Comics

Detective Comics #875

/ / Comics

detective-comics-875-coverFor an issue of Detective Comics featuring only a cameo of Batman this one ain’t too bad. Commissioner James Gordon takes center stage here, haunted by the return of his son and an unsolved series of child murders more than fifteen years ago.

The two stories fit well together (even without the thread writer Scott Snyder shoves in at the end), and the story reminds us how much the job has cost Gordon over the years and how the thousands of cases he’s solved can’t outweigh the ones that still haunt him.

Although I’m not wild about the art for Batman (in the couple of panels the Dark Knight Detective actually appears), Francesco Francavilla’s style works well for a story centered around Gordon, both in the past and the present. It will be interesting to show how the James Jr. storyline plays out, and how much time it’s given center stage (as it is here). Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Amazing Spider-Man #657

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amazing-spider-man-657-coverAnother strong issue dealing with the effects of Johnny Storm‘s death. Spider-Man shows up at the Baxter Building offereing his condolences and reminicing with Reed, Sue, and Ben about their fallen friend.

I’ve only got minor complaints with this issue such as it being set before the events of FF #1 (which came out last week) and the awkwardness of the first couple of pages. Other than that I really enjoyed this issue (which is something I’ve only been able to say occasionally about this title in the past few months).

What we do get is multiple stories from different artists including Spidey, Reed, and Johnny in space, Spider-Man going camping with the Fantastic Four, and the Invisible Woman pulling down the pants of criminals in the middle of Central Park. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.

There’s also a nice moment at the end where the family sits down to watch the message Johnny left for Peter. It may not be as good as the one from FF #1, but it’s still a nice moment. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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

This week includes Abyss: Family Issues, Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth, Betty, The Boys, Brightest Day, Chew, Doom Patrol, Dungeons & Dragons, Heroes for Hire, House of Mystery, The Intrepids, Jonah Hex, Memoir, Secret Six, the first issues of Blue Estate, B.P.R.D.: The Dead Remembered, Charismagic, The Dresden Files: Fool Moon Vol. 1, Fear Itself, The Green Hornet: Aftermath, Herc, Nonplayer, Skaar: King of the Savage Land, Solomon Kane: Red Shadows, and the final issues of Bring the Thunder, Raise the Dead II, and Ultimate Comics Captain America.

Enjoy issue #122

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Batman Incorporated #4

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batman-inc-4-coverThere are two different types of comic writers. The first attempts nothing more than to tell good stories month after month by understanding the characters, the world they inhabit, and working within that framework. The second attempts to deconstruct the existing reality of a hero in an attempt to create a definitive version. Grant Morrison is the later. And that’s why he so often pisses me off.

This comic has at least three separate stories going on (actually more, counting the multiple flashbacks of Kathy Kane) and is presented in the twisted half-assed teasing manner Grant Morisson thinks makes great storytelling, but, at least for me comes off as a fanboy who has seen Momento way, way too many times.

The story involves Batwoman, flashbacks to the early (and late) days of the original Batwoman, Batman caught in a death trap, and a villain who is somehow connected to it all. Oblique storytelling isn’t terrific in and of itself. If it were Grant Morrison might be the best author of all time.

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G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #164

/ / Comics

Although I enjoyed G.I. JOE: Cobra, it’s been awhile since I’ve picked up a regular on-going G.I. JOE comic. Seeing both Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow on the latest cover I decided to give this one a look.

Even though I hadn’t read much of IDW’s current G.I. JOE universe it was easy to pick things up. The Baroness had been captured and Destro and C.O.B.R.A. were using a homing device to locate her inside the JOE’s secret base.

We also get a battle between between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, part of which takes place in mid-air as they’re falling from a building. Okay, that’s kinda cool. This issue throws in Zartan and the Dreadnoks, which certainly isn’t going to hurt my opinion of the book.

In fact in many ways this entire issue feels like it’s playing on the nostalga of my youth. The trouble is, with as much fun as there is here to have, the story itself is somewhat empty. Am I glad I read this issue? Yes. Does it make me any more likely to pick up the next one? Not really.

[IDW, $3.99]

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