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| Friday, August 10, 2007 08:52 PM |
| The Take |
 by Fëanor |
This week, since I was in a rush, I made my visit to the comic book store a hit and run mission. I just grabbed the new releases and didn't waste time looking for any old issues or collections. Even so, I came away with a lot of books - and a lot of good books at that!
Nova #5
Every time this book comes out, I get this weird feeling like I'm not going to like it, and then I read it and have a ton of fun. Nova is just kick-ass sci-fi space adventure, with super-powers and alien-fighting. This issue is loaded with awesome action and a seriously disturbing conclusion that actually had me mumbling curses under my breath in dread. Great stuff!
Punisher War Journal #10
Okay, YES. This is the return to greatness that I've been waiting for in this series. As I've been saying, the last couple of issues have seemed a bit bland, static, and clumsily plotted. I feel like this story arc could have been a lot tighter and shorter and better if it had been cut down by an issue or two. I don't know if the unnecessary length is Matt Fraction's fault, or his editor's, or what. But anyway, the point is, this issue is a fantastic conclusion to the arc that pretty much makes up for any flaws it might have had. The art has been excellent throughout, but here the writing and story-telling come back up to snuff, with some fantastic action, great dialogue ("This hate that's killing you is mine and mine alone."), and a disturbing and thought-provoking ending that leaves Frank questioning himself and his mission, not to mention travelling with a man who wants to kill him (he just doesn't know it yet). Also, the ad for next issue, with the legend "WHO WILL INHERIT CAPTAIN AMERICA'S LEGACY?" and a picture of Bucky holding a gun to the Punisher's head, is kind of ridiculously exciting.
Yay! I love Punisher War Journal again!
Ghost Rider #14
Johnny Blaze has a plan. And some angels have a plan, too. I don't know what either of those plans are about, but I'm definitely intrigued. Also, great art, and some kick-ass action sequences. That makes for good comics! Looking forward to seeing where this story arc goes.
Batman #667
Hmm... I may need to reread Batman #665. I don't remember exactly what happened. Did Wayne Manor get blown up or something? Or did that happen in some other story arc in another book entirely? I don't know. Anyway, this issue picks up as if something has recently ended, Alfred's at home picking up the pieces, and Batman and Robin are off for some R&R - sort of. Actually they're going to a reunion of a very short-lived superhero team called the Club of Heroes, which essentially consisted of Batman, Robin, and a bunch of no-name losers. The reunion is happening on a remote island, and was supposedly called together by the Howard Hughes-type eccentric millionaire who bankrolled the team and their headquarters back in the day. But not surprisingly, things are not as they seem, and soon the reunion party transforms into a bloody, Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None-style murder mystery that should make for a great, old-fashioned comic book story arc, returning to the roots of Batman's origins as a weirdly dressed crime fighter in a comic full of detective stories. Plus, there's some really interesting stuff done with the art in this issue - like, weirdly-shaped panels and stuff. Neat!
Hedge Knight II: Sworn Sword #3
Now this is really starting to feel like a George R.R. Martin story, with tons of clever dialogue, interesting old war stories, tactics and strategies, political intrigue, talk of marriage and heirs, and plenty of danger, surprises, and humor. I wasn't all that excited by the first two issues, but this one definitely grabbed me, and took some unexpected turns. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.
Criminal #8
As promised, that little theft in the first issue of this arc is coming back to bite our "hero" in the ass. Plus, he's falling for the woman in the crew, which is bound to turn out badly for everybody involved. Ah, the operatic tragedy of the heist story.
Daredevil #99
Okay, Brubaker definitely grabbed me with this one. The last bunch of pages were particularly tense, suspenseful, and thrilling. I just wish I knew more about Daredevil's history and rogues' gallery, though, because then the reveal at the end of the identity of the villain behind it all probably would have been a lot more meaningful. As it was, I was like, "Uh...I guess that name sounds vaguely familiar..." Time to hit Wikipedia again!
BPRD: Killing Ground #1
Hmm. Lots of little threads from the last story arc are being picked up and played with again - including, coincidentally, a little thread from the story arc I picked up an issue of by mistake a while back. That's random! Anyway, Liz's intriguing dreams are back, and now we're getting interesting hints about the histories of both the scarred guy and the little German guy (who now has a big new body and is way too fond of physical experiences; he's eating and eating, and hitting on every girl he sees). So far we haven't got much real story, though; just hints and ominous forebodings. Still, definitely a good opener; it's got me rubbing my hands together in anticipation of what's to come.
New Avengers/Transformers #2
Yeah, yeah, I bought it. What can I say? It continues to be silly, with rather ridiculous dialogue and an over-the-top story. And for some reason they made Wolverine look like some kind of pig/dog/man hybrid on the cover. But this issue was also kind of fun, and the preview for the next issue has a huge Iron Man grappling with a huge Starscream, and the bottom text reads: "DID SOMEONE SAY GIANT ROBOTS?!" That just might be the most brilliant next issue preview I've ever seen. I'm there!
Powers #25
This was my first issue of this series, and I can't say for sure how I feel about it yet. The art style is very cartoony - like Cartoon Network, Ben Ten kind of cartoony - which is odd and even kind of disturbing, because the book is full of violence, curses, and sex. In fact, there's a two-page splash sex scene that's actually pretty cleverly designed, consisting of a 7 by 10 grid of small panels showing frozen glimpses of the couple in the midst of their lovemaking. The plot is an interesting mix of superhero alien-fighting and homicide detective story. It's not a great book, but it's intriguing. I'll probably give it at least another couple of issues to see if it goes anywhere.
Incredible Hulk #109
I was disappointed by the last issue of this book, but in this one Greg Pak is definitely back on my good side, as he delivers more of the genius boy content I crave, and an engaging, action-packed, and even moving story to boot. Amadeus Cho has given the rag-tag group of heroes he assembled to assist the Hulk a name, and that name is the Renegades. Wonder if they'll get their own title spun out of this series? I wouldn't be surprised - and I wouldn't be unhappy about it, either. I like the comraderie Pak develops amongst these characters, and they're an interesting and varied group of folks. I also definitely like the end of this issue, as it is ominous, menacing, and takes us right into the center of the World War Hulk storyline, and nearly right up to the end of the events in World War Hulk #3.
World War Hulk: Front Line #3
The other Hulk title this week is also pretty good. As usual, it contains three separate stories - the first following the reporters down in the streets, covering the way WWH is affecting the forgotten, average citizens of the city; the second following the detective and Korg investigating the robot murder; and the third consisting of a quick, two-page comedy story. The reporter storyline kept me reading, and keeps poking at issues normally forgotten by superhero comics - like what happens to the people who get their houses blown up by the giant superhero fights. But it's not really all that interesting. The detective story is actually the more interesting one this issue, with some funny bits and some clever bits. But the best story in the book is definitely the two-page gag in the back about Rhode Island having to hold American Idol-style try-outs for their Initiative superhero team. Brilliant! Plus, I love how mad Jumpin' Jimmy Thunder and his Thuderiffics look. |
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