DIAL Bought/Thought - May 2, 2012

[JewishHobbit]

Another large week for me and partially of my own doing. Picked up two books I was question, one being X-Men and the other being Dial H. I was questioning Earth 2 but pretty much knew I was going to get at least the first issue so no shock there. On to the reviews starting with DC:

Earth 2 #1 - I honestly hadn't been reading any previews or interviews about this so I didn't really know what to expect. I thought it was essentially the New-52 JSA so I was surprised to see Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman front and center. I liked seeing Huntress as a young Robin and daughter of Bruce Wayne but she and Supergirl/Power Girl flew away for their own title, which I didn't buy. Maybe I'll try it another day but I doubt it. As for this issue itself I thought it was good. I was disappointed the big 3 were the main draw but the story ended up being good and the three of them biting the big one making way for the JSA (as shown with a young Jay Garrick in the end) really makes this interesting for me. I'm liking the first issue and will likely be back for the second provided I can make the finances work.

Dial H #1 - This one was a spirt of the moment try and I'm glad I did. I didn't know what the actual premise was but I read that the writer was nervous about it and I just felt compelled to help the guy out (wierd right? That was honestly going on in my head when I decided to buy it). It ended up being a pretty good read. The main character is an obese man who's let himself go due to having lost his job and girl. He's just had a heart attack and just isn't taking care of himself. He has a friend looking out for him who's apparently a drug dealer or something shady like that and it gets him in trouble. The obese man tries to help by calling the police in a phone booth and becomes a creepy but cool character and stops them. He does it again to become another character later on and we're getting the idea that he's becoming addicted to the power trips.

It was a very good issue and holds the bar of good Dark titles like Swamp Thing and Animal Man (and to a lesser degree, Justice League Dark). I'm not typically a fan of overly dark titles, resulting in my dropping Animal Man, despite the good quality, and Swamp Thing, though I've returned to it for now, but this premise has me curious enough to come back for a couple more issues to see where it goes. Good debut.

Swamp Thing #9 - As I said, I dropped this book but missed it and came back. I'm still not a fan of how dark it is (not my thing but it's what's to be expected) but the plot has been great. This seems like the conclusion to the first large arc and it was definately entertaining. I'm glad Abigail isn't stuck in this ugly bug creature form and I liked where the title went. I'm still a bit wierded out by Swamp Thing having horns or whatever but I can get used to it. The title is good, though the darkness still leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but it's good enough to keep me on for now.

X-Men #28 - I was questioning picking up this arc but figured I'd give it a shot. It didn't really wow me so I doubt I'll continue it. I guess I"ll probably call this one of the Adjectiveless X-Men skip arcs.

The premise is that there's a few straggler Skrulls from Secret Invasion. 3 of the 4 were deserters and just wanted to go home. The 4th was a loyalist and still wants to make the Earthers pay. They trick Pixie into taking them to get the objects needed for their escape from Earth but the loyal Skrull has other plans. Guest staring the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man.

Eh, not great. Bored. Moving on.

X-Factor #235 - While the cover is fantastic I was a little bored by the interior. Jamie and Havoc butt heads over how the team should handle the newest situation and Longshot is hurt while trying to read a video camera of a slain "local superhero." Jamie and Shatterstar then don not so subtle costumes and infiltrate the hero's team. It was fun but the story's only 2 issues long and I'm glad for that. David has a habbit of expanding the stories I don't care for for six or seven issues.

Defenders #6 - I'm torn on this issue. My love of the Immortal Iron Fist makes me cheer for the comic that focuses on Danny and the Immortal Weapons. I'm ticked though because of how most of them were just wiped off the map behind the scenes. The two biggest names, Fat Cobra & Prince of Orphans, are left alive (Davos also being absent) but we lose Dog Brother, Bride of Nine Spiders, and Tiger's Beautiful Daughter. Tiger and Dog Brother I'm indifferent about because they weren't that spectacular, but Bride of Nine Spiders was very interesting and had a lot of potential. She was wierd though so hopefully she'll be back. The biggest gripe though is Prince of Orphans going the "bad guy" route, having killed the 3 Immortal Weapons, 4 if Danny hadn't saved Fat Cobra. I guess I'll see how it all resolves but I really don't like the path Fraction's laying out for Aman.

The Machine doohicky plot is finally starting to interest me, 6 issues in.

Avengers vs. X-Men #3 - I don't know, about on par with the previous issues. Not bad, not good. Cap randomly decking Wolverine and planning on dropping him in the Antarctic due to his unpredictableness was just poor writing in my opinion. It felt VERY unCap-like and it took me out of the story. I was excited for this event but so far I'm bored. Bendis delivered an alright first issue, Aaron failed last issue, and Brubaker was somewhere between them for issue 3... none of them that fantastic. Oh well, we'll see where it all goes.

Avengers Academy #29 - This issue was just mediocre for me. Gage doesn't have any sort of grasp on X-23's character and how the kids are handled is stupid. The X-kids are not prisoners but if they try to escape attack them and stop them?! I just don't like how that was handled in the slightest. I honestly hope the X-Kids just kick the living crap out of everyone and leave but that won't happen. I think detaining children against their will by force "for their own good" is a bit too underhanded for the Avengers and make them look about as bad as the rest of the event has made both them and the X-Men look. The whole event has so far just made both sides appear rediculous and out of character.

Honestly, the only part I liked about the issue was Sebastian Shaw and all he does. I thought the scene with the book was slick and I loved the homage of the last page. I'll be back for the remainder of this tie-in but am eager for it to be finished already.

Age of Apocalypse #3 - I'm not seeing myself sticking with this for much longer. I'm interested in the return of dead AoAers but the plot just isn't doing it for me. I find Jean and Sabretooth to be boring and none the humans save Prophet are interesting. The one character I saw in this issue that made me excited was Abyss and he died before he was able to be resurrected.

I'm honestly bored of this title and with having to cut some fat I think this book will be one of them. I might give it another issue or two to pull me in but we'll see.


