Comics

Batman: Black and White #5

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Batman: Black and White #5Offering another quintet of black and white Batman tales, Batman: Black and White #5 is anchored by a Two-Face story from Len Wein and artist Victor Ibáñez which features a complicated two-pronged attack, misdirection, and an appearance of Nightwing in his pre-New 52 costume (complete with the fan appreciated finger stripes).

“Hell Night” from Ivan Brandon gives us Batman on one brutal night (with a late twist I don’t quite buy) and beautiful art by Paolo Manuel Rivera. Blair Butler and Chris Weston offer a bizarre story featuring the death of the Caped Crusader (sort of), and Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Andrew Robinson give us a story featuring Bruce Wayne mostly out of the Batsuit finding his “super-power” (but when he does appear as Batman it’s in the classic costume complete with the yellow ellipse Bat symbol).

Although I enjoyed the tone of Keith Giffen and Javier Pulido’s “Cat and Mouse” featuring a crook’s version of his encounter with Batman, it’s probably the weakest of this month’s stories. Worth a look.

[DC, $4.99]

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Star Wars #13

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Star Wars #13Following the news that Marvel will take sole publishing rights over the Star Wars universe beginning in 2015, Brian Wood and new artist Facundo Percio deliver the best issue of the latest classic series. Told from the perspective of Ensign Nanda, Star Wars #13 opens a new arc showcasing the vengeance and brutality of Darth Vader who creates a small elite team of Stormtroopers to accompany the Dark Lord of Sith and Nanda on his mission of revenge.

From Nanda’s perspective we only see what Vader allows her to see, and we also witness his unchecked agression through her eyes including torturing Imperial officers for information and as a statement of his authority which has been questioned since the destruction of the first Death Star.

Given the number of titles in Marvel’s stable I can’t see any Star Wars title getting the kind of focus Dark Horse has given them since acquiring the rights in 1991. Although the company has put quite a bit of mediocre comics under the brand I’ve been thoroughly enjoying this series and will be sad to see it come to a premature end. Best of the week.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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G.I. JOE #12

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G.I. JOE #12G.I. JOE begins a new arc with the introduction of Cobra’s latest agent, Siren. Allowing for a story that offers a chance for multiple artists to try their hand at the adventures of previous Cobra Commanders over the terrorist organization’s long history, writer Paul Allor introduces a character who uses storytelling and the spoken word to reshape and control the thoughts of her enemies.

Because the focus is all on Cobra and so much of the story is flashbacks to tales Siren offers various targets the Baroness (who doesn’t understand what Siren does or why Cobra Commander shows faith in her) puts in front of her, G.I. JOE #12 is very different than any other issue of the series.

Focused on telling the legendary and bloody history of former Cobra Commanders, the latest issue fills in readers to just how long Cobra has been operating. It also reminds us that not all of Cobra’s attacks come with a H.I.S.S. Tank, M.A.S.S. Device, or a gun. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Larfleeze #6

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Larfleeze #6After being sidelined for the last two issues by the resurrected Orange Lantern Corps, Larfleeze is finally able to break his bonds and turn the tables on his captors after his hallucinatory mother reminds him the rings of his enemies all came from him. After disarming his captors, including the horsey, Larfleeze sticks around to offer some payback and gloating, but rather than kill his the Corps he decides to abandon them on the lifeless planet where they spent the last several days torturing the Orange Lantern.

In danger of stalling with Lafleeze’s capture, the main story picks back up with his release and regaining control of the Orange Energy. As to the Wanderer and Pulsar Stargrave, they spend the entire issue checking out her indecisive old enemies the Council of Ten who have followed her and Laord of the Hunt to this new dimension.

Where the action and humor of the main story picks up (I love the horsey), Stargrave’s tale (which is nothing more than the pair watching an uninteresing group of characters) suffers a bit. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Guardians of the Galaxy #10

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Guardians of the Galaxy #10In an attempt to bury the hatchet of the first encounter of trying to kill each other, Gamora and Angela do some warrior-woman bonding by attempting to free the slaves of the planet Moord from the Brotherhood of the Badoon and, if possible, learn what has become of Thanos following his failure to destroy the Earth. As neither is much of a tactician their plan mainly consists of jumping directly into the fray and killing lots, and lots, of Badoon.

For those looking for a fun action-packed issue featuring the team’s two female heavy hitters this is the issue for you. Although this gives the pair time to (brutally) form a new friendship, it also means that the rest of the team is largely absent. In fact Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon each only earn short cameos.

The issues also sets up a reason to tie the series into Marvel’s new Inhumanity event (something I’m not excited for) while also suggesting that the Badoon may have had dealings with Angela’s people in the past. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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