Comics

Uncanny X-Men #16

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Uncanny X-Men #16Crossover-free, the latest issue of Uncanny X-Men deals with ongoing theme of Magneto‘s relationship with Cyclops‘ team of X-Men and just how trustworthy the former super-villain truly is. After talking with Dazzler (who isn’t really Dazzler) at a pro-mutant rally, a frustrated Magneto takes her advice in checking out the goings on in Madripoor where mutants have set up a new home.

In the foreign country once ruled by HYDRA, Magneto will find old friends, the temptation of a new home, and learn Mystique‘s secret. Over the first fifteen issues of the series the idea of Magneto betraying Scott Summers and the X-Men has loomed large. However, Magneto’s response to Mystique and her offer is far from expected.

Lost in the various discoveries Magneto makes is an offhand remark Mystique makes to her old friend (while in the role of Dazzler) suggesting the death of Charles Xavier may have damaged Magneto far more than anyone suspects. With the character getting his own series it will be interesting to see how this will be explored in the coming months. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Astro City #8

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Astro City #8The latest issue continues to follow the events of the very effective public smear campaign on Winged Victory by an unknown enemy who has been able to convince authorities and the press that the hero is really a super-villain mastermind and her camps for battered women are little more than recruiting and indoctrination stations.

Even with the help of the Samaritan and The Confessor (whose appearance at the compound raises suspicions and causes conflict between the detective and the Samaritan) Winged Victory acknowledges that even if they are able to eventually prove her innocence the damage to her public reputation, and the power she receives from the women around the world who believe in her, has been irreparably damaged.

With the help of The Confessor the group begins to narrow potential suspects, but Winged Victory appears dangerously close to throwing in the towel. However, I’m betting she’s got at least one good fight left in her. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #7

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #7It’s a date night (of sorts) for the Turtles. Donatello and April spend some time alone together trying some of the city’s various food choices, Michelangelo convinces Raphael to dress up to see the latest kung fu action flick in a theater, and Leonardo spends some rooftop flirting with Karai who he attempts to convince they could be friends.

Eventually all three stories merge as Donnie and April are attacked by the Purple Dragons and Dogpound and lead the small army to the theater where the battle interrupts Mikey and Raph’s movie night. Eventually the fight even spills back out into the open ending Leo’s opportunity to win over the Shredder’s daughter just as he was appearing to make some progress.

The ridiculousness of Mikey and Raphael in women’s clothing doesn’t go unnoticed by both friends and enemies, and Donnie’s attempts to shrug off any romantic aspects of his night with April seem only partially successful. And I always enjoy the combination of Leo and Karai, which is one of the TV show’s most interesting pairings. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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The Shadow #21

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The Shadow #21The Shadow‘s search for Bai Hu leads the vigilante to the Himalayas in search of a former acquaintance, a Chinese military officer who, like The Shadow, once served as a warlord dealing out death and destruction. Remembering all too well what the vigilante was capable of when he knew him as Ying Ko, Jin Fulin eagerly answers the questions posed.

Although he does not find the man he seeks, The Shadow’s journey is far from a failure as he dispenses justice on both his old friend and a washer woman whose particular method of revenge (soaking the soldiers uniforms in a special chemical that will burst into flames after too much exposure to sunlight) is both chilling and brutal.

Once again the storyline touches on a piece of The Shadow’s past without revealing too much of the man he once was, other than the fact that he lived many lives in several different countries before learning the secret to cloud men’s minds and deciding to make New York City his home. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Smallville Season Eleven: Alien #2

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Smallville Season Eleven: Alien #2As Lex Luthor releases the Monitor from his Russian prison, unaware how powerful and dangerous the creature actually is, in Gotham City Lois and Chloe seek out Batman and Nightwing for their help investigating the murder of a man dressed up like the Man of Steel.

While teasing us about a Crisis and parallel Earths (one of which I hope resembles the pre-New 52 DCU), Smallville Season Eleven: Alien showcases the capabilities of the Monitor who proves more than a match for the entire legion of Rocket Reds and even for Superman who the Monitor wounds (much to Clark’s complete surprise).

The Gotham storyline offers writer Bryan Miller and artist Edgar Salazar a chance to show off the Smallville version of the Batcave to Chloe and Lois and tease us with the possibility of a certain Mr. Dick Grayson being introduced into the series in the near future. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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