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November
Comics
by Mike-oh
Here's a quick review of the comics I'm reading this month. Updated
each week. Descriptions are pulled from Midtown
Comics' web site (New York City's finest comic book shop). Editorial
is what I write.
Week
of November 29
52
Week #30
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Editorial:
Joe Bennett's Batman on the opening page is regrettable. But this
story about Batman quitting and leaving Nightwing and Robin on their
own has promise. I like how Nightwing hooks up with Batwoman. The
second half of 52 seems to be heading in some new directions and
I like it.
Batman
#659
DC
Writer: John Ostrander
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Editorial:
I wasn't really paying attention on Wednesday. I thought Grant Morrison
and Andy Kubert were still on this title so I picked up this issue,
to my disappointment. After getting over my initial uneasiness,
I cracked open the book with the hopes that I had happened into
something special. I own a lot of terrific Batman stories so I try
to limit the Batman comics that I purchase to those that are a cut
above. This one is a cut below.
Batman/The
Spirit One-shot
DC
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Darwyn Cooke
Editorial:
What I just said about Batman stories that are a cut above... Here's
one that's a cut way above. Darwyn Cook's Batman is awesome. And
not surprisingly, he drafts a pretty cool Spirit also. Of course
Jeph Loeb is an old hand at writing timeless Batman stories, usually
illustrated by Tim Sale, and recently Jim Lee. Pick this book up
as fast as you can. This teamwork with Cooke is among his best.
Not only will you be treated to great art and great storytelling,
but you will get forty pages of fun.
Rush
City #3
DC
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Timothy Green II
Editorial:
Chuck Dixon has written a high-octane, fast-paced story. And Timothy
Green II is doing an admirable job of keeping the art up to speed
with the story. When you flip through the pages of this book, it's
like watching a summer blockbuster action flick. This issue is topped
off with a wicked chase scene that ends in a showdown between Diego
Zhao and a very formidable cyborg with more tricks up his sleeve
than a Swiss Army knife on steroids. Diego finally puts him down
using a fireman's axe. Chop chop.
The
Immortal Iron Fist #1
Marvel
Writer: Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction
Artist: David Aja, Travel Foreman
Editorial:
When I read the first three pages, I was totally excited about the
prospect of Travel Foreman handling the art chores on this book.
Foreman did a standout job on Ares earlier this year. But that's
not to say I was disappointed by David Aja's art throughout the
rest of the book. It's amazing. We're so lucky that Marvel and DC
are bringing back characters like Iron Fist that can become so cool
in the right hands. And kudos to these publishers for getting the
right hands to handle them. This is a fantastic book with great
art, great action, and great characters. I can't wait for the next
ish.
Nextwave
#10
Marvel
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Stuart Immonen
Editorial:
There are only two more issues left on this series. I'm crying so
hard it's difficult to read this issue. Okay, I wiped my eyes to
behold a particular treat. Not credited but, unless Immonen is copying
their styles for a particular reason, this issue sports guest artists
galore. They aren't credited but I think we're talking about Mike
Mignola (Hellboy) on the Bloodstone story, Paul Pope (Batman Year
100) on Captain Marvel, Mike Allred (X-Statix), I think, on Machine
Man, and I can't tell who the artist is on the Captain Universe
story, maybe Ryan Sook (X-Factor) or Stuart Immonen? Anyway, it's
a creative way to tell this story. And it's a pretty exciting story
to tell. Enjoy.
Ultimate
Power #2
Marvel
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Greg Land
Editorial:
It's a 22-page slugfest. The Absolute Power team has showed up in
the Ultimate universe talking up a storm in a language no one can
understand. But the fight isn't happening because of some communication
confusion. By the end of the issue, their English catches up to
them in time to learn why they're waging war on the Ultimate heroes.
It's becasue Reed Richards is a villain in their dimension and he
must be made to pay. Cool.
Week
of November 22
52
Week #29
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Editorial:
The JSA get pimped over by Infinity Inc and the mad scientists feast
on turkey carved with a chainsaw. Steel's metal skin is peeling
off and it looks like it won't be much longer before Luthor's Metahuman
program gets peeled off, too.
