Comic Reviews 2/25/11

REVIEWS

The comics reviewed are chosen by David not by That's Entertainment management
or staff. The opinions expressed are his alone. If you have an opposing view you
are welcome to respond to David directly by Email at the address above.

We have a bunch of #1 issues this week so let's get on with it.

Title: FORMIC WARS: BURNING EARTH
Issue Number: 1 (of 5)
Title Story: Burning Earth
Title Arc: Formic Wars
Publisher: Marvel
Creator: Orson Scott Card
Plot: Orson Scott Card & Aaron Johnston
Script: Aaron Johnston
Artist: Giancarlo Caracuzzo
Colors: Jim Charalampidis
Letters: Cory Petit
Cover Artist: Salvador Larroca & Aron Lusen/variant by Bryan Hitch & Paul Mounts
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction

This series of mini-series will be the prequel to ENDER'S GAME. If you have not
read those comics I recommend you pick up the back issues or collected trades.
It tells the story of a very young man named Ender Wiggins who is recruited into
military service as part of a long range plan to find an ultimate leader who
will be able to defeat the Formics, an alien race that had previously attacked
Earth, when they inevitably return to invade again. What is not told in that
epic story is the story of that first invasion and how the people of Earth
managed to survive it. That is what FORMIC WARS is about. It is a time in the
future when man has spread out into space and part of what he does is mine
asteroids for minerals. The story opens as a Juke Corporation mining vessel
listens in on activity by a Venezuelan team that have found a rock that could
produce a lot of profit. The more powerful corporate ship bumps the Venezuelan
ship damaging it and killing a miner. The smaller ship can only get away to try
to survive. Meanwhile back on their headquarters on the moon the Juke CEO
unveils a new mining drone while a lowly auditor with the Lunar Trade Department
is told by her boss to ignore irregularities in Juke finances if she wants to
keep her job. And a young soldier in New Zealand is given a chance to join an
elite unit if he can survive the test. All these segments serve to introduce the
characters that begin the story long before the first attack happens. But that
broken Venezuelan mining ship may be the point of first contact. The plot is
necessarily slow to start as Card creates the arena in which events will unfold.
So far the people we have seen are interesting characters, both good and bad. He
spends a lot of time with the miners, as they no doubt will have pivotal roles
later. The art is decent as it has been in the other "Ender's Game" comics. Give
it time to build before deciding one way or the other on this one.

Title: YOUNG JUSTICE
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Haunted
Publisher: DC
Writer: Art Baltazar & Franco
Artist: Mike Norton
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Travis Lanham
Price (USD): 2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero/Cartoon Adaptation
ALL AGES



Recently Alan Gordon ran a contest for readers to pick their favorite comic-
based cartoon. Right now I watch two on a regular basis. Marvel's "Avengers
Earth's Mightiest Heroes" on Disney XD and DC's "Young Justice" on the Cartoon
Network. This comic is based on the latter. It follows a version of Teen Titans
that is a mix of characters that would not be possible in regular DC continuity.
You have a young Wally West and Dick Grayson as were in the original team but
then there is Kaldur'ahm as the current Aqualad, M'gann M'orzz known as Miss
Martian and Superboy that is similar to the current Conner Kent but on the
cartoon show he was rescued from Cadmus Labs by the other teens on their first
mission. Like the TV show they are under the guidance of the Justice League and
meet in Mount Justice the first home of the JLA. This gives the show the
opportunity to feature adult heroes in cameo roles most notably J'onn J'onzz,
Red Tornado and Batman (Bruce Wayne.) Speedy is not on the team having already
gone solo as Red Arrow but another archer joins the team after a few episodes. I
was hoping the comic would not just repeat episodes already broadcast so I was
pleased to see this story is a new one. It takes place shortly after the team is
formed and features Miss Martian and Superboy who are settling in as the only
members who will be living in Mount Justice. Since Superboy has spent most of
his life in a large test tube he has trouble adjusting to this new life. His
idea of what a cozy room would be is peculiar to M'gann for example. When he is
left on his own something strange happens. Someone else is there - a real
surprise I won't spoil for long time fans of the original Justice League of
America. Not only that but a surprise villain shows up to make the cliffhanger
ending a treat. This comic is true to its source material in content and
characterization. The writers keep the teens as they are in the TV show and tell
a fun story that is not dumbed down. It is truly a comic for all ages. Like
Batman Beyond, another favorite DC based cartoon, we get solid super hero
stories that everyone can enjoy.

Title: SILVER SURFER
Issue Number: 1 (of 5)
Title Story: Devolution
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Stephen Segovia
Inker: Victor Olazaba
Colors: Wil Quintana
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artist: Pagulayan, Miki & D'Auria
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



Just how many series and mini-series has the Silver Surfer had? I really don't
know but he is the kind of character that inspires each generation of comic
creators to try and tackle. I decided to see how the latest offering measures
up. It seems like it would not be a Silver Surfer story without rehashing his
origin and the angst he has to bear. He is doomed to a lifetime of helping
Galactus find worlds to devour to maintain the balance in the cosmos that
billions of others might live. But as always he returns to Earth busy with its
monsters, gods, heroes and villains. He happens on a young couple on a beach and
the feelings he can sense are too much a reminder of what he gave up. When they
are attacked by men in armor he cannot turn away. The fracas that ensues is not
unnoticed as agents from the OAS arrive to make contact. But unfortunately for
the Surfer someone else, the High Evolutionary, is interested in him as well.
The final scenes wherein the Evolutionary makes his play are the best in the
chapter. Initially I found the beginning tedious and the rest was standard fare
with more mystery to solve later. The art is okay but a bit too strained in
parts to give that aura of cosmic power associated with the character. I give it
an average grade with the promise of something more based on the climax. Your
opinion may be different.

