Comics

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #29

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #29Beaten, battered, and broken, the Turtles exile from New York City begins with a trip to April‘s family farm in Northampton. The journey not only allows the Turtles time to rest and lick their wounds, and for Leonardo to come to terms with Shredder‘s brainwashing, but also for April to spend some time with her parents (which may also hold some important answers for the Turtles as well).

Splinter, the Turtles, Casey, and April aren’t the only ones who make the trip north as a former Foot lieutenant decides to stowaway with them. With Leonardo’s mind still far from right I’m going to be very interested to see what Alopex‘s true motives are and whether the arctic fox becomes a friend and ally to the Turtles.

From Leonardo and Raphael‘s continued squabbling, and Leo’s refusal to accept Splinter’s commands, it’s obvious there’s much healing to be done over the next few months but the tale April’s parents have to tell may give the Turtles yet another reason for returning home sooner than planned. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Scarlet Spider #25

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Scarlet Spider #25After two years Kaine‘s adventures in Houston as the Scarlet Spider end in the title’s final issue. Picking up some time after the events that ended Kaine’s super-hero career which are shown in a series of flashbacks which demonstrate the former killer’s heroics and the face of his monstrous nature (and why he can never return to Houston) we find Kaine and Aracely working their way down the Mexican coast in an attempt to begin a new life and forget their old one.

Although the entire issue has a somber mood, writer Christopher Yost still manages to infuse it with the spirit of the title’s more upbeat issues. I’m glad to see Kaine and Aracely together at the end of the series which suggests (hopefully) that she’ll be joining him in Marvel’s New Warriors title early next year. The idea I’m going to have to read a New Warriors comic to get more of Scarlet Spider isn’t great news, but Aracely’s involvement would soften the blow.

I’ll miss this title which leaves me no monthly Spidey comics (at least none I care to read). And I’ll miss Yost’s rehabilitative take on a character who ends the series far more interesting than when it began. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Star Wars #12

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Star Wars #12After getting all the recently-returned Rebel soldiers up to speed on recent events (including Kell Bircher‘s role as the Rebellion’s mole within the Empire) the comic moves forward with Wedge announcing his plans to form Rouge Squadron, Prithi‘s decision to leave the Rebellion and return home to Chalacta, and Leia making a startling announcement about the Rebellion’s new home… and that of her future husband.

Of all the big events in this single issue fans are likely to be psyched for the creation of Rouge Squadron, but my attention was directed at the sad farewell of Luke and Prithi (by far the comic’s most interesting original character who I’m very sorry to see go).

As to Leia’s pronouncement of her plans to wed and get an entire planet for the Rebellion as a dowry, while still having time to get into some sexually-tense moments with Han, we’ll have to see what circumstances occur to throw a wrench into the proceedings and leave Leia free, years later, to marry a certain scruffy-looking nerfhereder. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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G.I. JOE #11

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G.I. JOE #11Rather than move forward to immediately deal with the fallout from the “Threat Matrix” story arc, the latest issue of G.I. JOE takes a look back at the circumstances behind how Roadblock became a member of the team. The issue begins with the Roadblock dealing with the apparent death of his cousin (terrifically portrayed by artist Steve Kurth).

Despite being told Heavy Duty died on a top secret operation, the soldier begins to suspect his cousin may still be alive which leads him to hunt down an IP address, break into a secret military facility, and headbutt Snake Eyes (an awesome sight that does not go unnoticed by Scarlett). His ingenuity and toughness not only lead him to find his missing cousin but get recruited to join Heavy Duty as a member of the JOEs. Worth a look.

Giving us a look at the origins of not one but two JOEs (and a cameo from Snake Eyes) G.I. JOE #11 is a very good single issue break from the title’s ongoing storylines. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #26

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #26After taking several months off from this title I returned to see Jason Todd get his memory returned and battle alongside Starfire and Arsenal against the League of Assassins and newly-rejuvenated Ra’s al Ghul. Although the issue still relies a bit too much on the All-Caste subplot that’s been a huge part of the tile since it’s New 52 launch, the characters of Essence and Ducra are kept at arms-length here.

Given the choice of watching his friends die at the hands of Ra’s al Ghul and his soldiers, Todd chooses to remember his past and, once fully restored, reveals this was all part of his (irrational) plan.

The issue ends with the Red Hood and the Outlaws doing a pretty good job of holding their own against the League including the Red Hood fighting Bronze Tiger to a standstill. But should Todd be victorious (which seems likely as the comic has solicitations for the next several months) I’d like to see the character given a chance to spread his wings without the baggage of the All-Caste or the Outlaws to weigh him down. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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