Week of April 25th

Honorable Mention

Aquaman # 8 (DC Comics)

   Who are The Others...and why is Black Manta hunting them...?

Daredevil # 11 (Marvel)

   “The Omega Effect” concludes!...Featuring Spider-Man and the Punisher!

The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man # 8 (DC Comics)

   Introducing the new Firehawk...and Hurricane!

Green Lantern: New Guardians # 8 (DC Comics)

   Arkillo is the last Yellow Lantern! Featuring the return of The Weaponer of Qward!

Secret Avengers # 26 (Marvel)

   The Avengers take the fight to space...and confront the Phoenix head on!

The Twelve # 12 (Marvel)

   The conclusion of this epic series...and the surprises keep coming!

...and now for this weeks All-Stars!

AVX: VS # 1

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writers: Jason Aaron, and Kathryn Immonen, Artists: Adam Kupert and Stuart Immonen, Inker: Wade Von Grawbadger, Colors: Morry Hollowell and Jim Charalampidis, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Editor: Nick Lowe

All-Star Summary for Choice: This is the type of book I could get used to. Nothing but a couple of cover-to-cover fights between some great characters doing awesome feats of power. The artwork didn’t blow me away, but having a “versus” mind with all things comic related, the action more than made up for what was lacking visually.

The book is divided into two fights: Iron Man versus Magneto...and The Thing versus Namor. At first glance, both these matches look to be easy wins for the mutants (that’s how it played out in my mind at least), but with Iron Man coming to the arena prepared, the match takes on a whole different perspective.

Iron man is like a high(er) tech Batman, coming prepared to do battle with specific gadgets designed for the particular opponent he is fighting...and fighting Magneto, he had some good ones!! Magneto, though, is not called the master of magnetism for nothing...and he certainly isn’t dumb or a poor combatant. I’m not going to spoil it for anyone...just read the book.

Namor and Thing have fought many times...and this fight reflects that. It also takes place under water...so, um...the Thing has his work cut out for him. It’s a good match with much of what I’ve come to expect from both combatants...and little of what I didn’t. Again, reading it is the best way to experience it...so mum’s the word on here for now.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “So your armor isn’t metal? Oh dear. However shall I possibly defend myself?”

Star Wars: Blood Ties - Boba Fett Is Dead # 1

Company: Dark Horse Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Tom Taylor, Artist: Chris Scalf, Letterer: Michael Heisler, Editor: Randy Stradley.

All-Star Summary for Choice: I’m an avid fan of Star Wars...just not so much so that I collect any of the books, except the ones that feature the best bounty hunter in the galaxy. To say I’m a Boba Fett fan is an egregious understatement. My entire Star Wars comic collection consists of nothing else but Fett (well, there are a few Vader books in there also)....but only the really good ones!

Boba Fett is announced to be dead, all over the galaxy...and despite being hated and feared, there seems to be someone that has taken a dim view of killing Fett. One by one, the squad of hit men credited for the Fett hit, are killed as the mysterious disgruntled Fett fan makes his way closer to uncovering who the benefactor was behind the hit.

The art is excellent and the story is as I expected whenever I read a Fett book. The creative and unique ways the disgruntled Fett fan disposes of the hit men is exactly why I’m reading this book! Of course, what would any Fett book be without a little misdirection (or a lot)...so it’s no surprise that Connor Freeman, the son of one of Jango’s clones, is being blamed for all the generously distributed death!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Unless he can survive a severe case of ‘gaping hole where his head should be,’ I assure you...Boba Fett is quite dead?”

Ultimate Comics Ultimates # 9

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Jonathan Hickman, Artist: Esad Ribic, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles, Colorist: Dean White, Editor: Mark Paniccia.

All-Star Summary for Choice:  It’s the People in Tian versus Reed Richards’ Children of Tomorrow in The City...and it just wouldn’t be a war if S.H.I.E.L.D and the Ultimates weren’t caught in the middle of it. The United States have enacted the “Winter Protocols”, the first wave of which is to send the Hulk. Well...with the Hulk persuaded to join Richards, that plan didn’t go so good. The phase is one where there will be no escape from the dire consequences....full nuclear strike!

Besides the awesome story, the art is absolutely magnificent! The attention to detail...especially with the facial expressions and action sequences is amazing. The coloring, which I don’t normally mention, needs to be recognized for the enhancement that it brings to an already incredible presentation.

