BUY IT!
Uncanny X-Men #513 – Chapter 2 of Utopia and the surprises haven’t stopped coming. Cyclops can no longer contain or control the various groups of mutants in the city; much to the liking of Osborn and Emma. As the Dark X-Men (Emma, Prof. X, Mimic, Namor, Cloak, Dagger, Wolverine (Daken), Dark Beast and Weapon Omega) set out to arrest the mutants rallying against the new martial law, Prof X is shown to be in a holding cell next to the newly arrested Beast who winds up on his way to the newly created power dampener. This one’s only getting better with each chapter…
Green Lantern #43 – The Prologue to Blackest Night continues with the origin of Black Hand and the elevation of him to the vanguard of the Black Lantern Corps. I won’t reveal much here, but Geoff Johns is doing his best work since the Sinestro Corps War and the art by Doug Manke is creepily suited for this story. Do yourself a favor and buy any GL books leading up to Blackest Night before Joe Comic-Book puts them in the back issues boxes and raises the prices. I can’t wait for Blackest Night #1 next week…
X-Men #226 – Rogue, Gambit and Danger have arrived in San Fran to hook up with the X-Men, only to find the city in flames and under martial law. Cyclops quickly puts aside his issues with Gambit and sets the three on crowd control, running them smack into Ares and Ms. Marvel. I said it after I read issue #224: I’m glad to finally see Rogue living up to her potential and becoming the field leader she needs to be. ‘nuff said.
Batman & Robin #2 – Dick has to adjust to being both Batman and a father figure to Damian. Problem is: he’s failing miserably at both. Damian nearly kills a crook trying to get information and then quits to crack the case his way after being yelled at by Dick. Alfred actually saves the day in this issue when he tells Dick that he shouldn’t look at the role of Batman as a memorial, but as a performer in a role. He has to believe he is Batman, not a son trying to live up to his father’s memory. I’m still worried that Grant Morrison is going to get too weird for a Batman book (like he did with X-Men…), but his interaction between Dick and Damian and Dick and Alfred so far has been dead-on. Frank Quitley’s art doesn’t hurt to look at either…
Captain America: Reborn #1 – Not the blockbusting shocker that I had hoped for, but if it brings Cap back: fine. We learn that the Red Skull had procured Dr. Doom’s Time Platform at some point and used the technology to “kill” Cap. Dr. Faustus and Arim Zola used the platform, Sharon Carter and the gun to put Cap – get this – out of time with himself. He’s now reliving his own past and is starting to realize it. The problem being, our intrepid heroes (Cap-Bucky, Falcon, Black Widow and Sharon Carter…) need the gun, Sharon AND the time tech to bring Cap back to normal – the time tech was just recently confiscated by Norman Osborn. Bum-bum-bum. The tag-team art by Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice is great and I’m hoping Ed Brubaker has a good story to go along with the “rebirth” (the cover by Alex Ross doesn’t hurt either…).
Batman #688 – Dick is still adjusting to wearing the “daddy-pants” and neurotically goes off on Alfred about the size and weight of the cape. Dick then spars with Damian and tries to train him in the verbal art of being Robin. Meanwhile, the Penguin has set his sights on being the top dog in Gotham and Two-Face has figured out that the original Robin has taken Batman’s place. How? Because Dick was caught on video smiling as he beat the crap out of some hoods. Even I know that Batman doesn’t smile. He rarely even smirks in the cowl. Judd Winick was a great choice to write this series as he really doesn’t do anything too dark and has a good grasp on younger characters. My big complaint that almost sent this to the recycle bin was Mark Bagley’s pencils. Why DC, why? The weekly Trinity series was a flop after four issues. To me, his art only suits big team books like Titans, Avengers or bright, solo heroes like Spidey. It flat-out sucks on Batman. I wouldn’t have batted an eye if he was doing Red Robin. The saving grace was the inks of the much underrated Rob Hunter. Still, it’s a good story with great dialogue (pick up the Barry Ween: Boy Genius TPB by Winick if you haven’t already…) that is showing it ain’t easy being Batman…
Terry Moore’s Echo #13 – Moore definitely has this story into fourth gear now. Dillon and Julie learn that the suit has what’s left of Dillion’s girlfriend, Annie, embedded in it at the molecular level. The female agent almost catches them as they pull off (she tried to land her plane on them…). Julie then gets a call from her ex, letting her know that her sister has is missing from the “rest home”. HeNRI, the organization responsible for the suit is still in crisis mode and now has to deal with the media and a ticked off biker that wants his dead buddies bodies released. Honestly, this needs to be a TV show next season. Hollywood is constantly looking for good ideas (and usually failing or cancelling the wrong show…) and this is on par with anything coming out right now. It’s has drama, romance, suspense, action and a sci-fi element. Perfect for the CW or NBC. Make it happen somebody. Terry Moore needs his props.
War of Kings #5 – The “penultimate chapter” of this mini-series starts with one of the Raptors telling Vulcan what to do in front of his advisors and then flying away. Vulcan kinda loses it. Again. On the Shi’ar throne world, Havok as the Starjammers are trying to fight their way off the planet after the assassination of Lilandra and defection of Gladiator last issue. All this as Blackbolt prepares to use a machine that will use the Terrigen Mists to transform most of the sentients on the galaxy into “inhumans.” Using this machine will cost him his life, but strategically end the war and he is ready to fire the machine as Vulcan crashes in for the final confrontation. I’ve always like the space-faring titles of the Marvel U and this one is set to define the galaxy for years to come.
