BOOSTER GOLD #40: This issue is part of DCs new initiative, which they call Holding The Line At $2.99 a direct riff on Marvel selling most of their comics at $3.99 for over a year. The one downside is that BOOSTER GOLD has always been priced at $2.99. However, as part of this initiative, DC is promoting new launches as well as issues of long running series that represent jumping on points. The dilemma of many long running superhero comics is that it can be difficult to jump into the story mid-stream. This issue seeks to provide a proper place for new fans to hop aboard, as well as provide a solid story for long running readers. It is no easy task, but writers Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis are up to the task. The artwork is done by Pat Olliffe and Rich Perrotta, with colors by Hi-Fi (whose pen name is mocked). The issue spends six pages going over the origin of Booster Gold, and another page or two discussing things that occurred to the character afterward during his over twenty years of DC history.
The gist is that, naturally, Booster Gold is Michael Carter, a disgraced college athlete of the 25th century who decided to steal some superhero artifacts from a museum where he worked (as a janitor) and travel back in time to the 21st century (formerly the 20th century in the 80s) to be a hero. While originally caring only about fame and striking it rich with merchandise, he evolved into a proper hero, even if most of his peers dont take him seriously. These days he often engages in adventures to make sure the time stream is kept intact from threats that might threaten it. His mentor in this is Rip Hunter, another time traveler who is actually his son from the future. The origin recap is introduced as a report given to a villain from several issues ago who wants revenge on Booster.
Meanwhile, Booster thwarts another random armored criminal and chats with his robotic partner, Skeets. The trip down memory lane isnt just to refresh newbies, however. It turns out to be critical to the cliffhanger ending. While it is a plot that begs the question of why hasnt this been done 15 years ago?, one can imagine such a question may be answered next issue.
Overall, BOOSTER GOLD has remained a consistently enjoyable DC superhero comic, despite having at least three changes in creative teams during its run. These pair of writers handled Booster Gold in their JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL run in the 80s, and while this run here sometimes has delved too far into comedy, it is otherwise solid. If one hasnt been reading this series, this issue may be the best chance to dive in. At least its a multiple of ten!
HEROES FOR HIRE #2: Debuting at the start of December, this is the latest ongoing series done by the creative team behind GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and artist Brad Walker. This is an ongoing series that has been launched on the heels of SHADOWLAND, which focused on many "street level" heroes and refreshed them in the eyes of fans. While GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY started off with a stable cast of characters, the cast of this title seems to shift. The main characters who appear in every issue so far are Misty Knight and Paladin (who both recently starred in SHADOWLAND: BLOOD ON THE STREETS). A different set of street level heroes appear "for hire" in every issue to deal with the plot. This time, the cover accurately reflects those guest heroes - both Ghost Rider and Silver Sable appear within, as well as another surprise guest.
This issue picks up after the last, but to be honest this second issue is actually a fair jumping on point for anyone who sought to duck a $3.99 price tag. In Marvel's infinite wisdom, only the debut issue was $3.99; all subsequent issues are $2.99 - one would imagine that they would want to encourage trying out a #1 with a lower, not higher, cover price, but one would not understand Marvel's "penny wise, pound foolish" business plan (short term sales are worth long term losses, supposedly). The recap page actually summarizes all of the vital information one would need to know to dive into the issue, without extra fluff or distraction (or a typo). The format of the series itself actually seems to be friendly to both new and long time readers. Every issue has featured a done-in-one story, while there is a subplot in the background that will link them all together (or at least lead to a payoff issue). Having been injured both emotionally and physically, Misty is calling herself "Control" and has set up the old Heroes For Hire agency with a focus on surgical strikes to eliminate negative elements from the streets. As this is the Marvel Universe, there are additional twists to old plots such as busting up a drug ring or, in this issue, a weapon ring. It turns out there is more to the fleet of special guns that have become "Saturday night specials" and are mowing down cops and civilians alike, and it may lead to the supernatural! For some heroes, Misty doesn't "hire" them so much as she offers them something they might need (such as information); while for others, such as Sable, a paycheck wired to an account is more than fine. This issue features a fast moving plot, a twist or two, a lot of action (and minimal chatter), as well as proper use of a villain who hasn't seen a comic in over twenty years. Brad Walker's artwork, combined with Andrew Hennessy's inks and Jay D. Ramos' colors, is up to the same high standard as on GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (or THANOS IMPERATIVE IGNITION).
Two issues in, and this is already an excellent series. The pacing is perfectly designed to entertain both new and old readers, and doesn't bog the series down with any needless chatter. Every line is important, and the story gets right to the point. Yet none of it ever feels rushed, and it is a series in which fan favorite B, C, or D list heroes may show up and get a chance to be handled well. Abnett and Lanning brought that kind of skill to GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, and Marvel's earth based line have lacked that kind of book since AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE called it a run. While IRON MAN/THOR has been a bit of a simplistic work, HEROES FOR HIRE proves that the skill that these two writers brought to their space books for four years isn't a fluke and can be shifted onto other areas of Marvel. The first issue debuted with over 30,000 copies sold - which is no assurance that it will survive past a sixth issue, but a sign it may have more of a shot than YOUNG ALLIES or ATLAS did. For fans of "urban heroes" or just fans of high octane superhero comics with great art and a little more depth than one would imagine at a glance, this is for you.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #651:This issue is a little late, as two issues should have shipped in December, but with issue #654.1 coming, January will see three issues ship rather than two, so it will be made up. This is the fourth issue of "BIG TIME", the bold new arc in which Dan Slott defines himself as the lone writer atop the franchise. Humberto Ramos draws the main story and Stefano Caselli (SECRET WARRIORS, AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE) draws an eight page back up strip. This issue wraps up the current arc with the new Hobgoblin to a degree, while the back-up strip sets up the next arc. Spider-Man, clad in his new TRON inspired costume (an inspiration the comic notes very quickly) teams up with Black Cat to reclaim a stolen Horizon lab metal from Hobgoblin and his employer, the Kingpin. Even with a new costume with hi-tech stealth powers, it's hardly an easy feat! This is the climax to the story and as such there is a lot of action with ninjas, exploding floors and the like. The most important thing is that the status quo of Peter Parker's life seems like it is here to stay, and that's a good thing. It's great to see avenues with certain characters go to a logical conclusion and a status quo that has rarely been attempted for the character.
