Comics

Daredevil #25

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Daredevil #25Although the man between Daredevil‘s recent troubles remains in the shadows, Daredevil #25 does introduce a new enemy as the Man Without Fear learns the true purpose of recreating his accident when he faces off against Ikari, a deadly warrior enhanced with the same hyper-senses as our hero.

Most of the comic is one prolonged fight sequence between Daredevil and the mystery assassin who has cloaked himself in the style of Daredevil’s original costume, going so far as to even wear his father’s boxing robe to further get under Murdock’s skin. With the two evenly matched, Daredevil #25 offers a terrific fight that leaves both men bloodied and straining to breathe.

Trying to use his experience to win the fight, Daredevil changes the venue only to discover he and Ikari aren’t as evenly matched as he believed. The assassin has one more ace up his sleeve. The comic ends with Daredevil beaten, but spared (at least for now) leading into the next double-sized issue dealing with Foggy‘s surgery and, hopefully, the man behind the curtain pulling Ikari’s strings. Best of the week.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #7

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Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #7The six-issue mini-series continues as Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures returns with a new arc. The Good: The mix of short stories, all drawn by different artists has been replaced with a single ongoing and artist. The Bad: As the storyline focuses on a much younger version of Tesla we don’t even the hint of Atomic Robo.

Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #7 has a consistent look and feel and gives the reader a closer examination and the pre-Atomic Robo days of Nikola Tesla. In this issue two of Tesla’s inventions are stolen from a demonstration by a shadowy new enemy who plans to use the scientist’s teleautomatic control unit in their effort to overthrow the United States Government.

Even without Atomic Robo, writer Brian Clevinger still delivers a fun (if somewhat unmemorable) adventure. I like Erica Henderson’s art, but at times felt like an odd choice for the tone of the comic. That said, I’m still likely to pick up the next issue. For fans.

[Red 5, $2.75]

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #19

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #19Jason Todd gets little more than a cameo here as the story focuses on Arsenal and Starfire tracking down their friend who, after surviving the Joker‘s final attack, left them and headed straight for the All-Caste. By the time the duo track him through the Himalayan mountains and discover the secret entrance to the home of the magical monks who continued to train Todd after he returned from the dead, Todd has already made a rash decision which will effect all three of their futures.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #19 is a mixed bag as we’re given a Red Hood wiped of nearly all his memories (at his own behest). If this was where the New 52 planned on taking the character I’m not sure why they didn’t just allow the Joker’s final attack to do the damage.

The issue also has an odd appearance by Essence who attempts to influence Arsenal through his dreams. The point of this subplot isn’t very clear (or interesting), but it’s arguably better than the beyond bland blank slate of Jason Todd we’re left with as the issue closes. The consequences to this issue might be interesting, but this issue is a mixed bag.

[DC, $2.99]

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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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