11/27/19
J.R.’s Picks
John Constantine: Hellblazer #1 – Man, the one shot Simon Spurrier did to introduce his new Hellblazer back into continuity was hilarious. This new entry? So reminiscent of the early Hellblazer with its heavy narration that it becomes a gem just in that fact. Add in a compelling story and characters that seamlessly integrate themselves into existing Hellblazer structure and you’ve got this shining achievement. John gets tossed out of a bar, meets a gangster haruspex and is going to have to figure out a way to fight angels. This is exactly the direction this book needed to go and I’m beyond glad that Spurrier is doing the driving.
New Mutants #2 – Yes, Hickman, yes. The New Mutants find themselves in intergalactic legal trouble after the events of the first issue in which the Starjammers stuck them with a bum rap. Sunspot hires a chameleon as their lawyer who subsequently gets thwomped in trial. Luckily, their Shi’ar appointed overseer turns out to be their best friend Sam’s wife, Superguardian Smasher. With Cannonball in tow, they receive word from high command on how to erase their record with the empire: track down a for their heir apparent who is going to cause TIDAL WAVES across the X-verse. Don’t miss the galactic mutant madness!
Second Coming #5 – Sunstar’s quest for a child continues, this time taking him to the country of Cherkya under the invite of their dictator. What follows is essentially a clever take-down of the current brutal dictator of Turkmenistan. The dictator offers our superhero an orphan child but things unfortunately aren’t what they seem for our “hero”. Meanwhile in a diner in Berlin, God meets with Satan in order to go over their differences. Unsurprisingly, it goes badly. Once again, it’s a very well laid-out think piece by the master of thinkers Marc Russell. Check this out or otherwise get ready to feel bad for missing it.
X-Force #2 – Is that a hint of body spray, strawberry soda and a dash of locker room funk? That’s right, it’s ya boy KID OMEGA!! The world’s greatest mutant makes his appearance, finally, in Hickman’s X-verse. As Wolvie and Quire hit the last location the hit squad who took out Charles was known to be, Jean and Beast work on finding a reason why and how they attacked. All the dead mercenaries seem to have been man-made with different enhancements to be bigger, better soldiers. Like flesh-printed man-made. Nasty stuff. Not as nasty as how they managed to sneak into Krakoa but wowza, what a reveal. This series is going places fast, catch up now!
Lazarus Risen #3 – This series continues to prove that you should always trust a Greg Rucka script. Forever is interrogating the head of the Kopylov family. As she does though, the Zmey moves slowly closer in order to crush her interrogatee’s skull in. Zopylov warns her it is foolish to try and kill the ZMey but once again Commander Carlyle shows us why she is the Lazarus who will always get up again. Eight and Marisol are on a wilderness expedition trying to hash out her place in the family. The father of both of our favorite clones gets some terrible news as well so things are about to get more interesting in an already overly interesting setting.
Killadelphia #1 – A solid start to this series as another great vampire book hits the shelves. A beat cop from Baltimore named James Sangster heads to Philly to bury his father after a lead takes him to a dark place. Sangster stays in town though after his father’s last case shows some strange breadcrumbs out of nowhere. Victims presenting symptoms of an archaic strain of yellow fever are succumbing to the illness and then coming right back as blood-thirsty fiends. James follows his dad’s leads which lead him right back where he started and on into a bolder and bloodier direction. A solid plot by Rodney Barnes and some rich paneling by the art team of Jason Alexander and Luis Nct really bring this book together for a stand out first issue.
Diarra’s Picks
Picard #1 – Jean-Luc is back, but this time he is going by Admiral. Although he is no longer on the Enterprise, it’s is in safe hands and familiar faces. His current mission has him aboard Verity, a rescue transport vessel. A supernova has been predicted and they have to evaluate planets in the stats’s path. Of course this planet had to be inhabited by Romulans. Jean-Luc doesn’t know if he can trust them, but if he doesn’t help they will surely all die. He makes contact, but things aren’t what they seem once on the planet’s surface. If Jean-Luc doesn’t play his cards right, he might be stuck in that supernova too!
Over The Ropes #1 – Jason is an amateur wrestler living in Alabama (super exciting, right?). He knows he has the stuff to make it big and out of this small town. Unfortunately, the local wrestling circuit is run by a father-son douche duo. Jason’s role is to play the bad guy who gets his face kicked in every night. But after the owner’s son gets hurt, Jason has a chance to show his stuff.
