Comics

Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #8

/ / Comics

Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #8Realizing someone is after his technology, Nikola Tesla hires a Master Wong Kei-Ying and Annie Oakley to protect the scientist’s Magnifying Transmitter which Tesla is moving by train. It’s a good thing he did to, as the train is hijacked and the unlikely pair of a martial artist and cocky sharpshooter are all that stand in the way of the shadowy group getting their hands on another of Tesla’s inventions.

There’s plenty of action here involving Wong taking down a train load of robbers and the explosion of the train itself when it becomes necessary to destroy Tesla’s invention rather than allow it to fall into the wrong hands. Wong and Oakley make for an amusing pair who I wouldn’t mind see more of in the future.

The back-up story concludes Atomic Robo and his group’s discovery of a giant robot in Egypt. As Robo and the other scientist argue how best to continue with the creature looming large before them, Jenkins takes matters into his own hands and settles the question once and for all. Worth a look.

[Red 5, $2.75]

Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #8 Read More »

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22

/ / Comics

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22Tired of the encroaching Savante and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles both meddling in his plans for the city, the Shredder decides to lay a trap by kidnapping Casey Jones and forcing the Turtles and Splinter to rush in and save him without the time to come up with a plan.

The ensuing fight features all four Turtles, plenty of Foot Ninja, Alopex, Karai, and even Shredder himself who give the Turtles a little more incentive to jump immediately into the fray and save their wounded friend. Although the Turtles manage to drag the Casey to safety, the Shredder’s plan works to perfection as one member of the group doesn’t make it out of the fight. Trading Casey for Leonardo, Shredder’s plans for his would-be new first lieutenant (teased months ago) can now begin in earnest.

I don’t envy any artist starting a new arc following and issue Kevin Eastman drew himself. Honestly, I have a mixed reaction to the art by Mateus Santolouco, especially with his depiction of April. Some of the action sequences are well done, but I think it’s going to take me some time to get used to his style. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22 Read More »

G.I. JOE #4

/ / Comics

G.I. JOE #4IDW’s new main G.I. JOE title began with a select team of JOEs being ambushed and separated in what what they expected to be an easy mission in Warrenton, Ohio, only to find themselves hunted by the locals who have all been turned by Cobra. G.I. JOE #4 will see the team finally reunited as Quick Kick and Doc work to save Shipwreck‘s life, Cover Girl frees Duke from Dr. Mindbender‘s virtual reality, and Roadblock leads the rest of the team to knock out the transmitter blocking their coms.

With Doc injured, Quick Kick does some emergency field surgery, but even near death’s door Shirpwreck manages to steal one of the comic’s best sequences as he returns the favor by saving both Quick Kick and Doc after they have stabilized his condition. We also get the teasing of a future relationship between the Baroness and Destro.

The comic ends with Tunnel Rat realizing what Cobra’s plan really is when he comes face-to-face with Scrap-Iron who has wired the entire town to blow and make it look like the entire incident was the fault of the JOEs.

…

G.I. JOE #4Read More »

G.I. JOE #4 Read More »

A + X #8

/ / Comics

A + X #8The concept for A + X is pretty simple. It’s your basic team-up issue with one member of the Avengers working with one member of the X-Men. Broken into a main story and a back-up story (featuring a different team-up) I’ve found the series to be occasionally entertaining but also inconsistent as usually one story in each issue is far better than the other. A+X #8 marked an occasion where I liked the possibilities of both team-ups.

The first story gives us Spider-Woman and Kitty Pryde working together to take down the Absorbing Man and agents of A.I.M. in the New York underground. Although it was Spider-Woman’s inclusion that made me pick up the issue, the story is actually far more about Kitty Pryde and how scary powerful she has become. In truth Jessica Drew is little more than back-up here.

Although I’ve never been a big fan of Hawkeye, I really enjoyed Deadpool Team-Up and the idea of Deadpool driving any Avenger crazy for half an issue appealed to me. Despite having some nice moments as well, the story isn’t nearly as zany or outrageous as I was hoping. Hit-and-Miss.

[Marvel, $3.99]

A + X #8 Read More »

The Flash #20

/ / Comics

The Flash #20The return of writer/artist Francis Manapul marks the beginning of a new arc as Barry Allen returns to work at the police station, although in the Paper Morgue rather than the Crime Lab, puts the past behind him and recommits himself to his relationship with Patty Spivot, investigates a weird artifact that is somehow powered by the Speed Force, and begins looking into the deaths of Albert and Marissa who the police suspect was killed by Gomez.

Although the villain makes only a cameo at the beginning of the issue to kill Marissa, The Flash #20 officially kicks off the Reverse-Flash arc (complete with the villain’s awful New 52 makeover). Barry’s only lead is the lightning symbol which mistakenly believes is tied to Kid Flash not the hero’s greatest villain who he has yet to meet.

It’s great to see Manapual and his beautiful art of the Flash in action return. Next month offers the first meeting between Flash and Kid Flash and you have to wonder with the unseen villain targeting those who were temporarily trapped in the Speed Force how long it will take Barry to realize Iris is likely his next target. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

The Flash #20 Read More »