Action
Comics #845
DC
Writer: Geoff Johns, Richard Donner
Artist: Adam Kubert
Editorial:
The art on this series is awesome. It seems like the smaller the
panels, the better the art. The details are simply fantastic. The
Bizarro appearance is explosive but the real story has been the
mystery surrounding the Krypton speaking boy and Superman having
to go through the same concerns that the Kents experienced when
Superman first came to Earth. The mystery of the boy's origin has
a little light shed on it at the end of the story when we see on
the final panel, Superman II baddies, Genral Zod, Non, and Ursa!
Is Krypton boy really the son of General Zod and Ursa?
Wonder
Woman #3
DC
Writer: Allan Heinberg
Artist: Terry Dodson
Editorial:
It's hard to understand why Wonder Woman, one of DC's top three
characters, has a hard time sustaining an audience for a monthly
publication. Unfortunatley, the fans aren't supporting it and now
Wonder Woman is going to bi-monthly. That sure won't help long storylines
like this one. This title will have to become more like All-Star
Superman where each issue is a great stand alone story that captures
everthing fantastic about the character and isn't tied down by long,
slow story lines.
Elephantmen
#0
Image
Writer: Richard Starkings, Joe Casey
Artist: Ladronn
Editorial:
Apparently this is a reprint. It explains why this title deserved
to be started. The story and art in this issue is better than any
of the issues that have been published since the title started earlier
this year. This is a great sci-fi story with art that blows me away.
The
Pirates of Coney Island #1 & 2
Image
Writer: Rick Spears
Artist: Vasilis Lolos
Editorial:
I read a review of this series in Wizard and got hooked by this
picture of a bunch of girls beating the soup out of the story's
main character. It was brutal. He ends up losing an eye. Later,
when he joins the Pirates, one of the kids gives him an eye patch
and the image of a modern day pirate is complete. This story is
gritty. The main character seems both vulnerable and tough as nails.
The art and the choice of colors are thrilling. Get it.
Daredevil
#91
Marvel
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Michael Lark
Editorial:
Daredevil finally quits getting lead around by his nose as one leg
of this adventure ends and the next one begins. I'm anxious to see
where it goes next. But I still wish we were in prison with the
Punisher and the Kingpin. That was some kickass storytelling. Sigh.
The
Fantastic Four: The End #2
Marvel
Writer: Alan Davis
Artist: Alan Davis
Editorial:
Alan Davis is creating a terrific story of Marvel's future. Some
of his best art and best writing is going into this warm, human
story about a Utopian society that thrives in the aftermath of Reed
Richards' genius. But there is trouble in paradise with the FF split
up and the Quarantine Zone, Earth's happy little corner of the universe,
under attack by unknown forces. Meanwhile, Namor and Sue Richards
are discovering Kree tech right before being attacked by Attuma.
The human touches make the difference with compelling conversation
between Reed and She-Hulk. And the addorable children of some of
the retired heroes proves that Tony Stark can still laugh even if
he no longer inhabits his human body. A nice touch was the Vision's
concern for Stark's ability to occupy his robot hosts. The Thing
is experiencing his own personal conflicts while lving with his
family among the Inhumans. There's a lot here in just one issue.
X-Factor
#13
Marvel
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Pablo Raimondi
Editorial:
Peter David is amazing. He manages to take a full issue of head
shrinker couch interviews with Doc Samson and the various members
of X-Factor and turn it into a real page-turner. The art is excellent
and thanks to Peter David, the members of X-Factor are quickly becoming
my favorite X-team.
Week
of November 15
52
Week #28
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Editorial:
Batwoman is hot. The Red Tornado makes a brief come back. And Lobo
is still the biggest jerk in the universe. The writing is still
top notch and the art has been consistently good since about week
eighteen or so. Now, if only the story was going somewhere...
The
Escapists #5
Darkhorse
Writer: Brian K Vaughn
Artist: Jason Shawn Alexander, Steve Rolston
Description:
The Escapists are back, and so is the classic villain, The Saboteur!
Wizard Top Ten writer and multiple Eisner Award-winner Brian K.
