Comics

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #21

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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

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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

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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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Fairest #15

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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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