Comics

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14

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The fate of Casey‘s father! The secrets of the Utroms! The first appearance of the Technodrome! All that and The Shredder picks his new second-in-command… so why am I not happier with the latest issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

There’s a ton of story here as General Krang explains the history of his race, and his home planet of Utrominion in Dimension X. And, much to Karai‘s dismay, The Shredder announces he’s chosen his new protege – Leonardo.

We also get a philosophical discussion between Splinter and Raphael as to what fate should befall the abusive father of Casey Jones. It’s an important issue, and deserves the time the issue spends on it, but the writing does feel preachy at times when dealing with such a hot-button topic as child abuse.

My real problem with the issue is the art of Andy Kuhn which I like even less than I did in last month’s issue. It’s a big departure from the art of Dan Duncan without being any closer to the original look of the characters by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.

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Winter Soldier #11

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winter-soldier-11-coverThe Winter Soldier and Hawkeye continue to track down Leo Novokov and the brainwashed Black Widow but they’re always one-step behind finding the bread crumbs Novokov has left for them. He’s all the more dangerous now that the Soviet sleeper agent has his own weapons maker in Marvin Martin and a all the armaments he recently cleared out of an old Soviet munitions depot.

The issue ends with an unusual ultimatium for Bucky if he wants to save the woman he loves, but doesn’t get us any closer to a confrontation with Novokov or the brainwashed Black Widow. I like Hawkeye’s inclusion (although I’m confused as to what happened to the rest of the team who was supposed to be helping out in the search), but I hate his current costume which is a mix of the Ultimate and movie versions of the character.

Brubaker is managing to drag out the story in a way that still makes it compelling, and hinting at Novokov’s deeper plans involving his new weapons and Natalia, but I have mixed feelings about the art of Butch Guice as several panels appear rushed. For fans.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Teen Titans #0

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teen-titans-new-52-0-coverNever a huge Teen Titans fan to begin with, I’ve stayed away from the New 52 relaunch of the title with the exception of the first issue or two. However, I was curious enough to see how Teen Titans #0 would tell the origin of Tim Drake as the third Robin.

Like most of the New 52 origins, Tim Drake’s story gets streamlined and simplified more than necessary. We still get the young detective who searches for Batman’s identity realizing Batman doesn’t work nearly as well without a partner. But how he eventually gets Batman to accept is damn awkward.

Scott Lobdell’s writing aside (which is clunky and has a couple of huge plot holes) the story works for the most part up until Drake puts his family in danger by stealing from the Penguin. Yes, this earns him his face-to-face with Batman, but it’s hardly the work of the genius the book espouses him to be. The comic also doesn’t explain how Tim is able to continue being Tim, and live publicly with Bruce Wayne, with his parents in witness protection and the Penguin still after him. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #17

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snake-eyes-and-storm-shadow-17-coverCobra and the Arashikage Clan have declared war on each other and now the new Cobra Commander has loosed Serpentor and his private army known as the Coil to strike in the name of Cobra and eradicate the ninja.

The Coil successful capture the Soft Master (although the comic suggests they may have bitten off more than they can chew with the devious and deadly old man), but Snake Eyes and a group of Arashikage ninja are able to prevent the same fate from befalling the Hard Master and his latest student, even if it means letting the ninja know the old man still lives.

With the war between Cobra and the Arashikage heating up, the choices Snake Eyes makes further blur the lines between right and wrong. Next month turns up the flames as Snake Eyes’ old G.I. JOE teammates, realizing their pal is alive and has gone back to the ninja who trained him, get into the action as well as the crossover “Target: Snake Eyes” begins. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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The Flash #0

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the-flash-new-52-0-coverAlthough not all DC’s Zero Issues have been actual origin tales (which is weird, because I thought that was the point?), Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato deliver just that in this retelling of the Flash‘s origin, the accident that gifted a police scientist with super-speed, and Barry’s Allen’s first adventure as the Scarlet Speedster.

For those familiar with Barry Allen, especially writer Geoff Johns‘ recent retelling his origin which introduces the idea of the unsolved murder of his mother which drove Barry to become a cop, there’s no much new. However, the use of Barry’s father as the man, innocent or not, convicted of her murder is worth noting. As is Barry’s obsession with proving his innocence.

Flash #0 also gives us the lighting strike which gifted Barry with his super-speed (thankfully the New 52 doesn’t figure out a way to “improve” the classic retelling the way they screwed up Captain Marvel), Barry’s creation of the suit which fits in his ring, and his first action all clad in red and yellow. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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