Vaughan (Y: The Last Man; Ex Machina; Runaways) digs into Escapist
lore to bring out the ultimate betrayal — Luna Moth, as an
agent of the Iron Chain! Is her mind under the Saboteur’s
control, or is she his willing accomplice? The Escapist is caught
in a “good old-fashioned death trap,” but his longtime
enemy has confiscated the Golden Key — the source of his powers
— and has drugged him out of his mind! Now what?!
Editorial:
The opeing dialogue between the Escapist and the portly Saboteur
is perfectly hysterical. Jason Shawn Alexander's art on the Escapist
portion of the story is blowing my mind. And this issue features
a special Paul Pope cover. I'm always thrilled by his dynamic style.
Luna Moth is back and making trouble for Omnigrip. Meanwhile, the
real drama takes place in the last couple of pages where Denny gets
the soup beat out of him in jail.
Astonishing
X-men #18
Marvel
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday
Description:
It’s the jaw-dropping conclusion to “Torn!” How
will Emma’s betrayal affect the team?! Will the Hellfire Club
stand victorious?! This issue also sets up the events leading into
John and Joss’ final arc of Astonishing X-Men! Don’t
miss it!
Editorial:
Wow. Scott Summers is completely radical. Take away his eye beams
and he goes on a shooting spree with his Glock. This is an awesome
issue with Wolverine cutting loose, the Beast playing with a psychologically
charged ball of string, and Kitty telling Emma to "cry me a
river, bitch." Cassandra Nova is revealed to be the real threat
and right before Danger and Ord break into the fray, everyone gets
beamed up by SWORD to presumably confront the crisis on Breakworld.
Daredevil:
Father #6
Marvel
Writer: Joe Quesada
Artist: Joe Quesada
Description:
The story so big, so emotional, and so personal has now expanded
to six issues! This is the pulse-pounding conclusion that will rock
Daredevil down to his very roots! It’s the end of the road
for serial killer Johnny Sockets, but before he’s gone, Daredevil
and his world will never be the same.
Editorial:
Okay, how long did that take? It's really not worth figuring out.
Joe Quesada's art is terrific. And his story wraps up with a connection
to the old guy that Matt saved when he was a kid that was part of
the accident that made him the man he is today. But there is no
sign of the other super hero team that was featured at the beginning
of the arc. And frankly, this whole thing could have been done in
two issues, max. The one guy that I'm sure is ecstatic about the
ridiculous slippage of the delivey dates on this book would be Kevin
Smith. Misery loves company and all that.
Civil
War #5
Marvel
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Steve McNiven
Description:
Featuring villains, villains, villains! Sides change and chaos reigns
as the evildoers of the Marvel Universe make their presence felt
in a new and shocking way! But when the underworld gets involved,
can the Punisher be far behind?
Editorial:
Spider-Man gets his ass handed to him by Iron Man, The Jester and
Jack O Lantern. It sucks to be Spider-Man. The Punisher scoops him
up and takes him to Cap's secret hideout. Castle gets a pretty cold
reception and throws the whole question about heroes and villains,
good gys and bad guys, thrown into a complete tailspin. Major kudos
to Mark Millar for weaving such an awesome story that completely
challenges our accepted notions of good guys versus bad guys while
turning the entire the Marvel U on its ear.
Week
of November 8
52
Week #27
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Editorial:
Pick up this issue just so you can check out the expression on the
Spectre's face when he agrees to Ralph Dibney's request to bring
back his wife, Sue from the dead. To call it chilling is to sell
it way short. I'm not sure I can recall another scene from comics
that was any creepier than this. And considering how creepy the
Tales of the Unexpected stories have been, I think it's obvious
that DC has figured out what to do with the Spectre. And I think
they took a page out of the playbook of EC Comics.
Batman
#658
DC
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Andy Kubert
Editorial:
Damien has been a pawn in his mother's game of chess with the Batman.
And that's about all the impact that Batman's son has had in this
first story arc. Of course, the genie is out of the bottle so he
is sure to make future appearances, so who knows? As for this first
appearance, Damien has proven to be little more than a spoiled brat
with assasin's training.