Title: MARVEL GIRL
Issue Number: 1-SHOT
Title Story: From the Ashes
Publisher: Marvel
Creator: Lee and Kirby
Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkon
Artist: Nuno Plati
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero




This comic is apparently one of several being published as spin offs of the X-
MEN FIRST CLASS series. Coming in March will be other one-shots on Cyclops,
Angel and Iceman. Of course a movie by the same name is scheduled but has not
gotten the hype and multiple comics that Thor and Captain America have gotten.
In the early days of the original X-Men Scott and Warren were rivals for the
affection of Jean Grey. In this issue she has had enough of their arguing over
her and blows her top. The professor can't even get through to her as he
cautions her that she has unresolved issues she needs to overcome or else
someone will get hurt. In a huff she leaves for home only to interpret the
affections of her parents as more people in need. She escapes to the local mall
where she hung out as a youth. The ghosts of her past begin to haunt her as she
runs into familiar faces and sees the young children with dreams of greatness
now settling for mediocrity. She cannot get one friend in particular out of her
head - her best friend Annie whom she left behind and now Jean feels the guilt
as Annie was later hit by a car. The manifestations of these ghosts are of
course from her mind and with the help of the professor she learns a lesson to
help her be a better person. While this is not a spectacular story it was good
reading all the same and in the end Jean finds a larger purpose for her powers
and her life. I am not a big fan of the art style in this one though it gets the
job done. I am sure it is a good addendum to the X-MEN FIRST CLASS series.

Title: JENNIFER BLOOD
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: 1: War Journal
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Adriano Batista
Colors: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letters: Rob Steen
Cover Artist: Various
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Vigilante Crime
Mature Readers - Comics on the Edge

When I see a book by Garth Ennis I expect foul language or intense fighting with
gore or both. So imagine my surprise to see this comic begins with the diary of
a suburban housewife. She talks about shopping and the husband taking care of
the kids and feeling bad about not buying the eco-friendly cleaner. Then she
mentions reading Guns and Ammo in the nail bar and pondering the merits of .38
and .45 ammo over 9mm. That is when I sighed in relief - Ennis had not totally
snapped. Actually that is kind of how this plot is developed. The first several
pages has Jennifer going through everyday life - dinner with the family, helping
the kids with homework, and taking the second car to the shop for brakes. She
even stands up for the clerk at the auto shop who is obviously being harassed by
her boss. Then everything shifts gears. We learn she has built a secret closet
in the basement with an arsenal of firepower. She dons a wig and loaded for war
heads off to the waterfront to take down a stolen car ring she has been casing
for some time. She is a hard-core vigilante and does not spare the bullets,
grenades or any other weapon. She is a ruthless killer and signs her work on the
wall with their blood. But there is more to her than someone fighting the good
fight to save the city. She has a plan and her targets are not random. I like
the way the plot was developed to get to the point at the end realizing my
opinion about Jennifer was being purposely changed at each stage. The violence
when it comes is extreme as I expected it would be. The art is suitable for the
subject matter at every level. There is some solid plotting here that will
develop over the next issues and I look forward to them.

Title: CAPTAIN WONDER
Issue Number: 1 (In 3D)
Publisher: Image
Writer: Brian Haberlin
Artist: Philip Tan
3D Effects: Brain Haberlin
Inker:
Colors: Kristen Severson
Letters: Francis Takenaga
Price (USD): $4.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



I picked this one up for the novelty of the 3D effects. After all there are so
few that are ever published. But there has to be more to it than the free red
and blue lens glasses to make it worth five bucks. Strangely enough I was
unimpressed with the 3D on this one. I know the methods used to get the effect
are all the same but for some reason I had a hard time adjusting the glasses to
get it just right. It's probably my aging eyes. After a while I figured it out
and found that 3D is not such a big deal as I remembered, at least in a comic.
But the good news is that I enjoyed the story. In a world much like our own a
super powered hero named Captain Wonder has been protecting the world from
natural and man made disasters for twenty-five years. There is unparalleled
peace and prosperity in the world. But Captain Wonder has been missing for two
months. We have come so dependent on him everyone is on pins and needles that no
big problem will arise before he returns. But where is he? That is the crux of
the plot. We actually follow a young boy named Billy as he goes through a normal
day with his buddy. It seems a girl who is a bit older following him and
checking off a list of his attributes. Her list has size at the top followed by
honesty, intelligence, bravery and curiosity. She is actually setting up little
tests to see if Billy is an appropriate candidate to become the next Captain
Wonder. It turns out the young girl was the most recent Captain Wonder. The hero
is actually a super robot run by a human on the inside but since she went
through a growth spurt she can no longer fit and so the search began about two
months ago. Now Billy is the closest they have come to the optimal candidate.
But a satellite falling out of orbit and heading for Los Angeles presents an
immediate problem. So without training and no other alternative Billy is put in
the suit while the others in charge attempt to talk him through it. His first
trial by fire and his first meeting with another hero wrap up the action for
now. It is a good story with an interesting twist that got me interested and
wanting more. I couldn't care less about the 3D aspect of it all and in fact I
hope the next issue is in regular format. I could really get into it.

*****
TRIVIA CONTEST!!!! WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!

If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
will be a $10 credit slip, which will be redeemable for merchandise at regular
retail or in-store ongoing specials only. Only one prize per person will be
allowed per every 4 weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even
if more than one answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email
please but guess as often as you like.

Last week's trivia question:
In 2001 FOX sued Marvel to stop production of what TV show?

The show in question was MUTANT-X. The winner by the dice is Stu Cathell.

Here was your no prize question:
'If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.' is the motto of which
state?

Tom Courchaine goes into the Hall of Fame for knowing that we are talking about
Michigan.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
In Valiant Universe terms, Harbingers are people with special powers.
Who was the first Harbinger to appear in a Valiant VH1 comic book?

Here is your no prize question:
In 1999 BMI listed the "Top 100 Songs of the Century"- the most played songs on
American radio and TV. John Lennon and Paul Simon were the two performers to
record more original recordings on the list than The Drifters, Elton John, Roy
Orbison and this act. Can you name the six-man band whose recordings tied for
the third most songs on the list?

Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer - even days after it appears.

Comic Reviews - 2/18/11

Title: STEEL
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Full Circle
Title Arc: Reign of Doomsday
Publisher: DC
Creator: Louise Simonson & Jon Bogdanove
Writer: Steve Lyons
Artist: Ed Benes
Colors: Blond
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Cover Artist: Alex Garner
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

This is the first part of the story running through various DC titles featuring
the return of Doomsday. John Henry Irons is the first to go up against him and
with the ambiguous ending it could be his last battle. It is really not much of
a plot. It opens with Steel on his knees reaching for his hammer in an obvious
battle area. He calls to mind the time years ago recovering from his first
battle with Doomsday and being told Superman had died. In flashback we get a
brief reminder of the main players in the "Reign of Supermen" saga. Additionally
there is some interface with innocent bystanders and John's niece plays a part
along the way. But most of the book is the battle itself. It goes back and forth
to the end. There is some new information John notices about Doomsday that will
no doubt be expanded on in later chapters of the arc. Overall it is kind of
predictable. The art is not bad though so at least visually it works. But since
we know this is only the start of a longer story there is no mystery as to
Doomsday surviving. But will John? I don't think this story will have much
bearing on the big picture down the road unless some planned plot twist later
makes John more relevant to Doomsday's plan, if he has one.

