By Don M. Ventura
Superboy #2
DC
This second issue of Superboy works much better than its first. While I enjoyed much of the art last month, I was not immediately sold on what I found to be a clunky introduction to the series.
Writer Jeff Lemire has warmed up to the storytelling as this first arc, and all its mysteries, begin to unfurl. Smallville has been ravaged by monstrous vines, the M.O. of Poison Ivy who appeared at the end of last month’s issue, and Superboy is searching for the source of the destruction. Ivy claims she has nothing to do with the overgrown weeds but Superboy isn’t immediately convinced.
Once the source is located, Ivy shows her true colors. Thankfully Superboy’s budding sidekick Simon Valentine is on hand to save the day in an amusingly inventive scene. I was immediately reminded of another brilliant scientist who came out of Smallville but fosters an aversion to characters with a big “S” on their chests. It will be interesting to see if a similar future is in line for Simon, a character with enormous aspirations.
Pier Gallo’s artwork is nice, but I continue to have issues with the faces of some of his characters. There can be a soullessness to their eyes. However, his Poison Ivy was quite lovely. Phil Noto has drawn a strikingly beautiful cover with Superboy ensnared in Ivy’s diabolical vines.
27 #1
Image
“Take care of that one,” said my comic book proprietor handing me the much sought after first issue of 27. The comic book has been sold out at the distribution level for weeks which caused a frenzy in the comic book community.
“Is it any good?” I asked.
“Does it matter?” he said with a laugh. He was joking of course. Thankfully it was a good book with a dark indie vibe in both the art and the story. Will Garland is on the brink of being a washed-up musician, a star with talent but no longer the physical ability to continue making music.
Will is a likeable character suffering from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy who has traveled the world searching for a way to play music again without being in debilitating pain. Will finally finds a doctor who is more Frankenfurter than Oz. The doctor (and his cats) promises to give Will his ability to play again and transforms the 27-year old musician into something more than he was at the beginning of the story.
Writer Charles Soule has written something of a psychotic ghost story with the background of contemporary rock music. The story was not at all what I expected based on the solicits, but I enjoyed how the book unfolded nonetheless. Renzo Podesta’s artwork was apt for a book like this and fit the thick newsprint paper used on this title.
Bring the Thunder #1
Dynamite
I’ll say right up front that war stories, or scenarios, tend to not immediately enthrall me. Not that Bring the Thunder is bad, it’s simply not the type of title that I normally seek out.
Jai Nitz, who plots this book with cover artist Alex Ross, has written an interesting script featuring some refreshing dialogue that lifts it from being a forgettable origin story. The newly powered hero of Bring the Thunder reminisces over his two favorite rock albums after likening the sound of the blows he and his antagonist are laying upon one another to a symphony.
The fight ends with the hero on the ground, then begins a flashback to show how he came to gain his as of yet defined powers. Wayne Russell is a Para Rescue soldier in Afghanistan who comes across what looks to be an alien weapon while in battle. After seemingly blowing up, he finds himself transported to his home in Chicago a year after disappearing.
The set up for Bring the Thunder has been handled interestingly enough. I’d like to see Wayne explore his life back home and dealing with the consequences of having disappeared for a year. I think the star here is Nitz and his inventive scripting; Russell’s narration was incredibly human and kept me more involved in the story than I would have expected.
DC Universe Holiday Special (One-Shot) DC
A few months ago we got a nice fat Halloween Special from DC, and now we have nice fat Holiday Special just in time to spread a little super-powered cheer. These books can be a mixed bag sometimes, but there’s nothing really awful inside.
The best of the lot, surprisingly, is an Anthro story called “Sometimes the Bear…” in which Anthro must hunt for food with his father to provide for his hungry family. It’s the Solstice and Anthro promises to bring back food and perhaps a gift for his younger brother. The script by Joey Cavaleri and art by Carlo Soriano is positively top-notch and never veers towards schmaltz considering it’s a holiday tale after all.
There is drippy sentimentality to be had in a Superman tale called “Hero of Heroes” that lays it on a bit thick. Similarly there’s a Spectre story called “The Gift” that isn’t as maudlin, but following the Superman story, I was hoping for something less steeped in reality.