Best and Worst of the Week

Best: Dial H - As a complete shocker, I realized that I enjoyed this book the most this week. Now granted, it was a pretty crappy week so it didn't have much competition. It was a solid debut though and worth a read for anyone willing to try new stuff. It's new reader friendly... give it a shot.

Worst: Age of Apocalypse - I'm just very indifferent about this book and this issue did nothing to change my mind.

 

[runawayboulder]

I thought Avengers Academy was great this week. This scene was hysterical.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Okay, yeah, I forgot about the Hercules scenes. Those were good too. Pretty much everything with the students was either blah or I was indifferent about.

 

[runawayboulder]

On a side note I finally read Morrison and Quitely's We3. It had been on my wish list for a while and I finally got around to getting it.

Goddamn book made me nearly cry like a b**ch.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I don't know a thing about it.

 

[WolfCypher]

Only picked up this week's Venom and I read in store Teen Titans Annual. I still don't like the art, or the overall story of TT, so I don't know why I was optimistic about this annual. Is this the only 52 book that got an annual?

I'm going back for the DC books (Earth 2 is out?????!). I have NO money for another two weeks, plus I'm going to the movies on Friday AND I have to somehow buy my Mother Day gifts of eBay before the auction closes (or win them now and pay for them later), so this week's Venom was the priority for me; the only book I walked out with.

I enjoyed it. Of course I did

 

[Phaedrus45]

I haven't reviewed any books for a while; and, I knew a lot of this week might be focused on the second wave of DC's New 52 ... SO, I felt I had to come and plug a book that everyone should try and find at their comic book shop tomorrow!

You know when you wish you would have jumped on a comic's bandwagon; and, by the time you finally think, "I should have grabbed the first issue when I had a chance," it's already 3 or 4 issues in, and you have already missed too much?? I know many have thought that with Morning Glories. Well, Image's newest title, Mind The Gap, is another Morning Glories. We get tons of mystery, a huge amount of pages for a low price (I think 44 or 46 pages for $2.99), and a book that everyone will be talking about in the future. Sure, there is a chance that it won't be as good after this first issue; but, I was absolutely blown away by issue #1. Image will definitely be putting out a second print.

If you love Morning Glories ... or, if you wish you would have gotten on board when the first issue came out ... get this book.

 

[runawayboulder]

I don't know a thing about it.

It's about the US gov't turning animals (most specifically a dog, cat and rabbit) into cybernetic killing machines. The bust out of captivity and go on the run, confused, while being chased by the military.

It's only 3 issues, so it's a fairly quick read but damn, the last third of the book is pretty heart-wrenching, especially for a dog lover like myself. Morrison's said that it was inspired by his New X-Men run and Weapon Plus experimenting on animals before humans. He considered the experiments Weapon III.

Weapon III = We3.

It's pretty interesting how a Marvel mythos crossed over into DC's Vertigo line like that.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Avengers vs. X-Men #3: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, good God, that ending was awesome. I know, I know, it's just as out of character for Cap to beat the s*** out of Wolverine and toss him out a moving plane as it is for half of the other stuff that's gone down in this series after only 3 issues; but as someone who's never understood why the reasonable, even-handed Cap is okay with fostering "shoot first, ask questions never" types on his teams, his literally ejecting Wolverine from the Avengers for that kind of behavior here was just deeply, deeply satisfying on a very basic level. It all falls apart upon further scrutiny, but that first knee-jerk reaction I had was, "F*** YEAH, CAP! Kick that murderous bastard's ass!" But yeah, outside of that first reaction, this issue kind of sucked. Iron Man, of all people, points out how fascistic Cap is becoming over this Hope thing, Cap continues getting even more fascistic (down to apparently missing the irony entirely of using violence almost immediately to remove an overly violent member of his team), Wolverine's squad of X-Men has turncoats, Dr. Strange gets utterly humiliated by Magik, and Cap himself fares pretty poorly against Wolverine. And then the issue feels like it ends all of about 2 seconds after it started with not a lot accomplished. Oddly enough, Hope's actually turning into the most interesting part of this event. I don't know if it's the underdog status or her being on the run or what, but I feel for her and I'm kind of interested to see what happens to her next; at the start of this series, I couldn't have cared less about Hope if I tried.

 

[runawayboulder]

Daredevil #12 was a great stand alone issue. It features a "blind" date between Matt and District Attorney Kirsten. There's terrific interaction between the two combined with a back story of Matt and Foggy's law school days.

If I have one criticism for this book, it's the uneven handling of the Omega Drive subplot that is touched on once again at the end of the issue. The story has been handled unevenly as of late, not ending during the crossover it had spawned a month ago. It takes a back seat for a date issue and is promo'd as coming to a single issue finish next issue. I still consider this book one of Marvel's finest.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I feel like doing some reviews again. The first two are just copy and pasted, pretty much, from the DC boards.

Earth 2 #1

Seeing Robinson's name on the cover, I pretty much knew what I was getting. An okay story, but not one that will ever blow me away. It was very reminiscent of his time on Justice Society, which I came close to cancelling. (What stopped me? I heard the book was going to end anyway when the New 52 came around.) We do get some spectacular deaths from major characters; but, I saw that recently enough in DC Online Legends.

The best scene is when Batman dies, telling Robin (female version, always a popular gimmick, and his daughter) to get away. (Hmm, maybe Damien just had a sex change operation.)

This is very much an old school DC book (old school, as in before the New 52). If you miss that, I think you'll like the book. Personally, I think I might skip it after issue 3 or 4. (I try to give a book a couple issue to try and win me over.)

2 out of 5

World's Finest #1

While I didn't appreciate Earth 2 as much as others, I did like World's Finest. It made me glad I picked up Earth 2, as it gave me the back story on how Robin (now Huntress) and Supergirl (now Power Woman) show up in the regular DC universe. I also appreciated that we've gone 5 years into the future, keeping them up-to-date. (A big problem I have with the New 52 is how so many titles jump around. We are getting new origins, of which I didn't even realize the events in Earth 2 happen about the same time as Justice League #1, five years in the past.)

