By Don M. Ventura
Power Girl #19
DC Comics
«««½
Month in and month out, Judd Winick churns out another chapter of his modest Power Girl epic that serves as a complimentary tale to his Justice League: Generation Lost biweekly series. While a few issues have served as one-shots, the book has ultimately been a single story involving the recently revived villain Max Lord toying with Power Girl and her alter ego Karen Page. The story seemed nearing resolution until halfway through the book where Power Girl finds herself squarely in the same place she began on Winick’s run, unsure who was screwing with her and her company.
While this book has not been doing anything revolutionary, it has continued to be a fun book where Winick has been able to tell a solid story (at his own pace) and throw in plenty of humor. When Power Girl questions whether Nicco’s (her own Oracle) intel has led her to the correct coordinates he replies “No. I’m joking. I’m throwing you a surprise party and this the only way I knew I could get you there.” Power Girl and Nicco’s working relationship has become one of my favorite parts of this series.
What really sets this book apart is artist Sami Basri who is poised to become a breakout artist. This issue continues to come out on time, but Basri’s art, while not overly complex, looks like it’s time consuming. Basri gets an opportunity to draw the JLI from the 80’s, the Royal Flush Gang, and some of the JSA in this issue and the artists draws each character with a distinct look—nothing is thrown away. Sunny Gho (Velocity and Superior
X-Men #6
Marvel Comics
«««½
Victor Gischler’s “Curse of the Mutants” arc ends on a high note with Cyclops leading the X-Men to Xarus’ lair for a final match against the vampires that have been attempting to take down Utopia. This has been a well-written mini-epic opener to Gischler’s ongoing X-title. He’s kept some of the best X-characters in the forefront of the action, written Cyclops as a believable leader and strategist, and injected the proper amount of humor into his vampire tale.
This issue features a great showdown between Xarxus and his legendary father Dracula. Papa demonstrates, in a truly vile but appropriate manner, why his son was never able to make a name for himself while standing in the far-reaching shadow of his father.
In this issue there are some nice standout moments for the characters that remind us why we root—or should root—for them. First Wolverine. He’s interrogating a vampire to track Xarxus. He has one claw up to the eye of the bloodsucker and says “Where?” In the end Cyclops has to stand visor to eye against Dracula, and Dracula blinks first (I assume). One minor gripe was seeing Storm and Gambit in the background and not having anything to do or say.
Artist Paco Medina turns out another wonderfully drawn superhero comic book. His artwork is sharp and clear, and the colors by Marte Gracia are fine. Gracia colors most of the action in muted neutral tones to identify the rising dawn.
Batman Incorporated #2
DC Comics
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This week I really enjoyed Nick Spencer’s ability to create a genuinely BAD bad guy in the pages of Morning Glories #5. Not to be outdone, Grant Morrison continues to create a memorable nasty in Lord Death Man in Batman Incorporated #2. Last month he not only melted off the hands and face of Japan
Batman Incorporated is the fun international Batman that Grant Morrison has wanted to write for years. Batman and Robin enjoyed an adventure on the other side of the pond early in their series, but this is a James Bond cool version of Batman that still remains true to the character. Another nice thing about this title is that the first arc is finished with this issue—I’ve been going through fatigue with having to follow so many six issue arcs that begin to flatline during their fourth and fifth issues.
This issue features the ascension of Jiro from Mr. Unknown to the Japanese Batman. While we don’t see the transformation, we are treated to a great final splash page with Jiro Batman fighting a big gorilla in a mask. Morrison and artist Yanick Paquette have created an excellent adventure yarn with fast paced action that still allows for Morrison’s clever dialogue.
There’s a cool panel with Jiro taking the same oath Robin took before flying into the night with the Caped Crusader (the room is ever lit by a single candle between the two). It’s these nice touches that bring a nostalgic smile to my face.
The Invincible Iron Man #33
Marvel Comics
«««½
There is a cinematic feel to Matt Fraction’s Iron Man that is engaging. The Invincible Iron Man #33 was the final issue of the “Stark Resilient” storyline in which Tony, after having rebuilt himself, rebuilds his company with Pepper, Rhodey, and a new supporting cast.
The story so far has not been action heavy because Fraction has utilized strong characterization to move the story along. However, this was a fast paced issue in which Tony races in Stark Resilient’s newly unveiled car from the Hammer drones and Detroit Steel while Pepper lays dying. While Justine Hammer does not succeed in bring Tony down, the story ends with the inclusion of two more Iron Man baddies into her fold to create an eventual big time headache for our hero.
Salvador Larroca is perfect for this book because he draws sleek technological doodads and a pretty fantastic Iron Man (who doesn’t appear in this issue). My only qualm is the somewhat distracting character models he uses, which I have previously mentioned sometimes takes me out of the story.
Fraction writes a fine dialogue-free follow-up called “Good Morning Tony” that offers a day in the technology-based life of Tony Stark. Jamie McKelvie handles the artwork on the eight-page story and I would not be averse to seeing more from the artist on this title.
Uncanny X-Men #531
Marvel Comics
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Greg Land’s artwork is not always my cup of tea. When his female characters are smiling I imagine them shouting “Weeeeeee!” I don’t hate it, because it is oftentimes quite dynamic, but it doesn’t mesh well with Matt Fraction’s current “Quarantine” storyline. I’d like to see Land’s work on something lighter I think.
Regardless, I am enjoying Fraction’s story of a mutant flu strain that has the mutants on lockdown in Utopia while Dr. Rao attempts to cure what ails the children of the atom. Fraction humorously uses introductory captions to establish each character and and as a commentary device where they might normally be used to identify the character’s power (“Namor. King of the Sea. Snotty, however you choose to define it”; “Scott Summers—Cyclops. Optic blasts. Bit sniffly”).
The story also involves a faux-mutant X-Team created by Lobe, a team of five heroes designed to mimic the powers of the five original X-Men. Another story has Angel forming a team of non-bedridden X-Men (Storm, Pixie, Dazzler, and Northstar) to take down the Collective Man.
Finally, all of Emma’s scheming seems to have been fruitless as Sebastian Shaw has not proven to be as easily disposed as she had hoped. Fraction writes few pages of their history to illustrate how far Emma has come from her wicked origins with the Hellfire Club. There’s a lot of story going on in Fraction’s Uncanny X-Men and all of the stories are keeping me fully absorbed.
The Fantastic Four #586
Marvel Comics
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Were this any other arc of the Fantastic Four it would still be top-notch. Knowing that this is the penultimate chapter in Jonathan Hickman’s eventually infamous “Three” storyline that will feature the death of a beloved member of the team.
The team has been segmented into three separate dangerous scenarios with their most infamous adversaries. Reed with Galactus, Sue with Namor, and Ben and Johnny with Annihilus. Hickman has masterfully amped up the danger for each of the members. I’m reminded somewhat of Identity Crisis in which we knew there was going to be multiple deaths and, while reading it, you crossed your fingers that it actually wouldn’t happen because Brad Meltzer brought great compassion to the characters. Hickman demonstrates, perhaps more skillfully than Meltzer, the ability to remind us why these characters are beloved without knocking us over the head with it.
So Reed is saving the Earth from the wrath of Galactus, Sue is trying to stave off an Atlantean war, and Ben and Johnny are fighting off some frightening bugs who report to Annihilus. As exciting as this unfolding story is, things are looking gloomier than ever for the FF.
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