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Friday, August 30, 2013

Comic Reviews 8/30/13


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.


I have a different mix this week - some #1 issues that are not the beginning of
new series, a couple issues of ongoing series, another one of those enigmatic
"zero" issues (don't get me started) and the end of the latest run of a series
that keeps coming back again and again.


Title: THE STRAIN: THE FALL
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Dark Horse
Creators: Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan
Script Writer: David Lapham
Artist: Mike Huddleston
Colors: Dan Jackson
Letters: Clem Robins
Cover Artist: E.M. Gist
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror
Mature - Comics on the Edge



This is the second of three series of the story of modern day vampires that
invaded Manhattan. These are no romantic sexy vampires but bloodthirsty monsters
with an overwhelming desire to feed and please their creator, an ancient vampire
called the Master. The novels and first comic series have had enough popularity
to green light an FX TV show pilot. The unlikely heroes are two doctors from the
Centers for Disease Control Ephraim Goodweather and Nora Martinez, holocaust
survivor Abraham Setrakian and a rodent exterminator named Vasiliy Fet. The
title alludes to the fact that a virus spreads this form of vampirism. These
four have come together and are determined to eradicate the disease and destroy
the Master. The story for this middle chapter begins curiously enough in the
Zagros Mountains where some Mesopotamian clay tablets were discovered in the
year 1508. The comic traces the tablets as they changed hands, still
untranslated, into Europe during the Renaissance and to Queen Elizabeth's
astrologer, the necromancer John Dee. They were eventually translated by a
French Rabbi a century after their discovery and his translation became known as
the Occido Lumen. Over the decades the book passed hands and some were killed
for it. This is all background as Abraham explains to Vasiliy the book details
the rise of these vampires, known as the Strigoi, and could well contain the
secret to defeat them. But the situation in New York is dire. Now it seems to
our heroes that there are more vampires than humans in the city. The four are
sheltered in a building with barred windows and Ephraim's son Zack is now with
them. In this chapter we learn how powerful the vampires are and the tragedy of
facing a loved one who has turned into a monster. The fight is carried on by
bands of citizen soldiers roaming the streets. They may have conventional
weapons but they do not realize bullets cannot kill their enemy. On the other
side we look in on some minions of the Master as they move forward with a plot
of total domination that includes getting their hands on the Occido Lumen. There
is enough here to get the gist of the current situation. It is definitely
worthwhile to get the previous series if this issue peaks your interest.
Huddleston does a great job with his moody art and horrific depiction of the
evil creatures. Lapham provides a detailed script for him to work with while
building the tension among the characters involved.  It is good reading that is
already building up to major confrontation fraught with imminent danger along
the way.  Try this issue to see if it piques your interest.

Title: NOVA
Issue Number: 7
Title Story: Away Game
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Paco Medina
Inker: Juan Vlasco
Colors: David Curiel
Letters: Albert Deschesne
Cover Artist: Ed McGuinness, Dexter Vines & Marte Gracia
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


I have not read this series since the first issue but the appearance of the
Superior Spider-Man on the cover caught my eye so I decided to revisit this
Character again. The editors provide a quick recap page to get us up to speed on
Nova though this is really not a chapter in an ongoing arc. So Nova is a very
young teenage hero who inherited the Nova helmet and powers from his alien
father. He has had some adventures with Rocket Raccoon and Gamora of the
Guardians of the Galaxy and even helped the Avengers defeat the Phoenix Force.
As this issue opens he has jetted off to New York from his small town in Arizona
ostensibly to do some super heroics in the big city. He has a lot to learn about
crime fighting in general and life in the big apple in particular. After
mistaking a controlled demolition for a disaster of some sort he races off to
lend a hand only to crash into Spider-Man and nearly create a new disaster. The
whole interaction between the two is not the expected obligatory hero fights
hero at first sight scene. In fact Otto/Spider-Man is his typical obnoxious self
about the whole thing and there are some funny quips on both sides. At Spider-
Man's suggestion Sam is off to find a city less crowded with so many other
heroes. Along the way there is a couple of pages involving two very familiar
teen heroes that may or may not be a foreboding of a team up to come in the
future. This is an interesting interlude of a story wherein Sam starts to figure
out where best to use his powers and at the same time improve his image. The
story is told with just the right touch of humor. It is enjoyable all the way
through and the last page is a big indication of what will come next - a tie-in
to INFINITY. I like the art, which is clean and detailed with brilliant
coloring. This is the kind of teen super hero comic I remember and enjoyed years
ago.

Title: THUNDERBOLTS
Issue Number: 14
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Jefte Palo
Inker: Terry Pallot
Colors: Guru eFX
Letters: Joe Sabino
Cover Artist: Julian Totino Tedesco
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


My second sampling of an ongoing series was chosen because it indicates on the
cover, and was billed elsewhere as an INFINITY tie-in issue. More about that
later. The current band of Thunderbolts includes Red "Thunderbolt Ross" Hulk,
the Punisher, Venom, Red Leader, Deadpool, Elektra and Mercy. There is a bit of
helpful information on the first page telling us about how dysfunctional this
team really is - who is sleeping with whom, who is trying to kill whom, who is
deceiving each other and so on. Basically there is a lot of distrust among the
group. This seems to be a good issue to jump in on, as again it is not really
the middle of a larger arc. In fact it brings to the front the premise of the
team's reason for being together. After the team takes down a rather large
dragon, which used to be a cow until it was gamma rayed somehow, Ross explains
to the team it is time for him to live up to his promise. He got them together
to help him get done things he needs. In return they have access to the team and
its resources for their own special projects.  They have done enough for Ross
for now and now it is their turn. From now on it will be one for Ross and one
for someone else. They choose lots and the first one up is the Punisher. As you
might guess his mission will involve taking down a crime family. In this case it
is the Paguro family, an old Cosa Nostra organization that has learned over time
to step back and let others do the dirty work.  They are the power behind a lot
of the gangs and gangsters in the city who all work with their blessing and
protection. The down side is if the Paguros find out they are being targeted
they have lots of criminals to throw at their opponents. It should be an
interesting adventure and since this is the Thunderbolts, not the Avengers, it
could get very bloody. And speaking of the Avengers, remember I said this was a
tie-in to INFINITY? Well the so-called tie-in is the team finding out through
radio chatter as they head off for the mission that the Avengers have all gone
off into space. At that point Punisher tosses off the comment, "it has nothing
to do with us."  That's it! Now maybe in the next issue Thanos shows up and the
Thunderbolts get involved with defending the planet but this issue can't really
be called a tie-in because they notice the Avengers are gone, really. Other than
that I enjoyed the issue, which surprised me. The team dynamic is different as
explained by the introductory page. Thankfully Deadpool is around to inject
humor every chance he gets and if you suspend disbelief that this group is
willing to act together it is not a bad concept.  I did not feel so delighted
about the art however. Palo's pencils are very angular making the faces almost
unrecognizable from other artist's renditions in the past. The layouts of the
panels work well and the coloring is ok. Overall it is not bad, just not
appealing to me. I would suggest you give this a try; it is something different
and strangely entertaining.

Title: BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Nothing Lasts Forever
Title Arc: Rewired
Publisher: DC
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Thony Silas
Colors: Andrew Elder
Letters: Saida Temofonte
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero - based on characters of the animated show BATMAN BEYOND



For some reason the Batman Beyond series is beginning again with a new number
one issue. Despite that it is an easy issue to follow without prior knowledge.
If you really want to know what came immediately before find BATMAN BEYOND:
10,000 CLOWNS. The lead story features the Batman Beyond family with some
differences from previous books I have read. At this point in time Bruce Wayne
is no longer mentoring Terry McGinnis, the current Batman. Instead Terry is
working with Dick Grayson, the former Nightwing. Terry is having trouble keeping
up with his studies while doing the Batman thing, a typical comic book hero
problem. And he is no longer dating Dana so something happened there. The action
in this story begins as the mayor of Neo Gotham has an apparent heart attack
while giving an interview to a reporter as they tour the newly opened Arkham
Institute. Later as Commissioner Barbara Gordon consults with the coroner they
conclude they may need more "expert" help to be sure the heart attack was not a
very clever killing. Sure enough every inmate but one confesses to Barbara that
they are responsible and Terry's history with the one makes it logical that he
uses a special interrogation technique.  It is a mystery that has a red herring.
When the real cause of death is discovered it may be too late to stop bigger
problems. The episode is a good mix of character interaction and a few action
sequences. Some move the main plot forward while others explore the
relationships involved in Terry's life at this point. It is interesting as far
as it goes, but I prefer longer episodes rather than a second feature.

