Comics

Transformers: Regeneration One #91

Transformers: Regeneration One #91In a story arc that’s offered us Grimlock, Starscream, and Shockwave, and teased of the first showdown between Optimus Prime and Galvatron, the latest issue of Transformers: Regeneration One is something of a disappointment as it deals with the fallout of Scorponok‘s plan to release the “Warrior Gene” and turn all the Autobots into Decepticons (yeah, I know exactly how dumb that sounds).

Transformers: Regeneration One #91 primarily deals with the Autobots on Cybertron facing their own actions now that the Gene has been turned off and blaming Hot Rod‘s leadership for the entire misadventure, especially as he was deep inside Cyberton learning more about Primus and the primordial Transformers while this was going on.

Although the issue does have appearances by Soundwave and Prowl, and gives us the Dinobots willing to work with Hot Rod to return to the center of Cybertron in search of their fallen leader, it centers around the comic’s most ridiculous storline leading to mixed results. Pass.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Star Wars #5

Star Wars #5The latest issue of Star Wars is split between Han Solo and Chewbacca trying to stay one-step ahead of the Imperial agents on their trail deep underground in Coruscant and Leia and her team of Stealth X-Wings being ambushed by a Star Destroyer and an entire fleet of TIE Interceptors.

The Leia storyline provides much of the action as Leia is severely wounded in a dangerous attempt to save the squadron. While dodging Stormtrooper and a pair of recognizable bounty hunters, Han and Chewie make a new acquaintance who offers them a way off the Imperial homeworld, but there’s a question as to whether or not they can trust the young woman or meet her steep price.

With the focus on the other characters, Luke and Prithi‘s storyline gets only a couple of pages, as does that of the Dark Lord of the Sith who makes a decision concerning the troubling identity of the young man who destroyed the first Death Star and Vader‘s current assignment overseeing the new Death Star. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #21


Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #21With Willow‘s return and Xander preparing to betray his friends to save Dawn, Season Nine moves closer to the finale as “The Core” begins with Buffy, Willow, and Xander heading to the only place on Earth that might have enough magical energy to save Dawn’s life – The Deeper Well.

Angel fans should recognize the name of Ilyria‘s resting place where her sarcophagus was housed, along with those of countless other Old Ones, from “A Hole in the World” (you remember, the heart-wrenching episode where Fred dies – damn you Joss Whedon!). I like the comic bringing back the setting to kick start what looks to be the season’s final arc, and provide another instance of the characters making a bold short-term decision without really thinking out the lasting implications if something goes wrong (you know, Buffy logic).

Buffy and her friends will discover the Deeper Well has not been left unguarded as the powerful entities remaining in our dimension want to protect the power of the Old Ones from falling into the wrong hands (not that something like that will stop the Scoobies from their dangerous plan). Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Atomic Robo Free Comic Book Day 2013

Atomic Robo Free Comic Book Day 2013Every year you can count on Atomic Robo to deliver one of the best comics of Free Comic Book Day. The 2013 issue features out intrepid science adventurer (who just happens to be an atomic-powered robot built by Nikola Tesla) taking on a rogue robot.

Full of humor and action, Atomic Robo Free Comic Book Day 2013 is mostly centered around Atomic Robo getting his butt kicked for most of the issue. Thankfully, he knows to bring back-up. The issue should work for both longtime fans of the comic and new readers who are getting their first taste of Atomic Robo zaniness. For those who weren’t able to get their hands on a physical copy of the issue writer Brian Clevinger and artist Scott Wegener have put the entire adventure online.

The issue also includes a look at a new Red 5 series, Bodie Troll featuring a cute troll with ADHD incapable of scaring anyone. It may not be as good as the Atomic Robo story, but it’s goofy and fun. Worth a look.

[Red 5, FREE]

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Batman and Red Hood #20

Batman and Red Hood #20How can a comic that starts off so well end in the kind of trainwreck that will damage two of DC’s Bat-books for months to come? The latest issue of Batman and… gives us a team-up of a more brutal Batman than we’ve seen in a while with Red Hood who has finally found some peace with his mentor after the fallout of mostly wretched Death of the Family.

The only good thing to come out of Death of the Family was bringing Jason Todd back into the fold. Well, that was short lived. When Batman tries to force Jason to face his death and resurrection, hoping for clues to do the same to Damian, the hard earned respect between the characters is thrown away in a handful of panels (perhaps for good).

Although I think Todd overreacts to Batman’s grief, the result is to push yet another member of the Bat-Family further from the Dark Knight Detective. Batman and Red Hood #20 also offers another appearance by Carrie Kelley looking for Damian, teasing that she’s not going away anytime soon. Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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