Criminal #10 – Oooiee. Dan Farraday is so close to finding Jane he can taste it (although it’s probably blood he is tasting). Dan was paid good money to do what he does best, find people. But when he first laid eyes on Jane, he knew he could never turn her in to the people looking for her. After Teeg kicked his butt up and down a parking garage, you’d think he’d be done, yet here we are with Dan in full creep mode. His luck might be turning around, when he finds someone who knows Jane’s location, but what does this mean for Jane and the rest of the Lawless clan?
Basket Full of Heads #2 – June is in a pretty sticky situation. She tried her best to hide, but when the home invaders find her, she uses her wits and gets away. Unfortunately, this is only a temporary fix. She is still stuck on this island and the worse storm the area’s seen won’t let up. June can’t do anything, but fight for her life against her attacker, and you’ll have to read to see who ends up in the basket!
Stone’s Picks
Venom #20 – The epilogue to Absolute Carnage shows us just what happened to The Maker after the events of Absolute Carnage #5 and to what his overall goals for collecting the symbiote codex is. Through this, you also learn more of The Makers backstory as well as finding out about a larger group that The Maker is working for. The issue also looks at what Eddie’s son Dylan’s thought are after last issue’s revelation. The biggest question now is what exactly Dylan is and what is he capable of?
Conan 2099 #1 – A barbarian in the future with a laser sword? ‘Nuff said. But seriously this comic was great. You wouldn’t think Conan to be the smartest guy, but the way he handles a problem that has been plaguing his mind was something that you just wouldn’t expect from this savage barbarian. The story in full is more so a look at how Conan got to be where he is currently in the 2099 timeline rather than him just being Conan and completely wrecking through people. The ending also sets up what could be some more adventuring for the time displaced warrior.
Punisher 2099 – This might be the deepest look into the social structure and lives of the citizenry of Nueva York within the 2099 event. Taking some cues from the popular manga and anime series Psycho Pass, Punisher 2009 centers around Lt. Hector Tago and his search for the truth about the circumstances revolving around a civil riot hat resulted in him killing a civilian. Things are not what they appear to be on the streets of Nueva York and through the action of one man those responsible for the torments of the city and its people shall know punishment.
Space Riders #1 – An Acid trip of a good time. The art style is an ecstasy lovers wet dream. The story made it seem like I should already know who these characters are but from their introductions you already know who they are without reading the rest of the comic. BADASSES. Any guy who has a robot arm that can shoot lasers as well as having a mandrill sidekick/partner should not be messed with, as the unfortunate souls from the first panel learn. This is one to keep an eye on.
11/20/19
J.R.’s Picks
Hazel & Cha Cha Save Christmas One Shot– From the wonderful world of Umbrella Academy comes a holiday tale starring everyone’s favorite homicidal maniacs! The two time agents are chastised at Temps Aeternals for all the collateral “corrections” that come up on their assignments. Corrections meaning bloody tortures and murders. With that snippet in mind, the two set off for the swingin’ 70’s with laser pistols and a trombone in tow. Their banter is hilarious and kept me flipping pages as the two argued over the existence of the supernatural in wild ways. The side story was a little rough and week but converged with Hazel and Cha Cha’s in spectacular fashion by the end of the issue. A damn funny read in the interim wait for the next installment of (imo) the greatest depressing superhero story ever.
Once and Future #4 – Shots fired against Brexit once again as this issue does a perfect satire of how that way of thinking is archaic and belongs back in the dark ages. Duncan stops his Gran from blowing out the brains of the new Galahad who is destined to retrieve the grail, bring the return of demons and cleanse the lands of Anglos and Saxons. A shot still rings out though and the two have to flee from King Arthur’s demon zombies of his round table. After escaping them once again Duncan, Rose, and Gran head to the Fisher King’s “castle”. Turns out *SURPRISE* there was even more his Gran wasn’t telling Duncan and it’s one wild revelation after another. These issues cannot come out soon enough.