Of course, this just raises more questions about all the stories that came before the New 52. It's much easier piecing together what happened with Spidey before Brand New Day than it ever will be figuring what books I read for many, many years happened in the New 52. While the Batman books tries to make sure all the stuff still happened, it obviously just took all the Huntress stuff and turned it on its ass.

3 of 5

Supreme #64

Oh boy. I love that Image is going back to its roots; but, this book isn't doing a whole lot for me. Last issue's #1 (presented as #63) finally printed the final issue of Alan Moore's run; and, this issue has Erik Larsen taking over writing duties. There is a bit of difference, as we get a lot less dialogue and much more action. I definitely see Larsen's writing style; and, I guess if you are not a fan of his, you might already be deciding this book isn't for you. What's interesting is that it seems this issue is a transition book. Supreme was a certain type of character when he emerged at the beginning of Image's history; then, when Alan Moore took over, he reimagined the character. Well, this issue brings back the old Supreme by book's end, and all the other Suprme-type characters loose their powers. It makes me interested in what comes next.

Not high praise ... but, I have to see the following issue before I give judgement as to whether I drop the title or not.

2.5 out of 5

Batwing #9

First, I am loving Night Of The Owls, even though I do have some reservations that keep coming to mind.

FROM THE DC BOARD: I'm tired of "hordes of (boring) enemies" attacking various heroes. It's why I got bored with ninjas at Marvel. I'm not sure if I'm just making a mountain out of a mole hill; but, it seems like many of the New 52 is centered around lame villians who just have a vast army of people to attack for them. Heck, I'm loving the new Batman Night Of The Owls, but it's like revisiting Daredevil's Shadowland again, where instead of ninjas we have a vast army of masked owls. I want classic villians. Where have all the classic villians gone??

Still, Night Of The Owls in Batman's title has me hooked. That doesn't necessarily translate to other Bat-titles. Case in point, the worst of the Bat-books, Batwing. I want this book cancelled tomorrow. Its dull and boring; and, I keep trodding through it. I would pull it from my list; but, Night Of The Owls came up, and I must continue. Sadly, this doesn't help this book at all. Batwing takes on masked owls to save Lucius Fox, and it's just like one of Shadowland's boring tie-ins.

2 out of 5

Mind The Gap

Reviewed above, I just want to give it a rating. It really puts a lot of what I read from DC and Marvel into perspective.

5 out of 5

Dial H #1

Probably my favorite of the Second Wave. It felt the most original, and didn't make me think once about how DC has messed with its continuity. It can almost be a Vertigo title. (Hmmm...didn't DC already use the term Second Wave for those books, featuring Doc Sampson and The Spirit? Maybe I'm thinking of something else.) What's best is that DC didn't up the price of this book to $3.99, something that's slowly starting to trickle down to their titles.

4 out of 5

The Boys #66

This is it. The final storyline for The Boys, as the main storyline that's been ongoing since this book began finally wrapped up last issue. This is letting us know what's going to happen with the various characters we've met ... or, at least the ones that haven't been killed off. This book has had it's moments; but, I feel the previous storyline didn't live up to all the build up that I've been waiting for. In this way, I have to have (6 issues?) to read the epilogue. I kind of wish they just did a double-sized final issue and were done with it. Hey, at least it's better than Ennis' other book this week.

2.5 out of 5

Fury Max #1

This issue was friggin' boring! It might be the worst Max title I've read in ... sheesh, ever. Lots of talk, hardly any action, and I found myself having to re-read quite a few pages, wondering if I'm missing anything important. Blah, blah, blah. That's how I felt about this book. What we get is Fury looking back over his career; and, he begins with the 50's. Hopefully this is a set up issue to better stuff. While I didn't like Earth 2, this book is much worse. When you have trouble staying awake, especially when you go into a comic thinking you would be getting something great, you can't give the book a favorable grade.

1 out of 5

Avengers Vs. X-Men Round 3

There are two options when reading this Marvel Event. Either you can nitpick it to death, or you can just enjoy the silly ride.

Okay, maybe not just two options, as I'm doing a bit of both.

This issue and the story just keeps getting sillier. Captain America turns into a total *****e; yet, the writer is smart enough to have Iron Man point out to Steve that his behavior is just like he complained of Tony's during Civil War. Still, the characters act like they've learned nothing of all their years of experience. Hero fights hero, even when they are on the same side. (See Cap versus Wolverine) It's ridiculous.

Yet...

There is a small part of me that enjoy the fights. As a Marvel Geek, I want to see Cap versus Wolverine. The set-up is weak; but, so was the classic Marvel Secret Wars. We just expect better nowadays, I guess. But, there is something about a book that (hopefully) doesn't want to be taken seriously.

My grade is probably too high; but, like I said, there was a part of me that enjoys the senseless battles. Don't take this grade that seriously, please.

2.5 out of 5

Epic Kill #1

This new Image mini was alright. It's just been done before. The gal is very much a combination of various kick-ass female heroine's/anti-heroes we've seen over the years. (See the pin-ups, that dress the main character like Uma's Kill Bill character and Elektra.) It's pretty much action from the get-go; and, if you like that, this book might be worth a look. (Plus, Image gives many of their new titles a reasonable $2.99 price.) Since I've seen it many times before, I wasn't jumping up and down.

2.5 out of 5

Sweet Tooth #33

Sadly, no matter what Lemire does that isn't Sweet Tooth never compares to this title. It's what defines him for me; and, I keep wishing he'd put out something just as great. His art is as essential as the story, and he keeps trying different styles to show off his talent. (He's done the sideways comic before; but, it just makes the art look so nice.) This is a sad book, as we get the funeral of a popular character; plus, it looks like a few other lovable characters might have must been killed off, too. Lemire isn't rushing to the end; and, I'm enjoying this epic. I want to see how it all ends; but, I don't want it to end.

