It’s Thursday and that means it’s time once again for my weekly review of my pull list. Let’s get crackin’.
• Justice League of America #9 (current series) – OK This book has two things I hate going against it: a storyline that goes through two titles and overly detailed art. Let’s deal with the storyline. I am enjoying it and, luckily, I already buy Justice Society of America, which is where the other half is appearing, but I normally drop a book if they pull a stunt like this. Secondly, Ed Benes’ art is not really my cup of tea. It’s nice but I prefer a more… cartoony style, for lack of a better term. Brad Meltzer’s story is rather intriguing and has made me ever so slightly interested in the Legion of Super Heroes for the first time in my life.
• Uncanny X-men #486 – This title is on the bubble and the only reason I got this issue is that it is the last part of a twelve-issue story arc. I am not digging the art and the story was just too convoluted. And that’s coming from someone who has access to a living X-men encyclopedia: my wife. I do like the new character Darwin and his mutant ability to adapt to survive. An interesting story could send this character over the top like a Stallone movie. Still, the wife and I have to discuss whether this is enough to keep us reading.
• Simpsons Comics #130 –As always, fine stuff. I wrote about Simpsons Comics in an old Comics for Under $20 column but it’s worth repeating: every month, Bongo Comics consistently puts out some of the funniest comics today. The writers often reference little stuff the avid Simpsons geek in me loves. The art is clean and spot-on . Every issue is self-contained, so someone could pick up any issue and not have to worry about a convoluted storyline. And, best of all, every so often, Evan Dorkin does a story, either here or in Bart Simpson Comics. Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
• Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #3 –I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out why I am still reading this. Morbid curiosity, maybe? I honestly feel that Marvel dropped the ball with this whole Civil War thing, even though I bought every issue and am buying this title. Killing one of the most important characters ever created just for a brief mention on the news feels so… dirty. I will be the first to admit that I know very little about Cap as I was never really a fan, but that doesn’t take away from the impact he has had on comics. And does anyone really believe Cap is going to stay dead? Only Uncle Ben and Gwen Stacy stay dead in Marvel and these days even that sacred ground feels like it could be razed.
• X-factor #19 (current series) –This is arguably the best x-title published today. Peter David writes good comics. Remember that. A mutant team that’s not really a team. They protect Mutant Town and try to solve cases while they are at it. This title spun out of Madrox, an underrated comic starring one of my favorite characters, Jamie Madrox, The Multiple Man. Peter David wrote that one, too. Go find back issues of it. X-factor’s art, done by newcomer Khoi Pham, is quite good. Pretty, gritty, and detailed without being overly cluttered. This particular issue is a bit slow but does fine in pushing the overall storyline forward. Also, I want to state that I feel that this is the only x-title that seems to remember that there aren’t supposed to be a lot of mutants with powers out there. All the other books feel like “business as usual”. And that ain’t good.
• Batman #665 –Completely awesome. Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert are spinning a story that quite possibly could be the next renaissance for Batman. A few column ago, I discussed that Spider-man, Archie, and The Avengers were what got me into comics. Batman is what made me who I am today: a full-fledged, die-hard comics nerd. I lived and breathed Batman stories when I was a kid. From Dark Knight to Year One to Killing Joke to Batman #400, which is quite possibly my favorite comic book ever, I devoured them all. I go through Batman phases like I do with Superman and just recently decided to drop them due to budget concerns. I actually bought this out of habit by accident and I am so glad I did. Oh Batman, let us never fight again!
• Action Comics #849 –I am never comfortable mixing religion and comics. This was the second part of a two-part storyline and it was good, but not great. The religious angle was handled tactfully and placed Supes firmly in the non-denominational category. He has a “crisis of faith”, as the cover helpfully pointed out. All in all, it felt like a couple of filler issues.
• Countdown #50 –Actually, I have decided to review these in one month increments. I want to have an overview four issues at a time. Suffice to say, I did like this issue.
• Fables #61 –This is my favorite comic book published today. I have already raved about Fables in a previous column, so I don’t feel the need to repeat myself. Suffice to say, the quality of the comic has never dropped. Sure, there have been slow points but that would be because creators Mark Buckingham, Bill Willingham, and Steve Leialoha do have other projects. One can tell that this title is their baby, though. This current issue is part two of Fly’s storyarc, entitled The Good Prince, and the ramping up of the Fable war. I implore you to check out all of the Fables collections and 1001 Nights of Snowfall, an original piece that fills in some of the gaps in backstory. All are fantastic. Start with book one, Legends In Exile. All have beautiful art and intelligent, humorous writing. There really is no other comic like it being published today.
• All-Star Batman and Robin The Boy Wonder #5 –HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I freaking LOVE this title and will gladly scream it to the heavens. I also love how people get up in arms about how “wrong” this book is. It has been over a YEAR since the last issue and I can still remember every last detail. My favorite thing about this title is how Jim Lee has grown as an artist. The two page spread of Batman racing across rooftops, smiling the whole time, is classic. To me, the point Frank Miller is making with this book is showing the characters at the far extreme of their personalities: Wonder Woman is a man-hater, Robin is a punk little kid, Plastic Man is nuts… It’s great! Batman’s characterization is the best. In his eyes, Gotham City is a virus and he’s the violent, bloody cure. I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t go on comic book forums and actually read comics for what they are, a distraction.
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