Comic Reviews 8/31/12

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.


Title: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
Issue Number: 692
Publisher: Marvel
Creator: Lee & Ditko
Cover Artist: Ramos/Delgado - Variants: Marcos Marting
Price (USD): $5.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

If you are wondering why a regular issue is now $6 it is because this is not a regular issue. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 had a cover date of August 1962, which makes this issue the 50th Anniversary Edition. To celebrate Marvel is giving us an extended issue with three stories. The cover is a montage of the various versions of Spider-Man costumes over the years with a nice blurb at the bottom from Ramos simply saying, "Happy Birthday old man!"

ALPHA
"Point of Origin - part 1"
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Humberto Ramos
Inker: Victor Olazaba
Colors: Edgar Delgado
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos

After a one-page recap of Spidey's origin we get into the main story that will affect Spider-Man and the Marvel Universe for some time to come. As the title suggests it is an origin story. It seems rather fitting for the anniversary that Spider-Man would host the origin of a new teen hero to kick off the next fifty years. His name is Andy Maguire. He is a straight C student and a bit of an outcast. He is not much of anything really. No extracurricular activities, too shy to meet girls, he can't even get his parents to sign a permission slip for a class trip so he forges it to go. Like Peter Parker in his day that field trip will change his life forever. He is going to Horizon Labs on a day that is pretty big for Peter as well. Where Reed Richard found unstable molecules, Hank Pym the Pym Particle and Tony Stark created arc reactor technology Peter Parker is about to unveil Parker Particles. As he explains to the class there is a hyper-kinetic form of energy tied into the forces of universal expansion. But there is a young scientist named Tiberius who is covets a slot in the think tank and is jealous of the attention and publicity Peter will get so he does a little sabotage. When the system overloads everyone is at risk from random discharges. Peter manages to push most of the kids out of harms way but one girl, the apple of Andy's desire is still in danger. Without thinking Andy pushes her out of the way and gets zapped. In an instant he displays super human power, saving both himself and the girl, Chrissy. After determining he is not harmed the brains call on the major super hero scientists, all of them, to check him out. They discover he is charged with Parker Particles. He can discharge them as energy, has super strength and speed, can generate a force field and even fly. This is the new teen hero for the twenty first century. Horizon Labs steps up to the plate to offer Andy and his parents a deal where they will monitor his physiology and pay all medical expenses as well as substantial financial compensation. Andy will become the spokesperson for Horizon and Peter Parker is assigned to oversee the entire project. But of course we know at some point they will have that discussion about what comes with great power. There is a little more to the story, his first interactions with other kids as Alpha, the first true test of his power, and even a prelude of what will come next. It is a decent origin story. The character is a bit cocky once he is transformed. Who knows how this will affect his family, since everyone knows who Alpha is. Peter Parker has his hands full and no doubt Andy will eventually learn some hard lessons. It is a great start and visually everyone does a great job bringing the story to life. This one story is worth the price of admission and lots of comic book fans will want to have a copy for their collection.

"Spider-Man For a Night"
Writer/Artist: Dean Haspiel
Colors: Giulia Brusco
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos

This is the type of story you might see as a fill-in in an annual. Dean Haspiel picks the point in time when Spider-Man decided to give it up and left his costume in the trash. A bank robber enters the alley shortly after and sees an opportunity to evade the police by putting on the costume. But while that is a success other things don't go so well. It takes the crook's daughter and her special condition to teach him that it takes more than dressing like a hero to become one. It is a nice short story with a moral and a tip of the hat to previous creators. Haspiel has his own unique style and Brusco is the perfect compliment on colors for this story.

"Just Right"
Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov
Artist: Nuno Plati
Letters: Clayton Cowles

The last story is a day in the life of Peter Parker. He overslept and missed the bus so he tries his other form of transportation in order to get to his appointment as a guest lecturer. Of course things come up that demand his attention along the way - "with great power..." and all that. But things don't turn out smoothly. After one disaster after another he happens on a kid about to bet a beating from some bullies because he claims to be Spider-Man's best friend. Despite the rest of the day being a bust Spidey decides to step in to stop it. The rest of the story is pretty much a conversation between Peter and this kid about why he is making up lies to impress people and the difficult nature of making a fresh start the right way when your situation changes. This is a feel good story that is perfect for rounding out the issue. While I don't as much for the art style on this one it is good enough for a top Marvel title.

Title: BEFORE WATCHMEN: DR. MANHATTAN
Issue Number: 1 (of 4)
Title Story: What's In the Box?
Publisher: DC
Creator: Moore & Gibbons
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Adam Hughes
Colors: Laura Martin
Letters: Steve Wands
Cover Artist: Adam Hughes
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

The title indicates the theme of this first issue, in a number of instances. It refers to the quantum physics theory that a closed box can contain anything in any state of existence. Once it is open the observer affects the observed, opening it up to new possibilities. Dr. Manhattan narrates things, as he did in WATCHMEN, with a unique perspective - that of an observer who exists simultaneously in different times. His consciousness slides up and down the time stream. As we go through the issue we get lots of different observations at different points in his life - as a boy in anticipation of opening a Christmas present, as a teenager missing an obvious overt invitation to have some fun with a classmate, as a hero affecting which other hero he will be teamed with and thus shape both their futures, and even at his own father's funeral wondering what is inside the box. The structure is a stream of consciousness format as is fitting. Sometimes he ponders key moments in his life while at others he imagines how one slight change could change everything. It touches on his first love Jane and his new love with Silk Spectre and even takes us to the surface of Mars. He keeps going back to the fateful day that changed his existence and draws parallels to that event with other times and places. It is somewhat complex but professionally scripted to be understandable and logical. It is a not a straightforward linear plot like most of the other books in the series. Adam Hughes is a perfect artist to get it all on the page with Laura Martin doing her usual perfect job of coloring. This may not be as appealing to the average fan looking for an action story but it is one of the best in the series so far.

Title: THE ROCKETEER: CARGO OF DOOM
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: IDW
Creator: Dave Stevens
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Chris Samnee
Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Letters: Shawn Lee
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero/Adventure

IDW has put out another Rocketeer mini-series and this time the very capable Mark Waid is spinning the story. What he gives us is two plots that will merge later. The first involves Cliff Secord and his circle of friends - his girl Betty, his pal and mechanic Peevy, and Peevy's niece Sally who has a big crush on Cliff. The newly formed Civil Aeronautics Agency has sent an inspector to go on a test flight to certify Cliff's plane. It turns out he is a bit of a perv and makes a move on Sally while she is flying the plane, indirectly causing a fatal accident that only the Rocketeer can stop before the plane crashes. Of course Cliff does not know about the hanky panky. So this plot will be around the difficulties Cliff will have with the government man as well as his girl problems. He has a habit of keeping Betty waiting. He also has to deal with the teenage girl who obviously has the hots for him. The plot referred to in the title involves a freighter off the coast of California. There is something very dangerous in the cargo hold as we learn in one scene. One of the men on the ship named Guptmann has a dark secret, is constantly distracted and reveals a hard side of his personality rather graphically. But it is the person who meets the ship at port that provides the mystery to the plot. Who is he? Why is he referred to by the captain as Master? Why is he interested in the Rocketeer? There is much to explore as the plot moves forward. The art team does a great job with a lot to work with from the action scenes to darker suspenseful scenes on the ship. This is a very readable adventure story sure to please all who give it a try.

