3 Razors

The Shadow Special #1

/ / Comics

the-shadow-special-1-coverSpecials and Annuals for ongoing series are always something of a mixed bag, especially (as in the case with The Shadow Special #1) the one-off issue isn’t connected to the ongoing series or even written aor drawn by the current creative team.

“Veterans of a Foreign War” isn’t a bad story, but it probably won’t be of interest to anyone who isn’t a big fan of the character. Lamont Cranston‘s past catches up with him when he reconnects with a soldier he helped train during the war. Knowing the kind of man Howard Griffin became (and the man Cranston was when he used the name “Kent Allard”) Cranston keeps Griffin far away from Margo as The Shadow investigates the current activities of Griffin and some of his war cronies.

Much of the oversized issue deals with flashbacks of Allard and Griffin meaning the story limits the amount of time The Shadow appears, at least until the last few pages when Crantston takes his vengeance on men he once called brothers. It’s a little pricey at $5, but fans should enjoy themselves with this glimpse into Cranston’s past before he could look into the hearts of men. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $4.99]

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FF #2

/ / Comics

ff-marvel-now-2-coverI was surprised how much I liked the first issue of this new Marvel NOW! version of the FF. The follow-up may not be as strong, but fans should still enjoy themselves in a comic that despite Mike Allred only doing the art is feeling more and more like a Madman comic.

After being disappointed when the Fantastic Four don’t return after four minutes, their replacements get to work getting things back to normal at the Baxter Building. This includes Ant-Man explaining to the children why the Daily Bugle refereed to him as a convict, She-Hulk lecturing the children on the finer points of the law, and one member of the team quitting.

When the comic stays with the character dynamics inside the Baxter Building things continue to run smoothly. However, writer Matt Fraction’s choice of villain, in a humdrum homage to the original Fantastic Four #1, doesn’t work nearly as well. For fans.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Young Justice #23

/ / Comics

young-justice-23-coverThe current storyline continues as Superman, Superboy, Captain Atom, Captain Marvel, and Wonder Woman fight off Braniac‘s crystallized minion in space the various Young Justice teams try break through the impenetrable field surrounding Metropolis and discover more information about the spaceship floating above the city.

Although the comic is fun, it does feel far too much like treading water and needlessly stretching out the arc as none of the major stories are moved that far forward. However, we do get an appearance by the Young Justice version of Deashot in the flashback to five years ago (that is still be awkwardly continued along with the current storyline). Although he isn’t quite wearing his classic costume, the villain certainly looks better than his New 52 makeover.

There’s enough here for fans, including appearances by several members of the team, but it’s certainly not a must-read and could probably be skipped without missing a beat of the overall arc. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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Fables #124

/ / Comics

fables-124-coverHad I paid a little more attention odds are I wouldn’t have picked up this latest issue of Fables. Instead of a one-shot or the start of a new arc, the issue is wholly devoted to the final three chapters of the back-up story “A Revolution of Oz” (which has been running for the past several months) and the further adventures of Bufkin and Lily Martagon. That’s not to say what writer Bill Willingham delivers here is bad, it’s just the fact that I haven’t been reading the back-up story and felt a little lost for the first few pages.

That said, the further adventures of Bufkin and Lily, even if it seems to be all 80’s style montage, is actually quite a bit of fun delivering a love story, fights for freedom, a mad scientist, weird transformations, and the peaceful end to an adventurous life.

Odds are those who have been keeping up with the backup story and know these characters far better than I are going to get more out of this issue than I did, but even for someone jumping in blind there’s still plenty here that’s worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #15

/ / Comics

red-hood-and-the-outlaws-15-coverDespite the fact that we’re in the third month of Death of the Family this is the first (and likely only) time the Bat-book crossover truly makes its presence felt in Red Hood and the Outlaws. The issue isn’t great, but compared to most of the subpar storyline so far about the Face-Off Joker hitting the Bat-Family where they live, it’s not too bad (and far better than last month‘s wasted appearance by Superman).

After the Joker gives Isabel an overdose of heroin the Red Hood sets out for payback only to be drugged and beaten again by the man who killed him years ago. Despite the comic staying with Joker teasing knowledge about the Bat-Family and his hand in crafting Jason Todd’s destiny there are a couple of good moments here including an appearance by Harvey Bullock (who thankfully hasn’t been given a New 52 revamp) and some nice back and forth with Starfire and Arsenal.

The comic finally gives us a confrontation between the Joker and the Red Hood. Even if it’s not as good as I hoped, at least the crossover feels legitimately underway. For fans.

[DC, 2.99]

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