Each week, I read a bunch of comics, and rate them on a scale of HIT/MEH/MISS. I also provide some spoilers. This time, reviews in alphabetical order!
Bullet Points #5: Tony Stark still becomes Iron Man, and all the mutants are still the same mutants… all the changes made lead up to the Peter Parker Hulk sacrificing himself to stop Galactus (sorta.) I had higher hopes for this issue when seeing it would be about Galactus, and I was hoping it was use all the previously made changes in interesting ways, but it just doesn’t deliver in the end. MISS
Civil War: The Confession: “I’m an inventor. I can envision the future.” Uhh, what? Iron Man’s inevitability ideas don’t quite have as much weight as Mr. Fantastic saying them. I did enjoy the use of some of the wackier Marvel continuity- that Iron Man and Dr. Doom once were thrown back in time to King Arthur’s time. But overall the issue doesn’t do much, and the dual nature of it seems to conflict instead of telling an interesting dichotomy. MEH
52 #45: Black Adam goes berserk, and none of the superheroes rush to stop him. (Though, being that there’s no Superman and no JLA, maybe that makes a little more sense.) The Chinese state superteam still manages to come off as… slightly goofy? But the next issue looks good, as it’s Black Adam vs. the Island of Dr. Morrow. MEH
Fables #58: Bigby rushes to the rescue of his children, who are being set upon… by his brothers. You really do get to see the North Wind being a big bastard. I do like that it’s a political setup as allies are drawn for the war with the Adversary. Now, if only Mike Allred stayed on the art for the book… HIT
Fall of Cthulhu #0: Hmmm… it’s mostly done in “Lovecraftese”, but it sure does throw the kitchen sink at you in terms of interesting Mythos stuff. While it wasn’t solid enough to make me add the title, it had enough interesting threads to make me want to consider adding the ongoing when it starts. MEH
Franklin Richards Son of a Genius March Madness: A collection of the short backup stories appearing in various Marvel titles (plus one new one), these shorts aren’t just for kids and can be genuinely funny. But if you’ve already read them in another title, it’s probably not worth picking up separately. HIT
Ghost Rider #9: Read at the recommendation of another comic blog. Ghost Rider has escaped from Hell, but in the process, let the Devil out who has scattered into 666 pieces, and the Rider must capture them all back. One piece in particular that has taken residence in dead villian Jack O’ Lantern (in the town of Sleepy Hollow, IL) is proving difficult. Throw in a sheriff who thinks Ghost Rider is JOL due to them both having flaming heads and you’ve got a good solid book. HIT
Green Arrow #72: The Red Hood captured Speedy to try to convince her that they’re the same because they’re both abused sidekicks from the streets adopted by non-killing rich boys. Then, for some reason, the whole thing blows up as Batman and GA get there. Dissapointing. The ending is a little better, since it reveals that Oliver has been funding The Outsiders (maybe with taxpayer money.) Unfortunately, one page in the issue doesn’t save it, nor does it keep the ultimately useless Batman/GA banter from being subpar. MISS
Hulk/Power Pack #1: The Power Pack ends up riding the subway with Bruce Banner (ever notice how even though they’re mostly set in NYC Marvel heroes don’t take the subway very often?) Train is attacked by Absorbing Man, pretty predictable from there. Still some fun stuff, and these Power Pack minis are always well written for a younger audience. HIT
Moon Knight #8: Moon Knight yells at Captain America for the Civil War, and then the book goes back to its usual totally confusing self. OK, Cap may be worried that a crazy guy will be running around on the other side, but if he’s that big a deal, shouldn’t Tony be swinging by to register him? MISS
New Avengers #28: Well, this is a book that went and got itself on track. More ninjas! Narrow escapes! Illusionary Starbucks! Luke Cage trying to figure out the difference between milks! Bendis at his finest (well, his finest non-Powers.) HIT
Robin #160: Ah, yes, Robin comes down with “Peter Parker syndrome” in that it’s tough to have a relationship in high school when you’re a superhero. Some giant drugged up thugs don’t help either. Good closing page of this one too. MEH
Superman #660: As if the cover didn’t tell you, Superman these days has some solidly Silver Age stuff (and who can be surprised, with Busiek writing it?) Not so much the origin of the Prankster- you’re never really told where he came from or how he’s recognized- but you do see how he operates. If you go in to this issue not expected a grand story, but just a solid story about a strange villian, it delivers. HIT
Teen Titans #44: More East vs West showdown. A fairly standard “This is why I’m on this evil team, now let’s fight” issue, however, a couple clever touches raise it up. A Bizarro Superboy makes a lot of sense (though would be even more tragic if he had been made by Robin in an attempt to bring the original back.) Badguys from the future have specific greivances, Joker’s Daughter pulls a “Killing Joke” type brainwash… and we get the good Batgirl back! Yes, it was evil serum all along that made her bad OYL! HIT
Wolverine Origins #12: Even when the villian completely explained what happened I was still confused. MISS
Wonder Woman #5: While the conceit is a little dodgy (women, just upon seeing Wonder Woman do something good on tv, are able to free themselves from abusive homes) this is still a very good issue, and one where the panel layouts do a great job in conveying the structure and ideas of the issue. Will Pfiffer writing strong female leads FTW! HIT
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