Title: THE FLASH
Issue Number: 12
Publisher: dc
Writers: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colors: Brian Buccellato
Letters: Wes Abbott
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

Time to check in on another of the NEW 52 books from DC to see how things are developing. This time I check out THE FLASH. Right off the bat I notice the art is different from what I am used to. Manapul has given Flash a new look unlike previous versions. There are energy lines coming off of him even when he is standing still. It is not bad by itself. However the rest of the art is not to my liking. I guess it really is the way he draws and peoples faces. When combined with Buccellato's coloring technique everyone comes off in an unappealing way to my eye. There is a brief encounter between Flash and a Dr. Ellis, who evidently has gotten acclaim for presenting a renewable energy source and has somehow turned the people against Flash. That brief moment is left hanging as more pressing concerns arise. Heat Wave and Cold are being transported in an armored vehicle when the female known as Glider stages an accident rescuing Heat Wave and leaving Cold behind. She is teamed with Weather Wizard and Mirror Master on this caper and there is more to come. Piper comes along to keep Cold under wraps and later Trickster sets him free. There are Rogues all around and they are not on the same side. But Glider has a bigger plan - to get even with Ellis, discredit the Flash, kill her brother and steal a train of people. There is a lot going on. While the who and the hows are straightforward the why is not clear. Some of that may have come from previous issues but to learn more you will have to get the FLASH annual just out this week. Flash does not do much this issue, for obvious reasons involving the plot. Hopefully he will get more panel time in the annual.

Title: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN
Issue Number: 521
Title Story: The Demolished Man
Title Arc: The Future
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Colors: Frank D'Armata
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

I haven't checked out this title for a while and noticed this issue was the beginning of a new arc. There is a quick recap up front that covers a lot of ground since the last time I looked at Iron Man. Tony gave up being Iron Man, had Rhodey fake his own death so he could become a new upgraded Iron Man while Tony stepped down from running Stark Resilient and faded from the public eye. It turns out the Mandarin has now been in Tony's mind, partially controlling him. In order to stop Mandarin from attacking his people Tony had to vow allegiance to Mandarin as his master, which he did. There are a number of things going on involving all those threads this issue. Tony is essentially a prisoner in Mandarin City. At Stark Resilient Carson Wyche is introducing something that he says will revolutionize urban renewal, commuter transport and now data storage with something called the Swarm. Meanwhile Hammer Industries has just had their worldwide police force called the Detroit Steel Corp pulled from service by the Pentagon. Of course the book is called Invincible Iron Man so we get to see Rhodey as Iron Man stop a prison break with a little help from Pepper Potts as Rescue lending a hand. She does not know who this new Iron Man is. But of course the main plot is about Tony's situation. He is forced to work on Titanomechs for Mandarin, part of a bigger plot for power no doubt. The prisoners here are all inhibited in some way. Those with powers have bombs implanted in their chests and if they try to use their powers, Boom!. Speaking of bigger plans, it appears Tony has an end game he is working toward; I would be surprised if he didn't. But for now he is helping a fellow inmate and trying to get Mandarin to see his view on how to get the Titanomechs finished. There are several scene changes through the book. The Stark Resilient technology is pretty cool as it is explained. This book has a little bit of everything, which will probably only come together several issues down the road. Still it is a good jumping on point. You may have heard that Marvel is going to reset a bunch of their books in the near future. These plots seem to indicate they will lead into that change for Iron Man.

Title: WHORE
Issue Number: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Zenoscope
Creator: Jeffrey Kaufman
Writer: Jeffrey Kaufman
Artist: Marco Turini
Colors: James Brown
Letters: John Hunt
Cover Artist: Felix Serrano & Jeffrey Kaufman
Price (USD): $9.99
Release Date: September
Genre: Action/Adventure
MATURE - Comics on the Edge

With a title like this you might get the wrong impression without seeing the cover. It actually refers to a man, Jacob Mars, who is a thirty four year old operative for the government. He does black ops, wet work and the like. As the story opens he is finding out that his services are no longer required. For a guy with a seven-figure income and three ex-wives to support that is a big blow. Soon he is contacted over the phone and offered contract work. Rather than an employee he is now a contract worker. Thus the less sexual interpretation of the title applies - someone who is willing to do anything for money. But don't let that fool you; there is plenty of sex through the entire book. Aside from being a really good agent he is also evidently a really good lover and he gets to meet the ladies either through work or in his off time that are more than willing to share his bed. Rather than one major plot this book has several sequences with our hero being assigned very different jobs and other adventures. Before things even get going he is attacked in his apartment and later gets to play one on one with the president. Once he gets assignments they are quite a mix. He gets to protect a child star whose life is in danger. What is cool about Jacob is that he is not just an assassin. Sometimes it takes a more subtle approach to remove a threat and he has a lot of tricks. Sometimes the assignment is bizarre - like one from an enemy who will pay him to get his daughter pregnant so when the child grows up it can kill Jacob. He even gets a job protecting a rising star in the mob that is willing to pay for his services. And the action is not only the present. We get to see his past as an FBI agent who is recruited by the CIA. Some of the segments have an element of humor, some are surprising because the bad guys are not always who you would expect. But through it all he gets the job done and always gets the girl. It is a fun romp and even wraps up with a surprise at the end. The art is grade A stuff and manages to handle the violence and debauchery without being lewd or pandering. I did not know what to expect but was pleased at the product once I was finished. It was very entertaining.

                                    *****
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 the Silver Age - Who recovered the Cosmic Cube after the Red Skull dropped it in the ocean?
The answer is Namor, the Submariner. The winner by the dice is Mike Dooley.

Here was your no prize question:
What fast-food franchise got its start in a Shell gas station in 1930?

Kentucky Fried Chicken! In the midst of the depression, Harland Sanders opens his first restaurant in the small front room of a Shell gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. Sanders served as station operator, chief cook and cashier.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:

Some characters in THE NEGATION used the term, BOHICA! BOHICA is an acronym for what?

Here is your no prize question:

After the Pentagon, what is the largest office building in the United States?

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 8/24/12

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.


Title: BEFORE WATCHMEN: RORSCHACH
Issue Number: 1 (of 4)
Title Story: Damntown
Publisher: DC
Creator: Moore & Gibbons
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Lee Bermejo
Colors: Barbara Ciardo
Letters: Rob Leigh
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero
Mature - Comics on the Edge

The latest entry in the BEFORE WATCHMEN series takes a closer look at Rorschach. In this issue it is 1977. Rorschach has already begun his quest for vigilante justice. This episode follows him as he tracks down the source of street drugs. There is another plot that leads the issue involving the murders of females who are left naked in alleys with phrases carved into their body with a scalpel. The killer has been dubbed the Bard by the media. There are only a couple of scenes involving the latest victim but no doubt at some point Rorschach will be involved. For now he has decided to target a local pusher and use his rather convincing methods to get information on the source of the drugs. In this case he may be letting his enthusiasm get the best of him when he finally finds what he is looking for. But he chapter is more than just this. There are a couple of themes that spring to the forefront by the time the chapter is finished. One is made clear to us by the narration in the form of entries into Rorschach's journal. Through these we learn more about his tortured childhood. His mother is not a model parent, bringing a different man home each night and subjecting him to the cold outside to the point of frostbite. He clearly hates her and has found his own way to lash out at the abuse and depravity in the world around him. We also see his single-minded dedication to this cause when we see his reaction to a brutal beating he received at the hands of some street thugs. Azzarello has given us a lot of insight into the man and what drives him.  The artwork is spectacular and painfully graphic in some scenes. It fits well with the story being told. I have not been disappointed with any of the titles in this series and this one keeps that standard. As always the latest chapter of The Curse of the Crimson Corsair by Len Wein & John Higgins gets two pages in the back. For a change this episode has less action and more introspection by the central character involved. It will not mean as much unless you have been following the whole story in the other titles.

