Comics

The Flash #30

/ / Comics

The Flash #30Time travel and the character’s relationship with the passage of the time have long bee staples of the Flash comic storylines over the years. Beginning with something as innocuous as a new watch, The Flash‘s new writers Robert Venditti and Van Jensen begin to examine the idea for the first time in the New 52.

For those, like me, who have totally ignored DC’s Forever Evil event the beginning of the issue, jumping us into a wrecked Central City, is more than a little confusing. The amount of damage to the city is extensive which leaves the Flash constantly needed. Although putting too much emphasis on those awful yellow streaks in the character’s costume, new artist Brett Booth proves up to the task in showing off the Scarlet Speedster, particularly in a sequence where Barry uses his super-speed to keep cutting out of his psychological evaluation to save people.

Those expecting the first appearance of a blue-clad Wally West are going to be disappointed. Although the comic does end with a scene of a future Flash, it’s Barry Allen not Wally who is consumed with past mistakes and obsessed with the passage of time.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #2

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #2After helping Buffy and friends turn the tide against the enhanced vampires, neither Faith not Kennedy will stay long although Scoobies do welcome back a pint-sized Watcher, the adolescent Giles, back into the fold (even if it looks like it will take some time for everyone to adapt to his new circumstances and demeanor).

Laying the groundwork for the next several issues, Giles discovers that the Vampyr tome has begun to fill-in with new information. Understanding that the new seed was rushed into the world, what the Watcher finds troubling is not knowing who is responsible for writing the new laws of magic (and gifting the vampires with an improved power set).

Still haunted by visions of Anya (which appear to be her rather than simple hallucinations or The First toying with the one-eyed Scooby) and wrestling with the his strained relationship to Dawn, Xander heads off to talk with Dracula to see if he can shed any light on the situation (setting up what should be yet another amusing reunion). Best of the Week.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

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Larfleeze #10

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Larfleeze #10After destroying the citadel of the Otherworldy Gods of the House of Tuath-Dan, Larfleeze‘s search for his missing butler continues as Dyrge has taken Pulsar Stargrave from Sena the Wanderer (whose advances to Larfleeze fall on deaf ears) in an attempt to lay a trap for the Orange Lantern. What Dirge and her siblings don’t count on, however, is the arrival of a second equally absurd ring slinger.

Although G’nort and Larfleeze have very little direct contact here, the sector-less Green Lantern does get plenty of time with both Laord of the Hunt and Sena (who takes out her mixed emotions concerning Larfleeze on the Green Lantern).

Although I think artist Scot Kolins does fine with the other characters here, I would have preferred a more over-the-top cartoonish take on G’Nort. That said, it’s still good to have the Green Lantern Corps most absurd member back in action. Of course, I’m the guy who wanted to pitch a team-up book starring G’nort and Dex-Starr so I might be slightly biased. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Guardians of the Galaxy #14

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Guardians of the Galaxy #14To celebrate the 101st issue of the various Guardians of the Galaxy titles over the years, Guardians of the Galaxy #14 offers a new-reader friendly oversized issue. The comic’s main tale involves the Spartoi Empire finally catching up with Peter Quill and his various companions, each of whom run into a spot of trouble. As Quill and Rocket Raccoon are taken prisoner by a Spartoi warship, Gamora is taken down by a bounty hunter and sold to the Badoon, and Drax is similarly captured on Knowhere while better equipping the team’s newest member Venom.

It’s surprising we don’t see the fates of Angela or Groot shown or even referred to here, but not half as surprising as the choice of Venom as the team’s newest member. Although putting Flash Thompson in space means there’s a very real possibility to get answers about just where the symbiote came from, the choice of choosing a Marvel character who could never join the cinematic version of the group, and doesn’t really bring anything new to the comic team, is a bit of a head-scratcher. I’m also not sold on Carol Danvers involvement being teased.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #33

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #33The Turtles exile ends as Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello return to New York. Still hiding in the shadows the brothers work to hone their skills at get the new lay of the land now that the Shredder and The Foot control the city.

Much of the rest of the comic deals with April and Casey readjusting to life back in the city. As April worries about what path Casey’s life will take, Casey searches out Hun, who has just learned Shredder was responsible for his son’s injuries, for a long overdue conversation.

Although the Turtles family appears to finally be healed, Casey’s is anything but as any enemy of the Shredder is an enemy of Hun. Unable to convince his son to leave the city, it’s likely that the next time the pair meet it will be as enemies.

I’m glad to see the Turtles back in NYC, but would have preferred they brougth Alopex with them. Mateus Santolouco returns to do the art for this issue providing some cool Hun/Shredder and Hun/Casey panels. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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