Excalibur #2 – Tini Howard continues to kill it on her magical X-Men run. With a little help from Captain Kate Pryde, the newly inaugurated Captain Britain and her team make way to the old headquarters of Excalibur. Unfortunately, the arcane lighthouse that stood on the English shore for centuries had been destroyed by Morgan le Fay’s nefarious forces. Once they arrive though, Rogue in her tranced, Krakoan flower form create a new lighthouse out of nothing with the expressed written consent of the guardians of England’s magic. The team stays the night there to protect Rogue and receive a series of ominous visions. Man, magic loves ominous visions. There awoken by a blast from Apocalypse’s past (like a literal blast, there was a joke there) leaving the big, blue mutant a lot to answer for. This book is going places and I’m definitely going to be a long for the ride.
Batman: White Knight Presents Von Freeze – Another tale from the greatest Batman elseworld to exist. Hell, the greatest Batman world in general. What transpires In this one shot is a beautifully woven tale of betrayal and heart in the bleakest of times. During a blizzard at Gotham, Mr. Wayne and his wife stop by their cryo-tech division where Mrs. Wayne begins to prematurely go into labor. Dr. Victor Fries helps her by cryo-ing her with his technology so an emergency procedure can be performed with ease. As they wait, Fries tells the story of how he escaped Nazi-occupied Germany as a child and how his father’s work came to be. The connecting theme of fatherhood comes off very strong throughout and brings another well-told story under the umbrella of the White Knight universe.
Marauders #2 – The best X-book on the shelves returns this week with tons of action and just well-done characterization. Emma Frost expertly taunts Sebastian Shaw as she goes over with him the business direction of the Hellfire Trading Company. As she speaks, her Marauders under the direction of Captain Pryde dismantle Shaw’s efforts to undercut Krakoa’s medicines through his smuggler Batroc the Leaper. Yup, Batroc’s in here French villain fans. After they take him out they head to Taipei to Bishop up with Bishop and get some sweet tats. Yup, there’s tattooing in here ink fans. Seriously, read the pirate X-Men book when you get the chance because Captain Kate Pryde is becoming my new favorite mutant fast.
Heartbeat #1 – An extremely interesting story with only some minor flaws shines well within the pages of this book. Maria Llovet’s beautifully rendered art and poetry steal the show as the protag Eva navigates her way through a private school full of brutal bullies. Just stylistically gorgeous in its muted colors on every page. The poetic narration unfortunately comes off as disjointed as there are gaps sometimes 2 pages in length, making me flip pages back in my initial read after taking in all the panels in between. Otherwise the issue is extremely well executed as Eva makes her way through a hard school, home and life in general. She has her eyes set on a fellow girl in school but the turn said girl of mystery takes towards the end will probably have Eva running from her instead soon enough.
Diarra’s Picks
Batman: White Knight: Von Freeze – I’ve been loving the White Knight series, and this one off did not disappoint. Here we go back in time to the day Bruce Wayne was born, and the role Victor Fries, later to become Mr. Freeze, played in his birth. Still, this isn’t a book about Batman. We learn about Victor’s youth, growing up in Nazi Germany. His father was a scientist with a Jewish partner, and we watch them both make difficult choices to stay alive. Klaus Janson, having family who fled Nazi Germany, really puts his emotions on the page.
Heartbeat #1 – Like most teenagers, Eva dreads school, but for her it’s more of a feeling she doesn’t belong. The only reason she attends this private school is on the recommendation of a woman whose house Eva’s mother cleans. Don’t think for a second the other girls at the school don’t give her a hard time for that. How do you complain about a school that your mother pays for by working day and night? Eva is tough and keeps her thoughts in a diary to stay sane, but what she witnesses at school might drive her into the deep end.
Rai #1 – A new kind of fighter has been created. Synthetic beings with the sole purpose of being great warriors, who defend New Japan. Some are all machine, but newer versions have incorporated human parts. Rai is one of those newer versions, but he has made it his goal to put an end to the synthetic warriors. In order to do that, he has teamed up with another AI to ensure their creator cannot be brought back to life.
Hazel & Cha Cha Save Christmas – After Hotel Oblivion, the author reassured us that was the end of Umbrella Academy. As comic fans, we are used to being lied to but this isn’t another book launch being pushed back. This is the Christmas special we didn’t even know we wanted! Although we don’t get to see our dysfunctional band of heroes, we meet again the murderous, wild card duo of Hazel & Cha Cha. We know they are known for pulling their punches, but after getting direct orders to reduce casualties they aren’t sure to get any work done. Even playing by the book they quickly get distracted when the subject of demons and ghosts comes up (which for some reason seems to always happen during the holiday season). All the while Santa is doing some shady dealings and running around trying to keep his secrets safe.