Title: REVIVAL
Issue Number: 2
Publisher: Image
Writer: Time Seeley
Artist: Mike Norton
Colors: Mark Englert
Letters: Crank!
Cover Artist: Jenny Frison
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror
Mature - Comics on the Edge

I was impressed enough with the first issue of this series to look into the second chapter. We first saw that in the town of Wausau, Wisconsin a strange phenomenon has been taking place. Some people that have died, by natural causes or by mayhem, have come back to life, but not like the zombie undead do. They are called Revivers by the locals and it has forced authorities to quarantine the area and call in the CDC until they can figure out what is going on. In that effort the opening scene this time has the local coroner about to do an autopsy for the first time on a Reviver. She died the first time from a heart attack but when she was revived she was bent on murder and was stopped by the sister of a local deputy who stabbed her with a scythe. Even with her skullcap removed the old lady won't stay dead long. But the central part of the story revolves around the deputy, Dana Cypress, and her killer sister Martha. Dana has learned Martha herself is a Reviver but neither has told their dad the Sheriff. Dana was put on the task force to aid the CDC rep but this business with her sister has rattled her quite a bit. Her father is even more rattled. He knows Martha saved her sister but is furious that Martha was at the crime scene though Dana was just giving her a ride when she got the call. Martha is really screwed up by everything, including her father's treatment of her sister and will defy him once again for what seems to be more self-destructive behavior. That seems to run in the family, as Dana finds her own way of coping with things that could get her in trouble as well. We are slowly seeing the scope of the problem here, both in major scenes of confrontation and little bits that are not clarified. There is a mysterious alien looking creature scene only in the first chapter and in this one a man and his dog are spooked by noises outside their cabin. Almost disjointed from everything else is another scene in which an amateur exorcist has his own unique way of "curing" an apparently possessed teenager. What this has to do with anything else is not revealed. This is clearly a horror story that is taking its time getting to the big reveal. That is not a bad thing. The characters are being developed giving us a better appreciation for their reactions as time goes on. So far the art has been excellent in every aspect. I think this book will gain more readers as word of mouth spreads. Check it out while you can.

Title: THE WALKING DEAD
Issue Number: 101
Title Arc: Something to Fear, part 5
Publisher: Image
Creator: Robert Kirkman
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones & Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letters: Rus Wooton
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror
Mature - Comics On the Edge

WALKING DEAD is wildly popular and has already reached the milestone 100 issues with back issues of the early issues fetching high prices and trade paperbacks flying off the shelves. I'll admit I am a big fan of the TV show but have not been reading the comics so I decided to pick up the latest issue to see how things are going. First I will say this is not a comic you can just jump into at any point. It is structured to go smoothly from issue to issue without bogging down reviewing what has gone before. After 100 issues a lot has gone before. There is a brief recap informing us that Rick and his group were heading for the hilltop when they were attacked by someone named Negan whose Saviors killed one of Rick's group in retribution leaving them afterwards to continue to round up supplies. The death of the comrade hit everyone hard, especially Maggie who blames Rick. Rick's son Carl has had to grow up fast in this world as is evident from his reaction. Aside from this immediate aftermath there are other scenes, first at a place they have visited before and later when they arrive at their home. The main thing I take away from this chapter on its own is that the survivors in Rick' group have not only the dead to worry about but also other groups of survivors. But that has been one of the themes from the beginning. There are reunions in this chapter - some are happy and some are filled with recriminations. It is part five of an arc titles Something to Fear. The ending indicates it is not over yet but the good guys may have just got an upper hand. I can appreciate the need to tell the story in larger arcs and will have to consider getting the trades to see the bigger scope of things. Adlard does a fine job aided by Cliff's gray tones. It is easy to see in just one issue how people can get hooked on the series.

Title: PATHFINDER
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Dark Waters Rising
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Jim Zub
Artist: Andrew Huerta
Colors: Ross Campbell
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Fantasy/Role Playing Game Adaptation

Pathfinder is a role playing game from Paizo Publishing. It apparently incorporates the usual types - Elves, sorcerers, wizards, goblins, human warriors and the like. The action is centered on a Varisian coastal town called Sandpoint. The main characters are Seoni, a female human sorcerer, the human fighter Valeros and the rogue female elf Merisiel. On the way to Sandpoint they are attacked in broad daylight by a band of goblins, a very strange occurrence. When they see strange markings on the goblins they decide to take one of the bodies to the wizard adventurer Ezren for his guidance. They of course get into a barroom brawl along the way and Ezren later shows concerns for the activity of the local goblins becoming more often and brasher than normal. He decides their best course of action is to follow a band to see their patterns and where they gather. What they find is shocking and the impetuous Valeros may spoil the mission before it even gets started. This seems to be a typical sword and sorcery tale and not much more. The characters are interesting enough and the action keeps moving at a good pace. The artwork is very accomplished including some spectacular coloring work. As a bonus many pages in the back are devoted to character sketches and run downs of their motivations and abilities. There is also information on the town and its environs. Fans of the game will no doubt enjoy all this data and role players who are curious may find it enough to give the game a try. For what it is it is a good effort.

Title: DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS...
Issue Number: 12
Title Story: When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth
Title Arc: Kid Flash
Publisher: DC
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Colors: Guy Major
Letters: Dezi Sienty
Cover Artist: Ryan Sook
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

This DC anthology series focuses on the multitude of characters that usually do not have their own titles. The last arc was about Vandal Savage and his daughter. This one focuses on one of the Teen Titans, Bart Allen, the Kid Flash. The issue starts out with Bart narrating a brief recap of recent events. The Titans have escaped from Mystery Island and were teleported to New York City. The other information we need to know is that three dino-teens got teleported with them and therein lies the story for this story arc. He first tracks down a pterodactyl girl known as Dac who claims she and her friends, Teryx and Steg, are seeking adventure. Bart has the obligatory fight scene with Teryx when he believes Bart is attacking her. But there is the problem with the third dino-teen Steg, who is ripping up Chinatown when he finds lizards in terrariums in a local store. It turns out not only is he a genius but also a dino-supremacist who is bent on creating a world where dinosaurs are the dominant species. He has formulated a potion that can change existing reptiles into larger counterparts and will threaten to do even more to the human population. So the premise is set for mayhem and will not end in this issue. As it turns out the story is merely a prelude to a continuing story that follows in TEEN TITANS #12. So this issue is more of a tease to get people who are interested in Bart to hopefully get hooked into crossing over to the main title to see what happens next. That is not a bad thing but I would have preferred a stand-alone story. The art is decent with some dynamic coloring that finishes it nicely. Now that you now the deal you can decide if it is worth your time.


Title: STAR TREK: 100 PAGE SUMMER SPECTACULAR 2012
Issue Number: 1-Shot
Publisher: IDW
Creator: Gene Roddenberry
Cover Artist: Travis Charest
Price (USD): $7.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction/TV Adaptation

This latest 100-page spectacular from IDW features two collected stories from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and STAR TREK: VOYAGER comics. Thos who regularly read those titles may not need to buy it but those who enjoy the occasional return to those popular TV series will enjoy it. One hundred pages for eight bucks is a good value. Here are my thoughts on each story.

