Comics

Powerpuff Girls #7

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Powerpuff Girls #7The momentary peace in Townsville after Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles defeated HIM and Mojo Jojo that allowed the girls a chance to do their own experiments in Professor Utonium‘s laboratory is disrupted by the first annual Monster Day as creatures from Monster Island who the heroines have beaten in the past all converge on the city on the same day to wreak havoc (and regain their lost confidence).

Written and drawn by Derek Charm (whose take on the characters is quite good), the cliffhanger ending of the first issue of the two-issue arc offers something we don’t see very often: a trio of bruised and beaten Powerpuff Girls giving up when they realize the monsters’ invasion will only last a single day and they can clean-up the city tomorrow.

Even with their defeat and the overwhelming odds stacked against them I’d be surprised if we don’t see the Powerpuff Girls leap back into action next issue rather than let the monsters’ rampage continue. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #32

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #32The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Northampton exile comes to an end with the arrival of Koya and his flock of assassins. The ensuing battle brings Leonardo all the way back to fight alongside his brothers and Splinter, creates a rift between Raphael and Alopex (ending my hopes of seeing more of the two any time soon), and reveals the existence of April‘s unusual friends to her parents.

Given Leonardo’s brainwashing and his distance from the rest of the Turtles it’s good to see him back in the thick of it when his family needs him most. It’s also clear that despite the Shredder‘s teachings Leonardo is no more bloodthirsty or vengeful than the the turtle was before his time in the Foot Clan.

I have to say I really enjoyed Ross Campbell’s art in this issue, especially with Alopex (who I am definitely going to miss as the arctic fox doesn’t accompany the turtles back to New York) and as he captures the joy of the Turtles in the midst of the battle with assassins. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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All-New X-Men #24

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All-New X-Men #24The “Trial of Jean Grey” crossover continues as the Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and Starjammers prepare for their suicidal rescue attempt and Jean Grey‘s trial is momentarily halted by the arrival of Peter Quill‘s father Jason who shows up not only to throw a wrench in the proceedings but to clue Jean Grey into the fact that Gladiator and the Shi’ar are responsible for systematically killing her entire family hoping to provoke a response that turns the proceedings his way.

While continuing to offer some fun interplay among the various groups’ members, All New X-Men #24 also features a shocked Jean Grey dealing with the horrors her future self will commit when controlled by the Phoenix.

Outmanned and outgunned the group will have to find a satisfactory end to the proceedings as the crossover wraps up in the next issue of Guardians of the Galaxy which, if the cover is to believed may include an appearance of the creature truly responsible for Jean Grey’s crimes. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Smallville Season Eleven: Alien #4

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Smallville Season Eleven: Alien #4Finishing the four-issue mini-series, Smallville Season Eleven: Alien #4 features Superman‘s final battle with the Monitor in Russia, and pits Batman against an evil Joker-Batman version of himself from another Earth who severely wounds Nightwing before his capture.

By the end of the issue Batman agrees to join the Justice League (at least on a temporary basis), the threat from the Multiverse has been dealt with (at least for now), and things can get back to normal (or what passes for normal in the Smallville Universe).

The ease of which Superman beats the Monitor here took me a little by surprise (isn’t this the same guy who was mopping the floor with the Man of Steel just last issue?), but Smallville Season Eleven: Alien #4 ties up all the loose ends (including quite a bit of epilogue involving Bruce finally agreeing to join the JLA), and even gives us a little of Lex being Lex (causing tomorrow’s trouble). Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Astro City #10

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Astro City #10Astro City #10 concludes Winged Victory‘s storyline as the heroine faces not only the villain who has systematically destroyed her public image but also stands in judgement by the Council of Nike as to whether the hero will be allowed to continue as their champion given the recent events.

Tying back in the storyline of the young man whose arrival at Winged Victory’s compound at the beginning of the arc, writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson wrap-up all the arc’s various storylines by allowing our hero to rediscover the confidence needed to stand-up to those who would do her, and those who she protects, harm.

Although the full effect of the smear campaign isn’t yet clear, Winged Victory earns her hard-fought victory and proves her worthiness to continue her quest to help troubled and abused woman (and her first male student) across the globe as her story, thankfully, isn’t over quite yet. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

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