Comics

Daredevil: Dark Nights #4

Daredevil: Dark Nights #4Somedays it just doesn’t pay to be a super-hero. Writer/artist David Lapham takes over with a new story involving Daredevil chasing down the 10-inch nuisance known as Buggit who just stole crucial evidence from a case involving Matt Murdock’s latest client. Most of the comic features Daredevil becoming increasingly frustrated with being unable to apprehend the little S.O.B. who, while leading him through a wild goose chase all over New York, continues to put our hero in harms way including dropping him right into the path to the Shocker.

Although I didn’t stick around to see how Lee Weeks‘ first arc of the anthology ended, a new writer/artist and the appearance of the Shocker on the cover (who sadly only appears on a couple of pages) made me pick this one up. Doing double duty, Lapham captures the spirit of the character (and the ridiculous situation he finds himself in) while providing several great panels of Daredevil in action.

After a mostly fun lighthearted affair I was a little sad to see the comic take such a dark turn on the final page. Although I’d recommend this issue, I’m not sure I like where the story is headed. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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G.I. JOE: The Cobra Files #6

G.I. JOE: The Cobra Files #6The latest issue of G.I. JOE: The Cobra Files turns its attention on the covert team’s leader. Through flashbacks writer Mike Costa and artist Werther Dell’Edera deliver a look at what makes Flint tick and the choices that led him to lead this team and to decide its need to be disbanded as soon as humanly possible.

Given his recent capture and the team’s volatile nature which includes two former agents of Cobra, Cobra Commander’s son, and a computer programmer who may be losing his grip on reality you can definitely see where Flint is coming from (although his unresolved feelings for Chameleon certainly factor in as well).

To be honest, I’ve never been that big a fan of Flint who I’ve always seen as a blander Duke. This issue does a good job in fleshing out and selling the character as the man willing to take the job that needs to be done (whether or not he believes he’s a good fit for the assignment). As to whether the team (and comic’s) days truly are numbered, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Batman: Black and White #1

Batman: Black and White #1The newest volume of the anthology series Batman: Black and White features stories written and penned by some of comics best featuring an eclectic mix of Batman adventures. My two favorite stories of the collection involve a young Dick Grayson Robin and Superman searching for a missing Batman by Chip Kidd with terrific art by Michael Cho and a Harley Quinn/Poison Ivy adventure by Maris Wicks and Joseph A Quinones Jr. involving tainted hamburger meat that hearkens back to the glory days of Batman: The Animated Series.

Also include here are a Zombie Batman story written and drawn by Neal Adams (weird, and a tad too preachy) and Batman hunting down a determined Ventriloquist by Howard Mackie and Chris Samnee (I liked the art better than the story). The only story that didn’t work for me was the one offered by John Arcudi and Sean Murphy which turns the Dark Knight into a little too much of a gear-head for my tastes. Batman has had quite a career in comics over the years and this first issue gives us a little bit of everything from the Dark Knight’s past. Despite a $5 cover price and the lack of color and inks, fans should enjoy this one. Worth a look.

[DC, $4.99]

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Larfleeze #3

Larfleeze #3Things get even more confusing for Pulsar Stargrave when he meets The Wanderer, the cosmic entity from Laord of the Hunt‘s dimension who has kept him alive and apparently bought Stargrave from Larfleeze before the Orange Lantern was beaten by her brother.

At first Stargrave can’t believe his good fortune as The Wanderer certainly makes for a far less bloodthirsty or insane master compared to his previous employers. Of course when The Wanderer decides the first step in preparing Stargrave for his new role is his castration all bets are off.

Freeing Larfleeze, Stargrave’s former employer sets off to steal all of Laord’s wealth and creates Orange Lantern constructs to deal with The Wanderer and reacquire his property, however things take yet another turn when The Wanderer uses her powers to turn the constructs into flesh and blood Orange Lanterns not too happy with being betrayed and slaughtered by their old pal Larfleeze in another goofy and enjoyable issue from Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Ame-Comi Girls #7

Ame-Comi Girls #7The Ame-Comi Girls begin a new series with a weird reintroduction of Jesse Quick as a zombie speedster (seriously, wasn’t she a living hero just a few issues back?) and her introduction to the Teen Hellions: a group of alien, undead, and monsterific heroes who need her help to save the world.

Aside from the odd rebooting of Quick’s origins (why not just introduce a new character, it’s not like the DCU is lacking in them?), Ame-Comi Girls #7 is quite fun as the Flash heads out for her night of fun to help Red Raven, Cyborg, Tempest, Beast Girl, and Starfire battle Raven’s daddy Trigon who shows up with an army of demons to take over the world every year or so.

There’s plenty of action and some nice humor between Raven and Trigon as the invasion of Earth by a demon horde all because of one guy’s daddy issues embraces the absurdity of the situation in a way the New 52 never would. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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