3.5 Razors

The Scarlet Spider #1

/ / Comics

scarlet-spider-1-coverI’m a fan of the Scarlet Spider. For those of you who don’t know who that is, the Scarlet Spider was the alter-ego assumed by Peter Parker‘s clone when he was reintroduced to comics in the 1990’s.

The Clone Saga has earned the animostity of several Spidey fans (some of it well-deserved), but despite many problematic elements (including its purpose to replace Peter with his clone as Spider-Man and its awful ending where the character literally disovled into dust for Marvel Comics to sweep under the rug) I’ll look back on it fondly for introducing the character of the Scarlet Spider.

When I heard a new Scarlet Spider comic was in the works I was excited but confused. After all the character was long dead. Learning the new series would center around the character of Kaine (another clone reintroduced in the Clone Saga), a character I have no real fondness for, I was a little less sure of what to expect.

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Justice League International #5

/ / Comics

justice-league-international-new-52-5-coverIssue #5 gives us the big showdown between the Justice League International and Peraxxus, the weird Galactus-lookin’ spice miner planning to blow up the world with four giant robots and sell off the mineral debris to the highest bidder.

Honestly, the story arc could have been wrapped up last issue, but things work out well here as the team comes together to save the planet and prove that this whole JLI thing might not be such a bad idea.

No, it’s still not as good as Keith Giffen‘s fabulous run on the title, but writer Dan Jurgens is starting to put these pieces together and focus on the relationships in this hodge-podge of heroes from many nations. He’s even got me caring about August General in Iron and Godiva. Now if someone could retrofit Booster Gold‘s costume to its pre-New 52 days!

The opening arc hasn’t been great, but it hasn’t had the huge ups and downs of the less consistent Justice League, either. The final panel makes me thing we’ll soon see another old friend from the Giffen days as well. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Super Dinosaur #7

/ / Comics

Super Dinosaur #7Issue #7 isn’t a bad issue, but it does feel like filler and the major storylines seem to be on hold for an episode focused on Super Dinosaur, Derek, and the rest of the team having the day off to recoup.

We get scene where Derek and SD discuss the difficulty in their new awesome training simulation, but almost none of the training makes the comic. Super Dinosaur is at its best when it throws caution to the wind and amps up the action. Here was a perfect chance to give us a little in an issue that was going to be more character-driven but it’s quickly glossed over.

As Derek and Erin spend some time racing Wheels and Pixie, and SD and Erica spend more time bonding over video games, the rest of the comic deals with the upheaval at Castle Maximus after the capture of Max Maximus and Squidious being thrown out by his minions. As to the mystery over Doctor Dynamo‘s missing wife we may, may finally get some movement on that story in the next issue. For fans.

[Image, $3.99]

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Chuck Versus the Kept Man

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Chuck – Chuck Versus the Kept Man
  • tv.com: link

chuck-versus-the-kept-manCasey (Adam Baldwin) begins to feel like a kept man when Gertrude (Carrie-Anne Moss) returns to hire the team for what appears to be an excuse to vacation with her new boyfriend. Meanwhile Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) begins to freak out, afraid that she might be pregnant. When the mission takes a far more serious tone both have to put away their issues to save their client, and the woman Casey loves.

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Fatale #1

/ / Comics

Fatale #1Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips return to give us a new noir mystery with Fatale. Or story begins with a funeral of Dominic Raines and the introduction of Nicolas Lash and the mysterious woman who will change his life forever.

While performing his duties as the executive of Raines’ estate Nicolas discovers an unpublished manuscript and a group of men who appear to want him dead. Saved by the mysterious Jo, Nic is left with far more questions than answers waking up days later in a hospital with only the manuscript to guide him through the odd series of events he’s somehow become lost in.

I’m unsure how the occult and mystical elements presented in the first issue will work themselves into the story, but as a first issue it’s a great read. The comic is structured to feature story and character, packed with panels (and only a single full-page splash page). You’re certainly getting your money’s worth. Best of the week.

[Image, $3.50]

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