Comics

Fairest #15

/ / Comics

Fairest #15With Fairest #15 writer Sean E. Williams and Stephen Sadowski step-in to tackle a Hindu legend and introduce a new character to the Fables universe. Nalayani is the toughest and smartest warrior of a small village continually under attack by both rogues and wolves.

With her village in desperate need of aid, Nalayani travels to the new Maharajah (who is not what you’d expect). On the way she will make an unusual friend in a Tabaqui, a jackal who proves to be more trustworthy than she first suspects, and will have another run-in with the rogues which will teach the men the errors of messing with a woman known for her skill with a bow.

More off the beaten path than the more recognizable characters of the first few arcs, this opening issue of Nalayani and her story is well told and the art works well. The stylized lettering by letterer Todd Klein leave something to be desired as at times some of the wording is difficult to read, but overall Fairest #15 succeeds in selling it’s latest arc and an intriguing new character. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Super Dinosaur #19

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Super Dinosaur #19Derek Dynamo and Super Dinosaur get their first taste of Tyrannosaurus X when the super-powered dinosaur version of Max Maximus battles the two heroes above the Statue of Liberty and all through New York City.

The pair have their hands full with a villain whose at least as smart as Derek and more powerful than Super Dinosaur. In terms of action Super Dinosaur #19 certainly delivers as the entire comic (aside from the scenes shown in Dynamo Dome) are all focused on the fight (and Tyrannosaurus X kicking our heroes butts).

Although Derek and SD win the day (with a little luck and a giant explosion from SD’s overloaded armor), the comic does a good job of setting up Tyrannosaurus X as a legitimate threat in a way that mad scientist Max Maximus never quite worked. Here’s hoping we see much more of the new super-villain in the coming months. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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47 Ronin #4

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47 Ronin #4The calm before the storm finds the ronin of Lord Asano scattered across the land working as farmers or laborers, or, as in the instance of Oishi Kuranosuke Yoshio, shaming any lasting respect they might have by playing the role of a town drunk. After months of planning, Kira Yoshinaka has finally been lulled into a sense of security and begins to fire some of his guards and spies as he plans to move into his new palace.

Hearing the news they have been waiting for, the group finally gathers to fulfill their vow to return the honor of their fallen lord and exact their vengeance of Kira. Oishi joins the group, after taking care of a spy who has glimpsed his drunken buffoonery is nothing more than an act, setting up for what should be an action-heavy final issue next month.

Writer Mike Richardson and artist Stan Sakai’s retelling of the classic Japanese legend has been heavy on story and character, but that should change with the series’ finale. (And, even more importantly, it will free Sakai to return to doing what he does best – write and draw Usagi Yojimbo.) Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.99]

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Worlds’ Finest #12

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Worlds' Finest #12After discovering the creature masquerading as Michael Holt is actually Darkseid‘s right-hand man Desaad, Power Girl finds herself under attack from all sides as warriors from Apokolips destroy various Starr facilities around the globe, Boom Tube-ing in and out without a trace, and Karen Starr herself is attacked in the press as her carefully created celebrity persona begins cracking around the edges.

Once again we get three artists whose styles only sort of work well together giving the art of issue #12 the kind of inconsistent look readers have come to expect from the series one-year run. It appears we’re going to get much more Apokolips and Desaad for the foreseeable future. I’ll admit this doesn’t excite me, but the Kara/Helena relationship at the heart of the comic continues to be its real focus.

An interesting note, Power Girl here appears in her classic costume (as well as the crappy New 52 version in flashbacks) that was reintroduced in the latest issue of Supergirl. I’m happy to see her back in her classic costume, but I did expect some explanation or acknowledgement of the change.

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Detective Comics #20

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Detective Comics #20The Emperor Penguin storyline comes to an end as Batman battles Ogilvy, the self-proclaimed new crime king of Gotham who stole the Penguin‘s money and operation for his own. Underestimating his opponent, Batman arrives to discover Ogilvy has been busy by combining the stolen Man-Bat serum along with a version of Venom and a little contribution from Poison Ivy to craft himself into a legitimate super-villain threat.

Although I think Ogilvy is made too much of a threat too quickly, the fight between the would be king and Batman works well (even if it does require the Penguin to save our hero). It also gives us one of the better original New 52 villains. Batman makes up for the ass kicking he takes by putting down Ogilvy in short order, but he can’t take away Ogilvy’s short-lived victory.

The issue also includes a back-up story involving Ogilvy’s transport to Blackgate Prison and look at his origins. The story also brutally foreshadows the fact that the new Bat-villain is only getting started. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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