5 out of 5

G.I. Combat #1

DC is determined to force a combat comic down our throat; yet, they won't give us a decent writer to deliver the goods. (Lemire did the best job with his Frankenstein During WWII with the final issue of Men At War.) DC couldn't get readers to jump on board The War That Time Forgot or The Unknown Soldier before; so, some great mind decided they'd just combine both books into this new one. (JT Krul is fast becoming a writer that I should just steer clear of.) Another crappy war book.

2 out of 5

Smallville #1

My shop owner stuck this book in my box, probably because I get all the other Superman titles. (Not that I'm really enjoying many of them.) I didn't watch Smallville; but, I do own the first four seasons on DVD. (Nope, I've only watched a few episodes. I always plan to watch them, but never get around doing it.) Still, I guess this first issue was alright. It's priced at $3.99; but, I felt I got my money's worth. I like this version of Superman and Green Arrow much more than what I've seen in the New 52. It's how Superman should be. They don't seem as angsty. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the book, though. It might helped if I watched all 10 seasons of Smallville.

2.5 out of 5

Fanboys Vs. Zombies #1 and 2

Finally read my first issue along with this week's #2. Lucky for the company, because the first dollar issue would have convinced me to drop this garbage. Oh, boy. Maybe I was too hard on Batwing and the other book. Even Fury Max doesn't seem as bad. The art is cartoonish, and the storyline ridiculous. At first I wanted to complain how these characters don't even resemble people who I've seen at comic conventions. Then, I realized that many are suppose to represent celebrities that us convention goers would go to see. Huh? It's called "Fanboys" vs. Zombies. These aren't even fanboys! Plus, I don't mind being made fun of; but, since these characters don't look or act like a true fanboy, the humor is seriously lacking. This could have been better on so many levels, and that's saying a lot with such a silly premise. I cannot figure I'll find a worse book this week. (I pray I don't, at least.)

1/2 out of 5

 

[Dread]

Decently heavy week to greet May, and there's this little Avengers movie to attend. Let's get on with the spoilers.

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 5/2/12:

ACTION COMICS #9: A strange little mainstream Superman book, Grant Morrison has made. His opening arc alongside Rags Morales was derailed for 2 issues to go on a LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES adventure to give Morales a break which extended what was ideally a six issue opening arc. This issue sees Gene Ha be the next up to bat to fill in for Morales and kick off an adventure on Earth-23. What follows is a tale which seems to both cater to the lack of equality in comics while at the same time adding a bit of a disturbing undertone to it. On Earth-23, Kryptonians were very much the same only instead of all looking like Caucasians, they were instead all "black". Thus, the last son of Krypton who eventually became Superman on earth is naturally a very different looking hero for obvious reasons. Not only this, but most of the superheroes on this earth are also black; Princess Diana's sister Nubia is Wonder Woman here, John Stewart (presumably) is their key Green Lantern, with Cyborg and Vixen also being of higher tier. Interestingly, I think Batman is still white - guess some things remain constant. On Earth-23, Lex Luthor is still Superman's arch nemesis, only now his zeal against Superman is often mingled with racism (whether it is or isn't is kept a little ambiguous). The biggest twist is that Superman's alter ego Calvin Ellis is no mere journalist, but is actually the President of the United States. A battle against Luthor sees Calvin discover a machine he has made which allows access to and from other universes - and through it come alternate versions of Lois Lane (who has one eye), Jimmy (who immediately perishes) and Clark Kent (powerless and mortally wounded from the trip), as well as their world's own monstrous Superman, which is basically a psychic corporate monster. Thus, the next arc seems to feature the Supermen of parallel earths, not all of whom may be "good". The back-up strip further fleshes out how Ellis manages to balance being the world's foremost superhero as well as the president of the U.S. He uses robot duplicates to hold cabinet meetings and public appearances when he's about as Superman; and as Wonder Woman notes, he violates the very law he defends by holding that office despite not being an American born citizen, and is thus lying to the entire world. Superman utilizes his position to dismantle a dictator's nuclear arsenal as Superman while offering him a diplomatic out as the President - essentially giving the tyrant an offer he can't refuse. While Superman means well, it becomes hard to shake Luthor's rants about Calvin/Superman having a "fascist" streak. And it gets hard to forget about those Superman-esque Barak Obama t-shirts as well as some on the hard right who make such accusations about Obama; only Obama can't literally tear through a dictators' arsenal to force a diplomatic concession. My impression? While I think overall it was a clever issue in terms of details and I certainly think Calvin Ellis is an interesting Superman, I can't help but shake the issue was trying to portray him as a benevolent tyrant, which is an oxymoron. Of course, one could argue that a President who is able to wage his own wars personally rather than condemn the sons and daughters of other poorer people to fight and die on his behalf is probably more honest in a way. Yet the traditional Superman - as well as most DC heroes aside for "The Great Machine" of WILDSTORM - have avoided mingling with politics as it seems as a bridge too far. Here we have a Superman who is literally lying to the entire world so he can be president battling a dictator who is lying about having nuclear weapons and calling the latter wrong; the scales are different but Calvin is still a hypocrite - a well intentioned one, but still one. Easily an issue which provided some thought, but I thought some of the "darker" undercurrents undermined the impression. Terrific artwork for both the main and back up strips, though.

