Comics

Red Hood and the Outlaws #10

/ / Comics

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

/ / Comics

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

/ / Comics

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

/ / Comics

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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Captain America #13

/ / Comics

captain-america-13-coverCaptain America tracks down Jack Garrett, the leak in S.H.I.E.L.D. who has been supplying HYDRA with names of criminals in witness protection, which leads him one step closer to Henry Gyrich. We also see how Gyrich is controlling the new Scourge, who no one but a still unconscious Diamondback knows is Cap’s old friend D-Man.

The latest issue moves the plot forward, and sets the table, but other than a quick battle at the airport where Cap takes down Garrett (and the HYDRA agents sent to silence him before he talked), it is a little light on action.

Sharon Carter and Dum Dum Dugan set a trap that gets them Gyrich. However, Cap’s already in the field after the new Scourge before Diamondback wakes up, meaning he’s not aware he’s hunting a friend who has been brainwashed by HYDRA.

As to the big throwdown between old friends (teased on the cover but not shown here), we’ll have to wait at least another issue. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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