Comics

Young Justice #9

/ / Comics

young-justice-9-coverWhen the Young Justice team appears bored with their latest lesson in Espionage 101 Captain Atom decides to present them with an opprunity to learn in the field by solving a case close to his heart.

Using the skills they’ve been taught Captain Atom challenges to prove or disprove the guilt of Nathaniel Adam, an Air Force officer convicted of murdering a superior officer in 1968.

Happy to get out of the classroom, but a little surprised by the request, the team begins to investigate the murder and uncovers a smuggling ring that points to Adams’ innocence. They also run into a magical-sword-wielding samurai intent on keeping the truth hidden.

The story, having the team unknowingly investigate the past of a member of the Justice League, is an interesting idea. It also forces the more powerful members of the team into using covert skills they don’t normally employ. Although I enjoy the cartoon this is the first issue of the series I’ve picked up, and it’s good enough I might go back and read a few more issues. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Stormwatch #3

/ / Comics

stormwatch-3-coverAs Apollo heads into space to try and destroy the meteors hurtling towards Earth the rest of the team jumps to Colorado where the first meteor has landed and a giant space monster is now on the loose.

The third issue of the series isn’t awful, but it is disappointing in several ways. With the exception of the Eminence of Blades on the moon and Apollo in deep space the team looks rather pathetic against the first big threat we see them come across. I’m thinking that’s maybe not how you want to showcase a team just taking its first steps into the proper DCU.

I’v also less than happy with the literal translation of Jack Hawksmoor‘s ability to talk to cities. A better writer would understand that this refers to the character’s innate understanding of what is going on in cities with a connection that can’t actually be expressed. Writer Paul Cornell’s much more literally version is Jack actually talking to female avatars of cities in an awkward attempt to explain his powers. Ugh.

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Moon Knight #7

/ / Comics

moon-knight-cover-7The series’ first arc comes to a close with Moon Knight setting a trap and exposing Count Nefaria as the Kingpin of Los Angeles. Although the issue is extremely light on the one relationship that has made the previous issues so good (Echo barely makes an appearance here) we get plenty of Moon Knight dealing with his multiple personalities before putting his insane plan into action.

Despite having questions about his sanity, and having already turned him into the Avengers, Buck agrees to help Moon Knight sell a fake Ultron head to lure our the Los Angeles kingpin. Their plan, thanks to decomissioned S.H.I.E.L.D. toxin to slow down mutants, is somewhat successful.

Moon Knight is able to capture Snapdragon, but the victory is somewhat hollow with the knowledge that Count Nefaria has escaped and Moon Knight just may have missed his one opportunity to take down a villain far outside his power level.

A good end to the series first story arc. It will be interesting to see where things go from here. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Daredevil #5

/ / Comics

daredevil-5-coverAfter the attempt on Austin Cao’s life, Matt Murdock has no choice but to accept the blind linguistic genius case. By recreating the scene of event Murdock tries to jog his client’s memory to find what he heard that got him fired from Roxxon Oil. What he uncovers is a link to H.Y.D.R.A. and a far more dangerous situation than he would have ever guessed.

The entire sequence of Murdock taking down the assassins and moving Cao to a safehouse is terrific and is exceptionally well thought out with one blind character leading another through a series of necessary steps and providing just the right information, no more, no less.

The B-story involves Foggy‘s attempt to convince his new girlfriend’s roommate that Matt Murdock isn’t Daredevil. His argument is less than successful until he comes up with either the smartest or dumbest idea the character has ever had. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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The Flash #2

/ / Comics

the-flash-new-52-2-coverMy reaction the DC’s decision to reboot has been mixed, but I’ve got to say I’ve been pretty happy with Barry Allen’s return as the Flash. I’m still conflicted about how much of the character’s past was wiped away by the New 52 (especially when Barry’s pal Hal Jordan finds his past largely intact), but I’ve got to say I’m really enjoying this title.

Issue #2 continues the storyline about Barry’s missing childhood friend, but much more of this second issue centers around Barry leaning more about his powers. We get our first look at a possible precursor to the Cosmic Treadmill, and the Flash learns to no only act at super-speed but think faster as well.

Once again the art by writer/artist Francis Manapul is exquisite. I love how how Manapul showcases the character’s speed and motion while never loosing sight of who the man underneath the mask is. It’s been a long time since this, or any Flash, has had a title this good. Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

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