Comics

Comic Rack

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 Angel & Faith, Archie, Aquaman, Fatale, FF, The Flash, Hell Yeah, Incredible Hulk, Justice League, Savage Dragon, Scarlet, Spaceman, Spider-Men, Star Trek, Superman, Supreme, Teen Titans, TMNT, Voltron, X-Men, the first issues of Before Watchmen: Nite Owl, Fatima: The Blood Spinners, Hit-Girl, The Hypernaturals, Juliet, Penguins of Madagascar, Soulfire: Hope, Strawberry Shortcake, and the final issues of Dorothy & The Wizard in Oz, Gears of War and Rocketeer Adventures.

Enjoy issue #181

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #10

red-hood-and-the-outlaws-10-coverKori is approached by Orn, a former comrade, who enlists the princess’ help to save her homeworld. Soon Arsenal, Red Hood, and Jason’s date for the evening find themselves on Tamarian battle cruiser with Starfire preparing for war.

Although the story introduces the new arc I’ll admit to being a little lost as Starfire’s choice to return home (to save a people who enslaved her) doesn’t really sit well with the New 52 version of the character. We get short reunions with Starfire and members of the ship’s crew (with more revelations for the heroine’s past to come), but “the Blight,” the invading alien force, is pretty damn generic.

The issue also begins an ongoing back-up story of Essence and a man with a “Life Hammer” hunting the Untitled (who he may, or may not, once been a part of – clarity is not this issue’s strong suit).

Although it has some fun moments (including Jason’s date), the latest issue is by far the weakest of the series so far. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Kung Fu Panda #6

kung-fu-panda-6-coverThe final issue in the mini-series finds Po set against his most formidable foe yet – his own stomach. To help teach the Dragon Warrior discipline Shifu orders Po to fast for 24 hours. However, it appears the universe has something else in mind as his surroundings keep tempting him with food including a dumpling eating contest that a weary Po stumbles on while struggling with his fast.

Artist Christine Larsen returns to do the art for the main story. I like her art, but with these characters I want a little more cartoonish fun and a little less emphasis on the animalistic nature of each character (Tigress especially looks rather feral).

Monkey takes center stage in the issue’s (mostly forgettable) back-up story as he infiltrates a band of monkey bandits in order to take them down from the inside. The series has been fun at times, even if it has dragged a bit over the final few issues. Ape Entertainment already has a sequel in the works so more Kung Fu Panda fun is on the way. For fans.

[Ape Entertainment, $3.99]

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Batman and Robin #10

batman-and-robin-new-52-10-cover“War of the Robins” begins as Damian assembles all of Batman‘s former sidekicks together (minus, of course, a still un-rebooted Stephanie Brown) and announces his plans to defeat each of them proving himself to be the best Robin. He begins, not surprisingly with his most heated rival, Tim Drake.

The story certainly fits the character who has a need to live up to the legacy and prove himself worthy of the mantle (which, in Damian’s dickish mind means showing up each of the previous Boy Wonders). I’m also glad to see, at least in one of the other Bat-titles (other than Red Hood and the Outlaws), Jason Todd is sticking around for at least an issue or two.

The comic’s other storyline introduces a new villain named Terminus who prepares to kill the Batman before his own demise. Nothing special here, and Terminus is certainly overshadowed by all the Robins appearing in the same panel together for the first time in the New 52 (although we still haven’t gotten Batman and Red Hood together, yet). Worth a look.

[DC, 2.99]

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #10

btvs-season-nine-10-coverBuffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #10 concludes the “Apart of Me” storyline which found Buffy‘s consciousness trapped in the body of a Buffybot and her body’s new personality under the brainwashing of psycho slayer Simone.

Although I think the arc has provided some nice moments it ends more with a whimper than a bang. Don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly not a bad issue, but it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect (without a big Buffy vs. Buffy throwdown). Buffy gets reunited with herself, Simone gets away, and everything goes back to normal (or whatever Buffy’s version of normal is).

The only real lasting effect of the arc is Spike, realizing there’s no hope for vamp and slayer, deciding on his own to leave. Although it provides a nice moment for Spike it also removes yet another one of the comic’s most entertaining characters. Next issue marks the return of Kennedy who hopefully will breathe some new life back into the Buffyverse. For fans.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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