Stone’s Picks
Absolute Carnage #5 – The tale of Cletus Kasady and his pursuit to godhood comes to what I would say is a lackluster ending for an overall captivating story. Eddie Brock, with the power of hundreds of symbiotes, gets transformed into Legion after losing his venom symbiote. He pursues the Red Messiah for one last battle to save the world and for what this story has been to this point I was waiting for an epic showdown between Carnage and Venom. The climax is exciting in its own right and builds upon the story, but it feels like this final issue was only for the purpose of setting the building blocks for another major event for the Venom series and possibly marvel as a whole.
2099 Alpha #1 – With Miguel O’Hara in the present with the events of amazing Spider-Man #32-33 the 2099 Alpha #1 one shot brings you into the future of 2099 and its rule under the nefarious Dr. Doom of 2099. Every couple of pages switches up its view to a different hero of the 2099 era and sets up for the rest of the 2099 one-shots. You get a peak into Punisher, the Fantastic Four, and Ghost Rider all while Doom is having a conversation with the Watcher. Also, Doom has enslaved the Watcher and keeps him around only for his ability to see all things. This issue showed how powerful Doom was without him even doing anything. The superheroes of today and tomorrow have got their work cut out for them.
Fantastic Four 2099 #1 – Marvel’s first family gets a whole new look in this exciting one shot. On a quest to bring the four together a small robot named H.E.R.B.I.E enlists help from a woman named venture to track down four individuals and bring them together as a family to take on an incoming threat. Although not is all as it seems as this isn’t H.E.R.B.I. E’s first attempt at bringing the fantastic four together. When revelations happen about H.E.R.B.I. E’s past it leads to an unpredictable ending that will have you itching to know what happens next.
The Amazing Spider-Man #34 – With an attempt on Dr. Doom’s life having taken place, the city of New York is taken under seize by an army of Doombots. At the same time, Miguel was finally able to locate the Amazing Spider-Man of the present and warn him of the collapsing of their timeline. It’s up to Spidey to figure out just what the hell is going on and how he can save the future and the present.
11/13/19
J.R.’s Picks
Far Sector #1 – Hells yeah, another Young Animal title this time with a mind-bending murder mystery! Making her debut, Lantern Sojourner Mullein has been assigned to the farthest sector in the 3600 under the Corps’ protection, the City Everlasting. Established centuries ago by three alien races called the Trilogy, the City Everlasting features a unique way to curb crime and violence: the elimination of emotion entirely from its inhabitants. Unfortunately cracks in the system are starting to show as the first murder in centuries has happened right under all their noses. Now Jo must navigate stone-faced bureaucracy in order to gather the smallest of leads. Lantern Mullein’s narration throughout the book is spot on and kept me moving through it easily- I seriously can not wait until we get more of this heady sci-fi story next month.
X-Men #2 – What seemed like a fun romp at the beginning of this book quickly turned to the deeper aspects of Powers of X seamlessly. Leave it to Hickman. An island appeared off the coast of Krakoa and the mutant paradise, for some reason, is moving toward it. After recon turns up saying the unknown island is teeming with monsters, Cyclops decides to take his kids on a little hunting expedition. As it turns out, the island is Arrako, the land mass that once was a part of Krakoa until the two separated. Deep within the island it houses the gate to the Otherworld where daemons and monstrous beings are now escaping. Turns out some more people may have some insight into it…and the breadcrumbs for further X-stories continue to pile up well.
Family Tree #1 – I know I used similar phrasing in my last review but leave it to Lemire to make a story about an infectious tree disease an enticing horror thriller. Loretta is a single mother working a shit job at a grocery store in Lowell, Maine to support her two kids. She’s called out of work to pick up her son from high school after he gets caught with a bit of pot on him. Normal small town stuff, that is until her daughter starts slowly turning into a tree. As the trio rushes to take her to the hospital it seems the town is going into full apocalypse mode as a car rams them and a mob tries to take her daughter away from her. It’s a damn strong start to what’s sure to be another page turner from masters of their craft.