Backup Story: Justice League Beyond
Title: Power Struggle: Fantastic Voyage
Writer: Christos N. Gage
Art: Iban Coello
Colors: Randy Mayor
Letters: Saida Temofonte

The reason the title changed to "Universe" is to give recognition to this second
feature starring the future Justice League. This version has its own Green
Lantern and Flash, size changing Micron who can get large or tiny, Hawkman type
Warhawk, Batman and Aquagirl. They are all newer versions of current day heroes.
Still around in this future League are Superman, Shazam, Mister Miracle and
Barda. This is a more straightforward story without subplots than the main
story. Some of the team goes up against the bad guys called the Nanodemons.
Their heist at STAR Labs is really a setup to infect members of the JLB with
their black magic powered nanotech as they go after Micron. But it is Superman
who steps in to stop the process only to get infected himself. It has an
unexpected effect on him sending his powers into overdrive. After several near
disasters he attempts several different things to control the powers with help
from his teammates. When it becomes clear he is still too dangerous he retreats
to the fortress sending a robot out to make it appear he is still among the
public. The final plan is a desperate measure that only Micron can help with it.
The result is a very unexpected and the epilogue is even more shocking. I
actually enjoyed this story more than the lead. It takes a closer look at what
Superman might be like in the future and even made me think of elements of the
Clark Kent in KINGDOM COME. The second story is actually worth the price of the
comic. Christos Gage is the star of this issue!

Title: BLOODSHOT
Issue Number: "0"
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Chrisscross
Colors: Moose Baumann
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero






This another infamous zero issue. Valiant has done this with some of their other
series and now it is BLOODSHOT's turn. In this case it is most interesting to
me, as a fan of the series, because it explores the evolution of the Bloodshot
project and the problems encountered along the way. The story is narrated by one
of the scientists on the project brought in the early 1990's. From the beginning
the concept was to build a perfect fighting machine but the early evolution
proved more was needed. By the time of the Vietnam war all the tech had been
internalized making the body fully repairable and adaptable. But the subjects
were more like soulless automatons will little care for anything but completing
the mission no matter what the cost or the collateral damage. As the nanites
were perfected they found a way to take memories from dying soldiers and record
them. They could dump the entire memories of many soldiers into Bloodshot. But
something was still missing. And so our narrator was brought in to find the soul
Bloodshot was missing. He hit upon a possible solution to the problem and sure
enough it seems in 1993 Bloodshot became all he could be, at least for the
purposes of those who control him, Project Rising Spirit. What eventually came
after that has been detailed in the first thirteen issues. What was Bloodshot
missing and how did our narrator accomplish it?  That is the crux of the story
as is his reward for a job well done. As always the art is spectacular
especially since this script calls for some out of the normal scenes. Next issue
begins a new arc and a different supporting cast. I can't wait.

Title: LEGION OF SUPER HEROES
Issue Number: 23 (final issue)
Title Story: Aftermath
Publisher: DC
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Kevin Maguire
Colors: Javier Mena
Letters: Dezi Sienty
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero





Once again the LEGION OF SUPER HEROES has run its course and will not be around
next month. But that does not mean we are done with the thirty-first century. DC
has already announced a series set in this distant future but instead of the
Legion it will be a future Justice League. I'll be there to see what that is all
about. But now it is time to say goodbye to some old friends. This time it is
wrapped up after one of their worst encounters that ended in victory but the
cost was dear. Sun Boy was killed, one of Duplicate Damsel's duplicates as well,
Tinya is missing and Mon-El is still in serious condition from his injuries.
Worlds have been devastated, cities destroyed and the clubhouse is in ruins for
the most part. Through it all the survivors carry on the clean up work and try
not to beat up Braniac 5 who is being his usual arrogant self but Luornu puts
him in his place. Even though they are doing all they can to help each other and
others in the United Planets recover from the war with the Fatal Five the time
has come for change.  The Legion is disbanded. Some members will fight on with
the Science Police; others have found life mates and will head off to various
home worlds to begin new lives. There are several scenes dealing with some of
the group as they begin new chapters in their lives. All are handled showing the
respect Paul Levitz has for the individual characters and the history of the
Legion. In a fitting last scene the three founders, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl
and Cosmic Boy take the last bow leaving us with the appropriate final words,
"our story will never end."  Long live the Legion!

                                    *****
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:
Let's go back to original Legion of Super Heroes continuity - what planet was
Sun Boy from?

True Legion fans know that Sun Boy is from Earth.

Here was your no prize question:
After the US which country has the most McDonald's outlets?

Japan with 3598 outlets has the second most McDonalds locations.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Jay Endicott was also known as . . .?


Here is your no prize question:
What is the longest-running and most-manufactured single design platform of any
car?


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.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Comic Reviews 8/23/13


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: ANGEL FALLING
Issue Number: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Creator/Writer: Jeffrey Kaufman
Pencils: Kevin West
Inks: Mark McKenna, Bob Wiacek, Jack Purcell & Kevin Yates
Colors: Tom Chu & Pete Pantazis
Letters: John Hunt
Cover Artist: Jeff Kaufman, Dave Stewart & Stan Johnson
Variant Cover: Bill Tucci & Felix Serrano
Price (USD): $9.99 - 104 pages
Release Date: September 2013
Genre: Adventure


I received an advance copy of this book having reviewed Kaufman's previous
graphic novel WHORE. This one has a more personal connection to the author and
is dedicated to his seven-year old son Jacob Connor Kaufman as well as the
people who are there for him, help him, treat him with love and kindness and who
laugh with him, not at him. Jacob is Autistic. One of the main characters in
this story, Connor Jacobs, is also autistic, but he has a remarkable gift. This
is Jeff's effort to deal with the subject in one of his works not in a preachy
way but to bring awareness to the condition and its effects beyond the issues it
presents. It begins as a woman with angel wings tattooed on her shoulders and
back awakens topless in a dumpster with no memories of who she is. This presents
immediate problems for her as some local street thugs see an opportunity for
fun. She remarkably and instinctively dispatches the first two with little
effort but when the odds become overwhelming a savior appears in the form of the
young man named Connor who finishes off the remainder of the gang. He says his
name is Five and it is only when he calls her Angel that she finds out about the
tattoos. He convinces her that they need to depend on each other and since he
seems to know her she follows his lead. We begin to get the idea about Connor's
condition when he reacts quickly when she tries to touch him. We are not left in
the dark about their relationship too long as the scene shifts to a secret
military base outside of New York City. The top brass in charge are concerned
that Three and Five, Angel and Connor, have gone AWOL. The project was set up
with 200 children taken from childbirth and trained as perfect killers their
entire life until their numbers were down to ten. Connor came into the program
later in life as a toddler who broke into the compound and quickly exhibited a
remarkable ability to mimic any physical movement or ability he watches. His
gift is called Eidetic Kinesthesia - perfect physical memory. The men in charge
figure out that Five broke him out with her and they are dangerous to the
program. They conclude she must be killed before she reveals what she knows.
They first turn to Jacob Mars, the freelance operative who was the title
character I the previous mentioned graphic novel WHORE. When he turns them down
for obvious reasons they decide to handle it internally by sending their top
student, One, after the pair. This is a fascinating story on a number of levels.
One is the most intelligent of the group and he shows it in the planning and
execution of his mission. Though initial efforts fail he eventually brings
things to a conclusion in a most unorthodox manner. But the crux of the story
follows the two as they stay on the run trying to blend in with normal people
while learning about themselves. It is a good partnership with Angel prodding
Connor to open up more to her and others and Connor ever vigilant and one step
ahead of those after them. As we read their dialogue and their internal thoughts
we realize they are both very dangerous and yet compassionate. Connor has
interesting thoughts that belie his outward near silence. He talks in few words
and brief phrases constantly. In the end there are a couple of major secrets
revealed that finish the story in a most satisfying manner.  The further I read
the more enraptured I became with the story. The pacing is excellent and the
characterization is the key to everything that happens. There is lots of action
mixed with some tender moments as the two interact closely with a young woman
and her younger sister who befriend them. It is a wonderful story that is
satisfying and well worth the cost. The art is a perfect compliment to the
outstanding script. Everyone involved puts in a stellar effort right down to the
inks and colors. I highly recommend you get this GN when it is released. You
won't be sorry.

