Comics

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #19

/ / Comics

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #19The main storyline is put pretty much on hold as Buffy and Koh catch up with the de-powered Illyria who has been completely drained of her powers by Severin. As to the time-shattereing plans of Severin, we’ll have to wait at least another month as the focus shifts back to the B-story and he strange illness which is slowly killing Dawn.

Even without her powers, Illyria quickly diagnoses the problem. The magic used to keep The Key in human form is failing and the mystical energy is slowly leaving Dawn’s body. Which means yet another person close to her may have been irrelevantly harmed by Buffy deciding to destroy The Seed and end magic in this reality.

The issue ends with Buffy taking responsibility for her action which still isn’t enough for Xander who is watching the woman he loves slowly fade away because Buffy and Angel couldn’t keep it in their pants. Despite the dustup, the pair put their issues aside and work together to help save Buffy’s little sister. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #19 Read More »

Batman #18

/ / Comics

Batman #18I really hope writer Scott Snyder is pulling a fast one on fans because I honestly dread what the Bat-titles may be like if the foreshadowing in Batman #18 holds true. Rather than give us Batman‘s perspective following the loss of his son Damian (even in Batman’s own title we don’t get Batman’s take on the situation?), Snyder gives us an entire issue from the perspective of street rat Harper Row, who, in the spirit of Carrie Kelly, takes to the streets in a costume of her own making to help Batman (whether he wants her help or not). At least it’s not a Robin costume… yet.

As in every single issue where Harper appears, there’s far too much of the character and her brother (whose defining characteristic still seems to be that he’s gay), and not nearly enough Batman. Although barely under control, Batman is running himself ragged and has begun to make small mistakes which cause the young woman to jump into the fray and confront the Dark Knight. The scene of Batman breaking the girl’s nose to teach her a lesson doesn’t play out all the well for either of them (or fans).

…

Batman #18Read More »

Batman #18 Read More »

Transformers: Regeneration One #89

/ / Comics

Transformers: Regeneration One #89Shockwave and Grimlock in the same comic (and Shockwave even gets the cover)! Yeah, I’ll give that a look. IDW’s Transformers: Regeneration One #89 continues the storyline from the original Marvel Comics series which ended in 1991. In the latest issue, which takes place mostly on Cybertron, Grimlock faces the wrath of his fellow Dinobots for betraying them to Scorponok.

As Grimlock tries to talk and/or beat some sense into his (far too intelligent) Dinobot brothers about his “ingenious” plan to betray the Autobots and release the “warrior gene,” elsewhere on the planet Hod Rod (in, by far, the most ridiculous storyline) discovers a pair of ancient Primus relics which allow him to view and fight the Transformers’ past.

On Earth, Optimus Prime is out for a pleasure drive (really, he doesn’t do anything more in his one page cameo), and on the crashed Ark a battered Decepticon awakens as Shockwave brings his broken memories into focus and plans his next move. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]

Transformers: Regeneration One #89 Read More »

Uncanny X-Men #3

/ / Comics

Uncanny X-Men #3Tipped off by Magneto, the Avengers arrive to arrest Cyclops for the murder of Charles Xavier when the new X-Men show up at the family home of Tempus, one of Cyclops’ new recruits. Although we don’t get the battle we expect, writer Brian Michael Bendis continually ramps up the tension as Cyclops and Emma Frost do a pretty damn good job of defending their recent actions, turning the blame back on Tony Stark and the Avengers, and making a pretty persuasive argument why Scott Summers’ team is necessary in the current Marvel Universe.

Thanks to the time-altering powers of Tempus, the X-Men are able to leave without bloodshed and allow Cyclops and his team to make it home and confront Magneto over his betrayal. Here again, Bendis goes for a far more layered option as Magneto defends his actions and how they helped the X-Men claim an impressive victory of the Avengers.

When all is said and done Cyclops takes Magik‘s advice to take advantage of the Avengers frozen in time to make a little recruitment visit to the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. Next month should be very interesting. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Uncanny X-Men #3 Read More »

Star Wars #3

/ / Comics

Star Wars #3Tensions start to fray in Star Wars #3 as Princess Leia becomes increasingly frustrated with Luke‘s inability to follow orders and his flirtateous relationship with Prithi, another member of Leia’s secret squadron. Things aren’t going much better for Han and Chewie whose rendezvous with a contact on Coruscant ends with Solo shooting the traitor in the back and a shoot out with Imperial agents.

Unable to get Luke to follow orders, and stung by his words and reminder what he’s accomplished for the Rebellion so far, Leia benches her best pilot, but, as Mon Mothma suggests, she most consider whether her jealousy over Luke’s relationship with Prithi is clouding her judgement.

Darth Vader arrives at his new assignment, overseeing the Empire’s new secret battle station high above the forest moon of Endor: the second Death Star whose construction appears to have been well under way before the Rebellion’s destruction of the original Death Star. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

Star Wars #3 Read More »