With The People being slaughtered by the Children, Zorn takes matters into his own hands...or should I just say his mask, because that’s all it takes to lay waste to nearly everything. Add a nuclear strike as icing on the cake, and you have the perfect recipe for a Reed Richards retaliation that will leave you stunned...and very many others quite dead.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “May we all find some way to live with what has happened today.”

Uncanny X-Men # 11

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Kieron Gillen, Artists: Greg Land, Inker: Jay Leisten, Colorist: Guru eFX, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Editor: Nick Lowe.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Normally I’d have a problem with a book simply rehashing the events already presented in another title...especially the very week after the initial presentation. Not so with this book.

Essentially, the story presents (again) the events in Avengers vs X-Men # 2...but the twist here is twofold. The first is the spectacular artwork, much better than what was presented in the original telling. The other is the unique perspective in the telling. We get to experience these events again, but in more detail and from inside the minds of Namor, Colossus and Hope.

The motivations of Namor are insightful, but not surprising considering the way he’s been portrayed over the years. Colossus, however, was another matter entirely. The glimpse given of what he has to deal with to harness the power of Juggernaut is incredible. I have never seen Cain Marko having a similar experience and I think the situation for Colossus will get much worse before it ever gets better....if it ever will. Hope has decided to start making her own decisions...and with the Phoenix Force headed for Earth, she couldn’t have picked a better time...or worse, depending on which side of the fence you’re sitting on.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I admire Scott Summers. I would have his woman, of course. But that’s a compliment, in its own way.”

Voodoo # 8

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Joshua Williamson, Artist: Sami Basri, Letterer: Jared K Fletcher, Colorist: Jessica Kholinne, Editor: Bobbie Chase

All-Star Summary for Choice: Voodoo continues to be a hit. It may be just me, but when I open up a comic book and the very first page has the villain holding the decapitated head of one of our heroes...I think to myself “Whoa...this is going to be a great book!”

It’s not just the fact that a hero that has been growing on me for eight issues will no longer grow in any way, shape of form...but also the fact that the artwork is absolutely stunning. It’s the kind of work that makes you think “Why can’t all the books look like this?” Vibrant colors...detail to facial expressions, yeah...it matters when the blood starts flying.

Priscilla and Agent Fallon have finally caught up to Voodoo. Black Jack did as well, but that was the last thing he ever did. Not to be outdone, after a brief confrontation, Agent Fallon decides (not for herself mind you) that she should join Black Jack...leaving Priscilla to face her clone alone...leaving her no chance of survival. It’s a good thing the Black Razors show up, Priscilla could use a break...and a job!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Come any closer and THIS will be you.”

Week of April 18th

Honorable Mention

Planet of the Apes # 13 (Boom Studios)

   Julian is kidnapped...and Sullivan is betrayed by human pirates, with an ape captain?!

Punisher # 10 (Marvel)

   “The Omega Effect” continues...Daredevil and Spider-Man guest star!

The Shadow # 1 (Dynamite Entertainment)

   The Shadow knows the evil that lurks within men...and executes!

Uncanny X-Force # 24 (Marvel)

   Iceman is unkillable....so X-Force has to kill him!

X-Men # 27 (Marvel)

   The X-Men stand with the Vampires...and Jubilee fights alone!

...and now for this weeks All-Stars!

Avengers vs. X-Men # 2

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writers: Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman and Matt Fraction, Artist: John Romita Jr., Inker: Scott Hanna, Color Art: Laura Martin, Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos, Editor: Tom Brevoort

All-Star Summary for Choice: I love super hero team fights, especially if they’re done well. The Avengers have showed up to “take” Hope...ensuring a team fight will ensue. I was salivating by the second page upon seeing the “Magnetic Fastball Special.” The sequences are exciting and very well put together and the match ups have started some interesting conversations in the world of comics.

Red Hulk versus Colossus (infused with the power of Juggernaut). Namor versus Power Man and the Thing. Iron Man versus Emma Frost and Magneto. As expected, there were no definitive winners in the initial clash, but it looked very promising when I saw Cyclops take it to the face from Captain America’s shield. The dented and partially closed visor was a great touch and effective way to show the tactical implementation of Cap’s fighting style.