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #9: As much as I want to like this book, it is starting to devolve into a bit of a mess in trying to promote other characters from other books which are either dead or dying. This issue introduces the just-canceled OMAC as both an opponent and ultimately a new member, as well as encourages the reader to finish the story in the latest issue of FIRESTORM. So is this a crossover or not, because there was no hint of it on the cover, unlike Marvel's OMEGA EFFECT. The issue puts some focus on Lady Godiva, although it doesn't tell us anything new. She joined the team because she was encouraged so by her handlers in the U.K. and thought it would be mostly for photo ops and low key missions, not over the top horrible missions with aliens and terrorists. The death of Rocket Red has moved her, although she can't help but become swept up in the events to foil the scheme put out by Dan Jurgen's three new villains. Aaron Lopresti's artwork is a treat as usual, but as I always seem to say, the whole is not always the sum of it's parts here. I don't like that Ice and Vixen have been completely dismissed, and wonder why Fire is also gone since I don't recall her being as heavily injured. While this is still better than some of the last stretch of BOOSTER GOLD comics Dan Jurgens was writing, I can't help but wonder what this book would be like if written by another writer sometimes. Does DC really have nothing to offer fans that isn't either a 90's rehash or something underwhelmingly bland? I still get enough out of JLI to continue, but this far into it I wonder if it will ever be what I want it to be, which is a more solid and consistent team book with a steady cast which battles villains of some regard.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #9: Due to the release of the TMNT Micro-Series in April, it was easy to forget that this flagship Ninja Turtle series by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, and artist Dan Duncan hasn't shipped a regular issue since the end of March. Wisely, TMNT Micro-Series #4 filled that gap last month and this one continues along the series epic retelling of the iconic mythos. After a devastating attack by Baxtor Stockman's legion of Mouser robots (led by the evil mutant cat Old Hob), the Turtles' master and father Splinter has been kidnapped. Stockman plans to extract an experimental compound from Splinter's blood in order to please the financial backer of his mad experiments, General Krang. Krang poses as the leader of a banana republic on earth but is really an alien warlord who is drafting genetic experiments on earth to use in his intergalactic war. This issue gets past the predictable sequence of April O'Neil having met the Turtles, fainted, and then getting a quick summary of the bizarre origins of the characters. In this version she was involved in that origin - the Turtles and Splinter started out as test subjects in Baxtor's lab, where she was serving an internship - and both she and Casey Jones quickly agree to help the Turtles save their master. What follows is a raid where the team battle both armed soldiers and large robots right out of a 1950's B-movie, although the introduction of the franchise's most iconic villain in the final page easily steals the issue. Duncan's artwork matched with Ronda Pattison's colors continues to rock on this book, which is especially impressive now as it seems Eastman is no longer being credited with the page layouts. Duncan's redesigns of the Turtles' classic villains have this far hit their mark wonderfully, especially the one seen in the final page. The voice of all of the characters are distinctive and the action is always kinetic and easy to follow. While this series has been bold with some of their changes to the iconic origin, on the whole the instincts of Waltz and Eastman have been sound with a lot of respect to the core of the franchise. While many were skeptical of where the franchise would go after Peter Laird sold it to Viacom in 2010, IDW at least has proven that the future for it in comic book form will continue to be exceptional for fans new and old.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #685: Iconic franchise writer Dan Slott continues with his second annual "Spider-Man Event" storyline, this time titled ENDS OF THE EARTH. As usual, the latest installment ships on the same week as an issue of Marvel's larger crossover event, AVENGERS VS. X-MEN, and as usual it proves far superior in terms of narrative and thrills. While the angle of doing a Sinister Six story in ASM has been done several times before, Slott succeeds by rising the stakes to match the heightened apparatus of his hero. Spider-Man has made the jump from lone hero to Avenger as well as poverty stricken freelancer to well paid laboratory scientist. This works because rather than make his life easier, this has instead risen the stakes of Spider-Man's adventures and responsibilities to match. After assembling his most stable version of the Six yet as well as defeating the Avengers, Dr. Octopus has planned his final "master plan" for world domination before his body falls apart from all his prior battles and he dies for good.

Doc Ock has bullied the world (or at least their representatives at the United Nations) into surrendering ten billion dollars as well as pardons to the rest of his Sinister Six as well as buying into his vow to reverse the course of global warming on earth as a parting gift. Ock plans to do this via a series of satellites which surround the earth and proved his point by heating up the sun-facing half of the planet to an astronomical degree, which would have been lethal to millions had he maintained it further. As the science behind his goal is solid, the world's scientists as well as many of their super heroes have genuinely sold into Ock's plan. Spider-Man hasn't, and despite designing his own "anti-Six" Spider-Armor and rallying the Avengers alongside him, Spidey is now on the run from SHIELD and other international authorities with only Black Widow and Silver Sable at his back. While Electro was blasted into space by Thor at the start of the arc, and Sandman was captured by the trio last issue, "Spidey's Angels" remain a step behind Doc Ock and his remaining three cohorts (Mysterio, Rhino, and Chameleon). When Spider-Man's raids on several of Ock's satellite manufacturing stations delay his final push, Ock plays a wild card by rallying super-villain mercenaries behind him; Spider-Man attempts to do the same with heroes worldwide, and manages to assemble a motley lot such as Sabra, Union Jack, Kangaroo, and Japan's Big Hero Six team. Yet in the end, will Ock have the last laugh after all?

Humberto Ramos continues on his rounds of regular art here; Stefano Caselli kicked off the opening chapter of this arc and will return with the next issue. While Ramos seems to struggle slightly with Spidey's detailed new armor, on the whole he excels at extreme characters such as Rhino and Ock's new design as well as facial expressions, action, and explosions - of which this issue has plenty. Victor Olazaba and Edgar Delgado back Ramos up solidly as usual on inks and colors, respectively. While it would have been easy to simply have Spidey and his Avengers allies batle the Six for several issues, it is a strength that such a set-up was dismantled early on in exchange for casting Spidey and the other two heroines as underdogs in a global crisis. Sable in particular seems to be playing a larger role as this story progresses, which makes sense since the character debuted in ASM circa 1985 before branching out into her own title in 1992. Her faith in Spider-Man rises to the fore when it seems like she is coming on to the web-slinger, which he refuses either due to loyalty to MJ (who he is no longer married to or has dated since 2007) or because Spidey prefers Black Cat in the "friends with benefits who have silver hair" department. It actually is a shame the Spider-Man editors haven't capitalized on Spider-Man's single status and all the teams he is on, because him dating an actual heroine might make for a fun or interesting diversion.

