Comics

Nova #3

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Nova #3Surviving his first flight as Nova, Sam Alexander returns from the moon after getting a warning of impending danger from The Watcher to get chewed out by his mother for staying out to late and find Rocket Racoon and Gamora waiting for him. Needing Sam’s help, and keeping their promise to his father, Rocket and Gamora begin to train the new Nova and prepare him for what is to come (namely the fleet of Chitauri warships on their way to destroy the Earth).

I have to say I’m really enjoying this series as writer Jeph Loeb provides Sam with the right mix of joy and terror at the gift and heavy responsibility which has been laid at his feet. I still have mixed reaction to artist’s Ed McGuinness version of Rocket Raccoon, but the spirit of the character is intact.

The choice to bring the Chitauri into the proper Marvel Universe (they were originally a Marvel Ultimate creation) doesn’t bother me, although it is another sign of Marvel Studios directly influencing both the style and storylines of Marvel Comics. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Uncanny X-Men #4

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Uncanny X-Men #4With the Avengers temporarily out of picture halfway around the world, Cyclops and his team head to the Jean Grey School for Girls where he, Magneto, Emma Frost, and Magik make a pitch to the students. Although they might not get as many new recruits as Cyclops had hoped, the mission is far from a total loss as they do return home with Angel, and the Stepford Sisters (who decide to return with Emma even after engaging in a little psychic warfare with their “mother”).

While the grown-ups are out recruiting, Fabio Medina, Triage, Benjamin Deeds, and Tempus get to know each other a little better, check out their new digs, learn all about the Danger Room when they accidentally activate the program, and speculate whether or not they have made the right choice joining Cyclops’ team. These scenes are quite fun.

Meanwhile, Magik begins experiencing troubles of her own as she is pulled through hell and back setting up what I can only assume will be the focus of the next issue (or two).

…

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #20

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #20Friendship is at the crux of the latest issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine as one of the Scoobies returns and another will make a choice that may leave his relationship with the Slayer forever damaged. Willow returns with a little newfound magic power (which I’m guessing she got in that recent mini-series I couldn’t be bothered enough to read).

Willow’s return and the return of her bestie’s magic mojo gives Buffy hope that they might be able to save Dawn from the magic (or lack of) which is killing her. Still blaming Buffy for Dawn’s condition, Xander is offered a second alternative to help his girlfriend. Despite dismissing the the offer, he eventually caves and agrees to help Severin and Simone get what they need to stop Twilight from ever happening (which, when you think of how monumentally Season Eight went of the rails, may not be that much of a betrayal).

I’m not sure I like Xander as Judas, especially betraying Buffy to a coldblooded killer like Simone, but I’m willing to wait and let this play out. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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The Shadow #11

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The Shadow #11The “Revolutionary” story arc comes to an end with The Shadow exposing El Rey as nothing more than a puppet of the Black Sparrow who was using the figurehead, and further destabilizing all of Spain, for nothing more than the cold hard cash lining her pocket book.

Despite the pair’s obvious attraction, and the Black Sparrow’s offer of partnership, The Shadow continues his role as “Fate’s triggerman” by doing a dance of death with his adversary on the castle walls on last time before avoiding temptation and steeling himself for a hard decision which makes it unlikely we’ll see the Sparrow again anytime soon.

I’ve enjoyed this arc by the series’ new creative team, even if I am a bit sad to see the Sparrow go away so quickly. I do like how his decision weighs heavy on Lamont Cranston once he returns home to the comforting arms of Margo Lane. Now we’ll have to wait and see what new trouble awaits his alter-ego in New York City. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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G.I. JOE: The Cobra Files #1

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G.I. JOE: Cobra Files #1The newest of IDW’s G.I. JOE titles centers around Chameleon, a former agent of Cobra now working for the good guys in an usual JOE team which includes Flint, Lady Jaye, Clockspring, and another former member of Cobra who tried to kill Chameleon several times in the past – Tomax.

Based out of Tomax’s casino the group works covertly to take out Cobra threats around the world. In this first issue the JOEs successfully liberate enslaved children in Vietnam and then, based on Tomax’s intel, turn their attention to the former head of Cobra’s amphibious assault squadron – Copperhead. This mission doesn’t go according to plan when the Chameleon is forced to kill Copperhead and almost dies herself from the wrong end of a shotgun held by the former Cobra agent’s son.

G.I. JOE: Cobra Files assembles an unusual assortment of characters for this team. I’m not sure there’s enough to keep me coming back every single month, but I may pop in from time to time to see how Chameleon and her team are fairing. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]

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