Comics

Shadowland #4 (of 5)

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  • Title: Shadowland #4 (of 5)
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With this issue Andy Diggle‘s Shadowland moves one merciful step closer to a conclusion. To recap: Matt Murdock has been fully possessed by a “The Beast” of the Hand making him stronger, faster, deadlier, (and forcing the horns on his costume to grow?).

Issue #4 brings The Avengers sneaking into the Hand’s temple with the help of Elektra with the single purpose of taking their former friend down. Things don’t go exactly as planned (even with Wolverine going all stabby-stabby on the man without fear).

Oh, and Daredevil (or the Beast, or whatever you want to call him) has decided to resurrect Bullseye and make him an agent of the Hand. Gee, I wonder who could possibly have forseen that. And the Kingpin begins moving into position to grab power once the dust settles.

Other than the Avengers getting their butts handed to them by DD and the magic ninjas (well, what would you call them?) there’s really not much here. But at least we’re one step closer to finally ending this once promising but poorly executed mini-event. That’s something, right?

[Marvel $3.99]

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Secret Six #26

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  • Title: Secret Six #26
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After Bane makes some new friends by removing a few of the locals heads and limbs the two squads finally meet in the jungles of Skartaris. And then things get really interesting – especially for Bane and Scandal who square off against each other in a fight that ends bloody and may have lasting effects on the make up of the team.

Also in this issue Catman and his team fight a sea monster (to the utter delight of Rag Doll), and there’s a pretty intense confrontation between Amanda Waller and Spy Smasher over the Six’s involvement in Skartaris.

A pretty good read from writer Gail Simone, with lots of bloody action courtesy of artist J. Calafiore. Worth a look.

[DC Comics $2.99]

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Superman/Batman #76

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  • Title: Superman/Batman #76
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For a comic that boasts the names of two of DC Comics most famous heroes in it’s name Superman/Batman has been largely forgettable. There are several reasons for this which include so-so storytelling, hit-and-miss art, and the fact it takes place outside of DC’s continuity.

With issue #76 writer Judd Winick puts Dick Grayson under the cowl for the first time. The story begins just after Final Crisis and runs, roughly, up to the present. That’s quite a bit of ground to cover. Given that, the result is a bit mixed.

On the plus side the story gives us Superman’s perspective on the death of his friend in some pretty well-written scenes between Supes and Lois, and later with Wonder Woman, and (more than a few) shots of the Man of Steel staring into space. There’s also a very human, if completely un-characteristic moment when Superman sees Dick in the Bat-suit for the first time. It works, but it’s a little heavy-handed for my tastes.

For an issue of this title it’s one of the best, but that’s not saying much. Aside from a panel here and there (such as Batman being brought back to the Batcave) I’m not that impressed with the art by Eddie Berganza who can’t seem to draw Superman the same way in any two panels (there was even one panel I thought he was weaving Superboy into the story for a moment!), or draw him significantly different than anyone else with dark hair seen here. That said, it’s a story that should be told as well as read. Worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Deadpool Team-Up #889

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  • Title: Deadpool Team-Up #889
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Is that Deadpool, in a tank, chasing a talking gorilla, across an isolated island in the middle of nowhere? Why yes, I believe it is!

Seriously, what else do you need to know? Not enough? Hmm… what if I told you the next scene involves Gorilla Man in a giant suit of armor bashing the tank in and… oh, don’t want to give too much away now do I? (But one scene does involving Deadpool lassoing a pterodactyl).

The latest team-up pits Deadpool and Gorilla Man against each other by a beautiful damsel in distress who, it turns out, may not actually be in distress, or beautiful, or, in fact, a damsel. Don’t you hate it when that happens?

[Marvel $2.99]

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Darkwing Duck #4

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  • Title: Darkwing Duck #4
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Darkwing Duck‘s return to crime-fighting continues in an issue filled to the brim with baddies (Megavolt, Bushroot, Quackerjack, The Liquidator, and Taurus Bulba), surprises (guard dogs riding guard flamingos, an appearance of the GizmoDuck armor under the the command of Gosalyn), action aplenty, and even a cameo by Scrooge McDuck and his three nephews.

All in all, not too shabby. Oh, and did I mention we finally get an appearance of NegaDuck, too? Darkwing and the gang save the day, but it appears more evil is lurking in the shadows. Worth a look.

[BOOM! $3.99]

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