Comics

Detective Comics #1

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Before the DC Reboot writer Scott Snyder was penning a strong arc in the final issues of Detective Comics about James Gordon Jr. and the relationships of the Gordon family with the Bat-Family. Tony Daniel takes over the writing duties here as part of DC’s “New 52,” and if this issue foreshadows one hellova bumpy ride.

The first problem is the issue never tells us when it takes place. Is it at the beginning of the New 52 with Action Comics and Justice League, is it in the current timeline with most of the other #1’s, or does it take place sometime in-between?

The comic focuses on Batman‘s attempt to capture the Joker, but it’s unclear how many times Batman and the Joker have met. Is this their first meeting, their tenth, one-hundredth? The comic isn’t sure, so how can the reader be?

Even with these issues the first issue may not be good but it is, for the most part passable, – at least until the gruesome final panel. In an attempt to give us a gritty Batman story Daniel gives us the face of one of Batman’s villains nailed to a wall. This one’s best forgotten. Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League International #1

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jli-v2-1-coverI was surprised how much I liked DC’s first new title Justice League. The reboot of Justice League International isn’t quite as good, but it’s a solid start for another Justice League title.

The original JLI run by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire to this day remains one of the best team comics DC, or any publisher, has put out. Way before its time, JLI focused on character relationships, humor, and petty arguments among heroes at least as much as it did with the League saving the day.

The new JLI lacks the zaniness of Giffen’s run, and isn’t as strong as Judd Winick‘s year-long Justice League: Generation Lost tale. It’s also missing a few key pieces that could really spice up the team dynamic (including Guy Gardner, who quits halfway through this first issue).

The first issue is primarily concerned with setting up the team (which includes Fire, Ice, Rocket Red, Vixen, August General in Iron, and Godiva) under the leadership of Booster Gold, who in the relaunch is still widely regarded as a glory hound.

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Comic Rack

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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 Captain America, Cobra, Daredevil, Deadpool, Ducktales, Fear Itself, Herc, Infinite, Jughead, Moon Girl, New Avengers, Scalped, Super Dinosaur, Uncanny X-Force, X-Men Legacy, the first issues of 27 Second Set, Batman and Robin, Batwoman, Bonnie Lass, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9, Deathstroke, Demon Knights, Green Lantern, Grifter, Jurassic Park: Dangerous Games, Legion Lost, Pigs, Red Lanterns, Suicide Squad, Superboy, and the final issues of Mystery Men, Sherlock Holmes: Year One, and Supreme Power.

Enjoy issue #145

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Angel & Faith #1

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angel-and-faith-1-coverThere are parts of Buffy Season Eight I enjoyed (the start, Faith’s arc, the final issue, and most importantly “Wolves at the Gate“), but as the season continued there’s more than a little I’d just as soon forget (super-Angel and super-Buffy, the reveal of Twilight’s identity, and the complicated and convoluted story arc which ended the series). From this first issue it looks like we’re sadly going to be mired in the post-Twilight angst for a little while longer. Sigh.

Season Nine begins, not with Buffy, but with Angel and Faith and the repercussions of the Twilight story arc and Angel’s return to form as a cursed vampire with a soul seeking redemption. After the death of Giles, Faith and Angel have teamed-up to fill his role, including saving a possessed young girl in this issue. Giles left the Watcher’s Chronicles and a hole to be filled, and Angel has a plan on what to do next.

This first issue isn’t awful, but it’s pretty disappointing. Season Nine, the first full comic season with all the characters under one publisher’s banner, begins not with a bang but a whimper. Hit-and-Miss.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Zorro Rides Again #2

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zorro-rides-again-2-coverMatt Wagner’s take on the classic tale of Zorro continues. Issue three follows three separate storylines. The first is Don Diego’s father still trying to come to terms with knowing his son is Zorro (and assuming shame is the reason why Don Diego has kept this secret from him).

The second is the attempt by the alcade to seize the lands of Don Carlos for his own. The reasons for the alcade’s interest in a very average plot of land are revealed.

And the third is a widow who has become obsessed with Zorro after he saves her but is unable to do the same for her family. How this story will intertwine with the other two will have to be seen.

Wagner weaves these stories together well, and even if this second issue is a little light on action he’s laid the groundwork here for the main threads of his second Zorro series. Worth a look.

[Dynamite, $3.99]

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