Comics

Transformers: Regeneration One #100 (of 4)

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Transformers: Regeneration One #100 (of 4)Way back in 1984 Marvel Comics commissioned a four-issue mini-series for the popular toy line. Lasting 76 extra issues, the original Transformers came to an end in 1991 with Transformers #80. Returning to complete the unfinished tale, writer Simon Furman and artist Guido Guidi have put together 20 more issues of the story culminating in this extra-sized 100th issue finale.

As a rousing finale Transformers: Regeneration One #100 is good, but not great. Several characters get little time despite the extra pages (many of which are used not for the story but various supplemental material) as the final issue races through Galvatron‘s subplot spending nearly the entire issue on Rodimus Prime and his battle with the Deathbringer in Zero Space and a somewhat convoluted ending involving a Multiverse of Transformers.

Fans will certainly want to pick this one up (despite its price-tag), but it is a little light on action (other than Galvatron’s defeat) while relegating several key characters such as Grimlock, Shockwave, and Starscream to small roles or cameos. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Nova #15

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Nova #15After getting Cosmo the medical care he needs, Nova turns his attention to taking out Skaarn’s soldiers now that their leader has used Knowhere‘s transporters to plan a heist of a super-powered weapon from the armored vaults of The Keep. Of course it takes the young hero a few tries before finding a way to neutralize the threat.

The use of the teleporter also allows Sam to return to Earth to check in at school, sleep through most of his classes, and even cause a bit of unintended mischief before returning to Knowhere. Despite Sam being separated from Beta Ray Bill in the last issue, Nova #15 returns the space-horse who eventually makes his way back to Knowehere (after defeating the soldiers Nova keeps teleporting his way).

Ending on a cliffhanger, the comic brings the two heroes back together to stop Skaarn who, despite lacking his henchmen, has managed to steal a weapon embued with the Power Cosmic which sets up next month’s big throwdown. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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G.I. JOE #14

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G.I. JOE #14Shifting the focus from Siren back to the JOEs, G.I. JOE #14 plays on several of the current comic’s ongoing storylines including Cover Girl‘s continued distrust of Duke, Hashtag‘s return to action after being temporarily sidelined, and the JOEs becoming aware of the existence of Cobra’s newest recruit and tracing her message for help back to a Cobra training compound.

After a pair of issues focused specifically on Siren and her weaving the history of Cobra, I’m glad to finally get back to the JOEs. Opening up with Hashtag’s new role as the team’s communication expert we see her becoming both obsessed with the encrypted message from Siren and the fallout of a Cobra trap that put many JOE lives in danger.

Paul Allor’s choice to pair up Cover Girl and Hashatag on a covert mission without Duke’s approval works well (even if it may be far too late to save Siren and her son at this point). Dealing with what they find should prove challenging for the two women and their small team. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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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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