Comics

Larfleeze #1

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Larfleeze #1Honestly the idea of Larfleeze, the greedy Orange Lantern, getting his own comic didn’t really interest me. However, the idea of re-teaming Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis, two of the three men responsible for the insanely awesome late 1980’s Justice League, for the project certainly got my attention. And I’m glad it did.

The entire first issue reintroduces the character of Larfleeze to readers with a prolonged series of untrustworthy flashbacks as Larfleeze and his butler Pulsar Stargrave stare into the abyss of Creation Point waiting to die. The fact that Pulsar doesn’t want to die doesn’t seem to phase Larfleeze whatsoever (although him launching into his life story yet again certainly doesn’t help the butler’s mood).

Throw in a giant energy space dog and you’ve got the makings of a really good first issue, although I’m not totally sold on the art by Scott Kolins (perhaps Kevin Maguire is available?). My interest in this comic has more to do with the people writing it than the character, but (for at least for one issue) that produces the kind of madcap fun the New 52 has been sorely missing. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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47 Ronin #5

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47 Ronin #5Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai’s retelling of the classic Japanese legend concludes in this oversized issue as the samurai of Lord Asano finally take their revenge on the man who cost them their honor and their master his life.

Even with the extra pages events feel a little rushed to wrap-up the remaining story in a single issue. There’s certainly a good amount both action and bloodshed, but nothing gratuitous as the story is handled by Richardson and Sakai with the proper respect. Those who haven’t been keeping up with the series might want to wait and pick up the entire collection as a graphic novel which I think may suit the story better than five separate issues.

I happy to see Richardson and Sakai bring to story to a satisfactory conclusion, especially as that means Sakai’s responsiblities on the mini-series are done once again freeing him to do what he does best and return to beloved creation Usagi Yojimbo. For those of us with serious rabbit ronin withdrawal it can’t come soon enough. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.99]

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Daredevil #27

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Daredevil #27Picking up with Daredevil confronting both Bullseye and Ikari, Daredevil #27 fills in the blanks to Bulleye’s transformation from hitman to super-criminal genius in a box before the villain spills how he’s put all of Daredevil’s nearest and dearest in danger. Thankfully for Matt Murdock’s loved ones, he has a few friends of his own.

Closing out the arc you’d expect another big battle between Daredvil and Ikari, especially after Lady Bullseye shows up and decrease the chances of Daredevil surviving the night even further. Writer Mark Waid pulls a bit of a fast one here, by Daredevil finding a way to defeat all three villains by using his brains (and leaving Bulleseye even more of a mess than when the issue started).

Daredevil #27 very much focuses on the hero out-thinking his opponents rather than using his enhanced skill-set to take them down. Because of this, and the quick wrap-up, we’re left questioning whether Daredevil can actually beat Ikari and just who that masked man really is. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Fatale #15

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Fatale #15After loosing his leg and spending nearly a year in jail the latest issue of Fatale finally picks up the thread of Nicholas Lash‘s storyline. Combing over the edited pages of his uncle’s manuscript in search of answers to the secret of Josephine, the obsessed Lash is finally let out of prison and taken to the courthouse where a madman kills his lawyer and helps him escape, all for her. It appears she hasn’t forgotten him after all.

The rest of the issue takes place years earlier when a member of a struggling band turned bank robber discovers a nude and bloodied Josephine on the side of the road. We get glimpses of what she escaped from, and at least one man still on her trail, but Josephine herself seems lost and confused as to how she ended up naked running through the woods.

I’m happy to see Lash’s return but the length of his story cuts into the opening of Josephine’s new arc which has to spend several pages introducing Lance as well. This means the crux behind the new arc is teased but not really shown. Still, fans of Fatale should enjoy themselves here. Worth a look.

[Image, $3.50]

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Justice League #21

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Justice League #21DC Comics regrettable reboot of Captain Marvel‘s origin concludes her with the new dickish and rather dim (seriously, where’s the wisdom of Solomon when you need it?) Captain Marvel, I’m still not calling him Shazam, fighting it out with Black Adam and evil of the Seven Deadly Sins possessing a guy who was once mean to Billy (who, let’s face it, this a-hole version of the beloved character who defined purity, grace, honesty, and wonder for more than 70 years probably deserved it).

The issue is only really memorable for the introduction of the Marvel Family. Wait, are we supposed to call the the Shazam Family now? Can anyone really say Mary Shazam or Shazam Jr. with a straight face? Anyway, Black Adam (being the dullard that he is) teaches Billy to share his powers and give them to his adopted foster family and Tawky Tawny (sadly transforming him into the Battle Cat Flashpoint version (the alternate reality so gritty it had to be destroyed… insert your own ironic joke here), not the classic awesomeness of a talking tiger in a well-tailored suit). Also, no Hoppy. Sigh.

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