Comics

G.I. JOE: Special Missions #8

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G.I. JOE: Special Missions #8This single issue tale has a little less action than you’re regular issue of G.I. JOE: Special Missions, but plenty of equipment and high-tech gadgetry, as the team’s nerdier members set out to stop a Cobra hacker from starting a war between two former Soviet Republics.

This is an issue where characters like Hard Drive, Spreadsheet, and Dial-Tone all get to strut their stuff and Mainframe (rather than someone like Duke or Scarlett) gets to perform the big heroic mission by destroying a Cobra drone at 60,000 feet before it can kill the one man capable of negotiating a settlement and stopping a full-out war.

I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want to see the series continue without some of the JOEs bigger names getting into the action as well, but for a one-off tale G.I. JOE: Special Missions #8 works pretty well and reminds readers about the diversity of the ranks and skill sets of the organization. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Superman/Wonder Woman #1

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Superman/Wonder Woman #1I wasn’t expecting much from the New 52‘s latest addition, but the first issue of Superman/Wonder Woman #1 from writer Charles Soule and artist Tony Daniel turns out to be better than expected. Focused more on the differences of the two characters and the unique challenges of their relationship, Superman/Wonder Woman #1 may not sell me on the idea of Superman and Wonder Woman as a couple, but it does find an interesting way to explore that relationship.

Of course if you’re going to put two of DC Comics’ biggest guns in a single book you’re going to need some big bads for them to fight. The cover teases the kinds of villains the pair may face as the series continues, but the first issue gives them a storm, a plane in need of rescue, and a monster-sized threat that certainly fits the bill with the appearance of Doomsday.

DC hasn’t been able to get me to stick with Wonder Woman or Superman’s various solo titles, but I’m at least a little interested to see where this will lead. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Morning Glories #32

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Morning Glories #32The fallout from Irina’s failed coup continues as the series loops back around to focus on the imprisoned Vanessa who is paid a visit by Hodge and offered a moment of closure with the boy she loved and lost.

Morning Glories #32 is an interesting issue because of what Hodge shows the young woman to try and repair their damaged relationship and what the comic hides from the character but shows us giving the audience a much clearer understanding of both Hodge’s motivations and Vanessa’s troubled future. Despite helping both Casey and now Vanessa, the latest issue implies Hodge may actually be the worst of the faculty in terms of manipulation.

We discover the Morning Glories Academy campus has another holy or mystical site which can be used to travel through time such as the cave and the tower. Hodge’s use of Zhuang Zhou‘s famous quote about about the loss of perception and understanding is a reminder that everything both the characters and audience experience in this world has far more facets than may be initially realized. Worth a look.

[Image, $3.50]

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Detective Comics #24

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Detective Comics #24The Wrath storyline wraps up here with the villain’s convoluted grand scheme to kill cops forcing them to buy defense armament from Caldwell’s firm defense which he will now activates to slowly kill them (so slowly it will in fact give Batman time to save everyone). As genius plans go, this one needs a little work.

After unceremoniously abandoning the cliffhanger of Alfred in the super-villain’s clutches, we get an air battle between Wrath and Batman followed later by a heavily-armored fist fight between the pair in the wreckage of the 13 Precinct where the Dark Knight leaves the bad guy at the mercy of James Gordon and a whole bunch of ticked off members of the GCPD.

The entire arc has felt largely uninspired, so I guess it’s no big surprise that the conclusion is a letdown as well. One interesting note: the main story ends on Officer Wallace’s “oh, shucky-darns Batman, you’re awesome” apology that I certainly don’t mind except that such unbridled naivete feels completely out of place in the gritty 90s realism of the New 52. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

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Green Hornet #6

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Green Hornet #6Reunited once more with the Green Hornet, Kato discovers how his friend has kept busy in the six weeks since their falling out. After hitting up various low-rent locales for protection money and information, the pair final turn their attention the the people actually behind The Voice and the various bombings around town.

Writer Mark Waid continues to play on the subterfuge the Green Hornet creates while masquerading as the city’s most notorious crime boss. Although Kato is still not sure about the lengths Britt Reid is willing to go to in order to sell the charade, he must admit his admiratation with the network the Hornet has been able to put together in such a short time.

The final sequences gives us the Green Hornet and Kato finally confronting the businessmen behind the bombings (featuring a great splash page by artist Daniel Indro), and the comic ends on a cliffhanger as we will soon see just how far Reid is willing to go to sell the Hornet’s act when he is tasked with killing and FBI agent. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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