Story: Star Trek: The Next Generation - Embrace the Wolf
Writer: Christopher Golden & Tom Sniegoski
Artist: Dave Hoover
Inker: Troy Hubbs, Jason Martin & Christy Stack
Colors: Jeremy Cox
Letters: Naghmeh Zand

This story finds Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise approaching the normally peaceful planet of Enoch-7. Things have changed dramatically lately as the planet has experienced worldwide violence leading up to atomic explosions as they just reach orbit. When they find the president of the planet in safe hiding he explains they suspect some kind of contagious insanity. After the first known murder several months ago it seems more and more people exhibited fear and paranoia, a phenomenon that escalated rapidly from one person to another. Soon brother killed brother and when it reached members of the defense ministry eventually war and destruction ensued. The away team cannot detect any kind of biological or chemical reason for this. That is because it is cause by an ethereal entity that hitches a ride back to the Enterprise in Dr. Crusher and sets about to continue its method of operation on the Enterprise. When Troi discovers the truth she learns the name of the entity is Redjac. Data is then able to relate information from the data files. Redjac has been known to exist for centuries with his earliest activity being that of Jack the Ripper on Earth. It was believed that he was destroyed when the crew of the original Enterprise beamed it into space dispersing him harmlessly in the void. Apparently he has found away to coalesce his atoms and now is slowly taking over control of the Enterprise and its crew. This is a classic theme in the Star Trek canon and the story is about how this particular crew fights him without harming fellow crewmembers. The key scenes are in the holodeck where he has transformed it London at the time of Jack the Ripper and then transports crew members into the deck to stalk and kill. Naturally the outcome is never in doubt. This is a decent tale and Mr. Golden turns out a decent script. The art team does a very good job in capturing the likeness of all the familiar characters right down to the varied complexion colorings. I enjoyed this story very much.

Story: Star Trek: Voyager - False Colors
Writer: Nathan Archer
Artist: Jeffrey Moy
Background Assists: Philip Moy
Inks: W.C. Carani
Colors: Wildstorm FX
Letters: Ryan Cline

This story highlights Seven of Nine and her connection to the Borg. The Enterprise encounters a debris field, which they stop to investigate. It appears to be a cut up starship. When they examine a large piece it appears it was destroyed by the Borg, though there is no evidence that the Borg is anywhere near this area. When they eventually determine that something about the wreckage is Borg it is too late. They are caught in a tractor beam from a ship that has Borg qualities but is like nothing they have ever seen. The plan becomes one of insertion of an away team that will be disguised as Borg until they determine what they are facing. As it turns out the mystery ship is only half Borg. Seven is able to interface with the ship but not entirely. There are a group of scavengers that present a danger to the Enterprise making this challenge unique. This story is a bit longer than it needs to be in my opinion. While it is a good enough plot it is stretched to fill the pages required. The art is fine though not as true to the actually TV characters as the first story. Still it is enjoyable enough and fits the volume well.

                                    *****
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:
Crackpot, Frag, Gunther, Jolt and Snapper were all members of what group?
The answer is the Blasters. The winner by the dice is Scott Mercier.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
From the Silver Age - Who recovered the Cosmic Cube after the Red Skull dropped it in the ocean?

Here is your no prize question:
What fast-food franchise got its start in a Shell gas station in 1930?

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 8/17/12

My View                                     
David LeBlanc
ComicBkNet@aol.com

David LeBlanc was the Editor of the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine for over ten years. He is a life-long fan of comics and moderated online comic book forums long before the Internet became the place to be. David works part-time at
That's Entertainment, the Eisner-winning comic store in Worcester, MA.


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.


Title: ARCHER & ARMSTRONG
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Sons of Perdition
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Clayton Henry
Colors: Matt Milla
Letters: Dave Lanphear
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

Valiant has added ARCHER & ARMSTRONG to its growing list of revivals of the old Valiant series. Those in the know already are familiar with this popular duo. Armstrong is an Eternal, not in the Marvel sense, but in the sense he has lived a long time. The beginning of this book is the preview run in the other titles last month. It is set in ancient time in Mesopotamia when he and his two brothers Gilad and Ivar are involved in a ritual that Ivar hopes will bring Gilad back to life and Armstrong, whose real name is Aram, wants to stop. The result is a cataclysm that evidently has made Aram, and presumably his brothers and maybe others, into beings who do not die. If that is the case at some point we at least should see Gilad return in his past incarnation as the Eternal Warrior. Next we flash forward to the present and meet Obie Archer who is skilled in a number of martial arts as he passes his final test by defeating all his classmates in the school run by his parents. They are a congressman and his wife who also run a religion based theme park and are members of a secret order called the Dominion. He is now tasked with finding the "Man of Sin" who is not to be named so that Earth can become a paradise. Having been drilled in this cult from an early age Archer accepts the mission and will find his target with the help of glowing talisman called the fulcrum. Of course as you might guess the person he is supposed to destroy is Armstrong. Archer will go looking for him in New York City and the fulcrum will lead him to Armstrong. But as we will learn by the end of the chapter Aram is not the real enemy. This story is a blatant metaphor for the extremes of politics these days. The Archers are the ultra right conservative Christians and the enemies, who need the Fulcrum and other artifacts for their own purposes, are a group calling themselves The One Percent. The story has more than one double cross involved. It seems like Archer is going to get a quick education in the real world and what real evil lurks out there. Aram knows more about these organizations having lived for centuries and fought the sect in its various forms over and over. It appears the two will have to team up for the greater good. While there are a few clichéd characters in the mix here I enjoyed the plot. The characterization of Archer - the innocent sheltered all his life and suddenly exposed to the worst humanity has to offer - is handled well. Contrasting him with the old and wise but not aged Armstrong makes a decent duo moving forward. No doubt Archer will be trying to influence Aram's behavior away from worldly pleasures going forward. The art is stand up from the start. So far Valiant is doing a good job revitalizing these characters. The back of the book has another preview in it. This time it is from issue #5 of X-O MANOWAR wherein we will see the return of another Valiant character, Ninjak. He is not the same as in the past but you will have to read it to see what I mean.

Title: GAMBIT
Issue Number: 1
Title Arc: Once a Thief
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: James Asmus
Artist: Clay Mann
Inker: Seth Mann
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: Cory Petit
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

I found this issue to be similar to the first issue of HAWKEYE last week. What I mean is though it does not claim to be the story is about Gambit when he is not an X-Man. The story has Gambit getting back to his roots, in a way. He is attending a formal fundraiser at the home of Borya Cich. Rumors are that Borya bank rolls some of the plans of costumed bad guys and if things go wrong he confiscates their gadgets and other goodies for himself. So Gambit is going to use the cover of the event to find Borya's vault and rob him. I liked the story and its structure. It highlights the charm Remy uses to position himself to where he wants to be both with the bad guys and the ladies. He does strike up a friendship with a female that never really reveals her identity but ends up playing a crucial role in the plot. We also have a script that gets into detail as to the means Remy uses to get to his objective, proving he is indeed a master thief a step above any other. This is not just a super hero story with the hero overcoming the odds by using his powers. From the verbal chess game with Borya to the resourceful methods used to escape detection, every step and possibility is planned for and executed precisely. Of course this is an ongoing story so we are left with a cliffhanger in the end. The art team is competent enough, especially in the layouts that serve the plot well. In all it is an entertaining title that is worth the time and money.

