Comics

Avengers vs. X-Men #3

/ / Comics

x-men-vs-avengers-3-coverRound 3 finds Hope on the run, the X-Men surrendering to the Avengers, and a big throwdown between two old friends. Cyclops and the X-Men’s surrender is a feint that allows the group to escape and begin a search for Hope. Meanwhile the Avengers split into five groups to find the young girl before the Phoenix Force finds her.

Although we get very little of Hope in this issue (she makes little more than a token appearance hiding on the streets of San Fransisco) we do get Cyclops outsmarting the Avengers and Captain America and Wolverine coming to blows over Logan’s plan to murder Hope before the Phoenix Force can claim her. We get far less story progression than I’d like, but the fight between Wolverine and Cap makes up for it.

By the end of the issue we now have three distinct groups. Cyclops and the X-Men who want to keep Hope away from the Avengers, the Avengers who want to keep Hope away from becoming the new Phoenix, and Wolverine who just wants her dead. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9While April tries to come to terms with the fact that the four cute little turtles she named have mutated and grown up to be teenage mutant ninja heroes the foursome set out to save Splinter from Old Hob and whatever plans Stockgen has for their master.

With April and Casey‘s help, and Michelangelo‘s reprogrammed Mouser, the TMNT break into Stockgen and take down the guards and giant Mouser, but by the time they make to where Splinter was being held he’s already been kidnapped by a new (or rather old) enemy – the Foot Clan.

Honestly, the first page of April working out the story, and her reaction to them reintroducing themselves to her, is worth picking up all by itself. We also get plenty of heroes in a half-shell action. And, certainly not least important, issue #9 also finally gives us the first real shot of the Shredder, in all his ridiculous glory. Oh yeah, you know you want it. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Snake Eyes #12

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snake-eyes-12-coverBefore rejoining the Arashikage Clan and partnering with Storm Shadow to destroy Cobra, Snake Eyes takes a trip to the Hard Master, the clan’s former leader who helped train the JOE years ago.

While conversing with his former master (or as much conversing as a mute can do) Snake Eyes presents his reasons for returning to the clan and learns how he can be of assistance in the neighborhood as the Hard Master’s latest student, a teenage girl has been targeted by a local gang.

The standalone tale is a bit of the curiosity as it’s almost completely outside the ongoing “Cobra Command” crossover. However, the story does serve as a reminder how dangerous and honorable a man our hero is as well as give another plausable explanation for him joining Storm Shadow (other than simply destroying Cobra).

Next month gives us a new beginning as the title become Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow and the pair go after their first target – Zartan. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Daredevil #11

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daredevil-11-coverConcluding a storyline that begin in Avenging Spider-Man #5 and continued in Punisher #10 (two comics I didn’t read) Daredevil #11 finds our hero teamed with Spider-Man and the Punisher. His plan to lure Megacrime out into the open using the Omega Drive as bait has hit something of a snag as the threesome find themselves betrayed by Castle’s partner and surrounded by A.I.M. and HYDRA agents.

Although I didn’t read the first two issues of this arc, it’s pretty easy to get up to speed. Honestly, what I found the hardest to wrap my brain around was the fact the Punisher A) had a beard and B) had a female sidekick. Seriously, when did this happen?

As Daredevil chases down Rachel to retrieve the drive Spidey and the Punisher (who is trying very hard not to kill anyone) give the beatdown to a number of terrorist soldiers in ridiculous costumes.

…

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The Flash #8

/ / Comics

the-flash-new-52-8-coverFollowing the events of the last issue the Flash finds himself in the void of the Speed Force. Unable to find Iris or the other people plucked out of time, the Flash’s only companion is Turbine, an insane WWII pilot who has been trapped in the void for 70 years.

Although the idea of Turbine is an intriguing one, how writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato play out the tale leaves something to be desired. We do get an explanation for the time rifts and how the Flash is connected to the Speed Force. However, everything feels rushed and not quite as well thought-out as I’d like. It doesn’t quite stumble, but this is definitely the weakest issue of the title so far.

That doesn’t mean the comic doesn’t have its bright spots. Manapul’s art is again terrific, and even if the ideas aren’t as well fleshed-out as I’d like they do open the doors for further discovery down the line. I’m less pleased with the new Grodd and New 52 version of Gorilla City both of which were going to get plenty of in next month’s issue. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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