Comics

G.I. JOE: Special Missions #4

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G.I. JOE: Special Missions #4And then everything goes straight to hell. The final issue of this first arc doesn’t end well for anyone. First, the Baroness has to deal with the mutiny of the mercenaries who have decided they’d rather kill her and take Cobra’s cash for their own. Next, Serpentor‘s Coil soldiers arrive to retreive the money and the Baroness’ head. And finally, the group of JOEs are stuck in the middle of everything as all hell breaks loose and the storm picks up, threatening to sink everyone aboard.

The JOEs are able to successfully tag Cobra’s money, but with it all once again buried at the bottom of the ocean it’s not really a victory worth celebrating. The Baroness gets away, although without the plunder she was seeking, and Coil is left empty-handed as well. And to save their teammates aboard the ship, Scarlett and Mainframe are forced to put their own lives at risk as well.

Although we didn’t get as much Scarlett as expected, this is good end to a pretty good opening arc although it still hasn’t sold me completely on the series. Next month: Dreadnoks. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Ame-Comi Girls #5

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Ame-Comi Girls #5Although it takes on the far distant planets of Thanagar and Rann, the Sinestra storyline continues here with the introduction and origins of two heroes: Hawkgirl and Alanna Strange. The first-half of the comic gives us the backstory of Hawkgirl before her planet is attacked by Sinestra and her army of Fear and Death which takes her husband in its service as a Black Lantern.

Although her planet is lost, Hawkgirl and several Thanagarians are saved by the quick thinking of Alanna Strange who transports as many away from the destruction as possible. From here we get an introduction of Alanna’s origins before the pair stop their bickering and agree to work together to stop Sinestra’s universe-wide path of destruction at a little blue planet known as Earth.

Although its themes can’t be called subtle, I really enjoyed the Hawkgirl story. The Strange story isn’t quite as strong, but it works as well to bring the characters together and set-up their eventual arrival on Earth. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Green Hornet #3

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Green Hornet #3The further the Green Hornet goes in trying find and unmask the mysterious Voice, a bomb-making madman with recorded diatribes and connection to the Nazis, the more concerned Kato becomes for his friend.

When the Hornet assumes the guilt and confronts a family friend who recently bruised his honor in front of the entire Sentinel staff on the flimsiest of evidence, turns an honest cop into a corrupt one for his own purposes, and Britt Reid decides to run for mayor seeking out more power to abuse, Kato has finally had enough. Warning Reid one last time about his God complex, the Green Hornet’s friend and confidant moves out.

The comic does a good job at showing us events from both Reid and Kato’s perspective as Reid’s harsh (but in his mind necessary) tactics are viewed completely different even by his best friend. I don’t think we need worry a permanent split between the pair, but it’s likely things will continue to get worse between the Hornet and Kato before they get better. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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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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