Comics

Amazing X-Men #4

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Amazing X-Men #4The reunions continue as Nightcrawler talks some sense into an out-of-control Beast and gathers the rest of the team including saving Iceman and Firestar (who between the two of the literally froze and then burned down Hell), and rescues Northstar and Wolverine from the icy wastes (finally bringing Logan and Kurt together again).

Inter-cut with flashbacks of Nightcrawler with his various teammates, the latest issue continues to deliver with fan-friendly scenes while building to the story’s climax. With the reunions finished and team reassembled, Amazing X-Men sets up next month’s conclusion of its opening arc featuring the X-Men vs. a band of demon-mutant pirates with the fate of all creation at stake. Sounds fun, don’t it?

Along with the various reunions writer Jason Aaron reveals the origin of the Bamfs and lays the groundwork for the possible cost of Nightcrawler’s current heroism which may have serious repercussions for the still-dead hero and his teammates very soon. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Supergirl #28

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Supergirl #28Finding himself over-matched, crappy New 52 pseudo-Lobo first tries to beat Supergirl and when that fails he tries his best to reason with the extremely pissed-off young woman whose tired of being taken advantage of. The only thing that saves the supremely-awful redesigned character from the ignoble death he surely deserves is Kara’s all-out rage that sets up the next several issues of the title and its tie-in with Red Lanterns.

Putting aside the shittiness that is this version of Lobo, a constant complaint I’ve had with Kara is her propensity to whine (which comes off even pathetic from someone with Superman‘s power set). Apparently that’s not going to be an issue going forward.

Although I’m against throwing a ring on an already super-powered character like Supergirl, I have hopes the experience might give her a bit more perspective once she inevitably returns to normal (and gives her a little bit of Power Girl‘s spunk, which this version of Kara is sorely lacking). And, hey, maybe we’ll get a cameo from Dex-Starr? Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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G.I. JOE: Special Missions #12

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G.I. JOE: Special Missions #12The search for Destro continues as Scarlett, Mainframe, and Helix track their escaped prisoner Copperback to a bizarre location in Russia known as Beaver Falls made to look like a small American town. Here they will discover the secret of Destro’s new B.A.T. experiments as the group walks right into a demonstration Destro has planned for Cobra Commander and high-ranking Russian officers secretly providing the criminal organization with their base of operations.

By the end of the issue the pressure on Destro continues to build as the JOEs outperform his new weapons and even decide to turn his new prized soldier back on his master.

I’m hoping the inclusion of Helix to the Special Missions team continues after wrapping up the current “Destro Must Die” arc next month. Aside from finally forcing both Scarlett and Helix to deal with each other and the loss of Snake Eyes it would also add another kick-ass female character to a team that at times has lacked some star power. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Daredevil #36

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Daredevil #36With the final issue before yet another relaunch, writer Mark Waid and Chris Samnee send Daredevil out in style with Matt Murdock‘s public admission in a court of law to his radar sense, his vigilante activities, and why he enjoys parading around in red tights. Daredevil #36 feels a little rushed as it deals with Murdock’s big shocker while also tying up the loose ends of the Sons of the Serpent, Foggy‘s life-threatening illness, Matt’s relationship with Kristen McDuffie, and setting up the new monthly title featuring Murdock and Nelson in San Fransisco.

Before its over Daredevil will get to kick a little ass and kiss the girl, but Nelson and Murdock will both be disbarred (setting up more obstacles to their possible return to New York sometime down the line). As to McDuffie, it’s left unsaid whether or not she will be accompanying the partners out west or if this is (for now) the end of Matt and Kristen’s story.

The final issue does its best to justify an unnecessary renumbering and reboot next month while providing a milestone in both of Murdock’s chosen professions. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #28

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #28With the League of Assassins, the All Caste, and Jason Todd‘s temporary amnesia all behind them the series offers the Outlaws a temporary reprieve of the most exclusive island resort in the world and a chance to bring back Isabel and tie-up the loose plotline of her relationship with the Red Hood.

Although the vacation starts well enough, despite Starfire‘s complaining about the hologram hiding her true form to the other guests and Isabel’s obvious distance, things take a turn when the super-villain in charge of the island gets wind of the Outlaws appearance and, assuming the worst, decides to preemptively strike.

Far less convoluted than several issues of the series, the straightforward storytelling works well and provides plenty of action while introducing a new enemy in Midas and the Army of the Golden Hand. Stephen Segovia steps in to do an okay job with the art this month although his Starfire is a little off and some of the wideshots are less detailed than I’d like (a common complaint about much of the New 52). Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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