Comics

The 7th Sword #1

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The 7th Sword #1Screenwriter John Raffo teams up with artist Nelson Blake II to deliver an intriguing first issue of the new IDW seven-issue mini-series The 7th Sword. Set in the far future on the colony world of Helios, we’re introduced to former United Nations soldier turned samurai Daniel Cray who, as the comic opens, is working as a guard on a Methane shipment through the desert by Mechanoids (robotic warriors with skull heads).

Loosing the shipment, Cray makes his way across the wasteland with the convoy’s only other survivor to awake in the mythical city of ZenZion. Distrustful of outsiders (espically those who worked as soldiers for Earth), and believing Cray to be a spy from the city’s enemy in a greedy warlord named Kavanaugh, the city puts the warrior on trial which Kavanaugh’s real soliders led by the bizarre Superfecta Five interrupt.

Part fantasy, part sci-fi, part western, with swordplay, killer robots and monsters and a reluctant hero all thrown in, The 7th Sword #1 is a strong opening to the series. I’m curious to see more of Cray and his journey. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Rocky & Bullwinkle #3

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Rocky & Bullwinkle #3Rocky and Bullwinkle head to the moon in the latest issue of IDW’s new comic adventures of the moose and squirrel. Set in the 1960s, Pottsylvania announces they have claimed the moon and demand payment from anyone who mentions or makes use of the celestial object (including even a werewolf). With no one accepting the word of the Moon Men that the Pottsylvanians have never landed on the moon, Rocky and Bullwinkle are sent to discover the truth. Of course Boris and Natasha are sent after them to stop Moose and Squirrel from destroying the country’s lucrative lie.

This month’s intermission tale features Snidley Whiplash‘s new get-rich scheme by selling worthless merchandise with a “double your money back guarantee” realizing most customers are too lazy to take advantage of the deal. Sadly for the villain Dudley Do-Right isn’t most people and soon bankrupts the Snidley’s entire business with his circular logic. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Detective Comics #31

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Detective Comics #31Given a woman overdosing on a drug Harvey Bullock and his former partner pushed out of Gotham six years ago was found on Bruce Wayne‘s doorstep the detective is mighty suspicious of the billionaire. Although Bruce clears himself by proving he has no Icarus in his system, Bullock is far from satisfied that Wayne has nothing to hide. If he only knew.

Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato’s opening arc on the title continues with some beautiful drawn and inked pages from the pair while setting Bruce Wayne in Bullock’s crosshairs and giving Batman some action of his own including taking on a rather large individual known as Sumo.

Focusing on the detective work of both Batman and Bullock separately as the Dark Knight hears the first mention of “The Squid,” while also throwing in some action and beautiful visuals, DC may have finally put together a creative team to consistently sell me on a Bat-book that doesn’t star Scooby-Doo. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Atomic Robo (Free Comic Book Day 2014)

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Atomic Robo (Free Comic Book Day 2014)The latest Free Comic Book Day issue of Atomic Robo pits our intrepid science adventurer against the Yonkers Devil in the “smoldering wasteland” of what was once Centralia when Atomic Robo and his team come across both the creature and a college student on spring break who has unknowingly stolen the Devil’s eggs. Offering the share of crazy action and humor the comic is known for, the story should please fans.

Red 5’s Free Comic Book Day issue also includes back-up story featuring Bodie Troll stealing pumpkin’s in No Man’s Patch for Miz Bijou (while also checking out the rumored roots and trash of the forbidden garden of far more interest to the troll). Finally, the issue includes a short tease for Red 5’s new series Haunted featuring Sarah McCallister traversing a world where the walls between Earth and the spiritual world have been torn down. Not surprisingly, the Atomic Robo story is the stand-out although there’s some fun to be had with Bodie’s adventure. Worth a look.

[Red 5, FREE]

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Magneto #3

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Magneto #3Magneto‘s wandering and search for the source of the new Sentinels leads him to an underground facility where several low-budget versions of the anti-mutant weapons are being created. However, the true purpose of the sentinels and the facility itself turns out to be something not dissimilar to the path Magneto himself walked not that long ago.

Comparing Magneto’s own attempts to create a safe haven for his people on Genosha, Magneto #3 showcases humans doing the same thing in an attempt to create a bubble safe from mutants and the outside world. Although the comic skirts the issue a bit, Magneto’s response to the facility (and his own attempts on Genosha) seem to admit a failure of his own long-held beliefs in favor of those of his recently-deceased frenemy Charles Xavier about an integrated world shared by humans and mutants.

With Cyclops‘ team also searching for the truth behind the new Sentinels it will be interesting to see if the two comics converge and what Magneto’s response from, and to, his old team might be. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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