Title: WHO IS JAKE ELLIS?
Issue Number: 1 (of 5)
Title Story: Are You Listening?
Publisher: Image
Writer: Nathan Edmondson
Artist: Tonci Zonjic
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Thriller/Science Fiction?
Mature - Comics on the Edge





This one is a bit strange which is why I had a hard time categorizing the genre.
The opening scene is done a bit different to give us an introduction to the
unique situation of Jon Moore. He is sitting on the deck of a boat in Barcelona,
Spain. The savory characters there with him are upset he has not produced the
information he was hired to get. Jon seems detached from the conversation. In
fact he seems to be talking to himself. Then he strangely pulls a gun and shoots
at one of the men through a bottle of high proof booze, which starts a fire as
he runs and jumps from the boat. Next we see the same scene with an added
character. Jon wasn't talking to himself after all. There is a man in a dark
suit and white tie that only Jon can see. He acts like a guardian angel telling
Jon these guys are going to kill him, shoot through the bottle, duck and jump.
So who or what is this guy? Well look at the title - WHO IS JAKE ELLIS? The how
and the why are not explained. Is Jake a ghost or hallucination or something
else? Jon is now on the run from the Spaniards and from some Americans. We don't
know if he is a spy or a criminal or something else. It is pretty cool how Jake
keeps him one step ahead of disaster time after time. Often the way Jake gets
Jon out of a pinch results in odd situations like running through the streets in
France in his underpants. But there is nothing comical about the main plot. It
is very serious. Jake seems to know exactly what Jon should do and when until
the very end when it seems there may be no way out. This is very entertaining
with lots of straightforward action through the whole book. There is also
mystery and unanswered questions enough to get you to stay with it until the
next issue. The art is decent in style and execution and fits well with the
characters and the overall story. This one is a keeper. Try it and see if you
agree.

Title: DEUS EX
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: DC
Writer: Robbie Morrison
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Colors: Jorge Gonzalez
Letters: Saida Temofonte
Cover Artist: Jim Murray
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction/Action/Adventure - video game adaptation



You've seen me write this before. I am not a video gamer so I approach this kind
of comic as a reader who wants to be entertained by a first issue. The action
begins in Juarez, Mexico in 2027. Our hero is approaching a drug cartel
warehouse and cocaine packaging center where a young girl is being held. The
head of the operation is Alexander Kronstadt an enforcer for the Stolchinaya
Mafia Clan. He has already severed some of Nina Freeman's fingers after her
uncle did not respond to his extortion demands. Kronstadt is more machine than
man in this future of body augmentations. But our hero, Adam Jensen, has been
augmented as well with smart vision enhancement and x-ray vision. He has
cybernetic arms and legs for enhanced speed and strength as well as Rhino Dermal
Armor, which reduces injury from shock, fire and impact. He is the Physical
Security Chief of Sarif Industries the cutting edge biotechnology corporation.
The CEO, David Sarif, sent Adam to rescue his niece rather than give in to the
cartel. Radical anti-augmentation terrorists have attacked Sarif operations and
Sarif is the target of hostile takeover attempts from other rival firms. Sarif
have traced leads to a location in China where they will be sending Adam when
the next attack hits closer to home at a rally for those opposed to
augmentation. I don't know how much of this is drawn from the video game beyond
the obvious powered characters and the type of action taking place. It is a
decent plot and the script manages to fill us in on the characters and the
details of what is happening. We will have to get a lot deeper into it to find
out the ultimate enemy and how wide it casts its web. The art is pretty decent
and very dynamic in the action scenes. So getting back to my reason for reading
this comic I would say it is an entertaining first issue that could develop into
a good action thriller with the right handling.

Title: ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED
Issue Number: 1 (of 4)
Title Story: In the House of the Devil
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Sean McKeever
Artist: Filipe Andrade
Colors: Ricardo Teacio
Letters: Dave Lanphear
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero




I am not an expert on Onslaught, not wanting to get into the whole thing when it
first began in X-MEN #50. Lucky for me and other readers there is an eight-page
addendum that recaps the first Onslaught saga, HEROES REBORN, and ONSLAUGHT
REBORN. It also lists the various trade paperbacks available to get the whole
story and introduce you to the Secret Avengers, Nomad (Rikki Barnes) and the
Young Allies. In the alternate world that is part of that whole epic Rikki
Barnes was the Bucky to Captain America. In the final battle with Onslaught she
slammed into him with a Fantasticar sending him into the Negative Zone. Rikki
woke not in the Negative Zone but on our world shortly after the death of
Captain America. She eventually fashioned a new hero persona as Nomad and is now
part of a teen group known as the Young Allies. She has been plagued with dreams
lately of her teammate Toro being hurt and other heroes lying in the aftermath
of a battle somewhere in Columbia. She confides in Steve Rogers and he promises
to look into it. When Toro is kidnapped in front of Rikki in a crowded street
she knows her dream has some substance to it. In a convenient twist the Black
Widow has uncovered a clandestine operation by Roxxon involving a weapons grade
development of a rare energy source in Columbia. Steve informs Rikki his team of
Secret Avengers has a mission in Columbia and he will try to find Toro while
there but she can't come along. So naturally she convinces the Young Allies they
have to tail the Avengers to find their friend. That sets the stage for the
adults to find the operation, get attacked and have the kids bust in to lend a
hand. This is just the beginning with you-know-who showing up at the very end. I
did not think this story was anything out of the norm. It recycles an old
villain and uses too convenient plot devices to bring two teams of heroes
together for the sake of a team-up. The art is good enough to carry the plot
though a bit too unique in style to appeal to me personally. You may have a
different opinion.

