Comics

Nova #6

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Nova #6Nova #6 marks Sam‘s return home from his battle with Titus and fighting the Phoenix Force with the Avengers (which the comic alludes to but doesn’t explain for those of us not reading whatever Avengers title this took place in). With an offer to join the Avengers and a new personal relationship with Thor, Nova returns home to a very concerned mother, school bullies, and the consequences of leaving his life behind for weeks at a time.

Zeb Wells does a pretty job stepping in for Jeph Loeb and keeping the tone and humor of the title consistent with the previous issues. Although I like Paco Medina’s art (even if Sam appears to be a tad bit older for some reason) I’m definitely going to miss Ed McGuinness whose work on the first arc of the series did quite a bit to sell me on the character.

There’s some nice moments here between Sam and his mother as well as the foreshadowing of just how screwed up the young man’s life will become the longer he plays super-hero. It’s a nice issue, but it’s certainly not a must-read. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Supergirl #22

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Supergirl #22With Krypton gone and her place on Earth uncertain, Kara searches for a new safe harbor while still feeling the effects of the Kryptonite poisoning that is slowly killing her. This leads her to I’noxia, a planet of near infinite possibilities which can recreate anything based on a person’s memories – even Krypton.

Although Kara has mixed feelings at bringing her home, mother, and friends back to life with a simple thought she has to admit to feeling at peace for the first time since leaving Krypton. However, she soon discovers what the Cyborg-Superman wants in return for her shiny new life and must admit she’s got pretty bad taste is men (especially those offering her a return to her homeworld).

Whereas most of New 52 Superman titles still feel a bit off as the character on display still hasn’t grown into the iconic Man of Steel, I’ve enjoyed the Supergirl issues I’ve read. They haven’t quite grabbed my attention to add it to my pull-list every month, but in the gritty New 52 Kara’s humor, self-deprecation, and willingness to not take herself too seriously is a welcome salve. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Fables #131

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Fables #131The beginning of the Camelot arc is a little deceiving as we don’t get King Arthur or the Knights of the Round Table in the first issue of the new storyline. Instead Fables #131 is mainly concerned with the fallout of the recent Snow White arc involving plans to try and piece Bigby back together again and the autopsy of Prince Brandish (who it turns out is even harder to kill than originally believed).

Other than these nagging storylines, the issue also focuses on both Rose Red‘s humorous reunions with Hope and her niece Therese which lead the directionless Fable to finally accept her role as the Paladin of Hope and begin her plans to reconstitute a new Camelot in Fabletown, beginning with the creation of a new round table.

All geared up for King Arthur, I have to say I was a little dismayed at the bait-and-switch here. That said, I like Rose Red and I’m curious to see how her story unfolds with an attempt to recreate something as grand as Camelot. As for Brandish, the best thing his character did was to die in an agonizing fashion and I’m less happy to see him sticking around. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Daredevil #28

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Daredevil #28When Matt Murdock is approached for help by his childhood bully, Daredevil has grave reservations about defending the person who made his childhood a living hell, and is responsible for the nickname “Daredevil,” from charges that he belonged to a terrorist organization. Beginning with Matt visiting Foggy in the hospital, the issue certainly focuses more on Matt than his horned alter-ego.

Although he originally turns down the case, Murdock’s conscience gets the better of him and he finally agrees to prep Nate Hackett to defend himself in court (which turns out to be quite entertaining). The emotions of Matt’s struggles to both sit at Foggy’s bedside and help an old enemy each work well (even if I’m not comfortable with yet another retcon of where Daredevil got his name).

The issue ends in bizarre fashion as the Sons of the Serpent make sure Hackett doesn’t give away any privileged information about their society by having the judge shoot the defendant in the middle of the courtroom. I was thrown off a little by these last few panels, but I trust that Waid knows where he’s going. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #23

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #23Season Nine‘s final arc continues to heat up as Buffy and the demon council head into the depths of The Deeper Well to stop Severin from stealing enough power from the sarcophagi of the Old Ones to tear a hole in reality in order to bring his girlfriend back to life. Buffy also searches desperately for the magic which will stop Dawn from disappearing and must stop Simone‘s whose dark plans which involve an army of Slayer Zompires and the demon who created the first vampire – Maloker.

There’s quite a bit of action here balanced by some tough choices for the Slayer as she must abandon her mission to save her sister in order to once again save the world and a tender moment between Dawn and Xander who tries desperately to get the woman he loves to fight against disappearing into nothingness.

Despite some ups and downs, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine is looking as if it will end on a high note as well as the possibility that some form of magic will be returned to world helping to set up a new storyline when the characters move on to Season Ten. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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