Comics

Batman Annual #1

/ / Comics

batman-new-52-annual-1For the title’s first annual as part of the New 52, writers Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV give us a new origin story for Mr. Freeze. Honestly, Freeze isn’t my favorite Bat-villain. I’ve often thought of him as a less interesting Captain Cold (who got his own reboot a couple months back). The only version of the character I’ve really cared for was the version from Batman: The Animated Series which balanced the tragedy and nobility of the character so well.

After Freeze escapes from Gotham he heads right to Wayne Enterprises for his revenge. Victor Freeze blames Bruce Wayne for shutting down the cyrogenics experiment which was his only hope of ressurecting his wife Nora and which caused the accident which turned him the man he is today.

I’m not fond of the idea of putting Wayne right in the middle of Freeze’s obession to the point where he personally shut down the project and was present for the accident (he is, after all, a very busy man), but the choice to change Nora from Victor’s wife into an unknown woman with whom he’s become obsessed is interesting.

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Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #13

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Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #13With the JOE’s believing he died in Nanzhao, Snake Eyes returns to Japan with Storm Shadow to begin their campaign to take down Cobra and the new Cobra Commander. Their first target – Zartan.

Snake Eyes plays a dangerous game while working with Arashikage to take down Cobra targets, but working behind the scenes to try and take down the clan from within. Zartan escapes Snake Eyes’ attempt to bring him in, but the JOE does manage to slay quite a few of his own ninja teammates who were assigned to him on the mission.

The comic also introduces the character of Rika, an Arashikage ninja who has been chosen to serve Snake Eyes, and is not completely trusting of the former JOE as she “sees what others do not.” It will be interesting to see what role, or possible spoiler, she may play in Snake Eyes’ plans.

We are also given several flashbacks to Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes early days in training with the clan and see their strengths and weaknesses from the eyes of their master as well as learn early on why Snake Eyes, though deadly, wasn’t a good fit for the honorless ninja.

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Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #13 Read More »

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, Avengers Academy, Avengers vs. X-Men, Defenders, Detective Comics, Earth 2, Fairest, Fury MAX, G.I. JOE, Green Arrow, Hack/Slash, Hulk, Journey Into Mystery, Kung Fu Panda, The Lone Ranger, Looney Tunes, The Mighty Thor, Morning Glories, Popeye, Spawn, Spider, Stormwatch, Super Dinosaur, Swamp Thing, Sweet Tooth, Trio, Winter Soldier, Worlds’ Finest, X-Factor, Zorro Rides Again, the first issues of Creator Owned Heroes, Pantha, Prophecy, Steamcraft, and the final issue of Toy Story.

Enjoy issue #179

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Young Justice #16

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young-justice-16-cover“Heroes and Mentors” gives us three stories featuring members of the Young Justice team each working alongside their mentor. Although each involves a different pair fighting crime together, what makes the story work is how each mini-story is given it’s own feel.

Green Arrow and Artemis open the comic by trying to prevent a museum robbery. Their communication is very much Oliver teaching Artemis the ropes. When we get the Flash and Kid Flash stopping an animal outbreak at the zoo we get more lighthearted banter between Barry and his nephew. And Batman and Robin‘s story at the Gotham Planetarium is heavy on action and light on dialogue as the Dynamic Duo is able to get the job done with a minimum of discussion.

The three stories connect in the comic’s last few pages as all the crimes are connected and will pit all six heroes against Kobra in next month’s issue. This series is very hit-or-miss for me depending on the characters and story chosen from issue to issue. If next month’s conclusion is as good as this one, I’ll definitely pick it up. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman: The Dark Knight #9

/ / Comics

batman-the-dark-knight-new-52-9-coverI wasn’t a fan of this Bat-tile before the New 52 reboot and I’ve given the new volume a pretty wide berth. However, the latest issue had three points of interest to make me pick it up.

First, Judd Winick was guest-writing and although his his latest work hasn’t been his best, he’s produced good stories in the past. Two, the cover showcased Red Robin on the cover (who only appears in one panel, isn’t connected to the story at all, and doesn’t utter a word). Three, it was a Night of the Owls crossover.

The problem with this issue, as has been the trouble with almost all of the Night of the Owls crossovers, is that once again the focus here is on a villain, another Talon, instead of the comic’s main character. This issue is all about Alton Carver, the Talon sent to kill Lincoln March, and his history with the Court of Owls and Batman.

The focus is all wrong, the character teased on the cover isn’t here (I was looking forward to a Bruce/Tim team-up), and there’s just not enough here to justify picking up unless you simply want to grab all of the Night of the Owls issues. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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