Title: CHARISMAGIC
Issue Number: 0
Title Story: The Void
Publisher: Aspen Comics
Creator: Vince Hernandez
Writer: Vince Hernandez
Artist: Khary Randolph
Colors: Emilio Lopez
Letters: Josh Reed
Price (USD): $1.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror



Have I mentioned my natural aversion to "zero" issues - not the concept of the
"story before the story" but the idea that you can use zero as a counting
number? I have? Never mind. Actually this "first" issue is not a bad value. For
$1.99 you get 20 pages. Seven of those pages are illustrated character studies
about some of the players we will be seeing later. For the purpose of giving us
background on the story to come we start with a girl named Sudana who is meeting
with two men in a diner. They call her Druid and we see why when she gives them
a warning about impending doom. She relates to a time long ago when "her kind"
could roam free of prejudice. By the visuals we know it is pre-history, told
only in archaic scriptures. It is a time of strange beasts and lots of magic.
She tells of one among the sorcerers of those times whose magic was a curse. As
he grew in age he feasted on the magic of others. He was deemed too deadly to
live among them so while they still could the Order of the Five, the ruling body
of mages, banished Samsun to the Void. But over the ages he grew in power and
found an ally who had the knowledge but not the power to escape the Void. It was
only a matter of time before Samsun would gain enough power to escape. Sudana
warns the time is near. Her companions resign themselves to the truth of her
words and the inevitable doom of all their kind. As they reveal themselves in
the light the readers get a better idea of what this conversation was really
about. The final three pages introduce us to the other player in the drama, Hank
the Magnificent. The back pages are supposedly drawn from Druid scripture and
tell of some of the inhabitants of the Void. It's creator, the god of futility,
was also the first to be banished by the rest of the order. Lar Ka Rel had
unknown origins and an insatiable appetite for humans and magicals alike.
Finally we meet the Charmer Queen a Gorgon with the power to charm creatures to
do her bidding through sight and sound. She built a vast army before being
banished for life. The object here is to start to create a world in which the
story has its basis. The ancient realm of magic can derive any number of evil
beings that can be brought into the story, primarily from the realm of the Void.
The mostly hidden from human beings with magic in the present are the ones with
knowledge of the danger to come and the magician on the cover page is undefined
to us as of yet. I found the art pretty cool with coloring that brings out the
surreal aspects. It might be worth reading the "real" first issue to see where
this is going and what shape the eventual conflict will take. For the price this
issue is a bargain.

Title: ASTRONAUT ACADEMY: ZERO GRAVITY
Issue Number: Original Graphic Novel - Advanced Edition
6 X 8 «" 176 pages, black & white
Publisher: First Second Books
Creator: Dave Roman
Gray Color Assists: Craig Arndt, Rosemary Travale and Nassem Hrab
Price (USD): $9.99
Release Date: JUNE 7, 2011
Genre: science fiction/humor
All Ages

Occasionally some friends from my days editing the Comic Book Network Electronic
Magazine will send me an advanced copy of a comic or graphic novel. Usually it
is not four months in advance but I still feel obligated to let the readers know
what I think. Dave Roman has a wonderfully quirky sense of humor. It is somewhat
subtle, sometimes just silly or madcap but often puts a smile on my face. He is
an accomplished cartoonist that knows how to use all the tools available when it
comes to structure, shading and character development. He uses layouts for
maximum effect. This will probably not appeal to hard-core super hero fans as
much as it will to fans that appreciate artistry and scripting designed to
appeal to a wide range of readers. The younger readers should get a big kick out
it both visually and story wise. It takes place in a middle school in a space
station known as Astronaut Academy. It does not appear to be a breeding ground
for space cadets but a school in space with some very different teachers,
students and curricula. The central character is Hakata Soy. He is an ex-
superhero even though he is still a kid. He is the new kid at the school leaving
his past behind if he can. His interactions with the rest have all kinds of
different effects. The book is structured into brief strips of a few pages
featuring one of the students or faculty or other people in Hakata's life. The
friendliest is a girl in his class, Miyumi San. Her first adventure in the book
gives us a look at the kind of quirky stuff to expect. She is going to take a
class in dinosaur driving with some of the others. Her counterpoint is Maribelle
Mellonbelly who is a rich snob. Maribelle challenges Miyumi to a dinosaur race
and though it is her first time driving one she accepts. Then there is Billy Lee
who fancies himself as a ladies man because of his magnificent hair. It is his
best feature until he gets between the rivalry of his two lab partners Miyumi
and Maribelle. And on and on it goes with crazy subjects, some even crazier
teachers and even threads from Hakata's past start showing up here and there.
Through it all there is snappy dialogue that is cute and often purposely-mangled
English to emphasize the situation with a joke. It is all very entertaining.
This will surely appeal to a wide audience when it comes out in June. Look for
it.


***** TRIVIA CONTEST!!!! WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!
If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
will be a $10 credit slip, which will be redeemable for merchandise at regular
retail or in-store ongoing specials only. Only one prize per person will be
allowed per every 4 weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even
if more than one answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email
please but guess as often as you like.

Last week's trivia question: On what date was the first FREE COMIC BOOK DAY held?
The first one was on May 4, 2002 to coincide with the release of the SPIDERMAN
movie. The winner by the dice is Kevin Browne.

Here was your no prize question: Which is the only US state capitol that does not have a McDonald's within the city limits?
Christian Mock enters the No Prize Hall of Fame for being the first to get the
right answer. The closest McDonald's to Montpelier, VT is in the next town,
Barre, 3 miles from the Vermont capitol.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: In 2001 FOX sued Marvel to stop production of what TV show?

Here is your no prize question: 'If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.' is the motto of which state?

Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer - even days after it appears.