On the whole, ENDS OF THE EARTH continues to be the summer blockbuster story one expects out of crossover events yet is getting from this one franchise title. Rather than rest on his laurels after the success of last year's SPIDER-ISLAND, Slott has raised the stakes and made it all work by balancing the large moments with the small, drama with humor, and action with wit. It has been a heck of a ride, with the stakes as high as possible going into the final leg of the arc; precisely as it should be.

AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #3: Marvel's annual event chugs along at a bi-weekly pace with this third issue of twelve. Five of Marvel's hottest writers are credited with the story, with each of them taking turns scripting each other. Is the order chosen by rank, age, or a spun bottle? At any rate, this issue is scripted by Ed Brubaker, better known for CAPTAIN AMERICA and WINTER SOLDIER (and worse known for X-MEN: DEADLY GENESIS) with John Romita Jr. continuing his stretch on art. Both teams locked up in combat last issue with some awkwardly absurd narration behind it, which spawned another side series, AVX: VERSUS. This issue gets to the end of the combat for now as it seems Cyclops and the X-Men have surrendered, only for them to have pulled a fast one and escape. Hope - the teenage girl raised in the future by Cable who is destined to host the often destructive Phoenix Force - has fled the island of Utopia during the melee and is now living on the streets as well as stealing enough gear to hide her energy signature from detection. Most of the action this issue takes place between Capt. America and Wolverine as Cap gathers on that Logan is a temperamental loose canon who believes every problem can be solved by stabbing someone - a fact Marvel heroes seemed to all be aware of but magically forgot around 2005 when he joined the Avengers based on nothing but popularity. This bit actually proves that Cyclops had a point in the previous issue when he lectured Cap for turning to "the lunatic fringe" instead of him when the dilemma of the Phoenix first came to their attention. This is actually the best issue of the series yet, with some decent lines and a solid fight inside a jet, even if better has been had from Brubaker elsewhere.

AVENGERS ACADEMY #29: After getting the obligatory meeting with the Runaways out of the way, Christos Gage reunites with regular artist Tom Grummet for the first in a five part AVX crossover. People who like their comics with a ton of cameos will be happy, as the Academy get the kids from the Jean Grey school shoved onto the panels. While the cover image implies the "internment" is more forced than it is, the Avengers side of things is at best hypocritical. The gist is that Wolverine and the Avengers are bringing the X-Kids into "protective custody" to avoid them being hurt in their current squabble against the X-Men. Capt. America goes along with the notion that they're "not prisoners", yet he personally tasks the Academy cadets to physically stop any of their "guests" who attempt to leave. So if the X-Kids are not prisoners, what are they - hostages? At any rate, the cast feel as if they're on the sidelines of an event which is happening all around them; which plays off the scope of the war as well as editorial mandates. Hercules is the issue's guest teacher and he initially suggests easing some of the tension via a friendly athletic competition between the cadets and the X-Kids, which distracts from the tension briefly. Overall the story feels very obligatory but I did like many moments within it. The opening with Herc was funny. I liked that Finesse and X-23, who have a great deal in common as near emotionless combat machines, have started to bond. The bit where Loa helps Mettle "surf" again and Hazmat thanks her is good stuff. I especially liked the bit where Sebastian Shaw homages that great John Bryne panel with Wolverine as he escapes custody; even if one would have imagined geniuses like Pym and Jefferies would have realized containing anyone who absorbs kinetic energy without restraining them is inviting the inevitable. Grummet's artwork is solid as ever; retro to some, but I find it perfectly acceptable. Crossover tie-ins have often been an obligation for Gage's Avengers titles and he usually handles them with more flair and style than one expects; this time I wonder if the sheer volume of characters will undermine it to a degree. At any rate, solid reading although not the peak of the series. A four issue arc in August may see this series to a conclusion, and I imagine that may make for more riveting stuff.

DAREDEVIL #12: April could have been considered "Daredevil Month" as the four issue OMEGA EFFECT crossover cycled through this title as well as AVENGING SPIDER-MAN and PUNISHER. Series writer Mark Waid wisely realizes that fans need a chance to catch their breath after such a breakneck story, so readers get this very casual "date issue" with Eisner Award nominated artist Chris Samnee, who may apparently serve as the series' second regular artist after Paolo Rivera. He is best known for THOR: THE MIGHTY AVENGER although he has also done some work in CAPTAIN AMERICA and some of Marvel's anthologies. After quite a long stretch of romantic tension as well as bickering over masked identities, Matt Murdock and assistant D.A. Kirsten McDuffie finally go out on a date in Coney Island's Luna Park. As a twist, McDuffie wishes to experience what it means to be blind and spends most of the date wearing a blind-fold. Murdock regales her with a tale of his college days with Foggy Nelson and how he helped save his longtime pal from being falsely expelled by a vengeful instructor. While the final pages swing the story back into the general subplot about "Megacrime" and the Omega Drive gadget, the strength of the issue is on Waid's dialogue as well as Samnee's artwork. This is a simple story, but a well executed one which has a lot of wit and heart to it matched with great visuals. Usually, all of Matt Murdock's girlfriends wind up dead, insane, or one of the Avengers (in Black Widow's case); hopefully the future isn't that grim for McDuffie. A low key but perfectly engaging issue of DAREDEVIL which embodies many of the strengths this relaunch excels at.

