Comics

Masks #1

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masks-dynamite-1-coverDynamite Entertainment’s idea to combine as many of their characters together as possible in the crossover Masks is an interesting, albeit it odd, idea. The Shadow, The Green Hornet and Kato, and The Spider all work together to stop the rise of “The Justice Party,” a group of criminals who have wormed their way into office and are turning New York City into a fascist police state.

Over the course of the comic several other Dynamite properties will be introduced as well including Black Bat, Miss Fury, Black Terror, the Green Lama, and (perhaps most perplexing) Zorro. When you get to the point where you are forcing Zorro into a late 1930’s fascist alternate reality of New York you have to wonder why Dynamite stopped there and didn’t decide to throw in Robocop, Red Sonja, Vampirella, Army of Darkness, and John Carter as well.

Cliff Roberson, whose work I very much enjoyed on his his pair of Fables mini-series centered around Cinderella (Fables are Forever, From Fabletown with Love), makes the bizarre plot work – at least for an issue.

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FF #1

/ / Comics

FF #1With the Fantastic Four heading out a time-traveling trip Reed, the Thing, Sue, and Johnny recruit a temporary team which will need to take their place for an undetermined amount of time between four minutes and indefinitely. Matt Fraction, who is also taking over the duties for the new Fantastic Four series, earns some points right away from me by choosing She-Hulk, one of Marvel Comics most criminally underused characters in recent years, as one quarter of the new team.

Honestly, I’m less exited about the rest of the team which includes Medusa, Ms. Thing, and Scott Lang who is reluctant to watch over a group of super-children while still greiving the loss of his own daughter.

There’s not much to this first issue other than gathering the new team and re-introducing the members of the Future Foundation (including Bentley and Dragon Man), but Matt Fraction and artist Mike Allred have fun simply showing off the various characters. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay with the title (I felt the last series grew tiresome rather quickly), but I’m glad I picked it up. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Morning Glories #23

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morning-glories-23-coverThe sacrifice which has been discussed over the past few issues finally comes to pass as Morning Glories continues the story of Irina and the new group reuniting with Jun (who is really Hisao). Issue #23 also returns the bomb-making Akiko as we see her failed attempt to kill Abraham two years ago and her liberation from the padded room she’s been in ever since she tried to blow up Ms. Daramount a few issues back.

There’s certainly plenty going on here, even if it is a little hard to follow at times (it is a Morning Glories comic after all). With the sacrifice we get what is presumably the end of Hisao (who is really Jun) as well as some infighting between Irina’s group as Jun isn’t willing to let his brother be killed as part of their plan.

The biblical references continue as Akiko tells her liberator that the group should stop trying to target Abraham, but target his son instead. We also get a short scene with Ike and Jade finally making it out of the cave who, as the appearance of the military suggests, apparently have traveled back in time with Casey without realizing it. Confusing? Yeah, but still a good read. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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The Flash #14

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flash-new-52-cover“Gorilla Warfare” continues as the Rogues battle Grodd‘s invading gorilla army the Flash races a Speed Force-enhanced Gorilla Grodd around Central City who is determined to kill the Flash and claim the Speed Force for his own. Meanwhile, Turbine enlists the help of Patty Spivot and Solovar to help save both the scarlet speedster and Central City.

Once again writer/artist Francis Manapul delivers some great, and beautifully drawn, action that showcases Barry’s intelligence as well as his speed. It’s interesting to note that the first super-speed villain the New 52 sends against the Flash isn’t the Reverse-Flash (who we’ve yet to see) but a sped-up Grodd.

I’m not all to pleased with Patty discovering Barry’s secret identity, as I’d like to see the character phased-out of the New 52 as soon as possible, as this likely means she’ll be around awhile (or killed off rather quickly). However, I am glad to see the introduction of Solovar here as well as the idea that Barry’s super-suit doesn’t offer him the same protection while fighting other speedsters. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Fatale #10

/ / Comics

fatale-10-coverFatale‘s second arc comes to a close as Miles retrieves a sacred book from the the cult as Josephine’s home is invaded by Hansel and his inner circle who find a Josephine far more eager (and able) to fight than the last time they crossed paths.

The final issue works very well in tying up several loose ends, despite being more than a little melancholy as both Josephine’s recent former lovers meet tragic ends over the course of the comic. Miles dies in the cult’s invasion of Josephine’s home and Nicholas Lash begins a long prison stint for murder and, to his horror, discovers what happened to his uncle’s missing manuscript.

They comic ends the first ten issues of the series with a bang and leaves plenty of room for more stories and a new direction as Josephine’s admission to Miles about her effect on men seems to free her in a way that may not only be dangerous for Hanzel and his friends but whoever may cross her path next. Must-read.

[Image, $3.50]

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