Comic Reviews 2/11/11

Title: DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Legendary
Publisher: DC
Writer: Marv Wolfman & Tony Bedard
Artist: Howard Porter & Livesay and Adriana Melo & Norman Lee
Colors: Carrie Stracham
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover Artist: Ed Benes & Randy Mayer and Ryan Sook
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero/Video Game Adaptation

DC has been previewing this comic in the back of their other comics in January.
It is based on the new online game they just made active. I can't speak for the
quality of the game; you'll have to venture on your own. This review is about
the comic set in a different DC reality and it involves Luthor and some very bad
choices. In this reality he has made a pact with Brainiac. It happened several
years ago when a probe the size of a flea invaded one of Luthor's labs in the
Antarctic and started downloading data. When Luthor arrives Brainiac
communicates through it. He convinces Luthor he is only there to eliminate their
mutual enemy, Superman, under the guise that without Superman around other
metahumans would be working for Luthor. He will eliminate Superman with Luthor's
help. Luthor sets up manufacturing plants around the world to make enforcer
robots. Luthor is promised the world once Superman is gone. In the opening scene
Luthor gets to deal the deathblow himself. But as you might suspect he is
immediately double-crossed. With the entire world in peril, and an army of
exobytes seeking out all the metahumans for collection Luthor needs to use all
his wits and secret lairs to form a plan to fight back. The interesting thing
about this story is that an alliance will have to be made between heroes and
villains. Since it is not regular continuity some on both sides of the law will
die. Some beside Superman already have. The first chapter ends as Luthor calls
together some of the remaining metas to formulate a plan to save the world. On
the face of it this reads like a decent Elseworld story. Seeing things from
Luthor's point of view is interesting as he swings from hate for his enemies to
fear to the ultimate planner. The art is adequate though not anything special in
my view. But for the price it is a good first issue.

Title: THE STAND: NO MAN'S LAND
Issue Number: 1
Title Arc: No Man's Land
Publisher: Marvel
Creator: Stephen King
Script: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Artist: Mike Perkins
Colors: Laura Martin
Letters: Rus Wooton
Cover Artist: Tomm Coker with Laura Martin
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror

Story-wise we are now two months after the "Captain Trips" virus killed off 99%
of the population. The survivors are in two factions - dark and light. The dark
have congregated in Las Vegas after heeding the supernatural call of Randall
Flagg. He rules with absolute authority and executes those who do not follow his
rules. The others saw an old lady, Mother Abigail, in their dreams and have
begun to resettle Boulder, Colorado. They know Flagg is planning something but
they do not know what that is. So the ruling committee decides to send three
spies into the belly of the beast. The beginning of this arc takes place back in
Boulder. While the bond between Stu Redman and Fran Goldsmith has grown other
relations also blossom. Larry and Lucy have gotten close as well. After the
committee meeting they return home to find Nadine waiting. She makes a desperate
plea for Larry to come with her. She would give him what she denied before. It
is a turning point for Larry - a time for him to decide what kind of man he
wants to be. It is also a turning point for Harold who is now on the burial
committee to clear the bodies from the town. He has resigned himself to the fact
that Fran is with Stu now. He as even become an asset to the community. But what
he finds waiting for him at his home will change his life forever. The story is
moving along at a deliberate pace touching on all the detail that captures more
of the essence of the novel than the TV series could. The art has really given
personality to all the characters and Laura Martin does a great job with the
coloring. I was drawn to the first issue out of curiosity and stayed with it
when I found it compelling reading in script and art. This is one of the best
comic series out there right now. It is worth reading from the beginning in the
collected trades already out.

Title: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN
Issue Number: 500.1
Title Story: What It Was Like, What Happened, and What it's Like Now
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Colors: Frank D'Armata
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



Marvel is coming out with a series of "point one" (.1) issues as jump on points
for new readers. I had anticipated it would be an extended recap of the
character's recent history to help understand the comic moving forward. In the
case of IRON MAN it goes back to the very beginning in an interesting way. On
the first page Tony narrates his story to the reader by explaining what it is
like to go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. This goes to the point where he
takes the rostrum and says, "My name is Tony and I'm an alcoholic." From that
point on he is telling his life story. Like many alcoholics do he starts from
his childhood and his first drink at fifteen. His history of drinking became
connected with his desire for females. Most readers know Tony had a drinking
problem and was always a ladies man. The interesting part comes as he talks of
life experiences involving his alter ego. He never actually mentions he is
talking about his experiences as Iron Man from the forging of the first suit of
armor through various enemies along the way. The script is very clever so that
the words could be interpreted as meaning business rivals while the pictures for
the comic readers show what he is really talking about. He eventually became an
Avenger. He had found what he loved - that wasn't drinking. He tells of failed
relationships, overindulgence and eventually the loss of his wealth, his friends
and his meaning. Naturally, since he is at an AA meeting, he tells of his
redemption when he stopped drinking. As I said the art tells the real story and
touches on key point like the death of Captain America and eventually his brush
with death at the hands of Norman Osborn. This is one of the best self-contained
Iron Man stories I have read in a while. In the end he is moving forward without
looking back or looking down. He is rebuilding his life and his relationships in
a more meaningful manner. Larocca and D'Armata superbly handle the art. Since it
is only $2.99 it is worth your time and money.

Title: DAOMU
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Image Comics
Creator: Kennedy Xu & Ken Chou
Writer: Kennedy Xu
Script: Colin Johnson
Artist: Ken Chou
Letters: Tom Orzechowski
Cover Artist: Ken Chou
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror/Supernatural
Mature Readers - Comics on the Edge


This comic is based on a best selling novel series in China. The word DAOMU
literally means 'tomb robber'. It began in 2007 and the series has over 20
million fans. Kennedy Xu has inspired a whole genre of fiction in China where he
is regarded as their Stephen King. The prelude to the comic story tells how in
1974 an elaborate tomb system was discovered and was soon found to extend all
over the world. They link to an older, more mystical time. There is also a
secret society of tomb robbers. Prominent families and clans have spent
centuries protecting the secrets of these systems and often reaped great
rewards. There are two types of tomb robbers. The ones from the north respect
the dead and take only what they need to continue their efforts of protecting
the system. The ones from the south seek only personal wealth. The take what
they want and destroy the rest. Then there is the Daomu who exist in a world
slightly removed from our own. They maintain the balance between man and nature.
They operate from the shadows as protectors. In the present the Daomu have been
corrupted and their legacy has been left without an heir. This is all in the
text piece on the first page to get the reader acquainted with the background.
The story is about Sean Wu. He has returned to China having left ten years ago
with his mother vowing never to return. When his father showed up in Detroit two
months ago he though maybe he was there to make amends for what he had done. But
his father was killed before much could be said. In flashback we return to the
meeting with his father in Detroit at a roadhouse. Before they can get into any
serious talk a man, or what appears to be a man appears on the street outside
and guns down the father. With his dying words he hands Sean a key and instructs
him to go back to China and do something - that he and his mother are in grave
danger. A female is there with them and she returns fire on the assailant with
surprising results. Now Sean is determined by what he saw to fulfill his
father's wishes. The final pages have him returning to the homestead after the
funeral. Those scenes lead to a cliffhanging climax that does not even begin to
explain what is going on or what the future holds for Sean. As a first issue
this one had some interesting moments. The mysterious attacker is clearly
supernatural in nature but the reason for it all is not explained. If not for
the opening text page we would not have a clue that this is all tied to tomb
robbers of any type. It seems they are trying to be true to the novels rather
than write an original comic so the pacing is deliberate. The art is good. I am
just not sold on the concept without reading another issue or two.