Title: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: The Taking of Field Station 123
Title Arc: The Judgment Tower
Publisher: IDW
Creators: Wally Wood & Len Brown
Writer: Phil Hester
Artist: Andrea Di Vito
Colors: Rom Fajardo
Letters: Chris Mowry & Shawn Lee
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


The latest version of Wally Wood's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS begins with a startling
picture - Iron Maiden holding Nomad's severed head above her declaring the
Thunder agents are dead. Those who are familiar with the series know that
Nomad's spirit can move to a new android body whenever he is fatally injured but
it is still an interesting visual. For those not familiar the agents are powered
operatives for a global agency that combats huge threats that conventional
forces cannot fight. In most cases the agents are normal humans that have been
enhanced by special technology. In some cases the long-term effects of their
gifts will also kill them. This new series begins right off with an ongoing
conflict with one of their major villains, Iron Maiden. She has somehow captured
a top-secret base in Kashmir, a base only the director and a few others know
about due to its extreme importance. Now Iron Maiden has the base closed off
with a force field and has possibly killed the Thunder speed agent, Lightning.
Due to the secret nature of the location and what the director was having done
there it is urgent they retake it at all costs. Since Nomad is the only current
agent outside the facility the decision is made to activate another agent using
the Thunderbelt. The belt gives the user extreme density, strength and
durability but so far the trained candidates available have not been able to
tolerate the effects more than a few seconds. So the plan is to find a suitable
physical specimen first and then train him or her to be an agent. This then is
our introduction to the man who will become Dynamo, Len Brown. He was a rising
star in the minor league hokey ranks when he washed out. He has an unlimited
threshold for pain and the agent who knows him goes out to recruit him. Through
the course of the episode we find Len working as an enforcer for a loan shark
but as we get to know him we learn he is not a bad man, he is just doing what he
needs to do to survive. The question is will he tolerate the effects of the belt
and be trained quickly enough to stop Iron Maiden's plan? This is a good way to
start things off. By concentrating on one major character in depth we learn a
lot about the man who will become Dynamo and a little bit about the Thunder
agency. As the first chapter ends we are still not positive that Len Brown will
survive his first mission. The art is fairly decent with good layouts and facial
characterization. Whether you are an old fan or just interested in a new super
hero series this comic should fill the bill.

Title: INFINITY
Issue Number: 1 (of 6)
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Jim Cheung
Inker: Mark Morales w/John Livesay, David Meikis & Jim Cheung
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos with Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Various
Price (USD): $4.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


Marvel's next big event begins here and is heavily connected to AVENGERS and NEW
AVENGERS and tie-in stories in three other titles. In fact my first impression
is that those who have not been keeping up with those two series may seem a
little lost at points as they read this first part of the story. The scenes skip
around quite a bit from Earth to the far reaches of space. The cast is very
extensive as the chart up front reveals. We have the Illuminati, members of the
X-Men, about twenty Avengers, the Inhumans, The Space Knights, the immortal
Builders of the Universe, Abigail Brand of SWORD, a bunch of Skrulls and the big
bad guy, Thanos. Whew! Among the current Avengers Captain Universe plays a key
role as she moves instantly among certain scenes. But it is Thanos and his
minions that are more interesting. One in particular is the Outrider. He travels
through space to Earth and invisible to most he moves unseen tapping into
familiar minds searching for something Thanos wants. In another scene on the
planet Galador, the famous Space Knights (less the most famous among them ROM)
defend their planet against the inevitable conquest by the Builders. When
Captain Universe teleports from Galador to the Peak, SWORD'S orbiting base, the
Avengers are called in as well and soon it becomes clear that the Builders are
on a path of destruction that is pointed right at Earth. It is decided to take
the fight directly to them or the world will face extinction. But with most of
the world's heroes heading off into space, who is left to help Iron Man put up a
last stand if they fail? The more immediate threat will be Thanos and his Black
Order when they learn that the Avengers have left Earth. It is mostly set up for
what is to come. I may have overstated the need to have been following the two
main Avenger books, as there is enough information in this chapter to get you
by. Expect the Inhumans to play a big part in the section of the story set on
Earth. The art is detailed and vibrantly colored giving it a superb visually
quality. This event is sure to be a big seller and will of course lead into
something even bigger when it is done.

Title: DINOSAURS ATTACK!
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: IDW
Creator/Writer: Gary Gerani
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Paintings: Earl Norem
Finishes: George Freeman
Letters: Ron Muns
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction


This story starts off with an interesting concept at the core of the story.
Super scientist Elias Thorne is about to unveil something that will change the
course of history, by looking back at it. He invented the Timescan procedure
that when shot from a space platform has already revealed the far past
development of the moon giving scientists a wealth of information about the moon
and its origins. Now he proposes to train the beam on Earth to learn secrets of
its prehistoric past. What could possibly go wrong? His chief opponent is
another famous scientist, his ex-wife Helen Chambers. She warns of the dire
effects this could have on our planet but right now the UN is backing Thorne. A
demonstration is set to take place with all the dignitaries and press aboard the
space station to witness it. Helen is also along for the ride but she plans one
last desperate attempt to stop the demonstration, even if she has to use some
dirty tactics. As part of the plot we learn that Thorne, aside from being the
smartest man alive, has a high ESP quotient and with electronic amplification
can do some light telekinesis. This may or may not be a factor in the strange
dreams he has been having and the events that occur after the demonstration is
postponed. It becomes apparent that a major problem has occurred and the Earth
will get the demonstration whether they want it or not. After the first few
pages we can see what is going to happen once the beam is used on Earth. Whether
it is intentional, by accident, or the result of some sinister force matters
little. We know it will happen and the dinosaurs will be rampaging. The rest of
the story will explain the how, the why and possible the solution if that is how
it is supposed to end. It has the feel of an old fashioned B movie science
fiction movie and is not bad for the genre. On the down side I was not entirely
thrilled with the art. I think Trimpe does a great job as far as his
contribution goes but the paints and finishes take away from the effort in many
places and are even distracting at times. Overall it is a fun comic so far. As
long as we don't get bogged down in relationship melodrama it should be a decent
book to follow.
Title: HALO: INITIATION
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Brian Reed
Artist: Marco Castiello
Colors: Michael Atiyer
Letters: Michael Heisler
Cover Artist: John Liberto
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction - Video Game Adaptation
Based on characters from HALO by Microsoft Corporation


I am not sure if there have been Halo comics before this series but it seems
like there has been. Right from the start I fell I should know more than I do as
a new reader. Perhaps those who are totally immersed in the Halo game and
everything connected with it will not feel the same. The main military
organization involved in this story set in the far future is the United Nations
Space Command. It begins at the Highcom facility in Australia. The soldier in a
wheel chair talking to the assembled top brass relates the story of the
Spartans, both those of ancient Greece and the UNSC. He tells us how Doctor
Catherine Halsey created her own Spartans by taking children from their families
and enlisted them into a life of servitude to the UNSC, much like the young
citizens of Sparta. As much as the methods were distasteful to all present had
it not been for those children and what they became humanity might not have
survived. It is at this point I am wondering what I have already missed. But now
the Spartans are missing in action and threats are beginning to arise both on
Earth and on the colonies in space. He declares that the time has come for more
Spartans - so he made some. This is an interesting prelude for the why of the
story and a very brief and cursory recap of what might have gone before. But the
main story is set in the present. There is an extensive action sequence that
begins three months earlier as a troop of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers begins a
mission on another planet. The outpost on this place is being overrun and the
Admiral in charge is attempting to get the AI device from the facility off
planet and out of enemy hands. There is a lot of high tech battle stuff against
an alien force of much large beings with the shock troops coming in the nick of
time to turn the tide. For a comic book action sequence it is well laid out and
executed and I imagine it would be a lot of fun to play it out in a video game.
This battle has particular significance to one shock trooper who will play a
part in the new Spartans spoke of earlier. The parts individually are easy
enough to follow but I felt it fell short in providing enough information to
build interest in what is to come. The art is very good so that is not a
problem. I might be interested in sampling it again but not enthused at this
point. Your experience may differ.

Title: RESIDENT ALIEN: THE SUICIDE BLONDE
Issue Number: 0 - Originally serialized in DARK HORSE PRESENTS #18-20
Publisher: Dark Horse
Creators: Peter Hogan & Steve Parkhouse
Writer: Peter Hogan
Artist: Steve Parkhouse
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction


I am glad to see a follow up series to the first RESIDENT ALIEN mini-series. I
found Peter Hogan's first story interesting and fun to read. It is basically
murder mystery with an ET as the protagonist. If you do not read the
introductory text on the inside cover you might not realize that the alien that
humans are completely at ease with having around is actually disguised as a
human from their point of view. Harry was stranded on Earth when he crashed and
is waiting for a rescue from his own race. He has powers of empathy and can mask
his appearance to most people so that they see him as another human. We the
reader see his true alien form. He has been surviving among the humans by taking
the position as temporary town doctor in a small town in the Northwest. At the
end of the last series Harry was accidentally wounded by his nurse, Asta. As we
begin this series he is recuperating. To make due the town has hired another
younger man to fill in on a trial basis but his bedside manner with the staff
and patients is not the best. Meanwhile the military is all but ready to write
off the sighting of his crash as a hoax when new evidence emerges that prompts
them to investigate further. In a comical aside there is a fun interlude showing
Harry shortly after he arrived haggling with a used car salesman over a broken
down car. It shows some insight into his thinking and ingenuity and adds a nice
touch of humor. Like the first mini-series this second one will revolve around a
local death, as the title suggests. Will Harry find it is more than a simple
suicide? That remains to be seen. Is Harry staying here too long risking being
eventually found out by the government?  Perhaps.  I plan to stick around and
see what develops. This is a fun series with solid characterization and promises
some plot twists like the last time. The art is a good as any out there. If you
already read this part of the story in DHP you will know what I mean. I suggest
the rest of you try it out and see whether or not you will be compelled to stay
with it when issue #1 comes out.

