Comics

Grodd #1

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Grodd #1The basic premise of these Forever Evil .1 tie-in issues is to show fans what the bigger name villians get up to when the heroes of the DCU disappear. This is problematic for the obvious reason that you’re buying a comic to see the hero’s adventures and with The Flash #23.1 it’s also an issue as the New 52 version of Grodd is fare less interesting than the original.

What made Grodd originally interesting (and ridiculous) was the character’s great intellect shoved into a gorilla’s body. Here we’re left with a brutal warrior without the cunning or charm of the original.

On the eve of a peaceful Gorilla City officially becoming a neighbor of Central City (so much for the invisible African home) a Speed-Force-infused Grodd shows up to take control of his former warriors leading to bloodshed. Yeah, it’s Planet of the Apes.

It’s not a bad issue and its competently told, but without the Flash, regular co-writer and artist Francis Manapaul, or a willingness to embrace the absurdity of the hero’s Rogues it does feel a bit flat. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Poison Ivy #1

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Poison Ivy #1As part of Forever Evil (DC’s new event that I’m not now, or planning on ever, reading) villains take over various titles in the coming weeks as the DC heroes have all gone missing. Here Detective Comics turns over Gotham to Poison Ivy who wastes little time in transforming the entire city from a concrete jungle into a far more natural one.

Given the absence of Batman (or any other member of the Bat-Family to stop her) it doesn’t take long before the eco-terrorist turned super-villain has recreated the entire city in her image. Writer Derek Fridolfs and artist Jason Fabok also take the opportunity to flush out Ivy’s New 52 origins a little more fully (which include unnecessarily tying her research to Wayne Enterprises and a backstory involving her abusive father).

Detective Comics #23.1 isn’t a great issue by any means, but I was able to easily follow the story without being forced to seek out Forever Evil. I could have done without the usual New 52 tweaks to Pamela Isley’s origins but the core of the character seems largely intact. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Daredevil: Dark Nights #4

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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

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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

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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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