Comics

Fables #141

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Fables #141The final ten issue of Fables begin here as writer Bill Willingham and artist Mark Buckingham continue the storyline of the broken relationship between Snow White and Rose Red while picking up several loose threads from the series concerning Geppetto‘s tucked away army of Boxers who begin to break from their containment in favor of a more interesting host and the character of Grimble (a former troll now trapped in the body of a bluebird) who seeks out Cinderella for assistance.

Bigby‘s return is also teased and discussions of the 13th Floor over the current state of things in Fabletown lead Maddy to being the first to choose sides and support Snow White for what the cat believes is an inevitable all-out war.

It’s obvious the conflict between Rose Red and Snow White will play a huge role in the issues to come, but the idea of Geppetto’s old sorcerer weapons taking refuge inside Rose makes for an interesting twist. We’ll have to wait and see how Bigby’s return and the role of Grimble will play into the battle yet to come. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

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Fatale #23

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Fatale #23For the entire run of Fatale writer Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips have offered hints and glimpses to Josephine‘s past but have largely kept the reader in the dark as to the specifics of her long tortured existence. Setting up next month’s series finale, Fatale #23 changes that as Nicholas Lash relives some of the more brutal moments of the woman’s past during a night of sexual ecstasy that opens his eyes to secrets which Josephine has kept long buried.

The ritual which transformed her is still quite shrouded in mystery, but along with setting up Lash’s pivotal role in next month’s finale the glimpses we get here into Josephine’s past concerning the tragedy of her son are as heartbreaking for the reader as the man who has become consumed with her love.

I’m going to be sad to see Fatale end, but the rich history of Josephine leaves open any number of stories for Brubaker and Phillips to return to the character somewhere down the line. Worth a look.

[Image, $3.50]

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Dexter’s Laboratory #3

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Dexter’s Laboratory #3Given the perfect set-up I expected Dexter‘s successful attempt to write his sister Dee Dee out of reality and his subsequent dimension jumps to find her would be the start of IDW’s Cartoon Network summer crossover. Sadly it appears that’s not the case, but Dexter’s adventure continues here as the genius inventor finds himself in a reality where science is outlawed and ruled over by a sister who has no memory of him.

Despite getting some unexpected help from Dee Dee’s subjects who want their queen to return to her own reality, Dexter’s attempts to talk some sense into his sister only get the scientist thrown into the pink palace’s dungeon. And his escape only draws Dee Dee’s further wrath.

Next month’s final issue should wrap up the arc as Dexter will have to find some way to convince, or trick, his sister into returning home and let their reality get back to normal (or as normal as things get in Dexter’s Laboratory). Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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She-Hulk #5

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She-Hulk #5With the opening arc to the new series complete, She-Hulk #5 moves forward with finally delving into the mysterious “Blue File” concerning a law suit in North Dakota with several heroes and villains named as defendants including She-Hulk. As Angie and Hei Hei head to a North Dakota courthouse to look for records of a case that’s been buried for years, She-Hulk sends Hellcat to discuss the lawsuit with fellow ex-Avenger Tigra while the jolly green lawyer pays a visit to the Shocker.

The jump from Javier Pulido’s art (found in the first four issues of the series) to that of Ronald Wimberly is more than a little jarring. That said, writer Charles Soule does well offering the reader breadcrumbs about the Blue File while not revealing anything more than the mere mention of the plaintiff or case can cause hero, villain, or city employee to go crazy.

Pulido’s style doesn’t work for me here, particularly in the big fight between Hellcat and Tigra, but the issue does provide a few fun such as the Shocker’s misconception about just how many Thors there are in the Marvel Universe. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Justice League United #2

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Justice League United #2With the Justice League team transported to Rann the comic explains how the Ultra Project, meant to bring a group of constantly warring worlds together in peace, has been usurped by a madman who plans to use the product of the genetic experimentation and transform it into the ultimate weapon.

Introducing Supergirl to the team for the first time (but making no effort to explain why she’s not wearing a Red Lantern ring as she has been in her own comic for the past several months), Justice League United #2 gives us the still-not-quite fully-assembled team with more of the Green Arrow and Animal Man banter that so far has been one of its biggest strengths. With Supergirl’s arrival I’m hoping writer Jeff Lemire has plans to develop strong dynamic between the two younger female members as well as Kara may finally find the friend she’s been seeking in Stargirl.

The genetic plot is pretty goofy, but I’m willing to let this opening arc play out and see if Lemire and artist Mike McKone can make it work. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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