Superman
#657
DC
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Carlos Pacheco
Editorial:
Kurt Busiek should get a lot of credit for creating a riveting story
that deserves as much attention as that given to the boys on Supe's
other title, Action Comics. You would think with Donner and Johns
creating Superman stories in the other yard, Busiek would pick up
his toys and go play somewhere else. Instead, Kurt throws down with
an amazing story that centers around a seemingly unavoidable future
where Luthor is the hero of a decimated Metropolis plagued by Ninja
raiders. Working with Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and the Parasite,
who seems to be host to the spirit of Superman, Luthor is the last
hope of humanity. I am captivated.
Tales
of the Unexpected #2
DC
Writer: David Lapham, Brian Azzarello
Artist: Eric Battle, Cliff Chiang
Editorial:
When Marvel Comics walked away from the Comics Authority Code, I
thought it was a bold move. But I didn't expect DC to follow suit.
They did, and it's a good thing, too. Or we would never have these
amazingly horrific stories about the Spectre. In the first issue,
rat corpses attack a slum lord, killing him in a violent plunge
from his tenemant building to the hard streets below. In this issue,
The Spectre squishes a drug selling, pimpin', wife and child beatin'
scumbag and his sleazeball associates before he hurls them to their
deaths on the streets below. The main sleazebag was thrown on top
of a statue that was sporting a spear, just for good measure. As
I mentioned earlier, it seems like DC, in the absence of the Comics
Authority Code, is becoming more like EC.
Annihilation
#4
Marvel
Writer: Keith Giffen
Artist: Andrea DeVito
Editorial:
Drax gets satisfaction. Unfortunately, I think it has doomed the
universe. Annihilus is an awesome villain. He is sucking Galactus
dry. And apparently nothing can stop him. Especially now that Thanos
is dead. This series is quickly becoming the most fantastic and
explosive story being published by Marvel.
Doctor
Strange: The Oath #2
Marvel
Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Artist: Marcos Martin
Editorial:
Doctor Strange had the cure for cancer in his clutches. Then he
got shot with a silver bullet and put out of action until he received
the healing touch of the Night Nurse. Now they are hot on the trail
of the elixir thief until they find themselves face-to-face with
deadly Stark Security Droids. Brian K. Vaughn is doing a fantastic
job of making Dr. Strange an approachable, interesting character
that is caught up in events that put his commitment as a man of
medicine as well as a man of magic to the test.
The
Eternals #5
Marvel
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Editorial:
The art is John Romita Jr.'s best. And Gaiman's story is continuing
to expand into an epic. The balance of power shifts faster than
a penciller on X-Force in this exciting new take on the Kirby classic.
Wisdom
#1
Marvel/MAX
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Editorial:
This is an example of my picking up one too many comics this week.
Truth be told, I really like Trevor Hairsine's art. But I had no
idea that this story was going to go into the fabled lands of the
British Marvel Universe. I'm sure there is an audience out there
for this story but it was too convoluted for me.
Week
of November 1
52
Week #26
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Description:
“How altruistic can you be when you’re funded by LexCorp?”
Plus, The Origin of Hawkman by Mark Waid and Joe Bennett.
Editorial:
This fun little diversionary story has the Black Adam Family breaking
bread with the Sivana Family. Beautia, Magnificus, Sivana Junior,
and Georgia make for some pretty funny characters in the hands of
the 52 writers. The only thing that could be more suprising than
that will be if this story is actually pertinent to the overall
52 storyline.
Justice
League of America #3
DC
Writer: Brad Meltzer
Artist: Ed Benes
Description:
The re-formation of the League continues, and one of the new members
comes up against the latest — and deadliest — of the
JLA villains: Dr. Impossible. And he’s just one of the many
sinister forces gathering to bring an end to the World's Greatest
Super-Heroes!
Editorial:
You can tell that this story has been crafted by a master story
teller. The mystery is so thick you could cut it with a knife. I'm
not sure that continuing to have Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman
still debating membership after 3 issues is really a good idea.
But while I've been waiting for the big three to get back to business,
I've discovered how cool Black Lightning really is. That's pretty
cool.
Criminal
#2
Icon
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist:Sean Phillips
Description:
Leo has reluctantly joined on for the heist to end all heists, but
nothing is what it seems, and when this job falls apart, it's in
a hail of bullets and double-crosses that leave him shattered. What
will he do next? Run for his freaking life! But will anywhere be
safe, when the cops and the bad-guys are all after him?