                                    *****
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 first (and only) word spoken by DMZ during Milestone's initial run?
During the WORLDS COLLIDE crossover with the DC Universe DMZ uttered his only
word, "DAMN".

Here was your no prize question:
In what US city was the first jail sentence for speeding handed out?

In Newport, RI Judge Darius Baker sentenced an offender for going 15 MPH in
1904.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Let's go back to original Legion of Super Heroes continuity - what planet was
Sun Boy from?


Here is your no prize question:
After the US which country has the most McDonald's outlets?


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.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Comic Reviews 8/16/13


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: SIDEKICK
Issue Number: 1 (of 12)
Title Story: Ever Again
Publisher: Image/Joe's Comics
Creator: J. Michael Straczynski
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Colors: HiFi
Letters: Troy Peteri
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero
Mature - Comics on the Edge



Comic collectors all have different reasons for buying their comics. Some like
to have entire runs of a title or all variant covers. Some follow certain
characters or creators. For some the art has to be above par to even consider a
comic. I have always been the type that will tolerate lesser art for a really
good story. I am a reader. I enjoy great stories as long as the art does not
destroy my enjoyment altogether. For that reason I will be willing to try new
titles by certain writers I have found to be good storytellers. One of those
writers is J. Michael Straczynski. I especially enjoy his own creations so I was
eager to see what he had to bring on this title based on a super hero sidekick.
So far I have not been disappointed. The title character is known as Flyboy, the
sidekick of the very popular hero the Red Cowl. As you might guess he has the
ability to fly and is "fairly resistant to medium caliber bullets." The story
begins with the highlight of his career as he and the Red Cowl defeat the Sonic
Master but his sonic bomb is about to explode destroying the city. There is no
way to disarm it so Flyboy grabs it and flies high into the air with no thought
of his own safety. Fortunately he is able to throw it high enough in the
atmosphere so it does no harm and he survives the blast. It was great for him to
stand next to his partner at the press conference and hear Red Cowl give him the
credit he deserves as he says, "let no one call him just a sidekick ever again."
But that was then and this is now. Red Cowl had the strength of Samson and the
wisdom of Einstein but he could not stop the assassin's bullet that cut him down
during a parade in their honor. Though Flyboy swore to find the killer it is
years later and he never has. Things just went from bad to worse after that. The
Cowl was sort of a Bruce Wayne archetype, a rich man who spent lots of money on
the tools to fight crime. After the secret funeral Flyboy and the Cowl's
assistant and lover Melody learn from the Cowl's retainer that Thomas had spent
most of his fortune on his gadgets, lost the rest on bad investments and his
estate will be sold to pay off remaining debt. Flyboy will have to make it on
his own, trying to make a name for himself. Thus in the present we find him
still blaming himself for his friend's death and not being accepted by the
public as a hero in his own right. The first chapter explores how he tries to
get attention and fails, tries to raise money through the internet and even
trying out with other heroes to become a team member. But everyone still sees
him as an aging sidekick whose time is passed. We even see him do things that
show how his ethics have eroded. Where will it go from here? Maybe he can nab a
super criminal single-handedly and redeem himself in the yes of the other
heroes. Well the final page gives us a shocking revelation that may have some
bearing. It seems we get the feeling he may fall further into despair or even
turn to the "dark side" if things get bad enough. It is an interesting story so
far and I am sure JMS has a lot more surprises in store for us along the way.
Mandrake does a really good job on the art, which is an added, plus for me. If
you like super hero comics as much as I do and want to see a different take than
you get month after month from the mainstream titles then this is for you.


Title: TRILLIUM
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: 3797 - The Scientist/1921 - The Soldier
Publisher: DC/Vertigo
Creator: Jeff Lemire
Writer/Artist: Jeff Lemire
Colors: Jeff Lemire & Jose Villarubia
Letters: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Artist: Jeff Lemire
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction
MATURE - Comics on the Edge



This is a flipbook comic. The story has two parts that are told separately. One
starts at the front of the book and when you flip it over the other starts from
the other cover. The two intersect with a common scene in the middle. My
suggestion is to first read the story that begins from the cover with a female
in a space suit upside down over two men crossing a battlefield. The stories
begin centuries apart as the story titles suggest. One is about a former WWI
soldier, William, who is part of an expedition in 1921 to find the Forbidden
Temple of the Incas. A previous expedition was decimated before reaching their
goal but William is convinced he and his men can succeed. They are following the
map from before and hope to find not only wealth and treasure but also the
secret to eternal life itself. I suggest you begin on the other side of the
comic on a planet at the far end of the galaxy hundreds of years in the future.
There are only four thousand humans left and one scientist, Nika, is in a race
to obtain the one thing that can help mankind survive a sentient virus known as
the Caul. They have identified a flower called Trillium that is their best hope
to synthesize a vaccine to defeat the virus. Nika has been working feverishly to
translate the native language of the Atabithans on this last stronghold world of
humanity so that they may barter for a supply of Trillium. The situation has
gotten desperate and instead of a year she now only has a week. The first
expedition over the wall enclosing the Atabithans ended with the loss of all
that went. Nika can only hope that she and her AI assistant have learned enough
to communicate with the natives and plead their case. How is it that these two
stories will intersect?  That is a clever plot devise that involves what both
William and Nika find as they reach their goals. Jeff Lemire is well known in
the industry. His art is unique and may take some getting used to, especially
his painted coloring style. But it does move the story forward as much as the
words do. I did not know what to expect though I had read about the structure of
this comic itself. I found it intriguing enough to keep my attention on every
page. I believe it is a worthy effort and you should judge for yourself whether
it is for you.

Title: BURN THE ORPHANAGE: BORN TO LOSE
Publisher: Image
Creators: Sina Grace & Daniel Freedman
Writers: Sina Grace & Daniel Freedman
Artist: Sina Grace
Colors: John Rauch
Letters: Rus Wooton
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Crime Drama
MATURE - Comics on the Edge




I did not know what to expect from this comic but the plot is laid out very
clearly from the beginning. After two pages we know an orphanage was purposely
set on fire long ago. It burned to the ground and everyone in it burned with it,
except for one young boy. Years later the boy, Rock, is on a vendetta to find
out who did it and why. He is strong and skilled in martial arts and does not
care what he has to do to get to the truth. We see him rousting neighborhood
characters, even facing four-to-one odds in a bar to get the information he
wants. When the odds get overwhelming he is joined by his friend, Bear. As they
get more information they get into even more precarious situations. The leads
take them to a strip joint controlled by the really bad element and if not for
another ally joining them, the female Lex, the trail would have ended there. But
the last bit of information is revealed and the final conflict will be that much
tougher. Frankly this is not even half the book and I was loosing interest
already. Even though this is listed as one of three it seems this plot has
already wrapped up by the end. There are some good bits along the way to
emphasize each character and their background. The trio is a solid group of
friends working toward a goal, which is admirable. But I felt it was all just a
formula - beat a bad guy, beat a group, beat the next group, showdown with the
big boss. It is almost like a very old video game, and maybe that is the idea.
The art isn't bad. There is great use of shading and the concentration is more
on characters than background. I just didn't get excited about it and really not
interested enough to see the second issue.

Title: ROBOCOP: LAST STAND
Issue Number: 1 (of 8)
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Based on the character from MGM movies
Writer: Frank Miller
Sequential Adaptation: Steven Grant
Artist: Korkut Oztekin
Colors: Michael Garland
Letters: Ryan Ferrier
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction
Suggested for Mature Readers


I am not sure if this was a novel by Frank Miller but both he and Steven Grant
have worked on Robocop projects in the past and are well familiar with the
characters and the world they inhabit.  At this point in Robocop's history he is
a hunted cyborg. The broadcast news paints him as a killer and warns citizens to
stay inside and lock their doors.  But is this the truth?  At the same time the
media touts the new law enforcement organization as a new breed keeping the
streets safe. But is it the truth? The scenes we see paint a different picture.
Two cops are threatening a common streetwalker with pain and disfigurement if
she doesn't tell what she has seen in this area regarding Robocop. As they drag
her into their armored vehicle to proceed with the persuasion techniques it is
Robocop who comes to her rescue. But it is not only the uniformed cops looking
for our hero as detectives patrol with all kinds of tech equipment, hoping to
track him somehow electronically. There is also one industrious young lady who
figures out the right way to find him though she has no connection with OCP.
What her motives may be are left for speculation. Aside from the meeting between
Marie Lacasse and Robocop for the first time this chapter is more of an
introduction to the reader on the status quo in the city. There is another scene
involving an ambitious developer for Omni Consumer Products going forward with a
demolition project without regard for the lives of the innocents he is
endangering. It is that organization that is getting desperate and Robocop knows
it.  So we have a couple of plot threads that are developing and some cool
action sequences showing how resourceful our hero has become in facing the
superior forces both man and machines of the tight-fisted organization running
things. The title "Last Stand" implies some big final conflict down the road so
we know Miller is building up to that point. So far the script handles the task
it needs to and we are left intrigued by the story so far. On the other hand the
art is unimpressive. The coloring does nothing to embellish the line work, which
is adequate but not attractive.  So I give this one a mixed review. If you are
fans of the genre get it for the story.