Title: IT GIRL! AND THE ATOMICS
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Dark Streets, Snap City
Publisher: Image
Creator: Michael Allred
Writer: Jamie S. Rich
Artist: Mike Norton
Colors: Allen Passalaqua
Letters: Crank!
Cover Artist: Michael & Laura Allred
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

I am not an avid follower of Mike Allred though I have enjoyed some of his work in the past. This series is a spin-off of MADMAN. The Atomics is a super-powered band of heroes that were transformed one day by an alien spore. They are aligned with Frank Einstein, aka Madman. Two of their numbers have gone into space with Madman and the rest are on duty in Snap City where the story begins. Luna is It Girl whose power being able to touch things and take on its properties. She can float on the wind by touching a feather or smash things by touching steel. But lately things have been pretty quiet in Snap city and Luna is bored. The first issue has three elements. The first is a video game, which is not evident at first, that Luna plays with It Girl as the hero. The problem is she has escaped into the game from the boredom of inactivity to the point of addiction. The second element involves a former convict called Skunk who was release from prison when the person he was convicted of killing came back to life. Luna finally goes out on patrol and noticing Skunk going into a pawn shop thinks he is back to his old habits. Her over eagerness is essential to developing this plot. There is more to his story when he is approached by old comrades still on the streets and apparently all using animal-themed powers like Ferret and Hedgehog. They want him to upgrade their outfits but he is trying to change his life. More will come of this later. The third element involves one of the Atomics, Dr. Flem. He wants to use Luna as his assistant so he can run certain experiments on her, as he has in the past on Madman. You just know that somehow this is going to go horribly wrong. And just for a little mystery here and there in the comic there appears a shadow figure that seems to be following It Girl though she is unaware of it. This is how first issue sometimes get structured, leaving a certain amount of plot elements of differing importance that will all be developed as the series progresses. I like Norton's art more than Allred's from the point that it appeals to me personally more. This is a strong first outing and looks to be an interesting series.

Title: IDOLIZED
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Don't Stop Deceiving
Publisher: Aspen
Writer: David Schwatrz
Artist: Micah Gunnell
Colors: David Curiel
Letters: Josh Reed
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

The premise of this series was laid out well in the Zero issue I reviewed earlier. I noted it was similar to another title on the racks AMERICA'S GOT POWERS in that it is about a competition among people with powers with the winner getting to work with the premiere super hero team of the world.  In AGP the main character is a reluctant hero and came upon his powers late and was thrown into the fray by accident. In IDOLIZED the main character, Leslie, has been training and honing her skills for years. When the competition was announced she jumped at the chance to have the opportunity to become a member of the Powered Protectors. That is because all her life she has had an agenda. She wants a shot at the super villain responsible for the death of her family. Even as a preteen she had the power to manipulate energy but when her parents and brother were endangered by the results of a major battle among powered beings on the streets she was not strong enough to save them from being victims of collateral damage. She will use that story to gain sympathy - but as a tale of seeking redemption through a lifetime of hard work and hopeful a shot at qualifying as one of only ten to compete. She will keep quiet that she only really wants revenge. Some of the material in the zero issue indicates that some involved in the Superhero Idol program question her mental stability. This issue only covers her back-story and the audition. How she clinches her spot on the roster is revealing and a bit disturbing. The additional material in the back this time is in the form of two pages from Superpeople Magazine going into the powers and appeal of each of the ten selected contestants, even giving odds on their success with Leslie, aka Joule, ranked fifth with 15 to 1 odds. Actually the last two are mostly obscure by a note laid on top of the page from the leader of the Powered Protectors protesting the very idea of allowing the eventual winner to join the group. So far I like this series and this issue moves it forward nicely. The characterization of Joule is crucial to how she acts in the future and we see so much of her this time it helps a lot. The art is very nice as well, as is usually the case from the Aspen organization. I like that Schwartz is taking time to develop the characters and plot. It will be worth staying to see where it goes from here.

Title: THOR THE UNKILLABLE THUNDER CHRIST
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Moonstone
Writer: Eric Esquivel
Artist: Ander Sarabuia
Black & White
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Modern Mythology
Mature - Comics on the Edge

This seemed like an odd title for a comic and the image on the cover is not the usual tall blond Scandinavian character we are used to. Of course the Norse god Thor himself is in the public domain so he can be whatever the creator wants him to be. In this case he looks more like Grunge from GEN 13. The basic mythology is the same as always including the hammer and the All-father Odin. This is a less noble Thor who proclaims early on he is good at two things - lovemaking and murdering. Of course the murdering part refers to enemies of Asgard. After yet another adventure of debauchery Odin has had enough and banishes Thor to Midgard, aka Earth. In this rather twisted tale he ends up befriending a gang of street thugs who are playing at being heroes - so much so that they never take off their masks. When the subject turns to gods and religion the leader, calls himself Death, relates the story of Jesus and how he died for all mankind. This is an unbelievable concept for Thor and he offers himself as a new kind of god, one that will fight for men. The kicker of the story is how Odin reacts when he learns about this. This certainly is an odd book. It probably is more jarring to see Thor portrayed this way, more of a party animal and brawler, which is disconcerting. Still it is a bit comical and the art is exceptionally well done. Sarabia really renders black and white and all the tones better than most. It may not be for everybody but for the low price point it is good entertainment.

Title: BATGIRL
Issue Number: 12
Title Story: Every Time I Fall
Publisher: DC
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Ardian Syaf
Inker: Vincente Cifuentes
Colors: Ulises Arreola
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artist: Stanley "Artgerm" Lau
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

I began reading this title when it debuted as one of the New 52 but lost interest after a few issues. I decided to look in again with a little foreknowledge of the ending scene and the fact that Batwoman was crossing over. Like many first time meetings of two heroes somewhere in the comic book manual it says they have to fight each other. And so it happens here. Batgirl is discussing the latest problem in Gotham with Detective McKenna when Batwoman crashes in and Batgirl immediately goes on the offense. When things settle down we learn that the real problem is Knightfall who wants to kill every criminal in the city. Mckenna and Batgirl have been working against that effort but an ally has been kidnapped to force a meeting with Knightfall and Batgirl that evening. So the story becomes more standard super hero team up fare - meet, fight, band together for the common good. Actually it is the details of how this happens that makes it good or bad. Naturally seeing how events led up to this would have helped but the rest of the plot is rather compelling and the ending is a doozy. Those who are really into the title will be biting their nails for a while as the regular continuity takes a break next month for the "zero" issues of the New 52. I think the two characters play well off each other in the very capable hands of Simone. There are no flaws in the artwork either. I did not feel I missed much jumping in on this issue but now I want to know what happens next. Like the others I'll have to wait until October.


                                    *****
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 the theme of famous firsts, name the character whose first words uttered in a comic were:
"Are you mad? What have you done? I could see that you two were rehearsing some kind of act -- but this --"

That was Scott Free talking to Oberon and the original Mr. Miracle in Jack Kirby's MISTER MIRACLE #1. No winner this time.

Here was your no prize question:
Chris Klug won the bronze medal at the 2002 Olympic games, and became the first and only transplantee to compete in the Olympics. For what sport did he win his Olympic medal?

Chris Klug is a professional alpine snowboarder. After receiving a liver transplant in 2000, he went on to compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and won a bronze medal. This was the first and so far only time a transplantee had competed in the Olympics, either winter or summer.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Crackpot, Frag, Gunther, Jolt and Snapper were all members of what group?

