Comics

The Lone Ranger #9

/ / Comics

the-lone-ranger-vol-2-9-coverThe “Native Ground” storyline continues as we see further into Tonto‘s past after the death of his wife and before his days as “the Lone Ranger‘s faithful Indian companion.”

The Lone Ranger #9 certainly gives us the darkest version of Tonto we’ve seen Dynamite Entertainment (or any other publisher) present recently as he stalks and murders the soldiers responsible for the raid on his tribe. With his revenge complete, it will be interesting to see how events weigh on him throughout the rest of the arc.

I don’t know that I’m excited to see three more issues of “Native Ground,” but what we’ve gotten so far has been enough to keep my interest. Writer Ande Parks continues his use of Native American folk tales to help frame the story, which works well here given how little we get verbally from Tonto himself in this issue. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Fairest #7

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fairest-7-coverWith the series’ first arc wrapped up the latest issue of Fairest gives us a hard-boiled detective story set in 1940’s Los Angeles centered around Beauty and the Beast. The issue is narrated by the Beast, who has lived the life of a knight and detective protecting his wife over the years from her own hidden beastly side.

Matthew Sturges writing and Shawn McManus art compliment each other perfectly as most of the comic is shown in an extended 40’s film noir style flashback as the Beast tries to stop one of his wayward wifes spells leading to more death. Complicating things is the appearance of St. George, also on the hunt for the killer not realizing she’s the Beast’s confused wife.

Although I enjoyed the first story arc of the series I was looking forward to a change and this issue certainly delivers. I’m a little disappointed that it appears the rest of the story will take place in present day when the story presented here worked so well because of the period it took place, but I’m more than willing to give this arc a long look. Best of the week.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Worlds’ Finest #0

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worlds-finest-0-coverIt’s kind of ridiculous to do a zero issue for a title that’s been around for four months, especially one that’s spent as much time as Worlds’ Finest (about half the pages of each issue) filling in the characters’ pasts.

The main problem with Worlds’ Finest #0 is how rushed everything feels. We get Helena‘s first adventure as Robin, the death of her mother (Catwoman), her first meeting with Kara, and the pair becoming super best friends forever all in a few pages. Things aren’t helped by some of writer Paul Levitz’s awkward dialogue (such as Helena’s final words to her new best friend).

Some may not like the art by Kevin Maguire but I think it’s one of the issue’s saving graces (although I’m not of fan of his Catwoman design) along with the Kara story which is given far less time but is much tighter than the rambling main story with Helena. Worlds’ Finest #0 isn’t a bad issue as much as an unnecessary one with a couple of good moments. Hit-and-miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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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 Avengers vs. X-Men, Bad Medicine, Batman, Batman and Robin, BtVS Season Nine, Captain America, Demon Knights, Fantastic Four, Gambit, Green Hornet, Green Lantern Corps, Haunt, Incredible Hulk, It Girl and the Atomics, Mega Man, New Avengers, Saga, Scarlet Spider, Secret Service, The Shade, Star Wars: Knight Errant – Escape, Suicide Squad, Team 7, Uncanny X-Men, Winter Soldier, X-Men, the first issues of The Creep, and the final issues of Memoir, Punk Rock Jesus, Resurrection Man, and The Shade.

Enjoy issue #190

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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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