Title: DARK SHADOWS: YEAR ONE
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Marc Andreyko
Artist: Guiu Vilanova
Colors: Josan Gonzalez
Letters: Troy Peteri
Cover Artist: Patrick Berkenkotter
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror/TV series adaptation
Mature - Comics on the Edge



This comic has been out for a while but I saw issue #1 on the racks and decided
to check it out. Dark Shadows was an afternoon soap opera horror series back in
the early 70s that had a cult following among young and old alike. When it began
we were introduced to the wealthy Collins family who resided in a remote fishing
village of Collinsport, Maine. The family dynasty has been cursed across time
and space by supernatural forces. The main character is Barnabas Collins who at
one point in his life becomes a vampire. But this is a "year one" story and so
we are taken back to time when like all families everyone is concerned with the
normal lives among the well off. At this time Barnabas is soon to marry the love
of his life, Josette. Some time before the scheduled event his uncle Jeremiah
takes Barnabas to a tavern and as the night goes on encourages him to approach
the more than friendly barmaid, Angelique, for a last fling. Barnabas gives into
the temptation but soon after regrets it and feels the guilt for days. But he
gets a shock as his fianc‚ appears for dinner with his family when he sees that
Angelique is Josette's handmaiden. It is Angelique who will begin the misery of
Barnabas and his family. Even uncle Jeremiah knows she is up to no good but we
see she is more than just an ambitious female. Through the power of witchcraft
she will manipulate people into getting what she wants, which apparently is to
marry Barnabas herself. She is skilled enough to eliminate Jeremiah with no one
suspecting her as the puppet master. With that threat out of the way she sets
her sites on her main prey by forcing him to choose between her and someone else
he loves. It is a truly insidious plan that when carried to fruition will bring
even more pain to the Collins family. I have not seen or read this part of the
Dark Shadows cannon before so it is like a fresh story with interesting
characters and a crafty plot that has a lot of elements coming together nicely.
Though you might at first think a big problem has been resolved by the end, you
know it will only get worse and you want to see what will come next. And we
haven't even got to the vampire part yet. I liked the story a lot and want to
see how the whole thing plays out. The art is good enough with some good detail
though the coloring did not impress me.  As a whole I recommend it.

Title: LORDS OF MARS
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: The Hunting Party
Title Arc: The Eye of the Goddess
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Creator: Based on characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Artist: Roberto Castro
Colors: Alex Guimaraes
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Main Cover Artist: Alex Ross
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction/Adventure
Mature Readers


This is an interesting juxtaposition of two major Burroughs characters, Tarzan
and John Carter. There are two parallel plots, one for each character that will
intersect at some point. On Earth in 1910 Tarzan and his wife Jane are back in
Northumberland, England at the Greystoke Manor. Though they are back in the
"civilized" world Tarzan still hunts for food in his jungle fashion taking down
a deer with nothing but a knife. But soon he will be invited to a hunt with
modern weapons, rifles, by his neighbor and old friend of the family as a
welcoming to his ancestral home. As events unfold at the hunt it seems Lord
Marchmain is more interested in humiliating Tarzan that welcoming him. Tarzan is
no fool and would fight back with fists instead of words if not for Jane
interceding. She knows this man is not honorable but as they prepare to leave an
aid to Marchmain runs up announcing they have caught a poacher on his land. It
is Marchmain's cruelty to the injured poacher that really sets of Tarzan and his
defense of the man sets events that apparently were planned all along. Meanwhile
on Mars John Carter is in the midst of a campaign to rid the planet of the
terrible white apes. The struggle is a long one but he has technological
resources to draw on as War Lord. The key part of the plot occurs when
emissaries of the Holy Therns arrive to seek audience with Carter. They explain
while they submit to Carter's rule as a defeated race they must protest the
slaughter of the white apes. According to their faith the apes are the vessels
for the souls of the slain Therns. He asks that Carter visit the Holy Father,
Jagati Khen, since their religion precludes Khen from leaving his home in Dor.
The reader would naturally suspect that the Thern have ulterior motives but
Carter is confident he can handle the situation. How will these two plots
intersect? Going by the title the most likely supposition is that Tarzan will
somehow travel to Mars. You could also further deduce he would naturally be on
the side of the apes and the people that protect them. It should get interesting
very quickly. It is an interesting concept. Out of the two I enjoyed the Tarzan
plot more - the characters are more likeable, though there is nothing wrong with
Carter. In both plots people are apparently trying to manipulate the "lords" for
their own reasons and the script lays it out slowly without giving too much
away. The art carries the action well and is pleasing to look at with vibrant
coloring highlighting detailed lines. I like this one and I think many others
will as 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:
What is the significance of 1-900-720-2660?

The impulse is to say it is the number you would call to vote for the death of
Jason (Robin) Todd.  Most common answer was it was the number you would call to
either say yes or no on the subject.  But there were two numbers and this one
would let him live, as we know not enough people voted that way. And no one got
the answer this week either.

Here was your no prize question:
In honor of the 33-1/3 anniversary of That's Entertainment here is an
appropriate question to test the engineers in the crowd.
How many grooves are there on an average typical 33-1/3 RPM record?

The answer is one on each side. There is a single groove that spirals around the
surface of the record and records the information on a single track.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
What was the first (and only) word spoken by DMZ during Milestone's initial run?


Here is your no prize question:
In what US city was the first jail sentence for speeding handed out?


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.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Comic Reviews 8/9/13



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: BATMAN INCORPORATED
Issue Number: 13
Title Story: The Dark Knight and the Devil's Daughter
Publisher: DC
Creator: Bob Kane
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Burnham
Colors: Nathan Fairbairn
Letters: Steve Wands & Travis Lanham
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



As you may know this is the conclusion of Grant Morrison's run on this title,
which has from the beginning led to the final confrontation between Batman and
Talia with the death of their son Damian being one result of their conflict. I
imagine there has been a lot of events in the last several issues that feed into
this final chapter but surprisingly it is easy enough to follow without having
read another issue since the death of Robin. There are two intertwined plots to
the story. One is Bruce Wayne taken in for questioning by Commissioner Gordon
Basically, his funding of Batman Inc. has led to conflicts endangering Gotham
and the US, maybe even treason. Jim wants answers as to why he would date the
daughter of the world's number one criminal mastermind and then father a son
with her. Was Batman Inc. a private army built to wage a war of revenge?  All
the time we get the feeling Jim is dancing around the fact that he knows Bruce
is Batman, and he probably does. The other plot is the action that comes before
this sit down. Talia has confronted Batman in the Batcave and as they cross
swords she declares this will be a fight to the death. While this is going on
other members of the Batman family and Batman Inc. are fighting the forces of
Leviathan. Talia has wired seven cities to fall when she activates the Oroboro
Trigger and that will signal the rise of Leviathan out of the chaos. But she
does not have it and so she concentrates on killing Batman once and for all.
While the action is intense in parts the dialogue is even more so. All the
resentments and regrets of the years come out as the two fight their last
battle. Any long time fan of ongoing super hero titles know that Batman will
survive, it is always the way he does it that makes the story. Rather than leave
everything nice and neat at the end Morrison gives us two epilogues. One firms
Bruce's resolve the other proves that the fight never ends. I felt very
satisfied after reading this story. I especially enjoyed the discourse between
Bruce and Jim that is used as an excellent device to illustrate what has been
going on from another point of view. Bruce Wayne faces the truth to his old
friend and it is captivating. The art of course is top shelf all the way. There
are a couple of plot elements I have not revealed that are better left for the
reader to discover on his own making the experience all the more enjoyable.  I
highly recommend this story.