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 8/10/12

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.

Three Image and Three Marvel this week:

Title: BLACK KISS 2
Issue Number: 1 (of 6)
Publisher: Image
Creator: Howard Chaykin
Letters: Ken Bruzenak
Black & White
Cover Colors: Jesus Aburtov
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Erotic Thriller
MATURE - ADULT CONTENT - nudity, explicit sex

Over twenty years ago Howard Chaykin rocked the comics world with his erotic thriller BLACK KISS. Now he has finally followed up with the story behind the story in this six-issue prequel of sorts. This issue is divided into two chapters. The first is set in Manhattan in the summer of 1906. The second part is aboard the Titanic on that fatal night in 1912. The first theme has to do with history, sex and movies. He begins with a rather descriptive history of New York from the early days as a trading post for the Hudson Bay Company, to the immigration of various Europeans and how the culture evolved into various classes in sections of the city and its boroughs. Along the way is an interlude for one page of a sexual encounter between a loose Irish woman and a vigorous Jewish man. But the key to this part involves the so-called masses and their recreation of choice, the movies at the local nickelodeon. It is a bizarre sequence because what appears to be a mixed crowd of men and women, some overdressed by today's standards, watching what only can be described as a pornographic film. As the action on screen gets more depraved, something I cannot describe in a polite review, the crowd grows more shocked. Toward the end it even leaps out of the screen, or appears to, as a succubus engages some of the crowd with multiple male appendages. Is it agony or pleasure they experience? Things to ponder as the scene shifts to the ill-fated liner in the North Atlantic. The main character we follow is Charlie Kenton, a twenty-year-old virgin looking to amend that situation. As the iceberg hits and people begin to scatter an attractive woman who wants to grant him that pleasure, even at the cost of going down with the ship, pulls him into a cabin. Once again there are demonic elements to her character and some wild changes as the act is performed. How this ends for Charlie moves the story forward. It seems to me that the female succubus will be central to the story throughout. Whether there is a grand plan or just random encounters along the way is anyone's guess. This is by no means a simple story. Chaykin has put a lot into the art in his unique style, which he masters in glorious black and white. This may attract the curious as well as fans of Chaykin who are familiar with the original and have been anticipating this series for a long time. It is certainly not for kids. We'll see if it can draw enough adults to be a success.

Title: THINK TANK
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Image/Top Cow
Creators: Matt Hawkins & Rahsan Ekedal
Writer: Matt Hawkins
Artist: Rahsan Ekedal
Letters: Troy Peteri
Black & White
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Adventure

I have been pleased at most of the independent work coming out of Image these days and do not hesitate to pick up a new first issue when it appears. I had high expectations for this title written by Matt Hawkins and was not disappointed. The protagonist is David Loren who is one of the geniuses working at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, at Fort Meade, Maryland. DARPA is for real. They contract various think tanks to come up with anything they can to put on their possible projects list. They range from imminently practical to the bizarre, including paranormal and psionic. A lot of these projects end up with things that kill faster, smarter and more economically. David's Indian roommate, Dr. Manish Pavi, was recruited along with David from Cal Tech. In a scene between Manish and their military liaison, Colonel Mark Harrison, we learn Manish is not only there for his intelligence but to help motivate and control David or face deportation. This is a daunting task indeed for though they both know why they are here and what their work produces David is more bothered by it. In fact he thinks of himself as a walking oxymoron - a lazy overachiever. He revels in the resources available to stretch the limits of what is possible, even if it is mostly for weapons. The background is filled in nicely with several scenes depicting the real-world results already being used and with David's past in college. By the end of the book he is finally progressing on a project he really wants to see work. He is working on a device that can actually read minds but it will take some clandestine appropriations to get it to the point of a field test. There is very interesting back matter in the end of the book that is worth reading. It puts the story in the context of what is really happening in the world of advanced technology. I found the plot and the concepts fascinating and I am hooked on this comic. Rashan Ekedal has a nice black and white style that works rather well in every panel. These guys have come up with something closer to reality for an adventure comic and it is definitely worth your time.

Title: HARVEST
Issue Number: 1 (of 5)
Publisher: Image/Shadowline
Creators: A.J. Lieberman & Colin Lorimer
Writer: A.J. Lieberman
Artist: Colin Lorimer
Letters: Brandon DeStefano
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Crime Drama
Mature Readers - Comics on the Edge

The title of this comic refers to the clandestine harvesting of human organs for use on the black market. That is not apparent at first as we follow someone on the streets of Chicago one rainy night. He buys every bag of ice at a convenience store and brings them back to his improvised operating theater in an abandoned building. This is Dr. Benjamin Dane preparing to operate on his victim. How he got to this point is revealed in flashbacks. First we see his predecessor at a moment of truth after his latest operation. This sets up the search for another doctor and we see Dane is about to lose everything including his job and his license. For whatever reason he has sunk into a decadent lifestyle and the drinking and drugs have finally caught up with his professional career. Not only will he lose all that but also will likely be sued for a wrongful death in the operating room. The black market organization must be very well connected to find him at precisely this moment in his life and will make him an offer he can't refuse, literally. The set up is all here from the ruthlessness of the bad guys to the depravity our main character has sunken to. There is a brief interlude showing a mother with her too small children preparing to get them off to school as she heads for work. It is jarringly disconnected from the rest of the story until the young boy, Noah, appears to have a connection with Dane. The illustration is very appealing for its style, and it does get gruesome here and there. Things are already racing forward but there is a lot more to go in four more issues. This is a well-done thriller that could have some surprising moments down the road.

Title: HAWKEYE
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Lucky
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: David Aja
Colors: Matt Hollingsworth
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

This is a different kind of solo series for the ever-popular archer of the Marvel Universe(s). This Hawkeye is the main character in the regular continuity but as explained in the introduction the book is about what he does when he is not an Avenger. It does not start out too well for Clint showing that once in a while he can fail and in this case fall several stories. This results in several broken bones and a six-week stay in the hospital. These opening scenes as he leaves the hospital and makes his way back to his apartment serve to get us to know the man a little better. Living on the top floor of a building in Bedford-Stuyvesant affords him some anonymity at a low cost. But when he gets there he finds a neighbor being evicted. The Russian landlord has decided to triple the rent and this is the first tenant who admits she cannot pay the new rate. After several conversations with other tenants Clint decides to propose a solution in his own endearing way to the landlord. When the true reason his offer is refused things take a decidedly more violent turn. This is not then a story of Hawkeye on his latest mission. It is about a super hero who lives in the city and faces a bad situation for his friends because it is the right thing to do. This is reinforced by scenes of him bringing a badly injured dog to the vet and insisting the doctor saves it no matter what. It is not his dog but why it is so important to him unfolds as the story goes forward. This seems like a story you might find as a backup story in an annual. It is a look at the other side of a hero's life that ends in a satisfying manner. I could take a monthly comic like this if the quality is maintained; something Fraction has the reputation for doing. The art is different with somewhat course line work and muted colors but it works well with the structure and layouts being very dynamic. I liked this tile more than I thought I would.

