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: HUNGERIssue 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/SUPERMANIssue 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-UPIssue 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: CONSTANTINEIssue 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 GORILLAIssue 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 TRADEIssue 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.
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