4 Razors

Daredevil #26

Daredevil #26Bruised and beaten Daredevil returns home from his encounter with Ikari still unsure who the warrior is working for and who is behind the constant attacks on his life. An increasingly paranoid and fearful Matt Murdock turns to his best friend who helps Matt work through what’s happening to him and uncover the old enemy responsible for his current troubles.

After figuring out a way to escape the enhanced senses of Ikari, and quickly dispatching Lady Bullseye, Daredevil is brought face to face with the invalid mastermind, once the deadliest assassin in the world now unable to move a single muscle. The choice of Bullseye certainly works, but I was hoping for something a little more imaginative from writer Mark Waid. Even after finding Bullseye, Daredevil still has Ikari to deal with, and as we’ve already seen that’s easier said than done.

The extra-sized comic also includes an unnecessary back-up story involving Foggy’s time in the hospital. It has a nice message but feels tacked on mainly to boost the pages, and price tag, of the latest issue. Worth a look (for the main story).

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Fatale #14

Fatale #14After a series of one-offs featuring other characters, Fatale #14 catches up with Josephine during WWII where her curiosity about her unique condition leads her into Romania and, despite the warning of a woman she trusts completely, to seek out Hitler’s mystic priests known as the Thule Society.

Captured by the group, Josephine is to be sacrificed during the Convergence, but thanks to the timely arrival of a solider entranced by a map which drove his other comrades mad, the femme fatale manages to get out of Romania alive. With the punch of some sly humor and action, the comic gives us a glimpse at the series of events which led to the happiest period of her life, but not blissfully happy as the series of events inside the mountain had left unforgettable knowledge that monsters do indeed walk the Earth and they have a keen interest in her above all others.

I’ve enjoyed the one-offs, but I’m glad to see the comic pick up thread of Josephine’s story once again. Worth a look.

[Image, $3.50]

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Nova #4

Nova #4Sent into space to scout the fleet of Chitauri warships on their way to destroy the Earth, Nova bites off more than he can chew when the young hero decides to stage a preemptive attack on the fleet. Although things start off well, Sam soon finds himself at the mercy of the aliens and a former member of the Nova Squadron who blames Sam’s father for the loss of his eye and his current predicament.

There’s quite a bit of action here, and I like the character of Titus (seriously, what’s not to like about one-eyes space tigers?). However, Titus’ motivations seem a little shaky, as does his version of events concerning the actions of Sam’s father which led to him being forced to work for the Chitauri.

The story gets a little sloppy int the middle, and there’s no Rocket Raccoon, but the series continues to be fun and high-spirited, and promises more of Titus and a perhaps even a direct attack on Sam’s family in the next issue. That, along with some more great art by Ed McGuinness, is enough to make me come back next month for more. For fans.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Green Hornet #2

Green Hornet #2The second issue of Mark Waid’s Green Hornet focuses on the vigilante continuing to try and uncover the true identity of “The Voice,” a dangerous new player intent on sabotage and damaging the United States war efforts at home by targeting docks, steel plants, and rail lines involved in the making and transporting of war material to be used overseas.

While the Green Hornet targets The Voice for moving in on his criminal empire by reminding local thugs that he owns this city, even going so far as to stage a scene of burning a cop alive before their eyes, Brit Reid uses the resources as a newspaper editor to talk with close friends and political allies to try and figure out where The Voice’s true motivations lie.

Waid’s take on the character continues to focus on the theatrics of the Hornet going to further and further extremes while also showcasing the power of the press and the threat from saboteurs in a world at war. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Supergirl #20

Supergirl #20After finally allowing the pair to meet in the last issue, Supergirl #20 introduces Power Girl to Supergirl‘s little piece of Krypton on Earth – her hidden underwater Kryptonian Fortress of Solitude known as Sanctuary. There isn’t much time for small talk however when the sentience of Sanctuary throws a shit-fit at seeing two versions of Kara and tries its best to kill the one it believes is a clone.

For an issue about an out of control computer intelligence trying to kill two young women, Supergirl #20 is a hell of a lot of fun. We get a fun moment with Supergirl calling Power Girl on her choice of a new costume as well as the growing frustration of each woman when one and then the other is targeted for extinction.

Writer Michael Allen Johnson does a great job in showcasing both similarities and differences between the Karas of different Earths while providing a thrilling and amusing issue full of stark humor and life and death stakes that costs Supergirl something precious but introduces someone even more valuable into her life. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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