Comics

Justice League #12

/ / Comics

justice-league-new-52-12-coverAlthough I have problems with some of the choices made in the latest issue of the New 52‘s Justice League, the story makes sense in the new version of the DCU and is more consistent and better thought-out than several issues of the series have been.

The main news is the decision to put Superman and Wonder Woman together as couple. While I’m opposed to this being done with classic versions of these characters, the logic writer Geoff Johns uses to put the New 52 versions together holds up pretty well. Of course I think this has more to say about the lackluster redesigns of several of DC’s top name heroes than any great storytelling, but it still works.

The rest of the story has to deal with the team taking down Graves by believing in Christmas (or some such nonsense – this isn’t the strongest part of the comic). What’s important to note, however, are the big changes following the battle and the public’s shaken faith in the team. Hal Jordan quits, Steve Trevor is fired, and we’re teased with the introduction of a new Justice League of America which will premiere next year (and Captain Marvel beating the emo out of The Big Blue Boy Scout). Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Comic Rack

/ / Comics

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Archie, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Action Comics, Amazing Spider-Man, Animal Man, Deadpool, Defenders, Dial H, Earth 2, Epic Kill, Fairest, First X-Men, Garfield, G.I. JOE, Green Lantern, Hawkeye, Harvest, The Lone Ranger, The Mighty Thor, Mind the Gap, Muppets, Near Death, Phantom Stranger, The Punisher, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, Spawn, Stormwatch, Venom, Worlds’ Finest, X-Factor, the first issues of Fashion Beast, Damsels, Guarding the Globe, Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt, Road to Oz, and the final issue of Night Force.

Enjoy issue #189

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The Lone Ranger: Snake of Iron #2

/ / Comics

the-lone-ranger-snake-of-iron-2-coverIn the second issue of the new Lone Ranger mini-series Tonto‘s train comes under attack from the Kiowa tribe whose chief wants the return of his son. But it turns out that’s impossible as the chief’s son is dead and the child being passed off for him is nothing more than a ruse.

Meanwhile, in the other storyline, the Lone Ranger comes to the aid of Lily Travers, the troublesome reporter who got herself captured by outlaws. With an explosion, and a little theatricality, the Ranger manages to take down the outlaws, free the woman, and hold the prisoners for the eventual arrival of soldiers from Fort Griffin.

Although the issue jumps around quite a lot, and doesn’t flow nearly as well as I’d like, both stories advance forward. Given Tonto’s desperate need for aid it would be in everyone’s best interest for the two separate stories to converge in the next issue (although I’m betting it will take at least one additional issue before this happens). Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Phantom Lady and Doll Man #1

/ / Comics

The reintroduction of a Golden Age character and a cover that resembled something published by Image Comics rather than the grittier version of DC’s current New 52 piqued my interest enough to pick this one up. It’s not exactly what I expected.

Based on the cover and title I was hoping for a somewhat goofy adventure/super-hero comic. What writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti deliver instead is organized crime comic centered around a completely brand new character who steals most of the backstory of the second (and now shelved) version of the Huntress – Helena Bertinelli. Seriously, it’s almost the exact same origin including the young girl watching her father die gangster style from the shadows and growing up seeking vigilante justice.

Phantom Lady was originally introduced way back in the Golden Age by Quality Comics in 1941. Over the years there have been several versions of the character including three different characters using the name in the DCU after DC Comics acquired the rights to the character in 1956.

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Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #16

/ / Comics

snake-eyes-and-storm-shadow-16-cover“Serpents Shadow” concludes as Cobra Commander springs his trap on Storm Shadow and Rika. All Snake Eyes must do to let the Arashikage Clan fall is to do nothing, but that’s the one thing he simply can’t do. Springing into action Snake Eyes saves Rika, whether she wants him to or not. With Arashikage lost to him, the new Cobra Commander looks to fill the void by enlisting the aid of Serpentor and the Coil to be his new group of spies and assassins.

Although he makes it out alive, and with Storm Shadow, Rika is mortally wounded. Only in her final moments does she understand the kind of man her distrust wouldn’t allow her to see. But despite her last second change of heart, the plans she set in motion by uniting her son and the Soft Master (an old teacher and enemy of Snake Eyes) against the JOE.

Another strong issue full of action and flashbacks to Snake Eyes younger days with the clan. Although I’m a little sad to see Rika leave so soon, her death certainly puts several other story elements in play, meaning the next few months should be very interesting. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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