Comics

The Devaluation of a Hero

/ / Comics

The Silver Surfer is one of my favorite Marvel characters. Sometimes I lement that he goes long stretches without a monthly comic on his own, but then I take solace in the understanding that not everyone can write a good Silver Surfer story. And when the character is done poorly it’s excruciating to read. Take this comic as an example.

Writer Greg Pak’s “Devolution’ strips Marvel’s most noble hero of his adamantium skin and then shoots him several times in the chest. Honestly, I can’t imagine a worse Silver Surfer story, and I’ve read Ron Marz‘s take on the character. And we’ve got four more issues!

Pak’s writing comes off like someone who has read Silver Surfer stories in the past but didn’t understand them. In essence what he’s done here is given the Surfer the Michael Bay Transformers treatment. (And if you find a way to take that as a positive I hate you.)

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Green Lantern #62

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green-lantern-62-coverI will be so glad when Brightest Day is over. Hal Jordan and the rainbow corps come face-to-face with Krona (and get their asses handed to them in short order). Krona escapes with the entities and Hal wakes up hours later back on th JLA Satelitte with a concussion and broken ribs just in time for a scolding from Batman.

Needing all the help he can get Hal immediately turns down Superman, Batman, and the Flash (who all agree to help), and promptly disappears with the rainbow corps back into space.

There’s so much wrong with this issue I don’t know where to begin. The story is just gawdaful. Hal’s refusal of help makes no sense for a guy who’s known to use whatever advantage and leverage he can get over the years. Nor does his protection of Atrocitus given his most recent murderous offenses on Earth. I’ve also got to complain about the inconsistency of Doug Mahnke’s artwork over the issue – he can’t even get Batman’s costume right (he puts Bruce into Dick Grayson‘s costume).

[$2.99]

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Doom Patrol #19

/ / Comics

doom-patrol-19-coverI love Keith Giffen, but not everything he does is a winner. This second-half of the Secret Six crossover finds the Doom Patrol and Catman and company battling it out on an island while an active volcano turns everything to slag around them.

Although I liked the madcap action of the first-half of this crossover, this one’s a bit disappointing. There are some fun moments (including the crazed charge of the Science Squad), but the craziness ultimately never pays off. On the plus side, Catman and Scandal get off some good lines (reminding us of pre-Bane Secret Six days).

Although the Secret Six are present, they take a definite backseat to the Doom Patrol (who, to be honest, I’ve never really been that fond of).

It’s not a bad read, I was just hoping with all the insanity at his disposal Giffen would knock the second-half of this one out of the park. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC $2.99]

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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 Astonishing X-Men, Avengers, Deadpool, Detective Comics, Gotham City Sirens, Green Arrow, Godland, Invincible Iron Man, Kato, Lady Death, Power Girl, Savage Dragon, Scalped, Spike, Teen Titans, Thor, Usagi Yojimbo,X-Men, the first issues of Iron Man 2.0, King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel, Transformers 3 Movie Prequel – Foundation, True Blood: Tainted, and the final issues of Fantastic Four, Green Hornet: Blood Ties, Iron Man/Thor, Kull: The Hate Witch #4 (of 4), Star Trek: Infestation, Warriors Three, and X-Men: To Serve And Protect.

Enjoy issue #116

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Red Robin #20

/ / Comics

red-robin-20-coverEnter the Catman. The first issue of a two-part crossover with Teen Titans begins here as Red Robin battles with Catman who has been hired by the Calculator to keep the hero out of the ubernet. His solution is simple, and deadly – he puts Tam Fox in danger.

I’ve got to say any comic can be helped by a little Catman, and the fight between the two is pretty good. I’m also glad to see how seriously Drake takes a threat like Thomas Blake. You’ve come a long way, baby (thank you Gail Simone!).

That said, the best part of this issue is the second-half where Red Robin reconnects with the Teen Titans (and Damian). The Empire Strike Back reunion scene is pretty good, as is the chemistry between Drake and his former teammates is enjoyable as well as telling on how much Drake has grown into his own character. Now if they can just survive the daunting task of taking out Calculator’s base of operation protected by an army of robots made in his own image. (I wonder if he calls them Doombots?) Definitely worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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