Comics

The Lone Ranger #2

/ / Comics

lone-ranger-vol-2-2-coverThe second issue of Dynamite Entertainment’s new Lone Ranger series is a little better than the first but it still lacks the fun you’d like in a title centered around the masked man and his Indian companion. Once again the main story has to do with a character other than the Lone Ranger or Tonto, in this case an infamous lawman at the end of his career looking for one more showdown.

The dialogue by writer Ande Parks feels a little more natural than the series first issue. I don’t know that I’m yet sold on the art of Esteve Polls, but if the comic is going to do these mini faux historical tales, heavy on narration and light on action, it might work well enough.

It’s still a far cry from Dynamite’s first Lone Ranger series from writer Brett Matthews and artist Sergio Cariello but the second issue is enough of an improvement I’ll probably pick at least one more issue to see where the Lone Ranger and Tonto go from here. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Stormwatch #6

/ / Comics

stormwatch-6-coverPicking up where last month’s issue left off the Stormwatch team finds themselves leaderless, betrayed by the Eminence of Blades, with their ship tearing itself apart above Earth. How these individual obstacles are overcome isn’t nearly as exciting, or fun, as it should be.

Six issues in the team, and the book, still feels directionless. When they’ve got a big nasty to fight the problems in the writing can be hidden, but in a story centered around character and plot the cracks are starting to show.

There are some good moments. I like that the Engineer takes command of the team, but I still want more Jenny Quantum (who has hardly been used at all), and the military discovering the existence of a covert force such as Stormwatch opens several possibilities .

However, we also get Jack Hawksmoor talking to the city soul of the ship which is as awkward as it is stupid, I don’t need yet another speech by the Martian Manhunter as to why the Justice League is stupid, and Midnighter and Apollo‘s relationship is being handled with all the care of Twilight fan fiction. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Fatale #2

/ / Comics

fatale-2-coverEd Brubaker and Sean Phillips continue their noir horror tale with a second issue that focuses solely on the 1950’s storylines where Hank Raines finds himself falling more and more under the influence of the beautiful Josephine while her husband, Detective Walt Booker, continues his investigation into an occult murder for his own nefarious purposes.

The second issue continues to impress, although I was a little disappointed to find the modern Nicolas Lash story wasn’t woven into the the story.

We get mysterious symbols, betrayal, murder, marital infidelity, forbidden passion, police corruption, secret meetings, secrets, cult members speaking in tongues, lies, and more foreshadowing that monsters in this world are lying in wait just under the surface waiting to strike.

If you have any interest in pulp and noir tales, with a little horror thrown in, here’s a comic you really should enjoy. I would have like more of Nicolas’ story here as well, but I can wait until next month. Worth a look.

[Image, $3.50]

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Winter Soldier #1

/ / Comics

winter-soldier-1-coverWriter Ed Brubacker is the man responsible for returning Bucky Barnes from the dead and creating the character of the Winter Soldier. The last volume of Captain America saw Bucky slowly regain his memories after been brainwashed as a Soviet assassin kept in deep freeze for years. His stint filling in as Captain America was the best Cap storyline anyone has done is some time.

Once again Bucky’s been brought back from the dead in a new series penned by Brubacker that puts the Winter Soldier and the Black Widow on a mission to track down other Soviet sleeper soldiers as he tries to redeem himself for some of the damage he did while working for the KGB.

As a first issue it works well, and I’ll stand by my statement that Brubaker seems more interested in telling Bucky stories than Cap stories right now. I don’t doubt that in time this could become Brubaker’s best monthly title.

I’m less sold on the art by Butch Guice. Although it certainly fits the feel of the comic, it’s just not a style choice that I’m overly fond of.

…

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Justice League International #6

/ / Comics

jli-new-52-6-coverWith the world safe from giant space robots threatening to pull it apart (at least for the time being) the team finds itself with some time on its hands. As Booster Gold and Batman help nab the bombers behind the attack on the Hall of Justice, Guy Gardner, Rocket Red, and Ice clean-up the last of the robot mess in Peru, and Godiva introduces August General in Iron to New York City hot dogs.

This issue is exactly what the title needed. Although there’s plenty of action here as both Booster and Batman and Godiva and August General in Iron stop bomb plots, the issue is much more centered on characters, their interactions, and motivations.

From the comic’s final panel it looks like the team is going to be thrown right back into the action but I’m hoping Dan Jurgens doesn’t forget to include these kinds of moments which really make a JLI comic work. I’m also sad to see the (apparent) departure of Batman who definitely belongs on this title. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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