Fallen Angels #1 – Another X-book with another great X-hook. Fallen Angels focuses on Kwannon, a character who we’ve all seen before but never heard before. Trapped behind the psyche of Betsy Braddock after she tried to kill her all those years ago, Kwannon/Psylocke is trying to find herself in an unfamiliar land where people think they know her. Still trying to adjust, she receives a telepathic message from an unknown voice telling her to track down and kill Apoth. This Apoth is creating a digital drug that infects the mind and causes it to want to kill everything around the user. Yeah, totally sounds like a good trip. She teams up with X-23 to track down all these unknowns, only to find the true depravity of Apoth. Some truly poetic verbiage awaits you in these pages courtesy of Bryan Hill.
Folklords #1 – Mind MGMT is one of my all-time favorite titles so I’m stoked as hell to see Matt Kindt’s take on a fantasy world. And damn, was I not disappointed. Ansel is like any other escapist like ourselves except flipped: he lives in a fantasy world but dreams of a modern society such as ours. In his village, at the age of eighteen everyone must announce a glorious quest to go on in order to discover who they truly are. Ansel tells his friends in secret the day before that he wants to find the Folklords and on the day where everyone goes in front of the village to announce their mission, his friend Archer goes first and steals his thunder by claiming it as his! Unfortunately for the both Archer is detained after he says this and the ones in charge of the set up, the Librarians, declare that no one can go out on their own and all quests will now be assigned. There’s some serious disinformation going on and now is the perfect time to explore the consequences of not disseminating information.
Punisher Soviet #1 – I’m not usually one for a guns-blazin’ book but hot damn, am I one for a well-crafted narrative. Ennis kills it big time with another look at the Punisher as he decides to punish a Russian mobster by the name of Prochenko. Someone hit one of his storehouses and made it look like the Punisher’s work so Frank decides to get ahead in this circumstance and go after the one in charge. There’s a lot of people talking around Castle which I loved along with his heavy narration on how he directed low-level henches where he wanted them to go in order to take them out. There’s also a brilliantly orchestrated interrogation scene, albeit kinda fucked up, that leads Castle to where he needs to go. An obvious must read for Punisher fans and anyone who enjoys a tight script.
Diarra’s Picks
Folklords #1 – Time for a good old fashion coming of age quest! Ansel lives in a quiet village where human, gnomes, ogres, and other mystical creatures live in peace. On every young person’s 18th year, they must go anon a quest of their choosing. Ansel has skipped past the normal ‘giant in beanstalk’ routine and decided to find the Folklords! When he tells his friends they think it’s a crazy idea, mostly because they are said to be evil things and probably not even real. When another person, Archer, announced that as his quest the leaders of the village, The Librarians, shut the idea down immediately, and canceled all out of village quests for that year!! No one quite understands why it’s such a touchy subject, but that’s not going to stop these two. Despite being forbidden and threatened with death, the Ansel and Archer set out to find the Folklords!
Unsacred #1 – Do you like smut? Are you less than religous? Well, do I have a book for you! Damiano is a young demon looking for a ‘good’ time when he meets Angelina, an angel, at a rock show. Years later they are still together, Damiano desperate to get in her pants and Angelina being oblivious and insisting they wait on marriage. The book reads as a series of mini stories, so you get to laugh at the ridiculous irony of their situation. With every page you end up feeling bad for this douchey demon who’s balls go from red to blue.
Black Star Above #1 – Eulalie still lives at home with her parents, who are barely scrapping by, couple that with having to tend for her ailing grandfather, there is a ton of weight on her shoulders. She loves her family and knows how important her role is to them. Still, when her father tells her he has arranged for her to be wed for financial gain and status, all she can do is think of ways to get out of it. Later she travels to town on errands when she is propositioned by a stranger. He wants her to deliver a package for a large sum of money. It’s a deal she can’t pass, besides the need for the funds she is well versed with the woods in this area so what’s the harm? She agrees but as she sets forth on her journey she realizes she isn’t alone in these woods, and she grows suspicious of this easy delivery.
Fallen Angels #1 – So beside the content, I was pumped about this book for the cover. As I’m sure most of you have noticed, all the first X book’s that sprung from the House/Powers series have had the ‘every mutant variant’. So when lined up, they create a one big picture depicting every mutant in some incarnation or another. This was the last of six, and I know, it is super cool.
