Comics

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #1

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Star Wars: Rebel Heist #1The first issue of the new Star Wars mini-series Star Wars: Rebel Heist, taking place during the same period between Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back as the current ongoing Dark Horse comic, is presented from the view of a new Rebel recruit who meets Han Solo for the first time. It’s certainly a memorable meeting.

Our narrator’s name is never given as his opinion of Corellia‘s most infamous son goes from awe to disbelief to exasperation as Solo navigates the alleys and skies above his homeworld only to get the pair eventually captured and then interrogated by Imperial agents.

With each issue centering around the combination of both a core Star Wars character and original characters to the expanded Star Wars Universe Star Wars: Rebel Heist gets off to a good start here. I like Marco Castiello’s art (even if some panels do feel a bit rushed) and Matt Kindt captures Solo through the eyes of of a hero-worshiping fanboy in way over his head. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

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G.I. JOE #15

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G.I. JOE #15Following the pattern of IDW’s other JOE series, the current main G.I. JOE comic comes to an end with G.I. JOE #15. Continuing the story of Cobra’s newest asset Siren, the JOEs arrive at a Cobra training base and indoctrination center where her son and dozens of other recruits have been brainwashed by the terrorist organization.

Far from wrapping up Siren’s story, G.I. JOE #15 at least resigns her to her fate as her future is tied to that of her son who wants no help from Cobra’s enemies. The comic is highlighted by some strong art by Steve Kurth, a throwdown between Roadblock and Big Boa, and Hashtag struggling to see the rescue of several children, but not Siren or her son, as anything other than a failure.

The comic certainly leaves several questions from the series left unanswered (such as Cover Girl‘s concerns and suspicions about Duke) as IDW closes the book on the last of their JOE titles heading into this Fall’s “Fall of G.I. JOE.” Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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All-New X-Men #26

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All-New X-Men #26With the original X-Men returned their space adventure with the Guardians of the Galaxy, but without the younger Scott Summers who decided to become a space pirate with his dad, there’s a small calm before the next storm. Of course it only really lasts about half an issue as X-23 decides to leave Cyclops’ X-Men only to be attacked by a member of a group who has found the X-Men’s hidden home. It seems the Future Brotherhood of Mutants have returned.

Although the second-half deals with X-23’s attack and setting up what should be an action-packed issue next month, the standout scenes of All-New X-Men #26 are Iceman‘s humorous honesty about X-23 and Scott and Jean Grey sitting down for their first real talk since Kitty Pryde and the rest of the time-displaced original X-Men chose to join Cyclops’ team. There’s something sweet yet almost incestuous about how easily the pair communicate based on their experiences with each other’s other selves. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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The Flash Annual #3

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The Flash Annual #3The Flash Annual #3 is confusing on a number of levels as the new creative team cement their storyline of a future version of Barry Allen deciding to return to the past and set things right. Introducing us to Wallace “Wally” R. West for the first time its obvious the character has gone through the same New 52 filter that continues to adversely effect several of DC’s once-great heroes.

While I’m fine with DC deciding to change Wally’s ethnicity from Caucasian to African-American, it does create problems for Iris West as even in this issue’s artists Brett Booth and Ron Frenz have trouble deciding just how to draw and shade her color her character consistently. I honestly couldn’t tell you at this point whether Iris is white, black, or green.

Far more troubling is that Wally has gone through the same dickish redesign the makes the New 52 Billy Batson an insufferable prick. This version of the character’s defining attribute seems to be that he’s a street punk in need of a white big brother to set him straight. Jeez.

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Silver Surfer #2

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Silver Surfer #2I saw someone on Twitter compare Dan Slott’s new Silver Surfer series to Doctor Who. I think that’s a fair analogy as the series captures both the good and bad of the modern version of Time Lord’s adventures including centering the storyline on a new companion who instantly is pushed as the most important character ever.

Silver Surfer #2 finds the Silver Surfer defending The Impericon from the threat of the Never Queen who shows the Surfer a glimpse of his possible futures while Dawn Greenwood escapes capture along with the many other aliens abducted by The Impericon as leverage to force powerful beings to do as they wish.

Speaking of wishes, Dawn’s wish is underscored for the second straight issue as it both saves the Surfer from the Never Queen’s wrath and further links them going forward. I’m far from sold on Dawn, but so far I’m enjoying Slott’s take on the character – except for his bizarre misconception that the Surfer is human under the adamantium skin which he can remove at will (seriously WTF?). Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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