Title: SIR EDWARD GREY, WITCHFINDER: LOST AND GONE FOREVER
Issue Number: 1 (of 5)
Publisher: Dark Horse
Creator: Mike Mignola
Writers: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Artist: John Severin
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Clem Robins
Cover Artist: Mike Mignola
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror

"From the pages of HELLBOY", which I don't read so I treat this as someone's
first comic - does it entertain on it's own? Well, yes it does. First you have
the art by the one and only John Severin. His rich detail backed by the fine
coloring of Dave Stewart give you the visual delight not seen in a lot of
comics. The script tells a tale of Sir Edward Grey as he arrives in a small town
in Utah in 1880. As he wanders down the main street toward the local hotel he
notices the remains of a burnt out church. Hearing something from within he goes
in to fine a Native American lady reciting the Lord's Prayer. He also finds some
strange writing under the ash on the floor. Most of the action takes place in a
bar when he finds that the locals are not too keen about strangers asking
questions. He is looking for a man and without even saying who it is the others
get all nervous to the point where one picks a fight which turns into a shoot
out and then an all out effort to kill Sir Grey. Just as he get's a reprieve and
leaves the saloon a man is waiting for him with another horse urging him to ride
before the locals regroup. There is clearly a secret in this town that everyone
is trying to hide. It has to do with the burnt out church and what caused it to
get that way. The other man is a mystery for now but there are other things that
need to be explained. It is scripted to get us enthralled leaving enough for
next time as the climax ends thing son a high note. I found it entertaining with
no prior knowledge needed to enjoy the story. For a first comic it is fine.

Title: HOTWIRE: DEEP CUT
Issue Number: 3 (of 3)
Title Story: "Everyone Gets a Medal"
Publisher: Radical Comics
Creator: Steve Pugh and Warren Ellis
Writer/Artist: Steve Pugh
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction





This is the final chapter of this arc. Detective Exorcist Hotwire protects the
city from Blue Light Ghosts. For some reason long ago the dead stopped departing
and now drift into cities around the world. They have managed to keep them out
of the good neighborhoods with suppressor towers and the newly dead are trapped
in ceramic tombs. Hotwire takes care of the rest that wander the city often
seeking revenge on the living. In this arc a dead soldier has been resurrected
by some kind of exotic technology. He is carry the body of a girl he
accidentally killed and he has managed to amass an army of ghosts that are
approaching the city. Complicating the situation is a group of mercenaries, Bear
Claw, who want the contract to protect the city from the blue-lights. The have a
prototype weapon they are itching to use on this major threat to seal the deal.
Hotwire and her partner have their own plan with a unique devise of their own.
The plan is for Hotwire to parachute into the hot zone, and electronically tag
the target allowing her partner to trigger the device from hovercraft high
above. Each group is aware of the other and won't let anything stop their own
efforts. They are bound to clash and that could mean disaster for the city. This
is a fast moving story with a few unexpected turns in the plot. The scripting
makes the characters likeable, and even the mercenaries can be seen as not
necessarily bad guys, just dedicated to their purpose. In the end Hotwire finds
a way to do the right thing, get what she wants and yes, as the title suggests,
everyone gets a medal. Pugh is an amazing talent. He does all the work on this
book. I found his art a visual delight. It is rich in detail and dynamically
colored. This is another high quality product from Radical.

***** TRIVIA CONTEST!!!! WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!

If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
will be a $10 credit slip, which will be redeemable for merchandise at regular
retail or in-store ongoing specials only. Only one prize per person will be
allowed per every 4 weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even
if more than one answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email
please but guess as often as you like.

Last week's trivia question:
From A to Z: AA and Zharan Pel are/were members of what team?
As certified by Brent Clark Roger's GUIDE TO THE DC UNIVERSE, the answer is The
Green Lantern Corp. The winner by the dice roll is Mike Dooley.

Here was your no prize question:
Where was the first enclosed downtown mall in the US located?
The first enclosed mall called Southdale opened in Edina, Minnesota (near
Minneapolis) in 1956.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
On what date was the first FREE COMIC BOOK DAY held?

Here is your no prize question:
Which is the only US state capitol that does not have a McDonald's within the city limits?

Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer - even days after it appears.

Comics Reviews 2/4/11

Title: FANTASTIC FOUR
Issue Number: 587
Title Story: The Last Stand
Publisher: Marvel
Creators: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Steve Epting
Inks: Rick Maygar, Mike Perkins and Steve Epting
Letters: Rus Wooton
Cover Artist: Alan Davis, Rick Farmer & Javier Rodriguez
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


I don't have to tell you this is one of the most hyped issues to come out
recently. If you somehow missed the details and don't want to know the outcome
then skip this review. The comic went on sale a day early and was shipped sealed
in a polybag with the familiar FF symbol 4 in a circle replaced by a 3. The bag
was to keep the secret as long as possible but then Marvel did a press release
the night before so that a lot of news outlets, and people on Marvel's mailing
list, knew before one bag was opened. What Marvel did not tell everyone is that
some of the copies are autographed by the writer Jonathan Hickman and were
randomly inserted in the shipment. You just don't know if you got one until you
open it.

