Comics

Annihilators: Earthfall #4

/ / Comics

annihilators-earthfall-4-coverThe second Annihilators mini-series ends more with a whimper than a bang. I thought the main story stayed more interesting this time around (even without the Silver Surfer), as the Avengers and Annihilators banded together to stop the return of the Magnus and the rise of the Universal Church of Truth.

Although the two super-teams are able to work together its obvious the Avengers and the Annihilators have far different views on saving the day. Quasar hopes to keep his team in-check, but his final line to Captain America sure feels like none-to-subtle foreshadowing to me.

Sadly, poor Rocket Racoon and Groot‘s B-story with Mojo peters out in the few pages. If these mini-series are going to continue Rocket Racoon and Groot need to be given a bigger role, brought in on the main storyline, or given their own comic.

Much like the first mini-series Earthfall was fun, but not as good as I hoped it to be. Here’s hoping the next one knocks it out of the park (and gives us at least twice as much Rocket Racoon and Groot). I AM GROOT!

[Marvel, $3.99]

Annihilators: Earthfall #4 Read More »

Secret Avengers #20

/ / Comics

secret-avengers-20-coverThe latest issue of Secret Avengers opens with the deaths of Steve Rogers, Agent 13, and War Machine. To save her friends the Black Widow activates an “Escape Hatch” (a small time machine) which takes her five years into the past to begin planning a way to avert the catastrophe which took the lives of three of her teammates.

Sadly, she can’t simply show up and take out the group which ambushed her friends. The timeline must be preserved. Whatever the Black Widow decides to do, she must not leave any trace that the events have been altered.

Using the Escape Hatch the Black Widow travels to talk with the Beast about the the trouble with time travel, enlists the help of a sorcerer hours before his death and a black market weapons designer to make what she will need.

I’ve never been the biggest Black Widow fan, but the choice by Warren Ellis to choose the character who has no special knowledge or skill set of the concepts involved is a good one.

…

Secret Avengers #20Read More »

Secret Avengers #20 Read More »

The Flash #4

/ / Comics

the-flash-4-new-52-coverIssue #4 gives us a pretty well thought-out explanation as to how Barry Allen survived the sequence of events from last month’s comic, but most of this month’s story is focused on explaining the history of Mob Rule.

Even if we don’t get much of the Flash here, the backstory of Mob Rule (though gruemsome) is explains quite a bit. Manuel Lago was a super-spy who had been given regenerative abilities as part of a top secret government project (think Deadpool, without the tumors). However, when one of his mission went horribly wrong he was tortured for hours with limbs being cut-off his body as they regenerated. Eventually the various limbs grew into copies of him, and Mob Rule was born.

It bothers me that everyone is referring to Mob Rule by the same name when the group hasn’t publicly ever used that name, but it’s a comic book conceit I’m willing to let slide. Once again I’m impressed by how well-planned the story elements are from Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are every month. And the art is gorgeous. Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

The Flash #4 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, Animal Man, Avengers Academy, Blood Red Dragon, The Boys, Defenders, Detective Comics, Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist, G.I. JOE, Godzilla: Legends, The Goon, Hellraiser, Hulk, The Huntress, Justice League International, Shinku, Stormwatch, Super Dinosaur, Thunderbolts, X-Men, the first issues of Fatale, Ferals, The Lone Ranger, Nowhere Man, Peanuts, Robocop: Road Trip, Steed and Mrs. Peel, Vampirella Vs. Dracula, and the final issues of Artifacts, Jurassic Park: Dangerous Games and X-23.

Enjoy issue #161

…

Comic RackRead More »

Comic Rack Read More »

Captain America #6

/ / Comics

captain-america-6-coverWe get not one but two issues of Captain America to end the year. The new story arc plays on the seeds planted in the last issue as Queen Hydra and Baron Zemo infect Captain America‘s mind with a psychological attack.

Capa’s nightmares are getting worse (now he’s even dreaming being powerless to stop D-list villains like Batroc). To help clear his head he takes Hawkeye up on an offer of patrolling together. The cracking skulls and fresh air do a world of good until they come upon a riot caused by a “Madbomb.”

The situation spirals further out of control as Cap’s nightmares are made when he’s de-powered back to his pre-Super Soldier Serum days and set up by three low level baddies that make Batroc look like a genuine threat.

I was totally on board with the comic having villains attack Cap’s mind rather than face him head on. I’m far less sure of Cap’s nightmares becoming manifest in the real world. On the plus side, the art by Alan Davis is a big improvement over the last issue. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Captain America #6 Read More »