases to be. Silver Surfer #3 continues the offbeat humor of the young series (taking it a bit too far in my opinion by making Norrin Radd a Three Stooges fan who even acts out one of the group’s trademark moves at one point).

Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk moment aside, Silver Surfer #3 is better at selling the idea of Dawn and the Surfer exploring space together than selling me on the goofy version of the title character. In Rose Tyler fashion, writer Dan Slott continues to tease the importance of Dawn which I’m already tiring of as well.

Hopefully Slott will pull back a bit on the oversell of Dawn and simply allow her to accompany and enjoy the adventures the Surfer can provide while providing a character to explain various parts of the Surfer’s existence such as the Power Cosmic. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Teen Titans Go! #4

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Teen Titans Go! #4The latest issue of Teen Titans Go! focuses on two themes well-developed on the current Cartoon Network cartoon: obsessive behavior by the team and Robin‘s super-competitive streak which often gets him into trouble. Fans of the show should enjoy themselves, although neither of the two tales really stands out.

The first story centers around a game of Go Fish among Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, and Cyborg which gets so contentious the group doesn’t even notice the arrival of the H.I.V.E. who show up itching for a fight and destroy the tower around the Titans when they don’t get it.

Too prove he’s the team’s best member Robin decides to create an obstacle course in the comic’s second story centering each obstacle on his specific skill-set. However, when he’s teammates beat him to the finish line it online infuriates their leader even more. For fans.

[DC, $3.99]

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Uncanny X-Men #22

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Uncanny X-Men #22After months of slowly building towards a showdown between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the X-Men by both Mystique and an unknown puppet master from the shadows Uncanny X-Men #22 delivers a conclusion that’s less than satisfying. Quickly wrapping up events, including the recent limitations on Cyclops‘ powers (which would also mean Magneto and the rest should soon be back to full strength as well), the issue sets up a climactic battle involving out-of-control Hellicarriers about to go nuclear and Sentinels only for a single former X-Men to step-in and stall long enough for our baddie to… unceremoniously die all on his own?

The reveal of the Age of Apocalypse Beast as the brains behind the overly-elaborate plan is almost as big a letdown as the pathetic nature in which the creature meets his end. Other than Hijack most of the X-Men, along with Maria Hill and her troops, are all pretty damn impotent here. At least the fallout from all the recent events does put Dazzler firmly back in the X-Men camp, returns Magneto to the team (but for how long?), and at least temporarily cools the animosity between Cyclops and Beast.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #35

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #35Michelangelo‘s choice to visit Slash alerts the Turtles to Old Hob‘s genetic experimentation (resulting in the humorous but ridiculous Pigeon Pete) and the kidnapping of a Stockgen scientist who the mutant believes can make things work better the second time around in his attempt to create his own mutant army.

The confusion after releasing Lindsey leads to the reveal of Old Hob’s possession of Splinter‘s blood and just what it can do as Slash’s limited intelligence and understanding grows quickly to mirror that of his brothers after choosing to inject it into his body to prove he’s a true hero. The change in the character may loose Mikey a playful pal, but it opens up new possibilities for Slash moving forward (not all of which might be good for the team once Slash begins to think for himself).

Offering a little more of Angel in Harold‘s Exo-Suit, the B-story sends the former Purple Dragon to the aid of Casey whose father Hun and his goons plan to beat to death on the grave of Casey’s mother. Not exactly a Hallmark moment. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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