Comics

Smallville Season Eleven: Alien #1

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Smallville Season Eleven: Alien #1Okay, I have a love/hate relationship with Smallville. The decade-long television show was high on promise (and I’ll admit I liked Tom Welling as a youngish Clark Kent) but often short on delivery which may have something to do with stretching its premise of Clark’s pre-Superman adventures far longer than anyone involved with the show originally thought possible.

Despite writer Bryan Q. Miller’s involvement in the new series I found it hard to give the title a fair shake (although I was sorely tempted when it looked like Stephanie Brown might get new life in its pages). With my dissatisfaction with much of current New 52 Superman (I’ve already decided to scratch Superman/Wonder Woman #2 from my pull list after only two issues), I decided to try the first issue of this new mini-series.

On the plus side the Smallville version of Superman’s costume is actually less ridiculous than the New 52 version and the character has more than a bit of the old Clark Kent who I’ve been missing (along with several pre-New 52 versions of the DCU).

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Velvet #2

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Velvet #2Picking up a few hours after the first issue‘s cliffhanger ending with Velvet Templeton on the run from the governmental spy organization she spent her entire life serving, Fitzroy heads to the Director of Arc-7 to relay the night’s events (and his team’s failed attempt to grab a secretary no one realized was once one of the agency’s top field officers) while demanding answers to just who the hell Velvet Templeton really is.

While showing us that Velvet may have lost a step or two in the years since she retired from field work, the second issue also shows us she still has the skills (and risk-taking maneuvers) to stay one-step ahead of those persuing her. On the run, the old spy decides if her own government is content to pin the recent murders on her rather than doing a proper investigation she’ll take the lead on her own.

A really strong second issue fills in a bit of Velvet’s past (at least to the man given the job of chasing her) as well as reveals a skeleton in her closet that might come back to haunt both her and the Director. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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Amazing X-Men #2

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Amazing X-Men #2Although he narrates much of the story seen in the second issue of the new series, Nightcrawler himself is absent from all but the final panel of Amazing X-Men #2. Instead the comic focuses on Iceman, Firestar, and Storm trying to survive Hell and Northstar‘s sheer glee at getting to fight flying pirates in Heaven (where Wolverine runs into an old friend).

The image of Iceman literally freezing Hell over is humorous but I was a bit perplexed why Bobby was able to stave off the heat for so long (as he goes from nearly melting in a puddle to pushing his powers, even in the best conditions, far beyond their limits). Northstar’s joy at the absurdity of the situation he finds himself in is also amusing (even if I’ve never been much of a fan of the character).

Despite his voice commenting on actions and events he couldn’t possibly be witnessing, the comic is missing the character who the entire first arc of the series is named after on. Because of this the second issue isn’t as strong (or as interesting) as the first, but it’s still worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Fairest #21

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Fairest #21For two years, since learning of the upcoming Fables spin-off, this is the storyline I have been waiting for. My initial foray into the Fables Universe didn’t come through the main title but a pair of mini-series featuring Cinderella. I immediately fell in love with the princess turned spy and I have been patiently (well, mostly patiently) awaiting her first appearance in Fairest. The wait is over.

Attacks on the life of Snow White and Cinderella’s shop bring the two Fables together (after Cinderella extricates herself from a group of trolls involved in sex trafficking) for the first issue of the series’ latest arc. Fairest #21 gives both female leads an opportunity to kick some ass and get their hands dirty as I’m sure the following issues will delve deeper into who is targeting them, and why.

I love the choice of returning artist Shawn McManus to draw the character (as he did for both Cinderella: Fables are Forever and Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love) and I’m looking forward to see where he and writer Marc Andreyko take Cinderella from here. Best of the week.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Daredevil: Dark Nights #7

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Daredevil: Dark Nights #7Daredevil and Misty Knight‘s adventures continue as their helicopter gets shot down miles from Cuba on their way to track down the kingpin whose men kidnapped Matt Murdock’s latest client. Eventually the pair make it to land only to face new threats including the rocket-launcher-totting Carmen Averez and the kingpin’s soldiers.

The quips and sexual tension between the two characters continue throughout the issue (as does Misty’s disappointment about not having her way with the hero under the moonlight). There’s plenty of action as well and an important reveal Misty’s insight on their target which sets up next month’s final issue of both the arc and the anthology.

There are some fun moments here, but the issue is really used to set-up the various conflicts in next month’s finale. Although it hasn’t been as good as Mark Waid‘s run on the regular title, I’ve enjoyed seeing other writers and artists play with the character over the past few months in these isolated tales. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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