Title: FIRST X-MEN
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Children of the Atom
Publisher: Marvel
Writers: Neal Adams & Christos Gage
Artist: Neal Adams
Colors: Matthew Wilson
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

I was a bit surprised to see that Neal Adams co-wrote this story with fan favorite Christos Gage. Neal's art is instantly recognizable and always some of the best work on the racks. However, in the past I have not been a fan of his writing. It is good to see Christos on the job to give it his influence. The story is set long before Xavier established his school for gifted children. The main character is Logan. This starts out with him looking for the son of a war buddy. The kid disappeared and the father suspects it is more than just rebellious youth. It is his first encounter that clues Logan and us into the bigger picture. Apparently some government agency is hunting down gifted people and snatching them off the streets. As soon as Logan is sure he must follow where the trail leads he enlists the aid of Creed, aka Sabertooth, to follow where the scent leads. This will alert the authorities in charge as to their presence but also unveil the truth that both Logan and Creed are also targets of this operation. Along the way a female will join them with a talent for making people see their heart's desire or their worse fears. Knowing they need more allies the trio head to Oxford University for their first meeting with a certain professor. The only character on the cover we haven't seen shows up in the end pages. It may not be apparent who he is from the cover so I won't spoil it by revealing who this is. This series seems to be going in the direction of a bunch of mutants doing what they can to save others of their kind from clandestine government operatives who have nefarious plans - a familiar theme. The story is interesting enough and apparently if this is going to be new canon shows the first meeting between Logan, Xavier and others. However, that is not enough for me to stay with it - been there, done that. Your opinion may differ.

Title: DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Dalibor Talajic
Inker:
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Joe Sabino
Cover Artist: Kaare Andrews
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero
Parental Advisory

I knew right off the bat that Deadpool wasn't actually going to kill the main Marvel Universe so of course it must be one of those pesky alternate realities. Sure enough with the Watcher on the very first page giving his usual spiel I was ready to see how Deadpool could possibly pull such a thing off. His first victims are the Fantastic Four though we join the story with two of them already down and the other two about to be done in. Everyone knows that Deadpool has the super healing ability and you might expect that if you explode his head he would not come back from that. You would be wrong. But the story does not really start in the Baxter Building but in the Ravenscroft Asylum where a Dr. Benjamin Brighton has gotten a reputation for radical new treatments that ease troubled minds. It is that reputation that convinced Professor X to bring Wade Wilson here to perhaps turn his malicious soul towards peace. It is only after the X-Men leave and Wade has his first session with the doctor that we learn the real secret of the asylum and the beginning of Deadpool's rampage through the Marvel Universe. Leaving the asylum his first victim comes as quite a surprise and is too revealing and comical to spoil. I think the idea of this "What If?" plot is entertaining, in a crazy kind of way. Having Deadpool the cause of destruction will also make it humorous and I am all for that. While purists may doubt he could ever get the drop on all of the Fantastic Four, The Avengers, or many other heroes we are talking about comics here - willing suspension of disbelief and all that. The whole thing will be a hoot and the art is good enough to keep things readable without distracting. Give it a try if you can find a copy.

                                    *****
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:
Silver Age trivia
Who was the first Metal Man ever created by Doc Magnus?
The question was not - who was the first member of the team - but who was invented first.  Appearing first in The Brave and the Bold #55, the first Metal Man he created was Uranium. Winner by the dice is Stu Cathell.

Here was your no prize question:
By what name is Leonard Franklin Slye better known?
Leonard Slye's professional name was Roy Rogers. David Mc Barron wins the no prize this time.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
On the theme of famous firsts, name the character whose first words uttered in a comic were:
"Are you mad? What have you done? I could see that you two were rehearsing some kind of act -- but this --"

Here is your no prize question:
Chris Klug won the bronze medal at the 2002 Olympic games, and became the first and only transplantee to compete in the Olympics. For what sport did he win his Olympic medal?

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 8.3/12

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.


Title: X-TREME X-MEN
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Stephen Segovia
Inker: Dennis Crisostomo
Colors: Jessica Kholinne
Letters: Joe Sabino
Cover Artist: Julian Totino Tedesco
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

Sometimes I wonder if Marvel is obsessed with constantly coming up with new X-books or just starting old ones with a new number one. From what I see in the latest news about Marvel Now I should not be surprised. Anyway, this is yet another X-Men title with a different twist. It involves the so-called Multiverse and a group of X-Men that cross over into the main Marvel Universe. They are Captain James Howlett, Emmeline Frost-Summers and young Kurt Wagner. The opening sequence is rather bizarre. It shows a hundred of disembodied heads in globes of Charles Xavier all linked together and attempting the mass teleportation of the entire planet - people and infrastructure - to an uninhabited alternative Earth. It actually works but once it is finished there are also unexpected side effects to the Xaviers and the world. Meanwhile, back on our Earth Allison Blaire, Dazzler, is helping Scott and Danger power up a Ghost Box to open a viewing portal to the other Universe. Oddly enough, instead of just viewing it, who comes through the portal but the aforementioned X-Men and one Xavier in his globe. What follows them grabs Dazzler and pulls her back through the portal and the alternate X-People follow to save her. This sets up the premise of the series. The mass teleport broke or created something in the Multiverse. Xavier explains he has the power to teleport this small band between universes and they must find ten other, evil and very powerful Xaviers before they destroy the entire Multiverse. Expect various story arcs as they hop around realities like the Exiles did in that series. In that sense this is really nothing new and at least it does not tie-into the current continuity of the main books, except for Allison, so it should stand on its own. The art is pretty decent and the main characters are a bit different from their main Earth counterparts. But in the end it is X-Men other world analogs of familiar characters over and over again. I don't think I'll be staying with this one.

Title: GREEN LANTERN
Issue Number: 11
Title Story: The Revenge of Black Hand - part 1
Publisher: DC
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Doug Mahnke
Inks: Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne, Tom Nguyen, Mark Irwin & Mahnke
Colors: Tony Avina & Alex Sinclair
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

Time to look back into one of the NEW 52 as it begins a new story arc that is the lead up to the next big Green Lantern event. Like Batman, Green Lantern is a property that now has multiple titles with long story arcs sometimes tying them together. It is very popular but I am not one to get involved in all those titles so picking up just one, even at the beginning of a new arc, involves a lot of catching up on continuity. In the opening scene Sinestro is released by the Indigo tribe into Hal's custody as well as fiddled with Hal and Sinestro's rings so that the bond between the two rings (?) is now different. Evidently Hal's ring can now affect Sinestro (again???). But the real problem is Black Hand. Wherever they are is supposed to be where Black Hand was but he is gone. For those of you not in the know he was the main bad guy in the whole Blackest Night event leading the army of Black Lanterns including some famous dead super heroes and their loved ones. Well Black Hand is back from the dead, so to speak. Hal and the Indigo tribe have a plan to save the Guardians who apparently have gone over to the dark side or something. They evidently have abandoned the Green Lanterns like the Manhunters before them. Sinestro is very skeptical Hal's plan can save the Guardians before the Guardians destroy the Green Lanterns. This all hints at what will be in the next arc - the third army. Hal and Sinestro make a covert journey to Sinestro's world to look for information in the Book of the Black. Meanwhile in several scenes we follow Black Hand in a bizarre sequence where he raise several people key to his past from the dead to converse with them. He pretty much has an MO of killing people, raising them from the dead and have them kill more people and so on and so on. What his ultimate plan is will be revealed as we get into further chapters. While enough information is revealed along the way to get the gist of what is happening now you really need to be following at least this title for a long time to catch most of it and the other GL titles to get everything. The art is stunning, which is not surprising for the prominence this title has in the DC universe. This would not be a bad place to jump on if you want to get ready for the next big GL event when it happens.