Title: 3 GUNS
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Creator: Steven Grant
Writer: Steven Grant
Artist: Emilio Laiso
Colors: Gabriel Cassata
Letters: Ed "The Duke" Dukeshire
Cover Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Crime Drama

You probably have seen a lot of promotion for the new movie 2 GUNS by now.  That
flick is based on a comic book by one of the better writers in comics in my
opinion, Steven Grant. This sequel of sorts is well timed to debut along with
the movie. But don't expect this comic to read like a sequel to the movie, it is
the comic sequel. The characters are an undercover DEA agent and an undercover
NCIS agent. As it begins Bobby Beans has been hiding out after most everyone
believes he is dead. In fact only his old partner Marcus, no longer around,
knows his other name is Bobby Trench. The plot of the story has Bobby's cover
blown, though he does not know how, when a goon approaches him on the beach.
After an attempted escape and a stand off with the boss Lou Quill of the
Separatist Militia Bobby finds out the Lou wants to hire him for a specific job.
Quill plans to buy some high tech arms from the Russian mob. Lou wants Bobby to
wait until the deal is over and then steal Quill's money back from the Russians.
While on stake out sizing up the Russians on their yacht Bobby sees a familiar
face among them, his old partner Marcus. Naturally Marcus is working the case
undercover as an operative for the Russians. In fact they have hired him to
steal back the weapons from Quill once everything goes down. That is the set up
for what is supposed to happen. Along the way Bobby confronts Marcus secretly,
learns just how seriously dangerous Quill is and forms a friendship with a woman
within his influence who is not everything she appears to be.  I love the way
Grant writes these kinds of stories. I have found in other stories he gives you
enough information to make educated guesses what is going on or what is coming.
The female Joey is seemingly a minor character but by the end we see things are
not as they seem. I have a guess what her story is but we will have to wait and
see. The art team does a pretty good job, especially on the facial
characteristics of each of the characters. This reinforces Grant's script as to
their motivations. It is an excellent story so far that leaves you wanting more.
Forget the connection to the movie; this is a good comic on its own.

Title: CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: On the Run
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Fernando Dagnino
Colors: Ego
Letters: Nate Piekos
Cover Artist: Felipe Massafera
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Action/Adventure


Captain Midnight is a classic character that was very popular in old radio
serials and then a TV show. Dark Horse has decided to re-introduce the character
and modernize him in an ongoing comic series. They began with a short series
chronicled in DARK HORSE PRESENTS. Those episodes where collected into CAPTAIN
MIDNIGHT #0 and the action continues in the ongoing series beginning with this
issue. The basic story is that Jim Albright was one of America's greatest minds,
so much so that the government did not want to risk losing him as a resource and
so refused his entry into the military during World War II. So instead Albright
became Captain Midnight, a mystery man who helped the allies battle the Nazis on
his own terms. Then in 1944 he disappeared. As we saw in the zero issue his
World War II dive-bomber emerged recently from the Bermuda Triangle piloted by a
man claiming to be Captain Midnight. Deeming him to be a security risk whomever
he was the military detained him on an aircraft carrier bur Captain Midnight
stole a fighter jet and escaped. As the story resumes the hunt is on for the
fugitive hero.  This issue serves to get us familiar with the supporting cast,
some of whom are friends and enemies from his earlier adventures and others who
only know him from the stories and legends. Two main players are Joyce Ryan, a
former colleague of the Captain and her granddaughter Major Charlotte Ryan.
Joyce has convinced her granddaughter to help locate Captain Midnight because as
a stranger in a strange land he will need their help. Charlotte goes to the
former mountain aerie headquarters of Captain Midnight's Secret Squadron to
begin the search. But agent Jones of the FBI, with the help of Charlotte's ex-
husband Rick, arrives with a squad of agents with the same idea. The other major
character in the plot is introduced in a flashback sequence. The setting is at
the North Pole in a secret Nazi fortress where the Secret Squadron and US troops
have surrounded the castle with orders to bring back the Nazi criminal Ivan
Shark alive. Knowing this is the end Ivan stays to fight so that his daughter
Fury can escape to fight another day. Amazingly she appears in the present day
plot not having aged a day and at the head of an advanced military technical
firm called Sharkbyte. Sharkbyte is vying for the big US military contract
against Albright Industries. She also has a score to settle with Captain
Midnight and has already set her plan in motion. The stage is set for their
first confrontation, which involves a bunch of Sharkbyte operatives that look
like the Red Skull except they are green - I kid you not. We surmise the plot
will lead to the Captain forming a new team with Charlotte, Rick and Agent Jones
but that is only conjecture right now. The story moves along nicely though the
dialogue is a little overdramatic in spots. The art is decent but the coloring
needs a little polish - not much, it is just off here and there. So far it is a
fun comic with a strong lead character who is sort of a cross between Captain
America and Bruce Wayne. Fans of adventure with a little bit of science fiction
thrown in should go for this title.

Title: COLLIDER
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: The Paradigm Shift
Publisher: DC/Vertigo
Creators: Simon Oliver & Robbi Rodriguez
Writer: Simon Oliver
Artist: Robbie Rodriguez
Colors: Rico Renzi
Letters: Steve Wands
Cover Artist: Nathan Fox
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction
MATURE - Comics on the Edge


This is a story of a slightly different Earth where it turned out that the laws
of physics were not so carved in stone as everyone thought. The appearance of
localized gravity failures, time loops, wormholes and quantum tornadoes prompted
the government to form a new agency, the Federal Bureau of Physics charged with
preventing and protecting the public from physics-related phenomena. Though they
have been successful over time in repairing the fabric of our slowly
deteriorating universe the agency has become just another emergency service
continually struggling for funding.  This is the world of COLLIDER. The three
main players are agents with varied personalities and background. The main
character is Agent Adam Hardy whose father he never met was an early researcher
in these anomalies and lost his life because of it. There is evidence someone is
trying to profit from his dad's stolen research. Special Agent Cicero DeLuca is
in charge rising up as a child prodigy in quantum mechanics. He is the tough
voice of reason for things that defy explanation. Agent Jay Kelly is a veteran
agent whose private life may catch up with him and endanger the team and its
mission. Adam is the youngest of the group and is still sowing his wild oats so
at times he is not all Cicero wants him to be. This first issue illustrates this
fact as he shows up late to an emergency at a high school where gravity has gone
haywire. The incident illustrates how the team uses some special high tech
equipment and the daring of the agents to go into the breach and weld it shut.
Most of the first issue involves the mission and a near-disaster that occurs
that is unexpected. But the intriguing part of the story involves Agent Kelly
who has a clandestine meeting later that illustrates for the reader just what he
has gotten himself into. So far this is an interesting story. It has fleshed out
characters and an intriguing premise. With the threat of lack of funding and a
mysterious group working behind the scenes for their own motives there is enough
here to hook the reader and keep us interested until the next issue. The art is
stylish enough to give the feel of the otherworldly events as they occur while
depicted the characters in realistic fashion. This could develop into a good
series if handled correctly. I am interested to see what's next.

Title: TOM STRONG AND THE PLANET OF PERIL
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: The Girl in the Bubble
Publisher: DC/Vertigo
Creators: Alan Moore & Chris Sprouse
Writer: Peter Hogan
Artist: Chris Sprouse
Inker: Karl Story
Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Letters: Todd Klein
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


Vertigo has revisited Alan Moore's America's Best Comics line with this latest
installment of TOM STRONG. Strong is a sort of an advanced version of Doc Savage
as he is super smart and uses lots of high tech stuff for adventures on Earth
and throughout the galaxy. Due to his unique upbringing as revealed in a
flashback he is physically and mentally strong enough to handle anything. As we
look in on him in the present his daughter Tesla is having complications with
her pregnancy. Her husband Val is a powered being who has flaming powers that
intensify when he gets stressed or upset. After Tesla suffered a slight fall her
temperature began to rise. Tom fears that the baby may have inherited her
father's abilities. In the short term they can calm her and the baby down but
what will happen when the stress of childbirth has its effect?  Even a caesarian
birth may prove fatal to Tesla. With the due date only a month away Tom has to
find a way to ensure the safety of them both. Then he remembers an Earth-like
planet on the far side of the galaxy known as Terra Obscura. Like Earth it also
has a number of science-heroes, a lot more than Earth. The most powerful was his
counterpart, Tom Strange. He is close to indestructible due to the elixir Alosun
that gave him fantastic powers. If he can obtain Alosun for Tesla it could
protect her from the suspected horror of the birth by giving her
invulnerability. Strangely enough the exploits of the heroes of Terra Obscura
are chronicled in comic books here on Earth as if the comic creators share some
kind of psychic link to that far away world. The fact that those comics are no
longer being published may forebode what Tom and Val will find when they reach
Terra Obscura in a matter of days using the hyper-drive space ship. It is a
well-defined premise with lots of background established to bring readers new to
the characters up to speed. Chris Sprouse is once again rendering his characters
in spectacular form. Fans of the prior series and new readers will not be
disappointed.