A closing story featuring the Legion of Super Heroes in a story titled “Holiday” by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning was more along what I enjoy in a comic book like this. Factions of the Legion are soaring through Metropolis chasing a series of false alarms when they would rather be enjoying some respite from their day jobs to do a little holidaying. Chris Batista and Rick Perrota handle the art and make a strong argument that they should be drawing a regular Legion title.
The Flash #7
DC
Seeing Scott Kolins working with Geoff Johns always feels right. The two broke out with their original work on the Wally West Flash book in 2000 and turned that book into a must-read for fans of the Scarlet Speedster.
Flash #7 serves as an origin story for Captain Boomerang before jumping back into the book’s second arc. Johns presents most of the story in flashbacks as we see how Digger Barnes’ fondness for boomerangs grew and his eventual move from the Australian Outback to America.
Desiring to be an idol for the children of Central City, he had no chance of holding a stick to the city’s speedy protector. So he threw boomerangs at him to the admiration of the Flash’s Rogues.
Johns writes another strong expository story and ends by introducing the next Flash tale; Digger proves again that his judgment has just never been so hot. Kolins artwork is enjoyable, but his style is noticeably different than when he and Johns originally worked together. Series colorist Brian Buccellato keeps the look of The Flash consistent and sharp as with the issues that have preceded it.
Knight and Squire #3 (of 6)
DC
Knight and Squire Editor Janelle Siegel must say to writer Paul Cornell, “Paul, just do whatever you want.”
The first issue was an odd mix, but I have grown to enjoy the whimsy and humor of this mini-series. Each issue brings dialogue that is increasingly easier to follow—the first issue came with a glossary on the last page. Really. The third issue opens with the not-initially sinister plan to resurrect King Richard III.
Knight surmises that Richard III may not be the villain Shakespeare made the royal out to be. In true Shakespearean fashion all of Richard’s plotting is done by way of monologue and within earshot of whoever is near. Cornell’s plot grows wackier as Richard raises other former kings, initiating a coup in England. Of course Knight and Squire are on hand to thwart the former royals’ plans using social media such as Twitter and YouTube to bring them down.
If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you might not want to pick up Knight and Squire. However, I’ve found this to be one of the more charming books being published today.
Thor: The Mighty Avenger #7
Marvel
Thor finally gets what’s coming to him in this issue. Jane Foster’s pants. I couldn’t resist. There’s a funny scene the day after when Thor notices a great deal of wreckage outside Jane’s home and she wonders “How could we not notice that?”
“Perhaps our attention was wrapped in other matters,” says Thor. Only a God could be so diplomatic post-coital. I’ve enjoyed this title for the last seven months and it’s been fun watching Thor and Jane’s relationship blossom since she found the amnesiac God of Thunder in the first issue. The citizens and authorities think the rampaging to be the handiwork of their resident Asgardian and turn on him.
Along with Ultimate Thor, Thor: The Mightyt Avenger has been a wonderful and pared down approach to the character who can sometimes be written a bit heavy handedly. Writer Roger Langridge never compromises who Thor is; Langridge has presented a Thor who is at times a victim of his own hubris but ultimately a likable guy. Chris Samnee’s artwork, of which I have become a fan, has been entirely pleasing from one issue to the next.
Halcyon #2
Image
Aha. This issue presents something that was not alluded to in Halcyon #1. In the inaugural issue of the series, readers were introduced to the members of Halcyon, a super team that was on the precipice of becoming obsolete.
Villainy appeared to be coming to an end and there didn’t seem to be much to do in the way of superheroics. Halcyon #2 begins with Transom racing to stop a tsunami—the only threats to the world anymore are natural disasters and manmade accidents. Otherwise Earth is fairing pretty nicely. And this is the mystery: there appears to be something unnatural about the new world order, but nobody understand what it’s cause is.
Marc Guggenheim and Tara Butters have written a solid follow-up that lets the reader into the predicament a little more and we begin to see how this world’s heroes are adjusting. The dialogue and pacing are strong and the story seems to have clearer direction in this issue. Ryan Bodenheim’s artwork is quite satisfying. There’s not a lot of background, but that’s acceptable because his character work is well detailed.
