Comics

The Phantom Stranger #0

/ / Comics

the-phantom-stranger-new-52-0-coverDan Didio shouldn’t be allowed to write comic books, especially any character that relies on an inherent mystery such as The Phantom Stranger. Sadly, but not surprisingly, the New 52 gives us a new version of the classic character originally introduced by John Broome and Carmine Infantino in 1952.

For 60 years the origins of the character have been shaded in mystery. Even Secret Origins, an 80’s DC comic whose sole pupose was to retell the origins of various characters in separate issues and introduce them to new readers, was explicitly vague by offering not one but four possible origin stories for the character – none of which may be true.

Is he a fallen angel? A remnant of a previous universe (which would make the most sense for the New 52)? Or a tortured soul serving penance to God? Here’s what we know about the Stranger: He’s a shadowy figure, knowledgeable, powerful, with the ability to travel through space and time at will. Cursed into his role, the Stranger can guide others on their path but can never directly interfere himself.

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Winter Soldier #9

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winter-soldier-9-coverBucky searches frantically for the Black Widow who has been kidnapped and reprogrammed by Soviet sleeper agent Leo Novokov into her former role as Russian assassin/classically trained ballerina. Of course all this leads to a big fight in the middle of a ballet performance between Bucky and Natasha, much to Novokov’s glee.

I’m not fully on board with the story arc that turns Natasha back into a brainwashed killer simply because it doesn’t go anywhere new and any fallout (such as the predictable bloody twist at the end) can be swept under the rug because Natasha isn’t responsible for any of her actions.

That said, even if I have problems with the concept, Brubaker’s execution is still well done. The comic does have a couple nice moments, my favorite being Bucky’s internal monologue as he squares off against Natasha and realizes how much she’s been holding back during their sparring sessions. Does a brainwashed Black Widow make for a dangerous adversary? Sure, but with the character currently involved in other Marvel titles I don’t see this arc having any immediate impact. For fans.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Justice League International Annual #1

/ / Comics

justice-league-international-new-52-annual-1-coverThis is an unusual comic, and not only because it’s an annual for a series that’s been cancelled, introduces characters we may never see again, and shows us there’s no hope the team, in any recognizable form, is returning anytime soon in a new title.

In Justice League International Annual #1 Guy Gardner quits (again), and Booster Gold puts together a new team from the ashes of the old JLI by welcoming O.M.A.C., Blue Beetle, and the Olympian. However, the new JLI will last less than a full issue as O.M.A.C., now under control of Brother EYE, goes berserk and tries to kill every other member of the team.

Even if it does feel rushed, and kind of a mess, the story does have some important moments of note including Godiva and Booster’s kiss (I’m sad it looks like these characters won’t be together anymore), Blue Beetle being sent to the homeworld of the Reach, and our the first time Booster’s time traveling for Rip Hunter has been officially made part of New 52 continuity.

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Green Lantern Annual #1

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green-lantern-annual-1-coverWriter Geoff Johns uses Green Lantern Annual #1 to kick off the next big Green Lantern event – “The Rise of the Third Army” which has been teased over the past few months. Apparently the Guardians of the Universe have decided the Green Lantern Corps, much like the Manhunters before them, have failed in their mission to bring order to the universe. Their solution? To make zombie soliders out of their own flesh, side with Black Hand over Hal Jordan and Sinestro, and destroy the Corps.

You had to wonder who the first casuality of the New 52 was going to be. Sadly, it appears to be Hal Jordan. Both Jordan and Sinestro are killed by a Guardian super-powered Black Hand, although we’ve already been teased that a Black Lantern Hal is on his way. You know what? That doesn’t make me feel any better about this arc.

The Third Army itself, a zombie-like Borg race that assimilates and converts others into its ranks, doesn’t really interest me. And removing my favorite GL (and Sinestro, whose arc back in the Corps has been pretty good) before the real battle even starts sure doesn’t instill me with much confidence. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $4.99]

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Morning Glories #21

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morning-glories-21-coverMorning Glories #21 picks up the Hunter storyline that ended with the death of Zoe and the arrival of a new group of students in the final issue of the “P.E.” arc. Over the course of the issue we’re introduced to the various members of the group as reunite with Jun (really Hisao) and get ready to stop a dangerous sacrifice involving his brother Hisao (really Jun).

We’re giving quite a bit of information into the new group’s time in Abraham’s school preparing them for their entrance to Morning Glories. We’re also shown the first few days of their leader, Irina, at Morning Glories Academy and see the motivation of dead and tortured parents is a regular technique to motivate the students, although her reaction is anything but typical.

Even with the death of one of the major characters the support cast is growing a bit unwieldy, especially as some of the young female students drawn by Joe Eisma look very similar and given the fact that the structure of the book means leaving subsets of characters for months while dealing with separate story arcs.

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Morning Glories #21 Read More »