Greg’s Picks
Family Tree #1 – I’ve always been a big Lemire fan – this guy has a serious work ethic! His newest comic from Image puts his writing talents to use with veteran artist Phil Hester. This end of the world story has some of that Sweet Tooth feel, but is fresh enough to stand on its own. Single mom Loretta is living that 9-5 life trying to support two kids and maybe get by. She’s got a brat of a teenage son who’s always in trouble and a sweet little girl named Meg, who’s beginning to manifest some very strange physical symptoms. Strange old men, guns for hire and some serious mystery make for a fast-paced first issue.
Punisher: Soviet #1 – Garth Ennis’ Punisher is THE DEFINITIVE Punisher. No one else gets it, although Jason Aaron came extremely close. Ennis is back writing Frank and it’s like he never missed a beat. The Punisher Max version of Frank is exceedingly brutal, as are the supporting cast. When someone sneaks in on Frank’s turf, taking out Russians with Punisher-like efficiency, it puts Frank on the hunt. Frank searches for the Russian crime boss and so many people die along the way, you guys! Backed.
Batman’s Grave #2 – The legendary team of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch reunite for a Batman story! I always enjoy out of continuity Batman stuff, especially focusing more on the Detective aspect of Batman’s persona. Ennis writes for the long game and this issue is no exception. Batman almost get’s his ass kicked in this issue as well – solid.
Folklords #1 – Matt Kindt is a treasure. This was a great comic! The art from Matt Smith was terrific as well. Ansel dresses like…us. But he lives in a world of fantasy – elves, gnomes, trolls etc. He has dreams of our world, and in a quest to find more, seeks out the elusive Folklords against the wishes of the local thought police. One of the strongest debut issues in a minute!
11/6/19
J.R.’s Picks
X-Force #1 – The X-books keep comin’ and they keep comin’ in fresh as hell. In recent years, X-Force has been little more than a group of assassins who murdered wherever Cyclops pointed. Lucky for us this new team further incorporates intelligence gathering and espionage into their brand. The book opens to Domino cutting into a meeting of powerful racists who are planning a raid on Krakoa. Later we see how the early warning system of security works on Krakoa thanks to Black Tom Cassidy’s floral alarm systems. Brief glimpses are given to other characters as well but in more of a cursory check-in until the big raid happens. Oh boy though is the raid a doozy. Death may be inconsequential now but a failure of protection of this magnitude is going to cause quite a bit of waves for the X-verse in coming months.
Undiscovered Country #1 –This new first issue sets up an engrossing alt-future that throws a lots of spaghetti at the wall with American imagery sandwiched in. Soule and Snyder seem to be setting up an ankle-gnawing story to cut down the current political climate and the ramifications that true isolationism would have on the world. With America having left the geopolitical scene over 30 years ago, the rest of the world finds itself in the midst of a plague and warring economic factions attempting to fill the void left by the USA. Dr. Graves, her estranged brother and a team of red-shirt experts have been tasked on visiting the country after the first received message from it in decades promises a cure for the deadly plague. Things break weird when they enter though with a Mad Max/Mortal Engines type gang shooting them out of the sky and devouring them with bison. Definitely need more to go on with this one but it was still a damn good page-turner.
New Mutants #1 – Yes, the intricate details of Krakoan sovereignty are extremely interesting and its depth is engaging but sometimes you just need a book about 20-something mutants cheating space pirates out of their Kentucky bourbon. This book came out of nowhere with its gorgeous art and just plain fun storyline. The team is back after their many deaths and mostly just want to party. Realizing their friend Sam a.k.a. Cannonball is out in the deep reaches of Shi’ar space with his new family, the New Mutants hitch a ride with the Starjammers to surprise their friend. After a trying ride for the Starjammers, things break bad after a space heist gone wrong. Things are probably going to break even badder for them soon but pick this one up for a lighter side of the Dawn of X.
Legion of Superheroes #1 – Full disclosure: I have never read a Legion book before. Luckily this was my first one as the panel art from Sook flows so well from page to page with the number of characters. Hooooo boy, there are a lot of characters too. Bendis was perfect for writing this as he’s always made one person talking sound like four. The conversational dialogue Superboy has in his orientation into the far future is hilarious and light as well. A huge reveal in this one too: Superman’s best friend is…Lois. Don’t worry, it got the mushy groans from the other Legionnaires that it deserved. The central conflict of this one amounts to the Legionnaires stealing back Aquaman’s trident from the Horraz in an attempt to bring back the oceans to Planet Earth. I don’t think that’s how his trident works, but it’s worth a shot!