Title: FLASH ANNUAL
Issue Number: 2
Title Story: The Quick and the Green
Publisher: DC
Writer: Brian Buccellato
Artist: Sami Basri
Colors: Stellar Labs
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Cover Artist: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Price (USD): $4.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


One of the long-time friendships in the old DC universe was between Hal Jordan
and Barry Allen. Green Lantern and Flash team-ups were always a favorite of
mine. When I read that this Flash annual would chronicle the first meeting of
the NEW 52 versions of these characters I had to see how it would be handled. I
am happy to say it was worth my time. The main story not only covers that first
meeting but also brings the heroes back to face the consequences of their first
team-up. It begins as the two enjoy dinner together in the present. Hal has
returned from OA to spend time with his best friend before he assumes his new
position as leader of the Green Lantern Corp. Suddenly they are both transported
to another planet, Agon. It is a world where two warring "houses" of beings
settle their differences in gladiatorial combat in a coliseum called Arena World
floating above the surface. Flash wants to know why they are back here, the
planet they first had an adventure together and so we are told the story in
flashback. Years ago Barry was investigating the disappearance of a number of
kids from their orphanages in cities around the country. Once he figures out the
pattern he speeds to the next place the abductors will strike, the home city of
Hal Jordan Coast City. Of course Green Lantern is also on the case and has made
the same deduction. Before you know it a portal opens in the dorm and the two
heroes follow it to the far off planet at the other end. They find most of the
lost children and while Flash transports them back GL goes looking for the rest.
As it turns out one of the families are using the kids to fight their battle in
arena world by transforming them into monstrous champions. The two have their
hands full rescuing three who have already been transformed and stopping the
Verus from abducting anymore. It was back then that Hal, as a Green Lantern
officer, made a deal to stop the Verus. But now it is the present and we find
out what his compromise was. He and Flash must fight a host of other champions
in the arena. This is a last man standing fight to the death. The winner will
then have to combat the champion of the Priscus, also to the death. This is not
a new plot devise - having the heroes fight other foes and then each other all
the while avoiding actually killing anyone. The earlier sequence is well done
and has bits of humor especially when the discussion of secret identities comes
up.  The whole thing is an enjoyable experience without getting bogged down in
the current continuity of either hero. It is much like the stories I remember
from the "old" days where Hal and Barry have to use their wits as well as their
powers to overcome the bad guys. The script handles the task beautifully and the
art team does a good job with all of it. This story is worth the price of
admission.  But wait, there's more!

Back up story: "Details" by Nicole Dubuc with art by Cully Hammer and Matthew
Wilson

This is a Flash solo story that begins two years ago. It follows Flash on a
typical day as he handles a number of small tasks on his way to a party at the
office. He helps a homeless man collect cans, aids a lady in catching a bus,
saves a dog from getting hit by a car and even helps a young man get his snack
from a jammed vending machine. These are small things he could have ignored but
chose not to. One thing he cannot ignore is the police scanner signaling an
apartment fire with possible casualties. While he is able to rescue young girl
at the last minute he is too late for her mother who has already succumbed to
the smoke. In the present day the events of that day have consequences as the
widower of the women threatens to blow up the remains of the building his wife
died in. As the Flash arrives to stop him he accuses Flash of not being on time
before but we see the real reason for his actions. The situation is resolved and
on the final page we find out how all those little tasks Flash did that day long
ago had positive outcomes for those he helped.  It is a feel good story that is
a good addition and perfect as a back up story to the annual.

                                    *****
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:
For years Superman would invariably meet people, especially females, with L.L.
for initials (Lois and Lucy Lane, Lori Lemaris, etc.). Keeping the tradition
alive, SMALLVILLE revealed Lana Lang's parents names on the show.  What are
they?


The correct answer and spelling, as shown on their tombstone, is Lewis and Laura
Lang. The winner is Keith Martin.

Here is your no prize question:
In what year did That's Entertainment win the coveted "Spirit of the Industry"
Will Eisner Award?

That's Entertainment won the 1997 Spirit of the Industry Eisner award at the
Sand Diego Comi-Con.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
What is the significance of 1-900-720-2660?

Here is your no prize question:
In honor of the 33-1/3 anniversary of That's Entertainment here is an
appropriate question to test the engineers in the crowd.
How many grooves are there on an average typical 33-1/3 RPM record?


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.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Comic Reviews 8/2/13


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: HUNGER
Issue Number: 1 (of 4)
Story Arc: Age of Ultron Aftermath
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Joshua Hale Fialko
Artist: Leonard Kirk
Colors: Jesus Aburtov
Letters: Cory Petit
Cover Artist: Adi Granov - variant by Neal Adams and Moose Baumann
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


While this comic has no label indicating it is set in the Ultimate Universe
those in the know already understand that it is. Others may see the Age of
Ultron cover dress and figure it is worth seeing what comes after the last issue
of that series. When the Age of Ultron wrapped up we saw one of the effects of
the solution was a fracture of the time-space continuum. Multiple excursions in
time by some of the characters have messed some things up - basically the
barriers between alternate realities are fractured. The central character in
this first issue is Rick Jones of the Ultimate Universe. In the past Rick was
chosen by that Universe's version of the Watchers to be gifted with cosmic power
as the champion of all creation. For the past year he has been wandering space,
seeking his ultimate purpose, no pun intended. As the story open he has tired of
the loneliness and so he heads back to Earth to satisfy his craving for a Burger
Shack burger. Well, the Watchers are always watching and they interrupt his
quest for food, though he needs no sustenance in his current form, to put him
back on course. If you haven't followed the Ultimate comics the Watchers do no
exhibit themselves as very large bald guys in robes. In this universe they are
six-foot obelisks with electronic eyes facing in four directions. They speak to
him by taking control of any life form close by using them as conduits for their
speech. Before he gets to chomp down his Watcher teleports him to deep space
into the middle of the Kree and Chi-tauri war. It tells him that he is here
because he was transformed not just to protect worlds but Universes - plural. It
is here that a major breakdown is space-time will occur. As the two opposing
armadas fight for the dominance of the other a third entity, the Ultimate
Universe version of the ender of all things, the Gah Lak Tus swarm, enters the
fray. This entity is unstoppable and would devour all in its path, save for the
temporal flux about to occur. With Rick right in the middle of it attempting to
stop the swarm the crack in the universe opens and as you might expect someone
is emerging into this universe from the normal, 616, Marvel Universe. It is
Galactus! You may remember one scene at the end of Age of Ultron where the
Ultimate Spider-Man looked up to see Galactus. Some speculated the web-slinger
had somehow crossed into Peter Parker's Earth but we now see it was Galactus who
made the trip. So this leaves us with questions as the story moves forward. What
will occur when Gah Lak Tus meets Galactus? Can Rick Jones stop either and/or
both? If not does this forebode the end of the Ultimate Earth or even the entire
Ultimate Universe? There are still several Ultimate titles in progress but this
could indeed be leading up to the end of the entire line. Miles Morales and
maybe other characters may end up in the 616 Universe when it is all over but
Marvel is not hinting at any of that right now. One thing is for sure, followers
of the Ultimate titles will want to follow this story closely and Marvel fans in
general might want to catch it for whatever impact it will have elsewhere. Kirk
and Aburtov do a great job bringing it all to life. This one is worth getting.

Title: BATMAN/SUPERMAN
Issue Number: 2
Title Story: Doubletime
Publisher: DC
Creators: Bob Kane, Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Jae Lee
Colors: June Chung
Letters: Rob Leigh
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


I was intrigued enough by the first issue of this series to see how the story
proceeded next. It began with the NEW 52 Batman and Superman meeting for the
first time. We witnessed that some kind of foreign entity had the ability to
inhabit and take over beings, creating particular havoc when it decided to take
over the young Superman. As the first part ended it managed to transport Batman
and Superman of Earth to a parallel world. They ended up in Smallville on Earth
2 with Superman pounding on Batman until the entity, introduced in this chapter
as Kaiyo, the Trickster, then teleported Batman to Gotham leaving this Superman
astounded to meet Pa Kent. The Earth Superman lost his parents already but on
Earth 2 they both are alive. Most of this issue has the duo from Earth meeting
their Earth 2 counterparts. Superman arrives at the farm to protect his parents
and the four begin to sort out what is going on and who this younger Superman
might be. Meanwhile our Batman enters the cave to find Catwoman who keeps
referring to him as her husband. These events are still five years ago so
Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman have not yet disappeared in the war against
Darkseid's minions. Selena is married to Bruce Wayne and the Earth 2 Superman is
married to Lois. The Earth 2 Batman shows up at the cave and when the two Caped
Crusaders calm down they begin to ponder how duplicates of Bruce and Clark came
to this Earth. Meanwhile Clark and Clark are on the same mission. In the end
they find out whom Kaiyo has now inhabited, with the help of Wonder Woman. This
is a fascinating story not only because we have major characters interacting but
also we se some of the contrasts between the two Earths. Gotham is vastly
different on Earth 2 - not as dark as the one on Earth. There are some humorous
moments with the spouse and a very touching scene as the Kents realize this
other Clark lost his parents already. The villain is a clever one and certainly
powerful. The very evident BOOM! Sound effect when it teleports hints it may
have origins in Apokolips. Whatever the case the action is picking up and the
script holds our attention from start to finish. Jae Lee has very distinctive
style so that is something you may not be used to with major characters. But it
is awesome in execution on every panel. If you have not looked at this title yet
I suggest you get the first two issues. It is a winner.