 

[Dread]

Part Two of Two:

DEFENDERS #6: The round robin of guest art on this series by Matt Fraction continues, and this time the artist is Victor Ibanez; although he is flanked by two "finishers" which suggests there has been some struggle to meet deadlines, perhaps as someone realized Dodson hasn't kept a schedule in a very long time and the gaps had to be filled fast. This is the issue which was promised to focus on Iron Fist and the Immortal Weapons, and it does...although Silver Surfer of all Defenders also shares much of the issue with Rand. The most controversial bit in the issue is the slaughter of three of the Immortal Weapons, including the quite memorable Bride Of 9 Spiders who was used effectively in SPIDER-ISLAND lately. It seems someone is killing them one by one, and Fat Cobra barely survived his turn, over the cosmic Maguffin Rand and his allies have unearthed. The relationship between Rand and Misty remains in the rut it has been for years - Misty probably feels at least Paladin is more open with her - while Rand and the Surfer figure out that the mystery killer is John Amon, the Prince of Orphans. This is a little surprising until one remembers that Amon was originally tasked with killing wayward Immortal Weapons; he chased Orson Randall for decades. It seems the travels of the early 20th century Iron Fist tie into this tale, as he and his "team" discovered these "engines" decades ago - and have since faded from memory. The Defenders meddling with them has disturbed Amon, who seeks that the machines continue their arcane work rather than be destroyed. It is disheartening to see characters with potential killed, although death has become so meaningless in the Marvel Universe that a part of me doesn't even buy that those characters are dead, or will be for long. In fairness, Fraction co-created those characters so no other writer besides Ed Brubaker really has more "moral ground" to do such a thing than him. This is a better issue than the last and it starts to put the pieces together of the oddness which has circulated through this series. I do hope the pieces start to come together in a more cohesive way soon, however. Rand and Radd shared an issue better than I imagined, though. It was a little dismaying that the Surfer couldn't dispatch with Amon permanently, but then again, he's also been defeated by a brick once.

VENOM #17: Free of crossover obligations, Rick Remender and curious co-writer Cullen Bunn further the trials and tribulations of Flash Thompson/Venom in this issue, which introduces his own team of adversaries called the Savage Six. A part of me is a little dismayed that this book honestly believes that offering knock-off versions of Spider-Man villains and teams counts as originality, but Remender executed it well. THUNDERBOLTS artist Kev Walker does the fill in art here as Thompson decides that now that he has the symbiote under control thanks to his Secret Avengers allies, now is the time to take out Crime-Master once and for all and get out of the corner he's in. Unfortunately, Thompson's plan backfires when he interrupts a meeting CM was holding to form his new team, and he is under attack from Eddie Brock, who has gone off the deep end and seeks to kill all remaining symbiotes and their hosts - as he did to Hybrid and Scream lately. Naturally, Crime-Master, Jack O'Lantern, the Human Fly and ultimately Brock himself become part of the Six; however, Remender also picks some random names out of the Marvel Handbook such as Death-Adder of the Serpent Society and Megatak (a TRON knock off circa a 1980's THOR comic). I like that Remender embraces the outdated corniness of Megatak and has him employ giant TETRIS blocks as weapons. Having riled Crime-Master and Jack O'Lantern with his botched assassination attempt, Thompson may have naturally brought down the horror on his loved ones that he sought to avoid - typical Parker, er, I mean Thompson luck. I doubt it would happen, but I would consider it cute if Flash ultimately reveals his secret to Betty Brant and she rolls with it, but they both decide to never tell Peter Parker since in their eyes he probably couldn't handle a secret like a pal being a superhero. This series has toyed with killing Betty off before and I hope it doesn't, as that woman seems to be the basis of more terrible luck than almost anyone else at Marvel. Regardless, this looks to bring the book on an upswing as it seeks to pit Thompson against an entire team of his own monstrous enemies, as well as some spare bodies. As usual, I am enjoying the ride greatly.

 

[runawayboulder]

The Boys #66

This is it. The final storyline for The Boys, as the main storyline that's been ongoing since this book began finally wrapped up last issue. This is letting us know what's going to happen with the various characters we've met ... or, at least the ones that haven't been killed off. This book has had it's moments; but, I feel the previous storyline didn't live up to all the build up that I've been waiting for. In this way, I have to have (6 issues?) to read the epilogue. I kind of wish they just did a double-sized final issue and were done with it. Hey, at least it's better than Ennis' other book this week.

2.5 out of 5

Fury Max #1

This issue was friggin' boring! It might be the worst Max title I've read in ... sheesh, ever. Lots of talk, hardly any action, and I found myself having to re-read quite a few pages, wondering if I'm missing anything important. Blah, blah, blah. That's how I felt about this book. What we get is Fury looking back over his career; and, he begins with the 50's. Hopefully this is a set up issue to better stuff. While I didn't like Earth 2, this book is much worse. When you have trouble staying awake, especially when you go into a comic thinking you would be getting something great, you can't give the book a favorable grade.

1 out of 5

I thought the Boys was pretty boring myself. Ennis shot his wad in the previous arc, it seems everything from here on out is going to be a footnote. The only thing, I'm still wondering about is if Mallory is really dead or not. I'm curious if he's going to come back and take Butcher out with help from Hughie. I can see the very last issue being about those 3.

Yeah, nothing happened in Fury MAX but I'll let it slide. It's the only MAX book out there and it's an Ennis/Parlov comic after all....

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #685: Iconic franchise writer Dan Slott continues with his second annual "Spider-Man Event" storyline, this time titled ENDS OF THE EARTH. As usual, the latest installment ships on the same week as an issue of Marvel's larger crossover event, AVENGERS VS. X-MEN, and as usual it proves far superior in terms of narrative and thrills. While the angle of doing a Sinister Six story in ASM has been done several times before, Slott succeeds by rising the stakes to match the heightened apparatus of his hero. Spider-Man has made the jump from lone hero to Avenger as well as poverty stricken freelancer to well paid laboratory scientist. This works because rather than make his life easier, this has instead risen the stakes of Spider-Man's adventures and responsibilities to match. After assembling his most stable version of the Six yet as well as defeating the Avengers, Dr. Octopus has planned his final "master plan" for world domination before his body falls apart from all his prior battles and he dies for good.