Title: NATIONAL COMICS: ETERNITY
Issue Number: 1-Shot
Title Story: Kid Eternity
Publisher: DC
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artists: Cully Hamner & Derec Donovan
Colors: Val Staples
Letters: Patrick Brosseau
Cover Artist: Cully Hamner
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Supernatural/Murder Mystery

This comic turned out to be the gem of the week. The lead character is Christopher Freeman. He is twenty-seven and one year ago he died. But he is not dead now. You see he came back to life. Not as a zombie or anything like that. He was caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting that killed his father and for a time he was in the place where the recently departed await their fate. Then suddenly he was back on the street and alive. This event changed his life as we see later in the story. He works in the city morgue and has found he has a new talent. He can go back to limbo and pull back a spirit of a recently departed individual for a short period of time. Back in the real world Chris is the only one who can see the spirit and one of the "rules" when that person died violently is that they can't remember the events shortly before or during their death. So the plot of this story has to do with a new body in the morgue. The man died of a single gunshot wound at close range. Chris decides to pull him back and with his help solve the murder. The dead man may not know who shot him but he may know enough to help Chris recreate events leading up to his death. The story moves on based on that premise and is a good murder mystery. How he solves the mystery is deftly handle with clever plotting. Along the way he also has trouble with his boss as this other activity distracts him from his work. The story has a good twist to it. Another subplot seems incidental until the last panel gives us a surprise and a possible opening for a sequel or even an ongoing series. I really enjoyed all aspects of this book. The script has a good balance of emotion, humor, mystery and suspense. The art suits it well and is better than a lot out there. If DC decides to make it an ongoing I would be there. Check it out.

Title: HAWKEN
Issue Number: 5
Title Story: La Fortaleza de las Cienagas
Publisher: IDW
Story: Benjamin Truman & Timothy Truman
Writer: Benjamin Truman
Artist: Timothy Truman
Black & White art
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Western/Fantasy
Mature Readers - Comics on the Edge

I was drawn to this title by the Tim Truman cover and despite it being the fifth issue decided to try it out. Actually this was not difficult to jump right into. The action takes place in the Arizona Territory in a fortress of sorts held by a group known as the Ring. As we learn through the story this band deals in clandestine operations, which lately involves delivering a shipment that includes a gattling gun. The title character is stalking these men and makes his move on a rainy night picking them off from the shadows. The peculiar thing is that Hawken is also haunted by ghosts that occasionally appear in the panel to talk to him as he goes about his vengeful foray. This is a violent tale as Hawken uses a variety of methods to finish off the bad guys. But this is not the only plot. It seems there is another vying for control of this portion of the Ring's operation and she has not only managed to maneuver people into this conflict but has a special gift for the big boss who has a very exotic array of unusual stuffed animals including a pterodactyl. It is an interesting story with a few twists that make it odd for a western. Truman's art is spectacular as always. It is really the strength of the book as often only the art is carrying things forward. This seems like a worthwhile series to follow.

Title: WILD CHILDREN
Issue Number: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Image
Writer: Ales Kot
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Colors: Gregory Wright
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Price (USD): $7.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Drama
MATURE READERS - Comics on the Edge

This is more than just a story of a bunch of school kids who take people hostage in the school. It is a much more complex tale that explores a lot of ideas mostly expressed by those kids. The action part of the story is pretty straightforward. Five kids in a high school have smuggled in guns and at the proper moment take some students and teachers hostage. They also have set up cameras strategically and are streaming the whole thing on the Internet. They know everyone will be watching, which seemingly will deter more aggressive actions that might be taken by the police. But why do this at all? These seem to be above average intelligent kids, not the loners that have pushed around all their lives as the stereotypical perp always is. As we get deeper into in it seems more of a game. They tell the victims that the guns are not real, that they can leave anytime but the victims are too scared to believe it. Then they tell them the coffee they have been drinking is laced with LSD. And so the games go on. There are even places here and there where the dialogue suggests that they know they are in a comic book - references to a two dimensional world and one comment that the comic is not on sale yet. That may be coincidental or purposeful by the writer. It is at times fascinating even horrifying. But then there are times that the dialogue is burdened with a lot of stuff meant to characterize the main characters and show their philosophies but to me anyway it bogs down the story by making it difficult to get through. The whole thing ends somewhat predictably while leaving the reader feeling he has to read it again to get everything. And maybe that is purposeful as well. The art is masterful from page to page. In simpler sequences it is plain relying on the script while other times it goes off into various styles and coloring that really gives the story more depth and dimension. This one might not appeal to a wide audience but it is unique and will give serious readers a lot to think about.

Title: DOCTOR ATLANTIS
Issue Number: Volume 1
Publisher: Rare Earth Comics
Creators: Ian Ally-Seals & Carl Mefferd
Black & White
Cover Colors: Tim Durning
Price (USD): $9.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Swashbuckling Fantasy

The cover of this volume shows the title character and his mate fighting off giant crustaceans of some sort. That was my first clue that this would be a not so normal tale of adventure on the high seas. Captain Atlantis is actually Dr. Julius Fowler, the last surviving crewman of a far-sea exploration vessel the Atlantis. As the story opens he comes across an island native stranded at sea on a swamped lifeboat and being attacked by one of those giant crustaceans. After rescuing the boy and tending to his wounds we get a bit of exposition from Fowler, who tends to ramble on a lot even though his new companion cannot speak English. As they sail the seas together they form a friendship and have a fierce battle with more monsters of the deep that swarm the ship. Only a clever solution allows them to distract the horde for another prey. The story covers a long period of time in which the boy, Chosot, learns to speak basic English. This is all introductory to the main plot of book. After sailing for a long time the two happen on an island. Despite Chosot's fears they go to land and begin exploring. As it turns out this is the island that Chosot escaped from originally. He and members of his tribe from another hidden island had been on a fishing expedition long ago when they were attacked and taken prisoner by the fierce Cogato tribe. They were enslaved and held on this island for years. The action will involve temporary betrayal, then redemption, Fowler's capture and escape and then an attempt by the two to take on an entire tribe of warriors to free Chosot's people. The story is interesting for a number of reasons. The Atlantis is a fine ship but has a few technological anomalies. It is a sort of steam punk machine that respond to the captain's flute. The dialogue gets campy a lot to highlight the quirky personality of Fowler. At several points things are not as they seem and situations get desperate more than once. It all flows nicely and the volume ends with an ominous foreboding of what is to come in the second volume. Mefferd's art is very accomplished and detailed. He understands how to tell the story playing to the strength of the black and white medium. It must be difficult for an independent comic to be successful in this format, more so than a monthly standard sized comic. This one is better than some I have read and deserves a shot.

                                    *****
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 the DAREDEVIL movie, a white character, Kingpin, is played by a black actor; somewhat like what happened in the old BATMAN TV series, when Eartha Kitt played Catwoman. This also happens in SMALLVILLE twice: who are the characters?Everyone knew that Pete Ross was white in the comics but black in the TV show.  Many people suggested TV's Lana as the second character but we were looking for another black character, Dr. Hamilton. The winner is Jim Woodruff.

Here was your no prize question:
Where was the first purchase of land for a public park in the US made?
What is now part of Elm Park was deeded to the city of Worcester, MA in 1854.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Silver Age trivia
Who was the first Metal Man ever created by Doc Magnus?
Here is your no prize question:
By what name is Leonard Franklin Slye better known?

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.