Strange Skies Over East Berlin #2 – First contact has been made! Uh, somewhat. After the government cronies lock up the bunker with the alien object and soldiers, the electrical energy from the unknown object creeps to everyone and infects their minds. The lead woman in charge orders everyone to shoot those trying to leave which ends up being literally all the soldiers. Something about the energy causes people to relieve both their greatest accomplishments and their perceived greatest tragedies. All who see it go insane, including our spy hero who dashes to the comm center to alert his English handlers. He’s freaking out that the spy hunter trapped in the bunker will discover him but something worse does: the electrical energy of the alien being given form. A damn good historical horror thriller, indeed.
Lois Lane #5 – This book continues to be a remarkable counter-voice to constant attacks on journalism we hear everyday. At the beginning of this issue, a stranger on a plane comments to Lois about how many journalists have been killed this year and a half (102) and that six of those deaths took place in America. That’s not a false statistic, that’s real world facts. There’s also a fascinating scene where Lane breaks down how different information is sourced to a potential source from within the White House. It’s really great stuff to see clearly on a page in our current climate. From a comic story standpoint, the Question also has a fantastically sequenced fight scene as crafted by Perkins in the hunt for Lois Lane’s attempted shooter. An incredibly engaging story that shouldn’t be missed.
Diarra’s Picks
Wild Strawberries At The World’s End – Te-Su returns to the village he grew up in after the news of an old friend, Ji-Ah’s, funeral. Upon returning home he runs into old friends and learns her death was a suicide. He and most people close to Ji-Ah can’t help but wonder would things be different if they’d done more. Te-Su discovers there is more going on in this small town than what meets the eye, and Ji-Ah’s death is not what everyone believes it to be.
b.b. free #1 – B.b. is a confident, carefree girl from the swamps of Florida. It’s almost time for her to have her Freedom Fifteen, which I assume is some cross between a Quinceanera and Rumspringa. All she wants to do for her big coming of age is start a radio station with her BFF, but her dad can’t quite let his baby girl leave the nest. B.b. assumes it’s the typical overprotective dad thing, but we know her dad is hiding a something. B.b. catches her dad rummaging through her things and confronts him, and I think she will get the answers she seeks plus more next issue!
Dead Eyes #2 – Martin’s wife’s medical bills are stacking up, so he puts on the dead eyes mask once again. After being retired for so long, he reaches out to an old ‘friend’ and surprisingly he is up for the job. Unfortunately, their heist doesn’t go as planned, and people get hurt, which is not Dead Eye’s M.O. Worse than that his face is back on TV, and unbeknownst to Martin, someone is on the hunt to kill the man with the dead eyes.
Infected: King Shazam #1 – I’m sure you guys are reading Batman/Superman, but don’t forget to read the side issues! Here we get to see Billy’s youthful angst turn into uncontrolled, murderous rage. He decides to find people worthy of the Batman Who Laugh’s infection, and he decides to go after gods (literally). Sadly, King Shazam can’t even be stopped by things of the heavens, but his sister Mary decides to intervene. Still, things aren’t looking so good…
Juan’s Picks
X-Force #1 – The debut mutant strike force book doesn’t quite set up it’s strike force just yet, but it does have a neat premise that includes a secret society of mutant haters that wear masks because that’s how you know your group is really nefarious. Art on this book is really enjoyable that uses a lot of color while also being dark to match the tone the series is trying to present giving me heavy uncanny x force vibes. Only issue is the ending cliffhanger is something that I know won’t stick so it’s not something I was incredibly shocked by, but such is the way of monthly comics.
New Mutants #1 – Fallen Angels hasn’t come out yet, but I feel safe to say that this is hands down my favorite new X-related book (of the initial six) hands down. First of all, the art on this series in simply incredible and I’d say the best art in a current marvel monthly out now. Not only that, but this book is exactly what I want in a team X book; a group of young mutants going on wild adventures (in space). The writing is great and clever and funny and just all around enjoyable. Not only that, but we get a heavy dose of the Star Jammers who never get enough page presence. But man, the art on this. It’s so good I’m upset I have to wait a few weeks for the next issue to drop.
