Comics

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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Daredevil #4

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Daredevil #4The opening arc of the new series concludes as Daredevil finds himself in the middle of a battle of wills between the Owl and the Shroud, one of whom is obsessed with achieving a new level of unfettered knowledge and the other who Daredevil comes to believe has a death wish.

Dispensing with the death trap that closed the last issue fairly quickly, Daredevil #4 deals mainly with Matt Murdock coming to understand the reasons behind the Shroud’s actions and attempting to stop the blackmailed hero from helping the Owl steal unfiltered photons of data which will transform the character into something more than human before the issue comes to a close.

Although Murdock counts the capture of the Owl as a win, Daredevil is unable to stop the villain from fulfilling his purpose (suggesting he’s become an even greater threat), and fate of the Shroud’s girlfriend is left very much up in the air. Victory? I’m not so sure. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #4

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #4After double-crossing the Scoobies, Dracula (with his re-installed manservant Xander) begins writing in new laws of magic into the Vampyr tome. First, Dracula decides to make himself the lord and master of all vampires, which leads to some humorous consequences for Spike, but unsatisfied with the result Dracula decides to become the most powerful vampire of all leading to disastrous consequences not only for Xander’s master but all of Earth.

Worth picking up for the Dracula and Xander alone, the latest issue continues to develop the Willow and younger Giles relationship which might be my favorite of the new season so far. We also get several mentions of turning “Dark Willow,” as Willow’s evil turn has become a much-used verb about the dangers of power (much to the witch’s chagrin).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #4 is the first issue to deal with with Dawn and Xander’s relationship issues directly as Dawn explains her “reset” following almost being wiped out of existence in Season Nine. As to what this means for the couple long term, we’ll just have to wait and see. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

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