At the end of the last issue each one of the Fantastic Four were in life
threatening situations. Sue Richards was with Namor at a supposed peace meeting
in the Gulf of Thailand with the reportedly homicidal Tribes of Old Atlantis. To
her shock the Sub-Mariner assassinated King Ui-Uhar in an unprovoked manner and
now all out war is a real threat. Reed Richards is on Nu-World with the Castles.
Galactus is starting to consume the artificial planet and Reed and friends are
on the surface hoping to save as many of the inhabitants as possible. Meanwhile
back in the Baxter Building the Cult of the Other Side of Zero has breached the
portal to the Negative Zone unleashing a horde of Annihilus' insectoid soldiers
upon Johnny, a temporarily depowered Ben and the kids of the Future Foundation.
In the minor plots Sue manages to rise to the occasion and to her surprise gains
a title. Reed and friends manage to escape Nu-World in the nick of time. But on
Earth things are not looking good. Luckily for the group they have some very
smart kids who have figured out the way to seal the portal. Unluckily someone
has to do it from the other side. If you read this far I do not feel bad telling
you that since Ben is not the Thing Johnny gets the drop on him and forces him
back through the portal sealing it and his own doom. With this heroic act he can
only hope to take as many of the soldiers down as possible before they finish
him. Ironically, Ben turns back into the Thing only minutes after being locked
out of the portal. The last scene is Ben on the floor holding Franklin and Val
as they begin to mourn their loss. That's it. The story is scripted well having
all the elements posing real threats to keep us guessing. In fact I thought that
Ben was going to be the victim only because he was no longer the Thing. The art
is really nice as it has been all along. The colors really stand out at key
moments. You can see everyone wanted to make this issue special. As for the
future it is the topic of much discussion on the Internet. Next month issue #588
will be the last issue of FANTASTIC FOUR. Then in March a new comic will debut
titled simply FF #1. Since no information has been let out on it we can presume
it will feature the remaining characters as their new dynamic evolves. The best
guess beyond that, one I agree with, is that FF will continue for a year and
then at the appropriate issue it will revert to being THE FANTASTIC FOUR once
again and go back to the original numbering with issue #600. Whether or not
Johnny Storm will return then or later is anyone's guess.

Title: SHAZAM!
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: United We Stand
Publisher: DC
Writer: Eric Wallace
Artist: Cliff Richards
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Swands
Cover Artist: Cliff Chiang
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



The story begins in the apartment of Billy and Mary Batson the former Captain
Marvel and Miss Marvel. Freddy Freeman, the current wielder of the power of the
gods as Shazam, visits them. It is their first meeting since the events in CRY
FOR JUSTICE. The siblings are upset at his long absence and Mary in particular
is angry he is not helping them regain their powers. Apparently she has planned
to do something about it as suddenly Blaze, the daughter of the Wizard, appears
in their midst and knocks out Freddy. A flashback reveals that Blaze had
approached Mary with a promise of restoring their powers if Mary would kill
Freddy. Now it seems that Mary went along with the plan but in reality she clued
in Freddy who is feigning unconsciousness and with one magic word turns the
tables on Blaze. Mary had realized Blaze actually wanted the powers for herself
and so planned with Freddy to take care of Blaze. This is of course only the
first few pages and a big battle ensues. Freddy seems to be holding his own but
when Blaze uses a supernatural weapon against him it is up to the powerless
Batsons to come to his aid. It is a typical hero defeats villainess story but it
is not over yet. To be continued in Titans #32. I enjoyed the story though in
retrospect it would not be missed if you only read Titans. The art is very good
with lots of detail and excellent coloring. So for what it is I would recommend
it.

Title: AGE OF X ALPHA
Issue Number: 1-Shot
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Framing Sequences - Mirco Pierfederici
Artist: BASILISK - Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Artist: CANNONBALL AND HUSK - Carlo Barberi, Walden Wong & Antonio Fabela
Artist: WOLVERINE - PACO DIAZ
Artist: MAGNETO - Paul Davidson & Brian Reber
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


The next multi-part arc that will run through X-MEN: LEGACY and NEW MUTANTS for
three months is called the AGE OF X. It is set in a world where the X-Men never
existed and mutantkind has been hunted to extinction. The remaining mutants band
together to make their last stand in Fortress X. The story is purposely
structured to just dump the reader into the status quo with no explanation as to
how this came to be. Is it an alternate reality, a retro change due to some
mystical force, or something else? The creators promise to unravel the
explanation as the main story unfolds. The core characters have some compelling
back stories that do not fit into the main plot but will be helpful to regular
readers of those books in understanding their motivation in this strange
situation. So they devised this introduction (there is no AGE OF X BETA) to help
those readers and perhaps intrigue others to jump on to those titles for this
arc. You will note that different artists handle the characters highlighted in
this book. The framing sequences take place in Fortress X as the group prepares
for the assault as members discuss the key characters.

Basilisk is Scott Summers with a different costume but the same powers. He is a
captive of Arcade in Alcatraz. They have removed his eyelids and fitted him with
a special mask controlled remotely by Arcade. The restrained Scott can only
protest as Arcade activates the lens that operates his blast at inmate mutants
on death row. His story details how he escaped to join with the band of mutants
today. The story of Cannonball and his sister Husk has them attacking a convoy
of the Human Coalition. They had been going after families carrying the x-gene
but not mutants themselves. And so the siblings are trying to rescue their
family before the platoon of Exonims following the convoy can arrive. What they
find hardens them even more. Doctor Rao, who is not a mutant, is the resident
medic and tells the story of how she was involved in developing the x-gene cure
but turned to their cause when it was planned to be used as a weapon of mass
eradication. Fortuitously at that moment Wolverine crashes in to destroy the
cure before it can be used but as Rao points out it really can't be destroyed by
dilution or even with acid or burning. Something will remain from which others
can reconstitute the formula. With forces closing in she suggests Wolverine has
the solution - he can metabolize it all with his healing factor. How that turns
out is the crux of his story. Finally we look at Magneto who was presumably
destroyed by the coalition. As a band of mutants are barricaded in the Chrysler
Building in New York they ponder their fate, with some thinking of surrender.
But then Magneto manages to get past the barricade with some help from a friend
and even in a weakened state he proves he is still far stronger than the
coalition thought. I found this prequel to be a good read and enjoyed a
different take on the constant struggle of the mutants in the Marvel Universe.
This one is much more violent with both sides killing for the cause. The
artistic contributions to the issue are all pretty good. If you are going to
read the main story anyway this is probably a must read. If you are undecided
about yet another event I suggest you pick this one-shot before you decide.