Red Robin #2 – This series seems to be getting better with each issue. Tim looks to be more suited to be the Batman that we’re used (better than Dick. again: BATMAN DOESN’T SMILE!). This issue treats us to some flashbacks of Tim cutting everyone in his life off to begin his search for Bruce. In the present, he easily takes out the 3 League of Assassins members sent by Ra’s al Ghul to get Tim’s attention. Ra’s has an offer for Tim and given their history during the Resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul storyline, this could get ugly quick.
War of Kings: Warriors #1 – Written by Christos Gage and drawn by newcomer Carlos Magno, we are FINALLY shown the origins of Gladiator and Blastaar. The Gladiator story alone was enough for me to buy it…
Green Lantern Corps #38 – Prelude to Blackest 
Night continues as Arisa has organized the Daxamites into full rebellion against the Sinestro Corps; while Guy and Kyle are forced to stand up to the Alpha Lanterns and the Guardians themselves as the prisoners of the Science Cells are being systematically executed instead of moved to new holding cells. Guy and Kyle argue that they had promised certain prisoners leniency if they helped during the riots as this goes against everything the Corps is supposed to stand for. Ultimately, Guy and Kyle get their way, but are instantly sent to Earth as the rest of the executions continue; led by the Guardian that has been reading from the Blackest Night book. The art on this book is always adequate, but I know there are lots of better “cosmic” artists in the field that need work.
Star Wars: Invasion #1 – Finally. We get some Star Wars stories from the Yuuzhan Vong War. Luke Skywalker, Yuuzhan Yong, new Jedi, fighting, etc. If you are a Star Wars fan, buy it. The End.
Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #1 – I surprised myself with how much I actually enjoyed this issue. Writer Victor Gischler seems to have a great understanding of Deadpool and his mouth; while Bong Dazo’s (yes, it’s listed as Bong) art is cartoony and detailed at the same time, making it fit a Deadpool book nicely. Wade is hired by A.I.M. to bring back an item from the Savage Land that agents from both Hydra and A.I.M. have been unable procure. After a quick team-up with Ka-zar, Wade hooks up with the smoking hot A.I.M. science team member that was let behind. Turns out, Deadpool must bring back the Zombieworld Deadpool’s head that is still alive and being worshipped by the locals. I still say this is oversaturation of the character, but thanks to the creative team, I’m onboard.
RECYCLE IT!
Dark X-Men #1 – I’m really digging the Utopia storyline going through the X-Books and Dark Avengers, but this was another attempt by Marvel to make more money. Yeah, the Namor/Osborn story was cool, but it just took away dialogue and story that could have easily been a sub-plot in the main titles. The Mimic story was useless for anyone familiar with the character and the Dark Beast story could have also been woven into the main titles. But, it did have a Jae Lee cover. Quit diluting your books and just produce books we want to buy. Not have to.
Justice League: Cry for Justice #1 – With the “death” of Batman and Martian Manhunter being killed by the Injustice League, Green Lantern Hal Jordan is tired of reacting to problems and crisis and wants to go after villains before they pull something. He argues for true justice and takes Green Arrow with him as he quits the League. It looks as if they’ll be joined by Supergirl, The Atom, Congo Bill (stuck in gorilla form…), Mikaal (don’t ask me… he looks like a reject from the ‘90’s…) and Batwoman. Didn’t DC try this with Justice League Elite in 2004 (crap…) and Extreme Justice way back in 1994 (mega-crap.)? The artwork looks pretty good, but yeeesh – the story and the choice of characters to anchor this series is dubious and may just be a favor to James Robinson…
Cable #16 – It was only a few months ago I was raving about this book. This is a good title for someone who wants to get to know Cable a little better; but after a few issues, it’s all the same. The story is played out, writer Duane Swierczynski seems to have lost his way on the title (and he has too many consonants in his last name…) and Marvel brought in Paul Gulacy to tackle the art for this issue. Was that supposed to make me want to buy it? He’s been around since the ‘70’s (Master of Kung Fu) and his stuff still looks flat and out of proportion. Here ya go Fluffly, new piddle paper…
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #36 – As we are lead into the wedding of Aunt May and JJ’s dad (don’t ask…), Peter travels to Boston were the engagement party is being held. Someone attacks, Pete changes into his union suit and goes after him. The End. OK, so it’s not that cut and dry, but it is a typical annual story that really has nothing to do with the current storyline. Penciller Pat Olliff (Untold Tales of Spider-Man) 
does a great job on the book and it makes me wonder why he doesn’t have regular work in the industry. The reason this issue is in the recycle pile is the fact that – wait for it – MARVEL IS BRINGING BACK THE CLONE SAGA CRAP! JUST LET THE STORIES DIE! WE FORGOT LONG AGO! Unless this is going to be the storyline for Spider-Man 4; which would almost be a step up from Spider-Man 3. Blah.