While I’m not getting blown away by Halcyon, I’m going to continue picking it up because the story is intriguing and the creators’ work is solid enough to keep my interested in what happens next.
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #2
DC
Some might accuse this issue of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents as being a bit on the “talky” side, but since Nick Spencer is scripting, I say “talk away.”
The first issue of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents introduced readers to the new team’s handlers; the second issue introduces Henry Cosgei, an Olympic champion in running from Kenya. Most of Henry’s story is narrated. The reflections on his love for running, his achievements in the sport, his family life, and finally his downfall that are all explored. It appears that Henry has been framed in a plot to coerce him into joining the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.
Now as the hero Lightning, Henry believes he has been given a chance at redemption. Like the first issue, Spencer delivers a fantastic script and proves again to be adept at characterization. By the end of the book the reader has a solid understanding of who Henry is.
CAFU’s has turned out more excellent pages on this book, but Chris Cross steals his… uh… thunder with two separate double pages spreads of Lightning running. These pictures are nothing less than astonishing.
I Am an Avenger #4 (of 5)
Marvel
I’ll always have a soft spot for a good Thing story, and Robert Aguirre-Sacasa has written a really special one in this Avengers anthology. ‘Ol Ben Grimm, sporting an enormous Hawaiian shirt, tells his fantastic family that he has decided to join the Avengers.
Sara Pichelli’s illustrations are lovely to say the least. Can I also say cute without sounding off-putting? Because Ben calling his family to dinner, Valeria looking doubtfully at her Unca, and the Thing riding away on a Fantasti-bike are all incredibly cute. Aguirre-Sacasa’s story is as heartwarming as it is funny as Ben affirms to Reed and company that the Avengers is a team but the Fantastic Four is his family.
The final story in the Sean McKeever’s three-part “Closure” storyline featuring Firestar and Justice is nicely illustrated by Mike Mayhew. There are also a couple of pleasant short stories by Colleen Coover (featuring Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel) and Lucy Knisley (featuring Stature and Iron-Man) that might also feel at home in Marvel’s Strange Tales II mini-series.
Detective Comics Annual #12
DC
Detective Comics Annual #12 continues the revitalization of the Batman franchise established with Grant Morrison’s Batman Incorporated. Not that the Bat-books were bad, but there are stories to be mined from the idea initiated by Morrison.
David Hine has come up with an exciting story that has Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson in Paris to establish a French Batman and solve a string of strange murders of political movers and shakers followed by the suicide of their killers. It doesn’t matter that there are two characters in Batman costumes because Hine writes Bruce and Dick’s dialogue well enough to distinguish the two.
The story opens with the Batmen following a Parisian masked character that they believe might be involved with the murders. There are a couple of amusing scenes with Bruce Wayne attempting to convince the head of Police Nationale to allow him to initiate a Batman program within the city of love to prevent additional murders.
Possibly even more enjoyable is the follow-up story by Kyle Higgins called “The Night Runner” which is something of an origin tale of the Parisian Muslim character that Bruce and Dick are chasing at the outset of the Hine story. The art by Trevor McCarthy with colors by Andre Szymanowicz is absolutely gorgeous.
Batgirl #16
DC
Oracle informs Stephanie Brown that the Batarang used to frame Batgirl for murder is irradiated, a clue that the police investigating the case have missed.
“Can your ‘magic clue machine’ trace it?” asks Stephanie. Sigh. It’s dialogue like this that brings me back month after month to this title. Writer Brian Q. Miller has fleshed out this wonderful new addition to the Bat-family nicely and has made this my favorite ongoing title.
Stephanie and Oracle are on the case to clear Batgirl’s name and bring the murderer of one of Stephanie’s classmates, Newton, to justice. Meanwhile Batgirl starts crushing on a Gotham Central Detective who is aware of her innocence and we introduced to a new villain and leader of the Reapers, the group that killed Newton for not joining their ranks.
Miller keeps the arcs short if they need be (this one was only two issues) and the laughs only where they are required. Dustin Nguyen has adapted well to the series as its regular artist; his panels are lively and he keeps Stephanie’s expressions wonderfully expressive.
