Okay, so I decided to spend more money than I should have at the comic shop today. Fortunately, I don't regret any of the comics I bought.
Basically, I decided early on that I was only going to buy the Villains Month comics that had to do with an ongoing that I already buy. However, I've been reading up on Arkham War recently and I am so intrigued it isn't funny. So when I got to the shop today, I skimmed every Bat-Villain Villains Month comic and picked up all the ones set in the current Forever Evil status quo (aka... not flashback only issues). I picked them all up save for Riddler, Ventriloquist, Harley Quinn, and Ra's Al Ghul. I already had Joker, so I didn't pick that one up either. If any of those four I mentioned are actually relevant to the Forever Evil status quo and I over looked it, I'll get them later.
So here are my thoughts:
Previous Weeks
Mr. Freeze #1 - This was a fantastic follow up issue to Batman Annual 1. Between these two issues, Mr. Freeze is quickly becoming one of my favorite Batman villains. I've never really read much Batman prior to Morrison and didn't really jump in until the New 52 started, so I'm still establishing my thoughts toward the franchise. Maybe I should pick up the Birds of Prey story that's referenced here.
Poison Ivy #1 - I've never read anything with Ivy in it before, but I never really thought I'd enjoy her. This issue proved me wrong. I was so sucked in to her story here as she flashed back to her origin while establishing her foothold in the new Forever Evil Gotham. I also really liked the art. I've never read anything drawn by Javier Pina, but I hope to see more.
Two-Face #1 - This was also a very entertaining read. I don't know that I enjoyed it as much as Mr. Freeze or Poison Ivy, but I still liked it. It was interesting getting inside Two-Face's head and I'm curious if this issue's ending will have repercussions in Arkham War or Tomasi's future Batman & 'Robin' story? Still, it was a fun read. I liked it a lot.
Court of Owls #1 - I was planning on getting this one anyways since I buy Talon, and I liked it quite a bit. Not as much as the previous three, but I am just so fascinated by the Court of Owls. This was a romp through their past while simultaneously taking place in the current status quo. I hope the Court, or at least some Talons, get some face time in Arkham War. A brief mention in Scarecrow #1 suggests it might happen, so that'd be pretty awesome. I would love that.
This Week
Penguin #1 - I've never given a lick about the Penguin but this issue wowed me. I was completely sucked in and it left me wanting to read more about Cobblepot. It doesn't seem to have much in the way of the current Forever Evil status quo save for a news reporter mentioning Batman's absence, but I don't' regret that little overlook on my part. If I'd noticed that at the shop, I'd have left it behind. I'm glad I didn't.
Clayface #1 - This was probably my least favorite of the Villains Month issues I bought today, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. Clayface is a villain that's never really been a huge deal for me, but I've always been a little interested. I think this issue showed me that I can really enjoy him in certain situations. Snyder already laid the groundwork for that in Batman, but this one helped as well. I like Clayface's attempts to get in good with the Society. I hope this issue leads to him joining the villains who rebel against them.
Scarecrow #1 - This seems to be the issue that many of the previously mentioned issues lead to. We get our first real glimpse of Gotham post-Trinity War and I love it. Scarecrow is going around talking to everyone about the Society and then Bane's coming. I was sucked in to this issue and am glad I bought it. This issue alone got me stoked for Arkham War. Can't wait for it to come out.
Uncanny X-Men 12 - Battle of the Atom Chapter 4. I'm pretty bored of this event, and the fact that ANYONE will side with letting the O5 stay in the current time is stupid. Unlike Civil War or AvX, there really is no debate here. The logic is so strained that it's insulting and a waist of paper. 4 out of 10 chapters in and I'm already ready for it to be over. Here's hoping the event picks up because I've been bored of this story since Chapter 1.
Superior Spider-Man - Hey, never say I can't change my mind. For once, SpOck didn't annoy me. Now, he didn't win me over either, but at least I wasn't rolling my eyes at his every scene. That said, I can't really say I enjoyed this issue as much as last issue. I think the novelty of Spidey 2099 showing up wowed me then, but now that's over and I think the story itself is sorta just okay. I like it alright, but if this story were any more than 3 issues, I'd likely drop it. But since I got the first two parts, I might as well get the last issue when it comes out.
It is only 3 parts, right?
New Avengers 10 - I said I'd give through this issue and Infinity 3 to impress me or else I'm dropping both. Well, I have to admit that I enjoyed them both. This issue specifically felt a little slow, like it was building for Infinity 3. However, we briefly see the son of Thanos, who is a new character, and I like that. I don't know what to think of Dr. Strange being used like that, but it is what it is. And what a random lead-in to an incursion. I had to go back to it to see if that was what was happening.
A decent issue, but not as good as others I read this week.
Infinity 3 - Well, this was the BIG one I was waiting on before deciding to drop the event. But then the darn thing went and impressed me. The space story was very good with Captain America taking control of the attack and actually showing the Builders that the resisting army has some bite. And on Attila we have Blackbolt showing Thanos the same thing, though I feel like that's going to quickly reverse next issue.
And is it just me or does it seem like Hickman's building toward Maximus going bad again? I hope he doesn't, as I like him working with the other Inhumans. I'd rather see him go off on his own to lead the new Inhumans that show up after this event than go bad. I like him somewhat heroic.
The one thing I didn't like is Star Brand doing whatever it was that he did. There was zero build up to it, so someone like me who hasn't been reading Avengers are suddenly thrown into left field. I've not read Avengers or the New Universe or New Universal or whatever that was called. This was an annoying reminder that this story isn't new reader friendly in the slightest. Still, it was a good issue. I enjoyed it.
Best and Worst of the Week
Best: Scarecrow #1 - Just loved every panel of it. Now I REALLY want to get a hold on Bane #1 next week and get Arkham War started. Super excited!
Worst: - Superior Spider-Man - While Uncanny X-Men bored me, there were times when I enjoyed it. This issue didn't really have that. I like Spidey 2099 and am hoping for an ongoing soon, but I can't stop buying this book soon enough. I just don't care for Dan Slott's handling of the title. I like him on young characters like Avengers Academy. I'd love to see his take on Runaways or New X-Men, but I'm not a fan here.
I never said it was "offensive" to have "multiple black superheros interacting with each other". I said it was slightly offensive that this book is being promoted as the "minority" team. At the time, it seemed that Marvel was shipping off all it's non-white Avengers to a third-tier title, much in the spirit of segregation. Don't make this a "modern comic book readers are racist" thing...
