Detective Comics #833
The word on this was so strong that I decided to check it out, and made another trip to my LCS today. Since this is a Paul Dini-written comic featuring Zatanna, I will include the obligatory reference to the fact that Paul Dini would very much like to use Supreme's ray projector to make Zatanna a real person so that he could have sex with her, but, failing that, has married a female stage magician.
That out of the way, this issue is a two-parter, which in most series would be an extraordinarily short story these days (where three- to six-parters are the norm), but in the case of Dini's Detective Comics seems quite extravagant. IGN's reviewer called this one of the best Batman stories in "years, if not decades", which seems a bit over-the-top to me (although I'm not too familiar with the bulk of Batman stories over the last few years, if not decades, so perhaps it is true); it's a very well-done issue, with an expertly misdirected twist ending that I hadn't even the slightest inkling of; rereading the issue, though, Loxias' dialogue takes on a whole new meaning once you know the big reveal.
Dini also spends a good bit of time on the Batman/Zatanna relationship, which he's a big fan of; he basically originated the idea of a romantic connection in BTAS' Zatanna (although his own JLU effort This Little Piggy later quashed that in favour of the Bruce/Diana 'ship). Batman still doesn't trust Zatanna following the events of Identity Crisis, and takes some time from solving the requisite murder mystery to brood about his childhood friendship with her; this is a new element, quite well done.
I've avoided saying much about the plot, or the nature of the big reveal; but I strongly recommend this issue for fans of Batman.
Ms. Marvel #16
I really like this title. It's not groundbreaking in any notable way, but it tells fun superhero stories with an engaging cast, it's not afraid to use goofy villains like MODOK, and has really, really great art. Dread often says he gets this kind of feeling from reading Invincible, which I don't read, but I imagine it's similar to the enjoyment I derive from this book. There are several moments that made me smile, and plenty of witty lines as people punch each other through buildings, something all good superhero stories are built on.
The plot of this three-parter (of which this is the second part; another thing to note about Brian Reed; three-parts is as long as any of his arcs have gone so far) involves some ridiculously convoluted AIM internal politics happened, coupled with some equally fanciful sci-fi stuff involving other dimensions, genetic bombs, and a dying MODOK. In a big three- or four-way brawl, MODOK hypnotized Wonder Man and sicced him on Ms. Marvel; Ms. Marvel snaps him out of it by giving him a French kiss (captured by an onlooker with a camera phone), which produces some awkward moments since she's currently dating another guy. There are three different AIM factions, plus Our Heroes, involved in this story, so it might take you a few read-throughs to understand who is doing what.
Aaron Lopresti has such an incredible range of facial expressions for his characters (even more than Cho, I think he's the definitive Ms. Marvel artist of the moment). I just love his art.
Omega Flight #3
A typical midway-through-an-arc story. The team squabbles over the introduction of the new Guardian, who cries over his mistakes, and is in turn mocked for this by USAgent. Talisman decides not to kill him. Then they are distracted by the Wrecking Crew deciding to trash a museum in search of an interdimensional gateway, revealing the major villains of the piece: those old Alpha Flight standbys, the Great Beasts. The Wrecking Crew continue to be treated as actual heavies in this story (perhaps to be expected from as big a Thor fan as Michael Avon Oeming), rather than as pansies that can be beaten by the Runaways. Most of this issue (which feels fairly slim, to tell the truth) involves the arrival of Beta Ray Bill, who is indeed the black guy (Simon Walters) who appeared last issue. Bill follows the Wrecking Crew into the Great Beasts' lair, and discovers that they are apparently the same creatures who destroyed his home and decimated his people. He then engages the Beasts and the Wrecking Crew in battle, but is overwhelmed (see what I meant about the treatment of the Wrecking Crew); at issue's end, one of the Crew (I really can't tell them apart) is putting the ole crowbar to his horsehead.
The art is quite nice, although I generally prefer work with more clearly defined edges than Kolins' style normally has. The story is still moving rather slowly, but we've finally arrived at the big fight with the main villains, so things should pick up.
Uncanny X-Men #487
After the erratic opening twelve-part "The Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire" story, Ed Brubaker (and perennial X-Men artist Salvador Larocca) bring us "The Extremists," featuring the return of the Morlocks, who defy all attempts to exterminate them (there have been, what, four or five "massacres" at this point?), and, it is hinted, the return of everyone's favourite villain/anti-hero/sometime X-Man Magneto.
Many people suggested that the first story's sci-fi nature placed it a bit outside Brubaker's normal comfort zone, in addition to the fact that it was a team book, rather than his usual solo title (although, in the interim period, he's basically transformed Captain America into a teambook, albeit one more in the non-team style of The Defenders (or Alpha Flight)). For this story, the Uncanny team is without its three big physical hitters from the last story (Havok, Polaris, Marvel Girl; incidentally, the Letters Column mentions a miniseries this fall that will pick up on the outer-space happenings), and Darwin is also absent (even from the logo box), although I've heard Brubaker say he'll be around. In their stead, we have the alien Hepzibah, who is now residing with the team since Corsair's death, the Morlock Caliban (he makes the logo box), and Storm, who hasn't been seen in these parts for a year or so; so, for those keeping track, she's simultaneous the Queen of Wakanda, a member of the Fantastic Four, and an X-Man; all she has to do is join the Avengers and she'll be the first person to do all three (unless you count Wolverine's membership on the jokey "New Fantastic Four").
Xavier, newly repowered (start the countdown to him being crippled again), overhears Valerie Cooper thinking about Magneto, and digs a bit deeper to find out that the US government is trying to find Magneto, having sighted him twice this week. Xavier is determined to find Magneto first, lest anybody get hurt. Elsewhere, Masque (who's no longer a woman) leads a band of Morlocks who also want to find Magneto. Masque possesses a book of prophecy that tells him there is still a chance for mutants to rule the world. Masque's crew abduct Leech in order to use his powers to keep them safe from Magneto, mauling Caliban in the process; Caliban makes it to the X-Mansion, and so the X-Men are on the case.
This opening issue was a bit slow, but it sets up all the pieces admirably, and I think this sort of story (Morlocks in sewers, Magneto) is something Brubaker is much more suited to than sci-fi space opera. And for those of you who complain that the X-books aren't spending enough time addressing "Mutant" issues, this story is for you.
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