In the back up strip, Scorpion and the Ultimate Spider-Slayer plan their next attack. If one hasn't been reading AMAZING SPIDER-MAN for months or years, BIG TIME has been a great time to hop aboard. The newer, younger Hobgoblin has his own interesting (and twisted) subplot, and Kingpin's story works well coming out of SHADOWLAND. The banter between Spidey and Cat is also amusing, and it is good to see her as a supporting cast member once more. Plus, given how many comics are priced at $3.99, at the very least BIG TIME has usually often had a back-up strip to provide extra material. The editorial decisions of the past, at least so far, cannot derail the quality of this series right now. This is one promotion that has lived up to it's name.
CHAOS WAR: DEAD AVENGERS #3: This short side-series from CHAOS WAR comes to a conclusion, and it has been an incredible ride for three months. Fred Van Lente and artist Tom Grummett (as well as two pairs of inkers and colorists) wrap up this tale of formerly deceased Avengers returning from the afterlife to defend their fallan comrades, as well as many other departed spirits, from being destroyed during the Chaos War. To that end they have had to battle against Grim Reaper and Nekra, who serve the Chaos King and seek to destroy all life in general and all of the Avengers in particular. Picking up from the last issue, out of six formerly deceased heroes, at least four return to the land of the dead when all is said and done. Every character gets a moment to shine and despite the fact that many of these characters have been dead for years (or decades), by the end of this issue the reader will mourn for those who did not get a true second chance at life.
What could have been an exercise in milking an audience is instead a good little side story that could be appreciated even without reading CHAOS WAR. At three issues, the story is not stretched too thin and every scene has importance. The artwork by Grummett is also very strong, mastering heroic action scenes and big explosions - his work has the timeless appear of a Dan Jurgens or a George Perez. Much like HEROES FOR HIRE, those who like seeing brilliant stories done with forgotten characters should check this out.
I AM AN AVENGER #5: This is the last issue of this anthology mini series, which is a sequel of sorts to AGE OF HEROES, that kicked off the HEROIC AGE initiative. Overall, I think AGE OF HEROES had a better ratio of material than I AM AN AVENGER did, although like with any anthology, it depends on that issue's talent. I have liked this era of anthologies and think it worked better without too many serial stories, since 8 pages a month is often too slow for most stories. Sean McKeever had a serial story with Justice & Firestar for most of the series, but that wrapped up last issue. This month's offering features Capt. America (James Barnes), Ant-Man (Eric O'Grady), and the Young Avengers.
The lead story, "A Little Help", is written by Dr. Tim Ursiny and drawn by Nick Dragotta, with colors by Brad Simpson. It is something of a lost "Nuff Said" story, as there is only one line of dialogue, said in the final panel. It's a simple story of a suicidal kid from a broken home in the middle of the inner city who has decided to end it all, and happens to bare witness to a battle between Cap and HYDRA that inspires him to seek help. It's a simple "hero saves a random citizen" kind of story, but those can be solid little tales if told well, and this one is. Dragotta has quite a mastery of the craft and it is impressive how much data can be given to the reader without dialogue or narration boxes.
The second story is "Growing", by B. Clay Moore and Filipe Andrade (who draws the NOMAD back up strip and will be drawing for ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED). It's about Eric feeling awkward about hanging around the Avengers, so he tries to sneak around ant-sized and basically proves to be a nuisance. Quicksilver of all people ends up giving him a pep talk, in one of the rare moments where he doesn't come off as a jack-ass. Andrade's art takes some getting used to, and I am not sure I have quite lightened up on it.
Legendary artist Alan Davis writes and draws the last story (as well as the cover), "Rain Stops Play". The YA want to take a break from training with softball, only Thor has made it rain. He cuts it out, but the kids decide to go back to training. As pretty as the artwork is, it's something of a pointless story. Cute, but nothing I felt went anywhere. The Young Avengers seem to be in so many stories in which no development occurs for most of the characters. They've been in such stories for a half decade, and it's starting to take it's toll. Oddly, Patriot isn't part of the line up - it isn't the first time Eli has been missing from the team in an anthology story. Is he slated to die in CHILDREN'S CRUSADE? No one likes him? What gives?
Overall, I do think these anthologies need to stop being $3.99 if they only have 22 pages of material. But, I suppose you could say that of any comic like that.
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Anyway, they kick Zand's ass and then Solstice promptly disappears, replaced again by the Indian chick. Her parents lavish her with hugs and positive affirmation while Cassie watches. Then Cassie's mom appears and they just stare at each other. For like 3 panels. And then on the last page they hug. So yeah, kind of a s***ty ending that didn't do nearly enough to actually resolve any problems between mother and daughter, but the rest of the issue wasn't bad. It was nice to not completely hate Cassie again. I hear Solstice is going to be in Teen Titans soon, so I guess this one-shot was in part a primer for her. She seems, as the animated Batman put it, "sunny." Literally and figuratively--she has light powers.
