Comics

Batgirl #24

/ / Comics

batgirl-24-coverWriter Bryan Q. Miller’s run on Batgirl comes to an end. Barbara Gordon may be back in the Batsuit starting next month, but Miller sends out Stephanie Brown out in style with almost everything you’d could ask for. Issue #24 includes a terrific final page that not only neatly wraps up the series, and says goodbye to the character, but also fits so naturally into the tone of a comic that’s been one of DC’s best for two years now.

He even manages to squeeze in a cameo for Damian. I’m just sad he didn’t have 20 extra pages to say goodbye to all of Stephanie’s friends and supporting cast as well.

The issue begins with Batgirl confronting her father, the Cluemaster, who’s been behind the Reapers since the beginning and has transformed the Black Mercy into a weaponized hallucinogen. We see the aftereffects of the drug on Stephanie’s system later (in some terrific full-page panels by Pere Pérez), but not before Miller delivers a heartwarming scene between Steph and her mother who has discovered, and come to terms with, Stephanie’s latest alter-ego.

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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 All Nighter, Avengers, Captain America, DMZ, Fables, Hulk, Invincible Iron Man, Samurai’s Blood, Simpsons Comics, Uncanny X-Men, The Walking Dead, X-Factor, X-Men: Schism, the first issues of Brilliant, Herc, Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl, Star Wars: Knight Errant – Deluge, Warlord of Mars: Fall of Barsoom, and the final issues of Batman, Conan: Road of Kings, Fear Itself: Deadpool, Flashpoint: Abin Sur – The Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Justice League of America, Power Girl, Supergirl, and Zatanna.

Enjoy issue #141

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Flashpoint #4

/ / Comics

flashpoint-4-coverOne of the most intriguing redesigns of the Flashpoint universe was Captain Marvel. Instead of Billy Batson alone calling on the magic of Shazam, he is one of six hosts who together all form Captain Thunder. The lightning also transforms Tawky Tawny into something which can only be referred to as Battle Cat. Now c’mon, that’s kinda cool.

The problem is after introducing Captain Thunder in the first issue of Flashpoint he’s been M.I.A. ever since. This issue rectifies the situation by having Batman and his team come to Billy and his friends to help the Flash. Sounds good right? Captain Thunder even agrees to help the team take on the Amazons and Aquaman.

Trouble is, even in the Flashpoint universe DC Comics seems intent on limiting the number of pages Captain Marvel can appear. The team is betrayed and Billy Batson is killed. But at least I’ll get to see him in the new DC Reboot, right? Oh, Captain Marvel isn’t part of that either? Sigh. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $3.99]

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Usagi Yojimbo #139

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usagi-yojimbo-139-coverUsagi‘s wanderings lead him to cross paths with an old friend when he comes upon Inspector Ishida fending off an attack by an entire band of ruffians.

After helping his old friend dispatch the last of the killers Uasgi learns Ishida is transporting a prisoner, one of two brothers who lead this nefarious band, to justice. Usagi agrees to accompany him and the two warriors and their prisoner set off for their destination only to be waylaid by the weather when they must make a stop at an inn.

It’s here Ishida and Usagi run into an assortment of characters including the inn keeper, who despite closing the establishment can’t turn a blind eye to weary travelers in bad weather, a pompous aristocrat who fancies himself a poet and his bodyguard, and a humble paper dealer and his family.

The storm outside, the prisoner, and the odd mix of personalities under one roof is a good set-up for a murder mystery. I won’t tell you who is killed, or why, but I will say I’m definitely looking forward to picking up the next issue.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

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Is this the end for the Secret Six?

/ / Comics

secret-six-36-coverYou know you’re in trouble when Ragdoll is the voice of reason. On the eve of Bane‘s plan to take on Batman by attacking those closest to him the team begins to fray as they are surrounded by heroes who have followed the Penguin‘s tracker to the abadoned warehouse the Secret Six is using as its temporary base.

In an attempt to end things quickly Huntress calls in favors and brings in everybody, and I do mean everybody, to take the Six down, but as Huntress realizes far too late this isn’t the team to back down against an overwhelming show of force. As Ragdoll points out this team only has one redeeming virtue: they simply don’t know when to quit. That’s one lesson they never learned.

The Secret Six aren’t just another super-villain team. As screwed up as they all are there’s something noble about a group who will fight for each other, against all odds, knowing the chance of actually winning is impossibly high. And in this final issue Gail Simone let’s them go out Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid style.

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Is this the end for the Secret Six?Read More »

Is this the end for the Secret Six? Read More »