Title: SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: A Day In Someone Else's Life
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Chris Yost
Artist: David Lopez
Inker: Andy Owens
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Paolo Rivera & Joe Rivera
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


Well, Superior Spider-Man has been successful enough to warrant spin-off titles
and this first one is a logical team-up book. At first I thought that the Doc
Ock version would not be a good one to have work with other heroes. In the main
book we have already seen how much friction and suspicion he has caused among
the super hero community. When I saw the first team up would be the Avengers I
feared it would be a rehash of the confrontation he already had with that group
though that ended with the Avengers accepting that he is still Peter Parker. As
the story begins it seems like Otto may have decided to turn into a villain
again.  We see Spider-Man interfering with Cloak and Dagger as they break up a
mugging, attacking Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen and going after other heroes such
as Gravity, Power Man, Iron Fist, Moon Knight and even Doctor Strange among
others. Captain America rallies the troops to once again confront Spider-Man and
eventually subdue him. The story he has to tell is not convincing them his
actions are justified until one of their own begins attacking everyone else.
They will have to work together to counter the real threat. In the aftermath we
see Otto's plan to form his own team and we learn who was behind the strange
behavior all along. Both those threads will continue in the future. I enjoy
these team up books to some degree when the story has some meat to it. Most of
the time they are self-contained and over time the writers may struggle to come
up with viable reasons for the next guest star. I follow the main SUPERIOR
SPIDER-MAN title to keep up to date on the character and don't need these spin-
off titles to enjoy the evolution of the character. Having said that I liked
this issue because it has a clever plot and moves quickly to a resolution for
now. The art is first rate so you won't be disappointed on that regard. If you
like a bigger dose of your favorite character this is not a bad comic. I may
stop in from time to time if a particular line up catches my eye.

Title: CONSTANTINE
Issue Number: 5
Title Story: Stealing Thunder
Title Arc: Trinity War (Interlude)
Publisher: DC
Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Renato Guedes
Colors: Marcelo Maiolo
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Cover Artist: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira & Brad Anderson
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Magical Hero


You don't need to read JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #22 to follow this issue but the
opening scene does interface with that comic as Constantine takes Shazam away
from the action in that book to a bar in New York City. Constantine was summoned
to help with the problems going on in the Trinity War conflict and he quickly
recognizes that Shazam needs to be taken out of the equation. He promised Billy
he would show him something important about his real family and since Billy has
no allegiance to any of the Justice League teams he went along with it. Once
they have settled at their destination John spins a tale of a magical force
tracking them and Billy needs to revert to his human form to stop the spell.
What he is really doing is setting him up to drain the Shazam power out of
Billy. He is trying to keep him away from Pandora's box, the glowing skull with
three eyes, as he knows if Shazam touches it the result will be much worse than
what happened to Superman. It may fortuitous that he chose this place and time
to steal the power because one of the minions of the evil organization known as
the Cult of the Cold Flame is about to make a transformation himself to take
down John once and for all. Constantine will need the power of Shazam to protect
himself and the others but will it be enough?  The resolution of this battle
leaves Billy with a warning he may not choose to heed and John in a very
precarious situation. While this is billed as an interlude to the Trinity War
some of the things said and done may have major impact as that main event moves
forward. This issue will serve for many as an introduction to Constantine of the
NEW 52. While his methods seem cold and calculating at times you come away with
the feeling he is a powerful person who is trying to do the right thing. Whether
or not it is enough of a sample to make those new readers decide to continue to
read his title is anyone's guess. As far as Shazam goes the characterization is
in line with all that has happened with Billy Batson so far in the pages of
JUSTICE LEAGUE. I liked the art though it seems the colors are a bit washed out.
I think it was worth my time to read it for the Trinity War tie-in and for that
reason I recommend it.

Title: SIX-GUN GORILLA
Issue Number: 2 (of 6)
Title Story: Just Another Filthy Memory
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Creator/Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Jeff Stokely
Colors: Andre May
Letters: Steve Wands
Cover Artist: Ramon Perez
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction


I missed the first issue of this series but I decided to pick up the second to
see what it is about. Fortunately there is a text page up front explaining the
situation. It is set in the far future where the BlueTech-PV Corporation has
provided those prone to suicide a way to provide for those they might leave
behind. They are surgically transformed into psychic TV cameras and sent into
deadly situations where the thrill junkies who watch their transmissions can
experience their death. Upon their demise their families receive a huge payout.
The subject of this story is one such soul without hope after a bad breakup
named Blue. He has been embedded in a military unit and sent into an extra-
dimensional world known as the Blister, where the laws of physics are all
screwed up. In this dimension the rebel colonists are fighting to escape from
the Earth's rule and so war is ongoing. Instead of a quick death Blue is given a
watch by a dying general and promises to return it to his wife. As he set out on
this mission he was attacked by bandits and once again escapes death when an
intelligent ape sporting six-guns rescues him. Back on Earth the executives in
charge of the show are conflicted about pulling the plug on his transmissions
but when the advertising revenues skyrocket they know they have a winner. Most
of the book follows Blue and his new companion as the make their way through the
Blister. They barely escape some indigenous creatures that rise out of the
dessert and threaten to entangle them and drag them under. Racing to the closest
settlement they must face another phenomenon of this strange place, the Blaze.
That has to do with the rising of the sun as it reaches high noon. If you are
outside unprotected you are toast, literally. But there are other forces at work
here besides the harsh elements and the ongoing war. Someone back on Earth does
not want the ape's secrets revealed and sets his own plan in motion. Even though
Blue makes friends in the settlement that may not be enough to save him from the
conflict about to converge there. This has some decent science fiction elements
and the sub plots are weaved together nicely. The art has a very appropriate
otherworldly feel to it and the layouts move things along nicely. Each of the
main characters are fleshed out nicely leaving us a hint that if Blue can
survive all that is to come he will either be satisfied with his death or find a
reason to live again. This is not a bad choice for science fiction fans.

Title: SKIN TRADE
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Avatar
Creator: George R.R. Martin
Adaptation: Daniel Abraham
Artist: Mike Wolfer
Colors: Digikore Studios
Letters: Kurt Hathaway
Cover Artist: Mike Wolfer
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror
MATURE - Comics on the Edge



I am not familiar with the source material for this adaptation so I look at it
as a story unto itself. Those who have read SKIN TRADE will have to form their
own opinion as to whether it is true to the original. From the beginning of the
story and the cover illustration we are lead to believe that this may be a story
about werewolves. Avatar as a company certainly has shown a willingness to
depict horror themes in all their bloody gore but there is none of that this
first issue. The lead character is an asthmatic named Willie Flambeaux who works
for a collection agency. He is upset because recently a woman he has been
helping get out of debt, a twenty-three year old woman in a wheel chair, was
found murdered. The accounts in the paper said she was mutilated but do not go
into detail as to what that meant. Willie fears that it may have been something
more than a human attacker and expresses his concern to his old friend Randi who
apparently is a detective who has friend and relatives on the police force. She
decides to look into it to see if she can get more detail. Meanwhile Willie gets
a call from a man named Harmon. The conversation is interesting. Harmon claims
he fears for Willie's safety and Willie outright suggests the Harmon's son had
something to do with Joan's death. When Willie refuses to agree to a meeting
Harmon sends his son Steve to fetch him. What he has to tell William is supposed
to be for his own safety but he will let him decide for himself. This first
issue is mostly a tease for what is to come. There are inferences about
creatures involved but Randi is stonewalled at every turn, even by her uncle on
the force. Whether anyone in the Harmon family is a werewolf or otherwise had
something to do with the brutal death is not revealed at this time. It is
starting slowly but it is laying down the details about the characters we will
need to know going forward. As with other Avatar books the production values are
high and the art is appealing. At this point I would reserve judgment on staying
with this series but I might see if the next issue grabs me more than this one.

                                    *****
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 legal terms, what is unique about the term "Super-Heroes"?

It's a jointly held trademark by business rivals Marvel and DC. When they went
about creating their joint trademark DC trademarked the terms "super-villain"
and "super-hero." Marvel trademarked "super villain" and "super hero." So DC's
trademark has hyphens but Marvel's trademark doesn't have hyphens. The winner by
the dice is Gary Katzoff.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
For years Superman would invariably meet people, especially females, with L.L.
for initials (Lois and Lucy Lane, Lori Lemaris, etc.). Keeping the tradition
alive, SMALLVILLE revealed Lana Lang's parents names on the show.  What are
they?


Here is your no prize question:
In what year did That's Entertainment win the coveted "Spirit of the Industry"
Will Eisner Award?


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.