Comics

Fatale #3

/ / Comics

fatale-3-coverNicholas Lash continues to search for clues into the mysterious woman and the odd circumstances that left him with a vandalized house, the loss of a limb, and a bizarre manuscript that has more truth in it than he originally realizes.

My problem with issue #2 was it was entirely set in the past. This month’s issue not only returns the Nicholas Lash character, but starts him on an investigation which should bring both storylines together.

In the past we see just how powerful Josephine’s pull over Hank is, and when confronted by a deranged cultist from her past, we see her ability to bend men to her will can have deadly consequences. I’m not quite as sold on the corrupt cop storyline, but I’m willing to wait to see how it all plays out.

A very strong issue that doesn’t give away many of its secrets but doesn’t feel like its necessarily obscuring a reveal for another month either. I can’t wait to see where this supernatural noir goes from here.

[Image, $3.50]

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Winter Soldier #3

/ / Comics

winter-soldier-3-coverThe latest issue of Winter Soldier might not feature a machine gun totting gorilla with a jetpack, but after spending the first two issues with a lot of set-up we’re finally starting to get to the good stuff.

The pacing of this issue is much better as Bucky and the Black Widow try to hunt down the Soviet soldiers he helped train during his brainwashed dash as the Winter Soldier. They also have to try and and convince a super-villain that he’s about to be framed and he needs their help. That’s not the easiest thing to do when his name is Victor von Doom.

There’s quite a bit of humor here to go along with the action including Lucia Von Bardas playing with her Doombot and Bucky learning that breaking into the Latverian embassy might not have been the best way to convince Doctor Doom that he’s there to help.

It looks like three issues in things are finally starting to pick up. Let’s hope it continues. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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The Lone Ranger #3

/ / Comics

 

 

lone-ranger-vol-2-3-coverWhere the first two issues had focused primarily on Westerners in need of the Lone Ranger’s help, issue #3 puts the masked man and his Indian companion center stage.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto are approached by the United States Government to help track down a vicious gang of railroad robbers. The Ranger reluctantly takes the job, and he and Tonto are able to find the gang with relative ease.

However, their victory is short lived as they discover the thieves have the protection of a local sheriff and an entire town. The comic ends with Tonto gut-shot and bleeding out in the desert and our hero about to have a noose placed around his neck.

The pacing here is much better than in the first couple of issues and, despite the unnecessary use of flashbacks, it works very well by delivering the series’ best issue to date. I’ve also got to throw a shout out to Francesco Francavilla for a very cool cover. Worth a look.

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Fairest #1

/ / Comics

fairest-1-cover

The new series from writer Bill Willingham, artist Phil Jimenez, and with covers by Adam Hughes, explores the secret histories of Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Cinderella, the Snow Queen, Thumbelina, Snow White, Rose Red and others. The first issue centers around Ali Baba and a bottle imp named Jonah Panghammer (think genie, without the wishes).

We see the meeting of Ali Baba and his over-talkative imaginary friend and then quite a bit of running as the thief tries not to be mauled to death by a monster while his new friend prattles on about himself. Once safe, the imp tells him of a way for the thief to find the riches he so deserves. His new master jumps at the chance, even if that means sneaking through a goblin camp to kiss a sleeping princess and win himself a kingdom.

Fans of the Fables series should enjoy themselves here. The writing is quick-witted and Jimenez’s art looks terrific. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Justice League International #7

/ / Comics

jli-new-52-7-coverJust moments after being announced as the United Nations official super-hero task force everything goes to hell when the ceremony is shocked by an explosion that leaves several of the JLI injured, and one member dead.

The Joss Whedon-esque move to pull the rug right out from under the team in its first moment of glory, not to mention killing off a main character, isn’t a bad one although pieces of the story don’t work as well as I’d like. Neither the dialogue of a mournful father not the reaction of the U.N. Security Chief feel natural.

The team’s response to the attack, the severe injuries to Ice and Vixen, and the death of Gavril Ivanovich (a character I had grown to like during Justice League: Generation Lost and who deserved a far better fate than he receives here) aren’t nearly as hamfisted.

We also get a surprise appearance by Batwing. Although I think he fits well with the make-up of the team, I am a little saddened by the prospect of him as a replacement for Batman. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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