Title: STAR WARS: DARTH VADER AND THE LOST COMMAND
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Haden Blackman
Artist: Rick Leonardi
Inker: Daniel Green
Colors: Wes Dzioba
Letters: Michael Heisler
Cover Artist: Tsuneo Sanda
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction


This series follows Darth Vader sometime after the events of Episode III and
nineteen years before the Battle of Yavin. Strangely enough it opens with a
conversation between Anakin and Padme as they discuss their unborn child, not
knowing it will be twins. It is really a memory we are witnessing as Vader is
getting a tune-up of his cyborg parts. It lends us insight into his state of
mind about what he has given up. It is early on in his service to the Emperor
and we are purposely given a scene showing his subservience to his master. Vader
is given the task to find a star destroyer that has gone missing in the so-
called Ghost Nebula. He is to find it personally and is told its commander is
the son of Moff Tarkin. Moff did not choose Vader as he thinks he is too
distracted with hunting Jedi. So to ensure success he has picked a trusted
captain to accompany him with two battalions on the mission. This slap to
Vader's ego would have different consequences if the story were in later years.
Now he obeys the Emperor and suffers the tag along. It is an interesting start
as the quest takes them to planet Atoa. Much of the second half is a battle
scene with the locals and it finishes with the arrival of an interesting new
character. I am not a follower of all the Star Wars comics but the setting of
this story meant I could get into it and understand the characters from a period
not to far removed from the movies. I found it decent enough, with a bit too
much filler battle pages. The art is decent and supports the plot as it changes.
If you don't want to read the ongoing titles from Dark Horse due to
unfamiliarity of the characters and their continuity you might want try this
one.

Title: TWILIGHT GUARDIAN
Issue Number: 1 (of 4)
Publisher: Image/Top Cow
Writer: Troy Hickman
Artist: Sid Kotian
Colors: Bill Farmer
Letters: Troy Peteri
Cover Artist: Erik Jones
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Suburban Hero




This is a most peculiar comic. First, it is the winner of one of those Pilot
Season contests. I never read the one-shot entry of this title so I can't judge
it as being worthy of the mini-series against the competition. But as I read it
I wondered how bad where the other titles that this one was the best? I found it
had strength in the art as the script calls on Kotian and Farmer to at times
vary styles to portray a pager or two of a comic the main character is reading.
In fact the comic within the comic part is the best part of this title. Each
comic is a different genre and has some slick jokes inserted in the dialogue
that are very clever. The main character is a young lady who secretly prowls her
neighborhood by night wearing a domino mask and a hoodie. She has no powers or
weapons, except a roll of quarters. The story is told in the first person
narrative and right from the start you wonder is this girl for real or are we
not in on the joke that she is slightly off her rocker? Every night she walks
her patrol, ducking from the cops as if she were some infamous vigilante working
outside the law. All she does is observe her neighbors and take notes. That is
not normal for someone her age. But then the seeds of a deeper plot are planted.
Her ex-boyfriend is suddenly missing. At her weekly scrabble game with her mom
she learns of a time in the past when several people went missing, right before
her dad left them. Finally at the end she gets an Email that may change
everything for her. As I said I did not know what to make of the character and
did not think it was going anywhere until later in the issue. I think the second
issue will be a lot more plot development than the first. If not it may not be
worth hanging in there.

Title: THE SPIDER AND DOMINO LADY
Issue Number: 1-Shot
Title Story: The Lady and the Spider
Publisher: Moonstone
Writers: Nancy Holder & Joe Gentile
Artist: E.M. Geist
Cover Artist: Stephen Bryant
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Pulp Fiction





This is not a typical comic book. It is more like an old pulp novel in that it
is mostly text with a black and white illustration on each page. I was really
taken by those Geist illustrations. He is very detailed in background and facial
expressions and uses grays and shadow well. The story takes place in Hollywood
amongst the movie moguls of the time. This is of course a tale of classic pulp
heroes so we are back in the early nineteen thirties. Our leading lady is Ellen
Patrick, AKA Domino Lady. She is a friend with Lulu Chandler, wife of a major
movie producer Aston Chandler. Aston is off to confront a rival for stealing his
leading man, who is secretly Aston's lover, for his next picture. When an
earthquake hits Ellen races off to be sure Aston is okay. What she finds is the
studio in flames and everyone running for their lives. She does manage to find
Aston but he reveals that the fire started when an actress suddenly burst into
flames! The other half of our team-up is Richard Wentworth who fights crime with
his dual 45's as The Spider. He reads of the fire and seeing a similarity in an
older case hops the train from New York to the coast. He knows of a famous
Chicago gangster, Patrick O'Shaunessy, who invented a drug that when ingested
turned its victims into zombies just prior to them bursting into flames. The
fire at Silver Screen Studios leads him to investigate Astor's rival for any mob
connection. While doing that he meets Domino Lady doing her own detective work.
She is looking for a stolen ring that could reveal Aston's gay affair and ruin
him. The two agree to work together as even more fires at various studios break
out. It soon begins to look like mob rivalry as studios under the "protection"
of rivals to the O'Shaunessy mob are the only targets. The story picks up speed
and races to one of those thrilling conclusions with the heroes in peril up to
the last minute. It is well scripted and of course the art makes it work well.
You may think $3.99 is a lot to pay for a black and white comic that is not even
a true comic but only a story with pictures. For the entertainment value this
issue delivers.


***** TRIVIA CONTEST!!!! WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!

If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
will be a $10 credit slip, which will be redeemable for merchandise at regular
retail or in-store ongoing specials only. Only one prize per person will be
allowed per every 4 weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even
if more than one answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email
please but guess as often as you like.

Last week's trivia question: What was the name of Kobalt's archenemy?
The Milestone hero's rival was Milton St. Cloud. The winner by the dice roll is
Rebecca Bechan.

Here was your no prize question: Which sports figure first uttered the famous line on national TV, "I'm going to Disneyworld"?

Rebecca swept the trivia by being the first to get our no prize question as
well. The week before Super Bowl XXI in 1987, New York Giants quarterback, Phil
Simms was approached by Disney reps and asked if his team won the Super Bowl if
he'd say, "I'm going to Disney World!" while they had a camera on him.
At first Phil Simms declined but the Disney reps persisted and on January 25,
1987 after his New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos, 39-20, Phil Simms
became the first person to utter the words "I'm Going to Disneyworld!"

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: From A to Z: AA and Zharan Pel are/were members of what team? Here is your no prize question: Where was the first enclosed downtown mall in the US located?

Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer - even days after it appears.