Comics

Fear Itself #4 (of 7)

Fear Itself #4One month later here’s what we know: Bucky Barnes is still dead, the world is still going to Hell, Thor is back, and so far no one actually has a plan on how to stop an evil God of Fear from playing Hammertime all over the Marvel Universe. Oh yeah, and Steve Rogers is Captain America, again.

I’ve felt indifferent to most of Fear Itself, and although I certanly didn’t love this issue it has a couple of points of interest besides Steve Rogers becoming Captain America and the reuniting of the Avengers big three.

Bucky’s death scene, though short (and nowhere near as lovingly told as the Red Hulk’s) works quite well. It’s also telling that Steve Rogers can’t be in the same room with Bucky’s body or, even though he manages to don the costume, still can’t bring himself to put on Captain America’s mask.

We also learn that Thor is destined to die (or, die as much as a God actually can in the Marvel Universe), and are witness to Tony Stark debasing himself in front of Odin by draining a bottle of booze (as plans go, not the brightest he’s ever had). Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Secret Six #35

Secret Six 35With the DC reboot just two months away writer Gail Simone gives the first half of the two-part series finale of a comic I’m going to miss a great deal. The path of the Secret Six takes a new turn as Bane‘s view of the world has been altered by his brief state in Hell.

The man who once broke the Bat has decided to lead the team back into Gotham and take on Batman and the entire Bat-Family. The old Bane, with a little encouragement from Catman, seems to be back.

This is a pretty good issue that puts the team on a new path and drafts a new member (but a familiar villain) to the squad, but with the looming DC reboot the question is will Gail Simone have time to tell the full story?

With only one issue left, I’m saddened that this is the end of the Secret Six, at least for now (and possibly for good). Whether the powers that be in the DCU believe it or not, their universe is going to be a lot less interesting without the Six to kick around. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Flashpoint #3 (of 5)

Flashpoint 3The third issue of Flashpoint finally gives us Barry Allen as the Flash. It also gives us the Flashpoint version of Superman… which isn’t quite as impressive.

First off, I’m glad to see Barry back in costume and I like the subtle difference in the relationship between the Flash and Batman once the speedster has his powers back.

Although this issues sees the beginnings of the Justice League, and the face of the Resistance which includes Grifter (because, apparently Gen13 wasn’t available), the other big event is the appearance of Superman who it appears has been kept in captivity since birth, far away from the powerful rays of the Sun.

It’s not a bad third issue, but by the end of the #3 we should be more than halfway through Flashpoint and there seems like quite a bit yet to be decided. The appearance of Grifter also makes my original theory of Flashpoint being the catalyst the DC reboot (which Grifter and other WildStorm characters are to be a part of) look that much more likely. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $3.99]

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Batman and Robin #25

batman-and-robin-25-coverThe most recent Red Hood storyline comes to a (somewhat disappointing) close in this issue. Whether events were cut short to make room for DC’s new reboot, or not, that’s certainly how things feel here.

Batman and Robin’s team-up with Jason Todd to save his former partner Scarlet runs into early snags as former hero turned crime boss turned… whatever the hell he is now repeatedly doublecrosses the Dynamic Duo.

The issue isn’t bad by any means, but it does have a rushed feel and is stuck with an anticlimactic ending that, given the looming reboot, will never truly be resolved.

That said, there are a couple of nice scenes where we’re given a look into Todd’s view of Dick Grayson, and vice-versa. This storyline, even when it has struggled at times has done a good job focusing on the differences between the first two Robins. Personally, I would have liked more of Damian‘s thoughts on Todd whose outlook is far similar to the Son of Batman than his current boss. With a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Comic Rack

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, BOOM!, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Batgirl, Birds of Prey, Booster Gold, Deadpool, FF, Green Lantern, Hellraiser, Jughead, Memoir, New Avengers, Red Robin, Total Recall, the first issues of B.P.R.D.: Hell On Earth – Monsters, Captain America, Crawl to Me, DC Comics Presents: Batman – Gotham Noir, Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life, Dollhouse: Epitaphs, Executive Assistant: Orchid, Ghost Rider, The Red Wing, Ultimate Fallout, X-Men: Schism, and the final issues of Formic Wars: Burning Earth, The Green Hornet: Aftermath, Space Warped, and Ultimate Fallout.

Enjoy issue #136

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