There was a lot going on here besides the fighting (as I needed any more than that), such as the discord between Wolverine and his former team, many of whom spit the word “traitor” to him like venom from a cobra and Black Panther and Storm using the confrontation to highlight their marital issues. In the end, and activated Hope and an impending confrontation between the rest of the Avengers and the Phoenix out in space lay the foundation of another great issue to follow.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I bet you thought you were just about to end this.”

Batman # 8

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Scott Snyder, Artist: Greg Capullo, Inker: Jonathan Glapion, Colorist: FCO Plascencia, Letterer: Richard Starkings, Editor: Mike Marts

All-Star Summary for Choice: The Court of Owls is making it’s move on Gotham...and one of their first stops is Wayne Manor! One would think such a move would be tantamount to suicide (in a sense), but it’s another story when Bruce is caught in a rare moment...unprepared!

The art is excellent...but not in the sense that it’s some of the best art I’ve ver seen, but more in a sense that it’s absolutely right for this story. The story is dark and foreboding, and the art heightens this feeling by being dark, but also clear and descriptive at the same time.

Batman just barely survived one Talon...now he has to face several of them, as Bruce Wayne! The stakes are VRY high in this one since now Alfred is in personal danger and the Talons have not only invaded Wayne Manor...but have found the Batcave as well. I’m not used to seeing Batman on the defensive and having to be reactionary for an entire book...especially in his own home, so that itself made this issue something special to read. The last page where his solution is revealed...was just the icing on the cake.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Well, well...seems you have a secret Bruce. Don’t you?”

Invincible Iron Man # 515 

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Matt Fraction, Artist: Salvador Larroca, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Colorist: Frank D’Armata, Editor: Mark Paniccia.

All-Star Summary for Choice:  Forced to wear a monitor for his suit that can be shut down with the push of a button by the U.S government for being deemed dangerous for being drunk in the Iron man suit, Tony has been deactivated at a very critical moment.

An upgraded Melter is wreaking havoc in Los Angeles, and Tony is helpless to do anything about it...but it gets worse. War Machine has been dispatched to deal with the situation, but the Melter isn’t the small time punk of the past...nor is he alone after an upgraded Whirlwind jumps into the fray. Being the badass hero he is, War Machine deals with them, but he’s just not bad enough to deal after an upgraded Living Laser shows up. Oh...did I mention that all of this has been brought to you by the machinations of the Mandarin?

The art is spectacular...in every sense. In truth, one of the ways I come to collect a title that I don’t normally collect is by observing that the artwork is incredible...and staying with that warm fuzzy feeling I get when I see great art. I also put books down when the artwork turns bad...but more on that later.

The Mandarin has played his hand...and he has won. The villains have managed to kill a super hero (Oh...did I mention War Machine is dead?)...or have they? In either case, this game is over...the bad guys won, and now Tony must start another. I can’t wait!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Can you fly faster than light? Too bad.”

Justice League # 8

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Geoff Johns, Artist: Carlos D’Anda with Ivan Reis & Joe Prado, Colorists: Gabe Eltaeb with Alex Sinclair, Letterer: Patrick Brosseau, Editor: Brian Cunningham

All-Star Summary for Choice: Green Arrow wants in! The Justice League has just defeated Amazo (would have loved to see that) and Green Arrow is on a mission to earn a spot with the big boys. His contribution of an arrow to the posterior of Amazo is just the beginning of this self-inflicted adventure.

I love the story (and the art is great as well) of how Green Arrow just keeps showing up at League missions like a bad penny, trying his best to demonstrate how useful he can be. To his credit, he is very effective, but the League has had some past history with another new member, that has jaded them to admitting any more new members (more on that later). There is also some past unrevealed history between Aquaman and Green Arrow that I hope will be shown sooner than later.

The New 52 has re-written almost everything that was previously known about the characters I’ve grown up with. It’s not too big of a deal for me...change is a part of life. A recurring theme though, that has planted the hook firmly in my mouth with this book, is the constant “history” that is being revealed in bits and pieces...and the splash page of this book is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. The more I read, the less answers I have...and the more questions are created.

Some things have stayed constant in the New 52 though...like the fact that the Martian Manhunter can take on the entire Justice League!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “So what do you say? Am I in?”

