Comics

The Shadow Special #1

/ / Comics

the-shadow-special-1-coverSpecials and Annuals for ongoing series are always something of a mixed bag, especially (as in the case with The Shadow Special #1) the one-off issue isn’t connected to the ongoing series or even written aor drawn by the current creative team.

“Veterans of a Foreign War” isn’t a bad story, but it probably won’t be of interest to anyone who isn’t a big fan of the character. Lamont Cranston‘s past catches up with him when he reconnects with a soldier he helped train during the war. Knowing the kind of man Howard Griffin became (and the man Cranston was when he used the name “Kent Allard”) Cranston keeps Griffin far away from Margo as The Shadow investigates the current activities of Griffin and some of his war cronies.

Much of the oversized issue deals with flashbacks of Allard and Griffin meaning the story limits the amount of time The Shadow appears, at least until the last few pages when Crantston takes his vengeance on men he once called brothers. It’s a little pricey at $5, but fans should enjoy themselves with this glimpse into Cranston’s past before he could look into the hearts of men. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $4.99]

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Justice League #15

/ / Comics

justice-league-new-52-15-coverBecause no one, anywhere, was demanding it, DC begins its Aquaman-centric crossover “Thrones of Atlantis” beginning here with the accidental attack on Atlantis by a U.S. air craft carrier (don’t you hate it when that happens?).

On other fronts, Superman and Wonder Woman are still dating and the Man of Steel takes the opportunity to explain his ingenious disguise as Clark Kent, Hal Jordan is still missing (and it seems no one is looking for him anymore), and the back-up story of the New 52‘s douchebag version of Captain Marvel continues as Billy selfishly turns on Freddy Freeman and is confronted with Black Adam for the first time.

Unless you’re a huge Aquaman fan anxiously anticipating this new event (i.e. your name is Geoff Johns) there’s almost nothing here for you. No Flash. No Green Lantern. Batman saved by Aquaman. The art’s not bad, and we get a little more of Superman and Wonder Woman together on a date, but that’s about it. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

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Super Dinosaur #16

/ / Comics

super-dinosaur-16-coverI have four words for you: Super Dinosaur in space! If that isn’t enough to pique your interest than I don’t know what else to say.

When trouble arises on the moon Derek Dynamo and Super Dinosaur are sent to the secret “Inner-Moon” colony of the Kalish who include two races, the Krill and the Sloon, whose differences have led to an all-out civil war inside the heart of the moon.

Finally getting the two sides to stop fighting, Derek uncovers the reason for the recent heating up of the long-dormant feud. The son and daughter of both leaders have vanished, secretly traveling to Earth, sparking the renewal of the hostilities. To keep the delicate temporary truce, Derek and SD will have to return to Earth and find the pair and bring them home.

Fun stuff. I especially like seeing Super Dinosaur in his own space suit. The comic seems to foreshadow a Romeo and Juliet tale between the offspring of the warring tribes, but we’ll have to wait until next month to see if that’s case. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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Amazing Spider-Man #700

/ / Comics

amazing-spider-man-700-coverI certainly can’t condone the actions (going as far as death threats), but after reading Amazing Spider-Man #700 I can see why writer Dan Slott is facing the wrath of Spider-Man fans everywhere. In this final issue Slott and Marvel Comics take a seismic shift in the Spider-Man mythos, something that even the Clone Saga never deemed do. Caution, true believers, spoilers ahead!

We begin with the fallout of Spider-Man’s recent battle with the Sinister Six in which Doctor Octopus has successfully swapped his mind with that of Spider-Man. For Doc Ock that means he’s now Spider-Man. For Peter Parker, however, that means he’s trapped in a dying body.

In the final issue of the series Slott allows Peter Parker to be beaten, and killed, by a super-villain who will go on to usurp his life. Slott doesn’t allow Doc Ock to get off completely as, before his death, Peter forces the new Spider-Man to experience all the memories of the old one, perhaps (slightly) changing his perspective on life.

…

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Supreme #67

/ / Comics

supreme-67-coverIt may have taken an extra three months, but the latest issue of Supreme finally hits shelves delivering on the promised ultimate throwdown between Supreme and Omni-Man who arrives to stop Supreme from killing Suprema.

The battle of arguably Image Comics two most powerful warriors certainly delivers with pages and pages of the two heroes going at it. We also get a back-up story as New Supreme attempts to readjust to his new surroundings, and the other former Supremes convincing New Supreme to find a way to fight back and stop Mean Supreme before his bloody rampage kills anyone else. But to do so they will need the help of an unlikely ally.

Honestly, when the comic three months without a new issue I figured the recently relaunched Supreme had been dealt a silent death behind the scenes. I’m pleasantly surprised it’s still here. Even embracing the Extreme 90’s version of Image Comics it’s still more fun that almost anything DC is currently putting out with their gritty New 52. Worth a look.

[Image, $2,99]

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