Doc Ock has bullied the world (or at least their representatives at the United Nations) into surrendering ten billion dollars as well as pardons to the rest of his Sinister Six as well as buying into his vow to reverse the course of global warming on earth as a parting gift. Ock plans to do this via a series of satellites which surround the earth and proved his point by heating up the sun-facing half of the planet to an astronomical degree, which would have been lethal to millions had he maintained it further. As the science behind his goal is solid, the world's scientists as well as many of their super heroes have genuinely sold into Ock's plan. Spider-Man hasn't, and despite designing his own "anti-Six" Spider-Armor and rallying the Avengers alongside him, Spidey is now on the run from SHIELD and other international authorities with only Black Widow and Silver Sable at his back. While Electro was blasted into space by Thor at the start of the arc, and Sandman was captured by the trio last issue, "Spidey's Angels" remain a step behind Doc Ock and his remaining three cohorts (Mysterio, Rhino, and Chameleon). When Spider-Man's raids on several of Ock's satellite manufacturing stations delay his final push, Ock plays a wild card by rallying super-villain mercenaries behind him; Spider-Man attempts to do the same with heroes worldwide, and manages to assemble a motley lot such as Sabra, Union Jack, Kangaroo, and Japan's Big Hero Six team. Yet in the end, will Ock have the last laugh after all?

Humberto Ramos continues on his rounds of regular art here; Stefano Caselli kicked off the opening chapter of this arc and will return with the next issue. While Ramos seems to struggle slightly with Spidey's detailed new armor, on the whole he excels at extreme characters such as Rhino and Ock's new design as well as facial expressions, action, and explosions - of which this issue has plenty. Victor Olazaba and Edgar Delgado back Ramos up solidly as usual on inks and colors, respectively. While it would have been easy to simply have Spidey and his Avengers allies batle the Six for several issues, it is a strength that such a set-up was dismantled early on in exchange for casting Spidey and the other two heroines as underdogs in a global crisis. Sable in particular seems to be playing a larger role as this story progresses, which makes sense since the character debuted in ASM circa 1985 before branching out into her own title in 1992. Her faith in Spider-Man rises to the fore when it seems like she is coming on to the web-slinger, which he refuses either due to loyalty to MJ (who he is no longer married to or has dated since 2007) or because Spidey prefers Black Cat in the "friends with benefits who have silver hair" department. It actually is a shame the Spider-Man editors haven't capitalized on Spider-Man's single status and all the teams he is on, because him dating an actual heroine might make for a fun or interesting diversion.

On the whole, ENDS OF THE EARTH continues to be the summer blockbuster story one expects out of crossover events yet is getting from this one franchise title. Rather than rest on his laurels after the success of last year's SPIDER-ISLAND, Slott has raised the stakes and made it all work by balancing the large moments with the small, drama with humor, and action with wit. It has been a heck of a ride, with the stakes as high as possible going into the final leg of the arc; precisely as it should be.

I've been very pleased by EOTE so far. It def has been better than AvX for sure even though it hasn't had the Avengers playing as big a role as Spider-Island. I do enjoy the Spidey/Widow/Sable team up though. Sable is a Spidey ally favorite of mine. It seems like she may have an attraction to the web head but backed off once he mentioned MJ but not by name.

Which brings me to my next point....a lot of folks complain about Carlie Cooper and MJ being exiled shortly after Big Time launched but now you get a moment where Slott hammers home the point that everything that drives Peter during this crisis is Mary Jane. Yet, you hear none of the complainers come out and give credit where credit is due.....friggin babies.

I get the feeling the Ock dying plot is possibly a giant ruse to get the world's leaders to turn on Spidey when this is all said and done. This may be sort of along the line with Mysterio's suicide in DD years back.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Does DC really have nothing to offer fans that isn't either a 90's rehash or something underwhelmingly bland?

Sure, you're just not reading them.

Batman, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Batman & Robin are the ones that come to mind. Dial H, which just came out Wednesday, had a very promising start.

Which brings me to my next point....a lot of folks complain about Carlie Cooper and MJ being exiled shortly after Big Time launched but now you get a moment where Slott hammers home the point that everything that drives Peter during this crisis is Mary Jane. Yet, you hear none of the complainers come out and give credit where credit is due.....friggin babies.

Are they married yet? Otherwise, no credit deserved

 

[runawayboulder]

Are they married yet? Otherwise, no credit deserved

What are you talking about they are mar......wait. What was I saying?

 

[Themanofbat]

Sure, you're just not reading them.

Batman, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Batman & Robin are the ones that come to mind. Dial H, which just came out Wednesday, had a very promising start.

Aside from Batman, which has been awesome, the others are "rehashes"... I've read about Buddy Baker battling the Red back in the 90's... the new book is GREAT... but I'm not reading anything "new"...

Are they married yet? Otherwise, no credit deserved

They were never married...

t:

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Apparently I'm the only one who didn't like Dial H. While it had a good start, I felt it lost cohesion once the first avatar appeared.

 

[WolfCypher]

however, Remender also picks some random names out of the Marvel Handbook such as Death-Adder of the Serpent Society and Megatak

I was told that Remender has plenty of experience with Death Adder and Megatek when he wrote Punisher. I'm not a Punisher fan so I've no idea if any of this is true, but if it is, then it makes their inclusions far less random, since he's used them before.

 

[runawayboulder]

I think they were in the arc when the Hood dug up Frank's family and Frank ended up burning the corpses.

 

[CConn]

Aside from Batman, which has been awesome, the others are "rehashes"... I've read about Buddy Baker battling the Red back in the 90's... the new book is GREAT... but I'm not reading anything "new"...

Personally, I would argue very little in comics is new.

Really, all Synder is doing in Batman is what Grant Morrison already did 3 years ago, just more straight forward.

 

[Themanofbat]

True... but it's just been so damn good...

 

[JewishHobbit]

Not having read much DC, it's all new to me

And Batman & Robin is somewhat new. Morrison started the Bruce & Son story but didn't do any parental with it (not much anyway). Tomasi is really knocking that one out of the ballpark (though it was slow to start).

 

[CConn]

Like I said, I don't think "newness" matters when quality is concerned.

And DC does have Action, Animal Man, Batman, Batwoman, Batman & Robin, Dial H, The Flash, Swamp Thing, Supergirl and Wonder Woman all running at a high level.

 

[Themanofbat]

Mike W. Barr actually started the Batman with a son story back in 1987...