Nightwing # 8

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Kyle Higgins, Artists: Eddy Barrows, Inker: Ruy Jose & Ever Ferreira, Colorist: Rod Reis, Letterer: Pat Brosseau, Editor: Bobbie Chase.

All-Star Summary for Choice: “Night of the Owls” has spilled into Nightwing, but Dick Grayson has a very special connection to the Court of Owls...he was always meant to be a Talon! 

The Nightwing book has always had nice artwork, but the current story has propelled the entirety of it to another level. The Court of Owls is making their move, and it’s more graphic and bloody than I had anticipated for this book...and that’s a good thing. The fight between Nightwing and Talon was very impressive and much more brutal than I would have normally thought to see in this book. So, as you can see...this book was an absolute treat!

The sword fight between Nightwing and Talon, both trained by the best fighters in the world left both men with extensive wounds...but also left Talon with a sword through his chest, and a truncheon in his eye. If he wasn’t already dead...he would be (didn’t seem very Batman like to do all that, but I’m not complaining). As if all that wasn't enough, it’s not over for Dick...in fact, things are about to get much worse as the book closes with him having a knife in the back, three more in his chest...and another Talon (one with a personal connection) to finish what the first one started!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Oh, you want to challenge me to a sword fight? Is that it? I’ve been trained by the best fighters on the planet.”

Fallen Stars

Sometimes a book will take a turn for the worst either in story or artwork, and no longer be something that I want to read...or can stomach to look at. Sometimes this change is temporary, and sometimes it’s permanent. I don’t know which it is for the following books (only time will tell), but for right now...the books listed under this heading have a problem (in my opinion) with either the story or the art...or both!

Avengers # 25

Company: Marvel

This book is an Avengers versus X-Men tie in...and I don’t know why. The story (what little I read of it) doesn’t seem to be essential to the overall story arc of A vs X...but that really isn’t why this book is a Fallen Star. The artwork is painful to look at. Walter Simonson was tolerable, at best, for me in my younger years...but after being spoiled with visuals that that make the hairs on your neck raise, it has become downright painful to look at. If this is the new regular artist on this book...then this will not be a regularly collected book for me.

The Defenders # 5

Company: Marvel

I was very happy collecting The Defenders...until my eyes were assaulted with a criminal act of horrible artwork! This book has exposed me to, without a doubt, some of the worst art I have ever seen in a comic book. I don’t understand why Marvel allows any book to go on the shelf looking like this. Did not the editor, Mark Paniccia, see that the artist, Mitch Breitweiser was clearly under duress as he tried to draw this book while being drawn and quartered? The sad part of this is, if I open this title up next month and see the same scribble my son did when he was four, I’ll never know how the story ends.

Week of April 11th

Honorable Mention

Artifacts # 16 (Image)

   Rapture versus Angelus...all of them?!

Batman and Robin # 8 (DC Comics)

   Father and son reconcile after Robin crosses the line!

Green Lantern # 8 (DC Comics)

   Captured by the Indigo Tribe!

Legion Lost # 8 (DC Comics)

   It’s the Legion versus the Ravagers!

Secret # 1 (Image)

   Corporate espionage and murder...and that’s only the beginning!

Superboy # 8 (DC Comics)

   Superboy versus Grunge!

...and now for this weeks All-Stars!

Deathstroke #8

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Kyle Higgins, Artists: Eduardo Pansica, Inkers: Art Thibert,  Letterer: Travis Lanham, Colorist: Jason Wright, Editor: Brian Smith

All-Star Summary for Choice:

Deathstroke has always been one of my favorite characters, since the early days of the Teen Titans. I was excited when he first got his own book, and was equally jubilant when they launched him again in the “New 52.” It saddens me that this will be my last issue since I can’t stomach the artwork of the next regular artist, Rob Liefeld. I’m just glad my last issue was such a great one.

Deathstroke has always been a complex character and this issue just gives more insight into why. This is the first I’ve seen anything about his childhood and the story is both powerful and tragic. Every child should have a chance at happiness, but some just draw the bad cards of life...and grow up to be the best hired assassin in the business.

We’ve always known Slade’s motivation isn’t the money, but his desire to be the best. Well, now it’s more accurate to say his desire to always be better. As twisted as the relationship is with his father, the history of it actually serves to clarify the relationship between Slade and his own son. Deathstroke is a very complex character, and this issue enhances this, with a simplified look back.



