Comics

Young Justice #23

/ / Comics

young-justice-23-coverThe current storyline continues as Superman, Superboy, Captain Atom, Captain Marvel, and Wonder Woman fight off Braniac‘s crystallized minion in space the various Young Justice teams try break through the impenetrable field surrounding Metropolis and discover more information about the spaceship floating above the city.

Although the comic is fun, it does feel far too much like treading water and needlessly stretching out the arc as none of the major stories are moved that far forward. However, we do get an appearance by the Young Justice version of Deashot in the flashback to five years ago (that is still be awkwardly continued along with the current storyline). Although he isn’t quite wearing his classic costume, the villain certainly looks better than his New 52 makeover.

There’s enough here for fans, including appearances by several members of the team, but it’s certainly not a must-read and could probably be skipped without missing a beat of the overall arc. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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Masks #2

/ / Comics

masks-2-coverWith New York City now a police state controlled by corrupt new government of gangsters known as the Justice Party, The Shadow, The Green Hornet and Kato, and The Spider find themselves overwhelmed by the enhanced technology the criminals have gotten their hands on to keep control of their city.

Issue #2 also introduces the Green Lama and Black Bat who begin to fight back against the oppressive new government as well. The story of the young artist on the wrong side of the government’s new oppressive regime continues as well foreshadowing, I’m guessing, the eventual birth of a new Zorro.

I thought the first comic worked in trying to throw all these characters together in an unusual situation that required them to work together. Masks #2 isn’t quite as good, forced to rely more on fleshing out a story than just introducing the concept. There’s far more talking about doing something than actual action, and some “necessary” awkward introductions among the heroes take up way too many panels. Hit-and-Miss.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Scarlet Spider #12.1

/ / Comics

scarlet-spider-12-1-coverI put Marvel’s .1 issues in the same unnecessary column as DC’s Zero issues and foil comic covers. Marvel has no problem releasing multiple comics for a paticular title during the same month (hell, it’s become common practice for Marvel NOW!) and slapping a .1 on the cover (which originally meant a reintroduction to the character) doesn’t really mean the same thing anymore because of the sheer number of these the House of Ideas has pushed out.

That said, Scarlet Spider #12.1 is an interesting read. I’d call it a one-shot, featuring Houston’s hero taking on white slavery, but the fact is the comic lays the groundwork for huge changes for our killer turned hero (which, when you think about it, is kind of a dick move for a .1 issue to do).

While tracking a killer whose mark reminds Kaine of his past, the Scarlet Spider takes on the gangs of Houston and The Hand who have shown up to make their presence known in the port city. And, if that news isn’t bad enough for our hero, the Kingpin appears to have major plans for Houston as well. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Fables #124

/ / Comics

fables-124-coverHad I paid a little more attention odds are I wouldn’t have picked up this latest issue of Fables. Instead of a one-shot or the start of a new arc, the issue is wholly devoted to the final three chapters of the back-up story “A Revolution of Oz” (which has been running for the past several months) and the further adventures of Bufkin and Lily Martagon. That’s not to say what writer Bill Willingham delivers here is bad, it’s just the fact that I haven’t been reading the back-up story and felt a little lost for the first few pages.

That said, the further adventures of Bufkin and Lily, even if it seems to be all 80’s style montage, is actually quite a bit of fun delivering a love story, fights for freedom, a mad scientist, weird transformations, and the peaceful end to an adventurous life.

Odds are those who have been keeping up with the backup story and know these characters far better than I are going to get more out of this issue than I did, but even for someone jumping in blind there’s still plenty here that’s worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #20

/ / Comics

snake-eyes-and-storm-shadow-20-coverTarget: Snake Eyes comes to and end as Snake Eyes and Helix‘s recuperation comes to a screeching halt when Storm Shadow shows up to destroy an entire aircraft carrier just to get his hands on his traitorous sword brother whose recent actions have gutted the once proud Arashikage Clan.

There’s a little too much of everyone else here including Scarlett and a whole host of various other JOEs as the comic is at its best when it stays with the fight we’ve been waiting to see ever since the crossover began: Snake Eyes vs. Storm Shadow. The fight itself is good, I just wish the rest of the story didn’t keep encroaching on it.

The fallout leaves the JOEs minus one aircraft carrier and another apparent “death” for our title character. It also, in an interesting choice by writer Chuck Dixon, gives Storm Shadow the smallest semblance of victory. With the crossover now finished and Snake Eyes once again missing in action, it will be interesting to see what new direction the comic takes next month as it appears the comic will continue to give both characters title credit. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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