Editorial:
Oof. This issue is hard core. Leo's heist plans backfire as he walks
head first into a trap and barely makes it out with his skin still
intact. Too bad he can't say the same for his friends. Brubaker
is doing a great job of making his main character suffer. For whatever
reason, we love to see a loser getting kicked while he's down and
Bru knows it.
Fantastic
Four: The End #1
Marvel
Writer: Alan Davis
Artist: Alan Davis
Description:
Even the strongest family can be torn apart by tragedy — and
in the futuristic world of tomorrow, the members of the once-Fantastic
Four are divided and vulnerable to opponents from their past. What
events could have caused the FF to go their separate ways, and how
does their disbanding set the stage for a conflict that will send
shockwaves across the galaxy and beyond?
Editorial:
Alan Davis is a top ten artist. I think he does a great Human Torch
and pretty darn good Thing. Frankly, there isn't anything that he
can't draw. As a writer, he's no slouch either. Although, I would
say he's a better artist than writer. This Fantastic Four yarn is
off to a good start with a fascinating future where no one dies
of old age and peace has come to the planet. Now everyone is in
outerspace dealing with issues on a more galactic scale. It's kind
of a Star Trek meets Marvel Universe play. It's interesting but
I'm not sure it has a plot that really grabs you. Still, I'll collect
all of the issues just for the art.
Incredible
Hulk #100
Marvel
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Aaron Lopresti
Description:
A special, HULK-sized issue commemorating 100 issues of gamma-irradiated
goodness with two big stories: PLANET HULK, ALLEGIANCE, Part 1 —
Is he the Sakaarson, destined to save the planet from its greatest
enemies, or the Worldbreaker, the legendary destroyer of everything?
The HULK continues his epic story on Planet Sakaar. In this issue,
the HULK and Caiera the Oldstrong lead their warriors in an all-out
battle against the horrifying Spikes. But even with the Hulk growing
stronger, how can he and his warriors prevail against an enemy that
consumes and possesses everything it touches? Featuring another
shocking development in the story of Miek — and further hints
about the identity of the Sakaarson — and the Worldbreaker.
Plus, a 12-page back-up featuring the return of one of HULK’s
greatest artists, Gary Frank, as someone discovers that the Illuminati
were responsible for sending the Hulk into space! Also reprints
Incredible Hulk (vol. 1) #152, 153 and the Hulk's origin from #3!
Editorial:
The 100th issue of the Incredible Hulk is a treasure trove. It has
a continuation of the Planet Hulk storyline followed by a story
that sets the stage for Hulk's return to Planet Earth. Then we're
treated to a reprint of the Hulk's Origin from Incedible Hulk #3.
Finally, we have the reprint of two back to back issues that have
the Hulk captured and on trial as told by Dick Ayers and Herb Trimpe,
two classic Hulk artists.
Irredeemable
Ant-Man #2
Marvel
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Phil Hester
Editorial:
Maybe, and just maybe, Kirkman has redeemed himself since the first
issue. Here in issue two, we're treated to a lot of action and a
lot of fun as the first guy to don the new Ant Man suit stumbles
around trying to figure out how it works. The laughs stop pretty
quickly when he gets his brains blown out in front of his jerk for
a friend by an invading force that drives their SHIELD Helicarrier
right into the ground. BOOM.
X-Men
Phoenix Warsong #3
Marvel
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist:Guy Tyler Kirkham
Description:
As remnants of the Phoenix make their way through the Stepford Cuckoos,
more and more of their past is revealed! Where do they come from?
Who created them? And who are their parents?!
Editorial:
A thousand naked cuckoos in test tubes are the highlight of this
less than riveting story. Sometimes these X-men stories just spaz
out. Maybe that's what Marvel wants out of an X-men story. Look
at Brubaker's Deadly Genesis story. Spaz out. And X-men The End
was a total spaz out. It doesn't have to be this way, though. Just
ook at Whedon's Astonishing stories. They are much more graceful
in their flow and pacing. It's funny because Pak's Planet Hulk story
is a much smoother ride. Maybe the difference is the number of issues.
So,
what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Give
us your feedback.
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