All-Star Quote of the Book: “I assume that in calling yourself “Kill Switch”...you’ll at least make this interesting?”

Fantastic Four # 605

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Jonathan Hickman, Artist: Ron Garney, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles, Colorist: Jason Keith, Editor: Tom Brevoort.

All-Star Summary for Choice:  I’m not a staunch Fantastic Four fan, but the latest writing from Hickman has me scouring the shelves for every issue that comes out. Just when I was thinking about how can they top the Celestia/ Galactus fight, they go in a totally different direction...that’s all too familiar to me.

Ben Grimm is going to live a very long time, a side effect to being turned into the Thing. Nathaniel and Reed Richards decide to spend some father and son time together, but instead of playing catch, they take a trip to the far future...and observe everyone’s ever-loving blue-eyed Thing!

This issue certainly had a “Time Machine” feel to it when looked at it from the point of view of the travelers...and a very “Bicentennial Man” feel when looked at from the perspective of the observed subject of study. I enjoyed both those movies, so it goes without saying that I absolutely loved this issue. Not “action-packed” although there is action, this issue exemplified how a great story can carry a book to greatness.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “It’s Clobberin Time!”

Grifter # 7 

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Nathan Edmondson, Artist: Daniel Sampere, Inker: Dave Beaty & Mark McKenna, Letterer: Wes Abbot, Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse, Editor: Brian Smith

All-Star Summary for Choice:  Ok...the artist has changed from last issue, but the artwork remains spectacular for this great confrontation between Grifter and his Daemonite-possessed brother, Max.

The action is over-the-top, and I think it’s what makes this book so exciting and fun to read. For example, a commercial jet is taken down....and everyone dies except Grifter, including his love interest...and the chase is on. The odds are more-than-any-man-can-handle to one, but this is how Grifter operates. Being able to hear the telepathy of the Daemonites only adds to the tension when he begins to hear the remnants of his brother Max....begging for death.

After a day of tremendous loss...what is Grifter left to do...? How about jumping off the Eiffel Tower, showering Daemonites with a hail of gunfire as he descends? Yup...crazy, over-the-top...and so much fun it should be a crime.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “The hell you can’t. Do it or I’ll have to watch him kill you.”

Ultimate Comics X-Men # 10 

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Nick Spencer, Artist: Paco Medina, Inkers: Juan Vlasco, Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino, Colorist: Christopher Sotomayor with Marte Gracia, Editor: Mark Paniccia.

All-Star Summary for Choice:  Let it be a testament to all the other books that have been All-Stars that this title has not made the cut until now...because this issue certainly qualifies as one of the most suspense building, misdirecting, and extreme cliffhanging books to come out in a while.

The mutants have been detained in camps, the worst being Camp Angel. Storm decides she’s had enough and her actions against the Sentinel guards touch off a riot. It’s no surprise that the mutants take over...it’s not surprising that many of them want to enact lethal justice after seizing power. It was a little surprising that the camp divided on the issue at exactly half of the population...with the exception of one very important vote.

This swing vote is critical, somewhat unexpected...and is the perfect setup for a cliffhanger that had me at the edge of my seat...because there is no way anybody is coming up from it unscathed. 

All-Star Quote of the Book: “No Storm...that is not my choice.”

Uncanny X-Men # 10

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Kieron Gillen, Artists: Carlos Pacheco & Paco Diaz, Inker: Cam Smith, Colorist: Guru eFX, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Editor: Nick Lowe.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Unit, an alien robot has escaped from S.WO.R.D. with a target painted on the backs of the X-Men. This is not unusual, many have had their sites painted on our favorite mutant team...but few could deliver. Believe me when I say, this is what sets Unit apart from all the rest.

The artwork is spectacular, very clear with clean lines and interesting angles. The action is just cover-to-cover fantastic. The systematic way in which Unit ravages the X-Men is both eye opening and refreshing. How are our heroes going to overcome an enemy that rips through their most powerful members as easily as a rabid cat rips through tissue paper?

It gets worse though...it isn't all smash and bash...but creative and whimsical, which makes it all the more ominous coming from an alien robot that reminds me of Box from “Logan’s Run.” This book is the poster child for how a simple conversation can be one of the most dangerous things on the planet.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Now, that is interesting. It doesn’t normally work that well.”